Things To Learn About Small Bacterial Overgrowth Testing or Leaking Gut Testing
Have you been having digestive problems lately? Do you constantly feel bloated or suffer from constipation or diarrhea? Maybe you think that the problem lies in the food you consume, overeating at the dinner table, or your body simply doesn’t react well to the food you eat regularly.
Suppose all these theories about the possible causes are inaccurate, and despite paying careful attention to the products and the quantity you eat, the feeling of discomfort and the digestive problems are still present, it’s worth considering if there is a different reason behind all that.
That other reason might actually be SIBO – which is considered as an intestinal bacterial overgrowth that affects the small intestine. It develops due to excessive reproduction and imbalance of bacteria in the small intestine, one of the most typical causes of the problems mentioned above. Click on this link www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099351/ to find out more about SIBO.
What is SIBO?
The small intestine’s structure makes it easy to adapt to the functions it performs, some of which are the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients into the body. Balance is essential for the performance of these complex functions.
One of the main threats to this balance is the constant exposure of our small intestine to different bacteria. Most of these bacteria are found in the large intestine, where they play a vital role in the health of the immune system and perform useful activities like decomposition of food residues and synthesis of vitamins.When they begin to excessively multiply and invade the small intestine, SIBO syndrome might occur.
The number of bacteria in the small intestine, on the other hand, is significantly smaller. The bacteria aid digestion and produce nutrients for our body. However, their extreme multiplication can also contribute to the occurrence of SIBO.
The appearance of excessive amounts of bacteria in the small intestine can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. In some extreme cases, it can lead to malnutrition because the bacteria can exhaust the nutrients in the body.
Symptoms and possible causes
The reason behind the SIBO syndrome is usually some underlying condition. When you have SIBO, there are excessive amounts of hydrogen, methane, or both of these gasses in your digestive tract. If there is predominately hydrogen, it usually leads to diarrhea, while when there is methane, it can lead to constipation.
It’s best to perform a breath test known as the SIBO leaky gut test to check whether you have this syndrome or not. This test is easy to be used and can be done at home. You just need to fast overnight for it to give accurate results.
If you happen to have this syndrome, consult your doctor immediately, and develop a treatment plan. SIBO is treated, but that doesn’t stop it from reoccurring. If not treated well, it can cause dehydration and malnourishment.
SIBO symptoms can hardly go unnoticed. Some of the most common ones include abdominal pain, especially after eating; cramps; bloating; nausea or vomiting; gluten, lactose or fructose intolerance; fatigue;leaky gut; joint pain. It can even lead to skin problems such as eczema and rashes. A diet rich in refined sugar, alcohol, and carbohydrates is also a common cause.
In some other cases, this syndrome is triggered by a specific chemical or physical factor. Damaged nerves or muscles in the intestine can increase the risk of its development. Surgery scars or Crohn’s disease can also lead to excessive accumulation of bacteria in the small intestine. Particular drugs, antibiotics, or steroids might also disrupt the normal function of the gut flora.
Treatment
SIBO syndrome can be treated with several antibiotics recommended by a doctor and a diet change. Antibiotics with the support of probiotics help decrease the number of bacteria in the small intestine. This may appear contradictory, as it was previously mentioned that certain kinds of antibiotics could worsen the condition. However, antibiotic treatment performed strictly under the supervision of a medical professional can ease the symptoms.
Eating a balanced diet full of nutrients is also beneficial. It’s recommended to consume smaller meals more often and avoid gluten-free products. Your doctor might also suggest that you follow a diet that replaces food and drinks with particular liquid formulas for some period.
