SIBO is an acronym for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, sometimes also referred to as SBBO, small bowel bacterial overgrowth. The small bowel is about 20 feet long, connects the stomach to the colon (large bowel/intestine) and is responsible for secreting a hormone (secretin) that stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. Digestion fulfills the bowel’s purpose, breaking down food into nutrients and eliminating waste or unwanted products
The small bowel has fewer bacteria than the large bowel, but none the less, it has bacteria that should be there. However, when these bacteria have outlived their stay/purpose, the bacteria become unfriendly, rather like fermenting.
SIBO can result from such things as a partial bowel obstruction, adhesions, bowel disease, such as diverticulosis or other anatomical malformations, slow motility either from medications or damage to the intestinal nerve endings from disease. This causes the symptoms that are often confused with irritable bowel syndrome. Certainly people with IBS can also have SIBO, and it seems may be at a higher risk, therefore, SIBO should be considered in FM and CFID (ME/CFS) patients with IBS. Failure to treat SIBO can cause long term problems.
It is diagnosed by a hydrogen breath test and other more invasive techniques and there are antibiotics specific to the GI tract, which might decrease the chance for yeast which can also overgrow in the bowel.
*The following is an excerpt from the book and is protected under copyright laws. Helpful links have been inserted into the material to provide more information.
Candidiasis © Yeast
Intestinal yeast has been linked to small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) causing excessive gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and altered bowel habits.(1)
Yeast infections can occur with FM and overgrowth may increase the symptoms of bloating, brain fog, abdominal complaints, and muscle aches associated with FM and CMP. It can also exacerbate the usual symptoms of FM and CMP.(2) It has been identified as a possible trigger to CFID, and some association has been made with chronic candidiasis syndrome.(3) Yeast infections should always be treated, but you can also exercise preventive lifestyle choices.
To help prevent vaginal yeast, avoid vaginal douching, keep the area dry, and use a blow dryer after showering. Wear 100 percent cotton underwear dried on high heat, and avoid nylon panty hose. If you are a carbo junkie, change your diet. There are other reasons for this that will be discussed later, but understand that excessive sugar and carbohydrate intake have been linked to a higher risk of developing yeast overgrowth. Insulin resistance and some medications may perpetuate yeast or leaky gut. (4)
[Leaky Gut, LGS, causes body-wide symptoms because of holes in the intestinal barrier. Due to this breakdown, the bowel does not function normally and does not filter out some harmful substances, such as bacteria, toxic waste products, food additives, infectious agents, and inflammatory substances…. with this disruption to normal bowel function, the immune system leaves the gut open to infections and yeast overgrowth, causing not only gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, but other feelings of ill health as well. Cooper & Miller, pg 97-98]
Antibiotic use should be avoided when possible, as antibiotics are indiscriminate and kill off our “protective” flora along with offending microorganisms. Of course, there are times when their use is needed. Just be aware that when you must take antibiotics, candidiasis may occur and need to be treated. Talk to your doctors if you are prone to yeast infection with antibiotic use, so that you can get appropriate treatment. There are specific tests to check for candidiasis-initiated responses by the body, called IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies.(5)
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In the case of SIBO, antibiotics are necessary because of the “bacterial” Depending on the underlying factors for overgrowth, some patients will have to be on antibiotics long term,. In this case there may be rest periods between antibiotic therapies.
I personally have had good results with Xifaxan, but that doesn’t mean everyone will. It depends on the bacteria and follow up is suggested. Probiotics such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are suggested for all conditions. It is believed they may inhibit the development of bad bacteria and boost immunity.
If you have these symptoms, I hope you will approach your gastroenterologist (GI doctor). This condition is quite painful and when coupled with irritable bowel syndrome the pain, loss of sleep and comorbid symptoms can be overwhelming. If SIBO or Leaky Gut are at the root of your disorder, you may find treatment that minimizes your symptoms and increases your quality of life
In healing,
Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate
Think adversity?-See opportunity!
Resources:
(1) GI Problems—Is Bacteria to Blame? Fibromyalgia Network Newsletter (July
2000): 3.
(2) Starlanyl and Copeland, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival
Manual, 48.
(3) R. E. Cater, 2nd, “Chronic intestinal candidiasis as a possible etiological factor in the chronic fatigue syndrome,” Medical Hypotheses 44, no. 6 (June 1995):
507–15.
(4) Starlanyl and Copeland, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival
Manual, 296.
(5) Cooper & Miller. Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection. 83.
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