Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut
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Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD
Leaky gut is a syndrome that compromises the intestinal barrier. While the condition is not an official medical diagnosis, it's hypothesized that leaky gut makes the barrier more permeable and that undigested food particles, toxins, or harmful microorganisms can pass through from the gut into the bloodstream. The leakage may trigger inflammation that affects various organs and systems.
A leaky gut most often leads to several gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and indigestion. However, the condition can cause other symptoms such as skin problems, mood swings, memory loss, depression, anxiety, or joint pain. Such symptoms arise when the inflammation spreads to other parts of the body.
People experiencing symptoms of leaky gut should consider visiting their healthcare provider. The provider can confirm the diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with leaky gut, they will try to figure out the underlying cause and recommend treatment options.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
You can experience various gastrointestinal symptoms because of the damage and inflammation of the intestinal lining leaky gut causes. A few of the symptoms include:
Abdominal pain, which is discomfort in the cavity located between the chest and hips
Diarrhea, characterized by loose, watery, frequent bowel movements
Bloating, defined as a feeling of swelling, fullness, or tightness in the abdomen
Nausea, a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach that may or may not lead to vomiting
Fatigue, a feeling of extreme tiredness or loss of energy
Weight loss, this would be a drop in weight that is unexpected
Indigestion, characterized by discomfort in the stomach due to difficulty in digesting food
Constipation, a condition where you experience fewer than three bowel movements per week with stools that are dry, hard, and difficult to pass
Skin Symptoms
The skin and gut are linked. Any changes to the functional integrity or microbiome composition of the intestinal tract may have an association with the development of skin conditions.
That means increased intestinal permeability from leaky gut can cause skin problems like:
Acne, a skin condition where hair follicles become clogged and lead to the formation of pimples
Eczema, a skin disorder characterized by dry, itchy, and scaly skin
Psoriasis, a skin condition that results in thick, dry, raised patches
Rosacea, a skin condition that results in redness of the skin and rashes, especially on the nose and cheeks
Neurological Symptoms
Gut health can also impact the brain. A leaky gut can disrupt the barrier between blood and the brain, similar to how the condition makes the gut more permeable.
Neurological symptoms you can experience due to a leaky gut include:
Mood swings, intense or sudden changes in emotional state
Anxiety, a feeling of worry or fear that can result in feelings of uneasiness and sweating
Depression, a condition characterized by continuous feelings of sadness or loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
Memory loss, when you are unable to recall recent events
Difficulty sleeping, when you are unable to sleep at night and experience deterioration of sleep quality
There have also been links between leaky gut and brain disorders like schizophrenia, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism spectrum disorder.
Musculoskeletal Symptoms
Increased intestinal permeability can affect joints. Therefore, people with leaky gut can experience joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
In some cases, a leaky gut can lead to the onset of fibromyalgia, which is a disorder characterized by chronic body pain, joint and muscle stiffness, fatigue, and cognitive issues.
Symptoms in Children
Leaky gut can lead to functional gastrointestinal disorders in children. These are a group of disorders that cause chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms but that are not brought on by any structural or biochemical changes. One of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Children with functional gastrointestinal disorders experience gastrointestinal symptoms similar to those in adults, such as:
Abdominal pain and discomfort
Bloating
Irregular bowel movements
Anxiety
Depression
The disorders' symptoms can lead to school absences, increased use of healthcare services, and reduced quality of life.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you are experiencing symptoms of leaky gut, you should consider consulting with a healthcare provider. It is advised not to delay the visit since the condition can lead to complications like mood and immune disorders.
The healthcare provider might ask about your symptoms and medical history. They might also recommend tests such as a blood test, stool test, gut biopsy, and endoscopy to make the diagnosis and help indicate its underlying cause.
A Quick Review
Leaky gut is a condition characterized by increased intestinal permeability. It causes several gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and fatigue. A leaky gut can also cause other symptoms which involve skin conditions, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, memory loss, and joint pain.
The symptoms of a leaky gut can vary from person to person. If you are experiencing symptoms of a leaky gut, visit your healthcare provider for evaluation. Early diagnosis and lifestyle changes can reduce the symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do leaky gut symptoms ever go away?
A leaky gut is not a life-long condition. The symptoms of a leaky gut go away once the underlying cause is identified and treated.
What foods help to relieve leaky gut symptoms?
Mushrooms, broccoli, blueberries, and raspberries can help relieve leaky gut symptoms. Consuming a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) can also help.
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Read the original article on Health.
