Digestive Disorders – Common Symptoms of a much Deeper Problem

Proper digestion is the cornerstone
of optimal health

In naturopathic medicine, proper digestion and assimilation are considered to be the cornerstone of a healthy mind and body. This is an area that naturopathic medicine shines. Clinically, we have found that disorders of the digestive system can cause symptoms anywhere within the body. Digestive disorders include conditions such as:

• Indigestion
• Gas / Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Colitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• GERD / Heartburn
• Halitosis
• Gastritis
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Celiac Disease
• Crohn’s Disease
• Chronic Candidiasis
• Parasitic Infections

Although western medicine is well versed in the diagnosis of various digestive disorders, it has very few treatments to offer the patient. Typically, treatments are medications aimed to control symptoms, which leaves the underlying cause undiscovered and untreated. In many cases, these medications need to be continued indefinitely in order to provide relief from the symptoms. By covering specific symptoms, we are under the assumption that a problem no longer exists.

Symptoms are the body’s way of warning you that something is wrong within the body. Symptoms are produced to warn you that an underlying pathology is occurring. I want to give you an analogy to provide a clear understanding of this concept. When your car is running low on fuel, the warning light comes on to alert you. This warning lets you know that you need to refuel very soon or you will soon run out of gas. Most people will then stop at the gas station and fill the tank. Treating the symptoms of disease without treating the underlying cause is similar to the warning light on your car coming on and instead of refueling you decide to cover the light with duct tape so it can no longer be seen. The light is still on, but it cannot be seen underneath the tape. The car will inevitably run out of gas. Is it all making sense now?

Herbal medicine, homeopathy, and food
intolerance testing play an integral role
in reestablishing proper digestion

I will now give you a very common, digestion-related example of this principle. Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a very common condition that we commonly find in our patients. Many of these patients have been taking prescription or over-the-counter antacids for long periods of time. Patients repeatedly tell us that when they discontinue these medications, they experience a complete recurrence of symptoms. Clinically, we find that over 80% of patients with the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease actually produce very low levels of stomach acid. Low levels of stomach acid have been associated with brittle hair and nails, fungal infections, indigestion, heartburn, weight loss, mineral deficiencies, increased infections, constipation/diarrhea, and various autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and lupus. Medications aimed at suppressing stomach acid could not only increase the incidence of any of these disorders, but also set the stage for chronic illness. Is this a risk you are willing to take?

It is our goal to support proper digestive function and prevent illness through the use of various natural treatments. We typically find that patients who have been on medications for digestive disorders find that they no longer require them. This makes very happy patients. The moral of the story – Treat the cause, not just the symptoms!

Digestive Disorders – Common Symptoms of a much Deeper Problem

Proper digestion is the cornerstone
of optimal health

In naturopathic medicine, proper digestion and assimilation are considered to be the cornerstone of a healthy mind and body. This is an area that naturopathic medicine shines. Clinically, we have found that disorders of the digestive system can cause symptoms anywhere within the body. Digestive disorders include conditions such as:

• Indigestion
• Gas / Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Colitis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• GERD / Heartburn
• Halitosis
• Gastritis
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Celiac Disease
• Crohn’s Disease
• Chronic Candidiasis
• Parasitic Infections

Although western medicine is well versed in the diagnosis of various digestive disorders, it has very few treatments to offer the patient. Typically, treatments are medications aimed to control symptoms, which leaves the underlying cause undiscovered and untreated. In many cases, these medications need to be continued indefinitely in order to provide relief from the symptoms. By covering specific symptoms, we are under the assumption that a problem no longer exists.

Symptoms are the body’s way of warning you that something is wrong within the body. Symptoms are produced to warn you that an underlying pathology is occurring. I want to give you an analogy to provide a clear understanding of this concept. When your car is running low on fuel, the warning light comes on to alert you. This warning lets you know that you need to refuel very soon or you will soon run out of gas. Most people will then stop at the gas station and fill the tank. Treating the symptoms of disease without treating the underlying cause is similar to the warning light on your car coming on and instead of refueling you decide to cover the light with duct tape so it can no longer be seen. The light is still on, but it cannot be seen underneath the tape. The car will inevitably run out of gas. Is it all making sense now?

Herbal medicine, homeopathy, and food
intolerance testing play an integral role
in reestablishing proper digestion

I will now give you a very common, digestion-related example of this principle. Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a very common condition that we commonly find in our patients. Many of these patients have been taking prescription or over-the-counter antacids for long periods of time. Patients repeatedly tell us that when they discontinue these medications, they experience a complete recurrence of symptoms. Clinically, we find that over 80% of patients with the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease actually produce very low levels of stomach acid. Low levels of stomach acid have been associated with brittle hair and nails, fungal infections, indigestion, heartburn, weight loss, mineral deficiencies, increased infections, constipation/diarrhea, and various autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and lupus. Medications aimed at suppressing stomach acid could not only increase the incidence of any of these disorders, but also set the stage for chronic illness. Is this a risk you are willing to take?

It is our goal to support proper digestive function and prevent illness through the use of various natural treatments. We typically find that patients who have been on medications for digestive disorders find that they no longer require them. This makes very happy patients. The moral of the story – Treat the cause, not just the symptoms!