To learn more about subtle gut inflammation symptoms to keep an eye on, we reached out to Kenneth Brown, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist based in Plano, Texas.
6 sneaky gut inflammation symptoms to see a physician about
1. Digestive issues
Again, perhaps the most obvious sign that your gut could use a lifeline is digestive upset, which often comes in the form of gas and bloating. โBloating is caused by gas becoming trapped in the upper GI tractโmost commonly [when] bacteria is breaking down food,โ says Dr. Brown.
However, bacteria shouldnโt be present in this area of the digestive system. If it is, you may be dealing with gut inflammation in the form of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Unlike the colon (where a healthy balance of bacteria should reside), the upper GI tract should be nearly sterile, he continues. โWhen the normal environment of the GI tract is altered with increased bacteria, it can disrupt your digestive healthโcausing bloating and other digestive issues such as abdominal discomfort, constipation, and diarrhea.โ In more severe cases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be present if you experience these digestive symptoms as well as bloody stools.
2. Skin flare-ups
When your gut is inflamed, you may notice that your skin flares up as well. โThe gut microbiome modulates the immune system’s response to inflammation, influencing the development and progression of skin conditions,โ Dr. Brown explains.
For instance, dysbiosis (i.e., an imbalanced gut microbiome) could trigger or exacerbate acne, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. These specific dermatological conditions aside, your skin may become dryer or flakier than usual. Thatโs because your gut microbiome โaffects the skin barrier’s integrityโwhich is essential for healthy skinโby producing compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that improve hydration,โ he adds.
โThe gut microbiome modulates the immune system’s response to inflammation, influencing the development and progression of skin conditions.โ
โKenneth Brown, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist
In short, gut inflammation gets in the way of maintaining healthy, happy, and hydrated skin.
3. Sugar cravings
Got a sweet tooth? Be aware that it doesnโt only have the potential to stoke gut inflammation but also trigger more cravingsโฆ and thus even more inflammation. โWhen you eat a diet rich in processed foods and sugar, your microbiome changes to favor the bacteria that like sugar,โ Dr. Brown warns. โThese bacteria release chemicals that signal your brain’s need for more sugar.โ
While the whole shabang perpetuates a tough cycle to break free of, the GI doc advises giving your microbiome more of what it needsโlike fiber and polyphenolsโversus what your all-too-loud cravings are convincing you to want. These nutrients will basically silence the sugar-craving bacteria, notes Dr. Brown, allowing you to get your diet and your microbiome back on track. Fortunately, you can get this power duo in a variety of healthy, whole foodsโincluding fruit, which is totally fair game as a swap to satisfy your palate.
4. Undesired weight loss
According to Dr. Brown, unintentional weight lossโnamely on account of digestive dysfunctionโcan be serious. โAnything that causes inflammation like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause weight loss,โ he shares. So, too, can malabsorption, which he says can be caused by pancreatic insufficiency or SIBO. If youโre losing weight without trying and without changing much in your routine, he warns that this is a red flag and you should consult your physician ASAP.
5. Mood imbalances and brain fog
Moody, irritable, foggy? While these signs could point to a few thingsโperhaps the most infamous being PMSโthey could also signal inflammation and imbalances in the gut given the intricacy of the gut-brain axis. โSignals sent along this axis allow your gut bacteria to communicate with your brain and vice versa, which can influence mood and behavior,โ says Dr. Brown.
And letโs not forget that key neurotransmitters for mood and mental healthโincluding serotonin, dopamine, and GABAโare produced in the gut. For instance, the gut creates about 95 percent of the bodyโs serotonin, but levels can get depleted when itโs in poor shape. As far as mind and mood are concerned, low serotonin levels are linked to everything from depression and anxiety to hostility and difficulty concentrating.
6. Fatigue and insomnia
These signs of gut inflammation can also manifest in large part due to serotoninโs involvement in regulating circadian rhythms. โSerotonin is the building block of melatonin, which is associated with keeping us in our proper sleep cycles. Research is proving that our guts are a major source of melatonin production,โ Dr. Brown explains.
โIf your microbiome isn’t in good shape, it can throw off your circadian rhythm and cause insomnia.”
As it turns out, the more melatonin, the merrierโnot only for your shuteye but your gut microbiome, too. Per a 2023 review in the French scientific journal Biochimie, the hormone has the ability to alter the composition of intestinal bacteria to favor types with anti-inflammatory properties. (Pretty cool, right?) With that said, itโs worth doing what you can to boost levels of melatonin in the bodyโincluding but not limited to eating foods with melatonin and dimming the lights as you kick off your pre-ZZZ routine.
While gut health is only one piece of a larger puzzle that will impact your serotonin and melatonin levels, it still wields a big influence. โIf your microbiome isn’t in good shape, it can throw off your circadian rhythm and cause insomnia,โ he continues. (Not to mention that more stress and mood imbalances could also disrupt your energy levels and sleep patterns.)
To bounce back from gut inflammation, stick to standards like enriching your diet with fiber, polyphenols, prebiotics, and probiotics; exercising regularly; and finding your sweet spots for self-care and stress management. Better yet, set your day up for success by prioritizing these gut-healthy habits each and every morning.
Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.
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Gooley, Joshua J et al. โExposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans.โย The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolismย vol. 96,3 (2011): E463-72. doi:10.1210/jc.2010-2098 -
Vaghari-Tabari, Mostafa et al. โMelatonin and inflammatory bowel disease: From basic mechanisms to clinical application.โย Biochimieย vol. 209 (2023): 20-36. doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2022.12.007 -
Pontes, A. L. B. de ., et al.. โSerotonin and Circadian Rhythmsโ. Psychology & Neuroscience, vol. 3, no. 2, Pontificia Universidade Catรณlica do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade de Brasรญlia, Universidade de Sรฃo Paulo, July 2010, pp. 217โ28, doi:10.3922/j.psns.2010.2.011. -
Appleton, Jeremy. โThe Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health.โย Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.)ย vol. 17,4 (2018): 28-32.