Restore Your Gut Health
The gut is a complex system that plays a vital role in overall health. When the gut is out of balance, it can lead to a variety of problems, such as digestive issues, fatigue, mental disorders, and skin problems. Naturopathic medicine offers a comprehensive approach to gut health that is tailored to your individual needs.
About
The gastrointestinal system is vital for good health. It breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste from the body. When something goes wrong with this system, it can cause a range of problems and diseases.
It is estimated that nearly 70 million Americans suffer from some form of digestive disease. The most common include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and Helicobacter pylori infections.
While many conventional treatments are available for these conditions, many people prefer to seek natural alternatives. Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health care that focuses on using natural remedies to promote healing. We focus on finding and treating the root cause of the problem to prevent recurrence and improve your overall health.
At Pure Body Health, we are committed to helping our patients get to the root cause of their gastrointestinal disorders. If you are looking for digestive health specialists in Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, and Chandler, then Dr. Scott Maymon, ND, MPH, and Dr. Sarah Stone, ND, are here to help. Call (480)-427-0442 or complete the online booking form to schedule an appointment.
Common GI Diagnoses
The top 5 gastrointestinal diagnoses at our clinic are
- Abdominal pain/discomfort
- GERD/reflux
- Bloating/gas
- Constipation
- Dysbiosis
Let’s take a closer look at each of these conditions.
Abdominal pain is a common complaint. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including food sensitivities, stress, and digestive disorders.
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn (acid reflux), chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.
Bloating and gas Bloating and gas are often caused by digestive disorders such as IBS, food sensitivities, and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). They can also be caused by stress and certain foods.
Constipation is a condition in which there is difficulty passing stool and often missing daily bowel movements. This can be caused by a lack of fiber in the diet, dehydration, stress, or certain medications.
Dysbiosis is an imbalance of beneficial gut bacteria. This imbalance can lead to a variety of symptoms, including digestive problems, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort,, fatigue, and skin conditions.
Gastrointestinal Diseases and Conditions
In addition to these common gastrointestinal problems, there are also more serious conditions that naturopathic doctors treat.
These include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Celiac disease
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Food allergies, food sensitivities, food intolerances
- Leaky gut syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the large intestine, and it is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of conditions that affect the large intestine. The most common types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. IBD can cause weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition in which there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This overgrowth of bacteria can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
Food allergies occur when the body has an adverse reaction to certain foods. Common food allergens include wheat, soy, nuts, and eggs. Food allergy (IgE) testing can help to identify which foods are causing the allergy.
Food sensitivities are similar to food allergies, but the reaction is often less severe. Common food sensitivities include dairy, gluten, corn, soy, and sugar. Food sensitivity (IgA, IgG) testing can help to identify which foods are causing the sensitivity.
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which the lining of the intestines is damaged, allowing food/proteins, bacteria, and toxins to leak into the bloodstream.
The Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome is a collection of microbes that live in the intestines of the digestive tract. These microbes play a vital role in gut health. They help to break down food, absorb nutrients, and protect the gut from harmful bacteria. When the microbiome is out of balance, it can lead to digestive problems and other health conditions.
Dysbiosis
Dysbiosis is an imbalance of the gut microbiome. This imbalance can be caused by several factors, including antibiotic use, poor diet, and stress. Unbalanced gut flora is one of the primary causes of gastrointestinal problems. The problem can be either an undergrowth or overgrowth of good bacteria, imbalances in beneficial gut flora, or an overgrowth of yeast, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Dysbiosis is often diagnosed by a comprehensive stool test that identifies pathogens (harmful microbes), dysbiosis (imbalances in beneficial gut flora), maldigestion/malabsorption, inflammation markers, and markers for leaky gut.
Naturopathic Approach To Gut Health
“The highest ideal of cure is the speedy, gentle, and enduring restoration of health by the most trustworthy and least harmful way.” Samuel Hahnemann
When treating gastrointestinal problems, we take a holistic approach. We focus on the whole person, not just the symptoms. We find and treat the underlying cause of the problem and work to restore balance in the gut microbiome. We use a variety of natural therapies to treat gut conditions, including dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle changes.
Diet
A healthy diet is essential for gut health. Foods that are good for the gut include:
- Probiotic-rich foods (fermented foods, sauerkraut, kimchi)
- Prebiotic-rich foods (bananas, oats, garlic)
- Fiber-rich foods (beans, peas, lentils)
- Healthy fats (avocados, olive oil, nuts)
Supplements
Your doctor will discuss the best supplements for you at your consultation appointment. Supplements that we commonly prescribe are probiotics, prebiotics, gut healing powders, antimicrobial herbs, and digestive enzymes. Probiotic supplements can help restore balance to the gut microbiome. Prebiotic supplements will be prescribed on an individual need basis to help feed beneficial microbiome. Digestive enzymes help to break down food and improve nutrient absorption.
Lifestyle Changes
At your consultation appointment, we will take an in-depth look at your lifestyle and discuss changes you can implement. These may include stress reduction techniques, such as yoga or meditation, and exercise and sleep modifications.
Contact Pure Body Health
At Pure Body Health, we create a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs and work with you throughout the treatment to ensure you feel your best. Contact Dr. Scott Maymon and Dr. Sarah Stone today to learn more. If you are looking for a naturopathic doctor in Tempe and Phoenix, call (480)-427-0442 or complete the online booking form to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The gastrointestinal tract is a long, tube-like structure that runs from the mouth to the anus. It includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and it can often be caused by a virus, bacteria, or a parasite. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Gastroenteritis usually lasts for a few days; however, if you have a severe case, it can last for up to two weeks.
Stress can contribute to gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Stress can also make existing gastrointestinal problems worse.
Leaky gut is best addressed when looking at the cause of it. Many causes exist: dysbiosis, gastrointestinal infection, inflammation, food sensitivities/allergies, antibiotic use, environmental chemicals and toxins, heavy metals, and more. We frequently use stool analysis testing to better understand the dynamics of cause(s) of the individual’s leaky gut, so that we better ensure proper treatment.