The Hidden Link Between SIBO and Bloating-Why It’s Not Just “Too Much Gas”
If you’ve ever unbuttoned your jeans halfway through the day and thought, “Why do I look six
months pregnant after lunch?”
You’re not alone, and no, it’s not just air or overeating.
At our Gold Coast clinic, we see it all the time: people doing everything right: eating clean,
staying active, yet they’re still uncomfortably bloated.
One of the most common hidden causes? SIBO, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
Let’s unpack what it is, why it makes your belly balloon, and how to get it under control
naturally.
What Exactly Is SIBO?
Picture your digestive system as a long, winding neighbourhood.
The large intestine (the “big city”) is where most of your bacteria live happily, doing useful
things like making vitamins and breaking down fibre.
But in SIBO, those bacteria wander into the small intestine, where they don’t belong.
Once there, they start fermenting your food too early, creating gas and chaos in the wrong
place.
The result? Bloating, pressure, and discomfort that can show up within 30 minutes of
eating.
Fun Fact:
Your small intestine can stretch up to seven metres long, that’s about the length of three
surfboards lined up on the beach. So when gas builds up along that “wave,” even in one
section, it’s no wonder your stomach can pop out like a balloon.
How SIBO Creates That “Food Baby” Feeling
When gut bacteria overgrow in the small intestine, they feed on your meals and release
hydrogen and methane gases, the kind that make your belly swell and ache.
● Hydrogen-dominant SIBO often causes diarrhoea and cramping
● Methane-dominant SIBO slows everything down, causing constipation and a heavy,
tight belly
● Hydrogen sulfide SIBO can bring on smelly gas and fatigue
And the bloating? That’s not just “in your head.”
Fun Fact:
Some clients tell me they wake up with a flat tummy but look five months pregnant by
afternoon, that’s how quickly fermentation can expand your small intestine.
Methane-producing bacteria can even slow your intestinal motility, making you feel full and
sluggish for hours after eating.
The Clues That Point to SIBO
You might be dealing with SIBO if you:
● Bloat after even healthy foods like apples, broccoli, or lentils
● Feel gassy or distended no matter what you eat
● Experience alternating constipation and diarrhoea
● Get that “full after a few bites” feeling
● Have a history of food poisoning, antibiotic use, or long-term reflux medication
SIBO doesn’t discriminate, it can sneak up on even the cleanest eaters.
The Vicious Cycle: Bloat → Restrict → More Bloat
Many people try to fix bloating by cutting out foods, but under-eating slows digestion further.
That sluggish motility gives bacteria more time to ferment food, feeding the overgrowth even
more.
So ironically, the more you restrict, the worse SIBO can get.
That’s why a proper diagnosis and targeted plan are essential, not just another elimination
diet.
Fun Fact:
There are three main types of SIBO, and each one responds differently to treatment, which
is why what worked for your friend might make your symptoms worse.
Testing for SIBO: No Guessing, Just Breathing
At Gold Coast Digestive Health, we use a SIBO breath test – it’s non-invasive and easy to
do at home.
You simply drink a special sugar solution, then blow into small test tubes over two to three
hours.
The lab measures hydrogen and methane levels in your breath, giving us a clear map of
what’s happening deep in your gut.
Fun Fact:
Even a small pocket of misplaced bacteria can change how your whole digestive system
feels, proof that size doesn’t always matter (at least when it comes to microbes!).
Natural, Targeted Ways to Rebalance SIBO
Once testing confirms SIBO, the goal is to gently rebalance your gut environment, not blast it
with guesswork.
We use a combination of functional testing, herbal protocols, and food therapy that’s
personalised for you.
Here’s what the process often includes:
- Starving the overgrowth – temporarily adjusting your diet to limit fermentable foods
- Natural antimicrobials herbs like berberine, neem, and oregano oil can selectively
target problem bacteria - Motility support – nutrients and herbs that help your gut’s “cleaning wave” keep food
moving - Repairing the gut lining – using L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, and soothing herbs
- Rebuilding the microbiome – reintroducing good bacteria once balance is restored
Fun Fact:
When clients finish SIBO treatment, they often say, “I didn’t realise my stomach could
actually be this flat.”
That’s not vanity, that’s inflammation leaving the building.
Book in for your SIBO test now!
