Have you ever found yourself feeling sick after eating anything, even though you’ve tried following all the right diets, such as the FODMAP diet? Tired of feeling that the FODMAP diet doesn’t work for you?
If you’ve been struggling with digestive issues, bloating, and discomfort no matter what you eat, it could be more than just food intolerance. Especially if you also have mental issues like brain fog, depression or anxiety. (Or a combination of all of this). One possible culprit is SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. This condition could be why your gut reacts poorly to food. Even when you’re doing everything “by the book” when it comes to diet. So, what exactly is SIBO, and why does it make you feel ill after eating?
What is SIBO and How Does It Affect Digestion?
SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, occurs when an abnormal number of bacteria grow in the small intestine. While bacteria are an essential part of the digestive process, the small intestine is not meant to house large colonies of bacteria. When this happens, it can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption, leading to discomfort and a range of other digestive issues.
Unlike the large intestine, which is home to billions of bacteria, the small intestine should be the home to only a small amount.
In SIBO, an overgrowth of bacteria disrupts this balance, leading to symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Read more here on all symptoms. This condition also affects how well your body absorbs nutrients, which can result in deficiencies over time. While many people confuse SIBO with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), they are not the same. SIBO is primarily caused by bacterial overgrowth, whereas IBS is more related to general digestive issues.
And let’s get one thing straight: IBS is a ‘garbage’ diagnosis. A lot of physicians use it when they don’t know, don’t care to know or are their wits end. this means you might have other underlying conditions and IBS is just a one-size-fits-all name for your symptoms. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s what you’re suffering from. Also, the FODMAP diet is marketed as the best tool to deal with IBS, but it’s just a diagnosis tool. The FODMAP diet might not work for you.
Why FODMAP Diet May Not Work for SIBO Sufferers
The FODMAP diet is often recommended for people suffering from IBS and other digestive issues. It involves limiting foods that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, such as certain fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grains. However, if you have SIBO, the FODMAP diet might not offer the relief you need.
It’s true that FODMAPs can ferment in the gut, contributing to bloating and gas. In people with SIBO, this process occurs in the small intestine, where bacterial overgrowth is already causing problems. Even with a low-FODMAP diet, the bacteria in the small intestine may still ferment certain foods, causing symptoms like gas, bloating, and discomfort.
I, myself, for example, have always felt that spicy foods (not hot-spicy, but when spices were used) were causing issues. Even though they aren’t any FODMAP-related. Especially after a few years of struggling with SIBO, while it was still unknown to me. I started swelling up (bloating) after 5 minutes of having started eating, no matter what it was that I ate. Even if I ate digestive enzymes together with my food.
So why doesn’t FODMAP work for everyone with digestive issues? The answer lies in the underlying cause: SIBO. Simply avoiding FODMAPs won’t address the bacterial imbalance, and that’s why it’s important to treat SIBO directly.
Diagnosing SIBO: Tests and Procedures You Need to Know
If you suspect you have SIBO, getting a proper diagnosis is essential. A simple breath test is often used to measure the gases produced by bacteria in the small intestine. This includes the hydrogen breath test and methane breath test, which check for elevated levels of hydrogen and methane, gases produced by bacterial fermentation.
These tests are non-invasive and relatively easy to perform. They involve drinking a sugar solution and then measuring your breath at regular intervals. High levels of hydrogen or methane after ingestion indicate bacterial overgrowth. However, interpreting the results and understanding what’s next can be tricky. Because of this I can highly recommend trying to find a doctor that listens and tests regularly. I know this sounds cliche, but it’s truly what saved me in the end. My doctor now actually listens and looks at my body holistically, so she combines treatments, specifically for me.
Effective Treatment Options for SIBO
Treating SIBO requires addressing the bacterial overgrowth directly. The most common treatment is a course of antibiotics, such as rifaximin, which can help reduce the number of bacteria in the small intestine. For those who prefer a more natural approach, herbal treatments like oregano oil or berberine are sometimes used as alternatives.
I never used any antibiotics, because I felt my stomach and bowels were so upset already, I didn’t want to aggrevate them even more!
In addition to antibiotics or herbal treatments, improving gut motility is a key part of SIBO treatment. Medications known as prokinetics can help move food through the digestive system, reducing the chances of bacteria proliferating in the small intestine. Probiotics may also be useful in restoring a healthy balance of gut bacteria, although their role in SIBO treatment is still under research.
Dietary changes are another crucial part of managing SIBO. In some cases, adjusting the FODMAP diet or focusing on foods that are easier for the gut to process can help reduce symptoms. But the most important step is to address the bacterial imbalance directly.
Long-Term Management of SIBO and Preventing Recurrence
While treating SIBO is an important step, long-term management is essential to prevent the condition from returning. Unfortunately, SIBO is known to relapse, so it’s vital to take steps to maintain gut health and reduce the chances of recurrence.
Improving gut motility through lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, can help keep things moving and prevent bacterial overgrowth. Managing stress is also crucial, as stress can impact gut motility and make SIBO more likely to come back.
Another key aspect of long-term management is regular check-ups and monitoring. If you’ve had SIBO in the past, it’s a good idea to stay in touch with a doctor and get tested regularly to catch any potential recurrences early. And please: focus on getting a doctor who believes you. I know first-hand how hard it is to fight against the system, because most doctors will say you ‘just’ have IBS and be done with it. But in my case, nothing was further from the truth!
Once I figured that out, a whole new world opened up to me. So I am sharing it here.
Conclusion on why the FODMAP diet doesn’t work
Living with SIBO can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it seems like nothing works. Not even diets like FODMAP that are supposed to help. But understanding the root cause of your symptoms and addressing the bacterial overgrowth with the right treatments can make a significant difference. Whether through antibiotics, herbal treatments, or dietary changes, there are effective ways to manage SIBO and improve your digestive health.
If you think SIBO might be the reason you feel ill after eating, the best thing you can do is speak with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. Don’t let SIBO control your life!!