How Does Naturopathic Treatment Work for Digestive Disorder?
The gastrointestinal (GI) system is vital to your general well-being. Disturbances in the digestive system frequently cause symptoms in other parts of the body, such as the neurological system, immunological system, and skin. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) excel at treating GI issues because they are trained to treat the full person and address the root causes of symptoms.
The enteric nervous system, also known as the body's "second brain," contains hundreds of millions of neurons that control the digestive process from swallowing to nutrition absorption to excretion. 95 percent of the serotonin in our bodies is produced by cells in the stomach lining. The GI system serves as a conduit between the brain and the rest of the body.
When our brain sends a signal to our gut when we're frightened, scared, or nervous, we may suffer abdominal discomfort. In addition, the gut lining contains more immune cells than the rest of the body, which protect us from viruses and bacteria.
A mixture of whole-body variables, including optimal enzymatic activity, nutritional absorption, microbiota (the body's natural bacteria) balance, tissue health, and waste removal, are required for the health of this complex and vital bodily system. The ultimate goal is to have a properly functioning digestive system. Naturopathic doctors will determine whether the GI system is operating at optimal, necessary, or dysfunctional levels. In their review, they use a wide range of tools, including:
A detailed medical history. In an initial appointment, naturopathic doctors spend one to two hours gathering information about mental, physical, genetic, emotional, social, environmental, and other aspects that affect the health of the GI system. Taking the time to comb through more detailed information about symptom start, food preferences, and surgical history can often reveal an undiscovered link or reason. A physical examination will also be performed by naturopathic doctors.
Labs and tests that are specific to your needs. Naturopathic doctors have a wide toolkit of evaluation techniques at their disposal. Stool testing for healthy or disease-causing yeasts, bacteria, inflammation, pancreatic enzyme levels, blood, and immunological markers will all be done on an individual basis. Food intolerances and allergies, inflammatory and hormonal indicators, celiac antibodies, lack of nutrition, liver function, and other tests may be ordered by NDs. Stress hormones, gut toxins, reproductive hormones, and other hormones may be measured in the saliva or urine by naturopathic doctors.
Abdominal discomfort, GERD/reflux, hemorrhoids, constipation, nausea and vomiting are the top five GI diagnoses in the United States.
All of these conditions, as well as others, are treated by naturopathic doctors, including diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, gluten intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, microscopic colitis, ulcerative colitis, food allergies, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), ulcers, leaky gut syndrome, indigestion, bloating, gas, pancreatic enzyme insufficiency and more.
Treatment programs are meticulously customized, and may include:
A specially designed diet based on the needs and condition of each patient.
Recognizing and removing any dietary triggers (foods that can trigger allergic reactions, non-allergy intolerances, cravings or overeating)
Reducing inflammation and improving the condition of the intestinal mucous membrane
Improving intestinal motility/bowel movement regularity
Eliminating any underlying infection
Supporting a healthy microbiome
Ask us at Full Circle Health Clinic for the abovementioned service.
**Disclaimer: This content is neither a medical advice nor does it imply a doctor-patient relationship