Is your stomach trying to tell you something very important about your health? Unfortunately, gut health is so commonly overlooked because it can potentially hold the key to healing many painful, debilitating autoimmune and digestive disorders. At Bliss Medicine, we help patients make the connection between digestive disorders and unexplained symptoms that are robbing them of the ability to enjoy life. Many patients are unaware of the fact that gut health and autoimmune responses are closely linked.
Our office uses the principles of Functional Medicine to diagnose a host of digestive issues and disorders. Here's a look at what we commonly treat:
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Malabsorption
- Ulcerative colitis
It’s important to have an understanding of something called leaky gut syndrome if you suspect you’re suffering from any type of digestive or autoimmune disorder. We’ll cover the important link between leaky gut and many common symptoms in just a moment! Unfortunately, most practitioners of modern medicine don’t investigate the connection between bodily symptoms and digestive processes when attempting to diagnose patients. That means that underlying causes of pain, dysfunction, and inflammation throughout the body are never properly addressed. At Bliss Medicine, we find that something as simple as testing for food sensitivity can have a life-changing impact on someone suffering from a digestive disorder.
Leaky Gut Syndrome/What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Mysterious aches, pains, headaches, skin rashes, bloating, gas, and cramps could all stem from a common issue called leaky gut syndrome (LGS). There’s still a lot to learn about this condition. However, what we know so far is that LGS appears to create gaps in our intestinal walls. These gaps leave room for harmful toxins and bacteria to seep into the bloodstream. If you’re suffering from leaky gut syndrome, things like proteins, toxins, partially digested food particles, viruses, and bacteria may be leaking from your intestines. These “foreign” particles do not go unnoticed by your immune system. Your immune system will do its job by attacking these particles. Unfortunately, that means that the very fact that your immune response is doing its job could be making you sick. Over time, your body may develop an autoimmune disorder because it is in a constant state of “attacking” itself.
Identifying leaky gut syndrome is the first step to creating a long-term solution for feeling better. We find that many patients have success by implementing simple, gut-conscious dietary, and lifestyle changes. This often includes adding more probiotics to the diet to boost the levels of “good” bacteria in the gut. Research indicates that probiotics may help to protect and restore the gut barrier. Also, cutting out sugars and artificial products from diets may create substantial results for some patients. It’s important to create a tailored recovery plan that takes into account your specific medical history and diagnostic results when attempting to remediate leaky gut syndrome.
Is SIBO Connected to Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Yes, it may be possible that a case of leaky gut syndrome is connected to something called SIBO. What is SIBO? Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition where non-native bacteria types grow in the small intestine. It may be that an excess of bacterial growth that’s combined with a leaking gut could be causing your body to be in a constant state of autoimmune responsiveness.
SIBO is an especially troubling ailment because it can lead to malnutrition in some cases. When you have SIBO, the bacteria that are typically confined to the gut begin to populate in the small intestine. Unfortunately, SIBO creates very painful symptoms that can create long-term health issues if left untreated. Here’s a look at common SIBO symptoms:
- Stomach pain
- Constant “fullness”
- Intense bloating
- Cramps
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Indigestion
- Weight fluctuations
SIBO is often accompanied by chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease. It’s important to take a look at your medical history to see how any medical conditions, medications, or immune responses may be triggering SIBO symptoms. At Bliss Medicine, we have several diagnostic techniques for confirming or ruling out SIBO. Also, we can help you to integrate changes into your life that may help you to relieve the painful symptoms of SIBO. We’ll work with you to discover the connection between the way you’re feeling and how different parts of your gut may be functioning. Dietary habits or food sensitivity may be contributing to your SIBO symptoms. Besides, your symptoms may be exacerbated by another underlying condition that is throwing your gut health out of balance.
Why It's Important to Treat Digestive Disorders With the Whole Body in Mind
Most people assume that the goal of treating a digestive disorder is simply to alleviate or mask the symptoms as quickly as possible. However, digestive disorders should never be looked at in isolation. Research shows us that a condition like leaky gut syndrome can be a danger signal for an underlying autoimmune disorder. Functional Medicine enables doctors and patients to investigate the way a leaky gut or another digestive issue may be linked to conditions like Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism.
Unfortunately, simply trying to alleviate symptoms using pain management only allows your body’s immune system to continue attacking healthy cells. The goal of functional medicine is to identify the underlying cause of why your gut may be suffering. Bliss Medicine is here to help you trace the root of a digestive disorder using clues from your entire body. Book your appointment with us today!
FAQs
Is There a Food Sensitivity Test Chicago Residents Can Take?
At Bliss Medicine, we use food-sensitivity testing to get a baseline for the foods that may be causing inflammation or autoimmune responses in your body. Many patients can get relief from painful and debilitating symptoms of digestive disorders. However, this is not the “magic fix” for everyone. Allergy testing is just one piece of the integrative puzzle we use to diagnose and treat patients.
Is There an Option for the Genova Stool Test Chicago Residents Can Use?
Do I Have to Go on Medication If I Have a Digestive Disorder?
It may be possible to treat your digestive disorder using dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and proper supplementation. Functional Medicine looks at the way diet is impacting your whole body.
