You must’ve noticed that when your anxiety or stress levels are through the roof, your gut starts acting up immediately. It is because our gut gets information about these changes even before we realize them. An online doctor can help you in these types of situations. Hence the name “second brain” is used for our gut. The incredible complexities of the gut and its importance to our overall health is a topic researched time after time in the last few decades.
Numerous studies have identified links between gut health and mental health, autoimmune disorders, skin conditions, and even cancer in the past two decades.
Your gut is home to many kinds of microorganisms known as gut microbiomes. Some of these microorganisms are harmful, but the majority are beneficial. Studies suggest that having a wide variety of these good bacteria in your gut can enhance your immune system function, improve depression, help reduce obesity, and provide numerous other health benefits
Signs of An Unhealthy Gut
- Frequent stomach problems
Frequent stomach disturbances like acid reflux, heartburn, bloating, flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea can be signs of an unhealthy gut. With the help of telemedicine platforms, you can now seek urgent care and medical advice from board-certified specialists online, whenever you need it, from wherever you are.
- High-sugar consumption
Processed foods tend to have a lot of added sugars in them. Such foods have a very negative effect on the good bacteria content in your gut. This imbalance can cause an increase in sugar cravings, which will most likely damage your gut even further. These foods are a leading cause of inflammation in the gut, and studies suggest them to be “a precursor for several diseases and even some cancers.”
- Persistent sleep disturbances & fatigue
An unhealthy gut can also lead to poor sleep patterns, contributing to excessive fatigue and tiredness. Serotonin, also known as the happy hormone, is majorly produced in the gut. It helps stabilize mood and regulate sleep. And so, several such disturbances can be attributed to gut health. With telemedicine, connect with an online doctor to discuss your concerns, whether related to sleeping habits or factors contributing to such disorders. You simply book an appointment online, and consult a doctor from anywhere you want, be it your office desk, your home, or out of the city.
- Inflammations of the Skin
Skin conditions like persistent rashes, irritation, and allergies can also be related to gut health. Poor diet or food allergies can sometimes trigger secretions in the gut, which can cause skin inflammations such as eczema, rashes, and hives.
- Autoimmune conditions
New studies suggest a crucial link between gut health and our immune system. Long-lasting inflammations caused by an unhealthy gut alter how our immune system functions. These fluctuations can lead to autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are those in which the human body confuses itself as an invader and starts attacking all the vital organs, such as Lupus.
Food intolerances Food intolerance means difficulty digesting certain foods. It’s thought that the poor quality of bacteria may cause food intolerances in the gut. This can lead to difficulty digesting certain foods and cause unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.
- Manage stress levels
Chronic stress has negative effects on your whole body, including your gut. You can also connect with a doctor such as a therapist or a psychologist online for consultations and advice on seeking help or medication for stress management through our telehealth platform, My Live Doctors.
- Get enough sleep
As discussed previously, lack of quality can also have severe impacts on your gut health. 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night is the minimum requirement for an average adult. A Sleep Specialist may be able to help if you have trouble sleeping. My Live Doctors gives you a platform to connect with relevant expert doctors online for any of your concerns associated with sleep and chronic fatigue.
- Better eating habits.
Eating habits such as hygiene, time, frequency, and speed of chewing food can also significantly affect your gut health. All of these indicators can help promote better digestion and absorption of nutrients. This may help you reduce discomfort such as bloating and maintain a healthy gut.
- Stay hydrated
Hydration is key to good gut health. An average adult should consume at least 8 glasses of water a day. Staying hydrated is a simple yet very effective way to promote a healthy gut.
- Check for food intolerances
If you suffer from persistent symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux etc., you might have a food intolerance. Food intolerance also manifests itself in the form of skin conditions such as rashes or hives. At home, you can identify trigger foods by keeping a log of your food intake. An online gut specialist or allergy specialist can help you manage your symptoms better. You can remotely monitor signs on the My Live Doctors app, and your online doctor can access them during your appointment.
- Incorporate nutritious diet options
A healthy, nutritious diet is key to a healthy life. Reducing the amount of processed and high-sugar/fatty foods can result in a significant improvement in your gut health and health overall. A well-balanced diet will help you avoid gut imbalances. If you are having trouble with nutrition and managing a healthy diet, you can consult an online nutritionist via virtual care with My Live Doctors. Your expert nutritionist will guide you with personalized meal plans and suggest additional supplements such as probiotics if needed.
MY LIVE DOCTORS is a telehealth platform with an extensive database of certified, expert doctors for all your health concerns. Our features include a Public Forum for advice regarding best health practices for common health concerns. Before booking an online appointment, you can go through the MLD physician database and check patient reviews for the doctor of your choice. Patient profiles allow users to save personal and medical history before booking an appointment, which gives the online doctor all the necessary information for a personalized treatment plan. With MLD, your online doctor can also issue e-prescriptions if need be.
Book your online appointment today with My Live Doctors