The food we eat goes down a long winding digestive tract stretching from the mouth to about the nave. The digestive tract protects the body from allergens, bacteria, fungi and parasites but hormonal changes, chronic stress, certain medications, long-term use of antibiotics, spicy food, smoking, and alcohol can lead to changes in gut biochemistry. This, in turn, can disrupt the gut lining and actually cause nutrients and other partially digested substances to leak, i.e. pass through to the bloodstream. This disruption is known as leaky gut syndrome. When the immune system comes in contact with these “leaked” toxic substances, it tries to attack and destroy them, triggering an autoimmune response.
Many gastroenterologists believe that inflammation begins in the gut by causing a change in “gut microbiota” or gut flora i.e. disturbing the balance of good and bad bacteria in the belly.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include joint pain, brain fog, fatigue, bloating, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, irregular stools, problems like constipation or diarrhoea. Autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis can also be a result of a leaky gut.
It would be a good idea to consult a doctor, who may suggest a few tests, like a stool test for malabsorption, blood tests for infection, or a breath hydrogen test to assess bacterial load.
Eating a healthy high fibre diet and avoiding processed food helps improve your metabolism and reduces the chances of having any digestive disease
Dealing with stomach pain, ulcers, heartburn, reflux, constipation or other digestive disorders is stressful for any individual. Some digestive diseases are severe, lasting only for short period, while others are chronic and long lasting. Common digestive diseases include constipation, food intolerance, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids and pancreatitis amongst others. Symptoms may include bloating, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain, and stomach cramps.
Cure
While there are medications and treatments to cure these digestive diseases, following simple steps like maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not taking too much stress etc can improve your digestive dilemma.
Test
Leaky gut syndrome, a condition that occurs when the gut lining becomes abnormally permeable (known as “intestinal hyperpermeability”), is diagnosed (through a leaky gut test) when tiny gateway openings develop between your intestines and bloodstream, allowing things to pass through that are normally blocked