SIBO vs. IBS: Important Symptoms to Know
Do you suspect you may have IBS? If you’re experiencing some of the common symptoms of IBS, it may indeed be the root of your discomfort. But have you explored the possibility that your diagnosis might be SIBO?
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Many of the symptoms of SIBO are quite similar to IBS, but it’s essential to know the difference. So, if you’re looking at a question of SIBO vs. IBS, here’s what you need to know.
The Symptoms of IBS
IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, has become a ubiquitous catch-all diagnosis in recent years. When you’re having stomach pain and discomfort, your bowels likely feel indeed irritable, and the term seems to fit. But what does an IBS diagnosis really mean, and what should you do about it?
By medical definition, IBS is a collection of symptoms that cause gastrointestinal distress and discomfort. It is a functional GI disorder, meaning it may be caused by a miscommunication between the brain and gut. It can cause muscles in the intestines to contract and react to external environmental changes, including stress, dietary changes, and other factors.
IBS is also known as colitis, spastic colon, and nervous colon. There are different types of IBS, and they can present different issues. Around 12% of people in the United States suffer from IBS, although it can be challenging to diagnose. IBS is most common in women under 50. Risk factors include other family members with IBS; stressful events, particularly a history of abuse in childhood; a history of digestive tract infections; chronic pain conditions; mental disorders like anxiety and depression; and concurrent digestive issues like reflux or dyspepsia (indigestion).
Symptoms of IBS include:
- Cramping
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain
- Increased mucus in the stool
- Changes in the frequency and appearance of bowel movements
- Diarrhea (IBS-D)
- Constipation (IBS-C)
- Mixed bowel habits (IBS-M)
IBS is a chronic condition, meaning that there’s no cure, and it will need to be managed in the long term, but patients can manage IBS symptoms with lifestyle and diet changes. In addition, stress management, medication, and counseling can help ease some of the mental-health-related aspects that can exacerbate IBS symptoms.
It’s also important to note that IBS doesn’t typically change the tissue within the colon or cause an increased risk of colorectal cancer. However, it’s still imperative to connect with a physician if you notice any of the above symptoms of IBS. They can be quite similar to the symptoms of other GI disorders, some of which are more serious. Watch for signs including rectal bleeding or “passing blood” in the stool, sudden vomiting, unexpected or unexplained weight loss, loss of bowel control, trouble swallowing, or persistent, sharp abdominal pain. These are signs that you need immediate medical attention.
SIBO vs. IBS: What are the Symptoms of SIBO?
In many ways, the symptoms of SIBO are very similar to IBS, but the root cause of the condition is different. SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and refers to an imbalance in your gut’s microflora.
All of us have many microorganisms living inside our digestive tract. These bacteria and microbes help break down food, aid in digestion, and help us absorb nutrients from our meals. Contrary to popular belief, bacteria aren’t harmful or damaging to our health, but instead, they’re simply part of our body systems. It’s when we have too many of the wrong kinds of bacteria that they become a problem. SIBO occurs when there’s an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. The condition is also called “blind loop syndrome.”
You’ve likely heard a lot about gut balance and maintaining a healthy gut. Probiotics, prebiotics, fortified foods, and other supplements can help us maintain our GI health, but many people might not know which probiotics they need to take or what foods can help them feel better. If you have SIBO, diagnosis is critical for helping you get on a path to wellness. Once your practitioner determines the root cause of your GI distress—SIBO or IBS—they can help you with the necessary diet and lifestyle adjustments to get back on track.
What causes SIBO? SIBO is caused when something slows down the digestive tract. It could occur because of an illness, surgery, an accident, a structural issue within the gut, or a reaction to another stimulus. Scar tissue in the intestines and intestinal pouches known as diverticulosis can cause SIBO. SIBO can also be caused by H. Pylori infection, hypothyroidism, and small bowel obstructions. It may also be related to other disorders like Crohn’s disease, celiac, diabetes, scleroderma, or radiation enteritis. Once the food and waste slow down, bacteria can begin to grow excessively, throwing your system off balance. SIBO can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, and pain.
The small intestine is quite long (on average, an unbelievable 20 feet). Because stomach contents and bile move quickly into and through the small intestine, bacterial growth is usually minimal. But when food slows down and stays in the small intestine for a more extended period, bacteria can begin to breed. This overgrowth may result in toxins, cause diarrhea, and interfere with nutrition absorption.
- Feeling too full after eating or a loss of appetite
- Cramping and abdominal pain
- Unexpected or unexplained weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Bloating and gas
Many of the symptoms of SIBO are similar to other GI issues, including IBS. It’s important to visit a medical specialist if you experience any of the above effects. If you have rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, persistent diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, rapid weight loss, loss of bowel control, or trouble swallowing, it’s essential to visit a doctor immediately.
One way to determine SIBO vs. IBS is to determine when the symptoms occurred. SIBO may happen after surgery, after beginning specific prescriptions like proton pump inhibitors or opiates, or after a bout of food poisoning. A “clean” or elimination diet may actually exacerbate symptoms, whereas an antibiotic may ease symptoms and cause improvement. While food doesn’t cause SIBO, certain foods can increase symptoms. SIBO can also be related to many other comorbidities (although the correlations are still being researched). A few conditions linked to SIBO include rosacea, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, and restless leg syndrome.
Behind the symptoms, SIBO can cause a lack of nutrient absorption and incomplete digestion. The bacteria can degrade the intestinal lining, making it harder for your body to break down food and absorb the necessary components like protein and carbohydrates. It can cause vitamin deficiency, particularly of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and K. Bacteria require Vitamin B-12, which can also lead to a resulting B-12 deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to many adverse health effects, including confusion, exhaustion, and lasting nervous system damage. Poor calcium absorption due to SIBO could lead to kidney stones and bone diseases like osteoporosis.
It’s vital that you rule out SIBO as part of the diagnostic process for your GI issues. Many times, practitioners may not be aware that SIBO could lead to similar symptoms to IBS, so it’s important to explore all the possibilities of SIBO vs. IBS and get to the root cause. Some studies show that up to 80% of people with IBS have SIBO.
Testing for SIBO
Answering the IBS vs. SIBO question can be done through a simple breath test. At QuinTron, our tests are safe, easy to use, and can be done in the privacy of your home or office. You can order the QuinTron At-Home Breath Collection Kit through your doctor’s office or directly through us online.
Once you receive your test, follow the easy-to-understand instructions, collect your sample, and return them to us in a pre-paid envelope. We can process your sample at one of our partner labs or a physician’s office with processing capabilities.
The test measures levels of gases in your breath—Hydrogen and Methane. This helps determine whether your symptoms are caused by bacterial overgrowth. From there, your practitioner can help you understand the next steps to treat your symptoms and get you on the road to wellness.
It’s important to visit a care provider if you are having any symptoms of GI distress. Whether it’s SIBO vs. IBS (or another diagnosis altogether), it’s not something that you should ignore. GI discomfort lowers your quality of life and holds you back from doing the things you love. A visit with your doctor will help you determine what’s happening and figure out a plan forward.