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The Silent Symptom of Poor Gut Health That Most People Miss
The Silent Symptom of Poor Gut Health That Most People Miss

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Health
  • Yahoo

The Silent Symptom of Poor Gut Health That Most People Miss

The Silent Symptom of Poor Gut Health That Most People Miss originally appeared on Parade. You may be too tired to get through your day, have a general lack of energy, struggle to concentrate or just feel blah most of the time. Fatigue is relatively common, and it can be caused by a number of lifestyle habits or health issues. Poor gut health may be a contributing factor to fatigue. However, experts are still working to understand the exact relationship, explains , a gastroenterologist and chief of endoscopy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. 'The science is still very much evolving.' Fatigue refers to 'extreme tiredness,' and may encompass trouble concentrating, a lack of motivation, depression, low energy, anxiety and weakness, according to the Cleveland Clinic. About 13.5% of American adults said they feel 'very tired or exhausted' most days, according to a 2022 National Center for Health Statistics survey. Here's what doctors want you to know about fatigue and gut health, and when to see a doctor. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 The Symptom of Poor Gut Health That's Often Missed Some studies have connected dysbiosis, or an imbalance in your gut microbiome, with certain types of fatigue, Dr. de Latour says. Researchers have also found differences in the gut microbiomes of people with chronic fatigue syndrome compared to people who don't have the condition. 'Gut health is closely tied to energy regulation,' says Dr. Aubrey Grant, MD, a sports cardiologist at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C. And it's likely a two-way relationship. Related: The 3 Most Important Things Your Poop Reveals About Your Health, According to Gastroenterologists The gut microbiome influences inflammation, nutrient absorption and neurotransmitter production, he explains. 'Dysbiosis can lead to systemic inflammation, altered metabolism and disruptions in serotonin and dopamine pathways, all of which contribute to fatigue.' Probiotics (like yogurt) and anti-inflammatory foods (such as fruits and vegetables) are good for your gut microbiome and are also known to boost energy, Dr. de Latour says. So if you don't typically eat these items, you might feel fatigued. Gut Health Conditions That May Cause Fatigue If your fatigue is linked to gut health, you'll likely experience other symptoms, too, Dr. Grant says. These may include bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, appetite changes, unexplained weight loss, nausea or bloody stool. Many conditions can cause fatigue, but Dr. de Latour says an important one to note is anemia, which is when you have low levels of red blood cells, and your body isn't making enough new blood cells normally. Related: The #1 Habit to Help You Poop Better When anemia is caused by iron deficiency, she says, 'We worry about small amounts of invisible blood loss from a tumor or large polyp in the gastrointestinal tract.' In these instances, Dr. de Latour says doctors may do an endoscopy procedure to examine your GI tract. Conditions like celiac disease can lead to iron-deficiency anemia because it causes small bowel inflammation, impacting your ability to absorb iron, she explains. Inflammatory bowel disease may also cause anemia. Irritable bowel syndrome, chronic gastritis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may also cause fatigue due to nutrient malabsorption, chronic inflammation or immune system activation, Dr. Grant says. When to See a Doctor If you're dealing with fatigue and worry it may be related to your gut health, Dr. de Latour says there are some other 'red flags' to watch for, including iron-deficiency anemia, blood in your stool, changes in your bowel habits or stool and weight loss. It's especially crucial to note these symptoms if you have a family history of colon cancer, she adds. Related: You Should Never Sit for More Than This Many Minutes When You're Pooping When you're experiencing fatigue that persists beyond a couple of weeks and any of these other symptoms, see your doctor, Dr. Grant says. They'll likely do blood work and possibly an endoscopy to identify any issues in your GI tract, Dr. de Latour says. Up Next: Sources: Rabia de Latour, MD, a gastroenterologist and chief of endoscopy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Aubrey Grant, MD, a sports cardiologist at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C. Fatigue, Cleveland Clinic QuickStats: Percentage* of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Who Felt Very Tired or Exhausted Most Days or Every Day in the Past 3 Months,† by Sex and Age Group — National Health Interview Survey,§ United States, 2022, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Triggers, Consequences, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options, Microorganisms Studies find that microbiome changes may be a signature for ME/CFS, National Institutes of Health The Silent Symptom of Poor Gut Health That Most People Miss first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

Flu is hitting a second peak in the U.S. this season. A doctor shares what to know.
Flu is hitting a second peak in the U.S. this season. A doctor shares what to know.

CBS News

time06-02-2025

  • Health
  • CBS News

Flu is hitting a second peak in the U.S. this season. A doctor shares what to know.

For a second time this season, the flu is surging, with at least 41 states reporting high or very high levels of the virus. Emergency room visits for the virus have shot up nearly 30% this week compared to the week before. The increase in cases has led to temporary school closures in places around the country, including in Texas and Tennessee. Dr. Rabia de Latour, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, told "CBS Mornings Plus" Thursday that recent data show there have been more than 20 million cases, 250,000 hospitalizations and over 11,000 deaths so far this flu season. "These cases are staggering, but they're not unlike numbers we saw pre-pandemic," she said, noting a few factors behind the rise. "We got a little bit spoiled after the pandemic because of precautions that people were taking (to stop) the spread of coronavirus — we also saw decreased numbers in flu, RSV, the common cold, and what that resulted in is a little bit of an immunity gap," she said. "Society as a whole is less immune, we have slightly lower vaccination rates, and so our defenses are slightly down." Is it too late to get a flu shot? It's not too late to get a flu shot — in fact, it is encouraged, according to de Latour. "The rule of thumb for flu vaccination is: as long as that virus is circulating, you can absolutely get vaccinated," she said. Anyone 6 months and older can get vaccinated for the flu, according to longstanding recommendations. How long is the flu contagious? In most people who are infected, influenza viruses can be detected starting one day before symptoms begin, and for up to five to seven days after becoming sick. At-home flu tests, which are somewhat new, can help people determine what illness they have. "The biggest utility of these is to help you define what you have so that you can prevent the spread," de Latour said. "I think people are going to be a lot more willing to stay at home and isolate themselves if they have a diagnosis of the flu — to prevent it from getting to people who are immunocompromised in society or at school. So it helps you with information. Information is power." While there's no definitive treatment for the flu, there is a well-known antiviral medication called Tamiflu, which has been found to reduce the duration of symptoms. "We don't recommend it for everyone," de Latour said. "You're technically eligible if you're age 2 weeks and older, but we tend to recommend for people who are high risk — immunocompromised, very young children, pregnant women, people who have severe comorbidities like heart disease or diabetes, and you're at risk for getting pneumonia or getting sicker from the flu." Whooping cough cases also on the rise The flu isn't the only illness surging in the country. The U.S. has recorded a fourth straight week of accelerating pertussis or whooping cough infections, according to figures published late Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases nationwide are up 27% from the week before, the data shows. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants and young children because of their small airways. "The reason why it's called whooping cough — it's a cough, cough, cough, cough, and then they gasp for air, that's the whoop," CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook previously said on "CBS Mornings Plus.""As an adult, when you get it, you may be sick, but probably going to be OK in terms of moving air in and out of your body. With infants, airways are so small that they can really have trouble breathing at all." An effective vaccine for whooping cough is part of a combined vaccine called Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. But babies can't get it until they're 2 months old, leaving the youngest infants vulnerable. "So until then, you're really relying on the adults being immunized," LaPook said.

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