You have probably noticed that it’s usually your female friends who suffer from bloating. Or at least they’re the ones who are the most vocal about it. Sometimes, it’s from retaining water from periods or too much salt. Other times, it’s a serious medical problem like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Regardless, women do tend to suffer more often from gassiness or a belly full of something that shouldn’t be there. Historically, men have the most fun letting one rip when they have a little extra gas in their tummies. But a woman’s flora and fauna need special nurturing. One reason is SIBO.
We all need some bacteria to help our systems run. But too much of a good thing is not good. SIBO can cause abdominal symptoms that are often confused with the flu, food poisoning, food intolerance, or other gastrointestinal ailments. The list of causes of SIBO is surprisingly long. Your physician will want to order lab work to rule out other issues and to pinpoint just what is bothering your gut. Some of the ways you might have developed SIBO include IBS (yes, you can have both), diabetes mellitus, or adhesions in your small bowel.
In recent years, probiotics have taken off in the seemingly “miracle food” category. SIBO probiotics can work wonders as far as helping the unhealthy bacteria in your belly to disappear while leaving the good bacteria to continue with its job. Foods high in probiotics are yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and tempeh. Another route is to take probiotics in supplement form. As always, consult your doctor before taking any new medication, even over-the-counter. She will give you her take on the effectiveness of SIBO probiotics for your situation.
The end of your suffering could be closer than you think. Keep your options open. Talk to your doctor. Find out if probiotics are what you’re looking for.
For more information visit KBS Research.
