Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome

Question 1

What is small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome?

Answer 1

Disorder characterised by excessive amounts of bacteria in the small bowel

Question 2

What does small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome result in?

Answer 2

Gastrointestinal symptoms.

Question 3

What are the main risk factors for small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome?

Answer 3

neonates with congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities
scleroderma
diabetes mellitus–main

Question 4

What do teh features of small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome overlap with?

Answer 4

Symptoms of IBS

Question 5

What are the main symptoms of small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome?

Answer 5

chronic diarrhoea
bloating, flatulence
abdominal pain

Question 6

What is the main diagnostic test for small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome?

Answer 6

hydrogen breath test

Question 7

What other test can be done for small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome?

Answer 7

Small bowel aspiration and culture

Question 8

Why is small bowel aspiration and culture not done as often?

Answer 8

invasive and results are often difficult to reproduce

Question 9

What is the main management of small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome?

Answer 9

correction of the underlying disorder

Question 10

What medical management can be given for small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome?

Answer 10

Antibiotic therapy:
Rifaximin