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Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth

Evan R Locke, MD and Michael J Kim, FAAFP, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a syndrome characterized by chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in the presence of excess bacterial colonization of the small intes...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients often report non-specific GI symptoms

  • Common symptoms reported in SIBO are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, distention

  • Less common symptoms include malabsorption...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • The primary goal of treatment is symptomatic improvement by eradicating microbial overgrowth​​​​​​

    • Treatment of underlying conditions should always be pursued sim...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Monitor for signs/symptoms of nutritional deficiencies

  • Continue to offer psychological support to patients and offer behavioral health referral w...

REFERENCES

1
Efremova I, Maslennikov R, Poluektova E, et al. Epidemiology of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. World J Gastroenterol. 2023;29(22):3400-3421. doi:10.3748/wjg.v29.i22.3400
2
Pimentel M...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Typical symptoms of SIBO include abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, distension

  • Breath testing is the test of choice for the diagnosis of SIBO

  • Treatment should focus on treat...

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