Here's What an "Unhealthy Gut" Feels Like, Say Physicians

Anyone who's had tummy troubles knows how uncomfortable, painful and embarrassing it can be. An estimated 60-70 million Americans have digestive related issues according to News in Health and stomach problems can become a chronic condition that can be a struggle to treat. Diet and lifestyle choices can play a major role in gut health, but other factors like stress and genetics also contribute to the well-being of our digestive tract. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who explain what an unhealthy gut is and signs you have one. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Mahmud Kara, MD Internal Medicine shares, "If you have an unhealthy gut, it means there is an imbalance in bacteria, or a disruption in the ecosystem, which can lead to an imbalance in brain function overtime. An imbalance in the gut microbiome can disrupt the normal production of hormones and neurotransmitters that impact our mood and state of mind and it can also lead to chronic inflammation." 

According to Dr. Kara, "The gut contains millions of neurons that interact with other parts of the body beyond just the digestive tract. Think about it, when we are developing in the womb everything is connected by one long tube. As we develop, that tube may expand into a more complex system but the underlying connection still remains. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

One of the most important connections in the gut-brain axis (GBA). 

The gut-brain axis has three important components: 

• The Nervous System 
  • All of the body's commands come from neurons, which can be found in the brain and the gut. The neurons that are located in different parts of the body communicate with each other through a set of nerves (i.e. our nervous system). 
• Neurotransmitters 
  • Neurotransmitters are chemicals that connect the brain with the gut. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has a big impact on mood, is produced in both the brain and the goat Interestingly, 80% of serotonin is produced by the gut. 
• Gut Microbes & Chemicals 
  • There are trillions of microbes in the gut that make up the overall microbiome. These microbes can affect how the brain works. Let's look at the example of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that are produced in the gut; one of their functions in the brain is promoting memory formation. SCFA's are one of the byproducts produced but the gut microbiome. 

Together, these components work to form the gut-brain axis." 

Dr. Kara explains, "Gut health is the cornerstone of total wellness. The gut microbiome is one of the largest and most important microbiomes in the body. It contains millions of neurons that interact with other parts of the body beyond just the digestive tract. More and more evidence has shown that the gut microbiome directly affects the brain. As mentioned before, if you are suffering from poor gut health, it can lead to some of the cognitive symptoms often associated with mental health conditions." 

"Gut health conditions, like Crohn's Disease, Celiac, etc. can cause a general disruption in the overall microbiome, causing problems between the gut-brain connection and issues with our cognitive health," Dr. Kara reveals. "For example, research is uncovering a strong association between the state of your gut-brain axis and depressive disorders."

"Gut health conditions, like Crohn's Disease, Celiac, etc. can cause a general disruption in the overall microbiome, causing problems between the gut-brain connection and issues with our cognitive health," Dr. Kara reveals. "For example, research is uncovering a strong association between the state of your gut-brain axis and depressive disorders."

Dr. Kara says, "Some of the physical symptoms patients describe that are linked to having an unhealthy gut include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea 
• Constipation
• Bloating or abdominal discomfort
• Irregular bowel movements 

If a patient is suffering from an unhealthy gut, they may describe having the following cognitive symptoms, as well: 

• Poor concentration
• Brain fog
• Memory issues
• Low energy
• Headaches" 

Dr. Kara explains, "If you are suffering from an unhealthy gut, your mental health might be affected, during your daily life, as well. More and more evidence has shown that the gut microbiome directly affects the brain. If we dive deeper into the world of mental health, we can look at this connection using anxiety as a specific example. As mentioned earlier, our brain and our gut communicate through neurotransmitters that travel through our nervous system. When anxiety hits, your body is bombarded with these chemical messengers–it's part of the 'fight or flight' response that has protected us for centuries. This can lead to physical symptoms during our daily life that are often associated with anxiety, such as diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal discomfort. Overtime, these factors can lead to specific mental health conditions, such as Alzheimer's or Dementia which have been linked to chronic inflammation in the brain, or make existing conditions worse. On the flip side, this same gut-brain axis can work in our favor. I've always said, 'it all starts in the gut,' which means that if you can improve your digestive health then you can improve in other areas–one of which is your overall mental health." And to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.