Digestive discomfort can be frustrating, especially when bloating, stomach pain, nausea, or changes in your bowel movements start to interfere with your daily life.
If you have been experiencing these symptoms, you may be wondering what is happening… your gut probably has something to do with it. But how do you find relief?
In some cases, these symptoms may be related to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or gastritis, two digestive conditions that can cause discomfort in different ways.
But can SIBO cause gastritis? Can gastritis cause SIBO? While these two conditions are different, they may be connected in certain cases.
SIBO does not typically cause gastritis directly, nor does gastritis cause SIBO, but they can share contributing factors that affect your digestive health.
Understanding how these conditions are related can help you better understand your symptoms, explore appropriate treatment options, and learn how nutrition therapy may support your gut health.
What Is Gastritis?
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.
Your stomach has a protective lining that helps it handle stomach acid and the foods you eat. When this lining becomes irritated or inflamed, it can lead to symptoms that affect how you feel throughout the day.
Gastritis can be short-term or chronic, meaning it lasts longer. When chronic inflammation damages the stomach lining over time, it can lead to a condition called atrophic gastritis, in which the stomach loses some of its normal glands, further affecting digestion and the absorption of certain nutrients.
Some people with gastritis experience noticeable discomfort, while others may have very few mild symptoms.
Common symptoms of gastritis include:
- Upper abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea or an upset stomach
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- A reduced appetite
There are several possible causes of gastritis. One of the most common is an infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, often abbreviated as H. pylori. Other causes can include certain medications, such as ibuprofen, excessive alcohol use, and autoimmune conditions that affect the stomach lining.
The important thing to understand is that gastritis can have different causes, and identifying the underlying cause helps determine the right treatment.
What Is SIBO?
SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. To understand what this means, it helps to know a little about how your digestive system works.
Your gut contains trillions of microorganisms that support digestion, with most bacteria living in the large intestine. When too many bacteria grow in the small intestine, a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can develop.
These excess bacteria can break down carbohydrates before they are fully absorbed, producing gas and contributing to symptoms like:
- Excessive gas and bloating
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea
- Feeling overly full after eating
- Difficulty maintaining weight or unexplained weight loss in some cases
SIBO can also interfere with nutrient absorption. Depending on the severity and duration of the condition, some people may develop nutritional deficiencies.
SIBO does not look the same for everyone. This is why identifying the condition and understanding your individual symptoms are important parts of treatment.
Can SIBO Cause Gastritis?
SIBO and gastritis can be connected, but neither typically causes the other directly.
Instead, the connection involves changes in stomach acid, which helps break down food and control bacteria.
Certain types of chronic gastritis can reduce stomach acid production, potentially allowing more bacteria to survive and contribute to SIBO. Although both conditions can cause bloating, gas, and stomach discomfort, gastritis affects the stomach lining, while SIBO involves excess bacteria in the small intestine and digestion.
How Are Gastritis and SIBO Connected?
One important connection between gastritis and SIBO involves H. pylori, a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and cause gastritis. When H. pylori causes long term inflammation, it can damage the stomach lining and, in some cases, reduce stomach acid production.
Stomach acid helps control bacteria in your digestive system. When acid levels are low, more bacteria may survive and build up in the small intestine, potentially increasing the risk of SIBO.
However, not everyone with H. pylori or gastritis develops SIBO. Other factors, including how well food moves through your digestive system and certain medications, may also contribute.
How Nutrition Connects to SIBO and Gastritis
Nutrition plays an important role in digestive health. Nutrition can help manage symptoms of both SIBO and gastritis, support digestive health, and complement your antibiotic treatment.
The foods you eat may affect bloating, gas, stomach discomfort, and how well your body absorbs nutrients. While diet alone cannot cure either condition, making personalized nutrition changes can help reduce symptoms, support digestion, and improve your overall health.
Working with a registered dietitian can help you find an approach that meets your individual needs without unnecessarily restricting foods.
Diagnosis and Support
Gastritis and SIBO can cause similar symptoms, so it is important to work with a healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause.
Gastritis may be diagnosed through H. pylori testing or an upper endoscopy, which allows a doctor to examine the stomach lining. SIBO is commonly evaluated with a breath test that measures gases produced by bacteria in the digestive system.
Once you have a diagnosis, working with a nutritionist can help you make sense of your symptoms, manage them, and support your digestive health. A nutrition professional can help you identify foods that may trigger discomfort, address potential nutrient deficiencies, and create a balanced eating plan tailored to your needs.
They can also guide you through dietary changes without unnecessarily restricting foods, support healthy eating habits during medical treatment, and help you maintain those habits long term.
Nutrition therapy works alongside medical care to help you feel better and support your overall health, without having to figure everything out on your own!
Why Working With a Nutritionist Matters
Nutrition therapy is not about finding a perfect diet. It is about understanding your body, making informed choices, and finding a way of eating that helps you feel better while still allowing you to enjoy food.
FAQs
Can SIBO cause gastritis?
SIBO is not considered a direct cause of gastritis in every case. However, the conditions may be connected through changes in stomach acid, digestive function, and other underlying health factors. A healthcare provider can help determine whether you have one or both conditions.
Can gastritis cause SIBO?
Certain forms of gastritis, particularly chronic gastritis that reduces stomach acid production, may increase the risk of SIBO. Stomach acid helps limit the number of bacteria entering the small intestine, so reduced acid levels may affect this protective process. However, not everyone with gastritis develops SIBO.
What foods should I avoid if I have gastritis and SIBO?
There is no universal list of foods that everyone with gastritis or SIBO needs to avoid. Some people find that spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, or certain fermentable carbohydrates worsen their symptoms. A nutrition professional can help identify your individual triggers without unnecessarily restricting your diet.
Can a nutritionist help treat SIBO and gastritis?
A nutritionist can support symptom management, help identify appropriate dietary adjustments, address potential nutritional deficiencies, and develop a balanced eating plan that meets your needs. Nutrition therapy complements medical care but does not replace treatments such as antibiotics for SIBO or prescribed medication for H. pylori infection.
Ready to Work With a Nutritionist to Support Your Gut Health?
We hope this helped you better understand the connection between SIBO and Gastritis and how working with a nutritionist can help you manage side effects, meet your nutritional needs, and support your long-term health.
At Plenish, our team of virtual nutritionists cuts through the noise with science-based nutrition support that’s sustainable and realistic. No cookie-cutter solutions here, just expert guidance to help you stay nourished and care for your changing body in the healthiest way possible.
Our dietitians specialize in using functional nutrition to help guide you in your health journey. All of our practitioners are Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionists (LDNs), Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS), and Registered Dietitians (RDs) and they each hold a master’s-level degree in nutrition.
We are in-network with Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and BCBS. If your insurance isn’t listed here, don’t worry you can still see us! Out-of-network sessions may be partially reimbursable by your insurance.
You can go here to learn more about what working with us looks like or go here to book your complimentary call with us.
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