Many people consider themselves either healthy or not healthy. If they are not healthy, they look at it as their lot in life and rely on their health care providers to find the right medication to make them feel better. While this sometimes works, it is better to think of health as a spectrum. It’s important to realize that most of us have the power to make ourselves healthier. At Hoyt Integrative Health in Murrieta, CA, our holistic approach to functional medicine aims to not only resolve immediate discomfort, but also teaches you how to live your life with your health in mind.
What Is SIBO?
One condition you may be experiencing, even if you have never heard of it before, is SIBO. SIBO is an acronym that stands for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth, and it can make you quite uncomfortable. In most cases, SIBO is a condition that happens when food is not moving efficiently
through the small intestine, which allows harmful bacteria to build up in your small bowel, rendering the balance of good bacteria to bad bacteria in your gut out of balance.
Early symptoms of SIBO include, bloating and distention after meals, constipation, abdominal pain, eventual fatigue, queasiness, gassiness, and diarrhea. Of course, these are common symptoms for other conditions as well, but finding out if it is SIBO is a good idea. Untreated SIBO can lead to advanced gastrointestinal disease and eventually systemic loss of health.
Why SIBO Happens
There are many reasons why a person may develop SIBO. Years of indigestion, antacids, imbalanced microbiome from antibiotic use, alcohol, birth control, steroids, stress, and high carbohydrate diets deficient in vegetable. Having a chronic disease such as diabetes, may all encourage excessive bacterial growth in your small intestine. In addition, medications for irritable bowel syndrome or some heartburn medications can cause SIBO symptoms.
How Functional Medicine Can Help Care for SIBO and Related Conditions
When there is a problem with your gut, it is important to work with your health care provider. If SIBO is suspected, it can be confirmed through a simple test that looks for excess levels of methane or hydrogen gas. This condition is often pervasive, requiring a multifaceted approach to killing the overgrowth while restoring the microbiome. A special low FODMAPS diet that eliminates some types of vegetables and carbohydrates can be critical. Not all prebiotics and probiotics are suitable and in fact so strains will add to the problem. Your functional medicine doctor can guide you in this. SIBO is known for being antibiotic resistant or quick to return after antibiotics owing to a protective biofilm layer which guards the overgrowth. It often requires natural antimicrobials and biofilm breakers with repetition. Frequently it will be associated with SIFO or Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth.
Are You Dealing with SIBO?
At Hoyt Integrative Health we use a holistic approach to health in order to care for a variety of conditions, including SIBO. If you live in Murrieta, California, or a nearby community like Temecula, and have symptoms of SIBO, we invite you to come see us to determine if SIBO or some other similar condition is the source of your problem. We’ll help you find the right combination of supplements and dietary changes in order to help you achieve relief from your symptoms. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, contact us at Hoyt Integrative Health in Murrieta, CA at (951) 973-0773.