Your digestive health is a central part of overall health and wellness, and it affects how your body feels and functions every day. When something is amiss, your gut is quick to send warning signals. But interpreting those signals is not always easy.
Many people assume their gastrointestinal issues are the result of food sensitivities, but there could be something far more serious happening. At his practice in Monterey, California, Terry L. Franklin, MD, takes a closer look at how to identify the source of gut health symptoms.
Food sensitivities, or food intolerance, is an inability to properly process or digest specific foods. People with food sensitivities experience symptoms when they consume certain foods.
Some of the issues you might notice if you have food sensitivities include:
Lactose, a sugar present in milk and dairy products, is a common source of food intolerance. The histamines in wine, cheese, chocolate, and bananas can also trigger symptoms, as can gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Some people understand exactly what triggers their symptoms. For others, identifying the food that causes distress is part of the diagnostic process.
You can ease or eliminate food sensitivities by determining which foods trigger a response and taking steps to avoid those foods. Yet there are numerous forms of gastrointestinal disease that can look like a food sensitivity but actually be a more serious condition.
These conditions are often referred to as structural gastrointestinal diseases. They come in many different forms and can create symptoms that range in severity.
Some examples of gastrointestinal disease include:
These conditions can cause any of the symptoms mentioned above. And to be clear, some people experience more severe symptoms of food intolerance than they have with more serious gastrointestinal problems.
So the severity of your body’s response to gastrointestinal issues is not a good indicator of how serious the problem may be. That’s why it’s so important to come in for a thorough assessment if you encounter ongoing digestive health problems.
Far too many people allow gut health symptoms to linger for years before they seek treatment. While an occasional upset stomach is just part of life, you shouldn’t encounter ongoing issues with your digestive health. Don’t wait until your symptoms are unbearable to seek treatment.
Dr. Franklin takes a functional medicine approach, one that looks for the root cause of symptoms in order to develop an effective treatment plan. That process begins with a discussion of the changes you’ve noticed over time.
Additional screening tools include blood and stool testing, imaging studies, and endoscopic procedures. Your diagnostic journey depends on your symptoms and overall health. Dr. Franklin offers a wide range of diagnostic services through his practice and can help you find a great practitioner if you require specialized care.
Our team also offers lifestyle education, a service that helps you find ways to improve nutrition and other aspects of everyday health. Making changes in how you fuel your body can go a long way toward easing symptoms.
Don’t let digestive health issues prevent you from living your life to the fullest. We’re here to help you determine what’s causing distress and create a customized care plan that delivers lasting relief.
Begin today by contacting our office online or by phone to set up a one-on-one visit.
