Functional Neurology in Wooster OH

Gut Health

According to Harvard.edu,

“The enteric nervous system that regulates our gut is often called the body’s ‘second brain’...this extensive network uses the same chemicals and cells as the brain to help us digest and to alert the brain when something is amiss. Gut and brain are in constant communication.”

Gut health is SO important! Our gut plays an active role in our daily lives and when it is “unhealthy” we can see it throw off our daily activities in the following symptoms:

• Digestive issues like: excessive burping, gas, bloating, pain, heartburn diarrhea
• Mood issues: anxiety, depression, unexplained mood changes
• Sleep interference
• Fatigue
• Rashes/Allergies
• Weight Gain/Weight Loss

When the gut is functioning properly, it balances the bacteria to get rid of toxins, process foods properly and even improves your mood. To improve gut health we may recommend Functional Medicine/Wellness to improve or treat your symptoms.

What Is Functional Medicine for Gut Health?

Functional medicine for gut health involves identifying and addressing the root cause of gut issues and bringing healthy diversity back into the gut microbiome using a patient-centered and holistic approach. This may involve testing, nutritional modifications, lifestyle interventions, supplements, or prescription medications. Because of the root cause nature of functional medicine, the treatment protocol used is unique and individualized to each patient, which can be quite different from the conventional medical approach.

A common example used to illustrate this difference is the treatment of heartburn. Many people diagnosed with heartburn are given an antacid or proton pump inhibitor to neutralize or suppress stomach acid to prevent the burning sensation and discomfort caused by acid reflux. In contrast, a functional medicine practitioner would attempt to identify the cause of the heartburn (e.g., some sort of dysfunction within the digestive system) and address this directly.

By improving the function of the digestive system without suppressing stomach acid (a very important and biologically necessary substance!) heartburn symptoms resolve without any negative side effects, and overall health is optimized. (Disclaimer: there are situations in which the use of acid-suppressing medication is completely appropriate and medically necessary! But many cases of heartburn can be addressed without the use of medications).

If you struggle with any of the above symptoms - we want to talk with you about the HOPE of healing these chronic symptoms and finding you relief. Call to schedule today!