• Inflammation Triggering: Digestive issues can lead to a compromised digestive system, allowing bad bacteria to thrive. This imbalance triggers an inflammatory response from the immune system, which exacerbates acne, an already inflammatory condition. Stomach infections can also lead to inflammation and cause acne​
• Bacterial Overgrowth and Dysbiosis: The gut microbiome, which houses both beneficial and pathogenic bacteria, plays a crucial role. An imbalance in this microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can lead to various health issues, including skin conditions like acne. This imbalance can be due to an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the digestive system, such as in conditions like small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO often occurs when illness or other factors slow down waste elimination, allowing bad bacteria to flourish and cause dysbiosis, leading to acne​
• Leaky Gut Syndrome: A healthy digestive system is lined with a barrier that allows nutrients to pass into the bloodstream while keeping toxins confined. However, dysbiosis can lead to a condition called leaky gut, where this barrier becomes compromised, allowing harmful materials, including bad bacteria, to pass through. These bacteria and toxins can then contribute to skin issues like acne, as the body attempts to expel these substances through the skin​
• Impaired Immune Response: A significant portion of the immune system is located in the gut. When gut health is compromised, so is the immune system's efficiency. A weakened immune system is less capable of combating bad bacteria on the skin, which can lead to acne. Strengthening gut health can thereby improve immune response and help manage acne​

• Chronic Diseases and Conditions: Diabetes is highlighted as the most common cause of a slow digestive system, specifically leading to a condition known as gastroparesis. Other chronic conditions contributing to decreased digestive function include hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and scleroderma​
• Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases: These are conditions where the GI tract appears normal but doesn't move properly. Examples include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, and other symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This category underscores the complexity of digestive disorders and the importance of motility (the ability of the GI tract to move substances)​
• Lifestyle Factors: Similar to the initial response, lifestyle factors like a low-fiber diet, not chewing foods properly, lack of exercise, changes in routine such as traveling, and high stress levels play a significant role in digestive function. Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement and overuse of certain medications (like anti-diarrheals) can also impact the digestive system's efficiency
• Medications: Certain medications exacerbate digestive problems. These include narcotic pain medications (like codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine), antidepressants, anticholinergics, and medications used to control blood sugar like pramlintide. These medications can slow down stomach emptying, contributing to digestive issues​
• Age and Surgery: Age-related decline in digestive function and the effects of previous abdominal or intestinal surgery are also significant factors. Although not as prominently mentioned as other causes, these factors can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the digestive system

IBD

IBS