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Digestive issues can be complex, and diagnosing such issues can be time-consuming, to say the least. In this article, we will discover 3 unfamiliar conditions commonly found as a root cause of many digestive disorders.

In our opinion, it’s always best to work with a few different practitioners who will start by ruling out certain dysfunctions, imbalances, or infections.

Mycotoxins and Mold

The secondary metabolites produced by fungi are known as mycotoxins. They are capable of causing disease in humans and animals especially if regularly exposed in high doses or with insufficient gut flora. These toxins can aggravate and inflame the stomach and intestinal lining causing all sorts of digestive disturbance and pain. The inflammation they cause also causes permeability in the intestinal barrier. This makes foreign proteins affect the immune system causing food sensitivities, brain inflammation, and nervous system dysregulation. So, brain fog, anxiety, depression, and constipation to name a  few. This creates a cycle that causes upset with peristalsis and further damage to the intestinal lining over time.

How do we get exposed to mycotoxins? They appear in the food chain as a result of mold infection of crops both before and after harvest, exposure can either happen from eating infected food directly or indirectly from animals that are fed contaminated feed. Common sources are also nuts, spices, dried fruits, beans, coffee, and chocolate, there are certain brands that screen for this. Mycotoxin exposure can also be environmental for example, if your home has toxic molds. Fortunately, you can heal a leaky gut by having a diverse diet, taking a binder such as charcoal or bentonite clay, and taking a high-quality probiotic. The most important part is eliminating mold exposure. Furthermore, testing for mycotoxins in humans is a simple non-invasive procedure where a urine or saliva sample is tested for levels. 

Yeast, fungus, and parasites

Insomnia, skin problems, large appetite, dysregulated mood, heart palpitations, chronic low immunity, IBS? You may be surprised to learn that yeast (candida overgrowth), could be attributed to this. Eliminating bacteria through antibiotic treatment often results in fungal overgrowth within the body. The fungus known as yeast naturally occurs within our bodies and GI tracts. However, the downregulation of gut bacteria from antibiotic usage can cause a predominance of Candida Albicans (yeast). Both inflammatory bowel disease and Candida overgrowth in the intestinal tract are associated with high levels of inflammatory cytokines. Over time, this can create chronic long-term digestive issues as well as global health concerns. Re-populating the gut with beneficial bacteria and eating a special diet can help to re-balance flora over time.

Intestinal parasites are actually more common than uncommon not to mention we all have parasitic fungi and parasitic yeast in our bodies. You may be surprised to know that you can pick up parasites in a variety of ways. These include raw meat, sushi, polluted water, contaminated fruits and vegetables, infected animals and pets, and insect bites. Most of our immune systems and gut environments are healthy enough to deal with most parasite encounters. However, if your systems are weakened for another reason, you may be more prone to parasitic infection. Want to know exactly what you may have? First, visit your local ND or functional medicine doctor to receive a stool analysis like the Genova gut test.

Chronic Lyme’s disease

Chronic Lymes disease is not as uncommon as you think. Many Lymes acute infections go unnoticed. It’s not until months to years later that a myriad of symptoms begin to rear their head. This is because of Borrelia Burgdorferi, a spirochete bacteria that can burrow deep into tissues. It basically hides in your body and emerges during weakness. Common symptoms are severe fatigue, migratory muscle pain, headaches, insomnia, and impaired memory. Less common but still of note are its effects on the digestive system. 

In his book How Can I Get Better? An Action Plan for Treating Resistant Lyme & Chronic Disease, Richard I. Horowitz, MD notes that Lyme and co-infections can cause inflammation leading to issues such as abdominal pain, nausea, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or reflux disease, with occasional vomiting. He writes, “…a review of gastrointestinal and liver problems associated with tick-borne diseases found that in 5 percent to 23 percent of those with early Lyme borreliosis, patients presented with varied gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia with loss of appetite, and hepatitis, and some even had symptoms of an enlarged spleen and liver.” Chronic Lymes, especially the kind that goes undetected, can cause harm to the gut. This results from the spirochetes that burrow deeply into the intestinal tract or GI areas causing long-term inflammation. Lymes disease is sometimes indicated in those who present with abdominal pain, acid reflux, chronic diarrhea, or blood in the stool. It is possible to treat and test for Lymes but is easier in the acute phase. If detected early, a person is typically put on a three-month course of heavy antibiotics. These can negatively affect the good bacteria harbored in our gut. 

What should I do if I have these symptoms?

Come in and see one of our qualified practitioners at Well Balanced Center for Integrative Care! They can recommend the next steps, work with an existing diagnosis, and/or refer you to other practitioners in-house. We collaborate to get to the root of what’s in your gut. Visit us today to begin the path of feeling better faster.