Could You Have A Leaky Gut Without Knowing It?
So many of the health issues we face and the symptoms we too often chase are sourced in the gut. Many of these issues can be traced back to a condition called “leaky gut” that affects millions of Americans and if left undiagnosed and untreated can wreak havoc on the body in many ways. However, too many people don’t know what leaky gut is, what the signs are, or how to heal it. That’s what we’re going to try to cover today.
What Is Leaky Gut?
Your gut is the center of digestion for your body. It’s filled with healthy bacteria and cells to combat infectious agents and toxins. It also communicates with the brain to ensure healthy digestion and allow you to feel full and hungry along with identifying any problems along the way.
The lining of the gut is supposed to be nice and thick, however infections, an unhealthy diet, bad bacteria, the overuse of medications, and other factors can cause inflammation. This inflammation can destroy the lining of the gut and leave it weak and vulnerable. As a result of this weakening, microscopic holes form in the gut which enable large particles to go through the lining of the gut into the bloodstream.
When these particles get into the bloodstream they can cause all sorts of problems in the body.
What Are The Signs?
When these holes in your gut start letting foreign particles into your bloodstream, the body does what it believes it’s supposed to do, which is attack! This can cause further inflammation, but also create new food sensitivities. When your body recognizes these particles as foreign invaders, it will try to prevent your body from taking them in at all, causing your body to react poorly anytime you eat or even come in contact with that food.
In addition, a leaky gut can cause nutritional deficiencies which can lead to a host of other problems. This can make leaky gut hard to identify if you’re not familiar with it because it can look like a host of unrelated symptoms which could include:
- Chronic diarrhea, constipation, or bloating
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Hyperthyroidism
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Skin problems, such as acne, rashes, or eczema
- Joint pain
For this reason, it’s important to work with a health practitioner who is familiar with leaky gut and can help you understand if this is what’s going on in your body.
What Can You Do?
As a practitioner within the field of functional medicine, I’ve been aware of, and advocating the importance of the gastrointestinal system for overall health for years - long before it became fashionable to talk about gut health as the next big wellness trend.
The biggest reason why functional medicine is the most effective way to achieve optimal health is because we don’t just chase symptoms, we look for root causes so we can find lasting solutions.
One of the best things you can do is schedule a one-on-one consultation with me. As a functional medicine practitioner who has spent my career researching the gastrointestinal system, I have a unique insight into the way the gut works and what the problems are that can plague it. We can run tests and go over your personal health history and symptoms to help figure out exactly what’s going on in your body.
From there, I’m committed to coming up with a personalized health plan for you that will optimize your health, address your specific needs, and get you feeling better than you ever have. Reach out to my office today and schedule an initial consult today.