Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a syndrome that involves excessive numbers of bacteria growing in the small intestines. The large numbers of bacteria compete for nutrients with the person who has the condition. As a result, the person with the condition may not absorb enough nutrients.

In addition, the breakdown of nutrients by the bacteria in the small intestines can damage the cells lining the intestinal wall.

Intestinal bacteria overgrowth can be seen with many different disorders, including:

• Surgical procedures -- for example, a Billroth II type of gastrectomy can block the duodenum and jejunum, causing intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Short bowel syndrome
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Alcohol use
• Ileus
• Prolonged use of medicines called proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers, which supress stomach acid secretion
• Small bowel diverticulosis -- small protruding sacs of the inner lining of the intestine. Although these sacs can happen anywhere along the intestinal tract, they are more common in the large bowel than the small bowel.

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