Ever feel like your digestive system has a mind of its own? You're not alone. Many patients come to us at Leslie F. Seecoomar, MD, PC, feeling frustrated by constant bloating and fatigue that just won't go away. Often, they've been told they have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but they aren't getting any better.
Research shows that up to 38-78% of people diagnosed with IBS test positive for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO. It's a common but misunderstood issue in which bacteria that belong in your large intestine move up into your small intestine. When this happens, it doesn't just cause stomach trouble; it can affect your entire body in ways you might not expect.
SIBO is essentially a geographical error in your gut's microbiome. Your small intestine is supposed to be relatively clear of bacteria so it can absorb nutrients, while your large intestine is home to trillions of microbes that help with fermentation. When those fermenting bacteria move into the small intestine, they start eating your food before you can, producing gas and inflammation.
According to StatPearls (2023), a bacterial count of more than 1,000 units per milliliter in the small bowel is sufficient to confirm small-bowel bacterial overgrowth. This displacement leads to more than just gas and bloating. It can damage your gut lining and lead to systemic symptoms that seem completely unrelated to your digestion.
SIBO most often causes digestive symptoms, but some patients may also experience fatigue, brain fog, skin flares, or nutritional deficiencies. These symptoms can have many causes, so testing and a gastroenterology evaluation matter.
Here's how these symptoms connect back to your gut health.
If you feel "drunk" or mentally exhausted shortly after eating a high-carb meal, it might be SIBO. Certain bacteria ferment those sugars into D-lactic acid, a neurotoxin (a substance toxic to the brain) that enters your bloodstream. This can leave you feeling confused or unable to focus for hours after lunch.
Unexplained joint pain can be a hidden sign of gut trouble. When bacteria damage the delicate lining of your small intestine, it can lead to "leaky gut." This allows inflammatory toxins like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to escape into your system, where they often trigger immune responses and pain in your joints and muscles.
The gut-skin axis means that what's happening in your digestive tract often shows up on your skin.
Some research has explored a possible connection between SIBO and rosacea, but rosacea has many triggers and causes. If you have persistent facial redness along with bloating, gas, diarrhea, or other digestive symptoms, it may be worth mentioning both concerns to your doctor.
That uncontrollable urge to move your legs at night is often tied to iron levels. Gut inflammation from SIBO can trigger a hormone that blocks your body from absorbing iron correctly. This creates a functional iron deficiency in the brain, which is a major neurological trigger for restless legs and poor sleep.
Your blood work might show a very specific pattern: severely low vitamin B12 levels paired with unusually high folate levels. This happens because the overgrown bacteria are greedy; they consume your dietary B12 before you can absorb it, but they actually produce their own folate as a byproduct, which then spikes your levels.
We don't believe you should have to manage mystery symptoms forever. Dr. Seecoomar uses a personalized approach to identify the root cause of your discomfort. We often use specialized breath testing to measure the gases these bacteria produce, which helps us choose the right treatment for your specific case.
SIBO can recur after treatment, especially if the underlying cause is not addressed. That’s why Dr. Seecoomar looks at the full picture, including symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and whether testing is appropriate. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with our team today.
