Digestive Disorders Specialist

Digestive Disorders Q & A

What are digestive disorders?

Digestive disorders affect your gastrointestinal system, which consists of your stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and organs like your liver and gallbladder. Some of the digestive disorders seen frequently at Progressive Medical Center include:

• Acid reflux (heartburn)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Gas and bloating
• Constipation and diarrhea
• Diverticulitis

Digestive disorders don’t just cause problems like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, or constipation and diarrhea. You might also experience fatigue and joint pain, as well as problems like brain fog, mood swings, and poor memory. Therefore, identifying the root cause of your symptoms is vital.
How are digestive disorders diagnosed?

The root cause of many symptoms originates in your digestive system, so the Progressive Medical Center team always considers potential issues with your gastrointestinal tract. They begin by analyzing your symptoms, conducting a physical examination, and studying your medical history and lifestyle.

The next stage is undergoing one or more advanced diagnostic tests for digestive disorders, which include:

Food sensitivity test

Progressive Medical Center’s advanced test for food sensitivity looks at four levels of inflammatory markers, unlike standard tests that only check one or two.

Leaky gut test

Leaky gut is a problem that occurs when small food particles move through spaces in your gut lining and end up where they don’t belong. The leakage can trigger inflammation throughout your body and has numerous adverse effects on your health. The test identifies markers for leaky gut and inflammation from allergic reactions.

Gut bacteria test

A gut bacteria (GI microbiota) test measures the bacteria levels in your digestive system. If there’s an overgrowth of bad bacteria, good bacteria (probiotics) can’t do their job.

H. pylori breath test

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection in your stomach is a common cause of ulcers. A breath test that takes less than 20 minutes can identify whether you have the infection.

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) test

Stomach acid doesn’t just start the digestive process; it also protects your gastrointestinal system from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms in your food. If bacteria get through, they can embed themselves in your small intestine and cause nutritional deficiencies. A hydrogen breath test can determine whether you have SIBO.

Gastrogram test

Progressive Medical Center practitioners test your stomach and intestinal pH to see how well stomach acid and digestive enzymes are working.
How are digestive disorders treated?

At Progressive Medical Center, the team uses several approaches to treat digestive disorders, including:

• Reducing inflammation
• Balancing stomach acid
• Regulating bowel movements
• Removing bowel waste with a digestive cleanse
• Treating food sensitivities

If you experience stomach or digestive issues, a food sensitivity test is a good idea so you can adjust your diet to exclude foods that cause any adverse reactions.

Get to the bottom of your digestive disorders by calling Progressive Medical Center or booking an appointment online today.