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Dealing with digestive problems can be a challenging and exasperating experience, as the symptoms can greatly interfere with daily tasks and overall enjoyment of life.
Fortunately, there are naturopathic remedies for a wide range of digestive disorders. Benjamin McAvoy is here to offer his expertise and assistance.
Why is Digestion Vital?
The importance of digestion may seem evident as it is necessary for sustaining life. However, its significance extends beyond basic survival.
Optimal digestion plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of all other bodily systems, including the heart, lungs, liver, brain, thyroid, pancreas, immune system, and more. These systems rely on essential nutrients obtained through digestion to perform their functions effectively.
Consequently, digestive disorders can have a profound impact on overall health. In fact, symptoms may manifest in various parts of the body before being noticed in the gastrointestinal tract.
Digestive disorders often correlate with numerous chronic illnesses, necessitating a treatment plan that addresses both the digestive disorder and the underlying condition.
Improving digestion inherently benefits the body in multiple ways. It enhances nutrient absorption, optimizes the body’s detoxification processes, and reduces inflammation.
Below are some commonly encountered digestive health disorders for which naturopathic medicine provides solutions.
Naturopathic Approaches for IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a diagnosis reached when no evident pathological cause is found, yet symptoms persist.
IBS presents with various symptoms, including:
Several risk factors contribute to IBS, such as a history of gastrointestinal infections, food allergies/intolerances, sleep disturbances, hormone imbalances, chronic stress, gender (women are at higher risk), and genetic factors. A naturopathic approach to IBS takes these factors into account to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Naturopathic Approaches for Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction triggered by gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye.
While the genetic component of celiac disease is known, the exact cause remains unclear. It may be linked to stressful events such as surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, or viral infections, which can trigger symptoms.
Celiac disease flare-ups cause pain and damage to the small intestines, hindering nutrient absorption.
During a flare-up, individuals may experience the following symptoms:
Celiac disease has been associated with more serious health conditions like multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, epilepsy, type 1 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Although avoiding gluten may seem like a simple solution, it is not sufficient. Even with a gluten-free diet, the ability of the digestive system to absorb nutrients may remain compromised, resulting in perpetual malnourishment regardless of a healthy diet.
Naturopathic Approaches for GERD
GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as acid reflux or heartburn, encompasses various symptoms beyond heartburn.
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), located at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, is responsible for regulating the movement of food into the stomach and preventing stomach contents from refluxing back. When the LES malfunctions, heartburn occurs.
Typical symptoms of GERD include:
If you experience the aforementioned symptoms, you might have GERD. However, effective treatment for this disorder can be challenging due to the numerous potential causes associated with it.
Lifestyle factors like drug abuse or a sedentary lifestyle, dietary factors such as undiagnosed food allergies or intolerances, improper timing and spacing of meals, or a poor-quality diet overall, and other health conditions like leaky gut syndrome, hiatal hernia, or chronic stress can contribute to GERD. Pregnant individuals or those taking certain medications may also experience GERD.
Regardless of the underlying cause of your GERD, Benjamin offers solutions tailored to your specific health needs.
Naturopathic Approaches for Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease falls under the category of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), characterized by inflammation in the intestines. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease, although recent research suggests it may involve the immune system mistakenly attacking harmless bacteria in the digestive system rather than the digestive system itself.
In Crohn’s disease, inflammation typically occurs in the lower part of the small intestine and colon. Flare-ups can be acute, followed by symptom-free periods lasting from a few days to several years, which sometimes leads individuals to overlook it as a chronic condition.
During a Crohn’s flare-up, the following symptoms may occur:
Beyond these symptoms, complications arising from Crohn’s disease pose significant concerns, including vision problems, liver and kidney problems, gallstones, pancreatitis, hepatitis, intestinal abscesses, anal fissures, malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), certain types of arthritis, skin tags, skin conditions, osteoporosis, and developmental issues in children, including delayed puberty.
In extreme cases, if left untreated, Crohn’s disease can be fatal. However, there are naturopathic solutions available to provide relief.
Given the complexity of this condition, each treatment plan needs to be personalized according to your body’s specific needs.
Naturopathic Approaches for Ulcerative Colitis
Similar to Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that primarily affects the rectum and large intestine.
As an autoimmune disease, ulcerative colitis occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies the cells lining the colon as foreign invaders. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown, although genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a role.
If you experience the following symptoms, you may have ulcerative colitis:
A naturopathic approach to ulcerative colitis focuses on symptom management and achieving remission using dietary and lifestyle interventions, as well as herbs and nutrients. While there is currently no known cure for ulcerative colitis, effectively managing symptoms can help you lead a normal, healthy life. Naturopathic medicine employs gentle, minimally invasive treatments with fewer side effects compared to traditional medical approaches. It can be used to reduce the reliance on stronger medications or complement the prescribed medications.
Naturopathic Approaches for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, known as SIBO, is a digestive condition that affects the small intestine, contrary to its name.
Normally, the majority of bacteria reside in the large intestine, with only a small amount present in the small intestine. However, in SIBO, there is an excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine, leading to complications that impact the entire digestive tract, as well as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Interestingly, up to 85% of individuals diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also test positive for SIBO, suggesting a close connection between the two disorders. While SIBO has been extensively researched, it has only recently been acknowledged as a potential cause of IBS.
Other conditions associated with SIBO include pancreatitis, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, acne, rosacea, leaky gut syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, stress, anxiety, pancreatic enzyme deficiency, and deficiencies in iron, B12, and/or magnesium.
Symptoms of SIBO primarily manifest in the digestive tract and may include:
Naturopathic treatment for SIBO involves eliminating the bacteria causing the symptoms while supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes. Botanicals, dietary adjustments, and nutritional guidance are used to strengthen and tone the muscles of the digestive system and support the enteric nervous system, which is the secondary nervous system located in the gut.
The ultimate goal is to establish a healthy, efficient digestive system with the appropriate colonization of beneficial bacteria.
Naturopathic Approaches for Other Digestive Disorders
In addition to the aforementioned conditions, naturopathic medicine offers solutions for various other digestive disorders, including diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, ulcers, leaky gut syndrome, incontinence, and lactose intolerance.
