Intestinal dysbiosis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Intestinal dysbiosis is an imbalance in the growth of microorganisms that are naturally found in the intestine, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, excess gas, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or constipation in some cases.

Imbalances in the intestinal flora, also called intestinal microbiota, are mainly caused by a diet rich in protein and fat and low in fiber, but can also be a consequence of the use of some medications or stress, for example.

Read too: Intestinal flora: what it is, what it is for and how to replace it
If intestinal dysbiosis is suspected, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist. Treatment may involve dietary changes, improved health care and the use of dietary supplements that contain probiotics or vitamins.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis are:

• Nausea or vomiting;
• Excessive gas and belching;
• Discomfort or swelling in the abdomen;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Tiredness;
• Irritability.

In most cases, intestinal dysbiosis is transient and symptoms tend to improve as the intestinal flora recovers naturally. However, the person may develop persistent symptoms in some cases.

Furthermore, intestinal dysbiosis appears to be associated with diseases such as food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes and colorectal cancer. However, its role in the development or severity of these diseases is not known for certain.

Read too: Irritable bowel syndrome: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of intestinal dysbiosis is normally made by a gastroenterologist or nutritionist based on the symptoms presented, the person’s health history and the results of tests carried out to identify changes in the intestinal microbiota.

Some tests that your doctor may recommend to check the health of your intestinal microbiota include:

• Urinary indican test: is a urine test to assess the amount of indican, which is a substance produced in the body in response to food. In case of imbalance in the intestinal flora, the elimination of indican in the urine may be increased;
• Gut microbiome: is a genetic test carried out on a stool sample to identify the bacteria present in the intestinal flora;
• Breathed hydrogen test: consists of identifying the presence of gases produced by bacteria in the intestine in a sample collected by asking the person to breathe using a plastic bag. This sample is analyzed by special equipment and the types and quantities of gases present may indicate changes in the intestinal microbiota.

However, it is important that the results of these tests are interpreted by a specialist, because especially in people who do not have other health problems, the composition of the intestinal flora tends to vary a lot without this being considered a problem.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, find a gastroenterologist closest to you using the tool below:

Possible causes

The most common causes of intestinal dysbiosis include:

1. Type of diet

Diet is one of the main causes of dysbiosis and small changes, excesses or restrictions in food can alter the quality and quantity of bacteria in the intestine.

Excessive intake of animal protein, such as meat, fish or eggs, can increase the production of compounds that are toxic to the beneficial bacteria in the intestine, which can cause dysbiosis.

Furthermore, excessive consumption of foods rich in sugar or fat, such as milk, cheese, ice cream and sweets, contributes to inflammation in the intestine and the emergence of imbalances in its microbiota.

2. Use of medications

Frequent and/or prolonged use of some medications, such as laxatives, antibiotics, corticosteroids or antacids, can cause imbalances in the intestinal microbiota, resulting in the elimination of bacteria beneficial to intestinal health or excessive bacterial growth, for example.

3. Other factors

Furthermore, other factors that increase the risk of intestinal dysbiosis are excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, age, stress and some existing intestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

How the treatment is carried out

In most cases, dysbiosis is treated by changing eating habits. However, sometimes the use of probiotic supplements and, depending on the severity, fecal transplantation may be indicated.

The main treatment options for intestinal dysbiosis are:

1. Diet changes

In addition to medical monitoring, for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis it is important to receive guidance from a nutritionist because changing eating habits is the best way to restore the health of the intestinal flora.

The most important changes in eating habits include:

• Prioritize foods rich in unsaturated fatsuch as olive oil, avocado and almond, as they promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine;
• Eat a diet rich in prebioticsa type of fiber present in some foods such as oats, garlic, green banana biomass, honey and yacon potatoes, as they are essential nutrients for the good bacteria in the intestine;
• Eat foods rich in fiber such as beans, unpeeled fruits and fresh vegetables daily, as they contribute to increasing the variety of beneficial bacteria in the intestine;
• Consume foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir and kombucha, which contain live microorganisms that are beneficial for intestinal health and that promote the balance of intestinal flora. See the 6 probiotic foods that are good for your health.

Furthermore, it is also important to avoid excessive consumption of milk and its derivatives and sugars, which stimulate fermentation and increase the production of gases in the intestine, which can worsen symptoms.

2. Food supplements

Probiotic supplements also contain microorganisms that favor the balance of intestinal flora, such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, and may also be indicated in the treatment of dysbiosis.

Read too: Probiotics: what they are, benefits (and how to take them)

Although not always necessary, taking supplements with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, especially when deficient, can also be beneficial for developing healthy intestinal flora.

3. Improve healthcare

To treat intestinal dysbiosis, it is essential that health problems that can harm the balance of the intestinal microbiota, such as diabetes, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, are treated appropriately, according to the doctor’s advice.

Furthermore, adopting healthy habits, such as practicing physical activity regularly and stopping smoking, also contribute to restoring the balance of the intestinal flora by stimulating conditions in the body that are suitable for the growth of good bacteria.

4. Fecal transplant

Fecal transplantation consists of transferring intestinal flora from a healthy person to another with dysbiosis and appears to help restore the balance of intestinal bacteria in some cases.

This procedure is normally only indicated in some cases of recurrent intestinal infections. Find out more about what fecal transplantation is, what it is for and how it is done.