SIBO is a condition that affects the small bowel and occurs when bacteria overgrow in the small intestine. Symptoms commonly include:

• Bloating
• Belching
• Trapped gas
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea, constipation, or a mixture of the two.
• Nausea
• Heartburn

SIBO is the most common reason people experience IBS symptoms. It is diagnosed with either lactulose or glucose breath testing that reveals elevated hydrogen, methane, and/or hydrogen sulfide gases or in some cases all three. Some common risk factors for SIBO include food poisoning, abdominal surgery, traumatic brain injury, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions that alter Ileocecal Valve function.

To properly diagnose Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth it is important to use a reputable lab that measures hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide gases. It is also important that a proper preparation diet is followed to yield accurate results.

The test is typically done at home with a kit that our office provides. The patient drinks the lactulose or glucose liquid and breathes into bags ideally every 20 minutes over a 3 hour period of time and then send the kit to the lab. Dr. King uses only laboratories that follow all of these guidelines for the most accurate results.