There are few systems in the human body more sensitive—or important—for a healthy, balanced sense of physical well-being than our GI (gastrointestinal) tract. Each day our digestive system processes what we consume while distributing key nutrients throughout the body.
Our gut health affects everything from our immune system, metabolism, and mental health, so it’s worth taking the time to ensure a healthy GI tract. Fortunately, we have more information, treatments, and tools than ever to protect our digestive system. By learning to recognize GI-related symptoms and taking timely preemptive steps, intestinal problems can be avoided and a healthy gut maintained.
How to Recognize GI-Related Symptoms
One of the most important things we can do to protect our complex gastrointestinal system is to be mindful of early GI-related symptoms. By addressing the signs as soon as they appear, you can save yourself from health risks and discomfort down the road.
Some common symptoms of GI include:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
If you experience one or more of these symptoms for an extended period of time, contact your nearest Community Pharmacy location to schedule testing. Treatment varies considerably depending on each case, as it’s essential to know the exact root of the issue in order to fully resolve it.
Often it’s easy to mistake other symptoms to be GI-related, and while the following might be concerning, they typically do not correlate to a gastrointestinal issue.
Some non-GI symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Brain Fog
- Weight Gain
- Autoimmune Illnesses
- Pain (joints, headaches, etc.)
- Inflammation
If you start to exhibit some of the listed symptoms of a GI-related issue, it’s important to take countermeasures quickly. Left unchecked these symptoms can spiral into more serious problems such as damaged gut lining (aka leaky gut), dysbiosis, or intestinal inflammation.
To avoid these uncomfortable issues, pharmacists recommend you implement the following practices into your everyday life.
Best Gut Health Protective Practices
When it comes to gut health, the best remedy is taking a proactive stance to stop issues from ever forming.
One of the best measures you can take is to decrease stress whenever possible in your daily life. Stressful situations cause the body to produce cortisol to create quick energy, but this comes at the cost of breaking down gut lining, muscles, and lowers the immune system as a whole. This correlates to a higher risk of GI pathogens like parasites, worms, fungi, yeast, and bacteria taking hold and decreasing our body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Of course, you cannot understate the importance of eating a balanced and healthy diet on your gut health as well. Regularly consuming the right probiotics and supplements has been linked to an increase in overall gut health, but before committing to this path, it’s best to know the specifics of your situation.
If you are concerned about the state of your gut health, then connect with Community Pharmacy today to set up a time for a few simple tests. Common GI pathogens can be easily detected and treatment dispensed based on your unique results along with general gut health guidance.
Guarantee Gut Health
You can’t put a price on feeling your best, and having a healthy gut is essential to maintaining energy levels, a strong immune system, and feeling physically and mentally sound.
Right now, Community Pharmacy is offering free health consultations for gut-related issues. If you have ever been curious about the current state of your digestive system, then there’s never been a better time than now to gain insights guaranteed to help improve your gut health.
