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The most effective treatment for SIBO involves a combination of antibiotics and dietary changes. While antibiotics can help regulate the bacteria present in the gut microbiome, dietary changes can provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms.

Intestinal bacterial overgrowth occurs when there are too many bacteria in the small intestine. It often results from a circumstance, such as surgery or disease, that slows the passage of food and waste products in the digestive tract.

SIBO primarily involves gastrointestinal symptoms, including:

• Loss of appetite

• Abdominal pain

• Bloating

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Unintentional weight loss

Because the symptoms of SIBO often mimic the symptoms of other functional gastrointestinal disorders, it is important to talk to your doctor to receive a SIBO diagnosis.

If you have SIBO, you might feel bloated or "full" all the time, even if you have not eaten.

SIBO can cause a wide range of symptoms, including painful gas, belching, and nausea. It can also lead to abnormal bowel habits (such as constipation or diarrhea) and unintentional weight loss.

The best way to fix SIBO is to talk to your doctor. Your doctor can review your medical history and symptoms to determine the underlying cause of SIBO.

If you receive a SIBO diagnosis, your doctor may recommend antibiotic therapy and dietary changes to improve your symptoms. Your doctor will also treat the underlying cause of SIBO.

Dietary changes, such as the SIBO diet and low FODMAP diet, can help expedite your recovery and soothe uncomfortable symptoms.

The SIBO diet is a gradual elimination diet that helps reduce inflammation in the digestive system and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. For some SIBO patients, eliminating only sugars can ease symptoms.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a diet low in FODMAPs. "FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that the small intestine absorbs poorly," according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Some foods to avoid include:

• Sugary fruits and vegetables

• Honey and agave nectar

• Ice cream

• Soda and soft drinks

• Barely

• Rye

• Sweetened cereals

• Grains

• Sausage

If you need help creating a food plan, reach out to your healthcare provider for nutritional support.

Because SIBO and IBS often present similar symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor to diagnose SIBO.

Breath tests, such as lactulose breath testing, are the most common tests to diagnose SIBO. Excess bacteria in the small intestine can release hydrogen and methane, which can be identified through a breath test.

If your breath test is inconclusive, your doctor may need to take a sample of fluid from your small bowel to determine what bacteria are growing there. Your doctor may also perform imaging tests, such as X-rays, to identify structural abnormalities of the intestine.