You cannot consider yourself healthy if you don’t have a healthy gut. There are several conditions that can compromise your gut. Some conditions subside on their own with proper diet and basic home remedies, while others need visits to a qualified gastroenterologist and subsequent treatment. This write-up discusses a condition belonging to the second category. It’s called SIBO or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. As you read through the article, you will learn why treating SIBO at the right time is crucial.
Understanding the Condition
An individual is diagnosed with SIBO when there’s extreme bacterial growth in his/her small intestine. This occurs primarily when waste products and food items take excess time to pass through the digestive tract. This change typically results from surgery or disease. With so much available inside the digestive tract, the area becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
Common Symptoms of SIBO
The symptoms of SIBO can vary from one patient to another. However, there are some common symptoms that most patients experience:
- The biggest indicator of the condition is abdominal distention and bloating. If it’s SIBO, these symptoms will keep worsening.
- Individuals with SIBO get abdominal cramps whenever they eat something. Even if they don’t experience any pain, they complain about a feeling of discomfort.
- Flatulence is the next most common symptom of SIBO. SIBO-induced flatulence is usually characterized by excessive, smelly gas production.
- As a patient with SIBO, you may also experience issues with your bowel movements. Some suffer from diarrhea, while others develop constipation.
- Loss of appetite is another change experienced by these patients.
- You may also experience nausea after meals.
What’s the Right Time to Visit a Doctor?
You may experience all the above symptoms not only when you have SIBO but also because of having other digestive disorders. Some of them don’t require immediate medical attention. However, the same cannot be said about SIBO. So, you must visit a qualified gastroenterologist if any of the following signs persist for more than 24 hours.
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- A feeling of fullness even after eating less
- Severe nausea after eating
You should visit a doctor even faster if these signs occur after a recent infection or surgery. Getting yourself checked by a medical professional is also crucial if you experience drastic weight loss along with mild to moderate digestive issues.
What Will Happen If You Don’t Seek Treatment for SIBO?
If you don’t visit a doctor for quick diagnosis and treatment of SIBO, you will soon see the symptoms of the condition worsening. Managing the symptoms without treating the underlying cause may offer you temporary relief but will cause more harm to you than good. Untreated SIBO will make you susceptible to more serious health conditions. Some of the issues you will face include:
Nutritional Deficiency: As bacteria keep multiplying inside your small intestine, they will consume almost all the nutrients you get from your daily meals. As your body fails to absorb the required nutrients, you will become deficient in different vitamins, minerals, and even macronutrients. According to experts, untreated SIBO is particularly associated with vitamin B12 depletion. A vitamin B12 deficit can result in severe nerve damage, cognitive disorders, anemia, and more.
Kidney Stones: SIBO doesn’t allow the human digestive system to digest fat properly. As a result, the gut becomes the home to a significant amount of unabsorbed fatty acids, which form oxalates by combining with calcium. When the oxalates are absorbed by the bloodstream, the patient become highly susceptible to developing kidney stones.
Bone Disorders: SIBO also impairs the body’s natural ability to absorb vitamin D and calcium. So, when an individual lives with SIBO for a prolonged period, he/she automatically develop bone disorders like osteoporosis or osteopenia. These are conditions that increase an individual’s risk of getting bone fractures.
Neurological Complications: Studies have shown that individuals who don’t get treated for SIBO are at greater risk of developing neurological problems like Parkinson’s Disease and autonomic neuropathy.
Liver Disorders: Untreated SIBO has been found to cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in many patients. On rare occasions, these patients may also develop hepatic encephalopathy.
Intestinal Leak: Bacterial overgrowth in SIBO patients can make the lining of the small intestine thinner and more susceptible to leaks. Once there’s an intestinal leak, undigested food and toxins reach the bloodstream and trigger systemic immune responses.
Expert Gastroenterology Care for SIBO and Digestive Health
Don’t let digestive symptoms disrupt your life. If you’re experiencing bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or nausea, the experienced gastroenterologists at Magnet Health can help. We provide accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans to address SIBO and other digestive disorders before they lead to serious complications. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward better digestive health. Visit Magnet Health Gastroenterology Services
Conclusion
If you want to avoid the above complications, get yourself checked by a qualified gastroenterologist as soon as possible; ideally, if symptoms of SIBO stay for more than 24 hours.
For people in the Bronx, things are a little simpler as they have the best gastroenterologists in the US practicing at Magnet Health. Call the clinic to book a same-day appointment to prevent the worsening of SIBO symptoms.