Are you experiencing chronic digestive issues like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation? Have you been diagnosed with small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or suspect that you may have this condition? If so, it’s time to see Dr. Marcus Ettinger, SIBO specialist in Orange County.

Dr. Ettinger is a highly experienced and trusted SIBO specialist who has been helping patients in Orange County and around the world for over 34 years. With his extensive knowledge and expertise in functional medicine; human and quantum biology; as well as nutritional support for GI-related conditions, Dr. Ettinger has successfully treated thousands of patients with SIBO and other digestive disorders.

As a leading SIBO specialist in Orange County, Dr. Ettinger takes a holistic approach to patient care. He believes in addressing the root cause of SIBO and other digestive issues, rather than just treating the symptoms. He utilizes a wide range of diagnostic tests and personalized treatment plans to help his patients achieve optimal digestive and systemic health.

If you’re looking for a SIBO specialist who truly understands the complexities of this condition, Dr. Ettinger is the answer. He specializes in treating both methane-dominant and hydrogen-dominant SIBO, as well as SIBO-C and SIBO-D. He also has extensive experience in treating complex cases of SIBO, relapsing SIBO, pediatric SIBO, and post-infectious SIBO.

Dr. Ettinger is also a trusted specialist for other complex GI conditions such as H. pylori, candida overgrowth, histamine intolerance, food sensitivities, and malabsorption issues like leaky gut.

With his commitment to patient care and thoroughness, Dr. Ettinger is the go-to SIBO specialist in Orange County. Don’t let SIBO hold you back any longer – schedule a complementary 15-minute consultation with Dr. Ettinger today and start your journey toward optimal digestive health.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Marcus Ettinger, the SIBO specialist in Orange County, please call (714) 639-4360 today.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

During the fasting state, the upper gastrointestinal tract exhibits a specific periodic migrating contraction pattern that is known as the migrating motor complex (MMC). This mechanism is controlled via the hormone motilin and the vagus nerve.

The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) has been considered an “intestinal housekeeper” that prevents SIBO. SIBO is usually determined by glucose or lactulose breath test, or by aspirate cultures from the small intestine, and is defined by the presence of excessive (>10⁵ colony forming units/ml) bacterial growth in the small intestine. Common symptoms associated with SIBO are abdominal bloating, diarrhea (80%), constipation (20%), and abdominal pain. One of the main contributors to the development of SIBO is small intestinal dysmotility. It has been shown repeatedly that an absent or disordered pattern of the MMC is associated with SIBO. Moreover, disruption of the MMC in rats has shown that an absent MMC predisposes to both bacterial growth and translocation, indicating that the MMC is an important mechanism in controlling bacterial flora in the small intestine. No direct involvement of motilin has been reported in the development of SIBO. One paper reported on increased motilin plasma levels in scleroderma patients with bacterial overgrowth, but the clinical significance thereof is unclear. The protective effect of the MMC against SIBO is probably due to the migrating band of small intestinal contractions that clear out the luminal content toward the lower intestines.

Although the MMC is necessary to control the growth of bacterial flora in the small intestine, SIBO, the gut microbiome also plays a role in the functionality of the MMC. Germ-free rats have been reported to have longer cycle lengths and fewer activity fronts that reach the midpoint. It has been suggested that this decreased motility in germ-free animals is caused by the reduced excitability of neurons in the myenteric plexus. It seems that a delicate balance needs to be maintained between the intestinal flora and the MMC to maintain a healthy gut. Redefining the functional roles of the gastrointestinal migrating motor complex and motilin in small bacterial overgrowth and hunger signaling

As a SIBO specialist I will ask you important questions to discover “if” and “why” you might have SIBO:

• Do you burp more than you think you should?
• Do you feel pain under your left rib cage?
• Do you eat three meals per day and snacks in between meals?
• Do you intermittent fast (IF)?
• Do you alternate between loose bowels and constipation, or do you predominately experience constipation or diarrhea?
• Do you take a daily probiotic or fiber supplement?
• Do you fall asleep quickly?
• Do you exercise regularly?
• Do you eat, drink or use sugar-free products (gum, drinks, food, toothpaste…) daily?
• Did you recently have food poisoning or were you on a course of antibiotics?
• Are you an anxious or stressed person?
• Do you take enzymes or HCL with meals?
• Did you have a glucose or lactulose breath test?
• Do you have or have you ever had gallstones?
• Do you regularly spend time in the sun?
• Do you have any underlying health conditions or risk factors such as celiac disease, diabetes, or Crohn’s disease…?
• Have you traveled outside the country?
• Do you take or have you taken PPIs for a prolonged duration?
• Have you had any recent surgeries?

Associated Symptoms or Conditions:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Acid reflux
• Leaky gut
• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Food intolerances
• Autoimmune diseases
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Celiac disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Fibromyalgia
• Rosacea
• Restless leg syndrome
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Other Skin Diseases – Psoriasis, Eczema, Rashes, Acne

Helpful Links and References:

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, IBS, Dysbiosis, SIBO
What Is SIBO and How Might It Affect Your Mental Health? – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) could be causing your anxiety.
Personality, Anxiety, and Stress in Patients with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome. The Polish Preliminary Study
Antimicrobial treatment improves tryptophan metabolism and mood of patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth