Symptoms of leaky gut: What you should do about it?

Symptoms of leaky gut include bloating, gas, cramps, sensitivity to certain foods, and aches and pains in the stomach. But it's a bit of a medical mystery.

Intestinal permeability, often known as leaky gut syndrome, is a disease that can affect the health of your gut and set the stage for a variety of other health issues.

Your general health is greatly influenced by your digestive system. Amazingly, the gut is home to 70 percent of your immune system. Your intestines' inner lining serves as a defense mechanism to keep potentially hazardous substances out of your bloodstream. You may get leaky gut syndrome if this barrier is compromised.

---

Common symptoms of leaky gut

The leaky gut syndrome has been connected to a number of conditions, including hormone imbalances, joint pain, diabetes, fibromyalgia, anxiety, melancholy, eczema, and rosacea, to mention a few.

Your health and well-being may be dramatically impacted by a leaky gut. Read on to learn about the symptoms of leaky gut:

1) Digestive problems

Your digestive system may change as a result of the leaky gut syndrome. Bloating, distension, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn are typical symptoms of leaky gut.

Leaky gut may cause diarrhea or constipation. (Image via Pexels/ Sora Shimazaki)

2) Food sensitivities and intolerances

In order to digest some meals, your body needs digestive enzymes. Yet, you might not have the required digestive enzymes on hand if your gut develops a leak. This may result in other common symptoms of leaky gut – food sensitivities.

3) Immune symptoms of leaky gut

A normal immune response is hampered by the damage caused by leaky gut syndrome because 80 percent of your immune system is located in the digestive tract.

Your immune system needs to function continually and without a break because of the ongoing leakage of bacteria, toxins, and pathogens into the bloodstream.

4) Thyroid problem

Hashimoto's disease is one of the symptoms of the leaky gut syndrome. It is an autoimmune condition. The condition, also referred to as "chronic thyroiditis," manifests as hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), poor metabolism, fatigue, depressive symptoms, weight gain, and a variety of other issues.

Thyroid symptoms may also occur due to leaky gut syndrome. (Image via Pexels/ Cottonbro Studio)

---

Treatments for leaky gut

Leaky gut is typically acknowledged as a symptom, even if conventional medical practitioners do not accept it as a disorder.

Treatment of the leaky gut is possible. Telling your doctor about the symptoms of leaky gut is the first thing you should do. If a leaky gut is a possibility, he or she can try a number of methods to help with symptom relief and inflammation reduction.

The most common way to do this is by reviewing your diet and removing recognized dietary causes of inflammation, like excessive alcohol usage and processed food consumption, as well as testing for any food sensitivities, like those to gluten or dairy.

According to theory, rebuilding the gut lining and lowering inflammation through the diet may help inhibit additional leaks.

---

Leaky gut syndrome test

It may be worthwhile to test for leaky gut if you experience certain symptoms of leaky gut or medical concerns.

A leaky gut is a symptom, not a disease. Confusion arises because it is a symptom that might worsen other illnesses. Here are some common leaky gut syndrome tests:

1) Hydrogen methane breath test

A breath test for hydrogen methane can help identify whether your gut has an overgrowth of microorganisms. The majority of bacteria release hydrogen and methane, which you exhale in your breath. These fumes may be a sign of a significant overgrowth.

---

2) Parasitology test

People frequently associate parasitology testing with international travelers, yet the United States is home to a large number of parasites. They frequently transport waste, water, and food. Belly pain, bloating, constipation, gas, itching, and joint problems are typical symptoms of leaky gut.

Although parasites frequently appear in the stool, not all poop contains a stowaway, so you may need to perform the test several times.