What is SIBO?
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there is an excess of bacteria in the small intestine.
This overgrowth can lead to various intestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and, in some cases, malabsorption.
According to this study, SIBO is 'highly prevalent in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)'.
What are the signs of SIBO?
- Appetite loss.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea.
- Bloating.
- Diarrhoea.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Malnutrition.
- An uncomfortable fullness after eating.
What can be mistaken for SIBO?
It's similar to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in that both conditions are related to the gut.
However, while IBS affects the large intestine, SIBO, as its name suggests, involves the small intestine.
Despite this difference, IBS and SIBO share many common symptoms.
What is the root cause of SIBO?
Irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal motility disorders, and chronic pancreatitis are the leading causes of SIBO, responsible for 80-90% of cases.
SIBO is also more commonly found in women and older adults.