Functional Medicine for Digestive Disorders

The digestive system is an intricate network of organs that transports food from the mouth, stomach and oesophagus through small and large intestines to the liver, gall bladder and pancreas.

Digestive disorders affect millions of people around the world, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and including bloating and nausea.

Identifying the Root Cause

The digestive system, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is an extensive organ that performs many important functions. It breaks down food into digestible components and absorbs essential nutrients and fluids for absorption into your body, shields you against harmful bacteria or substances and eliminates waste from circulation.

Digestive disorders occur when something in your GI tract prevents it from working optimally. Health professionals differentiate these conditions into two categories: organic and functional GI disorders.

Organic GI disorders refer to structural abnormalities of the digestive tract that do not improve with medical treatment. Examples include ulcers, which occur when stomach acid seeps back into the oesophagus or duodenum. It’s caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria which lives in both stomach and small intestine and can withstand high levels of acidity.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic illnesses that affect digestion. Signs may include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, bloating and weight loss in severe cases; permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract as well as other serious issues like celiac disease.

One of the first steps in treating digestive disorders is pinpointing their root causes. To do this, you’ll need lab tests and dietary suggestions.

Finding the source of your symptoms may be challenging, but it’s necessary for long-term relief and an improved quality of life. For instance, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), knowing which foods trigger it so that you can eliminate them from your diet and start feeling better will be a huge help.

Digestion disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, such as your lifestyle, environment and medications. Common causes include eating too many processed carbohydrates or not getting enough physical activity, dehydration from certain medications and nutritional deficiencies.

The walls of your intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract as you move food through them. Strong contractions can cause gas, bloating and diarrhoea while weak ones slow food passage and result in hard, dry stools.

Digestion disorders often stem from an inefficient coordination between the brain and digestive tract. If this connection is disrupted, you may feel discomfort or pain when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool accumulation.

Identifying Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivities can be a major source of digestive symptoms and autoimmunity, as they trigger the immune system to respond to certain foods and release inflammation-causing mediators. When patients identify and eliminate reactionary foods from their diets, they often experience immediate improvement in symptoms.

Continue the blog HERE