Why SIBO Happens — Understanding the Root Cause of Your Bloating
- OlaKrawczyk
- Nov 12
- 3 min read
If you’ve been feeling bloated after every meal, reacting to foods that used to feel fine, or dealing with skin flare-ups and fatigue, it might not just be “poor digestion.”
You could be dealing with something called SIBO — Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
What Exactly Is SIBO?
SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth — meaning there’s an abnormally high number of bacteria living in the small intestine.
These are not “bad” or foreign bacteria; they’re usually normal microbes that belong in the large intestine. But when their numbers grow too high in the small intestine, they start to cause trouble.
These bacteria ferment starches and fibres too early in the digestive process, producing gases like hydrogen and methane.
That excess gas can cause bloating, discomfort, and damage to the small intestine lining, leading to symptoms throughout the body — from digestive upset to nutrient deficiencies and even skin issues.
SIBO isn’t an infection — it’s a microbial imbalance that affects how your gut digests and absorbs nutrients.
Common Symptoms of SIBO
Everyone’s experience with SIBO is different, but the signs often reach far beyond digestion.
You may notice:
Skin conditions such as rosacea, dermatitis, or unexplained breakouts
Food intolerances, especially to onions, garlic, apples, and beans
Nutrient deficiencies, particularly B12, iron, or fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
Fatigue or brain fog after meals
Persistent bloating, especially later in the day or after eating
Excess gas, burping, or abdominal discomfort
Changes in bowel habits, alternating between constipation and diarrhoea
These symptoms often overlap with other conditions, which is why identifying and addressing the root cause — rather than just the symptoms — is key to long-term relief.
Why SIBO Happens — The Root Causes
SIBO isn’t random — it’s often a sign that something deeper in your gut or body needs attention.
Here are some of the most common underlying causes:
1. Low Stomach Acid
Stomach acid is your body’s natural defence against unwanted bacteria.
When acid levels are too low — due to stress, ageing, or long-term use of acid-suppressing medications (like PPIs) — microbes that should remain controlled can multiply excessively in the small intestine.
2. Slow Gut Motility
Your small intestine has a “cleansing wave” known as the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC), which moves bacteria and food residues down into the large intestine.
Stress, thyroid disorders, diabetes, or nerve dysfunction can slow this process, allowing bacteria to stagnate and overgrow.
3. Impaired Digestion
When your digestive function is weakened — from enzyme insufficiency, bile flow issues, or inflammation — food doesn’t break down efficiently.
This can create a fertile environment for bacteria to feed and thrive.
Abdominal surgeries such as gallbladder or appendix removal can also impact digestion and motility.
4. Poor Detoxification
Your liver and detox pathways play a key role in keeping your gut ecosystem balanced.
When toxin exposure, mould toxicity, or nutrient deficiencies overburden these systems, microbial imbalance and inflammation can follow.
5. Antibiotic or PPI Use
Antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of beneficial bacteria, leaving space for opportunistic species to overgrow.
Similarly, long-term PPI use can suppress acid and change the gut’s natural environment.
6. Immune and Hormonal Imbalance
Autoimmunity, thyroid disorders, chronic stress, and hormonal shifts can all weaken your gut’s immune defences.
This makes it harder for your body to regulate bacterial growth and maintain a healthy microbiome.
7. Neurological or Structural Factors
Conditions such as traumatic brain injury, spinal nerve damage, or abdominal adhesions can impair gut signalling and motility, contributing to bacterial buildup in the small intestine.
SIBO rarely has a single cause — it’s usually a combination of stress, motility, digestion, and immune factors.
Understanding your root cause is the first step toward targeted, lasting healing.
How SIBO Is Diagnosed
SIBO is typically tested using a breath test, which measures hydrogen and methane gas produced after drinking a sugar solution.
Your practitioner can interpret the results to determine whether an overgrowth is present and which gases are dominant (hydrogen, methane, or both).
What You Can Do
If you suspect SIBO:
Speak with a qualified practitioner about testing.
Avoid self-diagnosing
Support your gut gently with real, whole foods and stress management.
Final Thoughts
SIBO is often the result, not the cause, of deeper imbalance.
When you understand why it happened — slow motility, stress, low stomach acid, or microbial imbalance — you can finally start addressing the root.
Healing your gut takes time, consistency, and compassion — but it’s entirely possible.
And it starts with learning how to feed your microbiome the right way.
If any of this sounds familiar or you’re not sure where to start, please reach out — I’m happy to help answer your questions and guide you toward the next step in your healing journey.
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