Functional Gastroenterology

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common disorders that cause recurrent and persistent GI problems. A structural abnormality, such as tumors or other masses, are not the cause.

Instead, these conditions are typically the result of GI tract problems, such as lactose intolerance, food sensitivity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and more.

Functional gastroenterology works to treat the underlying causes of these GI problems, rather than using medication and surgery to mask the symptoms.

If you suffer from chronic GI problems, you may have a functional gastrointestinal disorder. These disorders can affect any part of the GI tract, including the intestines, esophagus, stomach, or bile duct. Some of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Food sensitivity
• Lactose intolerance
• Gluten sensitivity
• Postsurgical cancer recovery
• Functional constipation
• Functional diarrhea
• Opioid-induced constipation
• Nausea and vomiting disorders
• Functional dyspepsia (pain in the upper abdominal area)
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
  
  

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are some of the most common reasons people miss work or school, but identifying the cause of your discomfort can help you lead a healthy, fully functioning life.

General abdominal pain is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder symptoms. Some other important symptoms include:

• Constipation
• Gas
• Bloating
• Abdominal distention
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constant belching
• Cramping
• Feeling of fullness
• Fecal incontinence
• Loss of appetite
• Acid reflux
• Heartburn
  
  

By identifying the exact cause of your symptoms, Dr. Mark at All Functional Health can design a functional gastroenterology treatment plan that helps relieve your GI issues.

It’s crucial that you give Dr. Mark a detailed account of your GI symptoms for a proper diagnosis. Some diagnostic tools he may use to identify your GI issue include:

• Physical exam
• Stool exam
• Full family and medical history review
• Blood test
• Urine test
• Colonoscopy
• Endoscopy
• Abdominal imaging tests (ultrasound, X-ray, etc.)
• GI tract mobility tests
  
  

Dr. Mark may also recommend a breath test to determine whether you suffer from malabsorption or bacterial overgrowth.

Dr. Mark works with you to design an individualized treatment plan that helps improve your GI symptoms. Some of the functional gastrointestinal treatments he recommends are:

Nutritional counseling
A complete overhaul of your current diet helps identify and treat the causes of your GI disorder. After a full evaluation, Dr. Mark can add and eliminate certain foods in your diet to improve your GI health.

Stress management
Stress often worsens functional GI symptoms, so proper stress management can help relieve these problems. In addition to at-home techniques, like sleep, exercise, and diet, Dr. Mark can recommend acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy to help manage the stress in your life.

Supplements/medications
If you’re missing certain vitamins and minerals in your diet, Dr. Mark can determine the right supplements or medication to alleviate your GI symptoms.