The more we learn about the gut, the more we understand how important the health of this system is to the overall health of the individual. From microbes that influence immunity, mood, and brain function to metabolism that determines energy levels, a healthy gut is key to a healthy life. However, a myriad of conditions can affect gut health with widespread consequences on the body as a whole. Advancements in wearable technology and connected sensors may hold the key to managing and preventing gut disease now and in the future.
Here, we look at the most common diseases and issues affecting gut health and how wearables are being harnessed to prevent, diagnose, and treat them for better outcomes. We’ll also look at what current trends in connected device and wearable technology in this field tell us about developing the next generation of these tools.
Areas of Focus In Gut Health
Two-thirds of Americans are living with gut health issues. The most widely impacted group by these issues are those between 18 and 44 years of age(1). In addition to the direct symptoms of gut inflammation and disease, these issues can also cause long-term problems. Alzheimer’s, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cardiac disease, stroke, and certain chronic conditions have a strong correlation with gut disease.
To reduce the incidence of these common issues, we must find ways to prevent and treat the most common gut diseases, gain a better understanding of food allergies and intolerances, and support microbiome health.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. These include Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Both of these conditions cause excessive inflammation in various parts of the gut.
Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, reduced appetite, and blood in the stool. The inflammation associated with this condition frequently results in malabsorption and nutritional deficiencies. These issues can, in turn, cause osteoporosis, mental health challenges, and liver disease. Fistulas, strictures, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer are also likely.
IBD is typically treated using medications, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle modification. When these steps are not effective, surgery to remove affected areas of the gut may be necessary.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. Unlike IBD, IBS does not involve inflammation or damage to the digestive tract. Its exact cause is not well understood.
The first step to treating IBS is identifying trigger foods and using diet and lifestyle changes to avoid flare-ups. The use of fiber, probiotics, and certain medications may also be beneficial. Because stress tends to be a trigger for many IBS symptoms, stress management and cognitive behavior therapy are also used in many cases.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic condition where stomach acid regularly flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular ring that separates the esophagus from the stomach, normally prevents the backward flow of stomach contents. In individuals with GERD, the LES may weaken or relax abnormally, allowing stomach acid to enter the esophagus.
Common symptoms of GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, and hoarseness or sore throat. These symptoms are typically treated with dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and medications such as antacids and H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors. In unresponsive cases, anti-reflux surgery may be necessary.
Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. In individuals with celiac disease, the ingestion of gluten leads to damage and inflammation in the small intestine, affecting the absorption of nutrients. This can result in long-term complications.
Symptoms of Celiac can be wide-ranging but typically include diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, fatigue, weight loss, anemia, joint pain, skin rash, and osteoporosis. The primary and only effective treatment for celiac disease is a strict and lifelong gluten-free diet.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically caused by viral or bacterial infections. It is a common condition characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever. Gastroenteritis is often referred to as the stomach flu or food poisoning, although it can be caused by various pathogens.
Treatment of gastroenteritis typically involves antibiotics to address bacteria and protozoan infections, antidiarrheal medications, and/or dietary changes. Hydration and rest are important for overcoming gut infections. Typically, gastroenteritis will resolve within a few weeks without long-term complications.
Food Allergies and Intolerances
Dietary allergies and food intolerances are distinct conditions with different underlying mechanisms.
Food allergies are immune system reactions to proteins found in certain foods. When individuals with food allergies consume or come into contact with allergenic proteins, their immune system responds by releasing chemicals, such as histamine. The most common food allergens are peanuts, nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and wheat.
Symptoms of food allergies can be severe and life-threatening and include hives, facial swelling, and anaphylaxis. Treatment of food allergies typically starts with an avoidance of known allergens. If ingestion occurs, treatment with epinephrine and a visit to the ER are often needed. In some cases, immunotherapy can be used to lessen food allergies.
Food intolerances refer to difficulty digesting certain foods, leading to unpleasant symptoms without involving the immune system. Common food intolerances include lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, and intolerance to certain food additives.
Symptoms of food intolerances typically include gastrointestinal symptoms, headaches, fatigue, and joint pain. Living with food intolerances often means undergoing dietary or lifestyle changes to avoid triggering foods. In some cases, enzyme supplements can help individuals better digest foods.
Microbiome Health
The gut microbiome, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. A diverse and balanced microbiome contributes to proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function, and even influences mental health. An unhealthy gut microbiome, on the other hand, has been associated with various health issues, including digestive problems, inflammation, and an increased risk of certain diseases.
Symptoms of an unhealthy gut microbiome may manifest in various ways, such as persistent gastrointestinal issues like bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea. Individuals may also experience fatigue, mood swings, and compromised immune function. Factors such as a poor diet, stress, antibiotic use, and lack of physical activity can disrupt the balance of the gut.
To improve microbiome health, individuals can take several steps. First and foremost, adopting a diverse and plant-based diet rich in fiber supports the growth of beneficial bacteria. Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi introduce probiotics, which contribute to a healthy microbial balance.
Use of Wearables and Connected Devices in Gut Health
Traditionally, the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive diseases and issues have centered around lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. More recently, researchers and doctors have started incorporating wearable and connected devices into their diagnostic and treatment protocols.
Disease Prevention
The first wearables used to prevent gut disease came in the form of fitness trackers and diet apps. These simple sensors and interactive platforms provide users with an easy way to track and analyze their diet, stress, exercise, and sleep habits, all of which have a direct impact on gut health. AI algorithms and machine learning allow these tools to provide feedback to the user, giving them actionable insights into how to improve their gut health through behavior and lifestyle changes.
More recent advancements utilize biomarker sensors to analyze sweat in order to determine gut health(2) and ingestible pills with microchips that track gut motility(3).
Diagnosis
Sensors that identify biomarkers for gut inflammation and disease also play a vital role in diagnosing issues. These sensors come in various forms and analyze various bodily fluids, from blood to urine. Ingestible pills are also used as diagnostic tools. By allowing doctors to track real-time movement of food through the digestive tract, these smart pills help identify areas of slowed motility, inflammation, and potential blockages.
Machines that measure hydrogen in breath help dieticians diagnose food intolerances and pinpoint problematic foods. Wearable monitors for gastric myoelectric activity have the potential to shed light on interactions between the brain and gut and how these are affected by compromised microbiomes, potentially allowing for an avenue to diagnose gut biome disease(4). Other noninvasive abdominal wearables detect abnormalities in myoelectric dynamics to diagnose diseases like IBD and IBS before clinical symptoms present(5).
Treatment and Monitoring
Simple wearable devices, such as fitness trackers, help patients and doctors monitor gut conditions by identifying changes in activity, sleep, and biometrics associated with pain. Many of these same wearables and their connected apps allow users to track food consumption and dietary habits. Combined with other metrics and symptom reports, these platforms can help identify patterns in lifestyle choices and symptom progression.
Acoustic gastrointestinal surveillance biosensors have been developed for use in post-operative monitoring. These same sensors, which use sound waves to determine bowel function, can be used to monitor bowel health in people suffering from GI diseases(6).
Many smartphone apps exist to help track symptoms and quality of life metrics for those living with IBD and IBS. These platforms transmit data directly to doctors so they can make treatment decisions based on real-time data(7, 8).
Ingestible sensors play a vital role in monitoring and treating intestinal disease. One such ingestible micro-bio-electronic device combines an engineered probiotic sensor bacteria with microelectronics to detect gastrointestinal biomolecules associated with health and disease. This same pill has been used to diagnose intestinal bleeding(9).
Trends and Future Applications
The field of wearable devices and biosensors in gut health is evolving, with ongoing research and technological advancements paving the way for innovative applications. Here are some trends and future possibilities for the use of wearables and biosensors in monitoring and managing gut health and disease.
- Gut Microbiome Monitoring. Future wearables could incorporate biosensors capable of analyzing markers related to gut microbiome composition. Monitoring changes in the gut microbiota and other biometrics using multi-sensor devices could provide insights into the impact of diet, lifestyle, and interventions on microbial diversity.
- Smart Pills and Capsules. Advances in smart pill technology have already begun, allowing for more sophisticated data collection within the gastrointestinal tract. Ingestibles equipped with biosensors could offer detailed information on gut motility, pH levels, and specific biomarkers, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of gut diseases.
- Personalized Nutrition Guidance. Wearables integrated with personalized medicine and nutrition platforms could provide real-time feedback on dietary choices, helping to prevent GI disease and treat conditions that already exist. This could include recommendations based on an individual’s gut microbiome profile and gut health.
- Early Disease Detection. Biosensors embedded in wearables can use sweat and biometrics to detect early markers of gut diseases, enabling timely intervention and treatment. Continuous monitoring of healthy individuals may contribute to the early diagnosis of conditions such as IBD, food intolerances, gastroenteritis, celiac disease, and colorectal cancer.
- Integration with Telehealth. Wearables are likely to play an increasing role in telehealth solutions for gut health. Remote monitoring of vital signs, symptoms, and lifestyle factors using fitness wearables, ingestibles, and abdominal sensors, can enhance virtual consultations, enabling healthcare providers to make more informed decisions about patient care.
- Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics. The integration of machine learning algorithms with wearables can enable predictive analytics for gut health. By analyzing patterns in data, these systems could forecast changes in gut conditions, helping individuals and healthcare providers anticipate and manage symptoms. Utilizing AI in connected devices continues to be vital for success in this sensor market as well as in most others.
These trends represent exciting possibilities that MedTech companies should keep in mind when designing connected tech, wearables, and SaMD for the future gut health market. In addition to focusing on advancements and innovations, developers must also address challenges such as data privacy and changing regulatory guidelines.
Gut Health and Beyond
Wearables and biosensors are revolutionizing our approach to gut health, offering innovative solutions for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The intricate interplay between gut health and overall well-being underscores the importance of effective management and early intervention of gut disease. As technology continues to advance, the potential for transformative impact in the realm of gut health remains high, marking an exciting era for innovation in the intersection of healthcare and technology.
If you have an innovative idea for a sensor or connected device in the field of gut health diagnosis or management but don’t know how to navigate planning, development, or regulation, Sequenex can help. Connect with us today.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles that examine the future of connected devices in the treatment and prevention of cancer, multiple sclerosis, and hypertension.
