Complications of surgery can also lead to small bowel bacterial overgrowth. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth typically occurs as a complication of certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, diabetes, AIDs and other immune disorders, problems with the motility of the intestinal tract, and others. What causes small bowel bacterial overgrowth? But when these bacteria proliferate in larger-than-usual numbers and cause problems, it’s known as small bowel bacterial overgrowth. Some amounts of bacteria present in the small intestine is normal and healthy for its proper function. What is small bowel bacterial overgrowth? Antibiotic treatment, however, is covered by most private insurance and Medicare.Also known as: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, SIBO. The out-of-pocket cost for the test is anywhere from $100 to $125. ![]() The breath test is not typically covered by insurance. This can help reduce symptoms of SIBO and other gastrointestinal issues. "SIBO can cause malabsorption of nutrients, so taking vitamins like zinc, niacin, B-12, calcium and iron is beneficial," says Andari.Īndari also recommends light exercise to help with bowel motility and mobility. Are there any supplements or lifestyle changes patients can make? He also recommends eating several small meals throughout the day. Andari recommends a lean diet filled with protein and fats, while reducing the number of carbohydrates, including fruit, that you eat. In addition to medication, dietary changes may be needed. Looking at the underlying cause of SIBO and helping treat those illnesses can also help reduce the symptoms of SIBO. "This is when another course of antibiotics, or a different kind of antibiotic may be necessary." "Treatment lasts about 14 days, but there is a chance SIBO can come back after the treatment," says Andari. "If there is an increase when exhaling after a short period of time, we can assume bacteria overgrowth is present in the small bowel," says Andari.Īndari says the first line of treatment is a course of antibiotics, which significantly reduce the number of abnormal bacteria. These hydrogen breath tests will detect the amount of hydrogen and methane that patients breathe out after drinking a mixture of glucose and water. "A breath test is completed in our office to determine whether a patient has SIBO," says Andari. Symptoms can also flare after eating particular foods, such as sugars and carbohydrates, which bacteria feed on. Symptoms look like other gastric illnesses, with complaints of excess flatulence, abdomen distention (bloating) with discomfort and irregular bowel movements. ![]() "SIBO typically has an underlying cause, so we take a look at the medical history of the patient to help determine the cause for the illness," says Andari. All can cause an imbalance and rise in the presence of microbes in the small bowel. A few examples of risk factors include the overuse of acid-reducing medications (or proton pump inhibitors), metabolic problems such as diabetes, a history of abdominal surgeries and insufficiency of digestive enzymes, among others. "It is a good thing people are more aware of the existence of this condition so it can be discussed with their doctors and considered as a possible diagnosis, especially since SIBO is a treatable illness." How does SIBO develop?Īndari says a combination of predisposing factors is what leads to SIBO. ![]() "We are learning more about the delicate balance of gut bacteria and gut health is a trending topic," says Andari. Why is SIBO being diagnosed more often and discussed online?Īn increased interest in the gut's microbiome and microbiology could be why more people are discovering they have SIBO when visiting the doctor. "The acidity of the stomach, the motility of the bowel, the digestive enzymes and our immune system protect the bowel from such overgrowth of microbes." Andari says bacteria is more likely to occur in the colon, not the small intestine. "SIBO occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small bowel, where it is not likely to occur," says Andari.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |