This Is the One Thing G.I. Docs Wish Everyone Knew About Leaky Gut

Emily Laurence
·5 min read

Plus, exactly what your treatment options look like.

Virtually everyone experiences digestive problems from time to time, whether it’s because they ate something that didn’t agree with them, they’re feeling stressed or anxious or they’ve caught a virus making the rounds. But if you’re experiencing bloating, constipation or diarrhea on a regular basis and have been desperately searching for a solution, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard about leaky gut syndrome.

Dr. Marvin Singh, MD, an integrative gastroenterologist and the founder of The Precision Clinic, explains that leaky gut (also called intestinal permeability) is a concept where the tight junctions that connect the cells of the gut lining are injured and things that are not usually supposed to cross into the bloodstream may cross into the bloodstream. This can lead to inflammation or an immune reaction and cause a wide range of unpleasant physical symptoms.

But there’s a key word that Dr. Singh used to describe leaky gut: “concept.” Gastroenterologist Dr. Niket Sonpal, MD, FACP, emphasizes that leaky gut is a hypothetical condition and hasn’t been scientifically proven yet. “Some studies show that it’s a possibility that certain G.I. conditions make the permeability increase, which can then let other larger molecules through, including toxins. A lot of patients—more than doctors—believe that these toxins are what’s causing their symptoms,” he says. Dr. Sonpal says that self-diagnosing yourself with leaky gut could prevent someone from actually figuring out the root cause of what’s causing their symptoms, which can get in the way of treatment. Here, they share what to do instead.

Related: Eat Your Way to a Healthier Gut—Here's What You Need to Know About Gut Health and Diet

Pay Attention To All Your Symptoms, Not Just the Ones Affecting Digestion

Both doctors say that it’s important to pay attention to all your symptoms. Dr. Singh explains that if the gut lining is compromised, it can lead to symptoms that some may not associate with the gut—including headaches, fatigue, joint pain and skin issues such as eczema. There is a wealth of scientific studies showing that what’s happening in the gut impacts the entire body, including the brain. “Where the immune reaction or inflammation decides to settle in may be what determines what other kinds of symptoms one might experience,” Dr. Singh says.

Keeping track of all your symptoms (including what they are and when they occur) will be a helpful clue to share with a gastroenterologist or other healthcare provider that can help with getting to the bottom of what’s causing them.

Related: You Are What You Eat! Nutritionists Say These Are the 18 Best Foods for Gut Health

Work With an Expert

Instead of self-diagnosing yourself with leaky gut, Dr. Sonpal says that it’s important to work with a gastroenterologist. Sometimes, he says that someone actually has an autoimmune condition that is causing their symptoms. “Some people assume they have leaky gut and just accept it, but what’s really going on could be that they have a health condition that is causing their symptoms,” he says. This is another reason why keeping track of all your symptoms can be helpful.

If you are experiencing digestive problems as well as headaches, brain fog or fatigue, both doctors say that there are several different possible causes. Some that Dr. Sonpal says it could include are celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia or severe emotional distress.

Both doctors explain that pinpointing the exact reason for symptoms varies based on the individual but there are different types of tests that can be helpful to diagnose or rule out specific health conditions, including many autoimmune diseases. They say that what you can expect is for your doctor to listen to your symptoms, perform an exam and run any necessary tests.

Related: This Is the Top Habit Destroying Your Gut Health, According to an Integrative Medicine Doctor

What Treatment Looks Like

Dr. Singh says both the treatment methods and time it takes to heal vary greatly from person to person; it depends on what the cause of their symptoms is and how severe they are. “Sometimes things can get discovered and fixed sooner and other times it may take a bit longer, depending on the situation,” he explains.

If you are experiencing headaches, Dr. Singh says that it’s important to know that some over-the-counter pain medications like NSAIDs could negatively impact the gut, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking them. “Some may benefit from a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator for headaches. Sometimes this can be done in conjunction with other therapies and interventions aimed at healing the gut lining and balancing the gut microbiome better,” he shares.

Both doctors say that nutrition and lifestyle strategies are important parts of treatment too. Your doctor may tell you to avoid certain foods for a period of time or try an elimination diet. Dr. Sonpal explains that he often treats patients with mood-regulating medications (such as SSRIs) and recommends stress-reducing practices such as yoga or meditation. He emphasizes that the ways stress can negatively impact the body, including the gut, should not be overlooked—it can literally change the bacterial makeup in the gut.

What’s most important is not to settle for living with symptoms that are getting in the way of you living your best life. By working directly with a gastroenterologist or your healthcare provider, you can get to the root cause of your symptoms and come up with a treatment plan together.

Next up, find out what the most beneficial food for gut health is.

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