Have you been feeling extra gassy lately? Or have you noticed increased abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea? If so, you could be dealing with one of many GI disorders, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
The problem is getting to the root cause of your symptoms. It's tricky because many GI disorders mimic each other, making a definitive diagnosis even more complicated.
However, tests are available that narrow down the culprits so you can start feeling better. At Gateway Gastroenterology, our team of experienced hepatologists and gastroenterologists provides hydrogen breath testing for people experiencing symptoms of SIBO.
We also offer other diagnostic tests, such as colonoscopies, fructose intolerance testing, and lactose intolerance testing, to rule out other possible causes of uncomfortable GI symptoms.
SIBO is a condition in which too much bacteria reside in the small intestine. This overgrowth results in uncomfortable GI symptoms like gas and bloating.
SIBO also blocks nutrient absorption and interferes with digestion. Untreated SIBO complications include vitamin B12 deficiencies, anemia, and osteoporosis.
It's essential to understand that your small intestine should contain bacteria. But, too many of the wrong kinds of bacteria cause SIBO. Too many harmful bacteria allow them to feast on vitamins and salts necessary for fat absorption and other bodily functions.
Anyone can develop SIBO, but it's more common in people with low stomach acid, dysmotility in the small intestine, and those who take certain medications. You're also at risk for SIBO if you're living with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or celiac disease.
The symptoms of SIBO are very similar to those of many other gut problems. They can be mild or severe enough to interfere with daily life. You may only have one or two symptoms or experience many at once.
We see various symptoms related to SIBO, but the most prevalent include:
Another way to evaluate these issues is by looking at your stool. Common signs of SIBO in the stool include mucus, hard and lumpy stool, watery or loose stools. These bowel movements also look like other issues and can vary daily.
If you experience these symptoms suddenly, or if they’ve been ongoing but worsening, seeking treatment is crucial. In most cases, they’re not harmful or life-threatening, but they could be a sign of a more significant issue in the gut.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of SIBO mimic many other gut issues because of the bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The symptoms look a lot like different issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease.
It can also exacerbate the symptoms of conditions like IBS and IBD, making it hard for us to tell if the problem is SIBO or an underlying problem. As the symptoms continue or worsen, it’s vital to seek professional help to get treatment for whatever is causing them.
Please provide us with all of your symptoms at your appointment, when they started, and any other pertinent information. This will help us narrow down possible culprits and decide if SIBO could be behind the symptoms.
We diagnose SIBO through a hydrogen breath test. It's the only definitive way to determine whether SIBO is behind your GI symptoms.
Hydrogen and methane breath testing is a simple procedure done in our office. We require you to modify your diet for several weeks before and eat specific foods on the day of your test.
At the appointment, we have you breathe into a tube that measures your levels of hydrogen and methane. Over the next two to four hours, we recheck these measurements after you drink a solution containing fructose, lactose, or lactulose, depending on what we are looking for.
You'll breathe into the tube several times over the next few hours so we can evaluate for SIBO and other issues, such as fructose or lactose intolerance. Once we analyze the results, we'll bring you back in for a follow-up appointment to discuss what we found and treatments.
Contact Gateway Gastroenterology today to schedule an appointment for an SIBO evaluation. Call or message us. We have offices in St. Louis, Ballwin, and Chesterfield, Missouri.