Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Many SIBO symptoms are similar to those of other gastrointestinal conditions. 

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may notice the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain

• abdominal swelling

• nausea

• bloating

• indigestion

• flatulence

• diarrhoea

• constipation

• loss of appetite

• an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating

• unintentional weight loss

• fatigue

Normally, the bacteria in your small intestine are controlled by chemicals such as gastric acid, bile, enzymes, and immunoglobulins, and the normal movement of food to your large intestine. 

SIBO occurs when the normal chemical functions and the movement of your gut are altered, allowing bacteria to overgrow from your large bowel into your small bowel.

Several factors can cause this to happen, including:

• complications of abdominal surgery

• structural problems in and around your small intestine

• certain medical conditions, including Crohn's disease, radiation enteritis, scleroderma, coeliac disease, and diabetes

• overuse of certain medications

• a weakened immune system

Your consultant will see you for an initial consultation. During this appointment, they’ll ask you to talk through your medical history and describe your symptoms. They may also perform a physical examination.

Diagnosing SIBO based on your symptoms alone is difficult due to the overlap with other conditions. This means they may need to conduct further tests, including a simple breath test. This measures the levels of hydrogen in your breath. A change in hydrogen levels after drinking a sugary drink can indicate an overgrowth of bacteria. They may also run blood tests or imaging tests.

Once your consultant has all the information they need, including the results from any tests, they can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment.

The only long-term way to prevent SIBO is to treat the underlying condition that’s causing it. Antibiotics to treat SIBO are a short-term solution, and your symptoms are likely to return if the underlying cause isn’t also treated.

Research is limited on whether certain eating plans or dietary patterns can help. If you have SIBO, ask your consultant for personalised advice on how to prevent it from returning after initial treatment.

If SIBO is left untreated, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies that can harm your health. A lack of vitamin B12 and calcium, for example, may lead to weakness, fatigue, confusion, anaemia, and osteoporosis (weakened bones).

Your treatment options will depend on the severity of your condition and the underlying cause. 

The initial treatment for SIBO is a course of antibiotics to reduce the abnormal bacteria. If you have an underlying health condition, the bacteria may return. This means that in some cases, long-term treatment may be needed.

If possible, the underlying cause of SIBO should be treated. Treatment for the underlying cause will vary. Your consultant will explain the best course of action for you, based on your situation.

At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.