What Is Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth?

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), also known as small intestinal stasis syndrome, small intestinal contamination syndrome or blind loop syndrome. Refers to those who change the number or type of bacteria in the small intestine to a certain extent and cause clinical manifestations. Clinical manifestations include symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or malabsorption, such as weight loss, anemia, and malnutrition. There are many causes that cause the small intestine bacteria to multiply, and the mechanism of small intestinal malabsorption caused by bacterial overproduction is also very complicated. There are still many problems that have not yet been clarified.

Basic Information

nickname

Intestinal stasis syndrome, intestinal contamination syndrome, blind loop syndrome

English name

small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Visiting department

Gastroenterology

Common symptoms

Manifestations of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or malabsorption, such as weight loss, anemia, malnutrition

Causes of intestinal bacterial overgrowth

There are many basic diseases that can cause the small intestine bacteria to multiply, which can be roughly divided into 3 categories:

Abnormal structure of small intestine

Small intestinal diverticulum, subtotal gastrectomy, Type , and surgical bleaching cause local retention of intestinal contents. This is the so-called bleeder syndrome; radiation bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and intestinal obstruction caused by intestinal adhesions.

2. Disorders that cause small bowel motility disorders

Scleroderma, amyloidosis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and irritable bowel syndrome can cause small intestinal motility and cause small intestinal stasis.

3. Other

Liver cirrhosis, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia caused by decreased intestinal immune function, subtotal gastrectomy, malignant anemia, and gastric acid reduction caused by powerful acid-suppressing drugs are mainly related to decreased bactericidal capacity.

Clinical manifestations of intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Those who are mild can be asymptomatic; sometimes they are masked by the symptoms of underlying diseases; diarrhea is more common; those with mild are mild diarrhea; Abdominal distension, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and weight loss often appear. Some have neurological and psychiatric symptoms such as convulsions, night blindness, numbness in the limbs, emotional abnormalities, and mental retardation.

Intestinal bacterial overgrowth test

Blood and stool routine

Small cell or large cell anemia. Fecal fat levels increased.

2. Biochemical examination

Serum iron, vitamin, and folic acid concentrations decreased, serum albumin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decreased, and prothrombin activity decreased.

Diagnosis of intestinal bacterial overgrowth

According to the medical history and clinical symptoms, such as diarrhea, fatty diarrhea, weight loss or large cell anemia, especially patients with older age or a history of abdominal surgery, combined with auxiliary examinations can help diagnosis of this disease.

Treatment of intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Antibiotic treatment

Due to the complex bacterial flora of the small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, it is often necessary to use antibiotics in combination. When selecting antibiotics, both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the intestine must be taken into consideration.

2. Nutrition support treatment

Supplement the lack of nutrients, such as vitamin B12, fat-soluble vitamins and so on.

3. Etiology treatment

If possible, correct the pathogenesis of intestinal bacterial overgrowth.