Living with digestive issues can be uncomfortable and even debilitating, preventing you from living life to the fullest. Fortunately, with the help of a doctor, most digestive disorders are treatable. Depending upon your condition, they may recommend boosting your intake of probiotics. Here’s what you should know about how this might help you. 

Your Guide to Probiotics & Digestive Disorders 

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria. The body contains trillions of bacteria, both good and bad. Unlike bad bacteria, which can cause infections and disease, probiotics are beneficial varieties. They help the body maintain balance, break down nutrients, and block harmful bacteria from entering the system. Probiotics are found in many foods, including fermented items such as sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi, and yogurt. You can also get probiotic supplements. 

What Digestive Disorders Do They Help? 

Digestive disorders are caused by many factors, including food allergies, imbalanced diet, stress, and anxiety. These issues can throw off the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut and make you more susceptible to infection, disease, and irregular bowel movements. Here are some conditions probiotics might help with: 

• Childhood Diarrhea: Your child’s doctor may recommend probiotics such as Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus casei, or Lactobacillus rhamnosus to treat childhood diarrhea. Pediatricians may also recommend probiotics to protect children from rotavirus. 
• Antibiotics Issues: Antibiotics, which are often prescribed to treat diseases and infections, often kill many good bacteria at the same time they’re fighting harmful bacteria. This imbalance can result in diarrhea, which may be severe and cause life-threatening dehydration. For this reason, doctors often recommend probiotics for people taking antibiotics. 
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Inflammatory bowel disease most often occurs after surgery for ulcerative colitis, in which most of the colon is removed. It happens when the pouch used to replace the removed portion of the colon becomes irritated and inflamed. Doctors typically prescribe probiotics as a preventive measure against pouchitis and ulcerative colitis.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Commonly called IBS, this condition involves issues with bowel movements, such as diarrhea or constipation. Taking probiotics can help restore balance to the gut and regulate digestion and bowel movements. 

If you’re a Prospect, CT, resident with symptoms of a digestive disorder, consult with the caring professionals at Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants. Their experienced team is dedicated to delivering affordable, quality care. From colon cancer screenings to liver biopsies and irritable bowel syndrome treatment, they provide a comprehensive range of services to help you live a healthier life. Call (203) 756-6422 to schedule an appointment or visit the website to learn more about all they have to offer.