Conditions
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, sits behind a great deal of stubborn bloating, reflux and IBS-type symptoms. Amina has presented to practitioners across Australia on the disordered gut.
Book a ConsultationSIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is one of the most common hidden drivers of bloating, reflux and IBS-type symptoms. When bacteria that belong further down the digestive tract overgrow in the small intestine, the result is fermentation, gas, discomfort and a knock-on effect on how well you absorb your food.
Amina Eastham-Hillier has a long-standing clinical interest in the disordered gut and has presented to naturopaths and doctors across Australia on small intestinal dysbiosis. Her work here is supportive naturopathic care alongside your medical team.
Why SIBO is so often missed, and why it returns
SIBO hides behind an "IBS" label for many people. The symptoms (bloating, gas after meals, changeable bowel habits) are easy to dismiss, and standard investigations can look normal.
Just as importantly, SIBO frequently comes back when the underlying drivers are not addressed. These can include:
- Slow gut motility and a sluggish migrating motor complex
- Low stomach acid or reduced digestive enzymes
- Past gut infections or food poisoning
- Scar tissue, structural factors and nervous-system (vagal) influences
How Amina supports patients with SIBO
Rather than simply suppressing symptoms, Amina works to understand and support the terrain so the gut can function as it should. Her supportive approach considers:
- Digestive capacity, including stomach acid and enzymes
- Motility and the migrating motor complex, the gut's natural housekeeping wave
- Gut-lining integrity with soothing, restorative nutrients
- Targeted antimicrobial herbal support where appropriate
- Diet, tailored to you rather than a rigid one-size-fits-all plan
- The gut-brain connection, including vagal tone and stress
Working together
Most patients begin with a thorough initial consultation and, where it helps, functional testing. From there you will have a clear plan and ongoing review, with the aim of lasting relief rather than a short-term fix.
If your gut has been "a bit off" for years and nothing has stuck, this is exactly the kind of case Amina works with.
Common questions
Good to know
SIBO is an increased number, or abnormal type, of bacteria in the small intestine, where there should be relatively few. It overlaps with SIFO (fungal overgrowth) and broader small intestinal microbial dysbiosis. Diagnosis is a medical matter; Amina provides naturopathic support.
Often, yes. A SIBO breath test (measuring hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulphide) and comprehensive stool testing can add real clarity. Amina helps you decide what, if anything, is worth testing for your situation.
Recurrence is common when the underlying drivers, such as slow gut motility, a sluggish migrating motor complex, low stomach acid or past gut infections, are not addressed. That root-cause focus is central to how Amina works.
Yes. Most gut-health patients consult with Amina online or by phone, Australia-wide and internationally, with in-clinic appointments in Pomona by arrangement.
Ready to find some answers?
Book an initial consultation with Amina, online, by phone or in-clinic on the Sunshine Coast.