5 things you need to know about a recent study regarding small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Doctors and scientists want to find the best ways to help people with too many bacteria in their small intestines. This condition is called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Too many bacteria in the wrong part of the gut can cause belly pain, gas, bloating, and other unpleasant symptoms. Drs. Alexander Shapsis and Jason Saltiel of Atlantic Gastroenterology in Brooklyn, New York, reviewed a study that analyzed various treatments doctors use to help patients with these symptoms. Below are just a few things you can take away from this published study and its findings:

1. The combination of several studies and reports. This study did not test treatments on new patients. Instead, the researchers collected results from many earlier clinical trials. They compared different treatments to see how well they worked for people with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This method is called a systematic network meta-analysis. It helps doctors compare many treatments in a single analysis, even when those treatments were not directly compared in the original research.
2. Doctors often try many different types of treatments. People with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth may receive a range of treatments. Some include antibiotics, probiotics, and medicines that help the gut muscles move food and gas more smoothly. By gathering many studies together, the researchers could see which options worked better overall. Research shows that using an antibiotic for intestinal bacterial overgrowth, such as rifaximin, often reduces symptoms and lowers bacterial counts in the small intestine.
3. Antibiotics still play a major role in addressing overgrowth. One clear finding from the study and from other evidence is that antibiotics remain very important in treating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. These medicines work by reducing bacteria in the small intestine. Some antibiotics are taken by mouth and stay mainly in the gut, where they fight excess bacteria without entering the rest of the body. This reduces side effects and lets doctors target the bacteria causing symptoms.
4. Some other treatments are helpful as well. The study found that some treatments besides antibiotics may also help. Probiotics are “good” bacteria that rebalance the gut. Some medications help the gut muscles move properly, so food does not sit too long, which can otherwise allow the bacteria to multiply. Adding probiotics or other medicines helps some patients feel better when used with antibiotics.
5. The study helps doctors make better choices for their patients. By comparing many past trials, the study provided doctors with more information about which treatments work best. Some medicines had stronger evidence than others. This information allows doctors to decide which treatments to try first, which to try next if a patient still has symptoms, and which treatments might be considered safer or better for long-term use.

Call the Atlantic Gastroenterology team today to learn more about this study and how to address bacterial overgrowth!

If you or someone you care about has small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, or gas that do not go away, talk with a gastroenterologist who understands this condition well. Team members at Atlantic Gastroenterology in Brooklyn, NY, and Coral Springs, FL, can review your symptoms, order the right tests, and help you choose the best treatment plan. You can schedule an appointment by dialing 718 521-2840 to request time with our professionals.

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