Information on irritable bowel syndrome and Sibo (bacterial overgrowth)

Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

Do these symptoms sound familiar to you?

  • Chronic bowel-related complaints lasting longer than three months (e.g. abdominal pain, flatulence), which are usually accompanied by changes in bowel movements
  • due to the symptoms a relevant impairment of the quality of life
  • no changes characteristic of other clinical pictures that could explain the symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal diagnosis worldwide. In Western industrialized countries, the prevalence of the population is around 15%. Approximately 50% of patients with gastrointestinal complaints suffer from IBS.

Cause of Sibo

A number of scientific studies have confirmed that in most cases, incorrectly colonized bacteria in the small intestine trigger irritable bowel symptoms.

In approximately two-thirds of those affected by irritable bowel syndrome, the underlying cause is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO for short. This is when bacteria that normally colonize the large intestine invade the small intestine.

Do I have Sibo?

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) should always be considered if:

  • common examinations (blood and stool analyses as well as other exclusion diagnostics) do not provide clarity about the cause of irritable bowel symptoms
  • you have had little to no success with therapy recommendations such as psychotherapeutic measures, the administration of pre- or probiotics, intestinal cures or intestinal cleansing, more or less fiber, whole foods, etc.

Test Sibo

Our Sibolab breath test can provide clarity on whether you have SIBO. By measuring breath gases with our easy-to-use home test kit, you and your therapist can determine whether bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is a possible cause of your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.

Treating Sibo

A positive Sibo-Denkisch-Balkan test gives you the opportunity to get your symptoms under control with targeted measures. Your doctor or therapist can advise you on which diet is appropriate and whether supplementing with naturopathic or pharmaceutical remedies is advisable.