Do you feel bloated after every meal, could it be SIBO?
This can be super frustrating for many busy women, because with so much to do these days with work and family commitments who has time to feel uncomfortable? It can have a real impact on your life when you’re not sure what to eat any more…so what could this be?
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
SIBO is becoming more and more common but until recently it was going under-recognized and under-diagnosed. I am hearing more of my clients express their frustration that their doctor would diagnose them with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) but not
offer much in the way of treatment.
In fact around 70% of people with IBS have SIBO; they are very much intertwined and a holistic approach can be hugely beneficial to manage your symptoms and heal your gut.
Our colon houses 38 trillion bacteria, we are in fact more bacteria than human! These bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract keep us healthy as long as they are in balance and are in the right place.
Is being bloated the only symptom of SIBO?
SIBO occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine together with a myriad of signs and symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, excessive flatulence and more. Note that this isn’t pathogenic bacteria but our own bacteria that has traveled up from the large intestine and overgrown in the small intestine where they shouldn’t be.
The issue with SIBO is that symptoms can be vague and it’s usually a collection of symptoms (and it’s different for everyone) that give the clue of what is going on.
Symptoms can include but are not limited to:
- abdominal pain
- bloating soon after eating
- bloating and/or pain in the upper abdomen area
- gas
- nausea
- diarrhoea or constipation or alternating between both
- fatigue
- fermented foods worsen symptoms
- probiotics / prebiotics worsen symptoms
- antibiotics improve symptoms
- anaemia or low iron
- food intolerances
- malnutrition
- joint pain
- restless leg syndrome
- unintentional weight loss
- skin issues such as rosacea / eczema
Because the list of symptoms is long it is important to work with a practitioner who can connect the dots and reduce the overwhelm of where to start. A big part is getting tested which I’ll discuss in a separate post.
Until then…go ahead and sign up for my FREE guide 5 Tips to stop bloating now.
