SIBO Treatment in Daly City, CA
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when there’s an abnormal increase in bacteria in your small intestine—particularly types of bacteria that don’t normally belong there.
This bacterial overgrowth disrupts healthy digestion and interferes with your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to uncomfortable symptoms and potential nutritional deficiencies.
At Center for Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Health (CDCH) in Daly City, our gastroenterology specialists provide comprehensive SIBO testing and evidence-based treatment to restore your digestive health.
Understanding Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Your small intestine normally contains relatively few bacteria compared to your large intestine. When bacteria from the colon migrate upward or when protective mechanisms fail, intestinal bacterial overgrowth develops.
These excess bacteria ferment food before your body can properly absorb nutrients. This fermentation produces gas, causes inflammation, and damages the intestinal lining.
The result? Uncomfortable digestive symptoms and malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals.
Why Does SIBO Develop?
SIBO occurs when your body’s natural protective mechanisms break down. Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) normally kills bacteria before they reach the small intestine. When acid levels drop, bacteria survive and multiply.
Slow small intestine motility allows bacteria to accumulate rather than being swept through to the colon. Structural problems like diverticula, strictures, or post-surgical adhesions create pockets where bacteria can thrive.
Understanding the underlying cause is essential for effective, long-term treatment.
Common SIBO Symptoms We Treat
Chronic bloating and excessive gas (especially after meals)
Abdominal pain and cramping
Diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bowel habits
Nausea and indigestion
Feeling uncomfortably full after eating small amounts
Unexplained fatigue and weakness
Unintentional weight loss
Fatty, oily stools (steatorrhea)
Pale, foul-smelling, or floating stools
SIBO symptoms often overlap with IBS, making proper testing essential for accurate diagnosis.
How Intestinal Permeability May Affect Your Body
Digestive Impact
- Severe bloating and distension
- Excessive gas production
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Altered bowel movements
- Nausea after eating
- Food intolerances develop
- Intestinal inflammation
Nutritional Consequences
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies (A, D, E, K)
- Iron deficiency and anemia
- Protein malnutrition
- Unintentional weight loss
- Chronic fatigue
- Weakened bones (osteoporosis risk)
Left untreated, SIBO can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and complications.
What Causes SIBO & Who's at Risk?
Our SIBO Diagnosis Process in Daly City
1
Comprehensive Medical Evaluation
We review your symptoms, medical history, medications, previous surgeries, and underlying conditions that increase SIBO risk
2
SIBO Breath Testing
The gold standard for SIBO diagnosis. You'll drink a sugar solution (glucose or lactulose), then provide breath samples every 15-20 minutes for 2-3 hours. The test measures hydrogen and methane gases produced by bacterial fermentation
3
Additional Diagnostic Testing
Blood tests check for vitamin deficiencies (B12, iron, fat-soluble vitamins). Stool tests assess for fat malabsorption. Small intestine aspirate and culture (in select cases) directly samples intestinal fluid. Imaging studies (X-ray, CT, MRI) identify structural abnormalities
4
Identifying Root Causes
Testing for underlying conditions like diabetes, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or motility disorders to create a comprehensive treatment plan
- Accurate SIBO testing at our Daly City facility ensures you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding SIBO Breath Tests
The SIBO breath test is non-invasive and highly effective when performed correctly. Glucose breath tests detect bacteria in the first part of the small intestine. Lactulose breath tests assess the entire small intestine. Both measure hydrogen and methane—gases that bacteria produce but human cells don’t. Proper test preparation (including dietary restrictions and medication adjustments) is crucial for accurate results.
SIBO Treatment Options
Antibiotic Therapy
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth antibiotic treatment is the first-line approach for most patients. What antibiotic is used for SIBO? Rifaximin is the most commonly prescribed because it stays in the gut and has fewer systemic side effects.
For methane-positive SIBO, we often combine rifaximin with neomycin. What antibiotics are used to treat SIBO depends on your breath test results—hydrogen-dominant, methane-dominant, or mixed patterns require different approaches.
Antibiotics for intestinal bacterial overgrowth typically require 10-14 day courses. Some patients need multiple rounds or rotating antibiotics to achieve lasting results.
Beyond Antibiotics
Treating SIBO successfully requires addressing the root cause, not just killing bacteria. If low stomach acid caused your SIBO, we may recommend digestive enzymes or betaine HCl. For motility issues, prokinetic agents help restore the migrating motor complex (MMC).
Nutritional supplementation replaces deficient vitamins and minerals during and after treatment.
Dietary Strategies for SIBO Management
Additional Treatment Strategies
Prokinetic medications to improve gut motility
Vitamin B12, iron, and fat-soluble vitamin supplementation
Digestive enzymes to improve nutrient absorption
Treating underlying conditions (diabetes, hypothyroidism, Crohn's)
Strategic probiotic use (under medical guidance—some worsen SIBO)
Stress management to support gut-brain axis
Adequate hydration to prevent dehydration from diarrhea
Discontinuing or adjusting medications that slow motility
SIBO treatment requires a multi-faceted approach addressing both bacteria and underlying causes.
Preventing SIBO Complications
Untreated SIBO can lead to serious health consequences. Chronic nutrient deficiencies cause anemia, bone loss (osteoporosis), neurological problems from B12 deficiency, and immune dysfunction. Dangerous weight loss and malnutrition can develop in severe cases. Dehydration from chronic diarrhea affects kidney function. Long-term intestinal inflammation damages the gut lining. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent these complications.
SIBO's Impact Beyond Digestion
Research increasingly links SIBO to conditions beyond the gut. The connection between SIBO and psoriasis reflects how intestinal bacteria influence systemic inflammation and immune function.
When bacteria leak through a damaged intestinal barrier, they trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body. This can worsen autoimmune conditions, skin problems, and joint pain.
Patients with SIBO often experience fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and depression—symptoms driven by bacterial metabolites, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic inflammation.
Treating SIBO frequently improves these systemic symptoms, not just digestive complaints.
This whole-body approach is why comprehensive treatment addressing root causes provides better outcomes than simply suppressing symptoms.
Expert SIBO Care in Daly City & San Francisco
Finding experienced SIBO treatment doctors makes a significant difference in outcomes. As SIBO specialists serving Daly City and the greater San Francisco Bay Area, we understand the complexity of this condition.
Many patients have struggled for years with misdiagnosis or ineffective treatments before finding proper SIBO care. Our team at Center for Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Health provides comprehensive evaluation, accurate testing, and evidence-based treatment.
Meet Our SIBO Treatment Specialists
Board Certified
All providers meet the highest standards of care
Same-Week Appointments
Quick access to expert care when you need it
Local to Bay Area
Serving Daly City, San Francisco & surrounding areas
Why Choose CDCH for SIBO Treatment?
Center for Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Health is among the leading SIBO treatment centers in the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer comprehensive SIBO breath testing on-site in Daly City, evidence-based antibiotic protocols, personalized dietary guidance, treatment of underlying metabolic and motility disorders, and long-term follow-up to prevent recurrence. We accept most insurance plans and provide same-week appointments for new patients.
- Accepting New Patients
Get Tested and Treated for SIBO in Daly City
Stop suffering from unexplained digestive symptoms. Our SIBO specialists provide accurate breath testing and comprehensive treatment that addresses the root cause of your bacterial overgrowth.
Center for Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Health | Daly City, CA