SIBO - Navigating Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Dr. Miranda Hill • 28 May 2024

What Is SIBO:

SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and occurs when bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly strains, overgrow in the small intestine. Overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can lead to many adverse gastrointestinal symptoms. 


Symptoms of SIBO:

  • Abdominal bloating, especially after eating
  • Burping
  • Gas
  • Indigestion 
  • Reflux / GERD
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation and/or diarrhea
  • Undigested food in stool
  • Food intolerances / sensitivities
  • Environmental allergies
  • Anemia - iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, or anemia of unknown origin
  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Poor concentration
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Joint pain, usually in combination with gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Muscle pain, usually in combination with gastrointestinal symptoms
  • ADD / ADHD
  • Skin conditions - rashes, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea 
  • Itching
  • Changes in weight - weight loss or weight gain
  • May be asymptomatic


Causes of SIBO:

It is commonly believed that SIBO occurs when bacterial species in the colon overgrow in the small intestine; however, this is not always the case. Other factors that may contribute to the formation of SIBO, some of which include the following:

  • Oral antibiotics
  • Other acute or chronic microbial imbalances in the gastrointestinal tract (bacteria, viruses, parasites)
  • Food poisoning
  • Low gastrointestinal immune function
  • Poor drainage of the intestines
  • Delayed gastrointestinal motility
  • Constipation
  • Gastric bypass surgery
  • Drinking chlorinated water
  • Long-term use of antacids or proton pump inhibitors
  • Certain medications 
  • Smoking
  • Pesticides


Types of SIBO:

Small intestinal overgrowth is differentiated into methane, hydrogen, and/or hydrogen sulfide positive SIBO based on the types of gases produced during SIBO diagnostic tests.


Conventional SIBO Diagnosis:

The gold standard for diagnosing SIBO is a jejunal aspirate, which is highly invasive, expensive, and has limited ability to assess the entire small intestine. 

Breath tests are the most common conventional method used to diagnose SIBO. Patients must follow a specific bland diet for multiple days leading up to the breath test and fast the day of the test. The morning of the breath test, a single dose of liquid lactose, fructose, or glucose is ingested. A series of breath samples are taken throughout the day and then sent to a lab for gas analysis.

Positive SIBO breath tests occur when bacteria ferment the ingested sugar solution and produce methane, hydrogen, and/or hydrogen sulfide gas. 

The accuracy of SIBO breath tests is highly limited and prone to user error. False-positive tests may result in certain cases of large intestine bacterial overgrowth, rather than bacterial overgrowth occurring in the small intestine. In many cases, SIBO extends beyond the parameters of conventional testing. It is possible for species other than those that give off methane, hydrogen, or hydrogen sulfide gas to be overpopulated in the small intestine and produce the symptoms of SIBO.


Conventional SIBO Treatment:

The conventional approach to SIBO treatment includes oral antibiotics with or without a low-FODMAP diet.  

A low-FODMAP diet involves eliminating foods high in certain fermentable sugars that feed many types of bacteria. Many individuals with SIBO experience adverse symptoms, such as abdominal bloating, pain, brain fog, etc. after eating foods high in FODMAPs. Eliminating or minimizing foods containing FODMAPs can help reduce the severity of symptoms while treating SIBO. 

Antibiotics that may be used to treat SIBO include, rifaximin, neomycin, metronidazole, and others. 

The use of antimicrobial herbs to treat SIBO has become more popular due to the ineffectiveness of oral antibiotics to completely eradicate SIBO. 


SIBO Testing & Treatment at Restorative Medicine:

Dr. Miranda Hill utilizes a form of applied kinesiology known as Cellular Photonics to test and formulate treatment plans for SIBO.


Dr. Miranda Hill utilizes various forms of therapies to treat SIBO, including herbs, supplements, enzymes, binders, homeopathics, PEMF therapy, and/or medications. Dietary modifications are individualized based on each patient’s case. Following a low-FODMAP diet is not required in every case of SIBO.


Dr. Miranda Hill specializes in supporting the immune system and other areas of the body while treating SIBO. Treatment plans are comprehensive and inclusive to the whole person. Contact our office for more information about scheduling an appointment with Dr. Miranda Hill. 



References:

  1. Simrén M, Stotzer PO. Use and abuse of hydrogen breath tests. Gut. 2006;55(3):297-303. doi:10.1136/gut.2005.075127
  2. Lim J, Rezaie A. Pros and Cons of Breath Testing for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2023;19(3):140-146.

Individualized Homeopathic Medicine With Restorative Medicine

by Dr. Miranda Hill • 16 April 2024
What is Homeopathy? Homeopathy is a form of medicine that uses very dilute substances at low and ultra low doses to stimulate healing within the body. Homeopathic medicine has been used for hundreds of years. National health systems of Brazil, Chile, Cuba, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, and Switzerland regularly use homeopathy as part of healthcare. Traditional homeopathic remedies contain nanoparticles (very small particles) of the original substance from which the medicine is derived from. In the body, homeopathic nanoparticles can treat acute and chronic infections, support optimal organ and immune function, correct dysfunctional cellular patterns, and promote drainage. Homeopathy can also be prepared through electromagnetic imprinting of alcohol or water. This form of homeopathy works by shifting the positive and negative charges lining cells throughout the body, supports detoxification, increases drainage, improves immune function, and can directly treat acute and chronic infections. Homeopathics may be prepared from plants, minerals, vitamins, microorganisms, animal derivatives, root canals post extraction, hormones, peptides, etc. Dr. Miranda utilizes homeopathy with patients to address underlying causes and to treat many conditions. Homeopathy is a very gentle form of medicine that is dosed based on the condition and the state of the body. Dr. Miranda Hill personalizes each homeopathic blend and sources homeopathics from around the world. Homeopathy May Be Used For The Following Indications: Detoxification Optimizing digestion - treating constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, etc. Regulating organ function Drainage of body systems - lymphatics/spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, etc. Treatment of acute or chronic infections - bacteria, viruses, and parasites Balancing of the immune system Regulating hormones Alleviating acute or chronic pain Treatment of many dental conditions Aid healing of tissues - post surgery, wounds, cuts, lacerations, trauma, bites, etc. Supporting emotional health Improving sleep Traditional Homeopathic Dosages: Dr. Miranda Hill utilizes a variety of homeopathic dosages as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Homeopathics vary in dilution and strength. The following is a key to the numeric homeopathic dosage system: A homeopathic remedy with a number followed by “X” or “D” is diluted based on a 1:10 ratio A homeopathic remedy with a number followed by “C” or “cK” is diluted based on a 1:100 ratio A homeopathic remedy with a number followed by “M” is diluted based on a 1:1,000 ratio A homeopathic remedy with a number followed by “LM” is diluted based on a 1:50,000 ratio The first number in the ratio refers to the original substance, while the second number refers to the alcohol or water base used to prepare the homeopathic remedy. Homeopathics are made by preparing a mother tincture out of the raw material (e.g. plant material) and then taking one drop of the mother tincture and combining it with alcohol or water - nine drops for a X remedy, 99 drops for a C remedy, 999 drops for a M remedy, or 49,999 drops for a LM remedy. This would produce a 1X, 1C, 1M, or 1LM homeopathic depending on the relative amount of alcohol or water used. The dilution process continues until the number of dilutions coincides with the respective number on the homeopathic. For example, five more dilutions would occur from a 1X preparation to produce a 6X remedy. Some homeopaths believe that beyond a potency of 12C, such as 30C, 200C, 1M, or higher dilutions, molecules of the original substance are no longer present in the homeopathic. Studies have shown nanoparticles of the original substance to persist in homeopathic medicines of high dilution. A commonly held belief in homeopathy is that highly dilute homeopathics, such as 1M, are stronger than less dilute homeopathics, such as 6X. The strength of a homeopathic remedy does not always depend on the number of dilutions. Homeopathic potency depends on multiple variables within the body, the quality of the remedy, and how the remedy is prepared. Factors That Alter How Homeopathics Work In The Body: Genetics The state of liver detoxification and total body burden The state of the immune system at the time of taking a homeopathic Allergies Hormonal fluctuations Cellular membrane integrity The amount of inflammation in the body (acute vs. chronic inflammation) Specific toxins in the body, such as environmental chemicals, heavy metals, mycotoxins, biotoxins, etc. Chronic infections Quality of the homeopathic remedy Alcohol vs water base of the homeopathic (alcohol preserves homeopathics better than water) The source and quality of the original substance used to prepare the homeopathic Form of homeopathic used - liquid vs. pellets / dissolvable tablets Individualized Homeopathy At Restorative Medicine: Dr. Miranda Hill utilizes many homeopathics as part of a comprehensive treatment plan with patients. Dr. Miranda Hill sources homeopathics from around the world. Homeopathics help condense the number of therapies in a treatment plan since they are diverse and broad in action. Homeopathic medicine can expedite treatment and reduce the severity of symptoms. Inquire about homeopathic medicine by contacting Restorative Medicine’s office. References: Vassighi N. Homeopathy Basics. 2020. Chikramane PS, Suresh AK, Bellare JR, Kane SG. Extreme homeopathic dilutions retain starting materials: A nanoparticulate perspective. Homeopathy. 2010;99(4):231-242. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2010.05.006 

Food Intolerances - Root Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

by Dr. Miranda Hill • 12 February 2024
The incidence of food intolerances has grown at an exponential rate over the last decade. Common food intolerances include dairy, gluten/wheat, eggs, soy, corn, tree nuts, peanuts, sugar, etc. Food intolerances are different from anaphylactic allergies, which are life threatening. Having a food intolerance produces non-life threatening symptoms, which may be immediate or delayed upon ingestion or contact with the specific food. Causes of Food Intolerances: The development of food intolerances may occur within days of an acute exposure or can be gradual over time. The acute development of food intolerances may be preceded by ingestion of bacterial toxins, known as endotoxins or exotoxins, or harmful microorganisms, such as aggressive strains of bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Many people who experience food poisoning go on to develop multiple food sensitivities. Food intolerances that develop over time may involve microbial imbalances in the gastrointestinal tract, increased gastrointestinal lining permeability, impaired liver detoxification, altered immune function, and/or toxins in the body. Environmental toxins, including pesticides, herbicides, and industrial grade chemicals, are some of the main drivers of food intolerances. Environmental toxins contribute to food intolerances by impacting the liver’s ability to detoxify, suppressing the immune system, killing beneficial microflora, and separating the tight junctions within the lining of the gastrointestinal tract (commonly referred to as leaky gut). Food intolerances occur when the body reacts to certain proteins in food. Some proteins are more reactive than others based on particle size, density, and similarity to self proteins in the body. When the tight junctions in the gastrointestinal tract lining separate, large proteins from food infiltrate into the blood supply and lymphatics underneath the gastrointestinal tract. Immune cells see the large proteins that leaked through the gastrointestinal tract lining as foreign and heighten an immune response. As a result, the body becomes overreactive to certain foods. Fats and sugars can also lead to food intolerances by feeding harmful strains of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract that produce endotoxins or exotoxins. Common Symptoms of Food Intolerances: Abdominal bloating Abdominal pain Constipation Diarrhea Gas Nausea Fatigue Headaches or migraines Brain fog Anxiety ADD / ADHD Hyperactivity Mood swings Behavioral issues in children Heart palpitations Elevated heart rate Chronic pain Skin rashes Eczema Dry skin Itching Hair loss Increased mucus production or sinus drainage Sinus congestion Post nasal drip Swelling Chronically enlarged lymph nodes Poor immune function Weight gain or inability to lose weight Food Intolerance Treatment: Treating food intolerances involves addressing the underlying imbalances in the body, such as removing harmful microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and/or parasites), balancing immune function, and supporting elimination pathways. Most people are able to add the foods they were sensitive to back into their diet within six months of treatment. Treatment modalities for food intolerances may include cell therapies (organ specific peptides), supplementation, medications, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and/or nutritional therapy. Having a diverse diet is possible through individualized treatment. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Miranda Hill here to get started.
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