Time The Mysteries and Underdiagnosis of SIBO Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 24 March 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Time The Mysteries and Underdiagnosis of SIBO Mark Pimentel, MD, is director of the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Cedars-Sinai. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Time recently interviewed Mark Pimentel, MD, program director of the Medically Associated Science and Technology Program, about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and how his research has improved understanding of the condition in the medical community. SIBO is caused by the abnormal and prolific growth of bacteria or archaea—a single-celled organism—in the small intestine, and it could be the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). About 11% of people around the world have been identified as having IBS, a "wastebasket" verdict given to many patients with digestive symptoms such as bloating and discomfort. But SIBO often goes underdiagnosed, according to Time. Research conducted by Pimentel and his team at Cedars-Sinai characterized the bacteria in the small intestine, shedding light on SIBO. They also showed that SIBO is an underlying factor in IBS. The researchers also concluded that IBS is not a psychological disorder but an imbalance of the gut’s microbial community. Pimentel pioneered the use of rifaximin, an antibiotic prescribed for "travelers’ diarrhea," as a treatment for IBS and SIBO. But he credits complementary medicine with leading the way in developing treatments for these digestive disorders. “What’s interesting in the naturopathic community is that they tend to see patients that many Western physicians can’t sort out, and I think that was the case for IBS and SIBO in the beginning. The naturopathic community saw a lot of these patients and recognized the treatments sooner than Western medicine,” Pimentel told Time. As knowledge about SIBO and IBS spreads, thanks in part to Pimentel and his fellow researchers at Cedars-Sinai, more patients have sought treatment from physicians who can examine their digestive issues and give them a more specific diagnosis. Click here to read the complete article from Time. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release Time The Mysteries and Underdiagnosis of SIBO Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home