Research points to factors that slow or disrupt the small intestine's natural clearing motions — including motility issues, structural factors, and certain medical conditions. Identifying contributing factors is part of working with a provider.

Is SIBO the same as IBS?

No — they're different labels, but studies show notable overlap, with a meaningful share of people with IBS-type symptoms testing positive for bacterial overgrowth. Testing is how the two get distinguished in practice.

Does SIBO go away on its own?

SIBO management is medical territory that varies by individual — that conversation belongs with your healthcare provider, informed by testing.

What Is SIBO?

SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, but they're not evenly distributed — the large intestine is meant to hold the vast majority, while the small intestine, where most nutrient absorption happens, normally holds relatively few.

What goes wrong

In SIBO, bacteria accumulate in the small intestine in unusual numbers. When food arrives, those bacteria ferment it — producing gas in a section of the gut that isn't built to handle it. That misplaced fermentation is what's associated with the hallmark symptoms people describe: pressure-like bloating, excessive gas, discomfort after meals, and bowel changes in either direction.

Why it's discussed alongside IBS

Research has explored significant overlap between SIBO and irritable bowel syndrome — some studies have found a meaningful portion of people with IBS-type symptoms test positive for SIBO. The overlap is one reason breath testing has become common in functional and integrative practices: it's a way to check whether bacterial overgrowth may be part of an individual's picture rather than guessing.

How it's identified

The breath test is the standard non-invasive approach: after a prep diet and fast, you drink a test sugar solution and collect breath samples on a timed schedule, and a lab measures hydrogen and methane. Interpretation belongs with a qualified practitioner, who reads the gas pattern in the context of your symptoms and history — a positive or negative result is a data point, not a diagnosis by itself.

What this site is for

Our goal is to make SIBO testing understandable and accessible — clear education now, and at-home kit availability coming. Join the waitlist to be notified.

Frequently asked questions

What causes SIBO?: Research points to factors that slow or disrupt the small intestine's natural clearing motions — including motility issues, structural factors, and certain medical conditions. Identifying contributing factors is part of working with a provider.
Is SIBO the same as IBS?: No — they're different labels, but studies show notable overlap, with a meaningful share of people with IBS-type symptoms testing positive for bacterial overgrowth. Testing is how the two get distinguished in practice.
Does SIBO go away on its own?: SIBO management is medical territory that varies by individual — that conversation belongs with your healthcare provider, informed by testing.

At-home SIBO testing is coming to this site.

Join the waitlist and you'll be the first to know when kits are available — plus get our free prep guide so you're ready to test correctly on day one.

This site is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have digestive symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider about whether testing is right for you.