Why Does Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Cause Fatigue?
SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is generally a sign that there’s an underlying condition and it doesn’t happen without reason. SIBO can be associated with various medical conditions such as:
SIBO can be difficult to diagnose and is often left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because SIBO symptoms are the same as several illnesses and conditions. SIBO symptoms are:
The Link Between SIBO & Fatigue
Fatigue and feeling tired are not the same thing. Fatigue describes an overall feeling of tiredness and/or lack of energy. When someone is fatigued they have no motivation and lack energy. Feeling worn down when the body is trying to defend itself and repair itself is perfectly normal. Fatigue is actually one of the SIBO symptoms.
Our body will naturally try to combat the overgrowth of bacteria in order to keep us well. When overgrowth occurs the bacteria will begin moving from within the intestine to other areas of the body. The bacteria will sneak through the intestinal walls just like the nutrients. The only difference is the nutrients are supposed to enter the bloodstream and the bacteria aren't.
As our body goes into fight or flight mode, which in this case, it is fight mode our body wears down. If you think back to any time you were sick or not feeling well I bet you can remember feeling fatigued. Our body needs the rest in order for us to heal and recover. Our body is doing a lot of work while it is fighting off the bacteria or whatever illness ails you. Certain chemicals are released that are specific to making us feel sleepy and this is because we need the rest. The fatigue is your body’s way of signaling you that you need to sleep in order for your body to recover and heal.
Combating Fatigue
A lot of people reach for caffeinated beverages and energy drinks when they feel tired or exhausted and it works as a temporary fix. What your body really needs is some R&R, rest and recuperation. To this day, doctors still urge their patients to rest when they are trying to heal from any type of illness or injury and that’s because it works. Sometimes the body needs a little more than rest a nutritious diet and the use of SIBO supplements can really help get your body back on track it should be. The body needs vitamins and minerals in order to rejuvenate what’s been lost. Even a few days of relaxation and a balanced nutritional intake can improve the feeling of fatigue and help put that pep back in your step.
Treating the bacterial overgrowth is the first step in fighting the fatigue. If you have any of the SIBO symptoms including fatigue get it checked out, the sooner the better. SIBO can cause a lot more headaches than the feeling of fatigue if it is left untreated. Untreated SIBO can lead to worse health conditions and the worse it gets the harder it is to heal.
SIBO treatment is available and it will help eliminate the excess bacteria, as well as, the fatigue. SIBO supplements are extremely beneficial for treating the condition and they don’t produce the harsh side-effects associated with pharmaceutical antibiotics. If you are experiencing any of the SIBO symptoms but haven’t been diagnosed, talk to your doctor about having a SIBO breath test scheduled or you can get an at-home test kit. SIBO can be treated and cured as long as you get the proper treatment and make sure you follow up with your doctor for any additional testing.