
Some scientists have criticized this method, as the body can absorb glucose quickly, which means that it might not reach the area of overgrowth. Some doctors perform glucose breath testing instead of lactulose breath testing. A breath test measures these gases as a person exhales. When bacteria break the sugar down, they produce gases, which enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs. They then drink a sugary solution containing lactulose, which is a sugar that only gut bacteria can break down. They also show whether the overgrowth consists mainly of hydrogen- or methane-producing microbes.Ī person has to fast for 24 hours before the test. The results of this test can confirm a SIBO diagnosis and reveal the extent of the overgrowth. Breath testingĪ lactulose breath test measures the concentration of hydrogen and methane in a person’s breath.

If they suspect SIBO, they will recommend testing. They may feel the abdomen for signs of excess gas or bloating. Alcohol abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the microbiome, leading to dysbiosis, damage to the intestinal walls, and inflammation.Ī doctor will diagnose SIBO by asking about a person’s symptoms and medical history.According to a 2018 study, people who have undergone a colectomy are more at risk of developing SIBO. Examples include small bowel diverticulosis, fistulas, and a shortened colon. Structural differences: Sometimes, SIBO occurs because a person has structural differences in the digestive tract.However, there is a lack of conclusive evidence on this, and low motility may be a more important risk factor. Researchers believe that people who take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), have autoimmune gastritis, or have undergone a gastrectomy have an increased risk of hypochlorhydria and SIBO.

When someone does not have sufficient stomach acid, it may be possible for bacteria to migrate further up the digestive tract than usual, as the environment is not acidic enough to kill them. Hypochlorhydria: This term describes low levels of stomach acid.Research into how different species of microorganisms influence digestion is still ongoing, but previous studies suggest that people with IBS often have less diversity, fewer beneficial species, and higher amounts of methane-producing species in their microbiome, which can slow motility.

Dysbiosis: Dysbiosis is when a person’s microbiome becomes imbalanced, containing too many harmful species of microbes or not enough beneficial species.However, if someone has low motility, this mechanism slows down, allowing food to ferment in the small intestine.

