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Hi, this is Dr. Rucho, and what is the best test for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO?

And small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is exactly what the name implies, is an excess of bacteria in the small intestine. This has been correlated

with IBS to varying degrees, but there's definitely a trend showing a correlation between

IBS irritable bowel syndrome and SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and the symptoms

of IBS, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, alter bowel function.

And there may also be a correlation with things like reflux and just general indigestion.

Now, continuing further, why is SIBO and potentially is connecting point IBS relevant?

We know via the gut to other area of the body connections, gut, brain, gut,

joint, gut, skin, that IBS may correlate with fatigue and depression, as one example.

And we know that some therapies for SIBO may also help with various skin eruptions and potentially even joint pain. Some other evidence

is correlating to a greater or lesser degree small intestinal bacteria overgrowth with metabolic

imbalances, like being overweight, having higher blood sugar and cholesterol. So not a surprising contention

to put forth that imbalances in the gut, in this case, SIBO,

may correlate with a myriad of various symptoms and conditions.

This is why it can be very helpful to have a diagnostic test to tell you,

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