Embarrassed Or in Denial? 5 Signs of Dysbiosis

Guets Post by Karen Brimayer, Holistic Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner

You try to eat healthy but are still struggling with dysbiosis? Do you still get the feeling that something is still not quite right? Are you tired of dealing with the embarrassing sounds and smells? Do you feel like you’re always tired no matter what you eat?

I feel your pain because I have suffered from dysbiosis before myself and so have just about all of my clients. Sure, no one wants to talk about it and openly admit to it.

Maybe it really is too embarrassing for most. Maybe some are still in denial. The truth is that the longer they try to hide it and ignore what is going on, the worse the problem gets and the harder it becomes to reverse.

I hope you don’t fall into this category. If you do, then I’m not asking you to declare it to the world. Instead, I just want you to first be honest with yourself and admit that you have a problem that you need to deal with now before it gets any worse. If you have any of these signs and symptoms, then you are dealing with dysbiosis whether you like it or not.

1. Bloating, Gas, Belching After Meals

This is typically the first sign of dysbiosis. You eat a meal and not too long after, you get that fat feeling. Your belt gets tight as you lose control of your expanding stomach. That’s right, you’re bloated.

Not only do you feel like a blimp, and then it gets worse. All that bloating is from excessive gas in the intestinal tract which has to get out one way or another. You might be on the lucky end of the more socially acceptable and easier to hide, belching.

You might be on the not so lucky end trying to find a way to deal with the excessive gas, foul smelling or not. Or you might be like most people and experience both.

You see, when you eat, you are also feeding the bacteria in your gut, good and bad. When dysbiosis is present, you are creating an all you can eat buffet for the bad bacteria which produce the gas that bloats you and that you then have to pass.

2. Constipation and Diarrhea

This is another sign that ranks right up there with #1 with respect to dysbiosis. You probably don’t realize it but the bulk of your stool actually consists of bacteria. No, it isn’t fiber like you once thought. Depending on what exactly is growing in your gut depends on whether or not you become constipated or suffer from diarrhea.

If you have an overgrowth of bacteria or parasites in your gut then your body might be trying to force them out to protect you which results in diarrhea.

Or you might suffer from a yeast overgrowth and a lack of bacteria which is common with Candida which results in constipation. The big picture is that dysbiosis causes both ends of the spectrum.

3. Indigestion

This is a common sign of dysbiosis that is way too often overlooked. This is because it is almost always associated with high stomach acid. The reality is that this is rarely the case.

Almost always the problem is caused by low stomach acid. And more importantly, it is a bacterial infection, known as H. Pylori, that is driving the problem. In fact, H. Pylori has been scientifically proven to be the leading cause of stomach ulcers.

4. Undigested Food in Stool

If you are seeing undigested food in your stool, then you aren’t digesting it properly. You definitely have dysbiosis. There is a weak link somewhere, if not everywhere, in your digestive tract that is not allowing you to properly break down your food. If you aren’t going to digest it, the harmful bacteria, parasite, and yeast will. This only worsens the problem.

5. Fatigue

Fatigue is probably one of the most overlooked signs of dysbiosis. Rarely do people associate fatigue with their digestion but it is much more common than you might realize. As we’ve already covered, the food you eat is also feeding your gut bacteria.

When these bacteria, parasites, and yeast eat your food they are releasing toxic byproducts and alcohol that your body absorbs. There is also associated inflammation that can travel to the brain. This impairs the immune system and literally uses your energy for immune purposes rather than for giving you energy.

When fatigue is present, people tend to consume foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates to give a quick boost of energy. Unfortunately, this is exactly what your dysbiosis feeds on.

Do yourself a favor and take the first step in correcting your dysbiosis and stop feeding the problem.

Cut sugar out of your diet and focus on whole foods, especially vegetables. Vegetable fiber is one thing that the good bacteria thrive on. So make sure you are eating plenty to give them a fighting chance.

Karen Brimeyer

Karen Brimeyer is a Nutritionist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, and Health Consultant who has helped over a hundred personal clients heal their Leaky Gut and digestive problems, lose weight, and resolve their chronic health conditions.

Learn more about how to heal Leaky Gut and resolve your chronic health symptoms and conditions.

P.S. This guest article is a part of Leaky Gut Series. You can subscribe and also get a Free Report: How To Heal Leaky Gut Without Spending A Fortune On Supplements And Being Stuck On A Restrictive Diet Forever by clicking here