Learn About Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth

What is the definition of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth?

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a condition in which very large numbers of bacteria grow in the small intestine.

What are the alternative names for Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth?

Overgrowth - intestinal bacteria; Bacterial overgrowth - intestine; Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; SIBO

What are the causes of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth?

Most of the time, unlike the large intestine, the small intestine does not have a large number of bacteria. Excess bacteria in the small intestine may use up the nutrients needed by the body. As a result, a person may become malnourished.

The breakdown of nutrients by the excess bacteria can also damage the lining of the small intestine. This can make it even harder for the body to absorb nutrients.

Conditions that can lead to overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine include:

  • Complications of diseases or surgery that create pouches or blockages in the small intestine. Crohn disease is one of these conditions.
  • Diseases that lead to decreased movement of the small bowel, such as diabetes and scleroderma.
  • Immunodeficiency, such as AIDS or immunoglobulin deficiency.
  • Short bowel syndrome caused by surgical removal of the small intestine.
  • Small bowel diverticulosis, in which small, or, at times, large sacs occur in the wall of the intestine. These sacs allow too many bacteria to grow.
  • Surgical procedures that create a loop of small intestine where excess bacteria can grow. An example is a Billroth II type of stomach removal (gastrectomy).
  • Some cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What are the symptoms of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth?

The most common symptoms are:

  • Abdominal fullness
  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea (most often watery)
  • Gassiness

Other symptoms may include:

  • Fatty stool
  • Weight loss
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth?

The goal is to treat the cause of the bacterial overgrowth. Treatment may include:

  • Antibiotics
  • Medicines that speed intestinal movement
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids
  • Nutrition given through a vein (total parenteral nutrition or TPN) in a malnourished person

A lactose-free diet can be helpful.

Who are the top Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth Local Doctors?
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology And Hepatology Associates, PLLC

107 Glen Oak Blvd, Suite 202, 
Hendersonville, TN 
 (1.4 mi)
Languages Spoken:
English
Offers Telehealth

Scott Hande is a Gastroenterologist in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Dr. Hande and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth. His top areas of expertise are Painful Swallowing, Swallowing Difficulty, Diverticular Disease, Endoscopy, and Gastrectomy.

Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

128 N Anderson Ln, 
Hendersonville, TN 
 (2.5 mi)
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Kaylin Craig is an Internal Medicine provider in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Dr. Craig and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth. Her top areas of expertise are Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, and Melorheostosis with Osteopoikilosis. Dr. Craig is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn More
Pediatrics | Internal Medicine
Pediatrics | Internal Medicine

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

1301 Medical Ctr Dr, 
Nashville, TN 
 (15.2 mi)
Languages Spoken:
English
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

George Garriss is a Pediatrics specialist and an Internal Medicine provider in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Garriss and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth. His top areas of expertise are Low Sodium Level, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Low Potassium Level, and Gitelman Syndrome. Dr. Garriss is currently accepting new patients.

What are the possible complications of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth?

Severe cases lead to malnutrition. Other possible complications include:

  • Dehydration
  • Excess bleeding or other problems due to vitamin deficiency
  • Liver disease
  • Osteomalacia or osteoporosis
  • Inflammation of the intestine
What are the latest Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth Clinical Trials?
Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: a Prospective Monocentric Study

Summary: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) refers to a spectrum of disease characterized by the presence of more than 5% of steatosis in hepatocytes of individuals who consume little or no alcohol. It ranges from simple steatosis without evidence of inflammation, to the association of steatosis and inflammation with cellular necrosis, the so-called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD has be...

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
The Role of Breath Testing in Enriching the Likelihood of Response to Rifaximin in Patients With Diarrhea IBS

Summary: The purpose of this study is to learn more about how to improve treatment of patients with diarrhea predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D) symptoms.Included patients will be requested to answer online surveys and will undergo treatment with rifaximin. Hydrogen breath testing and biologic samples collection will also be completed during the study.

What are the Latest Advances for Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth?
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 14, 2024
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Lacy BE, DiBaise JK. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 105.

Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 126.