Q I'm under a lot of stress and often take painkillers. Could I develop leaky gut?
A NSAID painkillers and chronic stress are leading causes that directly damage the tight junctions of the intestinal mucosa. They also induce gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis), so symptoms appear in a complex way.
Detailed Answer
NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin suppress mucosa-protecting substances (prostaglandins), accelerating mucosal damage. Stress raises cortisol, disrupting the gut bacterial balance and hindering mucosal regeneration. When the two factors overlap, the risk of leaky gut increases even more.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, stress-induced liver-qi stagnation is seen to suppress the spleen-stomach and lower intestinal mucosal recovery. We improve the fundamental intestinal mucosal environment with prescriptions that regulate both the liver and spleen-stomach (such as Hyangsa-yangwi-tang and Samryeong-baekchul-san formulas).
Related FAQs
-
Q
I am receiving L-glutamine and zinc prescriptions from Western medicine. Would adding Korean medicine treatment improve things further?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I self-diagnosed online and came in. How can I actually tell if I have leaky gut?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I was also diagnosed with IBS. Can leaky gut and IBS be treated together?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
After eating, my head feels foggy. Is this related to an intestinal problem?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I work near Dong-incheon and want to receive treatment. Is there practical lifestyle management for busy office workers?
#Lifestyle Management