Is Your Gut Trying to Tell You Something? Find Out if Your Digestive Woes are Normal!
Gut health plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, influencing everything from digestion to mood (hello, anxiety). However, medical professionals often overlook gut health concerns and many people struggle to determine whether their gut health is within the normal range or if they need to seek help. Let’s explore what constitutes “normal” gut health - including factors like bloating, bowel movements, and other common gut-related symptoms - and what is cause for concern.
Is Bloating Normal?
By far, the most common reason people reach out to me is for bloating.
Bloating is a common digestive issue that many people experience on occasion. It's typically characterized by a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen and sometimes with visible distention. But how much bloating is considered normal?
Normal Bloating:
Occasional bloating after eating a large meal or consuming gas-producing foods like beans, broccoli, or carbonated beverages is normal.
Mild bloating that resolves on its own within a few hours and doesn’t cause significant discomfort is generally not a cause for concern.
When Bloating is a Cause for Concern:
Frequent, persistent bloating that occurs almost daily, regardless of diet.
Severe bloating that causes significant discomfort or pain (think “pregnant belly”).
Bloating accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, or blood in the stool.
How Often Should You Be Pooping?
The most overlooked gut red flag I find….
The frequency of bowel movements can vary widely from person to person. What’s normal for one individual might not be the same for another. However, there are general guidelines to help determine if your bowel habits fall within a healthy range.
Normal Bowel Movements:
Generally, having one to two bowel movements per day is considered normal.
Consistency is key – we want regular and consistent bowel movements that have a normal pattern (you know what happens after that morning cup-o-joe).
Stools should be easy to pass and soft, but not too loose or watery.
When It’s Time to Dig Deeper:
Sudden changes in bowel habits, such as going from regular movements to infrequent or excessively frequent bowel movements.
Straining or difficulty passing stools.
Very loose, watery stools that persist for more than a few days.
Presence of blood, mucus, or unusual color in the stool.
Other Common Gut Complaints
The sometimes embarrassing, or annoying symptoms, I hear about…
Gas:
Passing gas is a normal part of digestion. The average person passes gas around 13 to 21 times a day (shocking, right?).
Occasional discomfort from gas is normal, especially after eating certain gas forming foods (though I’ve got some strategies to help blunt this effect).
Excessive farting that causes you to avoid certain situations or sit in discomfort for hours is not normal - we want to explore this.
Stomach Pain:
Mild, occasional stomach pain can occur after eating a large meal, consuming spicy or fried food foods, or due to mild gas is ok, however…
Intermittent or persistent stomach pain, that seems to occur with no particular food trigger - especially if it interferes with daily activities - should be further evaluated.
Acid Reflux:
Infrequent acid reflux, or heartburn, can happen after eating a large meal or certain trigger foods.
Frequent acid reflux, occurring more than once or twice a week, may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and should be assessed. This can have multiple causes and a root cause approach is really key here!
When to Seek Help
It's important to listen to your body and get expert advice if you feel like something is off, or you feel like you’re experience has been overlooked. Some signs that you should consult a healthcare provider include:
Sudden and/or chronic & persistent changes in your bowel habits.
Severe or ongoing bloating and stomach pain.
Unexplained weight loss or gain.
Blood in the stool, dark/tarry stools, or foamy and discolored stools.
Difficulty swallowing, frequent heartburn/reflux, or excessive burping/hiccuping after meals.
Take Control of Your Gut Health
Understanding what’s normal for your gut can help you identify potential issues early. If you're unsure about if your gut is sending you red flags, consider taking my gut health quiz or reaching out so we can do a root cause analysis of your GI symptoms.
Let’s find out if your symptoms are within the normal range or if you need a personalized treatment plan. Your gut health is essential for overall well-being, so don't hesitate to take steps towards a healthier digestive system today! Book a complimentary call with me to see how I can support you!
