Leaky gut (LG) syndrome is a digestive disorder that’s still shrouded in a lot of mystery. In fact, many people who suffer from this condition find that they have trouble being taken seriously by medical professionals. It’s believed that LG is caused by increased intestinal permeability. This means that the components of the gut that are designed to control what passes through the lining of your small intestine aren’t functioning properly for some reason.

It’s believed that LG is closely linked with autoimmune disorders. For instance, we know that people with celiac disease and Crohn’s disease experience LG. Leaky gut may also be closely connected with health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic liver disease and diabetes. The medical community is undecided when it comes to whether or not LG actually triggers illness outside the digestive tract. However, people who suffer from this condition often know just how badly their bodies are affected. The good news is that many patients have success when taking an approach for treatment that’s focused on promoting positive changes in the gut flora.

Signs and Symptoms of Leaky Gut

LG symptoms combine the worst of food allergies and autoimmune reactions. While some people only experience some minor digestive distress, others can feel like every area of their health is impacted by LG. Here are the main symptoms:

  • Chronic diarrhea.
  • Chronic constipation.
  • Bloating.
  • Fatigue.
  • Headaches.
  • Confusion.
  • Difficulty concentrating/brain fog.
  • Skin problems, rashes or eczema.
  • Joint and body pain.
  • General inflammation.

One telltale sign that you have LG is when your symptoms are accompanied by a nutritional deficiency. LG can prevent your body from absorbing nutrients. In many cases, people find it helpful to use supplements or IV drips to restore levels of B12 and other vitamins.

When to See a Doctor

If you know something is wrong with your digestive system, it’s important to speak with a doctor. Figuring out potential dietary or lifestyle triggers can be beneficial for stopping flare-ups. In addition, many patients find that supplements and drips help their bodies to heal faster after suffering from long-term deficiencies.

Causes

The causes of LG are not completely clear. However, we do know that the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut microbiome may play a big role in why some people develop LG. When you visit with Dr. Sipay at Functional and Metabolic Medicine of Colorado, she’ll work with you on an extensive survey that dives into your health history to spot any of the risk factors associated with LG.

Risk Factors for Leaky Gut

There are some risk factors that researchers and medical professionals believe are linked with LG. The most common risk factor is poor nutrition. It’s possible that highly processed foods irritate the digestive system. Stress may also play a role in irritating the digestive system. There’s also a potential link between LG and alcohol consumption. Having diabetes also increases your risk for developing LG. Finally, infections and autoimmune disorders may actually be the biggest risk factors for leaky gut even though the exact mechanism for how the relationship works isn’t yet known.

Complications From Untreated LG

Leaving LG untreated means being in a perpetual state of inflammation. There’s a potential for this to increase your chances of disease and illness across the board. One of the immediate risk factors of living with untreated LG is developing nutritional deficiencies that put you at risk for fatigue, brain fog, anemia and osteoporosis.

Get Help for LG From a Doctor Specializing in Digestive Health Near Denver

If you’ve had your LG symptoms ignored by professionals in the past, it’s time to seek the holistic, whole-body approach of functional medicine. Dr. Susan Sipay understands the influence that your gut microbiome can have on your overall health. She’s ready to help you finally get to the bottom of your symptoms used cutting-edge testing and diagnostic tools. Call (720) 791-2911 or email sipaymd@functionalmetabolicmedicine.com to book an appointment at our functional medicine office in Littleton, Colorado.