SIBO Symptoms

SIBO is also associated with many other disorders as a secondary effect of a pre-existing condition.

It is important to remember that people who have SIBO usually experience pretty severe gastrointestinal symptoms to the point where they have a big impact on their quality of life.

They are not the occasional episodes of gas or diarrhea that many people experience in life.  The symptoms they experience are usually chronic and very noticeable to the point where there is suffering and social isolation for prolonged periods of time.

In this article, I’ll go over the most common symptoms experienced, what it feels like to have the condition, and my personal SIBO symptom experience so that you can decide if it makes sense to get some testing done or pursue a course of treatment.

Intestinal Symptoms of SIBO (Most Identifiable)

The most identifiable symptoms that are associated with SIBO are usually digestive symptoms. The main reason why intestinal symptoms occur in people with SIBO is as a result of the bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine that interferes with the normal digestion and absorption processes in the GI tract.

Instead of food particles being broken down and absorbed properly, the surplus of bacteria in the small intestine ferment these carbohydrates and produce a lot of gas where it normally would not arise.

Although some amount of fermentation is normal (yes, everyone produces a bit of gas), SIBO causes excessive fermentation in the small bowel which results in extreme amounts of gas and bloating.

When bacteria ferment food, gases like hydrogen (H), methane (CH4), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are produced. The buildup of these gases results in the bloating, gas, belching, and abdominal pain associated with SIBO. Those dang bacteria are getting in the way!

We now know that the type of microbes and the gases they produce in the small intestine are responsible for the different symptoms of SIBO. In their own way, each gas affects the GI tract differently:

• Hydrogen has been associated with diarrhea
• Methane, which slows down the gut, has been associated with constipation
• Hydrogen sulfide, which is still being investigated for its associated symptoms, is known to produce the “rotten egg” smell of flatulence, as well as a host of other related symptoms like fatigue and brain fog.

Not only does an overproduction of these gases in the small bowel cause certain symptoms, but varying combinations of these gases are determined by the microbes present in your gut.

This is why some people can even have alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation.

The main GI Symptoms experienced are:

• Bloating
• Belching
• Gas
• Abdominal pain & cramps
• Diarrhea and/or constipation
• Altered stool formation
• Dyspepsia (food sits in the stomach)

Malabsorption & Malnutrition

Malabsorption is defined as a reduction in the intestinal absorption of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals or vitamins.¹

If you’ve ever eaten a super healthy meal that was loaded with carbohydrates and fiber, only to find yourself extremely gassy and bloated afterward, you can attribute this feeling to those pesky microbes in the small intestine which are having a feeding frenzy on your food.

To survive and reproduce, intestinal bacteria require carbohydrates.

In the case of SIBO, when you have too much bacteria in the small bowel they will steal nutrients from you and create a lot of gas which subsequently causes a lot of the symptoms associated with SIBO. If SIBO becomes severe, this malabsorption can become a more serious issue, as it will often lead to weight loss, nutrient deficiencies, and weakness.

In a healthy gut, the small intestine should primarily be responsible for digestion and absorption; not excessive fermentation by bacteria.

When my symptoms were the most severe I personally dealt with malnutrition and weight loss. I remember eating some super healthy plant-based meals and becoming insanely bloated and gassy afterward. It was pretty frustrating.

To summarize, how does SIBO cause malnutrition?

Too much bacteria in the small bowel compete for nutrients, which thereby prevents proper nutrient absorption and ultimately deprives your body of its energy needs.

 Psychological Symptoms of SIBO

Within the human body exists the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the brain and the gut.

Research has found that the gut microbiota can signal to the brain, and vise versa.²

For this reason alone, it is clear why many people with SIBO and other gastrointestinal conditions often experience psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, brain fog, stress and hypersensitivity of the internal organs.

This area of research that connects the functions of the GI tract to psychological health is a growing field with so many unknowns. Various studies have shown that any type of disruption within the gut flora can induce psychological symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression, thereby explaining why many SIBO sufferers experience psychological symptoms alongside digestive issues.

One other thing to note in the case of SIBO is that when the gut flora is disrupted in the small bowel and produces excessive amounts of gas, these gases like H₂S can also act as gasotransmitters where they can directly cause brain symptoms like fog and depression.

Additionally, several clinical studies have also shown that just by balancing gut bacteria through dietary adjustments or the use of probiotics, it can have a direct effect on improving mood and behaviors.

It’s crazy to think that the organisms that colonize us can have a direct impact on our behavior!

Personally, when my gut symptoms were the most severe, I could tell the difference in my brain function and mood.

Main psychological symptoms experienced:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Altered mood
• Brain fog

Other SIBO Symptoms

Since the gut is linked to practically every other function in the body, there are many other types of symptoms that people with SIBO can experience.

Aside from the most commonly experienced digestive and psychological symptoms, some other symptoms associated with SIBO include skin conditions, fatigue, altered sexual function, respiratory symptoms, poor muscle function, steatorrhea, heartburn, weight gain or loss, and restless leg syndrome.

The wide array of symptoms that can come with SIBO show just how important the gut is in our overall health.

As much of the wisdom of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, has stood the test of time, it is no wonder how his statement that “all disease begins in the gut” continues to align with emerging medical research on this topic.

What Do SIBO Symptoms Feel Like?

Most people who are dealing with SIBO symptoms will just be able to describe them in a more general sense and know how they feel on a personal level.

Below are some common phrases that are used when describing SIBO:

• “I feel so bloated”
• “My stools have gotten nasty and unformed”
• “Dang, I’ve got some bad gas this sucks”
• “Feels like my food just sits in my stomach and doesn’t digest”
• “I can’t stop belching”
• “I just can’t eat that because my stomach will blow up”
• “I feel full but I haven’t even eaten that much”
• “Mornings are tough my gut feels so sensitive”
• “It feels like I have to go to the bathroom even when I just went”
• “Traveling is a challenge with my symptoms”
• “Man I would be a genius if my brain was clear”
• “Dang, I need to find a toilet I feel diarrhea coming on”

The Worst SIBO Symptoms I’ve Experienced

Luckily, not everyone with SIBO will experience all of the aforementioned symptoms. Usually, the main symptoms are the intestinal annoyances and a few other minor psychological symptoms.

However, if someone has a severe case of SIBO, like I did, they can experience some life-altering symptoms.

In my personal health journey, I experienced the following symptoms:

• A lot of gas and bloating (sometimes incorporated with the embarrassing smelly gas)
• Diarrhea and Constipation
• Psychological symptoms, which occurred when I was the illest
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Brain fog
  • Fatigue

Conclusion

SIBO symptoms can be quite frustrating and can range in severity from annoying to debilitating. If you have severe gastrointestinal symptoms that seem like the typical Irritable Bowel symptoms consider investigating SIBO.

I would say personally that the most noticeable symptoms associated with SIBO in my experience are excessive bloating, gas, and dramatically altered bowel movements where the symptoms are unbearable and make it hard to be around people or attend events.

If you are experiencing these symptoms educate yourself about breath testing options, treatment, and seek medical help from an expert.