SIBO Unlocked: Is Your “Sensitive Stomach” Actually a Bacterial Overgrowth?
If you’ve been battling bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and unpredictable bowels, you’ve likely heard the term IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). But what if your IBS wasn’t a diagnosis, but a symptom of a deeper, treatable condition?
That condition is often SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It’s a hidden culprit behind countless stubborn gut issues, and understanding it is the first step toward lasting relief.
What is SIBO? The Problem of Bacteria in the Wrong Place
SIBO isn’t about having “bad” bacteria. It’s about bacteria—including some that are normally healthy in your colon—migrating and overgrowing in your small intestine.
Think of your digestive system as a one-way street:
- Small Intestine: Designed for digestion and nutrient absorption. Should have relatively low bacterial counts.
- Large Intestine (Colon): Home to the vast majority of your gut bacteria, which ferment fibers.
In SIBO, this system breaks down. Bacteria from the colon travel backward, or bacteria from the mouth overstay their welcome, setting up camp in the small intestine. When you eat, these bacteria ferment food too early, producing a lot of gas and causing a cascade of symptoms.
Classic SIBO Symptoms Include:
- Bloating that worsens as the day goes on
- Excessive gas and belching
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea (SIBO-D), Constipation (SIBO-C), or both
- Food intolerances (especially to FODMAPs)
- Nutrient deficiencies (like B12 or iron)
The Root Causes: Why Did SIBO Happen to You?
A healthy gut has built-in defense systems to prevent SIBO. The condition arises when these systems fail. The primary causes are:
- A Sluggish “Housekeeping” Wave (MMC): Your Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is a cleansing wave that sweeps your small intestine clean between meals. If it’s damaged—often by a bout of food poisoning, chronic stress, or certain medications—bacteria aren’t cleared out and can multiply.
- Low Stomach Acid: Stomach acid is your first line of defense, killing ingested microbes. Low acid levels (from acid-blocking drugs, stress, or age) allow more bacteria to pass into the small intestine.
- Structural Issues: Scar tissue from surgeries or conditions like Crohn’s can create physical narrowings where bacteria get stuck and grow.
- A Dysfunctional “Gatekeeper” (Ileocecal Valve): This valve separates your small and large intestine. If it becomes “leaky,” it allows colonic bacteria to migrate backward.
The Three Faces of SIBO: Hydrogen, Methane, and Hydrogen Sulfide
Not all SIBO is the same. We identify the type by the gases the microbes produce, which is measured by a Lactulose or Glucose Breath Test.
| Type | Gas Produced | Primary Symptom | Key Microbes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen SIBO | Hydrogen (H₂) | Diarrhea (SIBO-D) | Bacteria like E. coli & Klebsiella |
| Methane SIBO | Methane (CH₄) | Constipation (SIBO-C) | Archaea called Methanobrevibacter smithii |
| Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO | Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) | Mixed Bowels, Pain | Bacteria like Desulfovibrio |
The Essential 3-Step Plan to Heal from SIBO
Healing is a process, not a quick fix. A successful protocol follows these three phases:
Phase 1: Address the Overgrowth
The goal here is to reduce the bacterial/archaeal population in the small intestine. This is done using:
- Pharmaceutical Antibiotics
- Herbal Antimicrobials: A potent natural protocol can be as effective as pharmaceuticals for many people. Examples include oregano oil, berberine, and neem.
Phase 2: Restore the Gut Environment (The “Why” It Happened)
This is the most critical, often-missed step to prevent relapse. We must fix the “plumbing.”
- Activate the MMC with Prokinetics: Use prokinetic agents to restart your gut’s cleansing wave
- Pharmaceutical or Naturals: Ginger, Iberogast (STW 5), or 5-HTP.
- Heal the Gut Lining: Use nutrients like L-Glutamine, zinc carnosine, and colostrum to repair a “leaky gut.”
Phase 3: Rebalance the Microbiome
Once the overgrowth is cleared and the environment is restored, we carefully rebuild a healthy microbial community in the large intestine with targeted probiotics, prebiotics, and a diverse, whole-foods diet.
Is It SIBO or Something Else? The Role of a Stool Test
While the breath test is essential for diagnosing SIBO, a Comprehensive Stool Test provides the bigger picture. It can reveal:
- Overall gut microbiome diversity
- Levels of beneficial bacteria
- Markers of gut inflammation
- Presence of other issues like parasites or yeast overgrowth (like Candida)
This helps you understand the underlying triggers of your SIBO for a truly comprehensive healing plan.
Take the Next Step on Your Healing Journey
If this information resonates with your years of struggle, SIBO is likely a key piece of your puzzle. The path to healing begins with proper testing to identify the root cause and type of your overgrowth.
If you want to read more on the science, check out these articles:
- Association between small intestine bacterial overgrowth and psychiatric disorders
- Personality, Anxiety, and Stress in Patients with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome. The Polish Preliminary Study
Let this realization simmer. Is your lifestyle pushing you to age faster—or helping you stay young from the inside out?
Ready to get to the root of SIBO and unlock lasting health?
Let’s work together to uncover what’s holding your health hostage.
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Your energy and vitality aren’t lost—they’re simply waiting for the right support to be reawakened.
Or book a free discovery call with me to discuss your symptoms and get personalized guidance. Let’s bring clarity to the confusion and create a plan that supports your body and your mind. Feel free to drop me a line anytime
Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified functional medicine practitioner before making any changes to your health regimen.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki
If you prefer listening instead of reading, here is my video on SIBO.
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
