For those with IBS? It could actually be SIBO!
New hope for those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? You may actually have SIBO!
Do you often feel gasey and bloated? Maybe you have loose stools or suffer from constipation, possibly some stomach pain, nausea, heartburn and/or excess burping? Does it seem like you have some or all of these symptoms regardless of the foods you eat? Or you are eating healthier than ever before but your digestion is much worse? Do you have these symptoms along with fatigue or skin concerns like rosacea, acne or eczema? Have you been told you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? It could be that you actually have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).
This article will tell you more about SIBO and what you can do about it.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? What are the symptoms?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a fairly common condition in North America. The estimates are that 10-20% of Americans have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Broadly speaking Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is defined as a gastrointestinal disorder for which no known physiologic or anatomical cause has been identified. It is a diagnosis of exclusion based on non-specific symptoms that include recurrent abdominal pain on average at least one day per week in the past 3 months, along with two or more of the following: (1) the pain is related to defecation; (2) the pain is associated with a change in frequency of stool and/or; (3) the pain is associated with a change in the form of stool.
Many medical professionals have touted stress as the root cause of (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) IBS but what we are actually seeing is that development of chronic IBS is highly correlated with a prior incidence of acute bacterial stomach infections (ex. Travelers diarrhea or food poisoning).
Conventional treatment options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are minimal and directed toward symptom relief, such as the low FODMAPS diet. Which brings us to SIBO – a new root cause and novel treatment for those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms.
What is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)? What are the symptoms?
We are seeing that as many as 84% of those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) actually have something called Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, also known as SIBO. SIBO is defined as an excess of problematic bacteria in the lower part of the small intestine. This overgrowth of bacteria leads to some or all of the following symptoms:
Typically, someone with SIBO will have some stool changes and some dyspepsia (gas induced) symptoms. Some will also have skin concerns and fatigue. The degree of symptom severity correlates with the bacteria overgrowth levels, so higher levels equals more severe symptoms often.
Conditions Associated with SIBO
Here is a list of conditions that have been associated with SIBO:
SIBO Lab Testing
There is a relatively new non-invasive test to determine if someone has SIBO. Currently the gold standard for SIBO testing, the a lactulose breath test that measures hydrogen and methane levels produced the bacteria in the small intestine. Overgrown bacteria in the small intestine produce elevated levels of hydrogen and/or methane gas which can be measured through breathing into tubes over three hours. Elevated levels of one or both of these gases is a positive test result for SIBO.
The lactulose hydrogen/ methane test is a given as a home breath test kit and requires the patient to follow specific low fibre/ low sugar food intake during the 24 hours before the test. The bacteria ferment fibre and sugar fuel sources which then results in hydrogen and/or methane and/or hydrogen sulfide gases.
The test kit is available through your Naturopath. It is a specialized test not covered by OHIP so it is not offered through your family doctor or specialist. It can be covered though by extended health benefits.
SIBO Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Treatment for SIBO in those told they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is dependent on which gas(es) are positive on the lab test. Typically, treatment will start with 2-4 weeks of high dose herbal antimicrobials along with biofilm disruptor capsules. In some refractory cases, specific anti-biotics are used but typically high dose herbal antibiotics work very well. Once eradicated, your Naturopath will work on healing your gut. Often there are higher levels of intestinal permeability when someone has SIBO related Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and also stomach acid secretion can be low. It is important to repair the gut after SIBO and put some preventative measures in place so that it doesn’t recur. This gut healing phase may last about 8 weeks.
The approach to treatment for SIBO induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) includes the following 4 steps:
Some advocate a specific diet to effectively starve the overgrown bacteria. There are a number of variations on this, including the Biphasic Diet, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet and the low Fodmap Diet. However, there is only one diet that has been shown to eradicate SIBO and that is the Elemental Diet. The other diets will reduce gas and bloating symptoms but not eradicate SIBO. The Elemental Diet is effective but very hard to implement since it requires the patient to only consume a specific liquid shake for 2-3 weeks. This approach will starve the bacteria but weight loss, compliance and cost is a significant barrier.
Repair your gut! See a Naturopath.
A Naturopath will do a thorough assessment of your Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal symptoms and review previous lab testing before determining whether you might benefit from doing the SIBO test. Then if the test is possible for SIBO, your Naturopath will give you a comprehensive treatment plan designed to address SIBO induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and prevent its recurrence.
To find out more about Naturopathic treatment for gastrointestinal concerns including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), book a FREE 15 min Meet the Naturopath consultation with Dr. Tara Andresen today at one her NDcare Naturopathic Clinics in Toronto.