Digestive Issues

Digestive issues are common but often misunderstood. Symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and indigestion can be signs that something deeper is going on in your digestive system. At our functional medicine clinic, we take a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the root causes of digestive problems, rather than simply masking symptoms.

Common Digestive Issues

Digestive issues can take many forms, and they range from mild discomfort to chronic conditions that can significantly impact your quality of life. Some of the most common digestive problems include:

• Bloating and gas
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Acid reflux or heartburn
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Food sensitivities or allergies
• Leaky gut or intestinal permeability
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)
• Poor digestion and low stomach acid

These issues can stem from a variety of causes, including stress, poor diet, infections, and underlying health conditions. In functional medicine, we dig deeper to identify the root causes of your digestive discomfort and support your body in achieving long-term balance and healing.

Root Causes of Digestive Issues

Rather than just treating symptoms, functional medicine focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying factors that are contributing to digestive distress. Some common root causes of digestive issues include:

1. Gut Dysbiosis (Imbalanced Gut Flora)

An imbalance of gut bacteria (too many harmful bacteria or not enough beneficial bacteria) can lead to a wide range of digestive problems, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

2. Leaky Gut Syndrome

When the lining of your intestines becomes damaged or inflamed, it can lead to intestinal permeability (leaky gut). This allows toxins, undigested food particles, and harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and autoimmune responses.

3. Poor Diet

A diet high in processed foods, sugars, refined carbs, and trans fats can promote gut inflammation and impair digestion. In contrast, a diet rich in fiber, healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants can support gut health.

4. Food Sensitivities or Allergies

Food sensitivities (such as to gluten, dairy, soy, or corn) can cause inflammation in the gut, leading to symptoms like bloating, cramps, and diarrhea. Identifying and eliminating trigger foods can bring significant relief.

5. Chronic Infections

Infections from parasites, bacteria (like H. pylori), or yeast (such as Candida overgrowth) can wreak havoc on the digestive system, leading to chronic digestive issues.

6. Chronic Stress

Stress has a profound effect on the digestive system, including reducing stomach acid production, slowing digestion, and causing inflammation. Gut-brain connection plays a critical role in how stress impacts digestion.

7. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), can lead to sluggish digestion or gastrointestinal upset.

8. Low Stomach Acid

Many people suffer from low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), which can lead to bloating, indigestion, and poor nutrient absorption. Ironically, antacid medications often worsen the problem by further reducing stomach acid.

9. Increased Inflammation

Conditions like IBS, IBD, and Celiac disease cause chronic inflammation in the gut, leading to pain, diarrhea, and other digestive problems.

How Functional Medicine Can Help Digestive Issues

Functional medicine seeks to balance and restore your digestive health by addressing the root causes of your symptoms. Our approach is personalized, looking at your unique genetics, lifestyle, diet, and history to create a comprehensive plan to heal your gut.

Your Personalized Plan May Include:

• Comprehensive testing (gut microbiome analysis, food sensitivity tests, stool tests, digestive enzyme levels)
• Gut-healing nutrition (anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense foods that support gut health, such as bone broth, fermented foods, and prebiotic fiber)
• Probiotics to restore healthy gut bacteria and support digestion
• Digestive enzymes to help break down food and reduce bloating and discomfort
• Elimination diets to identify food sensitivities and reduce inflammation
• Herbal supplements like ginger, peppermint, and slippery elm to soothe and support digestion
• Gut-healing protocols for leaky gut (such as L-glutamine, zinc, and collagen)
• Stress management techniques (meditation, yoga, deep breathing) to support the gut-brain connection
• Lifestyle changes to reduce environmental toxins, improve sleep, and support a balanced digestive system

Our nutrition coach, Julie, talks more about gut health in this video: