It’s astounding how life is made up of slides and slips, we let so much slide through in life, and sometimes we don’t, we keep sticking to the stuff we should allow slipping through our memories. Whereas on some occasions some toxicity tiptoes into our lives unnoticed and life is a series of such slips. One such slip up happens within our body as well, and that is known as Leaky Gut.
As we all are aware that our intestines process food and it is like the security guard at the main door checking what is allowed into the bloodstream. And stuff like water and some nutrients passes through the gaps called tight junctions, but when the walls become thin and bacteria or toxins start breaking into the spaces behind without going through the checking of intestines through the gaps, that’s when it’s known as leaky gut. It is also called Increased Intestinal Permeability.
Now there is a debate if this can be considered as a separate condition altogether or not in the medical community, nevertheless, this phenomenon occurs is undeniable. It is a common occurrence in diseases like Celiac and Crohn’s disease. It is also linked to many other conditions- Irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, liver problems, polycystic ovary syndrome. This poses a problem as well because these are linked, it is not clear whether this condition causes the others or it’s a symptom of the abovementioned issue. So, if you observe the below-mentioned symptoms then you need to sit down with a doctor and talk about your issues in length.
Here are a few symptoms: Chronic diarrhea, Bloating, Constipation, Headaches, Fatigue, Inflammation. Now you see why you need a detailed analysis with your doctor because the symptoms are vague and pretty common with many other ailments.
As for the causes, there is that argument that certain conditions can be the underlying cause behind it. Another possible cause is a protein called zonulin, responsible for tight junctions. If this increases then it ends up loosening or broadening the gaps, resulting in this leakage. As there is still a debate on it, there isn’t a specific test to diagnose it. But there are certain risk factors: Poor nutrition, Too much alcohol, any autoimmune conditions, Stress, basically bad lifestyle choices.
Coming down to treatment, there isn’t a specific course for the same, but certain things can help improve or treat your gut.
· Reduce stress
· Eat healthy including more fiber and less processed items
· Limit consumption of alcohol
· Sleep properly
· Exercise
· Take probiotics and probiotics
· Avoid excessive over the counter medicines
You see, we often end up putting anything in our gut, but we can’t afford that. Our gut does a lot more for us then we give it credit for. Some slip up in life are bound to happen, but we cannot afford that with our stomachs. You can’t expect to clean up yourselves from outside when on the inside it starts to rot. So, for a healthy life, you got to get your plumbing done carefully and stop any leakage.