A lot of research has gone into establishing a relationship between having a healthy gut and maintaining good overall health. The question is though, how do you know if you have an unhealthy gut?
Well, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. The good news is that it’s never too late to make things right.
Typical Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
While changes in your health are not always related to your gut, these are some of the issues that you should never ignore.
Stomach trouble
If you’re experiencing persistent bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, it may mean that there’s something wrong with your gut. For example, an abundance of the wrong bacteria can cause fermentation to occur and produce excess gas. Other bacteria can lead to diarrhea.
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Chronic fatigue
Studies have linked an unhealthy gut to chronic fatigue syndrome. Of course, other factors can affect this but if you can’t pin your exhaustion on anything else, it might be your gut.
Mood disorders
In other studies, having a healthy gut leads to having more stable moods and fewer issues with mental health problems. The opposite is true for an unhealthy gut.
Trouble concentrating
With the significant link between the gut and brain, it’s no surprise that having an unhealthy gut can affect your ability to focus.
Unexplained food cravings
It has been shown that people who don’t eat properly can experience cravings for certain foods. This is especially true of sugar.
Inexplicable weight changes
Researchers found completely different microbiomes when they compared those who were overweight and those who weren’t. According to health professionals, those who ate a predominantly Western diet were more likely to have the bacteria that favored being overweight.
Frequent skin irritations
An unhealthy gut can manifest in your skin. If you’ve noticed a recent flare-up of eczema or psoriasis, the problem could be in your gut.
Frequent migraines
Even if you’ve had migraines before, an unhealthy gut can make things worse.
A recent diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder
According to a recent study, a certain gut bacterium known as Bacteroides fragilis produces a protein that can spark autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
How to Improve Your Gut Health
One important aspect of improving your gut health will be modifying your diet. Eating the right foods will encourage the growth of good bacteria, which is the basis of good gut health. The ideal gut-friendly diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, prebiotics, probiotics, lean proteins, and healthy fats, as well as your recommended portion of water.
On the other hand, you’ll need to cut down on refined sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy fats. If there are specific foods that upset your digestive system, you should avoid those as well.
Bear in mind that your diet isn’t the only thing that affects a healthy gut. Studies show that other issues such as drinking too much alcohol, chronic stress, a lack of exercise, and too little sleep can all contribute to an unhealthy gut. It’s best to do what you can to remedy those problems while working on your diet.
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Signs That It’s Not Just an Unhealthy Gut
As mentioned previously, some issues don’t only signal an unhealthy gut but a digestive disorder. If you experience any of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor quickly.
- Stomach pain
- Unexplained weight changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding
- Heartburn
- Incontinence
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Trouble swallowing
This list is not exhaustive but it’s always a good idea to be concerned about significant changes in your digestive health. Some of the possible disorders include gallstones, cholangitis, Crohn’s Disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), among many others.
As a Black American, it’s definitely worth paying attention to what’s going on in your gut as research shows that Black people are becoming more at risk for developing certain digestive disorders such as Crohn’s Disease.
An unhealthy gut can have significant consequences on your health. If you’d like to take control of your wellness, it’s vital to do what you can to keep your gut happy. Of course, when making changes has no effect, it’s time to talk to your doctor.
