There’s a widespread myth that all bacteria pose a threat for humans. It’s easy to believe when almost every cleaning product, sanitizer and disinfectant advertises the ability to kill bacteria.
Certain bacteria may also produce toxins that can harm cells and cause different ailments. But, not all bacteria are harmful for you. Your body relies on certain bacteria for proper functioning.
You’ve probably heard that your body is made up of several trillion cells. The approximately 30 trillion cells that make up the average human perform tiny but crucial functions in the overall functioning that your body. These “building cells of life” create the structure of your body, turn the energy of nutrients into energy and perform specific tasks based on where they are.
What you may not be aware of about your own body home to around 39 trillion microbes, which includes viruses, bacteria and fungi. These microbes are crucial for a healthy lifestyle as they perform a variety of important bodily tasks. For instance, the immune system is dependent on microbial cells since they aid in fighting off illnesses as well as neutralize toxins and defend other cells within your body.
The digestion process is heavily dependent on good bacteria. This is the reason there are many hundred kinds of bacteria that live within your stomach. The good bacteria aid in degrading the food you consume and make the nutrients in your food readily available to other organs and cells.
These nutrients are crucial to our lives for energy growth, growth, and cell repair. Although digestion is impossible without the bacteria that reside within your stomach, there’s a an issue when you have too much it.
What is SIBO?
The term “small intestinal bacterial growth” (SIBO) is the term used to describe an unusual increase in colonic bacteria within the intestinal tract. Each component that is part of our digestive tract needs different kinds of bacteria to carry out the required functions.
Colonic bacteria is essential to the large intestine (colon) which is created following the small intestine digestion.
But, if bacteria enters into areas it’s not meant to, and then enters your small intestinal tract, it may create a disturbance within your digestive tract’s delicate environment.
Click here for information on SIBO treatment.
Is SIBO a common occurrence?
SIBO isn’t easy to identify It’s not clear how prevalent it is in otherwise healthy people. The most significant sign of SIBO is IBS, which is also known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The prevalence of SIBO in people suffering from IBS is anywhere from 4 to 78 percent. This is because many studies show that both conditions are connected.
IBS is thought to be the biggest threat factor to SIBO however it’s by no means the only risk factor. Additional medical issues that could make it more likely to develop SIBO are:
Allergies
Arthritis
Celiac disease
Chronic renal failure
The liver is a victim of cirrhosis.
Colon cancer
Crohn’s disease
Diabetes
Fibromyalgia
Immunodeficiency disorders
Intestinal lymphoma
Lupus
Pancreatitis
Scleroderma
Alongside these ailments an advanced age gastric surgery, gastrointestinal injuries as well as abdominal radiation therapy could be contributing factors to SIBO development. It is also possible to suffer from SIBO without having any of these risk factors. It’s often down to the body’s ability to effectively regulate the gut flora.
Why does SIBO occur?
The human body manages their microbiome in balance (i.e. its ecosystem of microbes) through a complex set of mechanical and chemical procedures. If any of the systems isn’t functioning effectively, food waste and products could quickly accumulate within the small intestine. The small intestine may be a fertile breeding ground for bacteria that aren’t so great and lead to SIBO.
A variety of chemicals are used to degrade and breakdown food items in the small intestinal tract. Bile, enzymes and gastric acid, and immunoglobulin are among the most essential chemicals used to regulate the balance of small intestinal bacteria.
Gastric bypass surgery, and other medications may hinder the production and efficiency for these chemical compounds. Small intestine bacteria will be unable to perform their task of processing food and metabolizing it.
Mechanically the small intestine is designed to drain it’s contents to the larger intestinal tract when it has completed its task. Injuries and hernias may hinder this crucial cleansing process from happening quickly or effectively.
The food waste and other products may end up in the small intestine. consequently colonic bacteria could move in the small intestine, causing SIBO.
What are some Symptoms for SIBO?
The signs of SIBO are similar to other digestive diseases. This is why it is often difficult to determine SIBO (more on this in the future).
These are just a few of the most frequent signs of SIBO. The frequency, intensity and number of symptoms you suffer depend how severe your SIBO:
Abdominal discomfort and swelling
Appetite loss
Bloating
Constipation
Cramps
Depression
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Feelings of being too full
Gas
Indigestion
Malnutrition
Nausea
The smell is pleasant, soft and mucus-filled stool
Queasiness
Unexplained weight loss
Weakness
How Can You Tell If You Are Suffering from SIBO?
SIBO is usually not diagnosed for various reasons. The mild cases are not accompanied by symptoms. The more severe cases are often incorrectly identified as IBS or other digestive disorders.
In many instances, doctors may not even perform a test for SIBO even if a patient is suffering from various symptoms mentioned above. Even if a doctor was to look for SIBO however, current procedures aren’t the best.
The breath test for hydrogen is among the most widely utilized tests for diagnosing the aforementioned gastrointestinal disorders. SIBO or digestive intolerances can be a consideration when trying to identify IBS.
The hydrogen test measures methane, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide released by the body. The amount you breath depends on how much of these gases are present on your breath, they could indicate an intestinal condition.
The problem with the tests is that a variety of factors can greatly impact the results. Laxatives, antibiotics or the inability to fast prior to the test could alter the results.
Another possibility is that some individuals have gut flora that naturally produces higher levels of methane than hydrogen. This is why doctors might not catch SIBO.
The majority of SIBO patients are managed using the use of a variety of prescribed antibiotics. The issue is that SIBO will often return once the treatment with antibiotics has ended.
SIBO is more likely to recur in the event of an inherent predisposition to SIBO. It’s generally recommended to implement a few lifestyle adjustments that could help decrease the likelihood and severity of suffering from SIBO.