How Do You Know If You Have Bad Gut Health?

What’s Going On With My Gut?

If you think you’ve been hearing a lot about gut health lately, you’re not wrong! Gut health and conversations surrounding digestive issues have been on the rise across social media, wellness communities, and anyone concerned about what is going on inside their bodies. Although knowing if you have a healthy gut is a trendy topic right now, it is also a really important one.

So much of what we rely on to live a full and healthy life starts with our gut — more specifically, the bacteria hanging out inside of our gut. If you are new to the world of digestive wellness, you may not know that our bodies are covered in (and full of) millions of microscopic organisms and bacteria that help us break down food, support our immune system, and even have a hand in our mental health. 

We get these bacteria from the food we eat, beverages we drink, and supplements we take. Even our genetics have a role in the health of our gut. Because each of us has a unique genetic makeup, the foods we consume react differently from body to body. Thus, without a genetic test, it can be an exploratory battle to identify what is good for our gut health and what is making the symptoms worse.

As you can see, our gut plays a large role in keeping us functioning. However, our digestive symptoms can be finicky, and there are lots of things that can throw our bodies off balance. From traveling to eating the wrong foods, not consuming enough water, and even taking antibiotics, our digestive ecosystem has to be supported. But, how do you know if you have bad gut health or need to be doing more? Your body will usually give you some tell-tale signs.

Common Signs You Might Have Bad Gut Health

“Gut” is the general term for the area of your body that houses your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, also commonly referred to as your digestion system. The gut is made up of the esophagus, stomach, bowels (or intestines), liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. These organs take in food, break it down into nutrients for the body to absorb, and get rid of waste. 

Because all of these organs work together, gut issues can present in many different ways. The most common symptoms include: 

• Constipation
• Painful bowel movements 
• Bloating 
• Heartburn 
• Indigestion
• Fatigue 
• Difficulty sleeping

Unfortunately, there is not yet a single test that can diagnose your gut health as either good or bad. When it comes to your digestive wellness, keeping note of major changes that aren’t normal for your body can assist in understanding your gut better. 

If you have any of the above symptoms, how often are you bothered by them? Are these issues that run in your family? What is the quality of your meals? How are you sleeping? Answering these questions can help pinpoint what is upsetting your gut and get you on the right track to a healthier microbiome. 

It is always a good idea to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss any chronic conditions. Just like with most concerns, minor issues inside your gut can lead to more serious problems if left untreated. 

Ways You Can Support a Healthy Gut

If your gut health is trending down, there are a few easy ways to boost your microbiome. First, don’t forget about fiber! Make sure your diet is rich in soluble and insoluble fibers like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Second, drink plenty of fluids. Water not only helps flush toxins from your body, it also aids in the digestion of food. Lastly, add probiotics to your daily routine. From enriched sparkling water to fermented foods, probiotics are easy to find and taste amazing, too. 

Although you might not know it, 60-70 million Americans suffer from GI conditions. These can create major disruptions to daily life that no one should have to deal with. Talking about your digestion can feel taboo and far too personal to bring up, even with your doctor. But you don’t have to suffer alone. Asking questions and learning more about your body is the first step to feeling better. 

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You can jumpstart your gut health journey by ordering a 10X Health Precision Genetic Test today. For more information and tips to improve your gut health, visit our website!