Chronic Indigestion
Indigestion is a common reaction to food that we all experience. And usually this indigestion is short-lived and we can pinpoint exactly what causes the indigestion . . . too many sugary snacks, eating too late before bedtime, imbibing in a few too many beers, trying to squeeze a couple of extra days from the leftovers in the fridge. We've all been there . . .
But then some of us suffer from indigestion that is constant. Everyday our belly is bloated, cramped, distended. We may experience diarrhea or constipation.
And even worse . . . we can't figure out why we feel this way. Even when we eat "clean" foods and take our daily vitamins, we still suffer the symptoms of indigestion.
Below we explain some of the more common conditions:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
Crohn's Disease, Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis . . . And More
The Traditional Medicine Approach
If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, then chances are that your physician diagnosed you after ruling out various other diseases. The next step . . . try various medications to curb the symptoms. You were probably also given vague guidance on dietary restrictions and were left to experiment on your own to find the best diet for how you felt.
The same is true if you have any of the autoimmune disorders that cause intestinal discomfort. While no medication will cure the disease, you were likely prescribed medications to fight inflammation and reduce the discomfort from your body's reaction to food.
And lastly, if you were prescribed with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, then you were once again prescribed medication and offered vague dietary guidance.
How Functional Medicine Is Different
Chronic indigestion is one of the most successful symptoms that we alleviate at the Institute for Functional Health because the treatment is at the core of the principles of functional medicine.
Your body was not designed to chronically suffer from upset stomach. The symptoms you experience are a direct result of the foods and supplements that you are consuming. Even with autoimmune diseases that have no "cure", our intensive lab testing helps to identify those triggers that inflamme your intestines and cause you the discomfort.
While some prescription medications may work for you, the side effects of those medications on other body systems is undeniable. Instead of medication being your first resort, let's get to the root cause of your indigestion and help your body to restore itself.
Often times, patients with chronic indigestion also have other issues such as a lack of energy, physical exhaustion, and an inability to control their weight. This is because digestive issues will also hinder your ability to properly absorb nutrients needed to support your body's other systemic functions.
We look forward to setting you on a path to lead a pain-free lifestyle, without constant stomach ache.