Are you suffering from this surprising cause of heartburn?

Heartburn is a common condition for many, many weight loss surgery patients. Unfortunately, conventional medicine quickly prescribes medication to put a band-aid on the problem instead of looking for the root-cause.

In this episode, we discuss the most overlooked causes of heartburn

There are several personal behaviors that can contribute to your heartburn like…..

• Not chewing well
• Eating too quickly
• Always eating on the go

While other more intricate causes are:

• Food Sensitivities
• Poor diet
• Too little or too much stomach acid
• Stress

The most commonly overlooked or missed diagnosed cause of heartburn is small intestinal bowel overgrowth commonly referred to as SIBO. This is an imbalance in the types and quantities of certain bacteria within your digestive tract overgrowing in places it shouldn’t be.

Commons signs of SIBO

1. Abdominal bloating and distention
2. Constipation
3. Diarrhea
4. Abdominal pain or discomfort
5. Reflux or heartburn
6. Excessive gas or belching

What are the common causes of SIBO?

1. Low stomach acid or chronically taking Proton-pump inhibitors(PPI)
2. Pancreatic insufficiency
3. Decreased motility
4. Bowel obstruction
5. Gastroparesis
6. Gallbladder/Bile Dysfunction
7. Multiple courses of antibiotics
8. Heavy alcohol use
9. Diet rich in sugar & simple carbohydrates
10. Chronic stress
11. Excess estrogen, which inhibit excretion of bile salts from the liver into the intestines, as well as delays gastric emptying & motility. (learn more about estrogen & it’s connection with weight loss here and here)
12. Surgical bowel resection or Bariatric Surgery
13. Food poisoning
14. Nerve damage that affects GI tract
15. Opiate drugs
16. Any disease that slows motility(diabetes, hypothyroid)

Research shows increased SIBO incidence after Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass

“SIBO is present in 15 % of obese patients before bariatric surgery. This prevalence does not increase after AGB while it rises up to 40 % of patients after RYGBP and it is associated with lower weight loss.” You can read the study here.

What are your options if you think you have SIBO?

Talk to your doctor, bariatric surgeon or get a referral to a Gastrointestinal Doctor(GI) and work with a skilled Registered Dietitian who can guide you through a high and low FODMAP diet incorporating the right fibers and foods at the right time during and after treatment.

If you are interested in learning more about SIBO after weight loss surgery or need help loosing regain. You need to join our Gastric Health Club.

Here is what one of our members has to say:

Your future health awaits