WRITTEN BY: Tammy C. Perez, M.A., NCC, LCDC, LPC
REVIEWED BY: Dr. Terry Schroeder on April 18, 2023
Digestive Disorders
What are Digestive Disorders?
Digestive disorders are a range of conditions that affect the digestive system responsible for food processing, extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. These disorders can affect any part of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Common digestive disorders include gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer, gallstones, celiac disease, and pancreatitis.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is when stomach acid backs into the esophagus, causing heartburn, chest pain, and other symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine, triggering abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, is a group of conditions that produce inflammation in the digestive tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Peptic ulcer disease is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or small intestine that can lead to pain, nausea, and vomiting. Gallstones are hard deposits in the gallbladder resulting in pain and other symptoms. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Pancreatitis is pancreas inflammation that can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Various other disorders can affect the digestive system. It is essential to seek medical attention if experiencing persistent or severe digestive symptoms.
What causes Digestive Disorders?
Various factors, including diet, stress, infections, medications, genetics, hormonal changes, autoimmune disorders, and lifestyle factors, can cause digestive conditions.
Consuming a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can lead to digestive problems. Chronic stress can negatively impact the digestive system by slowing the digestive process and increasing inflammation. Bacterial or viral infections can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to conditions such as gastroenteritis. Certain medications can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system, causing problems like diarrhea, constipation, or acid reflux.
Various digestive disorders result from genetics, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause digestive issues, such as bloating and constipation. Autoimmune disorders can affect the digestive system, leading to celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome. A sedentary lifestyle, lack of sleep, and smoking can also negatively impact the digestive system, leading to gastrointestinal problems.
What are the symptoms of Digestive Disorders?
Digestive disorders can cause various symptoms that vary depending on the specific condition. Common symptoms of digestive disorders include abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating and gas, constipation and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, heartburn and acid reflux, and loss of appetite.
Other symptoms frequently experienced are difficulty swallowing, unintended weight loss, fatigue and weakness, bloody stool or rectal bleeding, changes in bowel movements, rectal pain, and discomfort.
How are Digestive Disorders treated?
The underlying cause of the condition determines treatment for digestive disorders. Generally, treatment strategies for digestive disorders involve lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery.
Lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms of digestive disorders. For acid reflux or GERD, avoiding spicy, fatty, or acidic foods, losing weight, and avoiding eating late at night can be helpful.
Various medications treat digestive disorders, such as antacids or proton pump inhibitors. These medicines can reduce stomach acid and minimize the effects of acid reflux or GERD. Inflammatory bowel conditions, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressants.
Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial to the digestive system. They can restore the balance of bacteria in the gut, which can help treat conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Occasionally, surgery is needed to treat digestive disorders, such as removing the gallbladder to eliminate gallstones or removing part of the colon in cases of colon cancer.
How do Digestive Disorders affect brain wellness?
Digestive disorders can have a significant impact on brain wellness in various ways. For example, the gut and brain are connected through the gut-brain axis, a complex communication pathway between the two organs. The stomach contains a vast network of neurons and neurotransmitters that communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, which sends signals in both directions. Disruptions in the gut microbiome, or inflammation in the gut, can trigger changes in the brain, leading to mood disorders, anxiety, and depression.
The gut also produces serotonin, dopamine, and GABA neurotransmitters, which influence brain function. Research has shown that over 90% of serotonin is formed in the stomach. Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome can affect the production and balance of these neurotransmitters, leading to mood and behavioral changes.
Furthermore, digestive disorders can impact the absorption of nutrients essential for brain health, such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and magnesium. A deficiency in these nutrients can affect brain function, leading to cognitive impairment and mental health issues.
Finally, chronic digestive disorders can cause stress, anxiety, and discomfort, further exacerbating mood disorders and impacting overall brain wellness.
How can Brain Frequency™ help?
The Brain Frequency™ AI system is an innovative therapeutic approach to improving brain health and wellness. We use proprietary science-based technology to promote optimal brain functioning across mental, emotional, physical, and social domains. Our diagnostic technology and individualized treatment protocols help decrease or eliminate trauma-related symptoms and various mental health disorders.
The Brain Frequency™ 3 Step Treatment Process consists of; first, performing a Baseline EEG and completing Psychometric Assessments; second, conducting a Brain Frequency Consultation; and third, Initiating Treatment.
An Electroencephalogram (EEG) analyzes brain waves and produces a brain map identifying current and optimal frequencies in 19 areas of the brain. Based on the individualized brain map, Brain Frequency™ will determine possible diagnoses of various mental health disorders or brain trauma for the provider to consider during treatment. Brain Frequency™ AI software provides clinicians with an "Approval Ready" treatment plan using personalized protocols based on each patient's needs.
Those suffering from symptoms of digestive disorders can efficiently and effectively improve their brain health and wellness by using the Brain Frequency™ AI system. Our innovative system drastically reduces the time needed to properly diagnose and construct treatment plans leading to a faster recovery and greater quality of life.
RESOURCES
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA): https://www.samhsa.gov/
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA): https://www.hrsa.gov/
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): https://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Center For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/
American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/
National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nih.gov/
National Suicide Prevention Line: https://988lifeline.org/
National Library of Medicine: https://medlineplus.gov/
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/