Inflammation in the gut may be brought on by a variety of factors.
However, there are other causes of gut inflammation that may be chronic and more difficult to address.
That may include avoiding things that could contribute to inflammation.
Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images
Incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet: Diet may both contribute to inflammation in the body and also reduce it.
These foods may contribute to inflammation.
The balance of these microbes can get skewed, which may contribute to inflammation.
Evidence is still being gathered about howprobioticsmay work to shift thegut microbiome.
They can also disrupt the balance of the microbiome.
For those who drink, stopping may help in avoiding the inflammatory effects it causes in the gut.
Guidelines on Probiotics
Currently,probiotic supplementsarentrecommendedfor most people.
There isnt enough evidence to say for sure which strains of probiotics might help which people.
Ongoing Therapies to Reduce Gut Inflammation
There are acute and chronic factors that affect gut inflammation.
One night of drinking may cause gut inflammation in the short term.
Continue eating fewer inflammatory foods: Addressing diet can look like eating moreanti-inflammatory foodsand avoiding the inflammatory ones.
Experts often recommend a Mediterranean diet for overall health.
This doesnt mean trying to eat exactly like people who live in the Mediterranean.
The plan can be customized to accommodate cultural and local foods.
Stay hydrated: Its now thought that being dehydrated may contribute to a number of health conditions.
One study showed that middle-aged people who showed evidence oflong-term dehydrationmay be at risk for some health conditions.
Aside from drinking a glass of water,eating foods with a high water contentcan also help.
A lack of sleep is associated with a host of health issues.
Addressing sleep problems may be a long-term consideration.
Getting a few nights of better rest may not be enough to address what could be a chronic issue.
It might not be possible to eliminate all negative stress.
What Causes Gut Inflammation?
The gut contains hundreds of millions of neurons that make up theenteric nervous system.
It is part of theimmune systemthat reacts to stop threats to the body.
When needed, the immune system sends out proteins called cytokines.
The cytokines, in turn, prompt inflammation.
The intestine is also home to trillions of microorganisms.
The types and number of these microbes can get pushed out of balance, which is calleddysbiosis.
Dysbiosis may leave the tissues of the gut more susceptible to the processes that lead to inflammation.
Inflammation isnt always bad: Its a response that can rally to help fight off an infection.
However,chronic inflammationisnt beneficial and can lead to health problems.
There are many reasons that people may experience inflammation in the body.
Infections, includinggastroenteritis(the stomach flu) may cause intestinal inflammation.
Other Causes
Other factors may contribute to inflammation, though they are less well understood.
Some may also be out of your control.
This can include air pollution, noise pollution, environmental toxins, heat exposure, and aging.
When to See a Healthcare Professional
Its important to not ignore symptoms of inflammation in the body.
Many people may start with seeing a general practitioner.
There may be a need to get a referral to agastroenterologist, a digestion specialist.
2021;9:922. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9080922
Ricker MA, Haas WC.Anti-inflammatory diet in clinical practice: a review.Nutr Clin Pract.
doi:10.1172/jci.insight.130949
Department of Agriculture.Food data central,
American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Healthy sleep habits.
