Sibo Facts + Resources Hub

• What is SIBO 

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth 

• Since I am NOT AN EXPERT, you can find more information about SIBO testing here. My summation is that it is a breath test that measures the levels of certain enzymes and bacteria in your small intestine as you exhale. 

• How did I know I had SIBO

  • Common symptoms are very similar to IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and food allergies. I’ve listed a few symptoms that I experienced that had me SO confused about what was going on in my body. I went everywhere from lactose-intolerant to gluten intolerant to Crohn’s Disease to IBS to a corn and soy allergy and back again. This journey has taken me YEARS to figure out. 

    • Bloating sometimes 

    • Bloating all the time 

    • When your friends say “I had diarrhea today so I must be sick because I never have diarrhea” you think “That’s weird, I have diarrhea every day…” 

    • Nausea 

    • Stomach cramping and pain after eating certain foods 

    • Sleepiness after eating certain foods

• Who to talk to about SIBO 

  • You should ALWAYS consult a doctor when talking about medical issues. For years I saw my primary doctor and a GI (Gastroenterologist), but I wasn’t able to come to this conclusion until I saw a naturopathic doctor who took the time to do a complete assessment of my body, mood, anxiety levels, etc. 

  • Trust your gut (pun intended) and go see a doctor you trust. But, do not let them guide the conversation. This is your body and you are living with these symptoms every day. Do your research, bring questions to the table, and get ready to talk about your poop! 

• Phases of SIBO 

  • After being diagnosed with SIBO, your doctor should walk you through a few options for phase one of treatment. They may offer you western style medication, herbal style medication or a combination of both. You should choose whichever option you feel most comfortable with. 

  • There were four phases to my SIBO treatment, but it’s important to note that you may need to revisit any one of these phases at any point if symptoms persist.

    • Two weeks medication 

    • Four weeks strict dieting 

    • Reintroduction 

    • Maintenance 

  • Why I chose a combination of herbal and traditional  

    • I chose herbal + traditional because I’m comfortable with both forms of medication. Transparently, I tend to be skeptical about putting medication into my body and like to be cautious, but I also trust that my doctor wouldn’t lead me towards something that researchers felt could harm my body during this process. My doctor presented me with all the facts and findings and, in the end, I chose to take Rifaximin + Berberine + a tincture.