Are you experiencing bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, and persistent digestive discomfort? You may benefit from taking a SIBO breath test at home.
SIBO is a complex condition that often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Working with a functional dietitian can help you get to the root cause of your digestive issues.
Keep reading to learn about SIBO, doing a SIBO breath test at home, what causes a false test, treatment options, and more.
We’ve helped hundreds of clients navigate some of the most challenging SIBO cases. Here are additional SIBO resources we’ve created that you may benefit from:
- Check out our YouTube video – Everything you need to know about SIBO
- If you’re working through a SIBO protocol and feeling lousy, check out our blog – SIBO Die Off Symptoms + 10 Tips to Help
- If you experience ongoing bloating and stomach discomfort and are seeking solutions, visit our blog: Do Probiotics Help with Bloating?
Table of Contents
- What is SIBO?
- Diagnosing SIBO
- Symptoms and Conditions Associated with SIBO
- Types of SIBO
- We believe that healing your gut is possible.
- How Diet Impacts SIBO
- How to Test for SIBO at Home
- What to Expect & How to Prepare for a SIBO Breath Test
- What Causes a False Positive SIBO Test?
- SIBO Test Prep Diet
- How to Treat SIBO
- Managing SIBO Symptoms & Preventing Recurrence
- Conclusion
- Are you looking for a SIBO expert?
What is SIBO?
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It’s a condition marked by an abnormal increase in bacteria in the small intestine.
Bacteria are important for digestion, but too many can cause problems such as bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
SIBO is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recognizing SIBO can be key in helping someone begin to solve their digestive problems.
Diagnosing SIBO
Diagnosing SIBO accurately can be challenging. Many healthcare professionals may suggest SIBO without conducting thorough tests, which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis and ineffective treatment.
SIBO can be diagnosed by completing a SIBO breath test at home. It’s important to note that a stool test is not a diagnostic tool for SIBO.
Importantly, SIBO is frequently a symptom of an underlying issue rather than a standalone condition. Common factors contributing to SIBO include:
- Low stomach acid
- Structural issues in the gut
- Food sensitivities
- Inadequate digestion (think pancreas and gallbladder issues)
Addressing these root causes is essential for effective long-term treatment.
Symptoms and Conditions Associated with SIBO
SIBO is a fairly common issue that’s linked to a wide range of symptoms and health conditions.
- Bloating (especially after meals)
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Celiac Disease
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Rosacea
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Obesity
Types of SIBO
SIBO can be categorized into three primary types, each presenting unique challenges:
- Hydrogen-dominant SIBO – often associated with diarrhea.
- Methane-dominant SIBO (also known as intestinal methanogen overgrowth or IMO)- typically linked to constipation.
- Hydrogen Sulfide SIBO – correctly identifying this condition on a test can be tricky because a positive test result for hydrogen sulfide-dominant SIBO will appear negative for hydrogen and methane.
- It’s important to note that you can have a combination of the different types of SIBO.
Identifying the specific type of SIBO requires specialty training (which our dietitians have) and is crucial for effective treatment.
