Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth - SIBO

SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is a disorder of the digestive system characterised by an excessive amount of bacteria growing in a portion of the small intestine.

Its most common symptoms include abdominal distension, flatulences, burping, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation accompanied by poor digestion. These symptoms tend to last for months and are recurrent, which can make diagnosis and effective management of the disease difficult.

The 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 to inflammation and intestinal bacterial imbalance.

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