Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Dysbiosis?TypesHealth ProblemsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisImproving Gut Health
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Dysbiosis?
Types
Health Problems
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Improving Gut Health
Gutdysbiosisis a state in which there is an imbalance of microorganisms within our gastrointestinal tract. When in balance, these colonies of microorganisms tend to have a favorable effect on our bodies. When there is an imbalance, we may experience unwanted symptoms.
In this article, learn about what gut dysbiosis is, its causes, and the symptoms it can cause. It also covers how to diagnose it and ways to improve gut health.
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Gut dysbiosis means there is an imbalance of microorganisms in the intestines. Dysbiosis is also known as intestinal or gastrointestinal dysbiosis.
Gut microorganisms, collectively known asgut flora, consist predominantly of various strains of bacteria and, to a lesser extent, include fungi andprotozoa. The gut flora are essential for digestion and immune functioning.A state of dysbiosis, therefore, will result in digestive and other systemic symptoms.
Types of Dysbiosis
There is more than one type of gut dysbiosis. Some people have too much harmful bacteria in their digestive system, while others don’t have enough good bacteria. Gut dysbiosis may also describe an imbalance in the microbe community in your gut or a lack of microbe diversity. There are three main types of gut dysbiosis:
More than one of these types of dysbiosis can co-occur.
Health Problems Stemming From Gut Dysbiosis
Dysbiosis has been identified as playing a possible role in a variety of health problems. What this role might be is not always clear. It is theorized that the balance of gut bacteria can affect the immune system and the health of the lining of the gut (increased intestinal permeability). Health conditions in which dysbiosis might play a part are not exclusively related to digestion and can include:
Gut dysbiosis and weight gain may be related as well. Some studies, for example, have found a link between obesity and certain gut microorganisms.
Causes of Dysbiosis
Some factors that appear to contribute to a state of dysbiosis include:
Symptoms of Dysbiosis
The symptoms of gut dysbiosis may include:
Diagnosing Dysbiosis
Because there are a lot of individual differences between the gut microbiotas of healthy people, there’s no standard way to arrive at a dysbiosis diagnosis. Some healthcare providers may order the following tests:
Because certain conditions like IBS and long-term use of antibiotics are associated with dysbiosis, your healthcare provider will also ask you about your medical history.
In theory, dysbiosis can be cured through improved dietary and lifestyle habits. Adopting a dysbiosis diet might mean eating high-quality proteins from sources like lean meat and fish, increasing your fiber intake, and avoiding sugar, saturated fat, and refined flour.
Lifestyle changes might include engaging inmind/body techniquesfor stress management.Some alternative health practitioners recommend the use ofbone broth, but there is no clinical research to back up this recommendation.
The research on the relationship between gut dysbiosis and our health is still in preliminary stages, although it is rapidly expanding. As of now, there are a few dysbiosis treatment options that have received some research support for improving a state of dysbiosis:
For people with irritable bowel syndrome, a specific antibiotic, Xifaxan (rifaximin), targets dysbiosis in the intestines.
This area of medicine is still in its preliminary stages. Clear information about improving dysbiosis and its effect on health disorders is not yet available. However, this area of inquiry appears to be a promising one.
5 Ways to Reduce Inflammation and Improve Gut Health
Summary
Gut dysbiosis occurs when the balance of bacteria in the gut becomes imbalanced because there is not the ideal number of good or bad bacteria or a combination of the two. It can happen for a variety of reasons, including due to diet, stress, antibiotic use, or as a result of illnesses. Gut dysbiosis presents differently depending on the type and the individual but can include gas, bloating, nausea, bad breath, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
Gut health can improve with attention to managing stress, diet, and interventions like prebiotics and probiotics in your diet and as supplements. More research is needed to understand how to address gut dysbiosis best.
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