5 Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut & Ways To Improve It

Finally, a trend we can fully get behind– gut health. As more people begin to understand the importance of gut health, the stronger the desire to heal your digestive health has become. Each year, roughly 70 million Americans are affected by digestive issues. Balancing your gut microbiome is the first step in achieving a healthier body.

Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut

An unhealthy gut may present itself in ways you may not associate with your digestive health. It can lead to complications in your overall well-being that may cause you to feel uncomfortable, fatigued, and sluggish. At Birmingham Gastroenterology, we want to ensure you’re getting care for diseases and disorders of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas. Here are five symptoms that might indicate an unhealthy gut and what to do about it.

1. Stomach Discomfort

Everyone experiences the occasional upset stomach, gas bubble, or bloating episode. However, if you are experiencing persistent stomach discomfort, there may be an underlying issue. An unhealthy gut may lead to greater difficulty digesting food and eliminating waste. This is often one of the first signs of an unhealthy gut, as your body is physically alerting you something is wrong. 

2. Fatigue Or Sleep Disturbances

Have you noticed changes in your sleeping patterns or a feeling of looming fatigue? Research

indicates that an imbalance in gut bacteria may be linked to fragmented sleep and short sleep duration, which could be the cause of chronic fatigue. This disruption in your natural circadian rhythm can lead to sleep deprivation, possibly causing other health conditions.

3. Unintentional Weight Gain Or Weight Loss

Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms. A bacterial imbalance can lead to unintentional weight gain or loss irrespective of changes in your diet or daily food intake. Due to this imbalance, your body may have difficulty absorbing nutrients, or vice versa may cause an insulin imbalance. 

4. Skin Conditions

If you begin to experience skin irritation or conditions that seem to have a quick onset, it may be in part to an unhealthy gut reaction. Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis can be related to the types of bacteria present in the gut. Foods that promote unhealthy gut bacteria include those high in saturated fats and refined sugars.

5. Mood And Mental Health

The phrase “gut feeling” is no coincidence. Inflammation in your nervous system and gut problems are directly linked to increased levels of anxiety and depression. The main reason for this is the majority of serotonin and about half of our dopamine is made in our gut. When your gut isn’t performing naturally, it can lead to unbalanced hormone levels and emotions. 

Tips For Healing An Unhealthy Gut

It’s clear that gut health influences your overall physical and mental health. Not only can healing your gut give you more energy and improve digestion, but it can also help fight off infections, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If you are looking for somewhere to start improving your overall health, taking a closer look at your gut may be a perfect place to start. We have compiled tips to help heal your unhealthy gut:

1. Reduce or remove inflammatory foods
2. Check for food sensitivities and intolerances
3. Take a prebiotic or probiotic
4. Exercise daily
5. Identify and eliminate trigger foods
6. Reduce levels of stress
7. Eat gut-friendly foods such as:
   1. Kefir
   2. Miso
   3. Sauerkraut
   4. Kimchi
   5. Almonds
   6. Olive Oil
   7. Kombucha
   8. Brussel sprouts
   9. Ginger

If you are looking for ways to improve your gut health or digestion, Birmingham Gastroenterology can help. We have decades of experience treating diseases and disorders in all parts of the digestive system. To make an appointment to discuss your symptoms and treatment options or ask questions about ways to improve an unhealthy gut, call us at (205) 271-8000.