By Karen Heslop
A lot of research has gone into establishing a relationship between having a healthy gut and maintaining good overall health. The question is though, how do you know if you have an unhealthy gut?
Well, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. The good news is that it’s never too late to make things right.
Typical Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
While changes in your health are not always related to your gut, these are some of the issues that you should never ignore.
Stomach trouble
If you’re experiencing persistent bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, it may mean that there’s something wrong with your gut. For example, an abundance of the wrong bacteria can cause fermentation to occur and produce excess gas. Other bacteria can lead to diarrhea.
Chronic fatigue
Studies have linked an unhealthy gut to chronic fatigue syndrome. Of course, other factors can affect this but if you can’t pin your exhaustion on anything else, it might be your gut.
Mood disorders
In other studies, having a healthy gut leads to having more stable moods and fewer issues with mental health problems. The opposite is true for an unhealthy gut.
Trouble concentrating
With the significant link between the gut and brain, it’s no surprise that having an unhealthy gut can affect your ability to focus.
Unexplained food cravings
It has been shown that people who don’t eat properly can experience cravings for certain foods. This is especially true of sugar.
Inexplicable weight changes
Researchers found completely different microbiomes when they compared those who were overweight and those who weren’t. According to health professionals, those who ate a predominantly Western diet were more likely to have the bacteria that favored being overweight.
Frequent skin irritations
An unhealthy gut can manifest in your skin. If you’ve noticed a recent flare-up of eczema or psoriasis, the problem could be in your gut.
Frequent migraines
Even if you’ve had migraines before, an unhealthy gut can make things worse.
A recent diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder
According to a recent study, a certain gut bacterium known as Bacteroides fragilis produces a protein that can spark autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
unhealthy gut
How to Improve Your Gut Health
One important aspect of improving your gut health will be modifying your diet. Eating the right foods will encourage the growth of good bacteria, which is the basis of good gut health. The ideal gut-friendly diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, prebiotics, probiotics, lean proteins, and healthy fats, as well as your recommended portion of water.
On the other hand, you’ll need to cut down on refined sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy fats. If there are specific foods that upset your digestive system, you should avoid those as well.
Bear in mind that your diet isn’t the only thing that affects a healthy gut. Studies show that other issues such as drinking too much alcohol, chronic stress, a lack of exercise, and too little sleep can all contribute to an unhealthy gut. It’s best to do what you can to remedy those problems while working on your diet.
Signs That It’s Not Just an Unhealthy Gut
As mentioned previously, some issues don’t only signal an unhealthy gut but a digestive disorder. If you experience any of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor quickly.
Stomach pain
Unexplained weight changes
Nausea and vomiting
Bleeding
Heartburn
Incontinence
Constipation
Diarrhea
Bloating
Trouble swallowing
This list is not exhaustive but it’s always a good idea to be concerned about significant changes in your digestive health.
Diseases Your Unhealthy Gut May be Tied To
Here are some conditions that persistent gut problems may point to.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract. Symptoms often include ongoing diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and blood in the stool. While occasional stomach issues are common, symptoms that last for weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is one of the most common digestive disorders. It doesn’t damage the intestines like IBD, but it can significantly affect quality of life. Signs include bloating, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both. Stress, certain foods, and changes in gut bacteria may trigger flare-ups.
Colorectal Cancer
Changes in bowel habits can sometimes be an early warning sign of colorectal cancer. Persistent constipation, diarrhea, pencil-thin stools, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or ongoing abdominal discomfort should never be ignored. Early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes.
Celiac Disease
For people with celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. Symptoms may include diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, anemia, unexplained weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies. Some people have very few digestive symptoms, making diagnosis more challenging.
Diverticular Disease
Small pouches can develop in the wall of the colon, especially as people age. When these pouches become inflamed or infected—a condition called diverticulitis—they can cause severe abdominal pain, fever, constipation, nausea, and changes in bowel habits.
Food Intolerances
Recurring digestive symptoms after eating dairy, gluten, or certain carbohydrates may point to a food intolerance rather than an allergy. Lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, and sensitivity to certain fermentable carbohydrates can all disrupt gut health and lead to chronic bloating and discomfort.
Liver Disease
Your gut and liver constantly communicate through what’s known as the gut-liver axis. An unhealthy gut may contribute to inflammation that affects the liver, while liver disease itself can cause digestive symptoms, including nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, and changes in bowel habits.
Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
Researchers are finding that an unhealthy gut microbiome may play a role in insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Although gut symptoms alone don’t diagnose these conditions, poor gut health is increasingly recognized as one factor that may influence metabolic health.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional digestive issues happen to everyone, but you should seek medical care if you experience:
Blood in your stool
Unexplained weight loss
Severe or persistent abdominal pain
Ongoing diarrhea or constipation lasting more than a few weeks
Difficulty swallowing
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Fatigue along with digestive symptoms
A family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
As a Black American, it’s definitely worth paying attention to what’s going on in your gut as research shows that Black people are becoming more at risk for developing certain digestive disorders such as Crohn’s Disease.
An unhealthy gut can have significant consequences on your health. If you’d like to take control of your wellness, it’s vital to do what you can to keep your gut happy. Of course, when making changes has no effect, it’s time to talk to your doctor.
