06/18/2026
Brain fog, fatigue, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation could be symptoms of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). 😞
💩 Normally, the bulk of our gut microbiome resides in the large intestine. In SIBO, we actually see an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Those bacteria are then able to act on poorly-digested, fermentable carbohydrates. 🥞
👉 This list represents some of the underlying causes of SIBO:
- Hypothyroidism: A low functioning thyroid can reduce the activity within the gastrointestinal tract, slowing the migrating motor complexes that trigger peristalsis.
- Depressed immunity: Various immunodeficiency syndromes have been associated with increased risk for bacterial overgrowth.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage the nerves that regulate and control intestinal migrating motor complexes.
- Chronic stress: When the body enters the sympathetic fight-or-flight state, gastric function is altered. We are not in the rest-and-digest state anymore. ⏰ This also affects the enteric nervous system that controls the migrating motor complex.
- Stealth infections: Gut dysmotility has been associated with infectious agents, including varicella zoster, Epstein-Bar virus, and Lyme disease.
- Abdominal adhesions: Scar tissue, which can arise from chronic inflammation, infection, or surgery, can create an obstruction or distortion of the intestines and/or impair the enteric nervous system’s migrating motor complex.
- Excess estrogen: Excess estrogens can inhibit the excretion of bile salts from the liver into the intestines. Since bile salts have antimicrobial activity, their deficiency can be a predisposing factor for SIBO. Estrogen also delays gastric emptying and motility.
We should be thinking about the root cause regardless of the condition we’re trying to address, and SIBO is no exception. If you are experiencing brain fog or gut issues, you may want to consider taking a holistic approach at our office. Give us a call to learn about our wellness program! 📲 (817) 337-2584
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