SIBO represents small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which is an abnormal increase of bacteria in the small intestine; it can be an abnormal number of bacteria and/or abnormal type of bacteria in the small intestine. Scientists believe that SIBO is related with some chronic diseases, surgery, and medication side effects, alcohol abuse, immobility, and dietary habits.
Some experimental research also mentioned that stress can also trigger SIBO syndromes and break the bacteria balance in the small intestine.
The study also indicated that SIBO is related with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome.) These two gut conditions share the similar symptoms and can affect each other.
The symptoms for SIBO can be varied, but the main symptoms are abdominal bloating or pain, indigestion, gas, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, and malnutrition.
In Chinese Medicine, the most of SIBO symptoms are related with Spleen Qi deficiency, Spleen and Stomach functional disharmony and Adverse rising of Stomach Qi. A healthy Spleen system in Chinese Medicine perspective is critical to maintain the normal digestion and absorption; Spleen and stomach transform food to nutrients, which are considered as the sources of Qi and Blood (Essences) in Chinese Medicine. Once the Spleen Qi gets weak or has deficiency, it can cause small intestine function disorder and result in the symptoms bloating, diarrhea and fatigue.
Chinese Medicine is a holistic natural medicine and Chinese Medicine practitioners understand all channels, and organs functions are interacting each other. For example, while the stress impacts the Liver Channel or causes Liver Qi stagnation, it can affect the Spleen and Stomach function, and result in nausea and abdominal pain.
Although antibiotics is the main treatment for SIBO, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is still a good therapy for SIBO; Chinese herbs can help to strengthen Spleen and Stomach function, regulate holistic Qi, remove the stagnation to help SIBO symptoms. For example, Huang Lian (Coptis Chinensis) and Ge Gen (Radix Puerarie) are good to treat diarrhoea. The Acupuncture points St36, Ren 4 are effective to improve Spleen and Stomach Qi.
Reference:
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Wang S.X., Wu W.C. Effects of psychological stress on small intestinal motility and bacteria and mucosa in mice. World J. Gastroenerology. 2005;11:2016–2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i13.2016.
Maslennikov R., Pavlov C., Ivashkin V. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in cirrhosis: Systematic review and metaanalysis. Hepatol. Int. 2018;6:567–576. doi: 10.1007/s12072-018-9898-2.
Ren X, Di Z, Zhang Z, Fu B, Wang Y, Huang C, Du Y. Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Dec 18;99(51):e23737. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000023737. PMID: 33371127; PMCID: PMC7748159.