What is SIBO
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
-
Dhmoore99@att.net
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:16 am
What is SIBO
Is SIBO common in MCC patients?
SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, in reference to a situation where bacteria that normally populate the colon, become established in the small intestine. These days, the term appears to be overused a lot. It's often used to refer to abnormal colonies of bacteria of any type, anywhere in the intestines. So yes, SIBO by that definition is very common among MC patients. I'm pretty sure that most of us would qualify under those terms, because MC causes incomplete digestion, and treating it by diet requires drastic diet changes. Those changes starve out certain bacteria that normally populate the small intestine, and create new opportunities for other bacteria by establishing an environment that allows them to thrive. Any time we change our diet, or our digestive efficiency changes, our gut bacteria profile changes (whether we like it or not).
And when we reach remission, and our digestion improves, our gut bacteria profile will change again, and our "SIBO" will disappear. Treating "SIBO" almost never provides any long-term improvement, because as long as our digestion is compromised, or our diet is restricted, we will have "SIBO". Those improper bacteria will come right back. And when we heal, the "SIBO" will disappear.
Naturopaths make a pretty penny treating "SIBO", even though their treatment provides no lasting benefits for their patients. Yes, MC often causes "SIBO". But the good news is that the "SIBO" disappears when the inflammation that causes MC is resolved, and our digestive abilities are restored.
That said, there are rare exceptions where SIBO actually exists, because of a malfunctioning cecum valve that fails to prevent backflow from the colon. This has nothing to do with MC, however, and our chances of winning the lottery are better than our chances of actually having a legitimate case of SIBO that requires treatment. Obviously my opinion isn't popular among naturopaths, because they make a lot more money from treating "SIBO" than I do. (I make none.)
I hope this clarifies the issue.
Tex
And when we reach remission, and our digestion improves, our gut bacteria profile will change again, and our "SIBO" will disappear. Treating "SIBO" almost never provides any long-term improvement, because as long as our digestion is compromised, or our diet is restricted, we will have "SIBO". Those improper bacteria will come right back. And when we heal, the "SIBO" will disappear.
Naturopaths make a pretty penny treating "SIBO", even though their treatment provides no lasting benefits for their patients. Yes, MC often causes "SIBO". But the good news is that the "SIBO" disappears when the inflammation that causes MC is resolved, and our digestive abilities are restored.
That said, there are rare exceptions where SIBO actually exists, because of a malfunctioning cecum valve that fails to prevent backflow from the colon. This has nothing to do with MC, however, and our chances of winning the lottery are better than our chances of actually having a legitimate case of SIBO that requires treatment. Obviously my opinion isn't popular among naturopaths, because they make a lot more money from treating "SIBO" than I do. (I make none.)
I hope this clarifies the issue.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.