SIBO Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and a Step-by-Step Path to Relief

If you feel bloated after every meal, deal with persistent gas, constipation, or diarrhea, or find yourself reacting to more and more foods its time to look deeper.

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is one of the most underdiagnosed yet widespread gut issues. And while its often labeled as just IBS, the truth is, its far more specific and far more treatable when addressed properly.

What Exactly Is SIBO?

SIBO occurs when bacteria that belong in the large intestine migrate or overgrow in the small intestine, where they don’t belong.

Why does that matter?

Your small intestine is where you absorb most of your nutrients. But when bacteria overpopulate this space, they start fermenting your food too early, producing excess gas, toxins, and inflammation leading to uncomfortable, disruptive symptoms.

Note: This is a general guide - every gut is unique, and different types of SIBO often require individual adjustments. What works well for one person may not work for another. Always listen to your body, and personalize your approach based on your specific symptoms, tolerance, and healing phase. I work closely with my clients to tailor their nutrition and lifestyle protocols based on their unique needs, symptoms, and goals. Healing from SIBO isn't one-size-fits-all - and your path forward shouldn't be either.

Symptoms of SIBO Often Include:

- Bloating (especially within 3090 minutes after eating)

- Gas or belching

- Abdominal pain or discomfort

- Constipation, diarrhea, or a mix of both

- Food intolerances (especially to carbs, fiber, or fermented foods)

- Fatigue and brain fog

- Nutrient deficiencies (B12, iron, fat-soluble vitamins)

- Skin issues, joint pain, mood imbalances

SIBO is rarely a standalone issue, it’s often a sign of deeper dysfunction.

What Causes SIBO in the First Place?

SIBO is a result, not a root. It's the outcome of things like:

- Sluggish motility (the cleansing waves that move food and bacteria downward)

- Food poisoning or post-infectious IBS

- Abdominal adhesions or scar tissue

- Low stomach acid

- Chronic stress (affecting the gut-brain axis and vagus nerve function)

- Long-term use of antibiotics, PPIs, or birth control pills

- Structural issues (hernia, diverticula)

- Mold or environmental toxicity

- Gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis)

Functional Testing for SIBO

The gold standard for SIBO diagnosis is a breath test, which measures hydrogen, methane, and sometimes hydrogen sulfide gases after ingesting a sugar solution (lactulose or glucose). These gases are produced when bacteria ferment the sugar and different gases indicate different types of overgrowth.

- Hydrogen-dominant SIBO often leads to diarrhea

- Methane-dominant SIBO (IMO) associated with constipation

- Hydrogen sulfide SIBO can include bloating, brain fog, and sensitivity to sulfur foods

But remember: not every case of SIBO shows up on a test. Your story and symptoms matter just as much.

My Root-Cause Approach to SIBO

Instead of just jumping into antimicrobial treatment or elimination diets, I help my clients take a phased, personalized approach to healing:

1. Clear the Path

We gently open drainage pathways, calm inflammation, and support the nervous system. This preps your body to tolerate deeper work without flaring.

2. Reduce the Overgrowth

We use targeted herbal antimicrobials, biofilm disruptors, or other tools based on your SIBO type not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

3. Repair & Rebalance

We support the gut lining, microbiome diversity, motility (with prokinetics), and digestion. This is essential for preventing relapse.

4. Restore the Root

We investigate and address why the SIBO happened, whether that’s mold, stress, trauma, toxicity, or something structural so you don’t keep cycling through protocols.

All of this is tailored to your body, your tolerance, and your healing capacity

Personalized Support > Cookie-Cutter Protocols

You may have tried low FODMAP, taken rifaximin, or followed an antimicrobial plan and still not felt better. That’s because healing SIBO isn’t just about killing bacteria. It’s about:

- Supporting your bodys natural rhythm

- Healing the gut-brain axis

- Calming the immune system

- And understanding your full health history

This is where I come in.

Let’s Clear the Bloat and Get Your Life Back

If you’ve been dismissed, told your labs are normal, or feel like you’ve tried everything, it’s time for a different kind of care.

Let’s uncover what’s behind your SIBO, support your body step-by-step, and help you feel at home in your gut again.

Book a consult to take the first step toward real, lasting relief.