Gastric Distress? 6 Common Digestive Disorders You May Have

Learn about the 6 most common gut disorders and how using a holistic root cause approach with integrative and functional medicine can help overcome your symptoms. 

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
   IBS is a complex, chronic disorder affecting the large intestine (colon) characterized by symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, mucus in the stool, discomfort after eating, fatigue, and abdominal pain.

   Functional and integrative medicine views IBS as a manifestation of underlying imbalances in the gut microbiome, immune system, and nervous system. Triggers can vary widely from chronic stress and dietary factors to microbial dysbiosis.  

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
   Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract. The two main types of IBD are Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.

• • Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine (colon). It is characterized by inflammation that extends through the layers of the intestinal wall and can be patchy, with areas of healthy tissue interspersed with inflamed areas. Symptoms of Crohn’s disease may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, fatigue, and fever. 

• • Ulcerative Colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum. It is characterized by continuous inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, urgency to have a bowel movement, rectal bleeding, weight loss, fatigue, and fever. 

3. Leaky Gut Syndrome
   Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition characterized by a dysfunction in the intestinal barrier, which normally acts as a protective barrier between the inside of the intestines and the rest of the body.

   In leaky gut syndrome, the intestinal barrier becomes compromised, allowing substances such as toxins, undigested food particles, and bacteria to leak through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. Symptoms of leaky gut syndrome include persistent bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, joint pain, inflammation, acne, eczema, fatigue and brain fog.

   Leaky gut has been found to be a root cause for the development of various health conditions, including autoimmune diseases, food sensitivities, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and metabolic disorders. 

4. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
   SIBO occurs when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nutrient malabsorption. Normally, the small intestine has relatively fewer bacteria compared to the colon, but in SIBO, bacteria from the colon migrate into the small intestine and proliferate.

5. Acid Reflux and GERD
   Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related conditions that involve the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the esophageal lining. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are differences between the two: 

• • Acid Reflux refers to the occasional backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, which is a normal phenomenon that most people experience sometimes. It can occur from overeating, lying down after eating, or consuming certain trigger foods or beverages. Symptoms of acid reflux may include heartburn, regurgitation of sour liquid or food, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. 

• • GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is a chronic and more severe form of acid reflux characterized by frequent or persistent symptoms. It occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscular valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, becomes weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus regularly. GERD can lead to complications such as esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), esophageal ulcers, strictures (narrowing of the esophagus), Barrett’s esophagus (a precancerous condition), and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. 

6. Adverse Food Reactions
   An adverse food reaction refers to any negative response or symptom that occurs after consuming a particular food or ingredient. Adverse food reactions can be classified into several categories, including food allergies, food intolerances, and food sensitivities.  

• • Food Allergy is an immune-mediated reaction triggered by a specific protein in a food. When the immune system mistakenly identifies the protein as harmful, it mounts an allergic response, leading to symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Symptoms of a food allergy may include hives, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. 

• • Food Intolerance refers to difficulty digesting certain foods or ingredients due to enzyme deficiencies, sensitivity to food additives, or other factors. Unlike food allergies, which involve the immune system, food intolerances do not trigger an immune response. Common food intolerances include lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance (celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity), and histamine intolerance (inability to metabolize histamine). Symptoms of food intolerance may include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, migraines, skin rashes, and fatigue. 

• • Food Sensitivity is a broad term used to describe adverse reactions to foods not classified as true allergies or intolerances. These reactions may involve immune system activation or other mechanisms. Food sensitivities are often more difficult to diagnose and may manifest as a wide range of symptoms, including digestive issues, skin problems, respiratory symptoms, joint pain, headaches, and fatigue. Some individuals may experience symptoms of food sensitivity without clear evidence of immune involvement. 

It’s important to differentiate between these types of adverse food reactions, as their underlying mechanisms and management strategies vary.  

Diagnosis of adverse food reactions may involve medical history, physical examination, elimination diets, food challenges, skin prick tests, blood tests (such as IgE or IgG testing), and other diagnostics as needed. Treatment typically involves avoiding trigger foods, dietary modifications, symptom management, and in some cases, allergen immunotherapy or other therapies.