Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Awareness Day

8th April marks Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Awareness Day.

Read on to discover more about the condition, including what it is, the symptoms, who it affects, and why awareness is so important.

What is SIBO?

The large bowel is home to most of the bacteria in our digestive tract. The small bowel (small intestine) also has bacteria, but in smaller amounts. Things such as surgery or a health condition can change the small bowel’s structure and the rate at which contents move through it. This means that more bacteria can grow than normal, leading to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This can affect how well our food is absorbed and also lead to unpleasant symptoms.

What are the usual symptoms of SIBO?

The symptoms of SIBO are much like those of other digestive conditions. They can be vague: 

• Belly (abdominal) pain.
• Bloating and/or distention (swelling of the belly).
• Diarrhoea.
• Your poo could be pale, fatty or greasy. Doctors call this symptom steatorrhoea.
• Weight loss.
• Deficiencies in vitamins or minerals, like iron, vitamin B12, or calcium.

Are you worried about your poo? Our Poo-torial can tell you more about the colour, consistency and frequency. Being aware of the colour, consistency and how often you empty your bowels is important, as it helps you to get to know your ‘normal’ and spot when something might not be right.

Who does SIBO affect?

Surgery that can often cause SIBO are:

• A right hemicolectomy: The right-hand side of the large bowel has been removed by surgery. This may have been done to treat cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.  
• Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy: This is when the stomach is made smaller, and part of the upper small bowel is bypassed. It is often done for surgical weight management treatment.  
• Surgery for ulcers or gastric cancer. 
• Pancreas surgery: This is treatment for pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis. 
• Oesophagectomy surgery: This is treatment for oesophageal cancer. 

Diagnosed health conditions where SIBO is more likely to be experienced are:

• Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI).
• Diabetes.
• Scleroderma (a chronic autoimmune disease in which excess collagen is produced).
• Diverticular disease in the small bowel.
• Adhesions caused by scar tissue in the abdomen (belly) or bowel obstruction.
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
• Liver disease
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Coeliac disease.

Where can I find more information on SIBO?

Our accredited information on digestive conditions and symptoms includes small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Our Helpline team can also provide information, guidance and support.

Why is awareness of SIBO so important?

Understanding SIBO is so important, especially when it comes to being able to spot the signs and symptoms. SIBO doesn’t just cause uncomfortable symptoms; it can actively interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients. By shining a light on this condition, we can help people move away from “just living with it” and towards the right tests, treatments and support that they need.

Together, we can work towards a future where people no longer suffer in silence. It’s time the nation got to grips with guts.

How can I help?

You can help us spread the word about SIBO by:

• Following us on social media and sharing our awareness and information posts. You never know who we might reach and help together. Our social media links are: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X.
• Share your own experience, or a loved one’s experience with SIBO, with your own circles, and on your own social media channels.
• Fundraise for Guts UK Charity to help us abolish the taboos surrounding digestive health, and get to grips with guts. You can fund life-changing research and empower people to seek help sooner.