Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
A small number of
patients with SIBO have chronic constipation rather than diarrhea. When the
overgrowth is severe and prolonged, the bacteria may interfere with the
digestion and/or absorption of food and deficiencies of vitamins and minerals may develop.
Weight loss also may
occur. Patients with SIBO sometimes also report symptoms that are unrelated to
the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms such as body aches or fatigue. The symptoms
of SIBO tend to be chronic. A typical patient with SIBO can experience symptoms
that fluctuate in intensity over months, years, or even decades before the
diagnosis is made.
At birth, there are no bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. During birth,
however, bacteria from the mother's colon and vagina are swallowed by
the infant, and, within a few weeks or months, they populate the infant's
gastrointestinal tract.
The relationship between normal intestinal bacteria and
their human host is complex. The relationship is symbiotic, which means that
each benefits from the other. The bacteria benefit from the warm, moist
environment of the small intestine that is ideal for growing as well as the constant
flow of food passing down the gastrointestinal tract. The human host benefits in
several ways. For example, the normal bacteria stimulate the growth of the
intestinal lining and the immune
system of the intestine. They prevent the growth of disease-causing bacteria
within the intestine. They produce vitamin K, which is absorbed and used by the
host. In fact, the bacteria are important even for the muscular activity of the
small intestine. Without bacteria, there is reduced muscular activity.
There is a delicate balance between the bacteria of the gastrointestinal
tract and the human host. The gastrointestinal tract, particularly the small
intestine, contains an extensive immune system. The immune system protects the
intestine from disease-causing viruses, bacteria, and parasites. (The effects of
the immune response have been experienced by anyone who has experienced
gastroenteritis.) The interesting fact is that the intestine does not attack the
normal bacteria within it, only disease-causing bacteria. Somehow, the intestine
becomes tolerant of the normal bacteria and does not mount an attack against
them. The intestine has other ways that may be important in protecting it from
bacteria, both normal and disease-causing. As mentioned previously, muscular
activity keeps the numbers of bacteria within the intestine at a low level.
Mucus that is secreted into the intestine coats the intestinal lining and
prevents the bacteria from touching the lining. The intestine secretes
antibodies that can block, and sometimes kill, bacteria as well as substances
that prevent the growth of bacteria. Finally, the lining of the intestine can
produce receptors for toxic substances produced by bacteria and can prevent the
substances from having their toxic effects.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth - Symptoms ExperiencedQuestion: Please describe the symptoms, and treatment of your small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease,
primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can
affect other parts of the digestive system as well. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss are
common symptoms.
Gas or "intestinal gas" means different things to different people. Everyone has gas and eliminates it by belching or farting (passing it through the rectum).
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
In lactose intolerance, the digestive system cannot digest lactose (the main sugar in milk). Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, abdominal distention, and nausea. There are several tests to diagnose lactose intolerance. Treatment is generally made with dietary changes, supplements, and adaptation to small amounts of milk.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common gastrointestinal disorder involving abnormal gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain,
bloating, mucous in stools, and irregular bowel habits with alternating diarrhea
and constipation, symptoms that tend to be chronic and to wax and wane over the
years. Treatment options include medication and lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress management to control symptoms. Also called spastic colitis, mucus colitis, nervous colon syndrome.
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body, leading to thickness and firmness of involved areas. Scleroderma is also referred to as systemic sclerosis, and the cause is unknown. Treatment of scleroderma is directed toward the individual features that are most troubling to the patient.
Dyspepsia (indigestion) is a functional disease in which the gastrointestinal organs, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine, function abnormally. It is a chronic disease in which the symptoms fluctuate infrequency and intensity. Symptoms of dyspepsia include upper abdominal pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, early satiety, and abdominal distention (swelling). These symptoms are most often provoked by eating.
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