Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints are among the most common reasons that individuals seek medical care. Many have been through numerous physician consultations and treatment modalities without relief.
Unfortunately, millions more suffer silently, thinking that their GI symptoms are “normal” while self-medicating with antacids or Pepto Bismol and avoiding heartburn-inducing foods.
Additionally, many GI complaints are embarrassing for patients to discuss with their healthcare provider or they may fear invasive GI testing procedures.
In the past several decades, research has changed the way we understand gastrointestinal disorders.
These research studies have illuminated the complex interaction of the immune system, neuroendocrine system, and microbial environment within the gut. Modern advances in understanding have profound implications on the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Rather than describing only separate GI disorders (independent of one another), common dysfunctions are at the root of many seemingly unrelated GI conditions.
Even while many patient complaints and irregularities are difficult to isolate into a clear-cut insurance diagnosis code, this new paradigm of medicine has emerged to allow the practitioner to assess, evaluate, and treat patients rather than diseases.
This new paradigm of medicine is generally referred to as functional medicine.
Resolving gastrointestinal issues is one of our most important missions here at the DaSilva Institute. Read these articles for more information on specific conditions: