Common Digestive Problems That Can Negatively Affect the Brain

Have you ever gotten terrible news that makes you want to throw up? Or have you seen something so nasty that you felt nauseated? If you resonate with either scenario, then you’ve experienced what is known as a gut-brain connection. Many people don’t realize that digestive problems can affect the brain.

As the gut is also known as the 2nd brain, digestive issues tend to affect the brain negatively. Here are some digestive issues and how each affects the brain you should be aware of:

1. Constipation:

When you’re chronically and constantly constipated, you’re not only dealing with physical discomfort but also brain fog. This is because constipation can trigger something called the vasovagal reflex, which leads to a sensation of lightheadedness and dizziness. Also, constipation can lead to decreased production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).SCFAs are bacterial metabolites play a role in reducing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and prevent toxic molecules from entering the brain. Decreased production of these SCFAs makes the brain more vulnerable to toxins and negatively affects cognitive function.

2. Acid Reflux:

This condition, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn, can wreak havoc on the brain. Most people think heartburn occurs due to excessive acid production in the stomach. This is understandable because the symptoms improve once they take antacids. Acid reflux occurs due to the accumulation of acid in the stomach due to incomplete acid emptying by the stomach.However, acid reflux irritates the vagus nerve (this nerve iskind of like your body’s superhighway, which carries information from the brain to the organs). This causes symptoms, such as dizziness, intense headaches, lightheadedness, and trouble sleeping. It can trigger brain disorders later in life.

3. Peptic ulcer:

An ulcer means an open sore. “Peptic” implies that the cause of the soreness is due to an acid. The two types of peptic ulcers are duodenal and gastric ulcers, indicating where the ulcer is located. The two main causes of ulcers are infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori and a group of medications known as NSAIDs. Now that the basics are out of the way, a peptic ulcer caused by pylori can overgrow and cause severe damage to the brain. H. pylori infection can damage the blood-brain barrier and induce the onset of neurological diseases such as dementia.

4. SIBO:

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is the excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine, an area that normally has few bacteria. SIBO can lead to diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, abdominal pain, etc. Your small intestine houses the greatest number of immune cells in your body. Thus, an overgrowth of bacteria activates the immune system, leading to inflammation and an immune response that can trigger the onset of brain disorders and mental health issues. SIBO can also decrease the production of serotonin (your happiness hormone), which increases the onset of depression, anxiety, and other mood issues.

How Do You Improve Your Digestive Health?

Your digestive health plays a role in many regulatory processes that occur in your body. Therefore, you can improve your digestive health in the following ways:

• Use of gut-supportive supplements: This is an effective approach to healing the gut, supporting digestion, and boosting a healthy microbiome. NATURE’S FIELD DAILY PROBIOTICS contains potent probiotic strains guaranteed to modulate the gut microbiome and positively impact your gut-brain connection.
• Lifestyle changes: Incorporating healthier eating habits and avoiding processed and high-fat foods would be beneficial for your digestive health.
• Listen to your body and don’t neglect stress management: Do not continuously manage digestive problems like bloating, constipation, gas, etc. using antacids without addressing the root cause of the problem. This will do your gut more harm than good. Also, stress can be a trigger for inflammation, which is the root cause of many health conditions, including digestive issues. Hence, stress management strategies are paramount to ensuring digestive health.

Good health is your greatest wealth. Poor digestive health can impact your physical health as well! Do not let inflammation and digestive problems wreak havoc on your health. Maintain healthy digestion with NATURE’S FIELD DAILY PROBIOTICS and avoid burdensome symptoms that can affect your overall wellness.