How well our gut is working affects all other systems in our body. Issues like SIBO, IBS, Chron’s, and ulcerative colitis are common gut conditions that have many negative effects on the rest of the body. What is the difference between these gut issues, and what causes them? Read on to find out!
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
The bacteria that helps us digest food in our small intestine differ from the bacteria in our large intestine, as they have different functions. There is a valve between the small and large intestines that prevents the bacteria from moving between these areas of the gut. If the bacteria from the large intestine somehow gets past this valve and multiplies in the small intestine, it is called SIBO. This bacterial overgrowth alters how the small intestine breaks down and absorbs nutrients from food.
A unique symptom of SIBO is an increased amount of gas and abdominal bloating, along with stomach pain and diarrhea. The extra microbes in the small intestine cause carbohydrates in the gut to ferment. As with all fermentation processes, this produces gas that causes the gut to bloat. The gas can either go down and out as flatulence or up and out via the mouth through breathing.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD encompasses many conditions, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. As the name suggests, IBD is inflammation of the gut. The conditions under IBD specify where the inflammation occurs. In ulcerative colitis, the inflammation is confined to the innermost lining of the large intestine. While in Crohn’s disease, the inflammation can be anywhere in the gut and often in multiple places. The specifics of IBD are not well known. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation states that the IBD happens because the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies the normal gut bacteria as foreign invaders. As the immune system attacks and tries to kill off the bacteria, it irritates and inflames the gut.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Another overarching diagnosis, IBS, refers to a variety of chronic digestive symptoms that don’t seem to stem from one certain cause. In order to diagnose IBS, the other gut disorders need to be ruled out. As a result, it can take a long time to diagnose. Symptoms of IBS are rarely severe.
Symptoms
As the symptoms of the various gut disorders overlap, it can be difficult to determine which specific issue is causing the problem without a medical professional or testing. Common buy symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Bloating and excessive gas
- Bloody stool
Causes
The causes of these gut issues are also very similar. Some common causes are:
- Poor diet that is high in processed foods, sugar, and toxins
- Imbalance of the gut microbiome, including fungi
- Medications that affect gut motility and function
- Parasites from contaminated food or water
- Altered liver function from toxin overload, alcohol consumption, or smoking
- Trauma or stress
- Genetics
- SIBO, while its own condition, frequently triggers other gut disorders
Final Thoughts
The common gut disorders share many of the same causes and symptoms. Consequently, symptoms often improve when poor diet, toxin overload, and imbalanced gut microbiome are addressed. Medial support is often needed to accurately diagnose the disorder in order to determine effective, long-term solutions.
References:
- Crohns and Colitis Foundation - What is Crohns Disease?
- Healthline - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Oshi Health - Crohn’s Disease And Ulcers: What You Need To Know
- Commonwealth Diagnostics International Inc. - IBS, IBD and SIBO; Diagnosing and deciphering the differences
- Microbe Formulas - IBS, Colitis, SIBO, and Crohn’s Disease: What’s the Difference?
- John Hopkins Medicine - gastroenterology, hepatology
