Digestion & Abdominal Problems

If you are having abdominal or digestive problems, you are not alone. Take the following survey to see if you have any of these symptoms.

Have you gained weight in your belly?

Are you frequently constipated?

Are your stools always loose or irregular?

Does your belly always hurt, especially after meals?

Do you have trouble getting your heartburn to go away?

Are you unable to lose weight despite diet and excercise?

Does your low back constantly ache and x-rays don’t show much of anything?

Do you have back pain right at the bra strap area?

Do you have pain at the back of your shoulders?

Do you have out of control allergies and rashes?

Do you have “brain fog”?

These can all be signs of abdominal or digestive problems and they are very common. Occasionally, they indicate serious problems such as ovarian or colon cancer or even heart disease. But, how often do we come up empty handed after an extensive medical workup. The answer, as you may well know, is - often!

But, am I telling you there is more to look for? I am.

The gastrointestinal system, otherwise know as the “gut”, is a very complex place. It includes everything from the mouth to the very bottom of the large intestine. Many various bacteria live in the colon to the tune of trillions! But, there are some bacteria that should not be there at all or very little. Imbalances can cause a variety of abdominal and systemic symptoms.

The gut is home to over fifty percent of the immune system. So, you can see how allergic problems might arise in the gut. A good example of this is celiac disease (gluten sensitivity). Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, barley, spelt and farro that give baked goods that wonderfully chewy texture…gluuuu-ten. People with gluten allergy may or may not have stomach symptoms and yet, may have whole body symptoms such as rashes, weight loss or achy joints. Occasionally, patients can even have neurologic symptoms. All from the immune system in the gut reacting to the gluten eaten in wheat and grain products. We think that about one in 130 people in the U.S. have gluten allergy related intestinal compromise. Thirty percent may have some gluten sensitivity. And, both are determined in part by genetics.