Gut Health

Do you have digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea and/or cramping? Have you been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome or an inflammatory bowel disease such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s disease?

Would you like to know why you have digestive issues and what else can be done besides medications to manage the symptoms?

A medical team from Woodlands Wellness can help! A functional medicine approach seeks to identify the cause of your symptoms.

Once the cause is found, a plan can be developed to reduce or alleviate your symptoms.

Not only will your digestive symptoms improve, but your overall health can improve drastically.

If you have digestive symptoms of any kind, it is very likely that you are experiencing other symptoms such as joint pain, insomnia, skin problems, brain fog, weight gain, etc. Your digestive system is also a key component to your overall immune function.

How do we find the cause?

Woodlands Wellness utilizes many specialized tests (as listed below). After a thorough history and review of all your symptoms is completed, specific testing will be recommended.

• Stool Analysis

We provide the most comprehensive stool analysis available. It can assist in determining the root cause of most digestive issues as it provides a direct assessment of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and infection. The test uses a combination of PCR, culture, and microscopic methods to ensure all relevant organisms are identified. It also includes a thorough analysis of your gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is the collection of the billions of “good” bacteria that live in your gut. These bacteria play a critical role in digestion but also in overall health and immune function. When there is an imbalance in either the number or the diversity of your gut bacteria, dysbiosis occurs. Dysbiosis is linked to many digestive problems.

• Food Sensitivities (IgG food antibodies)

A true food allergy, which produces IgE antibodies, is when you have an immediate allergic response to a food. A person can also have food sensitivities which result in a delayed hypersensitivity reaction even up to seven days after exposure to the offending food. These reactions produce IgG antibodies which can also be tested. These reactions often can cause symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract, skin, nose, and throat. Often eliminating the offending food can improve or eliminate symptoms.

• Intestinal Permeability or “Leaky Gut”

The small intestines functions as a digestive/absorptive organ for nutrients as well as a powerful immune and mechanical barrier. When the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria can leak into the blood stream. The body sees these as a foreign invader and engages an autoimmune response which leads to inflammation resulting in many unwanted symptoms.

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

If you have a lot of bloating or flatulence, you may have what is called SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. SIBO is defined as an increase in the number of bacteria, and/or changes in the types of bacteria present in the small intestine. Often it is an overgrowth of bacteria normally found in the large intestines. A breath test can determine if you have SIBO.

• Nutrient Analysis

Certain nutrient deficiencies can lead to various health issues including gastrointestinal conditions. A test can be performed to assess your nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids.

Based on the test results, Woodlands Wellness will develop a treatment plan that will include:

1. Diet changes carefully established by our Nutrition Educator

2. Supplements for restoration of the gut microbiome or gut lining

3. Medications if needed such antifungals for yeast overgrowth

4. Other lifestyle recommendations, for example, ways to reduce stress if elevated cortisol (stress hormone) is a factor

5. Recommendation for further testing if indicated such as heavy metals, Lyme’s disease, and adrenal function – sometimes the problem is multi-faceted and further investigation is needed

Call and set up an appointment now. Begin your road to recovery.