Risk Factors that Contribute to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

There are thousands of bacteria living in our digestive system. Beneficial and pathogenic bacteria co-exist in the digestive tract and when there is an imbalance caused, that's when the problem kicks in.

Conditions like IBS, bloating, leaky gut syndrome, Crohn's disease to imbalances in the gut can make the patients suffer from them immensely. As per a new research data, another less known disease contributes to this as well. It is known as the Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

Bacteria being present in the digestive tract is quite normal , but with this infection, the situation might go out of control. There might be either too much of bacteria there or maybe a wrong type of bacteria there. There are several side effects of the small intestinal bacterial overgrowth as well.

SIBO occurs when the bacteria which must be in the large intestine gets into your small intestine. The small intestine helps in digesting food and absorbs nutrients in the body. There must be relatively lesser bacteria in the small intestine.

So, continue reading to know about the risk factors for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

1. Coeliac Disease:

As per a research, it was shown that around 66% of people with coeliac disease had SIBO.

2. Diabetes:

People with diabetes were shown to have an overgrowth of bacteria of about 43% in their gut.

3. Medications:

Medications that affect the immune system or the digestive tract can increase the risk of SIBO. This is one of the top risk factors for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

4. Other Autoimmune Disease:

Any other condition that affects the immune system may also lead to a higher rate of SIBO.

5. Ageing:

Those who are above the age of 60 years have a higher risk of suffering from SIBO.

6. Rosacea:

A study established that there could be a possible link between the occurrence of SIBO and rosacea. When the bacteria (the one that caused rosacea) were eliminated, it was found to also reduce the SIBO development in the small intestine.