Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth - SIBO

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a disorder of the digestive system characterised by an excessive amount of bacteria growing in a section of the small intestine.

It is normally caused by the slow passage of food during transit through the intestine. This slowing may be caused by a previous abdominal surgery, radiation in a section of the intestine or due to diseases such as celiac disease, diabetes, Crohn's disease and/or scleroderma. 

The most common symptoms include abdominal distension, flatulences, burping, abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation accompanied by poor digestion. These symptoms usually last for months and are recurrent, making diagnosis and effective management of the disease difficult.

The diseases is suspected after reviewing the patient's clinical history, which sheds light into the abdominal signs and symptoms. A diagnosis is reached through aspiration tests that detect the presence of bacterial-produced gas from the small intestine. In addition, stool tests may be done to analyse the presence of biological indicators associated with inflammation and intestinal bacterial imbalance.

Treatment is based on the use of antibiotics to reduce the bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The treatment must be done along with changes in diet and probiotic or prebiotic supplements to restore the baterial balance. Underlying causes such as motor disorders of the intestine, anatomical alterations or dysfunctions of the immune system, are also addressed.