SIBO Treatment Approach
The SIBO Testing Center’s naturopathic practitioner, Dr. Crane Holmes, specializes in SIBO Treatment
Dr. Holmes, ND believes that SIBO can be a major impact on one’s health and treatments need to address the cause. Most SIBO patients have a history of gastrointestinal issues like abdominal bloating, change of bowel habits, heartburn, abdominal pain, brain fog, and inability to tolerate many foods. If SIBO is affecting one’s health, here is his approach.
Thanks to internet resources, many people have tried various diets, supplements, and medications with varying degrees of relief, but for the most part, symptoms return. Not all treatments are created equally and diets do not always cure digestive complaints. Research also shows that after 3 months of following a low FODMAP diet, our gut microbiome becomes even more unbalanced which can cause similar GI symptoms to SIBO.
Dr. Holmes recognizes that dietary changes are difficult and stressful. Food is meant to be enjoyed, especially in social situations. Proper digestion is influenced by the rest and digest influence of the vagus nerve. Stress, if it’s from work, relationships, strenuous exercise, food fears or running away from a saber-toothed tiger, it all promotes a fight or flight response, which impairs digestion. His goal during SIBO treatment is to not overly restrict food choices to maintain quality of life while still achieving good health outcomes and promoting rest and digest.
He also believes that herbal treatment protocols can be as effective as pharmaceutical protocols for the treatment of SIBO. Herbs are less specific for treating bacteria, unlike antibiotics which treat specific strains of bacteria. Small intestine overgrowth isn’t always just bacterial overgrowth so using herbal therapies, or a mixture of pharmaceutical and herbal therapies can produce better outcomes. It is important to remember, not all supplements are created equally. Some are much safer and much more effective than others. It is important to consult with a doctor who specializes in SIBO before initiating treatments on your own.
The most important part of treating SIBO is addressing why overgrowth happened in the first place. Without understanding and treating the underlying risk factors, SIBO will come back. Dr. Holmes takes the time to dive deep into the why and provides time to explain how different risk factors can lead to developing overgrowth. With this unique understanding, he achieves much quicker health outcomes and resolution of GI symptoms.
During a new patient visit, Dr. Holmes will take the time to understand one’s full health history, treatments tried, risk factors for developing SIBO, and create a specific treatment plan keeping one’s finances in mind. Sometimes, small intestine overgrowth is just one piece of the health puzzle and may require digging a little deeper. Dr. Holmes will continue to consider other possibilities that can cause GI issues such as dental health, Lyme disease, viral infections, and mold exposures.
To learn more about Dr. Holmes visit his website, www.drcraneholmes.com.