The Importance of Gut Health:

Maintaining optimal gut health is essential for overall well-being since the gut plays a central role in how our food (aka. the building blocks of all other cells, organs systems and tissues in our body) is broken down and assimilated into the body. And because of its intimate connection to our immune and nervous systems, it can influence everything from energy, to sleep, to mood and mental health, to hormone health and menstrual cycles, to skin health; and more!

 

Chronic Gut Symptoms - What Might Actually Be Going on?
 

Many individuals experience chronic gut symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements, to which they often cannot find answers from their primary care doctors. These symptoms can be indicative of underlying Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction (DGBI’s), which involve dysfunctions in the bi-directional communication between the gut and the
brain.

Understanding Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction:

Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction (DGBI’s) encompass a range of conditions, such as IBS, functional diarrhea, functional constipation, functional dyspepsia (heartburn) etc, that are characterized by dysfunction in the interaction between the gut and the brain. This intricate interplay can result in a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), bloating, reflux, and abdominal discomfort. Despite the prevalence and impact of these disorders on individual quality of life, they are often misunderstood and improperly diagnosed in primary care settings.

Why DGBI’s Are Often Misdiagnosed:

One of the primary reasons for the misdiagnosis of DGBI’s in primary care is the lack of awareness and understanding of these conditions among healthcare providers. Primary care doctors receive little to no training on them. As a result, many patients endure years of suffering without receiving
accurate diagnoses or effective treatments.

Reasons you may want to consider that you have a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction:

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1. Your symptoms are not adequately explained by other gastrointestinal conditions (eg. your
doctor has ruled everything else out).

2. You have been experiencing ongoing digestive issues for an extended period of time without
any answers from your primary care doctor.

3. Your symptoms interfere with your daily life or activities.

4. You have a family history of IBS.

5. Your symptoms are associated with other systemic conditions, such as fibromyalgia or
chronic fatigue syndrome.

If you resonate with several symptoms and reasons listed above, contact our office to book an appointment!