Emily Sugars is a Naturopath at The Biome Clinic in Northern NSW, specialising in functional digestive disorders. She has worked closely with Dr Nirala Jacobi, international SIBO expert, since graduating as a naturopath 9 years ago, and has also recently completed a postgraduate Honours in Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine.

Emily also is the Operations Manager and Practitioner Consultant for SIBOtest, which offers at home breath tests for the diagnosis of SIBO and education for practitioners in the treatment of SIBO

KEY POINTS:

- SIBO: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

- This overgrowth produce gasses that interfere with our digestion causing nutrient deficiencies, bloating, gas, alternating bowels, etc

- SIBO is similar yet different to IBS

- Clues: Bloating happens immediately after meals, 'Never been well since', more fibre can worsen symptoms, etc

- SIBO is a consequence of something & is a chronic relapsing condition. If a person relapses the whole picture hasn't been considered, for example if a person is in fight & flight they will not digest their food (21 century syndrome).

- Breath testing is how SIBO is assessed.  

- Treatment depends on the result of the breath test (whether hydrogen or methane gas is reported).  Following this treatment involves identifying the underlying cause, addressing the bacteria imbalance & supporting the sluggish motility due to stress &/or bacteria.

Resources:

Quiz - https://sibotest.com/quizzes/1

The clinic Emily works at: https://www.thebiomeclinic.com/