Gut Health

Is It SIBO or Is It Celiac Disease?

Diarrhea… abdominal pain… gas… bloating…

If these symptoms have been dogging you for far too long, and won’t go away no matter what you try, it’s possible you may have the wrong diagnosis.

Two of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions – celiac disease and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) – can both cause these persistent, troublesome symptoms. Because their effects can be so similar, SIBO and celiac can be mistaken for each other. 

To make matters worse/more confusing, you could be dealing with both. That’s especially likely if dietary changes – like getting rid of gluten – didn’t make your symptoms go away. 

When you finally have the right diagnosis, you’ll be able to treat your symptoms more effectively. And luckily, there’s a natural way to relieve at least some of those symptoms no matter which condition you have… 

 

What Is SIBO?

Your digestive system contains trillions of bacteria, and most of them live in your large intestine. The small intestine also contains bacteria, but around 10,000 times less than the large intestines. 

Sometimes, bacteria from the large intestines make their way into the small intestines. They settle there, and start to multiply. That causes SIBO – small intestinal bacterial overgrowth – more bacteria than your small intestine can handle.

SIBO can cause very uncomfortable digestive symptoms… and it doesn’t stop there. Over time, the harmful bacteria in your small intestine can start to attack it, causing damage to its inner lining. 

SIBO can also affect the way your small intestine processes food, leading to severe nutrient deficiencies. That’s one way SIBO can start to negatively impact your entire body.

gluten

 

What Is Celiac Disease? 

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system attacks your own body by mistake. In the case of celiac disease, gluten – the primary protein in wheat and some other grains – is the trigger that causes the autoimmune response.

Every time your body senses gluten, even just a crumb, your immune system attacks and damages the villi in your small intestine. Villi are tiny finger-like bumps that line your small intestine. You need them to help your body absorb more nutrients from food and deliver them into your bloodstream. 

Over time, this damage can make it harder for your body to pull nutrients out of food. So you could be eating a super healthy diet and still have nutrient deficiencies. In fact, at least 87% of celiac patients suffer from malnourishment because of those deficiencies.

Celiac disease affects your digestive system first, causing symptoms any time gluten sneaks into your food. People with celiac disease often experience constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. But they can also suffer from a wide-range of whole body health problems, from osteoporosis to brain fog to joint pain.

 

Two Conditions With Very Similar Symptoms

Both celiac disease and SIBO bring on severe gastrointestinal discomfort. Both can cause symptoms throughout your whole bod