Digestive problems impact the majority of people diagnosed with autism.  Changes in gut flora alter the ecosystem in the gut which is called the microbiome.  Digestive disorders and altered microbial balance leads to brain inflammation through gut brain axis causing developmental delays and behavioral concerns in autism.

How do digestive problems impact children with autism:

About 80% of children diagnosed with autism have digestive problems.  The most common are constipation, diarrhea, reflux and pain.  In addition to absorbing nutrients, the digestive tract plays a critical role in producing brain chemicals that govern development like serotonin which is a key regulator of language, appetite, sleep and mood which affected with GIT problems.

What role does the microbiome play in development:

The Human Genome Project funded by the National Institutes of Health has identified that the microbes that live in the gut govern brain function.  Our intestine is home to trillions and trillions of microbes including thousands of different types.  Members of the gut community include bacteria, yeast and viruses.  In autism, the balance of these microbes is altered resulting in an altered microbiome.  Research in this area is transforming our understanding of the medical aspects of autism and the medical interventions that can improve quality of life and development.

Digestive problems in autism cause disruption in the microbiome and pain.

Research shows that children with autism have a elevated levels of inflammation and immune dysregulation.  The digestive tract is the heart of the innate immune system and plays a crucial role in regulating inflammation.  It contains both immune cells and beneficial bacteria and other microbes that support our body’s metabolism.  The innate immune system is a barrier defense against microbes.  This barrier system also plays a key role in regulating inflammation.

Harmful or opportunistic microbes change the microbiome and therefore change the way the body and brain is function.

Causes and symptoms of digestive dysfunction include:

• Food allergies and sensitivities

• Enzyme deficiency or dysfunction

• Chronic constipation and/or diarrhea

• Mucous, blood or undigested food in stool

• Pain, cramping or discomfort

• Bloating

• Leaky gut

• Issues with absorption

Addressing digestive problems is the key to successful biomedical treatment:

So, what is healthy digestion?

Your child should be having 2-3 bowel movements daily.  The bowel movements should be formed, easy to pass and uniform in color.  There should be no undigested food (except corn!), mucous or blood in the stool.  Although bowel movements usually have an unpleasant odor, sometimes the odor is unhealthy.  The smell of the stool can be very helpful in identifying the root cause of digestive symptoms.

Example:  yeasty, foul, sweet, like a harbor, and bready smells can all indicate yeast overgrowth

Signs of gut issues include:

Difficult breast feeding

Persistent colic

Food sensitivities

GOR

Insatiable appetite (yeast overgrowth)

Failure to thrive

Abnormal posturing

Frequent antibiotics use

Self-injuries, aggression

Hands in pants and probing

Sleep in prayer position

Diarrhea, constipation, encopresis 

On physical examination: 

Wasted buttocks, distended belly, GER signs

If he has clostridia he will have anal itching, probing.

Picking biting licking grinding aggression especially on full moon it will parasitic infection.

If yeast: rash, inflamed cheek, red anus, ring worm, tinea corporis, capitis

Peeling feet, ridged, discolored nails

50% of them has GERD