Many people suffer from digestive symptoms without knowing what causes them. Bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort or changes in bowel transit can affect quality of life, but in many cases the source is unclear.
SIBO may be behind these complaints, but it remains a rare and poorly understood diagnosis. As a result, many people live with these symptoms for years without receiving an explanation or adequate treatment.
Recognising the most common signs is essential to seek a correct diagnosis and start improving digestive health. In this article we present five common signs that could indicate the presence of SIBO. Being aware of these clues is the first step to regaining your well-being and quality of life.
We have already explained in this article, SIBO is a bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine that disrupts the natural balance of the microbiota and affects digestion and nutrient absorption. This imbalance can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms and affect your overall well-being.
Among the most common causes are prolonged use of antibiotics, chronic stress, changes in the gut microbiota (dysbiosis), abdominal surgery and certain dietary habits.
Although SIBO is more common than people think, it is often overlooked and under-diagnosed, resulting in many people living with discomfort for a long time without a clear diagnosis.
It is common to feel a “bloated” sensation in the abdomen, even if you have eaten a small amount of food. This happens because overgrowing bacteria ferment some foods, especially certain vegetables, legumes and fruits, which are more difficult to digest and produce gas that inflames the intestine.
Excessive bacterial fermentation generates gas that not only causes discomfort, but also a strong, unpleasant odour. Many people confuse this symptom with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but it is important to identify the source in order to get the right treatment.
Digestion becomes more difficult and prolonged, as if the food is not moving properly through the digestive system. This slowness causes an immediate feeling of fullness, even after eating small amounts. This response is due to the disruption of the digestive process caused by bacterial imbalance, which affects intestinal motility and nutrient absorption.
After eating, you may find it difficult to concentrate or think clearly, and you may experience a feeling of fatigue. These symptoms are often mistaken for anxiety or stress, but in the case of SIBO they are related to malabsorption of nutrients and inflammation caused by bacterial imbalance.
Changes in bowel rhythm, whether diarrhoea, constipation or alternating between the two, are common. These symptoms often persist even with specific diets or probiotics, because until the bacterial problem is treated, the gut does not return to normal functioning.
SIBO can go unnoticed for a long time, as its symptoms are often confused with other digestive disorders. This is why an accurate diagnosis is essential. The most commonly used test for detecting SIBO is the BREATH TEST, which measures the levels of hydrogen and methane produced by bacteria fermenting certain sugars in the small intestine.
It is a non-invasive, simple and safe test that can identify bacterial overgrowth and guide the appropriate treatment. Early detection can make a difference to your quality of life.
If you've been living with digestive discomfort for a while, it's not an exaggeration or a coincidence. Symptoms are signals your body sends out to let you know that something is wrong. And although they are sometimes downplayed or blamed on stress, they deserve to be heard.
Remember: it is not your fault that you feel this way. Validating what is happening to you is the first step to finding answers and regaining your wellbeing. Knowing about SIBO and understanding that there may be a cause behind what you are feeling can completely change the way you take care of your digestive health.
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