Are you feeling bloated all the time? Struggling with abnormal bowel habits – constipation or diarrhea? Throw in a little brain fog, fatigue and maybe even some joint pain for good measure and you may have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).
SIBO can lead to serious health issues…
What the heck is SIBO you ask? Essentially SIBO is bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Although bacteria are vital for a healthy gut and body function, too many bacteria can lead to a variety of health concerns, with SIBO being on the top of that list. Left unmanaged, SIBO can lead to nutrient deficiencies, dehydration and malnourishment, which in turn can cause serious health issues.
There’s no single cause of SIBO and, ultimately, it is a result of the muscles in the small intestine not moving food waste along as it should – so the bacteria sit too long. This slowing of the muscle can be triggered by an episode of food poisoning, surgery, certain medications, traveller’s diarrhea, injuries and certain medical conditions.
Scary stuff right? The good news is that SIBO can be properly diagnosed, then treated. As a Naturopathic Doctor I am equipped with GIMAP Test Kits and SIBO Breath Test Kits which measure the amount of hydrogen and methane gases that can only be produced by bacteria in the small intestine. The test is non-invasive, can be performed at home by the patient, then shipped to a lab for analysis. From there, I can then make a diagnosis based on the results.
Once confirmed, I can work with you on an individualized treatment plan centred around correcting the root cause of the bacterial overgrowth, as well as the growth itself. This involves nutritional support, herbal medicines, lifestyle adjustments and other natural options.
With a Functional Medicine approach to SIBO treatment, you can recover and get back to living life to the fullest! You’ll experience renewed energy, better sleep, improved digestion, a clear head and so much more!
If you have done the GIMAP and completed the kill off phase (which can last 30 to 60 days), please note your treatment is not yet complete. Please follow up to finish the treatment, ensuring the gut is healed and the overgrowth does not return.
