ULCER!!!, OMEPRAZOLE!!! GOOD OR BAD NEWS?? PT3.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there’s an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestines – particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract.

The small intestines is the longest section of your digestive tract measuring about 6.1meters .

The small intestine is where food mixes with digestive juice and nutrients are absorbed in your blood stream.

Unlike your large intestine (colon), your small intestine normally has a relatively few bacteria due to rapid flow of contents and the presence of Bile.

But, in SIBO, stagnant food in the bypassed small intestine becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.

The bacteria may produce toxins as well as interfere with the absorption of nutrients.

SIBO symptoms can resemble a variety of other gastrointestinal conditions, and is often another condition has contributed to SIBO.

You may experience some or many of these, depending on the severity of your condition :

– Abdominal pain

– Abdominal distention

– Bloating

– Indigestion

– Gas

– Diarrhea

– Constipation

– Unintended weight loss

– Fatigue

-Mouth odour

– Taste in your tongue.

Before I continue, let me point out that, one of  bacterial organisms  that are present and proliferate in SIBO is H.pylori, which causes the sores in the stomach, intestines and esophagus.

Also, due to the overgrowth of these bacterial, and the consequent gas production (which causes Bloating), put pressure on the esophageal sphincter, allowing some of the stomach acid to reflux, hence the GERD.

SO!!!????

What causes SIBO, GERD (ulcer inclusive) and IBS?

( I strongly recommend you read the first two articles)

There are 3 main causes of these Intestinal Conditions :

– Unhealthy Processed Food.

– Prolonged use of antibiotics, pain killers, PPIs, Antidepressants etc.

– Stress and Lack of Sleep.

– Lack of Movement

– Late Heavy Food just before bed.

The cumulative effects of these underlying factors will completely distort and most times destroy the normal friendly and beneficial bacterial organisms in your digestive system.

When these friendly and beneficial microbiome are destroyed, it gives room for the overgrowth of the dangerous and unfriendly microbes.

Organisms like H.pylori begin to proliferate causing sores or ulcers in the small intestines, stomach and esophagus.

H.pylori thrives under a less acidic environment, hence prolonged use of omeprazole makes it easier for them proliferate.

These second and even worse effect, because of toxins and bacterial endotoxins, the immune system overact by attacking the cell linings of the intestines.

Together, with the activities of H.pylori,it leads to what is called  Leaky Gut.

This simply means, bad stuffs are leaking and entering directly into your blood stream and the body responds by producing more antibodies leading to chronic inflammation.

As if that is not enough, the sensitive nutrient absorbing lines of the small intestines are destroyed making it difficult to absorb nutrients.

Imagine when the pipe carrying waste products from your toilet has multiple holes, and begins to leak into your house or compound.

That’s exactly what happen when you have leaky gut.

This could be the reason why you have been treating typhoid fever almost every month.

This could explain why you have been not too strong as before, or get tired easily.

Time and space will not permit me to go further.

Let’s face the final question :

What is The Solution!!!!?

At this point I must be very sincere to you.

There’s no one size fits all solution.

In other words, there’s no one specific protocol that will work for everyone.

And the reason is very simple!!!!

We are different genetically, metabolically.

We eat and drink different foods.

We function differently and our body responds differently.

This is where Functional medicine comes handy.

In Functional medicine, we provide personalized health solutions.

In Functional  medicine, you will be treated based on your peculiar circumstances.

I know that you may have been waiting for me to tell do this or don’t do that!!!

This is not how it works.

We need to know your history, what you eat, your stress level, your work and home environment, how you sleep etc.

Only then we can formulate a personalized health protocols that will permanently address your specific health needs.

Finally, it’s my understanding and based on experience, many people suffer from GERD, IBS and SIBO at the same time.

Even others combine it with Celiac disease which makes it worse.

However, whatever your Intestinal challenge is, it can and will be fixed.