The most common symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis

Knowing the symptoms associated with gut microbiota imbalance is crucial when it comes to getting a proper diagnosis and recommending the right treatment.

The human gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, yeasts and other micro-organisms that perform an enormous number of health-promoting tasks, from metabolic and immune to neural and protective. But when an imbalance occurs in the delicate ecosystem formed by the gut microbiota, it affects the proper functioning of the entire body. This is because the microbiota interacts in a bidirectional way with most of the body’s organs and systems.

To determine as quickly as possible whether or not you have intestinal dysbiosis, and to start the best treatment, knowing and being able to recognise the symptoms associated with it is essential. As Ana Mayor, an internist and expert in Digestive Health at SHA Wellness Clinic, tells us, “characterising dysbiosis is not an easy task. In fact, it often takes a long time to diagnose intestinal dysbiosis because it manifests itself in different ways. Plus, depending on the type of dysbiosis, some symptoms may be more prevalent than others”.

Heavy digestion or headaches are common signs of intestinal dysbiosis, but its symptoms are quite diverse. Dr Mayor explains the most common ones: “bloating and abdominal distention, gas, changes to bowel habits (from diarrhoea to constipation), colicky abdominal pain, white tongue, food intolerances and recurrent infections, both urinary and vaginal. In addition, intestinal dysbiosis may be at the root of other pathologies, such as certain autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases, obesity, asthma, endometriosis, candidiasis, recurrent bronchitis, autism spectrum disorders, certain fertility problems and even Parkinson’s disease”.

At SHA, we know that the best treatment for intestinal dysbiosis is prevention. Which is why Ana recommends some basic guidelines to avoid an imbalance and maintain a healthy microbiota: “up your consumption of fruit, vegetables, pulses and fresh vegetables, eat prebiotic-rich products every day and eliminate ultra-processed foods rich in sugars, toxins and drugs that aren’t strictly necessary from your diet. Good sleep hygiene, learning to manage stress and emotions, and regular physical exercise are also very beneficial”.