Watertown SD chiropractor

 

"Toxic Bloating due to Bacterial Overgrowth"

 

What is Bacterial Overgrowth?

It's not an overstatement to say that the small intestine is the most important segment of the entire digestive tract, which starts at the mouth and ends at the rectum. Nutrients we eat -- carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals -- are absorbed in the small intestine. If anything interferes with the absorption here, nutrient deficiencies can result.

The small intestine normally contains relatively small numbers of bacteria. However, certain factors can cause the growth of excess bacteria.

Through a process called bile acid deconjugation, the unwanted bacteria causes fat malabsorption. It also blocks carbohydrates from being absorbed. Intead, they're left to ferment in the intestines, resulting in gas, bloating, pain, mucus in stools, foul-smelling gas and stools, and diarrhea. Sweets and starchy foods cause the worst symptoms.

Toxic metabolic substances produced by the bacteria injures intestinal cells and impairs absorption, resulting in nutrient deficiencies, food allergies and intolerances, and poorly functioning digestive enzymes.

What Causes Bacterial Overgrowth?


  • Decreased motility in the small intestine - caused by excess dietary sugar, chronic stress, and conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and scleroderma. In the United States, up to 40% of chronic diarrhea in people with diabetes is associated with bacterial overgrowth.

  • Hypochlorhydria - as people get older, the amount of stomach acid they secrete decline. Because stomach acid is acidic and helps to kill bacteria in the small intestine, if there is less stomach acid, bacteria are more likely to proliferate. Another very common cause of hypochlorhydria is due to excessive use of antacids.

  • Structural abnormalities in the small intestine - gastric bypass surgery, small intestinal diverticula, blind loop, intestinal obstruction, and Crohn's disease fistula are some of the structural causes of bacterial overgrowth.

  • Other causes include immune deficiency, stress, certain medications such as steroids, antibiotics, and birth control pills, inadequate dietary fiber, and pancreatic enzyme deficiency.

Symptoms


  • abdominal bloating and gas after meals
  • pain
  • constipation
  • chronic loose stools or diarrhea - studies have found 48% to 67% of people with chronic diarrhea had bacterial overgrowth.
  • soft, foul-smelling stools that stick to the bowl
  • fatigue - megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 malabsorption
  • depression
  • nutritional deficiency despite taking supplements
  • weight loss
  • abdominal pain
  • mucus in stools
  • bloating worse with carbs, fiber, and sugar


Natural Remedies for Bacterial Overgrowth


It can be difficult to get proper testing and treatment for bacterial overgrowth, because some doctors don't understand this condition. The conventional treatment for bacterial overgrowth is antimicrobial drugs.

There are three parts to the natural treatment of bacterial overgrowth:
  • Diet - Low carbohydrate diet
  • Eradicate unfriendly bacteria in the small intestine using herbs such as peppermint oil.
  • Replace - Bacterial overgrowth impairs friendly bacteria ("probiotics") and digestive enzymes.

From:  http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/overgrowth.htm

Bryan Dingsors Comments:   Bacterial overgrowth of the intestines is a very common cause of bloating, IBS, and other bowel conditions.   I recently had a patient come in with terrible cramping and very irregular bowel movements.  I suspected she more than likely had a bacterial overgrowth in her gut. 

I prescribed a specific probiotic to help correct her problem and whithin 3 weeks her bloating and intestinal issues were gone.   Many patients make the mistake thinking yogurt (even Activia yogurt) will help their condition.   Most of these yogurts do not contain nearly enough bacteria to help recolonize the gut and they usually are full of sugar.  My advice is get a good quality probiotic that contains the following:

  • A combination of ten probiotic strains of “good” bacteria specially formulated to mimic natural gastrointestinal flora.  (L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. salivarius, S. Thermophilus, B. bifidum, B. longum, L. helveticus and L. brevis)
  • Supplies 20 billion colony forming units (CFU's) per capsule.

Dr. Bryan Dingsor is the owner of Watertown Chiropractic P.C. in Watertown, SD. He specializes in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions and weight loss. For an appointment, please call 605-882-2304 Today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watertown Chiropractic SD
Watertown Chiropractic SD
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Watertown Chiropractic
2320 9th Ave SE
Watertown SD 57201-5261