Orange County’s Leading SIBO Specialist

Get Expert Care, Locally, Nationally, or Abroad, with The Digestion Coach ™

Dr. Marcus Ettinger

Are you dealing with bloating, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, or constipation? Don’t settle for a holistic health coach with an online certificate. You need a SIBO expert. Have you been diagnosed with small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or do you suspect it’s causing your symptoms? To find out and get it handled correctly, you need the expertise of a trusted SIBO specialist.

With over 36+ years of experience as an SIBO specialist, Dr. Ettinger has helped hundreds of patients regain their digestive health. He is known for his expertise in functional medicine, advanced diagnostics, and personalized treatment strategies. He provides compassionate, results-driven care for those suffering from SIBO and other digestive disorders.

Why Choose Dr. Ettinger as Your SIBO Specialist?

Dr. Ettinger takes a holistic, root-cause approach to treating SIBO and addresses SIBO from cause to cure using advanced testing and proven protocols. His work as a SIBO specialist extends to the treatment of:

  • Methane and hydrogen-dominant SIBO
  • SIBO-C (constipation-predominant) and SIBO-D (diarrhea-predominant)
  • Complex, relapsing, and post-infectious SIBO
  • Pediatric SIBO
  • Polyol (sugar alcohol) induced SIBO
  • SIBO with visceral hypersensitivity and/or mast cell activation

Comprehensive GI Health Expertise

In addition to being a SIBO doctor, Dr. Ettinger is experienced in managing various other related gastrointestinal conditions, including H. pylori infections, Candida overgrowth, histamine intolerance (MCAS), food sensitivities, leaky gut syndrome, and malabsorption issues. His approach as a SIBO expert ensures tailored solutions for lasting results.

Start Your Journey to Health with Orange County’s Trusted SIBO Specialist

Take control of your digestive health today by scheduling a complimentary 15-minute consultation with Dr. Marcus Ettinger, a premier SIBO expert in Orange County. Experience the care and expertise you deserve on your path to optimal health.

COMPLEMENTARY 15-MINUTE CALL

Take your first step toward a renewed sense of well-being. Call today to arrange a complimentary 15-minute consultation.

Let’s discern whether my approach aligns with your needs.

I look forward to connecting with you at 714-639-4360.

 

Understanding Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

When you fast, your upper digestive system undergoes a cleansing process known as the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC). This is a series of muscle contractions that sweep through your stomach and small intestine. Two key players control this process: the hormone motilin and the vagus nerve.

The MMC acts like an “intestinal housekeeper,” keeping your small intestine clean by preventing excessive bacterial growth. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), a condition in which excessive bacteria accumulate in the small intestine (more than 100,000 colony-forming units per milliliter). Doctors diagnose SIBO using breath tests (with glucose or lactulose) or by taking samples directly from the small intestine.

Symptoms of SIBO

People with SIBO often experience:

  • Bloating in the belly
  • Diarrhea (about 80% of cases)
  • Constipation (about 20% of cases)
  • Abdominal pain

How the MMC Prevents SIBO

The MMC is crucial for controlling bacterial growth. Its regular contractions move food, debris, and bacteria from the small intestine to the large intestine, preventing harmful buildup. If the MMC doesn’t work properly—due to slow or absent contractions—it can lead to SIBO. Studies in rats show that when the MMC is disrupted, bacteria grow excessively and can even spread to other parts of the body.

The Role of Motilin

Motilin helps trigger the MMC, but there’s no clear evidence that it directly causes SIBO. One study found higher motilin levels in patients with scleroderma (a condition affecting connective tissue) and bacterial overgrowth, but more research is needed to understand this connection.

The Gut Microbiome and MMC Connection

Interestingly, the bacteria in your gut also affect how the MMC works. In rats without any gut bacteria (germ-free rats), the MMC has longer cycles and fewer contractions that reach the middle of the small intestine. This suggests that a lack of gut bacteria can weaken the MMC, possibly because the nerves controlling gut movement are less active. This suggests that gut bacteria and the MMC work together to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Why This Matters

The MMC and gut bacteria rely on each other to maintain a healthy small intestine. When this balance is off, conditions like SIBO can develop. As a SIBO expert, by studying the MMC, motilin, and gut bacteria, I can more effectively diagnose and treat SIBO, achieving lasting results.

As a SIBO specialist, Dr. Ettinger 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 a day and snacks in between?
  • Do you intermittent fast (IF)?
  • Do you alternate between loose bowels and constipation, or do you predominantly 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

SIBO Specialist Helpful Links

Protein Digestion and SIBO
SIBO from Cause to Cure
Sugar Alcohols and SIBO: In-Depth
Predisposing Factors that Cause SIBO
FODMAP Diet: What You Need to Know

Stress Affects Digestion: Phases of Digestion – Part 1 of the 5

IMO vs SIBO: Understanding Gut Health Issues and Treatments