The ileocecal valve is a small, muscular valve that separates the ileum (the last portion of the small intestine) from the cecum (the beginning of the large intestine). It plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of intestinal contents between these two sections of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
When someone has SIBO, the ileocecal valve stays open or stuck in the open position allowing bacteria to move from the large intestines into the small intestines where bacteria don’t belong. In today’s article, I will explain what the ileocecal valve is, why the ileocecal valve gets stuck, the symptoms of a stuck ileocecal valve, and lastly what you should do if you have SIBO.
Hey everybody, Dr. Hagmeyer here, and today we are talking about the Ileocecal valve-What it does, Why it’s important, Symptoms that occur when the IC valve is stuck open, Why it gets stuck open, How it relates to IBS, SIBO, and many other GI disorders and finally 3 scenarios you should be aware of that correlate with IC valve dysfunction. Let’s start unpacking some of these important concepts- before I forget to mention- If after watching today’s video, you think you have a problem with your IC valve-
I shot a video a while back that explains a step-by-step process on “How to massage the ileocecal valve” This technique also called “Ileocecal Valve Release Technique” how you do it, and how long you should do it for. So you can go back and watch that.
So….. what is the ileocecal valve and why it is so important- if you look at this picture, the Ileocecal Valve separates the small intestines (orange areas) from the large intestines(darker red area). It is located in the lower right quadrant of your belly-
If you were to draw a vertical line through your belly and a horizontal line through your belly you would end up with 4 quadrants- the lower right quadrant- that’s the location of where you can find the IC valve it also the quadrant where you find the appendix.
Many people will have pain in this region and think it’s the appendix. If you can jump up and down without pain- it’s probably not your appendix- its probably your IC valve that is causing pain. But my disclaimer here is that this video is for informational purposes and is not for diagnosis. If you have signs of fever, nausea, vomiting, and jumping causes pain- you should go see your doctor and rule out an appendix.
So What Does The IleoCecal Valve Do?
The normal function of the ileocecal is to function like a trap door between small and large intestines- opening and closing at the appropriate time. Most of the time it remains closed, opening only when food is ready to pass from the small intestine into the large intestine for further digestion.
When food pushes against this valve and the small intestines distend a reflex is created, It opens briefly to allow the contents of the small intestine to exit into the large intestine. After food has moved through the ileocecal sphincter (valve), it closes again quickly to prevent contents of the large intestine from leaking back into the small intestine. That’s what should happen!
With SIBO and many other functional GI problems, the ileocecal valve becomes stuck or doesn’t completely seal closed. If it stays stuck in the open position too long, or spasms it can cause your typical SIBO symptoms.
Functions of the Ileocecal Valve (Summary)
1. Content Regulation: The ileocecal valve ensures that food and waste material moves in a one-way direction from the small intestine to the large intestine. This helps prevent the backflow of colonic contents into the small intestine.
2. Prevention of Bacterial Backflow: The valve acts as a barrier to prevent the backward flow of bacteria from the colon into the small intestine, where such bacteria are normally found in much lower concentrations.
3. Nutrient Absorption: By controlling the passage rate from the small to the large intestine, the ileocecal valve assists in maximizing nutrient absorption in the small intestine by allowing sufficient time for digestive processes.
In a study done in Digestive Diseases and Science, researchers wanted to find out if pressure (high or low) in the small intestines was related to intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and if it could be correlated with a positive lactulose breath test. As you already may know, SIBO is diagnosed with a special test called the hydrogen and methane breath test
In this study, they used a WMC (wireless motility capsule) a pill that patients swallowed and it records the pressures and PH of the region where the small and large intestines meet.
What they found was that that patients with a lower pressure and open valve, had positive lactulose breath test readings but they also had symptoms of fullness during meals, gas, and bloating. They also noticed that patients with a higher pressure had negative lactulose breath readings and those patients denied having any gastrointestinal symptoms and complaints. The results of these studies show us that an open ileocecal valve is highly related to SIBO- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (*).
The researchers concluded that malfunction of the ileocecal valve is a “prominent player in intestinal disorders” and should be considered in patients struggling with gastrointestinal complaints.
Symptoms of A Stuck Ileocecal Valve
Think you might have a bad Ileocecal valve? Identifying a stuck ileocecal valve can be challenging since the signs and symptoms often mimic other gastrointestinal conditions. Let me give you three scenarios that I think are good indicators that you have a problem with a stuck ileocecal valve.
- Do you feel pressure under your ribs, or pain to the right of your belly button angled about 45 degrees-
- Do you have mid to upper back pain or pain that wraps around the right side of your back?
- Do you have pain that radiates to your right shoulder? (While this could also be a gall bladder problem it may also be the ileocecal valve)
If you answered yes to any of these- after watching today’s video, I recommend that you go watch a video I did on “How to release the ileocecal valve” through a self-massage technique and see if it helps- If it does then that only increases our suspicion of an IC valve problem.
Other Problems With Ileocecal Valve Dysfunction
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, particularly in the lower right quadrant
- Bloating or abdominal distension, often worse after meals
- Changes in bowel habits, including alternating constipation and diarrhea
- Fatigue or general malaise
- Excessive gas or flatulence
- Gurgling or audible digestive sounds
- Chronic digestive issues that don’t respond to typical treatments
- Nausea or occasional vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss or difficulty gaining weight
- Nutrient deficiencies due to malabsorption
- A feeling of incomplete bowel movements
- Increased sensitivity to certain foods, particularly those high in fiber or fat
So, If you suspect you have a problem with the ileocecal valve, I suggest you start with massaging the ileocecal valve, but be sure to rule out other problems such as appendix, or if you are a woman problems with your ovaries. See my video titled, “How When and Where To Massage the Ileocecal Valve”
Why The Ileocecal Valve Gets Stuck Open
The last thing I want to share with you today is some of the causes and reasons why the IleoCecal valve may have developed a problem.
The Ileocecal valve can be disrupted through a number of mechanisms (they are all somewhat related). Remember that the ileocecal valve is a muscular sphincter– and these muscles receive signals from surrounding nerves. Some of the things I think about when I suspect a stuck Ileocecal valve dysfunction will also be things that I think about when it comes to motility issues. There are many things to consider here and certain kinds of functional testing can help here.
#1 Neurological insult- something is interfering with the MMC- Migrating Motor complex, cleansing waves, or the pacemaker cells. These are the cells that control intestinal contractions.
#2 Post-infectious IBS– This occurs after a bout of food poisoning. Antibody/ autoimmune reaction to Vinculin– which is a protein that functions in the MMC.
#3 A bout of food poisoning from E.coli, Salmonella, Shigella, or Campylobacter- all of these bacteria produce a toxin called Cdt-B toxin (Cytolethal Distending Toxin B (see the video that explains this in or more detail)
#4 PH of the ileum and colon– PH of the ileum can affect motility- stool testing.
#5 Levels of Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)- low levels of SCFA can also affect motility and in another video, I will explain why testing PH, SCFA, and other functional stool markers are so important. But for right now just understand that both (PH and SCFA) affect intestinal emptying and motility.
#6 Bloating– the very nature of bloating will cause the valve to stay open or go into spasms-
#7 Emptying and filling of the Gall Bladder– this is tied into the migrating motor complex
#8 STRESS- Fight or Flight response to Stress involves the Vagus Nerve– we know that stress puts our bodies in a sympathetic dominant state as opposed to parasympathetic- Digestion is a parasympathetic dominant state and you never want to eat when stressed when you eat during times of acute stress, blood flow moves away from the organs of digestion where they are needed. Finally
#9 Medications– cannabis, alcohol, pain medications.
My SIBO Recovery Program Is a Great Place to Start
If you are frustrated with going from one doctor to the next and tired of your SIBO relapsing, Consider my SIBO Recovery Program. More laxatives, another round of Rifaximin and Neomycin is not the answer. Living on Loperamide (Imodium) and following a Low FODMAP diet is not an answer either!
My IBS/SIBO/SIFO Recovery Program is a Natural Treatment for people with IBS and other GI-related problems that addresses the many Root causes. Our office implements Advanced Functional lab Testing, Natural Medicine/supplements as well as nutritional/dietary counseling tailored specifically to you.
- To See If my program is right for you schedule a Free 15-minute consultation here
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