Research suggests there may be a link between Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and fibromyalgia. Both conditions involve chronic pain, and studies have shown that a higher-than-average percentage of individuals with fibromyalgia test positive for SIBO.

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas. The cause of fibromyalgia is still not completely understood, but it is thought to involve a variety of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

SIBO, on the other hand, involves an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestine. This can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, bloating, and abdominal pain.

The connection between the two conditions may be due to several factors:

1. Gut-brain axis: The gut and the brain communicate closely through what is known as the gut-brain axis. Changes in the gut microbiota (as occurs in SIBO) can influence brain function and the perception of pain.
2. Inflammation: Both SIBO and fibromyalgia have been linked to increased levels of inflammation in the body. In SIBO, the inflammation occurs due to bacterial overgrowth, whereas in fibromyalgia, the inflammation may be a result of a heightened immune response.
3. Altered pain perception: Some research suggests that individuals with SIBO may have an increased perception of pain, which could contribute to the pain experienced in fibromyalgia.

Having Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can result in a variety of symptoms that can greatly affect a person’s quality of life. Here’s what having SIBO might feel like:

1. Abdominal discomfort or pain: This is often described as a cramping sensation or a feeling of pressure in the abdomen. It might get worse after meals.
2. Bloating and swelling: Many people with SIBO experience bloating, which can lead to a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen.
3. Changes in bowel movements: This could include diarrhoea, constipation, or a mixture of both. Some individuals might notice changes in the colour, consistency, or frequency of their bowel movements.
4. Fatigue: Feeling tired or having low energy is common with SIBO, possibly due to the body’s effort to cope with the infection or resulting from nutrient malabsorption.
5. Gas and belching: An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can produce excess gas, leading to frequent passing of wind or belching.
6. Nausea or loss of appetite: Some individuals might feel nauseated or have a reduced appetite, possibly due to the discomfort or bloating after eating.
7. Weight loss: Despite eating normally, some people with SIBO might lose weight, usually due to malabsorption of nutrients.
8. Symptoms beyond the gut: Some people may also experience symptoms beyond the gut such as brain fog, joint pain, skin issues like rashes or rosacea, and other systemic symptoms.

Yes. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can potentially contribute to symptoms of acid reflux, also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

The overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine linked with SIBO can lead to increased production of gas. This excess gas may increase pressure within the abdomen, potentially forcing stomach acid upwards into the oesophagus, causing symptoms of acid reflux.

Additionally, the bacteria can interfere with the correct functioning of the muscles controlling the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, including the lower oesophageal sphincter. This sphincter acts as a barrier to prevent backflow of stomach acid. If its function is compromised, it could result in acid reflux.

Furthermore, SIBO can cause inflammation and damage to the gut lining, which could indirectly affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, potentially contributing to acid reflux.

It’s important to note acid reflux can result from many other factors as well, including diet, certain medications, obesity, and other medical conditions.

1. Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea often occurs in individuals with SIBO, leading to loose or watery stools.
2. Malabsorption: If SIBO is severe, it can result in malabsorption, leading to pale, oily, or unusually smelly stools due to unabsorbed fats. This condition is known as steatorrhoea.
3. Constipation: Some people with SIBO experience constipation, which can sometimes alternate with periods of diarrhoea.
4. Floating stools: High gas content or malabsorption can cause the stools of people with SIBO to float.
5. Changes in colour: Although not specific to SIBO, changes in stool colour can occur with various digestive disorder

Yes. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) does lead to symptoms of brain fog, which might include poor concentration, confusion, and a lack of mental clarity. The exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, but the current understanding is:

1. Nutrient malabsorption: SIBO can lead to malabsorption of vital nutrients due to bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. This lack of nutrients, such as B vitamins which are crucial for neurological function, may contribute to brain fog.
2. Gut-brain axis: The gut and the brain communicate closely through the gut-brain axis. Changes in the gut microbiota (as occurs in SIBO) can influence brain function through this axis, potentially leading to symptoms such as brain fog.
3. Inflammation and “leaky gut”: SIBO can lead to inflammation and increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as “leaky gut”. This allows toxins, bacteria, and other particles to enter the bloodstream, which may trigger an immune response and systemic inflammation. This inflammation can affect the brain and lead to symptoms of brain fog.
4. Production of toxins: Overgrown bacteria in the gut can produce harmful substances (endotoxins) that can enter the bloodstream and affect the brain, leading to symptoms of brain fog.

Yes. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can indeed cause inflammation. The overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can lead to an increased production of gases and other byproducts that irritate the lining of the intestines. This can result in an inflammatory response, leading to symptoms like pain, bloating, and alterations in bowel movements.

Moreover, the bacteria can potentially damage the lining of the small intestine, leading to increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as “leaky gut”. This condition allows bacteria and their toxins, as well as partially digested food, to escape from the intestines into the bloodstream, which can trigger a systemic inflammatory response in the body.

SIBO is not just a condition that causes discomfort and altered bowel movements, but it can also lead to more serious health problems if left untreated.

Yes. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can lead to weight loss. This happens because the excess bacteria in the small intestine can interfere with the normal digestion and absorption of food, which might result in malnutrition and weight loss. The bacteria can consume some of the nutrients that your body would normally absorb, further contributing to weight loss. Additionally, the discomfort caused by SIBO can also lead to a decrease in appetite in some individuals, which might result in reduced food intake and weight loss.

Patients with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) often lose weight after treatment for a few reasons:

1. Malabsorption: SIBO can lead to malabsorption of nutrients in the food you eat, which may result in weight loss. As the treatment helps to rebalance the gut microbiota, absorption processes return to normal.
2. Reduction in inflammation and bloating: With effective treatment, the inflammation and bloating often associated with SIBO decreases. While this isn’t actual weight loss, it can lead to a decrease in body size and potentially a decrease in weight, especially if the bloating and inflammation were severe. Most patients notice that they can fit into clothes that had previously been too tight.
3. Changes in appetite and dietary habits: The discomfort and bloating that come with SIBO leads many people to eat less, while others may eat more in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. Once the SIBO is treated, appetite returns to normal, and with it a more balanced healthy diet.
4. Changes in gut bacteria: The bacteria in our gut can influence our metabolism and how we store fat. By treating SIBO and altering the composition of the gut microbiota, this is probably another reason for an impact on a person’s weight.

The most common sign of SIBO is bloating after eating. If this occurs regularly after eating foods with a high fibre content you may have SIBO. Typically bloating occurs within 30 minutes of eating.

No. If your gut health is fully restored then it is very likely that
foods that used to cause problems will no longer be an issue.

However, that is why we are careful about the reintroduction of foods. It needs to be done slowly and methodically.

Sometimes there may still be one or two foods that you struggle with. In these cases, you may need to be careful with your intake over a longer period of time.

Yes! It's important to get things moving again through the digestive system.

This is a key way to stop recurrence. A prokinetic will help normal contraction of the small intestine, which is key to stopping recurrence.

Our proprietary ginger and artichoke blend is a gentle way of doing this.

We will also sometimes use resolor/ prucalopride. Prokinetic agents are taken at night on an empty stomach to make sure no food remnants remain in the small intestine allowing unwanted microbes to regrow.

Depending on the underlying cause of your SIBO, it may be necessary to continue with prokinetics for several months, or in some cases longer.

When we have removed the microbes from the small intestine, we have put out the fire.

However, significant damage has been done, and the body needs
support to speed up the healing process and stop the fire from recurring.

During the restore phase you will have a number of things provided to
you that will help your gut to heal and restore normal function:

1. You will start to reintroduce foods to get back to a normal diet. We will show you how to do this.
2. Specific supplements to support normal digestion, normalise your
   immune reaction, reduce leaky gut and help get you back to a normal
   diet.

Over the last seven years I have treated hundreds of patients who have SIBO. These are the key things you need to do to treat SIBO effectively.

1. Don’t try to do it yourself. Get professional assistance to guide
   your through treatment. No two patients are the same and problems often
   crop up.
2. Get a support group who understands your problems. When things are tough they will help support you through treatment.
3. This is probably the most important: when you have killed off the
   bacteria the work is only halfway done. You need to restore normal
   function in the gut to build up your defences or else it will return.
4. A multidisciplinary approach is essential. The nutrition element is
   vital to a successful treatment. If you ignore this your treatment is
   likely to fail.
5. Be patient and ask questions.
6. Your treatment protocol needs to have detoxification support. That
   means glutathione and if needed treatment to avoid constipation.
   Otherwise you will get horrible die-off symptoms.
7. Build up your treatment slowly to avoid side effects.
8. Heal your gut after the initial kill phase.

Dr Geoff Mullan, Chief Medical Officer

The kill or remove stage involves removing the excess bacteria in the small intestine.

As SIBO has often been present for years this can take time. This
phase lasts 2-4 weeks and requires strong therapeutics to kill off the microbes that have become established there.

• You can read more about The IBS-SIBO Solution here.
• You can read more about SIBO types and the effect of SIBO on rosacea here.

Yes. When you get your SIBO diagnosis from humanpeople the Aire 2 is yours to keep. It can be used for more than just SIBO testing – you can also use it to test for other food intolerances at no extra charge. You will need to order the FoodMarble food intolerance kit to do this.

Yes. It is important to retest after treatment is complete. FoodMarble device is a long-term investment.

When you buy the FoodMarble device, it includes one doctor review and diagnosis.

Our regulated medical team will review your results and give you your diagnosis within just 8 working days.

The Aire 2 device connects to your phone. Download the (blue) FoodMarble app and follow the instructions in the video.

To do a lactulose challenge test you will need to to share your
clinical data with us. You do this by accepting a request which will be emailed to you.