Page 1 - Trust Your Gut

ISJ Medical Guide – 9/21/2016

Keeping Your Gut in Check
Trusting your gut and how to decipher the messages your body is sending

Submitted by Bingham Memorial Hospital

We have a lot of good, healthy bacteria that live in our intestines. And really, this good bacteria
does so much for us that we take it for granted—until something goes wrong. If your gut bacteria
is not doing what it’s supposed to, you won’t be able to digest food properly and get the daily
nutrients you need, your body won’t get rid of harmful toxins, and your hormones won’t balance
properly.

“The gut is often referred to as the second brain because it has so much to do with brain
function,” says David J. Bilstrom, MD—the Director of the Bingham Memorial Center for
Functional Medicine and International Autoimmune Institute. “The gut is an organ of production.
Our guts create serotonin (a feel good neurotransmitter) and it also produces the hormone
insulin, which helps to control our blood sugar. The gut controls so many things.”

If your serotonin levels aren’t balanced, you could experience depression, and if your insulin
levels aren’t right, this could lead to prediabetes or even type 2 diabetes. When your good-gut
bacteria isn’t functioning properly, this can also turn into many gastrointestinal troubles, such as
constipation, gas & bloating, heartburn, or diarrhea. However, these symptoms could also be a
red flag that something more serious is wrong.

“The majority of Americans have had one or more of these problems,” says Dr. Bilstrom. “The
general trend in our society is to self-manage these complaints, because they are so common. But
that means people need to be extremely aware of what is serious—and what isn’t.”

If uncomfortable digestive symptoms are disrupting your daily activities (or are just a pain in the
you-know-what), read on to learn what they may indicate and how you can find relief. Dr.
Bilstrom provides a general guide as to what your symptoms might mean and which demand a
prompt visit with your doctor.

Symptom: Constipation
What is it? Infrequent or difficult-to-pass bowel movements, often accompanied by the feeling of
a full and bloated abdomen.

What it could mean: Constipation has many causes, including not eating enough fiber, lack of
exercise, taking certain medications, pregnancy, dehydration, and certain diseases and conditions
such as stroke.

What you should do? “To have regular bowel movements, it’s important to exercise regularly,
drink enough water, and eat a diet with enough fiber,” Dr. Bilstrom says. Gradually incorporate
more fiber into your diet by eating whole grains, fruits and veggies, and amp up the exercise.