Digestive Disorders
No one is immune from the occasional stomach ache, but when bloating, gassiness, reflux, diarrhea, or constipation become the norm…it’s time to investigate!
Conventional Approaches to Treating Gut Issues
Have you already seen your primary care doctor about your chronic gut issues, only to be given a prescription to deal with the symptoms and told to come back in 4 weeks if things aren’t better?
Perhaps you are dealing with consistent bloating, acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), diarrhea, stomach cramps, or even fatigue and brain fog in addition.
You may have been given a prescription for a medication such as a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) to deal with “overactive” stomach acid or some other medication to deal with the chronic ongoing gut symptoms.
While these medicines may slightly ease symptoms in the short term, they do not treat the underlying root or reason why symptoms began in the first place. Unfortunately, in an insurance-based care model, there is only so much that can be done in the typical 10-minute visit. It is difficult to do anything more than symptom management.
Getting To The Root Cause Of Symptoms
There are so many reasons why you may experience chronic digestive distress, and unless you take the time to understand the true root cause of what’s ultimately leading to the observed digestive symptoms, you won’t know how to truly resolve the issue!
Common issues that may be at the root of common digestive symptoms include: undiagnosed food sensitivities, gut dysbiosis (abnormal growth of the gut flora), and digestive abnormalities such as insufficient stomach acid or digestive enzymes.
Leaky gut – or “increased intestinal permeability” which is the formal name in scientific literature for this condition – is poorly understood in the many medical settings, but it is very real to those who notice that they are having bodily symptoms every time they eat. With this condition, the intestinal wall has an increased amount of permeability due to the loosening of the junctions between the cells that line the intestines.
The gaps in the walls allow for more items to pass through from the intestines into the bloodstream including partially digested food products, bacteria, and toxins that are normally broken down in the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause mild to severe symptoms ranging from GI disturbances, joint pain, migraines, skin conditions, and even autoimmune activation.
The Functional Medicine Approach to Treating Gut Issues
The functional medicine approach to healing the gut creates a custom-tailored, personalized protocol to restore your body’s innate healing potential so we can bring your body back into balance. Sometimes it is also important to order advanced lab tests to evaluate the gastrointestinal system and possible hidden food sensitivities.
In our Awaken gut healing program, we will take you through the best process to heal your gut, which includes these 5 Rs:
1. Remove (e.g. stress, food allergens, food causing constipation or feeding undesirable microbes)
2. Replace (e.g. digestive enzymes, stomach acid support, bile acids, remedies to boost immune system insufficiency, adrenal and/or thyroid support)
3. Reinoculate (e.g. probiotics, prebiotics, cultured foods, dietary fiber)
4. Repair (e.g. intestinal lining regeneration, nurturing mucosal layer)
5. Rebalance (e.g. stress relief, long-term diet changes, attitude/mindset/beliefs)
At Awaken, our expert team is trained to investigate the symptoms and causes of your chronic digestive disorder and assemble an effective treatment plan that’s supported by the appropriate lab tests.
If you have been experiencing chronic symptoms that may be connected with digestive problems and are looking for answers, schedule an appointment with Awaken today!
Take The First Step On Your
Journey With Me
Perhaps you have questions you’d like to ask before you make the decision to become a patient. Our patient coordinator is standing by, happy to answer any questions you may have to determine if Awaken Functional Medicine is right for you.
Contact Us
2600 Partin Dr N Suite #110 Niceville, FL 32578
Phone: 850-517-6578
Fax: 850-810-5844
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