Hippocrates famously stated, “All disease begins in the gut.”
He was not wrong, even if he did not have science to back him up.
Even though the cosmos is vast and complex, one of the most fascinating things you will discover has to do with your own body. Humans have been studying their own bodies since the beginning of time.
The bulk of scientific and medical assumptions have been based on scant evidence for millennia. People in medieval medicine, for example, believed that the health of the body was based on the balance of four liquids, or “humors.” The four humors were blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. Doctors would use heat or cold, dry or wet, to try to balance a patient’s humors when they were sick.
We now know that disease does not necessarily result from an imbalance of liquids in our bodies. Using modern technology, we can now trace the origins of a wide spectrum of disorders, whether genetic, viral, or bacterial.
We now have a far greater grasp of the way the human body works as a result of this research. Believe it or not, the human body has a bevy of weird connections. The way we treat one region can have a big impact on how another one operates.
Gut Health and Immunity
Inside your gut, a thriving ecosystem of tiny microbes influences your overall health. Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium are among the microorganisms in your gut microbiome. While the concept of germs within you may make you cringe, these helpful organisms are required for a healthy immune system.
Bacteria has been residing within you since birth, teaching your immune system how to function. When foreign substances enter your stomach, the trained microbiome can defend your body and minimize inflammatory reactions.
If your gut flora is poor or imbalanced, your body will have a much tougher time fighting sickness. If you want a strong immune system, you should feed your gut bacteria a diverse diet.
Consuming probiotic and prebiotic foods is an excellent way to maintain a healthy gut flora. If probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, and kombucha are not your thing, a probiotic supplement can benefit your stomach and immune system.
Your Mouth and Heart Disease
Your dentist is looking for more than cavity prevention when he or she tells you to floss. It turns out that those who have poor oral hygiene have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke or heart attack.
The bacteria in your mouth may soon get out of control if you do not brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. When bacteria infect your gums, producing gingivitis or periodontitis, they can easily enter your blood vessels, irritating and damaging them. Once the body’s immune system responds to the inflammation, a chain reaction of injury can occur, with the heart being the first stop along the blood vessel highway.
To keep your heart healthy– and your breath fresh– practice regular oral hygiene and visit your dentist biannually for a check-up and professional cleaning.
Your body is an amazing mechanism that we are only now beginning to understand. An imbalanced gut microbiota, for example, can have a significant influence on your immune system.
That is why it is vital to focus on whole-body care for both your mental and physical well-being. Because everything is interrelated, taking care of every inch of yourself is your best bet.
Treatments for Common Digestive Disorders
In the digestive system, there are a number of moving parts. As a result, there are various possibilities for things to go wrong. If you are having digestive issues and are not sure what is causing them, here are some common diseases and treatments to explore.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease, according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is a collection of persistent digestive disorders rather than a single illness. They can also be very uncomfortable. Three of the most common types of IBS include Crohn’s disease, indeterminate colitis, and ulcerative colitis. Each of these issues is caused by inflammation and can have a significant negative influence on a person’s daily life.
While there are many other treatments for IBD, CBD, a possible supplement, has lately gained favor. CBD, a cannabis-derived molecule, provides a number of health benefits for the digestive system. It is an anti-inflammatory that may help the body to rebalance itself. This might aid in the treatment of IBS and other digestive problems. When combined with an anti-inflammatory diet and other self-help methods, CBD may be beneficial in the treatment of IBD.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a severe form of colitis, one of many inflammatory bowel diseases. Diverticulitis, on the other hand, requires its own treatment. If left untreated, according to Everyday Health and checked by Dr. Kareen Sassi, it may cause an infection, necessitating surgery.
Inflammatory diverticula, which are abnormal pouches in the digestive system, are the hallmarks of diverticulitis. It sends about 200,000 people to the hospital every year.
Severe diverticulitis infection needs medical care and antibiotic treatment. Natural therapies, on the other hand, can assist to keep this sickness at bay. This entails leading a healthy lifestyle and avoiding foods that irritate the digestive system.
According to Dr. David Jockers of Georgia’s Exodus Healthcare, refined sugars, wheat, legumes, dairy, and corn are among the foods that might cause or aggravate diverticulitis. Diverticulitis symptoms are considered to be efficiently controlled by improving the digestive system.
Some claim that CBD can help manage gastrointestinal inflammation and mend the gut, and there is evidence to back them up.
Gallstones
Gallstones are one of the most excruciating gastrointestinal problems. They are hardened deposits that accumulate in the gallbladder, a small – and often overlooked – organ underneath the liver. Gallstones cause gallbladder pain and discomfort. Possible adverse effects include fever and jaundice.
One of the simplest ways to avoid gallstones is to stay hydrated. Magnesium supplements, vitamin C, and fiber will also aid in the proper functioning of the digestive tract.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GERD is a condition that affects the esophagus. GERD, is a common ailment that may make eating a chore. Chronic heartburn caused by a buildup of gastrointestinal fluids that are forced up into the throat is known as GERD. When people with GERD eat a large meal or lie down flat, they may experience pain.
With the availability of less intrusive medical treatments like, diet and exercise are likely to be the most beneficial. Losing abdominal fat, which is known to press against stomach acid, as well as avoiding heartburn-inducing foods like tomatoes, peppermint, and chocolate, can help.
Hippocrates famously stated, “All disease begins in the gut.” He was not wrong, even if he did not have science to back him up.
More than just the stomach is affected by gastrointestinal health. There are several support centers in the body that have an impact on general health. The brain, heart, lungs, and stomach all work together to keep the body healthy. Everything comes apart when one of these is out of whack. Gut health is linked to mental well-being, and an improper bacterial balance can aggravate almost any physical disease.
Dangers That Are Not Evident
We are all vulnerable to small bacteria that can make us sick and put our long-term health at jeopardy. They are a serious threat since they may be found almost anywhere, including our own homes and surfaces with which we interact on a regular basis.
There Is More
Dust, sprays, cleaning fluids, and other stuff that make our homes smell beautiful and may all make us sick. It is vital to comprehend how the chemicals we use to clean our houses, as well as the microscopic germs they are supposed to control, might be harmful to our health.
In the Fridge, There is a Threat
The refrigerator is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to germs. Molds thrive in spilled liquids and rotting food that collects in trays and shelves, providing an excellent breeding environment for them.
Mold may make you very sick. Dust is released into the air if the electric coils in your freezer are not kept clean. Whatever you do, keep a watch on the vegetable and fruit drawers, since they might serve as a breeding ground for disease-causing microorganisms.
Warm water and baking soda, applied on a regular basis, keep this delicate, easy-to-overlook section of the refrigerator clean and safe.
Clothes for Bed
Your bed is supposed to be a private and personal refuge, but if it is not kept clean, dust mites may take up residence in your room. If you have allergies, hay fever, or just a common cold, dust mites are one of the most dangerous household hazards. Every day, you should air out your room and wash your bed linens using antibacterial detergent. This will help to avoid the spread of germs.
Keep an Eye Out for Mold
Mold may grow quickly on a variety of household surfaces, including wood, drywall, and wallpaper, when moisture is present. Mold development is exceedingly dangerous, particularly for people with asthma or who are prone to severe allergic reactions.
Look for musty odors, discoloration on the walls or ceilings, peeling wallpaper, or other evidence of water damage. Mold sickness can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including sneezing, coughing, and rashes.
Consider investing in a high-quality filterless air purifier to help you get rid of mold, bacteria, and other harmful airborne pollutants like dust mites and mold spores.
Fantastic tips and advice here, Thom. I started following gut microbiome research back in 2010 after my AS diagnosis. Such a fascinating topic!