As science and research surrounding the stomach and gut advances, we learn more about a condition known as leaky gut. Leaky gut is becoming a popular topic on social media as patients share their experiences, symptoms, treatment and management options that help. Despite how many suffer from leaky gut and the severity of symptoms, many medical professionals and doctors fail to recognize leaky gut as a real condition. Luckily, research around leaky gut is continuing to grow past the more basic sciences and advancing to in-depth understandings of what this syndrome is and how to help it. This guide examines the most common symptoms associated with leaky gut, how to know if you’re suffering from this condition, and what your treatment and management options are from there. Read on to learn more.
What is Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut is a digestive condition occurring in the lining of the intestines. Many medical professionals prefer to refer to leaky gut as increased intestinal permeability. Here’s how leaky gut works. Your stomach contains your intestines, which contain extensive areas of lining and walls that protect your intestines and also protects your bloodstream. When you eat food, it’s digested partially and transported through your intestines. With a regular, healthy intestinal wall, your food passes through and turns into waste that’s excreted and nutrition that’s absorbed by the body. However, for those with leaky gut, the intestinal wall contains cracks, gaps, and holes. This allows some of the partially digested food and toxins to exit the intestines and absorb into the bloodstream. Not only is this uncomfortable, painful, and harms digestion, but it can influence the bacteria in your gut. You can experience inflammation, issues with digestion, and more.
Common Leaky Gut Symptoms
If you experience discomfort or symptoms involving your gut often, you may have leaky gut. Here are the most common leaky gut symptoms to look out for. Repeating or chronic diarrhea, constipation, and bloating Fatigue Head related pain Confusion Lack of focus and difficulty concentrating Increased acne, rashes, eczema, and other skin related issues Pain in the joints Inflammation Lack of nutrition Many of these symptoms are also associated with other conditions, so it’s important to understand the causes and risk factors of leaky gut as well.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
Unfortunately, there is no single determined cause for leaky gut. Researchers haven’t isolated one cause that leads to gaps in the intestinal walls and leaky gut syndrome, but there are a few links that demonstrate risk factors surrounding leaky gut. Below are a few of the most common risk factors. Frequent alcohol consumption Malnutrition Autoimmune disorders Diabetes Unaddressed stress Infections
Best Ways to Soothe and Manage Leaky Gut
Nutrition
What you put into your body is one of the most significant factors in managing leaky gut and alleviating symptoms. Here are a few dietary changes that can help soothe leaky gut. First, it’s important to replenish gut bacteria regularly. Since leaky gut can disrupt your gut bacteria, be sure to incorporate probiotics into your diet on a regular basis. It can also be helpful to eat more prebiotic fibers, like those found in whole grains and vegetables. Eating foods like meat, dairy, and eggs may lead to a flare up and irritate leaky gut more. Avoiding these foods is a great way to prevent discomfort and pain associated with leaky gut! In addition to these foods, avoid lots of sugar and artificial sweeteners. Overall, aim for a healthy, balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruits.
Exercise
Exercise is another important factor that can help you manage leaky gut and soothe symptoms. Get regular exercise and be sure to get sufficient sleep at night to let your body rest and recover. Intense exercise isn’t required, as even moderate exercise can help when regular.
Mental Health
It may come as a surprise, but taking care of your mental health can actually help improve leaky gut! Addressing and soothing stress, getting enough sleep, and taking care of your mind can help you manage leaky gut and reduce some symptoms.
Learning to Live with Leaky Gut
If you live with leaky gut, don’t worry. While research surrounding this condition is still progressing and doctors haven’t fully accepted leaky gut, there are a few tips that can help you soothe and manage leaky gut. Plus, most of them are easy to achieve with a few lifestyle changes!
