Thursday, December 16, 2010

SIBO, Yeast & Leaky Gut and YOU!



SIBO is an acronym for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, sometimes also referred to as SBBO, small bowel bacterial overgrowth. The small bowel is about 20 feet long, connects the stomach to the colon (large bowel/intestine) and is responsible for secreting a hormone (secretin) that stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. Digestion fulfills the bowel’s purpose, breaking down food into nutrients and eliminating waste or unwanted products

The small bowel has fewer bacteria than the large bowel, but none the less, it has bacteria that should be there. However, when these bacteria have outlived their stay/purpose, the bacteria become unfriendly, rather like fermenting.

SIBO can result from such things as a partial bowel obstruction, adhesions, bowel disease, such as diverticulosis or other anatomical malformations, slow motility either from medications or damage to the intestinal nerve endings from disease. This causes the symptoms that are often confused with irritable bowel syndrome. Certainly people with IBS can also have SIBO, and it seems may be at a higher risk, therefore, SIBO should be considered in FM and CFID (ME/CFS) patients with IBS. Failure to treat SIBO can cause long term problems.

It is diagnosed by a hydrogen breath test and other more invasive techniques and there are antibiotics specific to the GI tract, which might decrease the chance for yeast which can also overgrow in the bowel.

*The following is an excerpt from the book and is protected under copyright laws. Helpful links have been inserted into the material to provide more information.

Candidiasis © Yeast
Intestinal yeast has been linked to small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) causing excessive gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and altered bowel habits.(1)

Yeast infections can occur with FM and overgrowth may increase the symptoms of bloating, brain fog, abdominal complaints, and muscle aches associated with FM and CMP. It can also exacerbate the usual symptoms of FM and CMP.(2) It has been identified as a possible trigger to CFID, and some association has been made with chronic candidiasis syndrome.(3) Yeast infections should always be treated, but you can also exercise preventive lifestyle choices.

To help prevent vaginal yeast, avoid vaginal douching, keep the area dry, and use a blow dryer after showering. Wear 100 percent cotton underwear dried on high heat, and avoid nylon panty hose. If you are a carbo junkie, change your diet. There are other reasons for this that will be discussed later, but understand that excessive sugar and carbohydrate intake have been linked to a higher risk of developing yeast overgrowth. Insulin resistance and some medications may perpetuate yeast or leaky gut. (4)

[Leaky Gut, LGS, causes body-wide symptoms because of holes in the intestinal barrier. Due to this breakdown, the bowel does not function normally and does not filter out some harmful substances, such as bacteria, toxic waste products, food additives, infectious agents, and inflammatory substances…. with this disruption to normal bowel function, the immune system leaves the gut open to infections and yeast overgrowth, causing not only gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, but other feelings of ill health as well. Cooper & Miller, pg 97-98]


Antibiotic use should be avoided when possible, as antibiotics are indiscriminate and kill off our “protective” flora along with offending microorganisms. Of course, there are times when their use is needed. Just be aware that when you must take antibiotics, candidiasis may occur and need to be treated. Talk to your doctors if you are prone to yeast infection with antibiotic use, so that you can get appropriate treatment. There are specific tests to check for candidiasis-initiated responses by the body, called IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies.(5)

(end of excerpts)

In the case of SIBO, antibiotics are necessary because of the “bacterial” Depending on the underlying factors for overgrowth, some patients will have to be on antibiotics long term,. In this case there may be rest periods between antibiotic therapies.

I personally have had good results with Xifaxan, but that doesn’t mean everyone will. It depends on the bacteria and follow up is suggested. Probiotics such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are suggested for all conditions. It is believed they may inhibit the development of bad bacteria and boost immunity.

If you have these symptoms, I hope you will approach your gastroenterologist (GI doctor). This condition is quite painful and when coupled with irritable bowel syndrome the pain, loss of sleep and comorbid symptoms can be overwhelming. If SIBO or Leaky Gut are at the root of your disorder, you may find treatment that minimizes your symptoms and increases your quality of life

In healing,
Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!


Resources:

(1) GI Problems—Is Bacteria to Blame? Fibromyalgia Network Newsletter (July
2000): 3.

(2) Starlanyl and Copeland, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival
Manual
, 48.

(3) R. E. Cater, 2nd, “Chronic intestinal candidiasis as a possible etiological factor in the chronic fatigue syndrome,” Medical Hypotheses 44, no. 6 (June 1995):
507–15.

(4) Starlanyl and Copeland, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival
Manual,
296.

(5) Cooper & Miller. Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection. 83.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

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The Pained Ink Slayer said...

In answer to your question, yes I have seen my content across the internet without my permission, and some with my permission. As long as I am accredited as the source, I have no issue, as a matter of fact, I appreciate it.

I really don't have time to search to see if I am being plagiarized, but I imagine there are instances where I am. With that said, I have a dedicated following, and I feel certain if someone were to catch it, they would let me know.

A great deal needs to be done to prevent this because the internet really has no rules, so to speak. There is a fine line between too many rules and free speech. I operate off the pretext of giving out what I wish to get back. Therefore, if I include something in a blog from an outside source, you can bet they will get the credit for it. It is also a great networking tool to do so.

We can post copyright statements, but unfortunately, unlike with our books, which are copyrighted, there is no way to enforce them.

My suggestion would be, if you see a plagiarized piece, contact the offender directly.

Unknown said...

So how to know if it is SIBO or Candida overgrowth? As the symptoms almost the same. I have dry mouth too plus all of these symptoms you mentioned above for the leaky gut, however I did a lot of blood work and everything came up normal even no autoimmune diseases?!

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

The symptoms can be the same Mena. Yeast overgrowth is usually in response to diet or antibiotic overuse. There is a breath test for SIBO. If you have symptoms, discuss this with a gastroenterologist specialist.

Unknown said...

Thanks Celeste for your reply!
So what do you think is Candida or SIBO is transmitted? I mean can be passed over by mouth if you are normal and no compromised immune system? And does it causes dry mouth? I been diagnosed with H pylori, that's the only thing came up positive.

Unknown said...

it can also be a result of an insensitivity or an allegery to mold, fungus (mushrooms), and anything similar to these things. I have always had a sensitivity to them, but almost died from systemic candida after being exposed during the removal of a seriously moldy carpet. It triggered my fibromyalgia (which I had already had for 15 years) into a full blown episode, that was only somewhat cleared up after a year of treatment to eliminate the candida, and rebuild my system.

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

Dawn, I totally agree. Thank you for bringing this up. Allergies are a common comorbid condition in both FM and ME/CFS. Mold is not our friend, it is no-one's, but if you have mold allergy it is even worse. I have had systemic yeast as well. It is life threatening. I also am highly allergic to all molds and underwent allergy shots when I was younger, but I still must avoid mold at all costs. The same is true for dust mites. We use HEPA filters, and having had a child with serious allergies, there is a certain protocol to follow and I still do to this day. Another thing to keep in mind is that allergies can change as we get older. Great comment. TY for sharing.

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

Mena, YES, you can cross contaminate. For instance, if you have yeast in one eye (which can happen, especially if you have autoimmune disorder and need steroid eye drops), you can contaminate the other eye. If you have vaginal yeast, both you and your mate should be treated, because you can continue to pass it back and forth. Having dry mouth can cause many issues, yeast is one. We talk about this in the next book coming out soon. Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, Spring Devotions (Vol 4, the last in the series). SIBO generally stays in the gut. You may need a breath test. A diet high in sugar is not our friend on many levels. There is a great deal on nutrition in al the books, but I discuss this particular connection.

Unknown said...

Hi Celeste, I did the candida antibodies test and came up positive. IGG is 2.1 & IGA is 2.7 but IGM is 0.2, is that too high? And I don't have any other issues with the immune system. So why I got this. It was by kissing and I did all other blood work and everything came up normal! I'm taking now natural supplements and probiotics, So how long do you think it will go away because it became systemic I think as it affects my joints and eyes? Thank you

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

Mena, I am an RN so I am not licensed to give you lab interpretations. I suggest you discuss your results with your doctor. Natural is a good way to go, but some yeast can be very resistant and need intervention with a prescription medication. Yeast overgrowth can cause a host of symptoms, so treating it appropriately is very important. Eating right, and using supplements that have been shown to help boost the natural flora in the body is a good thing to do for prevention. Look at and discuss with your physician the perpetuating factors. Wishing you the best.

Unknown said...

Yeah thanks Celeste, but I have visited a lot of doctors but it seems they don't know much about candida or yeast, that's why I'm trying to find someone can understand my case. Which speciality do you think can take care of that matter?

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

If it is LGS (breath test for LGS) then I suggest a gastroenterologist. There are meds specifically for the GI tract. If it is systemic, as suggested by a blood culture or symptoms, then an internal medicine specialist is in order. IgG proteins abnormalities suggest immune dysfunction, which puts you at risk for yeast overgrowth, but you need to discuss these things, the findings, and your concerns with the doctor that ordered the tests.

Best of luck. Celeste

Anonymous said...

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Unknown said...

I have been diagnosed with fybromyalgia and chronic fatigue twice. I used to suffer with candida off and on for years. Yes, Candida is real!! I have to say my candida is now gone ever since I started taking the Lady Soma Candida Cleanse. I have literally spent thousands of dollars on Candida products, I bought this Lady Soma Candida Cleanse 3 weeks ago and this is the one that works the best for me. For me I just have to make sure I eat clean and not abuse alcohol. No product will help if you have an unhealthy lifestyle. I hope this helps someone who needs hope and know you can beat this monster

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

I always love hearing a success story, Melissa. So happy you found something that works for you.

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

Thank you for sharing.

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