The quiet symptom of poor bowel health, which most people missed initially, appeared on a parade.
You may be too tired to go through your day, have a general lack of energy, struggle to concentrate, or just feel a rattle most of the time. Fatigue is relatively common and can be caused by a number of habits of life or health problems.
Poor bowel health can be a factor in fatigue. However, experts still work to understand the right relationship, explains Dr. Rabia de Latur, D -R, Gastroenterologist and Chief of Endoscopy at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Science is still developing a lot.”
Fatigue refers to “extreme fatigue” and can cover problems with concentration, lack of motivation, depression, low energy, anxiety and weakness, according to the clinic in Cleveland. About 13.5% of adult US said they feel “very tired or exhausted” in most days, according to the National Center for Health Statistics in 2022.
Here’s what doctors want to know about the fatigue and health of the bowel and when to see a doctor.
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The symptom of poor bowel health that is often missed
Some studies have been linked to dysbiosis or imbalance in your gut microbiome, with certain types of fatigue, says Dr. De Latur. Researchers have also found differences in the gut gut microbiomes with chronic fatigue syndrome compared to people who have no condition.
“The health of the bowel is closely linked to the regulation of energy,” says Dr. Grant, Doctor of MedicineA sports cardiologist at Medstar Health in Washington, Colombia County and is probably a two -way connection.
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The gut microbiome affects inflammation, the absorption of nutrients and the production of neurotransmitters, he explains. “Dysbiosis can lead to systemic inflammation, altered metabolism and interruptions in serotonin and dopamine pathways, all of which contribute to fatigue.”
Probiotics (such as yogurt) and anti-inflammatory foods (such as fruits and vegetables) are good for your gut microbiome and it is also known to boost energy, says Dr. de Latur. So if you usually do not eat these items, you may feel tired.
Intestinal health conditions that can cause fatigue
If your fatigue is associated with bowel health, you will probably experience other symptoms, says Dr. Grant. These may include bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, changes in appetite, inexplicable weight loss, nausea or bloody stool.
Many conditions can cause fatigue, but D -Latur says that important, which should be noted, is anemia that is when you have low levels of red blood cells and your body does not make new blood cells normally.
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When anemia is caused by iron deficiency, it says, “We worry about small amounts of invisible blood loss from a tumor or a large polyp in the gastrointestinal tract.” In these cases, D -Latur says that doctors can perform an endoscopy procedure to examine your GI treatise.
Conditions such as celiac disease can lead to iron deficiency anemia, as it causes inflammation of the small intestine, affects your ability to absorb iron, she explains. Inflammatory bowel disease can also cause anemia.
Irritable bowel syndrome, chronic gastritis, and small bacterial growth (SIBO) can also cause fatigue due to nutritional malabsorption, chronic inflammation or activation of the immune system, says Dr. Grant.
When to see a doctor
If you are tired and worried that it may be related to your bowel health, Dr. de Latur says there are some other “red flags” to watch, including anemia with iron deficiency, blood in your stools, changes in bowel habits or chair and weight loss. It is especially important to note these symptoms if you have a family history of colon cancer, she adds.
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When you experience fatigue that lasts after a few weeks and some of these other symptoms, see your doctor, says Dr. Grant. They are likely to do blood work and possibly endoscopy to identify any problems in your GI treatise, says Dr. De Latur.
Forward:
Related: Early Sign of colon cancer most people miss, according to gastroenterologists
Sources:
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Rabia de Latour, Dr., Gastroenterologist and Endoscopy Chief at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
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Grant Grant, Doctor of Medicine, Sports Cardiologist at MedStar Health in Washington, Colombia County
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Fatigue, clinic Cleveland
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Quickstats: percentage* of adults ≥18 years of age who felt very tired or exhausted in most days or every day in the last 3 months, †by gender and age group – National Health Interview Study, § United States, 2022, Centers for Control and Prevention of Diseases
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Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota: triggies, consequences, diagnostic and therapeutic options, microorganisms
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Studies have found that changes in microbiome can be signature for me/CFS, National Health Institutes
The quiet symptom of poor bowel health that most people miss appeared on the parade on August 6, 2025.
This story was originally reported by Parade on August 6, 2025, where it first appeared.