While the symptoms of hundreds of gut diseases are literally the same (bloating, gassiness, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain), they may be caused by very different mechanisms that require a specialized approach.
That’s why it’s dangerous to mask the warning symptoms with over-the-counter remedies like antacids, laxatives, or antidiarrheals – without investigating the true root causes.
In the 1990s, we made incredible advances in understanding that our health is deeply linked to our microbiome – a collection of microbes including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses that live on and inside the human body.
The bacteria in our gut microbiome help digest our food, protect our immune system, fight harmful bacteria or viruses, and produce important nutrients like B12, thiamine (B1) and riboflavin.
They also produce important neurotransmitters that allow for proper brain function. This is why people with poor gut health oftentimes report brain fog!
Unfortunately, these new advances in science are at best, slow to find their way into conventional doctors’ practices… so that’s why you may be better served by a functional medicine provider like our team at Total Life Center.
The functional medicine approach to healing the gut is relying on advanced lab testing, followed by creating a custom-tailored, personalized protocol to restore your body’s innate healing potential so we can rebuild the function of your systems and bring your body back into balance.
Since the gut impacts our health on so many levels, it’s the first place we focus on when we explore a new client's case – determining whether they have leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or its cousin, small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO).
The lab tests help us arrive at a precise assessment, so we can guide you how to address the underlying dysfunction once and for all – whether it’s unresolved stealth infections, environmental toxins, food allergies, or other endocrine or system-wide issues.
Sadly, conventional doctors aren’t equipped to untangle these complex, interdependent issues because there’s simply not enough time in a standard 7-minute visit – nor was the topic covered in their standard medical school training.
Oftentimes, clients state things like “I have a “sensitive stomach” which seems to have become an accepted term for “just grin and bear it.” We know that quite often, you should not accept the notion that "you are allergic to certain foods," when it may simply a dysfunction of your gut. It could actually point to a serious gut imbalance that might have far-reaching consequences for your overall wellness.
Don’t just chalk it up to having a “sensitive” stomach or “getting older,” seek out care from a functional medicine-trained provider to avoid compromising your long-term health.
At Total Life Center, our expert team is trained to investigate the symptoms and causes of your chronic digestive disorder and craft an effective treatment plan that’s supported by the appropriate lab tests.
If you have been experiencing chronic symptoms that may be connected with digestive problems and are looking for answers, schedule a free discovery call today!
Do you have questions about starting your path back to health? Our team is standing by, happy to answer any questions you have to determine if our approach is right for you.