The hidden gut disorder behind bloating: understanding SIBO

Have you ever wondered why your stomach can go from flat in the morning to painfully bloated by afternoon? If this sounds like you, don’t worry, you’re not alone!

Many people live with persistent bloating without knowing the cause. One of the biggest culprits is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) – it’s a gut imbalance that can turn every meal into a challenge, and for some, it’s the missing puzzle piece for unexplained digestive symptoms.

What is SIBO?

SIBO occurs when bacteria that normally reside in the large intestine begin to populate the small intestine, a place where bacterial levels should remain relatively low. When this delicate balance is disrupted, the small intestine becomes overwhelmed, impairing digestion, irritating the gut lining, and triggering noticeable symptoms – especially after meals.

Unlike other digestive conditions, SIBO isn’t caused by a single factor. It often develops when gut motility slows, when anatomical issues trap bacteria, or after illnesses that disrupt the gut’s natural defence mechanisms.¹

Why SIBO causes digestive discomfort

Bloating from SIBO is often intense, visible, and sometimes painful. That’s because excess bacteria in the small intestine ferment carbohydrates too early, producing hydrogen or methane gas.

Instead of gas moving through the colon, where it’s more easily expelled, it becomes trapped in the small intestine. This leads to symptoms such as a distended stomach, pressure after eating and rapid bloating, sometimes within minutes of eating.

People with methane-dominant SIBO often experience constipation, while hydrogen-dominant SIBO may cause diarrhoea. Some people may experience a mix of both.²

Overlooked symptoms

SIBO affects far more than digestion. The small intestine is crucial for nutrient absorption, and an overgrowth of bacteria can interfere with the body’s ability to extract vitamins and minerals from food.

This can lead to symptoms such as:

Fatigue and brain fog
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Skin issues, including acne or rosacea
Vitamin deficiencies, especially B12 and iron
Nausea, burping, or feeling full quickly

Who is most at risk?

Certain conditions and life events make SIBO more likely:³

IBS
Celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
Low stomach acid
Hypothyroidism
Abdominal surgeries that cause adhesions
Chronic stress, which slows gut motility

SIBO also becomes more common with age, partly due to slower digestive motility and medication use.

The gut-brain connection

Stress and anxiety play a major role in digestive health. Chronic stress can slow gut motility, alter bacterial balance, and worsen bloating. Techniques that can support healing include deep breathing, vagal nerve stimulation exercises, gentle movement such as yoga or walking, and mindfulness practices. Addressing the nervous system helps reduce symptom severity and supports long-term recovery.⁴

The role of diet in healing

The Low FODMAP diet is one of the most commonly recommended approaches for people with SIBO, mainly because it can reduce bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. While it may help you feel better temporarily, it does not address the root issue.

Excluding probiotic-rich fermented foods from your diet, like kefir, doesn’t give your inner ecosystem an opportunity to rebuild. The researchers who developed the FODMAP diet emphasise the need to gradually remove the diet’s restrictions and eventually reintroduce high-FODMAP foods.

When it comes to diet, avoiding a trigger food only removes the problem. It doesn’t heal the root of the disorder. While the payoff of the FODMAP diet is reduced gas, bloating, and cramping, the cost is that you avoid a long list of otherwise beneficial foods.⁵

Bloating and digestive discomfort are signals from your body that something in your gut ecosystem is out of balance. Addressing the root cause, supporting healthy gut bacteria, and restoring motility can help you feel better – and keep your stomach calm from morning to night.

Looking for ways to improve the health of your gut microbiome? Check out these articles here.

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8am to 8pm.

The hidden gut disorder behind bloating: understanding SIBO

What is SIBO?

Why SIBO causes digestive discomfort

Overlooked symptoms

Who is most at risk?

The gut-brain connection

The role of diet in healing

References

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!

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