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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Specialist

Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park Our Services Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park

Gastroenterology located in Lower Manhattan, New York, NY

When the bacteria that live in your intestines grow beyond their normal numbers, they can affect the functioning of your intestines, leading to bloating, gas, and even diarrhea. This condition is known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO. At Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park in New York City, Bharat Sanghavi, MD and Moushumi Sanghavi, MD, can diagnose the bacterial overgrowth and recommend treatment to relieve your symptoms. To learn more, call or schedule your consultation online.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Q & A

What is SIBO?

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO, is a condition caused when your body’s natural gut bacteria grow unchecked. The presence of this larger quantity of bacteria can affect intestinal functioning.

What are the symptoms of SIBO?

Many SIBO symptoms are similar to other types of intestinal issues and might include one or more of the following:

  • Increased gas and belching
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating

In severe cases of SIBO, you might even experience weight loss and vitamin deficiency.

What causes SIBO?

A large number of SIBO sufferers develop the condition as a complication of another intestinal disease, such as Crohn’s disease or small bowel diverticulosis. Small bowel surgery, the use of certain medications, including antibiotics and acid suppression medications, and alcohol consumption are also risk factors for SIBO.

How is SIBO diagnosed?

Your doctor at Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park can determine whether you’re suffering from SIBO by providing a SIBO breath test. This simple test can detect the levels of hydrogen and methane gasses in your breath, which are created when bacteria digest food.

How is SIBO treated?

The experts at Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park often recommend a diet low in FODMAP — short for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols — to treat SIBO. This diet aims to drastically reduce a group of carbohydrates found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, legumes, and grains that can ferment in the gut and feed a bacterial overgrowth.

If you think you’re experiencing intestinal problems stemming from SIBO, call Gastroenterology on Gramercy Park or schedule a consultation online today.

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