What is SIBO and Causes of SIBO?

SIBO or small intestine bacterial overgrowth is an excessive increase in bacteria in this part of the digestive tract. Know its causes and the most appropriate treatment to avoid complications.

SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, that is, bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine. Under normal conditions in the small intestine, there should be less than 1,000 bacteria/ml (previously considered the limit in 100,000), regardless of the type of bacteria, because even an excess of beneficial bacteria in the small intestine can be problematic.

SIBO is a process that is still little known and diagnosed. Although more and more research is being done on its causes, symptoms, and treatment, today in public health systems, the most frequently used diagnostic test, the breath for bacterial overgrowth, has uneven implantation mind mapping app between the autonomous communities.

SIBO can be associated with multiple digestive processes or taking drugs such as Omeprazole. It can cause various symptoms: diarrhea or constipation or bloating and abdominal pain, malabsorption, and poor digestion of nutrients. It has also been linked to multiple symptoms and systemic processes.

The most recent theories consider that SIBO is a response of the organism interacting with its microbiota to try to solve another health problem, such as a nutritional deficit or a metabolic problem. So it is essential to carry out a complete evaluation of the state of health and nutrition of the patient.

It has been seen that in a healthy population, there may be SIBO in up to 20% of individuals. In groups of people with digestive symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, SIBO can be present in up to 65% or, according to some studies, up to 85% of patients. Although its prevalence increases with age, children can also suffer from it.

It is important to diagnose SIBO and find out its causes to treat it properly. The treatment is sometimes frustrating because the recurrence of SIBO, especially if it originated it is not remedied, is very frequent. SIBO produces a significant decrease in the quality of life of the people who suffer from it, so a real and concrete institutional effort should be made to improve the care of these patients.

Causes of SIBO

Multiple causes can lead to bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The disorders that most frequently cause SIBO could be divided into several different categories. The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list of causes, as SIBO is a constantly investigated disorder with novel causal factors continually being described.

Functional and motility disorders are a major factor related to SIBO. Under normal conditions, the intestine has a migratory motor complex (CMM) that cleans the intestine of food debris and bacteria. This mobility can be altered in irritable bowel syndrome, the use of drugs such as opioids, diabetes, or intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Radical enteritis, Parkinson’s, or any disease that produces neuropathy or intestinal myopathy also cause alterations in the MBC and cause SIBO.

The anatomical and structural changes also cause SIBO. These are conditions such as intestinal blind loop syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, adhesions from previous surgical interventions or radiotherapy, small bowel tumors, small bowel diverticulosis, ileocecal valve abnormalities, or gastric bypass. They are performed as an intervention for the treatment of morbid obesity.

It has already been commented that diabetes can be the cause of SIBO due to intestinal neuropathy. Other processes that can predispose to SIBO are liver cirrhosis or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The amount and composition of bile and digestive enzymes are altered, allowing the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine.

Additionally, there are various immune system disorders, such as combined variable immunodeficiency, immunoglobulin A deficiency, or HIV infection, where there is also an increased risk of SIBO. Other situations, such as certain parasitosis, celiac disease, or gastric acidity disorders (especially due to the chronic taking of gastric protectors), are also related to SIBO.