Even if your stomach doesn’t hurt and your bowels are regular, you may have a digestive issue. The challenge here is, you don’t necessarily have to look into your digestive system to spot an underlying problem. This is because stomach and digestive ailments can manifest in other ways, so you could be overlooking symptoms that indicate a problem. Below you will find five signs pointing to digestive issues even if your bowels are normal and your stomach feels just fine.
5 signs of digestive problems
You get sick easily: Do you catch any bug that goes around? Believe it or not, your unhealthy digestive system can make you prone to infections. This is because 70 percent of your immune system is located in your gut. Getting sick easily means that your gut microbes and bacteria aren’t up to par. Fixing up your diet by avoiding sugar and eating probiotic foods can help clean up your gut and boost your immune system. You have itchy, blistery rashes on your elbows and knees: The autoimmune condition celiac disease – which is, basically, gluten intolerance –makes you feel bloated and changes your bowel habits, but it can also appear as a rash on your elbows and knees. Nearly 25 percent of patients will develop this rash, known as dermatitis herpetiformis, and it may be the only indication of celiac disease, unaccompanied by any other digestive symptoms. Avoiding gluten will help the rash subside. Your teeth aren’t as white: Worn-out enamel on your teeth may be a sign of undiagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). You may also experience a sore throat, coughing, or wheezing. You are moody/depressed: Certain gut bacteria are linked to anxiety and depression, and eating certain foods can actually bring down your mood, too. When there’s too much of bad bacteria in the gut, your mood can take a hit, so it’s important that you consume foods rich in polyphenols, such as fruits and veggies, tea, and extra virgin olive oil. You’re fatigued and achy: Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine can lead to symptoms of fatigue and achiness. This is because when there’s too much of bad bacteria, it interferes with the body’s ability to break down food, resulting in vitamin and mineral deficiencies. A simple blood test can confirm any deficiencies. As you can see, even if your stomach doesn’t hurt and your bowels are regular, there’s still a possibility that you have an underlying problem. The best thing you can do to prevent many digestive issues is eating a healthy and balanced diet to ensure the health of your gut microbiota.
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