If you have a digestive disorder it’s important to find the right practitioner to help you find solutions. But you shouldn’t entrust your health to just anyone; not even your primary health caregiver. They are good when it comes to everyday health concerns such as minor infections and yearly physical exams, but sometimes you need a healthcare professional who has taken the time to learn about the intricacies of the digestive system, and can take care of you better than a healthcare professional who hasn’t done that.
There are many different digestive disorders, each with its own set of symptoms. Did you know that heartburn and acid reflux are considered digestive disorders? It’s true, because they are at the top of the digestive system. Many people might consider IBS, IBD and similar ailments to be the only digestive disorders, but they are mistaken. Digestive disorders can occur at any point in the digestive system. Whether is it heartburn at the back of your throat; that painful burning sensation in your esophagus, or if it is occasional diarrhea, it counts as a digestive disorder.
Another example of a digestive disorder is called UC, which stands for Ulcerative Colitis. This is a health condition where the bowel is inflamed, and the sufferer has cramps, pain, frequent bowel movements which may contain blood, and sores are present in the colon. This is very similar to Crohn’s disease, and they both fall under the heading of IBD, which stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Some other, more common digestive disorders are lactose intolerance, which is the body’s inability to digest the lactose in dairy products and causes bloating, cramping and foul smelling gas. Another example is the presence of hemorrhoids, which are very large, swollen veins inside the rectum, or even protruding from the anus. They can make both sitting as well as bowel movements both painful and difficult. For severe cases of hemorrhoids, surgery is necessary to remove them. The presence of gallstones in the gall bladder is also a digestive disorder. The gall bladder makes bile, a fluid which aids in digestion, and the formation of stones can cause intense pain. There is no way to dissolve the stones, so if a person has gallstones, they must have surgery to remove them.
Celiac disease is another digestive disorder. It has been in health news a lot lately. Celiac disease is where the body cannot tolerate or digest gluten, which is a byproduct of wheat. Persons with celiac disease must avoid all foods made with wheat or wheat flour, such as bread, breaded food like chicken tenders, cookies, crackers and pizza, just to name a few. There is a growing market of gluten free foods, with safe, wheat free alternatives so that celiac sufferers can still enjoy their old favorites. Do you suffer from bloating, gas, and stomach ache after you eat foods which contain gluten? It is important that you not attempt to self diagnose, but instead call your digestive disorder healthcare professional because they can run tests and help you to get the answers you seek. Don’t delay; call a naturopathic doctor for an appointment today.