Restoring Gut Health: A Functional Medicine Approach to Digestive Issues
Lasting relief from chronic digestive issues requires a sophisticated medical approach that goes beyond managing symptoms. At SouthPark Functional Medicine, Dr. Mahtani conducts a deep investigation into the root causes of your condition, creating a strategic path toward restoring balance to your microbiome and achieving long-term digestive comfort.
What are Digestive Issues?
The digestive system includes the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. These organs work together to digest food. Problems occur when this digestion is disrupted. Common conditions include acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion. When chronic and more severe, it’s referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which may also include nausea, difficulty swallowing and chronic cough.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition affecting the large intestine. It involves a cluster of symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is characterized by an abnormal increase of bacteria in the small intestine, particularly types not typically found there. This condition leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, diarrhea and unintended weight loss or gain.
Dr. Mahtani’s methodology for digestive health focuses on identifying key drivers like gut dysbiosis, hidden food sensitivities, and intestinal permeability. Her goal is to create a personalized plan designed to reduce inflammation, heal the gut lining, and restore proper digestive function.
If you are ready to invest in your long-term wellness, we invite you to take the next step.
What are the Symptoms of Digestive Issues?
There are numerous digestive issues, ranging from common and relatively mild conditions like occasional constipation to more severe and complex disorders, such as cancer. Examining the symptoms is important in diagnosing a digestive issue.
Abdominal Pain
You may experience pain in your lower or upper abdomen. It can feel like cramping, a sharp, intense pain or a dull ache. It can be steady or intermittent and lasts for varying amounts of time.
Bloating
A sensation of fullness, tightness or pressure in your abdominal region is characteristic of bloating. It’s often accompanied by gassiness. Various factors, including excess gas production, fluid retention or disturbances in the movement of the digestive system, can cause it.
Blood in the Stool
Blood in the stool may result from bleeding in either the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the lower GI tract. It can be bright red, dark red or even black.
Change in Bowel Habits
A shift in your usual bowel patterns, whether it involves increased frequency, diarrhea, constipation or alterations in stool consistency, may indicate an underlying digestive problem, especially if it’s persistent.
Fatigue
A feeling of constant tiredness or lack of energy can be linked to nutrient malabsorption. Conditions like celiac disease and Crohn’s disease can lead to poor absorption of essential nutrients, leading to this symptom.
Heartburn
You may feel a burning sensation in your chest extending to your upper abdomen. It’s typically experienced after eating, when reclining or when bending forward. It can be caused by inflammation of the stomach lining.
Loss of Appetite
Not having the same desire to eat as you usually do, including not wanting to eat, not feeling hungry or the idea that eating food may make you feel nauseous, are characteristics of this symptom.
Nausea and Vomiting
You may have the desire to vomit. While not everyone experiencing nausea vomits, many strongly believe that vomiting provides relief. Inflammation of the stomach lining may cause these symptoms.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Unintended weight loss without changes in your eating habits or increased physical activity level can indicate underlying digestive issues. Conditions such as malabsorption disorders, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD ), or certain gastrointestinal cancers may be contributing factors.
Digestive Issues Explained
Digestive diseases are disorders affecting the digestive tract, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This system breaks down food and drink into nutrients for the body’s energy and cell building. The digestive tract includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.
There are two types of digestive disorders: structural and functional. Functional issues are the most common. It’s estimated that 25% of people struggle with a functional digestive disorder.
Functional GI tract conditions are characterized by a normal appearance but impaired movement. These conditions include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
An abnormal appearance and poor function of the bowel characterize structural gastrointestinal conditions. Surgical removal may be necessary for certain structural abnormalities. Examples include hemorrhoids, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), colon polyps and colon cancer.
The functional medicine approach to treating digestive health problems doesn’t just treat symptoms. It sees the body as a whole, with each organ and system affecting the others. Uncovering the root cause of digestive conditions is the first step in restoring a well-functioning digestive system. A healthy digestive system offers many benefits, including:
Improved Nutrient Absorption
The digestive system absorbs nutrients from food through a complex process involving mechanical and chemical digestion, absorption and transportation. The body’s absorption of nutrients occurs primarily in the small intestine, where the digested food is broken down into its basic components. These nutrients are then transported to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. The efficiency of this process is essential for maintaining proper nutrition and supporting numerous physiological functions.
Toxin Elimination
The digestive system removes potentially dangerous chemicals you’ve been exposed to. It keeps these toxins from spreading throughout the bloodstream and causing serious diseases.
Healthier Immune System
The immune and digestive systems are closely connected, with 70-80% of the body’s immune cells in the GI tract. One can’t be healthy without the other.
More Energy
The body and mind have limited energy to devote to each system. When a system isn’t working correctly, too much energy is used trying to perform the system’s task. If the digestive system isn’t getting enough nutrients from food, it can reduce the body’s energy. If it can’t process food, it may get stuck in the stomach or intestines. This issue can also cause a bloated feeling.
Improved Mental Health
The brain and the GI tract are connected physically and biochemically. Approximately 90% of serotonin is in the digestive system. Serotonin serves multiple functions in the body, and too low a level of serotonin is believed to contribute to conditions like depression, anxiety and other health issues. Likewise, negative emotions, such as anger, sadness and anxiety, can trigger digestive problems.
Why Choose SouthPark Functional Medicine?
Because a complex condition like chronic digestive issues requires a sophisticated expert. Dr. Sarita Mahtani’s unique dual expertise as a board-certified MD and an IFM Certified Practitioner allows her to move beyond symptom management. She utilizes a precise, evidence-based methodology to identify the complex root causes of the gut-brain-immune system imbalances that cause digestive distress and creates a personalized plan for lasting results.
Choose expertise. Choose a true partner. Choose a new standard of care.
Digestive Issues – Frequently Asked Questions
It’s estimated that 60 to 70 million people are affected by a digestive condition.
What are some known causes of digestive issues?
Often, no one thing triggers a digestive problem. Many conditions develop slowly when a combination of factors worsens over time. Various factors can contribute to digestive issues, including:
- Eating a diet low in fiber
- Eating foods that trigger inflammation, like gluten or dairy
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement
- Overuse of antibiotics
- Taking antacids containing calcium or aluminum or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
- Taking certain prescription drugs, such as antidepressants
- Autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
How long does it take to digest food?
Digestion time is not uniform and differs among individuals based on factors such as hormonal influences, body composition and lifestyle. Following a meal, food typically takes approximately six to eight hours to get to the small intestine from the stomach. It then proceeds to the large intestine for additional digestion, water absorption and elimination of undigested remnants. The complete process lasts around two to five days, from the moment food is ingested to its expulsion as feces.
Are laxatives safe to use for constipation?
Excessive use of laxatives can result in serious digestive system problems, including intestinal paralysis, a sluggish gut, irritable bowel syndrome and pancreatitis. Food is medicine. There are foods such as flaxseed and chia seeds that can help constipation. The herbs cumin, coriander and fennel can also help.
How can I prevent digestive problems?
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits and making dietary choices that support healthy digestion can help prevent digestive issues including:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Staying hydrated
- Limiting fatty and spicy foods
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Chewing food thoroughly
- Exercising regularly
- Managing stress
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
When should I see a doctor for digestive issues?
Persistent symptoms may signal underlying health issues that require medical attention, such as:
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Gallstones
- Parasitic or viral infections
- SIBO or SIFO (small intestinal fungal overgrowth)