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    • Vishvinder Sharma, MD
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  • Home
  • Providers
    • Vishvinder Sharma, MD
    • Dipesh Banker, MD
    • Ranadev Mukherjee, MD
    • Shahid Wahid, MD
    • Nikhil Karanth, MD
    • Nasim McDermott, DO
    • Brian Carlson, MD
    • Jawad Jilani, DO
    • Eladio Carrera, MD
    • Marcella Pomeranz, DNP, APRN
    • Daisy Vo, FNP-BC
    • Francess E. Ehixojie, MSN, APRN, BC-FNP
    • Payton Cerda, PA-C
    • Steven Evans, PA-C
    • Manushak Avanesyan, MPAS, PA-C
    • Nicole Nelson, PA-C
  • Offices
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  • New Patients
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    • Patient Portal
    • Patient Education
      • Abdominal Bloating
      • Abdominal Pain
      • Anal Fissure
      • Ascites
      • Barrett Esophagus
      • Bowel Incontinence
      • Celiac Disease
      • Cirrhosis
      • Constipation
      • Crohn’s Disease
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      • Heartburn
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Hepatitis A
      • Hepatitis B
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      • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
      • Peptic Ulcer
      • Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth
      • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Treatments & Tests
      • Capsule Endoscopy
      • Colon Cancer Screening
      • Colonoscopy
      • Endoscopic Ultrasound
      • Esophageal pH Monitoring
      • Lactose Tolerance Tests
      • Liver Biopsy
    • Procedure Preparations

PHONE: 702-633-0207
FAX: 702-633-0254

Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth

Definition Collapse

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a condition in which very large numbers of bacteria grow in the small intestine.

Causes Expand

Most of the time, unlike the large intestine, the small intestine does not have a large number of bacteria. Excess bacteria in the small intestine may use up the nutrients needed by the body. As a result, a person may become malnourished.

The breakdown of nutrients by the excess bacteria can also damage the lining of the small intestine. This can make it even harder for the body to absorb nutrients.

Conditions that can lead to overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine include:

  • Complications of diseases or surgery that create pouches or blockages in the small intestine. Crohn disease is one of these conditions.
  • Diseases that lead to movement problems in the small bowel, such as diabetes and scleroderma.
  • Immunodeficiency, such as AIDS or immunoglobulin deficiency.
    Short bowel syndrome caused by surgical removal of the small intestine.
  • Small bowel diverticulosis, in which small, and at times large sacs occur in the inner lining of the intestine. These sacs allow too many bacteria to grow. These sacs are much more common in the large bowel.
  • Surgical procedures that create a loop of small intestine where excess bacteria can grow. An example is a Billroth II type of stomach removal (gastrectomy).
  • Some cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Symptoms Expand

The most common symptoms are:

  • Abdominal fullness
  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea (most often watery)
  • Gassiness

Other symptoms may include:

  • Fatty stool
  • Weight loss
Exams and Tests Expand

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. Tests may include:

  • Blood chemistry tests (such as albumin level)
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Fecal fat test
  • Small intestine endoscopy
  • Vitamin levels in the blood
  • Small intestine biopsy or culture
  • Special breath tests
Treatment Expand

The goal is to treat the cause of the bacterial overgrowth. Treatment may include:

  • Antibiotics
  • Medicines that speed intestinal movement
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids
  • Nutrition given through a vein (total parenteral nutrition – TPN) in a malnourished person

A lactose-free diet can be helpful

Possible Complications Expand

Severe cases lead to malnutrition.

Other possible complications include:

  • Dehydration
  • Excess bleeding due to vitamin deficiency
  • Liver disease
  • Osteomalacia or osteoporosis
When to Contact a Medical Professional Expand

If you have ascites, call your health care provider right away if you have:

  • Fever above 100.5°F (38.05°C), or a fever that does not go away
  • Belly pain
  • Blood in your stool or black, tarry stools
  • Blood in your vomit
  • Bruising or bleeding that occurs easily
  • Build-up of fluid in your belly
  • Swollen legs or ankles
  • Breathing problems
  • Confusion or problems staying awake
  • Yellow color in your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
Alternative Names Expand

Overgrowth - intestinal bacteria; Bacterial overgrowth - intestine; Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; SIBO

Office Locations

Las Vegas

5440 W Sahara Ave, Suite 302
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
Mon - Fri : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Summerlin

653 N Town Center Dr, Suite 204
Las Vegas, Nevada 89144
Contact the office for hours.

North Las Vegas

2031 N McDaniel, Suite 140
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030
Mon - Fri : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Henderson

866 Seven Hills Dr, Suite 104
Henderson, Nevada 89052
Mon - Fri : 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pahrump-Lola Ln

330 S Lola Ln, Suite 200
Pahrump, Nevada 89048
Contact the office for hours.

Pahrump-Loop Rd

1397 S Loop Rd
Pahrump, Nevada 89048
Contact the office for hours.

702-633-0207

Call Today To Make An Appointment At Any Of Our Locations.

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