Is Your Gut Talking to You? Let’s Talk About SIBO

Have you ever felt bloated, gassy, or just off in your stomach after eating? Maybe you’ve been constipated for days or running to the bathroom way too often. These might seem like random, annoying symptoms—but they could be signs your gut is out of balance. One common (and often missed) culprit? SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

What Is SIBO, Anyway?

Your gut is supposed to have bacteria—just not in the wrong place. Most of the action should be happening in your large intestine. But when bacteria sneak into your small intestine and multiply, they can ferment the food you eat (especially carbs), creating gas, bloating, and inflammation. That’s SIBO.

Why Does SIBO Happen?

In our practice, we often see SIBO following:

• Antibiotic use – These wipe out good bacteria and can leave room for the bad ones to overgrow.

• Food poisoning history – A rough case of traveler’s diarrhea? That could have set the stage.

• Steroid or NSAID use – These medications can compromise the gut lining.

• Diabetes – Especially if blood sugars have been poorly controlled.

• Chronic stress, surgeries, or even thyroid issues – All of these can slow down your gut and allow overgrowth to happen.

Do You Need a Breath Test?

The breath test (which measures hydrogen and methane gases) is the standard tool for diagnosing SIBO. But I’ll be honest—I often skip it.

Here’s why:

• The test can take hours and cause symptom flares.

• There's often a wait to schedule it.

• For many patients, the signs and symptoms are loud and clear: bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and fatigue. We listen to your story—and your body—first.

For patients who really want testing, or have complex symptoms, the breath test is an option. We also sometimes use stool testing (like from Genova Diagnostics), which can give us broader insight into what's living—and overgrowing—in your gut.

What Can You Do About SIBO?

The traditional approach is antibiotics like Xifaxan, but they’re expensive and can cause uncomfortable reactions as the bacteria die off.

I prefer a gentler, functional approach first—especially for mild to moderate cases:

1. Probiotics That Work

We use a spore-forming probiotic called Bacillus coagulans (Probiotic 2). It’s been studied in SIBO and often brings relief within 2 weeks. Many patients stay on it long-term because their symptoms return when they stop.

2. Natural Antimicrobials

We’ve had success using oil of oregano and berberine. These herbal tools help kill off harmful bacteria without wiping out everything good in your gut.

3. Supportive Supplements

• Transform GI: Immunoglobulins that help your gut immune system calm down and reset.

• Transform Gut Motility: Aloe-based support for sluggish bowels.

• Magnesium Glycinate: Gentle help with constipation and stress.

4. Address the Root

We always circle back to fiber, hydration, food sensitivities (wheat, dairy, sugar alcohols), and stress management. The gut is a reflection of everything going on in the body.

But Wait… Won’t It Come Back?

Yes, and that’s important to understand. SIBO tends to return if we don’t rebuild and maintain a healthy microbiome. Keeping your gut bacteria (and even viruses and fungi) in balance is a lifelong job. It’s less about finding a “cure” and more about learning how to keep the system running smoothly.

Takeaway:
If your gut is talking to you—listen. SIBO might be part of the story. We don't always need invasive tests to figure it out, and there are effective, natural options for treatment. Your gut health plays a major role in your metabolism, mood, immune system, and even your joints.

It’s all connected.