Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO)
How our dietitians can help you
- Understand your gut: Learn how meal timing, food types, and eating habits influence symptoms like bloating, pain, and gas.
- Identify your symptom triggers: Work with a dietitian to understand your threshold for trigger foods, with the goal of reduced symptoms with the least restrictive diet possible.
- Step-wise approach: Start with ‘best bet’ strategies based on your symptoms, then adjust further in consultation with your dietitian as needed.
- Nurture gut health: We focus on minimising symptoms in parallel to building gut health using whole food-based approaches
- Which supplements: We can support you in unpacking the evidence from fiction about whether and which supplements may be of benefit for SIBO or IMO.
- Regain food confidence: Obtain the support you need to address fear of eating by building a flexible, enjoyable dietary pattern for symptom control and nutritional adequacy.
- Expert support: Drs Kerith and Georgina offer compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to individual needs.
More about SIBO and IMO
Dietary Management
There’s a lot of confusing and sometimes incorrect information out there about how to manage SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) through diet. That’s why our approach is tailored to each person, based on how SIBO or IMO (Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth) was diagnosed, your symptoms, food sensitivities, and gut health history. This helps us choose the best starting point for your dietary plan. We explain why your doctor may have suggested certain treatments or medications, helping you feel confident in managing your health and improving your quality of life.
SIBO isn’t technically a disease, but a group of gut symptoms. Bloating, pain, and gas can be caused by an imbalance of bacteria (gut dysbiosis) in the small intestine. It’s often mistaken for IBS because the symptoms are similar, even though IBS affects the large intestine.
The most accurate test for SIBO involves collecting fluid from the small intestine during a gastroscopy to count bacteria. However, breath tests are more commonly used. While less precise, they can help identify whether the bacteria produce hydrogen or if methane-producing microbes (archaea) are involved. If methane is the issue, it’s called IMO, not SIBO. Knowing the difference helps doctors choose the right treatment.
Book with Kerith or Georgina
Kerith and Georgina specialise in various gastrointestinal conditions and symptoms. Their consulting work with clients complements their research in gastrointestinal nutrition.
Face-to-face appointments
Kerith offers appointments at Newcastle Gastroenterology and Health HQ Salamander Bay.
Contact Us
Email – office@helpyourself.com.au