SIBO TESTING & TREATMENT
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Treatment
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is a condition where bacteria that normally live in the large intestine migrate and overgrow in the small intestine. This bacterial overgrowth can cause a wide range of digestive symptoms and significantly impact your quality of life.
At Paracelsus Natural Family Health Center in Pasadena and Redlands, Dr. Simon Barker and Dr. Daniel Brousseau have extensive experience diagnosing and treating SIBO using comprehensive natural approaches. They understand that SIBO often underlies many digestive complaints and work to not only eliminate the bacterial overgrowth but also address the underlying factors that allowed it to develop.
SIBO affects millions of people but is often misdiagnosed or overlooked by conventional medicine. Many patients suffer for years with symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements before discovering that SIBO is the root cause of their digestive distress.
What Makes Our SIBO Treatment Different
Accurate Testing and Diagnosis – We use lactulose or glucose breath testing, the gold standard for SIBO diagnosis. You drink a sugar solution and breathe into collection tubes over 2-3 hours, with elevated hydrogen and/or methane gases indicating bacterial overgrowth. We also use comprehensive stool analysis for overall gut health information, detailed symptom evaluations, food sensitivity testing, and nutritional assessment since SIBO can cause malabsorption.
Multi-Phase Treatment Approach – Treating SIBO successfully requires addressing not just the overgrowth but also the underlying causes. We first reduce bacteria using targeted herbal antimicrobials and natural compounds or conventional antibiotics if desired; then heal and repair the intestinal lining with targeted nutrients and healing compounds; then carefully reintroduce beneficial bacteria with specific probiotics and prebiotics; and finally prevent recurrence by addressing underlying factors that contributed to SIBO development.
Type-Specific Treatment – Understanding which type of SIBO you have is crucial for effective treatment. We address hydrogen SIBO caused by bacteria that ferment carbohydrates and produce hydrogen gas (often leading to diarrhea); methane SIBO (IMO) caused by archaea that slow gut motility (typically causing constipation); and hydrogen sulfide SIBO where bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide gas with unique symptom patterns. Different types require different therapeutic approaches.
Evidence-Based Protocols – Our approach is supported by growing research on herbal antimicrobials showing effectiveness comparable to antibiotics, studies on specific compounds for bacterial overgrowth, evidence for dietary approaches like the low FODMAP diet in managing SIBO symptoms, and research on specific probiotics and their role in preventing SIBO recurrence.
How Our SIBO Treatment Works
Initial Comprehensive Assessment – We conduct thorough evaluations including breath testing for accurate diagnosis and detailed symptom assessments to understand your specific pattern. Testing helps identify which type of SIBO you have, potential triggers, food sensitivities that have developed, and nutrient deficiencies from malabsorption.
Active Treatment Phase – We provide targeted treatments including herbal antimicrobials or conventional antibiotics to reduce bacterial overgrowth; digestive support with enzymes, stomach acid support, and bile acid support; motility enhancement using prokinetic herbs and nutrients that support the migrating motor complex; gut healing nutrients including amino acids for intestinal repair and anti-inflammatory compounds; and targeted diet protocols like low FODMAP diet or Specific Carbohydrate Diet based on your SIBO type.
Dietary Optimization – Diet plays a crucial role in SIBO treatment. During the treatment phase, we use low FODMAP diet to reduce fermentable carbohydrates, Specific Carbohydrate Diet for more severe cases, or elemental diet for resistant cases under medical supervision. Long-term strategies include gradual reintroduction of foods as gut health improves, emphasis on nutrient-dense anti-inflammatory foods, and proper meal timing to support gut motility.
Prevention and Maintenance – We address underlying factors and create sustainable plans including stress management techniques to support gut-brain communication, regular meal timing to support the migrating motor complex, appropriate exercise to enhance gut motility, and adequate sleep for gut repair and immune function.
Understanding SIBO and What Causes It
The small intestine is designed to have relatively few bacteria compared to the large intestine. When bacteria migrate upward or when the mechanisms that normally keep bacteria in check fail, SIBO can develop.
Common symptoms include chronic bloating especially after meals, excessive gas and belching, abdominal pain or cramping, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between both, nausea, acid reflux or heartburn, and food intolerances that seem to worsen over time. Systemic symptoms include fatigue and brain fog, joint pain, skin problems like rosacea or eczema, mood changes including anxiety and depression, nutrient deficiencies despite eating well, and weight loss or difficulty gaining weight.
Contributing factors include impaired motility when the migrating motor complex (MMC) fails to sweep bacteria out between meals; structural abnormalities like adhesions from surgery or strictures; low stomach acid due to medications, aging, or other factors; immune system dysfunction; certain medications including proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, and opioid pain medications; and underlying conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease.
Benefits of Comprehensive SIBO Treatment
Patients who choose our comprehensive approach often experience:
Symptom Resolution
Significant reduction or elimination of bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements.
Improved Energy and Mental Clarity
Better nutrient absorption and reduced inflammation often lead to increased energy and clearer thinking.
Enhanced Food Tolerance
Many patients find they can tolerate a wider variety of foods as their gut heals. While dietary restrictions are typically necessary during treatment, most patients can gradually reintroduce many foods as healing progresses.
Better Overall Digestive Health
Our approach improves not just SIBO but often other digestive issues as well.
Reduced Risk of Recurrence
By addressing root causes rather than just eliminating bacteria, our patients have lower rates of SIBO returning.
Comprehensive Healing
Treatment addresses inflammation, malabsorption, and systemic symptoms for whole-body improvement.
Treatment typically takes 2-6 months depending on the severity and duration of SIBO, with most patients noticing improvement within the first month.
Ready to Address Your SIBO?
Dr. Barker and Dr. Brousseau’s comprehensive approach to SIBO provides patients with accurate testing, targeted treatment, and prevention strategies that address root causes for lasting relief.
Questions about SIBO testing and treatment?
Call either office to discuss how our proven approach can help eliminate bacterial overgrowth and prevent recurrence.
Call either office to discuss how our proven approach can help eliminate bacterial overgrowth and prevent recurrence.