Our digestive system plays a crucial role in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients for producing energy. The gut, or stomach as it is called in simple terms, is where food is temporarily stored during the process. Certain harmful foods or lifestyle habits can affect the working of this organ, leading to severe complications in some people. The following are a few common signs of an unhealthy gut to look out for.

Constipation or diarrhea
An unhealthy gut can change the consistency and frequency of a person’s stools. Repeated cases of constipation (irregular bowel movements) or diarrhea (loose, watery stools) indicate the stomach is facing trouble processing food or experiencing microbial imbalance. Generally, people are advised to see a doctor if these symptoms last more than seven days and the frequency of passing stools rises considerably. Constipation and diarrhea can interfere with a person’s daily routine, so one should not delay visiting an expert.

A lack of sleep
Insomnia is a health condition where people find it hard to sleep at night. As a result, they feel tired throughout their day, which takes a toll on their productivity. A lack of sleep can result from various reasons, such as depression, anxiety, and cancer. Another common cause is an unhealthy gut. Most of the body’s serotonin, a compound that influences a person’s sleep patterns and mood, is created in the gut. So, when a person has stomach issues, it triggers serotonin imbalance. Consequently, they find it incredibly hard to sleep during the night.

Acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also commonly known as acid reflux, is a condition in which the digestive system does not work correctly, and, as a result, the digestive juices in one’s gut travel up the food pipe. This causes a burning sensation in one’s throat and upper abdominal area. Acid reflux is mainly caused due to poor lifestyle habits, such as eating unhealthy foods and not following a sleep schedule. People with this condition tend to use acid blockers, which harm the gut microbiome.

Nutritional deficiency
Nutritional deficiencies trigger many health problems, such as a weakened immune system, poor blood circulation, and increased risk of infections. A lack of essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, or carbohydrates could be an indicator of one’s food plan being inadequate. It could also be a sign of an unhealthy gut; when the stomach is affected, it cannot absorb food and nutrients. A nutritional deficiency may not be easy to spot. It usually comes to light when a person gets a routine health checkup. However, some may experience signs like fatigue and bone pain, which point toward a nutritional deficiency.

Unintentional muscle mass changes
Gaining or losing muscle mass dramatically over a relatively short period is another indicator of a digestive system issue. When a person has an unhealthy gut, their body cannot absorb nutrients properly, generate energy, and regulate blood circulation and sugar levels, all of which lead to changes in muscle mass. A common cause of muscle loss is intestinal bacterial overgrowth. On the other hand, mass gain is caused by insulin resistance or the urge to overeat due to reduced nutrient absorption within the body.

Increased stress and anxiety
While stress and anxiety are common consequences of a busy work schedule, they are also linked to an unhealthy gut. When a person suffers frequent episodes of diarrhea and constipation, they are likely to feel stressed and exhausted. The opposite is also true: an unhealthy gut can worsen anxiety and depression. Therefore, patients are advised to stay as calm as possible and get sufficient rest when facing tummy issues. As mentioned earlier, poor gut health is closely linked to a lack of sleep or insomnia. This condition can also aggravate stress and anxiety in patients.

Food intolerances
Food intolerances are potential signs of an unhealthy gut. Some people develop bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, and abdominal pain after eating specific foods because their stomach finds it hard to digest them. One should not confuse these reactions with allergies, which are caused due to irregularities in the immune system. Food intolerances are caused by the poor quality of bacteria in one’s gut. Individuals may avoid the problem by limiting or eliminating trigger foods from their meal plan after consulting an expert.

Chronic exhaustion
A person’s gut plays a significant role in breaking down food. If it does not do its job, the body does not receive enough nutrients. As a result, the other organs and systems, such as the brain, immune system, and musculoskeletal system, that depend on these nutrients become weak. This complication manifests as perpetual exhaustion, a distinctive lack of energy, tiredness, and brain fog throughout the day. It is important to note that perpetual exhaustion is a symptom of many health conditions. Therefore, if one experiences it frequently, they should get a health checkup to determine the root of the issue.

Increased vulnerability to sicknesses
An unhealthy gut prevents the immune system from effectively warding off infections. This is because, like other body organs, it needs nutrients to sustain itself. It can only fight disease-causing viruses and bacteria if it receives the required nutrition. As a result, people with stomach problems become increasingly vulnerable to illnesses they otherwise would have brushed off easily. A compromised immunity can increase the risk of the common cold, flu, and other diseases, and patients may also take longer to recover.

Individuals who experience the symptoms discussed here should visit a healthcare provider for evaluation and guidance. The expert may recommend a few tests to understand the cause of the gut issue and suggest suitable remedies. They may also help patients develop strategies to prevent the problem from recurring in the future.