|  | Wednesday, March 07, 2018 | | | | | | | | How Diarrhea Disrupts Your Gut | | By Dr. Mark Grabowsky | | When Hippocrates asserted that, "All disease begins in the gut" he did not have a concept of microorganisms or their interactions in the intestines. However, recent discoveries about the gut microbiome are supporting his claim–there are relatively few factors that are responsible for most changes in the gut. | | | | Some are things that happened early in life such as whether we were breast fed or born by C-section. Others happen every day, such as the amount of vegetables in our diet. One important issue which happens periodically is diarrhea. Many doctors explain the gut to be the "second brain" of the body that can affect everything from mood swings to overall health and wellness. The brain and the gut are connected and communicate via hundreds of neurons, hormones and chemicals. What you put into your body and what you expose it to can not only affect your gut, but your brain and your entire body. | | So, what exactly is happening in my gut during diarrhea? | | | When traveling you might be exposed to a common seasonal virus such as Norovirus, against which antibiotics are ineffective. When you are infected by Norovirus, expect to have some quality time with the bathroom. And when the dreaded diarrhea catches you, it is not just disrupting your lifestyle, but your gut–leaving you weak and miserable. | | | A common cause of diarrhea is your body's reaction to an unwanted or unbalanced microorganism in the gut. During a bout of diarrhea your body is working to flush out the microorganism and regain balance. In these cases, diarrhea is an expected and normal reaction to an abnormal situation. In the flushing process of diarrhea, your body depletes fluids and electrolytes. It is important to resolve diarrhea safely and effectively, while also nourishing the gut. Oral rehydration with electrolytes is the mainstay of therapy. Drugs which interfere with this flushing process, such as loperamide, can delay healing. | | | | Here are some tips to get back to a healthy gut: | | | - Rehydrate. | | | - Avoid non-essential antibiotics. | | | - Try DiaResQ at the first sign of diarrhea. It is not a drug or an antibiotic, it is a food–a combination of naturally occurring immune factors and important nutritional components that supports your body's natural immune response to promote intestinal health and rapidly restore normal function. | | | - Avoid spicy or difficult to digest foods and nourish your body with healthy options. | | | - Sleep/rest. After symptoms of diarrhea, your body and your brain (remember, they are connected!) need as much sleep and rest as possible. | | | - Talk to your doctor if symptoms persist. | | | *Dr. Mark Grabowsky is an internationally recognized expert on disease prevention and child health. He has held senior level posts at the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and is currently the Chief Medical Officer for PanTheryx, Inc., the manufacturer of DiaResQ. | | | | | All rights reserved. DiaResQ 2018. | | | | | |
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