Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause constipation, diarrhea, malnutrition, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Find out what causes it, how to test for it, and what the treatments are.<\/p>\n
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Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition where there is an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestines. Normally, the small intestines contain a small population of \u201cgood\u201d bacteria that help with digestion and the immune system [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A large increase in the number of bacteria or the presence of abnormal bacteria can cause SIBO, which can cause several symptoms, including bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n This overgrowth of bacteria can also disrupt the body\u2019s ability to absorb nutrients, often leading to nutrition deficiencies [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n There are several potential causes of SIBO, such as decreased movement in the digestive system, structural abnormalities in the gut, and certain medications [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n SIBO can cause a variety of diverse symptoms which include [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Because these are general, nonspecific symptoms, it can be hard to tell the difference between SIBO and other conditions such as IBS<\/a>, lactose intolerance, or fructose intolerance.<\/p>\n SIBO can be caused by many factors and conditions.<\/p>\n These can be broken down into three distinct groups [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n The digestive system has ways to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria, such as stomach acid, bile<\/a>, enzymes, and immune cells. A lack of any of these allows bacteria to thrive, potentially leading to SIBO [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Stomach acid destroys bacteria before they reach the small intestine. A lack of acid production allows bacteria to pass through the stomach into the small intestine where they can potentially multiply. Enzymes released from the pancreas also help destroy bad bacteria in the small intestine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Health conditions or medications that disrupt the stomach\u2019s ability to secrete acid may increase the risk of SIBO [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Bile acids can inhibit bacterial growth in the small intestine. When bile production in the liver or flow from the gallbladder decreases, pathogenic (\u201cbad\u201d) bacteria in the small intestine can increase [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Conditions that impair the body\u2019s immune system can lead to bacterial growth in the small intestine.<\/p>\n For example, SIBO is common in people with a genetic condition that causes a lack of IgA, a type of antibody that helps detect and eliminate bacteria. Bacterial overgrowth is also common in AIDS patients due to an underactive immune system [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n<\/a>Symptoms of SIBO<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Causes of SIBO<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>1) Disorders of Antibacterial Mechanisms<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Low Stomach Acid and Enzyme Production<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Lack of Bile Flow<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Underactive Immune System in the Gut<\/h4>\n