There is a huge number of bacteria living inside your intestine. Bacterial cells present in human GITs (Gastrointestinal Tract) are 10 times more than cells in the host’s body. The whole civilization of bacteria inside your gut is called the gut microbiome. Much research has been done on intestinal health and diseases related to it.
Most of those bacteria are healthy and associated with digestion and gut health, but some are harmful and can cause health issues as the host’s immunity weakens. Anyway, in this article, you are going to learn everything about these harmful bacteria and their relation to certain diseases. Keep reading.
What Do Harmful Bacteria Do In The Gut Microbiome? Types Of Harmful Gut Bacteria
Harmful bacteria are responsible for all the intestine-related health issues. A person can come in contact with some of these bacteria and can contract serious diseases. These bacteria start to reproduce inside your body and release toxins that can harm your tissues and cause health issues, including pain.
Strep throat is a type of illness that is caused by these harmful bacteria. These bacteria are simply called pathogenic bacteria due to their trait of causing illness. Here are some of those pathogenic bacteria:
✔ Escherichia Coli
E. coli is a common bacteria living inside your intestines, and most strains of E. coli are harmless. The main reason for contracting harmful E.coli is contaminated water, raw vegetables, and undercooked meat. Usually, adults suffering from the harmful E.coli get well in a week, but children are at risk of life-threatening conditions. Normal E.coli can only cause diarrhoea and vomiting, but a strain named E.coli 0157:H7 can cause severe diarrhoea, blood vomiting and intense pain in guts.
✔ Salmonella
This bacteria lives in the Gastrointestinal tracts of animals and humans. Usually causing mild pain, diarrhoea, and cramps, these bacteria can be contracted through contaminated water and food. Salmonella can cause severe pain in some cases, but usually, most people get relief in a few days. However, in more severe cases, people can have bleeding and intense pain if the infection spreads outside the intestines.
What Are The Diseases Caused By Gut Bacteria?
Several diseases are caused by pathogenic bacteria. When it comes to harmful gut bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella, these bacteria can cause a series of health issues. These bacteria cause everything from poor digestion and diarrhoea to infections that could cause intense pain. Here are some of the most common health issues you can face due to pathogenic bacteria:
1] Risk Of Bowel Related Diseases
IBD, or Inflammatory bowel disease, is a condition that is caused due to harmful bacteria. This disease is caused due to two reasons: Chorns disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions lead to scaring along with infection and cysts, causing intense pain to the patient. Unhealthy bacteria can cause IBD and infect your gastrointestinal tract by spreading infection and causing pain.
2] Possibility of Irritable Syndromes
IBS is also called Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a common issue people face due to harmful bacteria like Salmonella. This disease can cause a person to suffer intestinal cramps, vomiting, and inflammation. There are no serious health risks of this disease, but if the infection spreads outside the intestine, it can cause serious pain and blood vomiting.
3] Gaining Excess Fat And Weight Gain
Gaining weight is not only due to lower physical activity but can also be caused due to certain bacteria present in the guts. These bacteria produce LPS (Lyposaccharides), which can increase body fat storage and insulin retention; due to the increased fat, people can gain weight. There are other reasons for obesity, which include higher levels of C-reactive proteins and inflammatory markers in the blood.
4] Atopy
Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes a person to get itchiness and rashes on their skin. This condition is a response of the immune system against a threat to the skin and immunity. The main reason for atopy in a person is dysbiosis in the gut, which causes inflammation and rashes for days.
How Can You Get Rid Of Harmful Gut Bacteria?
Getting rid of harmful or pathogenic gut bacteria is completely dependent on a healthy lifestyle and diet. Usually, pathogenic bacteria affect a person when they come in contact with contaminated water or food.
Treating and getting rid of unhealthy gut bacteria is easy and can be done with improved sleep, lifestyle and proper diet. Here is some detailed information about all the relief activities that will keep your gut healthy. Have a look:
1] Prioritize Your Sleep
Several studies have shown that healthy sleep patterns can promote a healthy state of gut microbes. When you start to prioritize your sleep, your gut microbes respond well to the immune system and function properly. This leads to healthy digestion and skin. Make sure you are sleeping at least 7 hours a day and keeping your diet in check.
2] Follow Dietary Restrictions
Eating healthy and nutritious food is beneficial in all aspects of life, not only for a healthy gut. Having a diet with foods rich in protein, fibre, and other essential vitamins keeps your digestion and gastrointestinal tract healthy. Make sure you are eating enough fibre, as it regulates your bowel and improves your immunity along with skin health.
3] Don’t Underestimate Doing Exercise
Doing exercise daily is not only beneficial for your muscles but can also improve your gut health. When you do physical activities like running or lifting weights, your intestine contracts naturally and passes the waste effectively. This leads to proper bowel function and keeps your digestive system healthy.
Sum Up
Bacteria present in your intestines are called gut microbiomes, and maintaining the health of your intestines will keep them healthy and functional. Gut bacteria usually don’t affect your health, but if you contract pathogenic bacteria like E. coli or salmonella, they can cause health issues. So keep your environment clean, have a healthy diet and keep your sleep pattern in check. Prioritize doing exercise daily and see the results for yourself.
References
- Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983973/ - Gut health
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/gut-health - Keeping Your Gut in Check Healthy Options to Stay on Tract
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2017/05/keeping-your-gut-check - Impacts of Gut Bacteria on Human Health and Diseases
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425030/ - Rebuilding the Gut Microbiota Ecosystem
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121872/
