Digestive Disorders

The gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, or digestive system is a very complex machine requiring that many different organs work in concert.

The ultimate job of the GI tract is to absorb or admit the nutrients necessary to keep the body healthy, while at the same time, rejecting or expelling those substances that are toxic. To accomplish this important job, the membrane that lines the entire GI tract acts as a selective barrier – essentially taking in what is “good” and rejecting that which is “bad”.

There are three fundamental steps to the digestive process:

• Absorption
• Assimilation
• Elimination

These fundamental steps to the digestive process involve a complex orchestration between the various digestive enzymes, anti-bodies, hormones and the internal ecosystem of the digestive tract. The self contained environment within the walls of the stomach, colon and intestines is the home of more than 400 species of bacteria – most of them beneficial and protective in their roles.

Factors that can alter GI tract functions include:

• Surgery i.e. gastric by-pass, gall bladder surgery, small and large bowel surgery
• Anti-biotic use
• Food additives

Surgery- alters structural design, disturbs digestive enzymes, hormones and various anti­ body secretory IgA. This can lead to chronic digestive disorders, malabsorption, mal­ nutrition and lowered immune system and risk of infection.

Antibiotics and food additives – can tip the balance of the internal ecosystems. Dangerous bacteria, parasites, or an overgrowth of candida replace the friendly bacteria that line the GI tract, a process of inflammation can begin. This process may even affect other cells and organs of the body that are susceptible to inflammation.

• Abdominal pain – can vary in its location, frequency, and intensity when we suffer from any kind of GI disorder. What is most important to know is that certain kinds of abdominal pain, such as that described for pancreatitis, may signal a serious problem.
• Diarrhea – is the frequent passage of watery stools and is most often caused by intestinal irritation, incomplete digestion of food, use of ceiiain drugs, food poisoning, or food allergies.
• Gas and/or bloating – occur when there is excessive gas in the stomach and intestines (also call flatulence) and can be a sign of incomplete digestion. Three major sources of gas in the GI tract are gas swallowed from the air, gas formed by a chemical reaction of hydrochloric acid from the stomach and pancreatic secretions, and gases formed through bacterial fermentation in the colon. Those who are lactose intolerance or overly sensitive to foods such as legumes and cruciferous vegetables may experience increased gas production.
• Constipation – refers to infrequent or incomplete bowel movements, often characterized by stools that are hard and difficult to pass due to slow transit time through the GI tract. Usually this is caused by insufficient dietary fiber, excessive dietary fat and/or refined foods; side effects from some medications, lack of exercise, dehydration, or hormonal changes.

• Celiac Disease – In those with a genetic predisposition, this inflammatory disorder is triggered by exposure to gluten (wheat protein). This condition results in a malabsorption of nutrients; those affected may develop anemia due to a lack of iron, folate, and/or vitamin Bl2; or osteoporosis due to inadequate absorption of calcium and Vitamin D. Celiac disease can lead to fertility problems in women if left untreated. Gas, abdominal cramping, weight loss, canker sores, fatigue and anemia all suggest difficulty digesting gluten and are common symptoms.
• Leaky Gut Syndrome – The leaking of the gut wall through the gut lining can be triggered by a number of factors including food allergies, alcoholism, radiation, chemotherapy, infections and severe trauma. This compromises the barrier function of the digestive tract so that toxins and bacteria can seep into the bloodstream and be passed along to the liver. While common symptoms include vitamin deficiencies, gas, cramping, fatigue, and poor concentration, development of an autoimmune disease, including allergies, may also be a sign of leaky gut syndrome.
• Pancreatitis – Inflammation of the pancreas usually results from the blockage of the ducts of the pancreas, and can be caused by alcohol abuse, viral infection, or when gallstones become trapped in the ducts. The most classic symptom of acute pancreatitis is pain above the navel that spreads across the abdomen and to the back. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, and weakness.
• Gallbladder Disease – Problems typically stem from inflammation, swollen ducts that restrict bile flow, or gallstones that block bile flow. A sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, and skipping meals are common factors in those with gallbladder problems. Food allergies can also trigger inflammation. Symptoms include indigestion, chronic gas, bloating, fatigue, and anxiety in chronic cases; and severe pain, nausea, and vomiting in an acute gallbladder attack.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – Often referred to as heartburn, this condition occurs when partially digested food from the stomach, along with too much hydrochloric acid (HCI) and enzymes, backs up into the esophagus (a process also know as reflux). The acidity of the HCI can cause damage when it comes into contact with the delicate lining of the esophagus. Reflux (or
  regurgitation), chest pain, and difficulty swallowing are some of the most common symptoms of GERD. WARNING …..in our experience similar symptoms of GERD can also be caused from low HCL acid. If your ant-acid is not helping, suspect the opposite – low acid.
• Ulcers – A sore or lesion that develops in the mucus lining of the stomach. Once believed that stress was the major cause of peptic ulcers, most are associated with the presence of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori between the lining of the stomach and the protective mucous layer. Common symptoms include sever pain (often worse between meals and at night) and black, tarry stools, which indicate internal bleeding.
• Gastritis – An inflammation of the lining of the stomach that involves erosion of the uppermost mucosal layer. While many types of gastritis cause no symptoms, those that do can result in heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome) – The overall name given to chronic inflammation in the large and small intestines can also be classified as either Crohn’s Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Both are potentially serious and can lead to malnutrition. In Crohn’s disease, the bowel wall thickens causing the GI tract to narrow, and all layers of affected tissue to go through cycles of inflammation, damage and healing. The disease is often characterized by periods of remission and flare-ups. In IBS, the normally rhythmic muscular contractions of the GI tract become uncoordinated and ilTegular, which interferes with a normal movement of food and waste, often leading to accumulation and potentially a partial obstruction. Symptoms are similar to those of many other GI disorders: pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
• Infections – Although parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, worms, and protozoa are ubiquitous, some can wreak havoc when infecting the GI tract. Some organisms can provoke hormone changes by binding estrogen, thus make it unavailable, while others can actually produce hormones leading to excess levels. Infections can cause a wide range of symptoms including diarrhea, cramps, gas, and fatigue.

For those GI tracts altered by surgery you need:

• Nutritional IV
• Specially designed micro-nutrients and vitamins reduced to angstrom size (unit of length equal to one ten billionth of a meter)
• Probiotics and anti-candida protocol- i.e. gastric by-pass can lead to mineral deficiency, hence, osteoporosis and osteomalecia. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, B12 and folic acid deficiency which can lead to fatigue, elevated homocystiene, which puts you at a high risk of heart disease and stoke.

Gallbladder Surgery – which can alter bile acid production and faulty fat digestion. This can lead to symptoms of heartburn and the impairment and the inability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins which are A, D, E and K.

A brief review of the various health benefits of the following fat-soluble vitamins:

• Vitamin A – Zinc related problems and night blindness. Poor skin health and mucus membrane.
• Vitamin D – Involved in the absorption and metabolism of calcium. Affects cell growth and differentiation, and has immunoregulatory effects.
• Vitamin E – Antioxidant, stabilizes cell membranes, inhibits platelet aggregation. Enhances immune function at moderate doses, but may inhibit immune function at high doses.
• Vitamin K – Activates certain blood clotting factors. Required for the synthesis of the bone protein, osteocalcin.

Colon Surgery – Alters the balance of the internal ecosystems towards the overgrowth of disease producing bacteria and overgrowth of candida.

Hippocrates said, “death begins in the colon”.

For those GI tract disorders non-surgical related, we recommend the Gastrointestinal Health Panel.
The GI Health Panel is a non-invasive screen of the gastrointestinal tract and its function. It includes at least 15-22 individual, but related tests. Stool and saliva samples are submitted by the patient after home collection to Diagnos Tech Lab.

To insure high sensitivity and specificity of pathogenic organism detection, Diagnos-Tech employs a variety of methods in the GI Health Panel tests. These tests utilize proven biochemical and state of the art immunological and other methods. The panel includes:

• Pathogen screening: bacteria, fungi, yeast, and various parasites
• Digestion related screens: enzyme levels and immunochemical markers for intolerance to common offending foods.
• Intestinal function markers to evaluate irritation and inflammation; markers indicate overall status of gut immunity and integrity, i.e. occult blood, etc.

Overntilization of antibiotics renders the gastrointestinal tract more susceptible to chronic overgrowth of harmful micro-organisms.

The GI Health Panel strikes a balance between comprehensive screening and economy by bundling appropriate individual tests that would otherwise cost over $700 at current prices.

ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS:

• Non-invasive sampling; saliva and stool
• Home collection; no office visit
• Economical
• Comprehensive: detects a broad spectrum of common pathogens and includes digestion efficiency evaluation
• Improved wellness; general GI complaints identified and resolved

COMMON APPLICATIONS OF THIS PANEL:
Individuals with chronic and vague GI symptoms including:

• Frequent bloating, gas, cramping, and constipation
• Frequent travel within US and/or overseas
• Frequent eating outside the home
• Children that go to daycare centers
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Fatigue
• Lyme’s like symptoms
• If you’ve tried everything, tried all kinds of medical tests, yet your healthcare provider doesn’t have a clue and you’re still not well

Parasites are easily spread within a household, therefore, all family members should be tested if one is positive for gastrointestinal infection.

The fact that you opened this page and began reading this tells me something about you. It tells me that you have more than the usual amount of concern about your gut health.

Why I’m not sure!

Perhaps you’ve recently been diagnosed with:

• GERD or heartburn – you are already taking anti-acids or had an esophageal dilation procedure.
• GAS and BLOATING-you have consulted many health care providers and had many attempts at treatments with poor results.
• CANDIDIASIS You’ve tried many OTC and prescriptions with relative improvement only to discover that each time you stop what you are taking your symptoms come back.
• CONSTIPATION – you are taking a daily stool softener, otherwise you don’t have a BM and you just don’t feel well.

Maybe you have been diagnosed with colitis, Crohn’s disease, IBS, or already had gut operations. Maybe you or someone you love has one or more of these conditions and you’re worried.

Not to scare you, but you should be worried.

Gut related diseases chronically treated with drugs to simply control symptoms or altered by surgery can lead to chronic malabsorption, malnutrition, lowered immune system functioning and increased risk of infection.

If you or your loved one has tried everything, yet your health care provider doesn’t have a clue and you are still miserable, KadileAtric Power Principle®, recommends that the following gastro-intestinal health panel be performed. (LINK)

If you or your loved one had gut surgery then a malabsorption, malnutrition analysis is a must. Based on those results a specific, individualized nutritional therapy program can be implemented either orally or IV.

Look, it’s never a good time to have gut related diseases, but if you’ve got it, now is the time to pick up the phone and call 920-468-9442.