Our bathroom habits may seem harmless, but experts have highlighted several important things to be aware of, as some habits can actually have an impact on our health.
If you’re someone who tends to scroll endlessly on your phone while sitting on the toilet, it might be a good idea to rethink that. Plenty of healthcare professionals have shared concerns about the possible downsides of that habit.
Researchers, led by Alexander de Porto from both the University of Chicago and the University of Amsterdam, have identified a list of markers found in feces as part of a new study that was featured in Science Advances.
You might be wondering what the goal is here. Essentially, the idea is to measure the chance that a person might die within 30 days based on what’s found in their stool.
The researchers studied how this condition plays a role in the health of people who are critically ill. To do this, they analyzed 196 stool samples from patients who were experiencing either shock or severe respiratory failure.
By looking at the levels of 13 different metabolites found in the stool, the scientists discovered that these compounds could help flag liver transplant patients who are more likely to suffer serious complications or even die from infections after their surgery.
“Potential interventions might include dietary changes, administration of probiotics, or direct supplementation with these metabolites.”
Eric Pamer and Bhakti Patel, from the University of Chicago, along with de Porto, told Science Alert: “The findings suggest that fecal metabolic dysbiosis, quantified through the MDS, holds potential as a biomarker to identify critically ill patients at increased risk of mortality.”
According to Cleveland Clinic, dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the group of microorganisms that live together in our bodies. In simpler terms, this means there’s a lack of variety and balance in the gut’s microbiome.
Some of the common signs of gut dysbiosis include feeling bloated, having gas, or noticing shifts in bowel movements. In more serious cases, it can lead to infections caused by bacteria or gut-related inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease.
That said, Cleveland Clinic points out that how dysbiosis is treated really depends on what’s causing it in the first place. If lifestyle or environmental issues are making it worse, a doctor can help figure out the best course of action.
Right now, scientists need to test the MDS score in new patient groups. Doing so may help uncover more links between gut imbalances and a greater chance of dying, especially for those who are already very ill.