Gas and bloating happen to everyone from time to time, but if your stomach feels constantly uncomfortable or gassy, especially after meals, it may be more than just something you ate.
Bloating, excess gas, and digestive discomfort can sometimes point to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This condition occurs when too many bacteria grow in your small intestine, where bacteria are normally present only in small amounts.
Because the symptoms often mimic common digestive problems, many people live with SIBO for months or even years without realizing it. They may just brush off the symptoms as simply indigestion.
In fact, hydrogen breath testing detects SIBO in 33.8% of people with gastrointestinal complaints.
Here at Las Vegas Gastroenterology, hydrogen breath testing is available through our gut motility clinic. This test can help identify conditions like SIBO so you can know for sure if it’s just gas or something else.
Read on as Noel R. Fajardo, MD, and Filippo Cremonini, MD, PhD, MSc, explain what SIBO is, how to tell the difference between SIBO and normal gas, and how we can help you find relief.
SIBO stands for “small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.” As the same suggests, there is an overgrowth of bacteria. Specifically it happens when bacteria that don’t normally live in your small intestine begin growing there.
Your small intestine isn’t sterile, but the wrong kind of bacteria or too many bacteria can cause problems.
Your small intestine has an important job: It’s responsible for absorbing nutrients from food. But when excess bacteria are present, they can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption. That’s why vitamin deficiencies can be a complication of untreated SIBO.
These bacteria ferment carbohydrates and sugars. This process can produce gas that can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
SIBO symptoms often overlap with other digestive conditions, which can make it difficult to recognize without proper testing.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
You may find that your symptoms may worsen after eating foods high in carbohydrates or sugar, which bacteria ferment more easily.
SIBO typically occurs when something slows the normal movement of food through your digestive tract. When digestion slows, bacteria have more time to multiply in the small intestine.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing SIBO, including:
Because SIBO symptoms overlap with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), testing is often needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Hydrogen breath testing measures the hydrogen or methane gases that bacteria produce in your digestive system. If elevated gas levels are detected, it may indicate bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine.
This simple, noninvasive test can help us determine whether your symptoms are due to SIBO or another digestive condition.
Treatment for SIBO typically focuses on reducing bacterial overgrowth and addressing the underlying cause.
Your treatment plan may include:
If your test shows that SIBO isn’t present, your symptoms may simply be related to excess gas or other common digestive issues. In that case, we can help identify potential triggers and recommend dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, or further evaluation, if needed, to improve your digestive comfort.
If you’re dealing with persistent bloating or gas that doesn’t improve, schedule an appointment with us at Las Vegas Gastroenterology to find out whether SIBO may be the cause.
You can also call 702-982-7240 to reach either of our two Las Vegas locations.
