A Simple Guide to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, Diagnosis, Treatment and Related Conditions

This book describes Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a serious disorder affecting the small intestine.

It happens when bacteria that normally grow in other parts of the intestines begin growing in the small intestine.

That produces pain and diarrhea.

It can also cause malnutrition as the bacteria begin to use up the body’s nutrients.

In contrast to the colon, the concentration of the bacteria in the small intestine rarely surpasses 1000 organisms/mL.

Gastric acid secretion and intestinal motility restrict the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine.

When these protective mechanisms against excessive bacterial growth do not succeed, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can manifest.

Due to its increased awareness and understanding, SIBO is now often regarded in most doctors’ differential diagnosis in patients with non-specific gastrointestinal complaints.

SIBO is not well understood.

It can happen when:

1. The small bowel has anatomical abnormalities
2. The pH changes in the small bowel
3. The immune system is not working properly
4. The muscular activity of the small intestine malfunctions, which indicates that food and bacteria are not removed from the organ

SIBO is linked with different disorders such as:

1. Viral gastroenteritis or a stomach bug
2. Celiac disease
3. Crohn’s disease
4. Hypochlorhydria or low stomach acid levels
5. Gastroparesis
6. Nerve damage
7. Cirrhosis
8. Portal hypertension
9. Irritable bowel syndrome
10. Certain gastric bypass procedures
11. Surgeries that cause strictures or adhesions

Risk factors

Having a chronic disorder or surgery that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can put the patient at risk of SIBO.

Certain diseases and chronic disorders can also increase the risk such as:

1. Crohn’s disease
2. Diabetes
3. Scleroderma
4. HIV
5. Parkinson’s disease
6. Hypothyroidism
7. Medicines that slow down the gut, such as narcotics

The natural cause of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is complicated.

There are many significant host defense mechanisms against bacterial overgrowth.

When these defensive barriers do not succeed, SIBO happens.

Upon ingestion of food, the gastric acids and bile destroy and prevent bacteria from passing through the intestines.

Disorders that produce achlorhydria are linked with SIBO.

Also, proteolytic enzymes digest and degrade bacteria in the intestines.

Chronic pancreatic insufficiency is linked with SIBO.

Migrating motor complex is accountable for peristalsis and cleansing the small intestine.

SIBO is linked with disorders of abnormal gastrointestinal motility such as:

1. Irritable bowel syndrome,
2. Narcotic use,
3. Post-radiation enteropathy,
4. Hypothyroidism,
5. Diabetes mellitus, and
6. Scleroderma.

An intact ileocecal valve and antegrade motility stop retrograde translocation of colonic bacteria.

Anatomical abnormalities cause stasis of the bowels which may predispose to SIBO.

1. Bowel strictures,
2.Small intestinal diverticulosis,
3. Post-operative adhesions,
4. Gastric bypasses with blind intestinal loops and
5. Ileocecal resection.

Lastly, immunoglobin A stops bacterial proliferation and maintains intestinal immunity.

The symptoms of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth involve a combination of abdominal discomfort with bloating, flatulence, or chronic watery diarrhea.

A breath test is a frequent test for diagnosing SIBO.

Rarely a jejunal aspirate culture is done.

SIBO can be treated with a combination of antibiotics and diet modifications.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Chapter 2 Causes
Chapter 3 Symptoms
Chapter 4 Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Treatment
Chapter 6 Prognosis
Chapter 7 Duodenitis
Chapter 8 Diverticulosis
Epilogue

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