Digestive Health - Guest Blog

Written by: Jessie Jo Young, PA-C

Functional Medicine Provider at REST Wellness in Abilene, TX

Are you walking around bloated all the time? Does it seem like as soon as you take your first bite your stomach just swells? Do you suffer from gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, or all the above?

Digestive symptoms behind chronic fatigue are the number one complaint coming from my patients. Up to twenty percent of the US population suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The conventional approach to IBS is to prescribe medication to suppress symptoms. Sometimes this works but the root cause is still not being addressed.

Some lesser-known causes that might be contributing to your digestive symptoms include Gut Dysbiosis, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Leaky Gut Syndrome, Undiagnosed Gut Infection, or Food Intolerances or Sensitivities.

TIPS TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH:

Try increasing your fermented foods or take a probiotic supplement. You could also take a shot of apple cider vinegar everyday to increase digestive ability. Avoid taking antacids or acid blocking drugs. This alters the pH of our digestive system and allows opportunistic bacteria or infections to grow. Try cutting out gluten, dairy, and/or sugar. These foods tend to be high sensitivity triggers and feed poor gut bacteria and other gut infections. Try avoiding raw vegetables for a time and only eat cooked vegetables. Sometimes when our gut is imbalanced it will have difficulty breaking down the insoluble fibers found in fruits and vegetables and instead cause gas, bloating, or abdominal discomfort. If you have recently started an elimination diet it can be normal to experience increased bloating or other digestive symptoms the first 7-10 days as your body adjusts to digesting all of the new fiber you’ve been feeding it.

If you continue to have digestive symptoms beyond 2 weeks, I encourage you to seek out a functional medicine or integrative healthcare provider to work on discovering the root cause to your symptoms. I have treated numerous patients with digestive complaints who have recovered. They no longer need their acid blockers, antidepressants, antispasmodics, or laxatives to manage their digestive symptoms. I would love to work with you if your digestive symptoms continue to be a hindrance in your quality of life.

- Jessie Jo Young, PA-C Functional Medicine Provider

If you're interested in scheduling an appointment with Jessi Jo Young, PA-C, you can schedule online at www.restwellness.com or by calling 325-899-3209.