Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth

Also known as: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, SIBO.

What is small bowel bacterial overgrowth?

Some amounts of bacteria present in the small intestine is normal and healthy for its proper function. But when these bacteria proliferate in larger-than-usual numbers and cause problems, it’s known as small bowel bacterial overgrowth.
 

What causes small bowel bacterial overgrowth?

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth typically occurs as a complication of certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, diabetes, AIDs and other immune disorders, problems with the motility of the intestinal tract, and others. Complications of surgery can also lead to small bowel bacterial overgrowth.
 

What are the symptoms of small bowel bacterial overgrowth?

Abdominal bloating, pain, cramps, gassiness, diarrhea, fatty stools and weight loss are all potential symptoms of small bowel bacterial overgrowth.
 

What are small bowel bacterial overgrowth care options?

Antibiotics, medications that make the intestines work more quickly, IV fluids, correction of low amounts of certain micronutrients and a low-carbohydrate diet are all potential treatments for small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

---

Reviewed by: John M Peters, DO

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:32 PM