What is SIBO?
We treat and test for SIBOSMALL INTESTINE BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH
Normally, bacteria are found in the trillions in the LARGE INTESTINE, where they perform various symbiotic functions for the human body.
SIBO is a condition where bacterial overgrowth occurs in the absorptive area of the body the SMALL INTESTINE.
Symptoms of SIBO can include:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Alternating constipation and diarrhoea
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloating and/or wind
- Burping and Acid Reflux/GORD
- Food sensitivities
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes
- Iron and B12 deficiency
- Respiratory symptoms such as asthma
Causes of SIBO:
- Post infectious: a case of gastroenteritis can often be the “heralding event” for the development of SIBO
- Overconsumption of simple carbohydrates
- Medications: proton pump inhibitors, morphine and other opiates, narcotics, possibly beta agonists and calcium channel blockers
- Stress: chronic stress can decrease stomach acid output (hypochlorhydria).
- Normal stomach acid levels are required to kill bacteria
- Stress also causes changes in the motility of the small intestines, causing a pooling and stagnation which allows for bacterial overgrowth
- Altered anatomy: malformation of the ileocecal valve, surgical intervention causing scarring and adhesions altering the normal anatomy of the small intestines
- Initial colonization of bad bacteria: caesarean birth, no breast feeding
Associated conditions:
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – especially associated with diarrhoea dominant SIBO
- Chronic constipation – associated with methane-dominant SIBO
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Acid reflux
- Coeliac disease
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Restless leg syndrome
- Acne Rosacea
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Scleroderma
- Chronic Prostatitis
- Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatosis (NASH)
- Liver cirrhosis
- Diverticulitis
Michele Wolff is a qualified SIBO practitioner, specifically trained to assess, test and treat the condition. Each SIBO case is individual in its cause and therefore its treatment. Michele will tailor treatment specifically to you, providing relief of symptoms as well as rectifying the cause.