Are you constantly feeling bloated after you eat, but you can't figure out what might be causing it? You may have been labelled with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) by your doctor with no real solution given. But IBS is just a label that groups together persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence and cramping. If these symptoms are persistent and ongoing then this isn't normal and there will always be one or more causative factors. One of the most prevalent causes of IBS is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or SIBO. SIBO is exactly what it's name describes, and it can cause so much havoc to a person's wellbeing, leaving you feeling bloated after most meals.
How does it occur?
Well, the billions of bacteria living inside us are fundamental to our health, however, when they set up camp in areas they shouldn't, then they can start to cause some real trouble. The small intestine is home to about 100,000 bacteria per 1/4 teaspoon while the colon is home to about 20 billion bacteria per 1/4 teaspoon. That is a massive difference! When those bacteria from the colon are allowed to travel up into the small intestines, symptoms like severe bloating, cramping and diarrhoea can result.
Most commonly, SIBO is caused by an increased number of bacteria in the small intestines and/or changes in the type of bacteria usually found in the small intestines. Risk factors include:
low stomach acidity
frequent antibiotic use
excessive alcohol consumption
and other medication use, such as antacids, opiate medications, like morphine, and even the oral contraceptive pill (OCP)
SIBO Malnutrition and 'Leaky Gut'
One of the main affects of untreated SIBO is malnutrition. Nutritional deficiencies can occur as a result of damage to the mucosal lining of the digestive tract, compromising our absorption of nutrients. Common nutrient deficiencies as a result of SIBO include:
b12
fat soluble vitamins A, D and K
and folic aid.
In addition to nutritional deficiencies, damage to the mucosal wall can lead to gastrointestinal hyper-permeability, commonly referred to as 'leaky gut'. Leaky gut allows larger than normal molecules to pass through the digestive lining into the blood stream, sparking immune system dysfunction, which often presents as food intolerances.
How is it treated?
SIBO is notoriously difficult to treat. Studies show that half of patients treated with antibiotic therapy will see a return of bacterial overgrowth within a year, and a return of IBS symptoms, like bloating. This is often because the cause of the SIBO has not been addressed. Furthermore, treatment with heavy duty antibiotics also comes with some pretty detrimental side effects to a person's health.
Herbal antimicrobials, like thyme, oregano, garlic and pomegranate have shown to have a similar success rates compared to antibiotic therapy, however, naturopathic treatment options also aim to address the factors that have led to SIBO in the first place, while also healing the gut. Addressing the cause is crucial for long term treatment success, I cannot stress this enough!
So, if you are constantly battling bloating, and nothing seems to be helping, if you have been labelled with IBS with no real solution, then you should consider exploring the possibility of SIBO with your naturopath.