Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Introduction Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is defined as a pathological condition characterized by excessive proliferation of colonic-type bacteria within the small intestine (>10⁵ CFU/mL), accompanied by disturbances in the equilibrium of the small intestinal microbiota. Currently, SIBO...

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Main Authors: Klaudia Wilk, Edyta Witkowska, Marcin Ciechański, Szymon Cholewiński, Bernadetta Wilk, Piotr Stachura, Piotr Rejman, Katarzyna Pszczoła, Katarzyna Jurkiewicz, Aleksandra Kasprzyk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kazimierz Wielki University 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Education, Health and Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/60508
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author Klaudia Wilk
Edyta Witkowska
Marcin Ciechański
Szymon Cholewiński
Bernadetta Wilk
Piotr Stachura
Piotr Rejman
Katarzyna Pszczoła
Katarzyna Jurkiewicz
Aleksandra Kasprzyk
author_facet Klaudia Wilk
Edyta Witkowska
Marcin Ciechański
Szymon Cholewiński
Bernadetta Wilk
Piotr Stachura
Piotr Rejman
Katarzyna Pszczoła
Katarzyna Jurkiewicz
Aleksandra Kasprzyk
author_sort Klaudia Wilk
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is defined as a pathological condition characterized by excessive proliferation of colonic-type bacteria within the small intestine (>10⁵ CFU/mL), accompanied by disturbances in the equilibrium of the small intestinal microbiota. Currently, SIBO is an increasingly prevalent clinical condition, affecting a growing number of patients. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of current research and clinical observations to enhance both diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies for this condition. These advancements are crucial for improving treatment outcomes in patients and broadening the overall understanding of gastrointestinal health. Materials and Methods This article presents a comprehensive review of literature derived from the PubMed database, encompassing studies published between 2019 and 2025. Results Patients with SIBO typically present with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms which complicate the selection of candidates for further diagnostic evaluation. SIBO frequently coexists with other disorders, leading to an underestimation of its actual prevalence. Accurate diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment, including physical examination and laboratory tests, as well as specialized diagnostic procedures, such as breath tests or small bowel aspiration and culture. Additionally, differential diagnosis is essential to exclude other conditions with similar clinical presentations. The primary treatment strategy involves antibiotic therapy, combined with a low FODMAP diet, aims to alleviate clinical symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life by eliminating bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Conclusions In conclusion, although SIBO is a relatively well-characterized medical condition, further clinical research is still necessary to refine diagnostic methodologies, standardize recognition criteria, and establish specific therapeutic guidelines. 
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spelling doaj-art-33e466071ed048c8bff2ba1af0f36d442025-08-20T03:29:53ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-06-018210.12775/JEHS.2025.82.60508Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial OvergrowthKlaudia Wilkhttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-0615-2432Edyta Witkowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-6139-5282Marcin Ciechańskihttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-6243-714XSzymon Cholewińskihttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-3235-9382Bernadetta Wilkhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-8488-5232Piotr Stachurahttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-0229-4690Piotr Rejmanhttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-3869-034XKatarzyna Pszczołahttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-1100-5845Katarzyna Jurkiewiczhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-6247-0984Aleksandra Kasprzykhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-2912-2319 Introduction Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is defined as a pathological condition characterized by excessive proliferation of colonic-type bacteria within the small intestine (>10⁵ CFU/mL), accompanied by disturbances in the equilibrium of the small intestinal microbiota. Currently, SIBO is an increasingly prevalent clinical condition, affecting a growing number of patients. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of current research and clinical observations to enhance both diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies for this condition. These advancements are crucial for improving treatment outcomes in patients and broadening the overall understanding of gastrointestinal health. Materials and Methods This article presents a comprehensive review of literature derived from the PubMed database, encompassing studies published between 2019 and 2025. Results Patients with SIBO typically present with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms which complicate the selection of candidates for further diagnostic evaluation. SIBO frequently coexists with other disorders, leading to an underestimation of its actual prevalence. Accurate diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment, including physical examination and laboratory tests, as well as specialized diagnostic procedures, such as breath tests or small bowel aspiration and culture. Additionally, differential diagnosis is essential to exclude other conditions with similar clinical presentations. The primary treatment strategy involves antibiotic therapy, combined with a low FODMAP diet, aims to alleviate clinical symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life by eliminating bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Conclusions In conclusion, although SIBO is a relatively well-characterized medical condition, further clinical research is still necessary to refine diagnostic methodologies, standardize recognition criteria, and establish specific therapeutic guidelines.  https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/60508Small Intestinal Bacterial OvergrowthSIBO diagnosis methodsBreath Test SIBOSmall bowel aspirationSIBO treatmentlow FODMAP diet
spellingShingle Klaudia Wilk
Edyta Witkowska
Marcin Ciechański
Szymon Cholewiński
Bernadetta Wilk
Piotr Stachura
Piotr Rejman
Katarzyna Pszczoła
Katarzyna Jurkiewicz
Aleksandra Kasprzyk
Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Journal of Education, Health and Sport
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
SIBO diagnosis methods
Breath Test SIBO
Small bowel aspiration
SIBO treatment
low FODMAP diet
title Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
title_full Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
title_fullStr Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
title_full_unstemmed Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
title_short Understanding SIBO: A Comprehensive Review of Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies Of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
title_sort understanding sibo a comprehensive review of causes symptoms diagnosis and treatment strategies of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
topic Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
SIBO diagnosis methods
Breath Test SIBO
Small bowel aspiration
SIBO treatment
low FODMAP diet
url https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/60508
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