Complete SIBO Treatment at BioIntelligent Wellness
Understanding SIBO
As you probably already know, SIBO is an acronym that stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, which occurs when the amount of bacteria in the small intestine has exceeded the normal range. There are plenty of causes that can trigger SIBO and it can cause many difficulties in a person’s everyday life. However, it can also manifest itself in a wide range of symptoms.
Understanding SIBO is the first step toward effective treatment. At BioIntelligent Wellness, we believe in a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating SIBO, taking into account each individual’s unique health history and lifestyle.
Our goal is to treat SIBO and address the underlying causes and contributing factors, helping you restore your GI health and improve your overall well being.
How to Diagnose SIBO?
Accurate diagnosis is critical in effectively treating Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). However, diagnosing SIBO can be challenging due to the overlap of symptoms with other digestive disorders, most notably IBS. At BioIntelligent Wellness, we use advanced testing methods, including breath tests and comprehensive stool analysis, to accurately diagnose SIBO and lower GI overgrowth. These diagnostic methods ensure that SIBO is correctly identified and differentiated from other conditions, allowing us to develop a targeted and effective SIBO treatment plan.
Our Approach to SIBO Treatment
Our SIBO treatment protocol is comprehensive and personalized, focusing on reducing the overgrowth of bacteria, alleviating symptoms, restoring gut balance, and preventing recurrence.
With BioIntelligent Wellness, SIBO treatment is typically structured in four stages:
Phase I: Treatment
This involves a combination of dietary modifications and antimicrobial therapy with antibiotics, botanicals, or both.
Phase II: Restricted Diet
We provide specific dietary plans for each stage of treatment, focusing on foods that support gut health and do not feed the overgrowth.
Phase III: Initial Repopulation and Lower GI Testing
In this phase, we focus on repopulating the gut with beneficial bacteria and conducting further testing to assess the lower gastrointestinal tract.
Phase IV: Treating Lower GI and Transition to Maintenance Diet
The final phase involves treating any issues identified in the lower GI and transitioning to a maintenance diet that offers SIBO support and long-term gut health.
Getting Started with SIBO Treatment
One of the more important things when it comes to SIBO treatment is making sure that the treatment approach is right for you. There are many different options when it comes to this, but luckily our wellness experts are here to determine the right approach for your specific situation. Our comprehensive and personalized approach ensures that we address the symptoms and underlying causes of SIBO, providing you with long-term relief and improved gut health.
At BioIntelligent Wellness, our providers have been treating SIBO for a decade and have over 80% successful treatment with only one round.
As we mentioned, each person’s situation is different and here at BioIntelligent Wellness, we make sure that you have your best individual journey. Depending on the specifics, there are several ways to get started with our SIBO program.
Already Working with a Healthcare Expert:
If you are already working with a healthcare provider and have received your test results and treatment plan, you can start with our SIBO treatment immediately. We're happy to work in conjunction with your provider to support the dietary component of your treatment.
If You Have Already Tested Positive for SIBO:
You can also begin treatment immediately. Your provider will review your test results and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.
If You Have Not Yet Been Tested for SIBO:
We recommend testing to ensure that your symptoms are indeed due to SIBO. Your provider will order testing immediately following your visit, and the laboratory will send a kit to your home. The breath test is completed in-home following a 1-day preparation diet. Once completed, you will ship it to the lab. Results are typically available within 1-2 weeks. Once your results return, you will meet with your physician to create a personalized treatment plan, and you can begin the SIBO treatment shortly after the consultation.
Treating Underlying Issues
When it comes to the overall treatment of SIBO, addressing and treating the underlying issues that may cause it is one of the more crucial things to do. In other words, simply addressing the bacterial overgrowth without actually resolving these issues can lead to relapse and recurring SIBO symptoms and difficulties. Let’s explore some of the more common underlying issues of SIBO.
- Digestive Motility Disorder – Oftentimes, certain conditions like IBS, hypothyroidism, or even nerve damage can significantly slow down your gut motility to the point of causing bacterial buildup and overgrowth. There are a few ways to resolve this, usually with prokinetic agents, changes to the SIBO diet phase 1 options, and various other lifestyle changes.
- Low Stomach Acid (Hypochlorhydria) – Stomach acid is a key player when it comes to bacterial regulation in the small intestine. However, the amount of stomach acid can often be reduced because of several factors, such as the use of PPIs, or simply just aging, potentially leading to SIBO. It’s important to rebalance the stomach acid levels through the use of various supplements, in order to avoid recurrence.
- Pancreatic Insufficiencies – The pancreas is very important when it comes to digestion, as it produces important enzymes. If its function is impaired for some reason, food will not be digested properly, becoming food for bacteria. Resolving this with enzyme therapy should be a priority.
- Structural Abnormalities – Previous abdominal surgeries, adhesions, and other changes to the structure of the small intestine can lead to an increased level of bacteria. This underlying issue usually requires surgical interventions.
- Imbalanced Immune System – This is usually related to various chronic conditions and infections, which can lower the gut’s defense. It’s important to address these conditions first either through a special SIBO diet protocol, having a SIBO health coach, or even medication.
- Dietary Factors – Ingesting a lot of carbohydrates can feed the bacteria and cause SIBO. Because of this, it is important to integrate a low FODMAP plan, or a SIBO diet phase 1 plan that can balance this out.
SIBO Natural Treatment
SIBO symptoms and treatment are not always related to medication and other medical procedures. There are even some cases where a simple SIBO natural treatment plan can work wonders. These are also referred to as SIBO holistic treatment options, so let’s explore them in more detail.
Herbal Remedies
- Oregano Oil – Oregano oil is famous for its antimicrobial properties, which can ultimately reduce bacterial overgrowth.
- Berberine – This is usually found in herbs, such as goldenseal and barberry and is known to target and eliminate SIBO-causing bacteria. It can be very beneficial for treatment in certain cases.
- Garlic Extract – This is also known as Allicin, and it is the active component in garlic. It has been proven very beneficial for methane-dominant SIBO.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting can be great in some cases, as it is only a structure of when to eat. By utilizing intermittent fasting, you can give your body time to trigger the migrating motor complex, which is used to eliminate any unnecessary bacteria from the system, and thus prevent SIBO.
Stress Management
Stress, especially unnecessary stress, can often be the biggest enemy to your body, and it usually targets the digestive tract. High levels of stress can affect gut motility, so it’s important to practice deep breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, etc.
Antibiotics
Apart from the natural treatments for SIBO, which may not always be enough, many health experts will often include SIBO treatment antibiotics options in the protocol in order to more effectively deal with the bacterial overgrowth. Let’s have a look at some of the more common types of antibiotics that are prescribed.
- Rifaximin – This is usually the most frequently prescribed antibiotic for treatment of SIBO and one that has shown the most promising results in our experience. It is non-absorbable, which means that it will remain in the gut, fighting the bacterial overgrowth.
- Metronidazole or Ciprofloxacin – These two antibiotics are often considered a second line of defense, used in cases when Rifaximin is not enough. Sometimes, these cases include different types of bacteria in the small intestine – both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria.
- Neomycin – It is often used in combination with Rifaximin in cases of SIBO with constipation, targeting specific types of bacteria.
On the other hand, even though antibiotics can resolve bacterial overgrowth, SIBO has a high chance of recurrence, which is why continuous monitoring and a treatment strategy is crucial. On top of that, a SIBO treatment diet and lifestyle changes are also required.
Make sure to consult with a medical specialist who can prescribe the appropriate antibiotics. NEVER do this on your own.
Nutrient Supplementation
One of the key elements of SIBO is the malabsorption of nutrients, so making sure to have sufficient nutrient supplements included in your diet is crucial. This is also called SIBO nutrition therapy and here at BioIntelligent Wellness, we make sure to prioritize every aspect of the treatment, so let’s have a look at some of the most important nutrient supplements you may need.
- Vitamin B12
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, and K)
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Calcium
- Folate
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Digestive Enzymes
Preventing SIBO Recurrence
As we already mentioned, SIBO has a bad habit of relapsing and it is known for the high SIBO recurrence rate, so when it comes to treatment, it’s crucial to prevent and minimize this as much as possible. There are many ways to go about this, including the ones we already mentioned, such as addressing underlying issues, including probiotics and prebiotics, managing stress, and more. However, another crucial aspect here is regular monitoring. It’s important to be aware how your body is doing and whether bacterial overgrowth is starting to appear in your small intestine again.
One of the best and simplest ways to do this is through breath tests. Regular methane breath tests are the perfect ways to keep up with this and to look out for any sign or symptoms. What’s more, regular breath tests leave room for quick interventions before things escalate.
You can check out our functional testing page, choose one of our available SIBO tests, book an appointment and start your journey towards better health today.
SIBO Success Stories
We have had many patients suffering from SIBO that have chosen BioIntelligent Wellness for their treatment and have said goodbye to the symptoms and the difficulties. They are now living healthier and happier lives, so let’s take a look at a couple of our success stories.
Evelyn Mia
4 doctors and 5 rounds of SIBO treatment and I feel like I’m an expert in all the wrong ways. Finding Dr C changed everything – I am three months post phase 4 and I am still feeling great and symptom-free.
Stella Julian
Gut issues gone after finally getting the right diagnosis and following the whole treatment. If you’ve been told you have IBS that you will have to manage with FODMAP diet, you need to keep looking until you find a literate provider.
Conclusion
Overall, an effective and high-quality SIBO treatment should include a combination of approaches and tools, such as antibiotics, dietary and lifestyle changes, stress management, nutrient supplementations, and more. Each plan regarding SIBO symptoms and treatment should be tailored to the individual, and here at BioIntelligent Wellness we take that very seriously. Lastly, regular monitoring and collaboration with a healthcare professional is also crucial.
FAQs
What is the treatment for SIBO?
SIBO treatment can include various aspects, such as antibiotic treatment, natural remedies, stress management, dietary changes, and more.
Will I lose weight after SIBO treatment?
Overall, slight weight changes are normal, but our patients haven’t reported any significant weight loss during or after treatment.
Can SIBO return after treatment?
Yes, there is currently no permanent SIBO cure, so it is entirely possible for SIBO to recur after treatment.
How long does SIBO treatment take?
SIBO treatment typically takes a few months in total, but each case is different.
How to know if SIBO treatment is working?
You will notice a significant decrease in symptoms during the SIBO therapy and a much better and healthy feeling overall.
What is the best treatment for SIBO?
There is no one simple answer here, since every person has a different situation, but usually antibiotics are the most effective.
What to eat after SIBO treatment?
It’s important to have a specific SIBO diet protocol, which usually focuses on low FODMAP foods that are easy to digest.
How long does SIBO last untreated?
Left untreated, SIBO lasts a very long time, and the malabsorption can lead to various deficiencies and issues.
What to do if you have SIBO?
You will first want to have a SIBO test and determine if you actually have SIBO. Then you can start your treatment for SIBO protocol right here at BioIntelligent Wellness.
Can parasites cause SIBO?
In some cases, parasites can lead to bacterial overgrowth or even SIBO recurrence.
What is the SIBO Treatment Support Program?
The SIBO Treatment Support Program is designed to help manage Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) through a comprehensive approach that includes dietary changes, medication, and possibly other lifestyle modifications.
Are there any side effects of SIBO treatment?
Side effects of SIBO treatment can vary depending on the specific therapies used. Common side effects of antibiotics can include nausea, diarrhea, and yeast overgrowth. It’s important to discuss potential side effects with a healthcare professional.
Can children undergo SIBO treatment?
Yes, children can undergo SIBO treatment. However, the treatment approach may be adjusted to suit their specific needs and circumstances.
Can I do the SIBO treatment if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you may begin the dietary protocol but for treatment, you will need to wait until after delivery or weaning. It’s important to discuss this with our wellness experts as some aspects of the SIBO treatment may not be suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Can probiotics help in SIBO treatment?
The role of probiotics in SIBO treatment is a topic of ongoing research. Some studies suggest that certain probiotics may help in managing SIBO, but it’s important to discuss this with a healthcare professional. We find that probiotics are not beneficial until after SIBO has been treated.
Can SIBO recur after treatment?
Yes, SIBO can recur after treatment. That’s why our program focuses not only on treating the current overgrowth but also on implementing strategies to prevent recurrence.
