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Bad Gut Health Symptoms

Bacteria in gut

BEST SELLING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. These drugs are changing our gut bacteria. What does this mean when we’re after good gut healthEVERY YEAR there’s a list of the top selling prescription drugs. (Read on to find out what these are).

Nutrition expert Susannah assesses gut health  our gut health reflects our overall health.

At our London clinics we find patterns in YOUR HEALTH STORY. What does this mean exactly? Gut health and gut bacteria is a topic of overwhelming interest in functional healthcare right now.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER? 

The types of bacteria in our gut are summarised here. Gut bacteria are either growing in number or dying.
Our gut microbiome depends on 1) nutrition 2)lifestyle 3) environment. READ ON for 7 SIGNS we have an UNHEALTHY GUT
Gut bacteria rely on what we’re feeding them. The good bacteria we hear about is the one we try to cultivate. More about good and bad gut bacteria and gut health probiotics can be found here.

The top 25 best selling prescription drugs

The top drugs prescribed to the world include cholesterol-lowering drugs or statins. Also, drugs for chronic pain. Top of the chronic pain list are Humira an anti-inflammatory for arthritis   and oxycontin and vicodin. These tally high for pain relief consistently. Insulin glargine injection for type 1 diabetes, metformin for type 2 diabetes and asthma medications like albuterol also rank in the top ten. Several antacids like omeprazole and other drugs for indigestion always rank high.


Research firm IMS compiles a rolling 12-month history in the US. The pharmaceutical industry publication Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News (GEN) do as well.

Gut Health

Gut health refers to the function or dysfunction of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

How do we maintain gut health? Any impairment of the Gut lining can increase the risk of developing infectious, inflammatory and functional GI diseases. An example of gut lining impairment is leaky gut syndrome.


As well, impairment can increase risk of extra-intestinal diseases, such as immune-mediated and metabolic disorders. GI barrier impairment can increase risk of immune-mediated & metabolic disorders.


 

Bad Gut Health

Bad Gut Health

Less clear, however, is whether GI discomfort in general can also be related to GI barrier functions. In any case, methods of assessing, improving and maintaining gut health -related GI functions are of major interest in preventive medicine. It is worth looking out for your body’s bad gut health symptoms.

A healthy gut

When we feel something’s not quite right, often it’s more than just a gut feeling. As powerful as those are, our precious health calls for understanding and finding solutions. The more we know, the more we can do. Signs of an unhealthy gut are below.

  1. You have a lowered immune response. 70-80% of our immunity to infection and disease is controlled by your gut microbiota.      [tweetthis]70-80% of your immunity to infection and disease is controlled by your gut microbiota[/tweetthis]      Your immune system launches a response, resulting in inflammation. This response might include recent developments of food allergies or food intolerances that you are experiencing later on in life.
    Allergies

    Allergies

  2. You experience unexplained changes in your weight. Bowel and bladder habits are affected. E.g. IBS, digestive issues such as gas and bloating.
  3. You suffer from tiredness that is unexplained. As featured by the Mayo Clinic, studies are connecting bacteria to its effect on energy absorption. “Researchers have identified a difference in the types of bacteria found in a lean person’s gut versus those that live in the gut of someone who is obese. The amount of energy is small, but researchers wonder if over time this could be a factor in weight maintenance.”
  4. You suffer from mood swings, anxiety disorders, depression, poor memory, poor concentration, ADHD or ADD. These may be due to inflammation in the gut. The gut-brain axis explains this.
  5. You have or have had autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases examples are alopecia areata, Coeliac disease, RA, MS, vilitgo, Raynauds, SLE, reactive arthritis, Addison’s disease, Psoriasis etc.
  6. You have skin conditions that are recurrent. Typically your skin issues are non responsive to medication. they don’t respond well to medical grade topical solutions and treatments. Or, they are a temporary solution, until the next outbreak. An example is adult acneacne vulgaris or eczema or rosacea
  7. You have diabetes or insulin resistance. This can be affecting your fertility, whether you are male or female.

Stress Test Questionnaire

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Stress and Sick

Chronic stress can have debilitating consequences on our mind and our body.
DID YOU KNOW? Our body is hard-wired to react to stress in ways that actually protect us. It’s our natural stress response. It works for us against threats from predators and other aggressors.

Our body’s stress-response system is usually self-limiting. Once a perceived threat has passed, hormone levels return to normal.
As adrenaline and cortisol levels drop, our heart rate and blood pressure return to baseline levels, and other systems resume their regular activities. Increased cortisol levels commonly challenge those with high stress jobs that go on to suffer with metabolic syndrome. You can work out the likelihood and prevent this if you take ownership at the right time.

Chronic Stress

When stressors are always present, we constantly feel under attack. That fight-or-flight reaction? It stays turned on.The long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones — can disrupt almost all your body’s processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems.

Your levels of stress – how do they add up?
Take this stress test and add up your scores. The results at the end are a guide.   [tweetthis]The 60 second #stress test – add up your scores. The results at the end are a guide.[/tweetthis]

Stress Test

YOUR AGE:

  • Under 45 years [1]
  • 45–54 years [3]
  • 55–64 years [2]
  • Over 64 years [2]

Weight and Stress

Body Mass Index **

  • Lower than 25 kg/m2 [1]
  • 25–30 kg/m2 [2]
  • Higher than 30 kg/m2 [3]

BMI Calculator

Divide your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height in metres (m) then divide the answer by your           height again to get your BMI.  [tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#weightloss #nutrition”]How to work out your #BMI [/tweetthis]


Fat and Stress

Waist circumference measured below the ribs (usually at the level of the navel)

MEN

  • Less than 94 cm [1]
  • 94–102 cm [2]
  • More than 102 cm [3]

WOMEN

  • Less than 80 cm [1]
    Stress Management

    Stress Management

  • 80–88 cm [2]
  • More than 88 cm [3]

Stress Test

Have you ever taken medication for high blood pressure on regular basis?

  • No
  • Yes [1]

Have you ever been found to have high blood glucose (eg in a health examination, during an illness, during pregnancy)?

  • No
  • Yes [1]

Have any of the members of your immediate family or other relatives been diagnosed with diabetes (type 1 or type 2)?

  • No
  • Yes: grandparent, aunt, uncle or first cousin (but no own parent, brother, sister or child) [2]
  • Yes: parent, brother, sister or own child [3]
  • Stress Test Score – to checklist Below

    • 0 = Never/Rarely
    • 1 = Occasionally/Slightly
    • 2 = Moderate in Intensity or Frequency
    • 3 =Intense/Severe or Frequent

    ✓ My ability to handle stress or pressure has decreased.

    ✓ I am less productive at work.

    ✓ I seem to have decreased in cognitive ability. I don’t think as clearly as I used to.

    ✓ My thinking is confused when hurried or under pressure.

    ✓ I tend to avoid emotional situations.

    ✓ I tend to shake or am nervous when under pressure.

    ✓ I suffer from nervous stomach indigestion when tense.

    ✓ I have many unexplained fears/anxieties.

    ✓ My sex drive is noticeably less than it used to be.

    ✓ I get lightheaded or dizzy when rising rapidly from a sitting or lying position.

    ✓ I have feelings of greying or blacking out.

    ✓ I am chronically fatigued; a tiredness that is not usually relieved by sleep.

    ✓ I feel unwell much of the time.

    ✓ I notice that my ankles are swollen — the swelling is worse in the evening.

    ✓ I usually need to lie down or rest after sessions of psychological or emotional pressure/stress.

    ✓ My muscles sometimes feel weaker than they should.

    ✓ My hands and legs get restless — experience meaningless body movements.

    ✓ I have become allergic or have increased frequency/severity of allergic reactions.

    ✓ When I scratch my skin a white line remains for a minute or more.

    ✓ Small, irregular dark brown spots have appeared on my forehead, face, neck and shoulders.

    ✓ I sometimes feel weak all over.

    ✓ I have unexplained and frequent headaches.

    ✓ I am frequently cold.

    ✓ I have a decreased tolerance for cold.

    ✓ I have low blood pressure.

    ✓ I often become hungry, confused, shaky or somewhat paralyzed under stress.

    ✓ I have lost weight without reason while feeling very tired and listless.

    ✓ I have feelings of hopelessness and despair.

    ✓ I have decreased tolerance. People irritate me more.

    ✓ The lymph nodes in my neck are frequently swollen (I get swollen glands on my neck).

    ✓ I have times of nausea and vomiting for no apparent reason.

    ✓ I am easily fatigued

    ✓ I often have to force myself in order to keep going.

    ✓ Everything seems like a chore

    ✓ I have difficulty getting up in the morning (don’t really wake up until about 10:00am

    ✓ I suddenly run out of energy

    ✓ I usually feel much better and fully awake after the noon

    meal

    ✓ I often have an afternoon low between 3:00-5:00pm

    ✓ I get low on energy, moody or foggy if I do not eat

    regularly

    ✓ I usually feel my best after 6:00pm

    ✓ I am often tired at 9:00-10:00 pm, but resist going to

    bed

    ✓ I like to sleep late in the morning

    ✓ My best, most refreshing sleep often comes between

    7:00-9:00am

    ✓ I often do my best work late at night (early in the

    morning).

    ✓ If I don’t go to bed by 11:00pm, I get a second burst of

    energy around 11:00pm, often lasting until 1:00-2:00am

    RESULTS 
    TOTAL SCORE:
    45-65… It is unlikely that you experience significant amounts of stress to impact your lifestyle or health at present
    65-90… It is unlikely that the stress you experience is negatively impacting your health at present
    90-150… The stress you experience may be having serious negative health implications  
    150+… It is likely that the stress you experience is having serious negative health implications  
    Health Conditions associated with Chronic Stress 
    Type 2 diabetes – Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome – infertility – Autoimmune diseases – Depression – Anxiety Disorders – Digestive problems -Heart disease – Sleep problems – Weight gain – Memory and concentration impairment
    How to find the UNDERLYING issues that PREDISPOSE us to chronic illness.
    What or why are they TRIGGERED by PROLONGED periods of STRESS?
    How do we nip it in the bud BEFORE we’re sick?

          IN THE FOUR PHASES 

  1.  Consultation is Key
  2.  Physical Exam is Key
  3.  Special Investigations may include blood pressure average reading, adrenal stress test, blood sugar readings, blood work
  4.   Naturopathic Portfolio  HOW is stress affecting our health? Do we require special investigations? One type of stress management doesn’t work for every body. If working in a high stress job is affecting our health but we can’t check out into a spa then we need to know what to do to prevent chronic illness.

Safe, clinical, practical and effective.


Call  020 7060 3181