You’ve been feeling bloated, crampy, and fatigued lately and aren’t sure why. Could leaky gut syndrome be at play?
While leaky gut syndrome isn’t technically a medical diagnosis, the symptoms involved are all too real for many people. In simple terms, it means your intestines aren’t working quite right. As a result, you can experience bothersome issues that impact your daily life.
Dr. Sreelatha Reddy and the team at Houston Gastrointestinal & Liver Clinic, P.A. in Sugar Land, Texas, are committed to your digestive health and overall well-being.
Read on to learn more about leaky gut syndrome, including signs you may be dealing with it.
Leaky gut syndrome basics
Also known as increased intestinal permeability, leaky gut syndrome unfolds when the barrier in your intestines is impaired, allowing toxins and undigested food into your bloodstream. Those toxins might spur inflammation.
You might also experience changes in the normal bacteria, or flora, in your gut. And that could lead to a range of digestive problems.
While everyone has some level of gut permeability, you may be prone to high levels of “leakiness” if you eat an unhealthy diet. Genetics may also play a role.
Conditions associated with high intestinal permeability include:
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
And while more research is needed, some studies show a link between a leaky gut and chronic conditions that affect other parts of your body, such as arthritis, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.
Chronic inflammation seems to play a role too. Whether increased gut permeability causes or stems from these issues remains unknown.
Signs you may have leaky gut syndrome
Changes in your intestinal flora and chronic inflammation associated with a leaky gut can lead to or coincide with a range of common symptoms, such as:
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Rashes
If issues around high gut permeability have led to poor nutrient absorption, you can also develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies and hormone imbalances
What to do about leaky gut syndrome
Because leaky gut symptoms can stem from a variety of illnesses and conditions, getting checked out is important. Dr. Reddy and her team can assess your digestive health and function through a comprehensive exam.
Dr. Reddy may also recommend a lactose intolerance or breath test to check for bacterial overgrowth. An imaging test, such as an X-ray or a CT scan, may be helpful.
After your exam, your treatment may involve treating an underlying condition, adjusting your diet, or taking supplements.
To learn more about leaky gut syndrome or to get the care you need, call Houston Gastrointestinal & Liver Clinic, P.A. or request an appointment today.
