Having too much bacteria here can make you feel bloated and it can cause symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as abdominal cramps, gas, diarrhea or constipation. The problem is, the bacteria are just in the wrong place. The bacteria present in SIBO are not necessarily bad bacteria, like the ones that cause gastroenteritis or food poisoning. The far more common scenario is where the bugs travel up from your large intestine. How does the bacteria end up in your small intestine? It can either travel upwards from your colon, or downwards from your mouth. Most of the bugs in your gut are supposed to live in your colon (large intestine). This part of your intestine is designed for nutrient digestion and absorption. There is not supposed to be a lot of bacteria in your small intestine. The condition encompasses yeast overgrowth such as Candida too, but excess bacteria is more common and a bigger problem. SIBO is defined as an increased number and/or abnormal types of bacteria in the small intestine. Unfortunately, alterations in bowel bacteria are common and this can produce health problems. They help us to digest food, produce some nutrients for us and assist our immune function. Our intestines are meant to house a large number of bacteria and other organisms. This is an extremely common condition that can be the root of many complex health problems.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth