Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Humidity and our skin! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Summertime can be a time for beach going, Barbeques and just all kinds of outdoor fun! However, summer brings more than just fun outdoor activities. It also brings humidity. While most people know how high humidity affects …
GERD and ACID REFLUX Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Next to constipation and diarrhea, one of the most common concerns that people have is stomach acid. This includes GERD or gastroesophageal re-flux disease. Other common concerns that relate to stomach acid include Peptic ulcers, gastritis, and …
Digestive Health Overview
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Digestive health does not just mean diarrhea or constipation. In fact, while diarrhea or constipation can be a concern by themselves, they are often symptoms of other disorders such as SIBO, IBS, IBD and even diverticulitis. The digestive tract is one of the most important systems in our body. Not only does it process the nutrients we need to live, but it also affects our immune system. Our digestive tract is impacted by every part of our daily life from what we eat to stress and even if we are not sleeping enough. Often when we start to feel sick, we feel it in our digestive system first. Stress also has a huge impact on the digestive system. If you’re undergoing stress, treating only the digestive symptoms won’t be helpful in the long term. The same is true if there is any systemic medical concern such as diabetes. I would also like to take the time to mention that some digestive disorders can even be “silent.’ For example, Acid reflux can present with a chronic cough rather than a burning feeling. Speaking with a nutritionist can really help address digestive concerns. When you visit Invite health it can be helpful to bring along some things. For example, feel free to bring along a food log, a list of any and all medications/ supplements that you are taking and any blood work you have. While every individual digestive issue has its own slightly different protocol, there are some things that are important in general.
CASTOR OIL
Castor oil packs are amazing for reducing inflammation and pain in the digestive tract! (1) †
Stress reduction
Herbs and L Glutamine
Healing herbs such as demulcents have been found in studies to help with inflammation, pain, and even healing the digestive tract. These demulcent herbs can include the following:
Probiotics
Probiotics are so important to our overall health! (6) Now I know what you are thinking but Dr. Claire Invite has a million different probiotic blends! Which is the best one for me? Let me do a quick overview for you.
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Digestive enzymes have been found to help with gas and bloating and breaking down food. In studies they help with symptoms of constipation among other concerns. (7) Invite has 2 amazing formulas! The first is a capsule called Digestive Hx. But if you do not like pills there is a chewable formula called Prozyme Digest.
If you have any questions regarding digestive health, feel free to reach out to a nutritionist!
SOURCES
IBS and IBD Written by Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND A question I am often asked is, “what is the difference between Irritable Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?” Aren’t they the same? Well not really. While both are digestive conditions involving irritation in our digestive …
SIBO and Diverticulitis Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In this blog I wanted to talk about 2 conditions that may not seem related at 1st glance but are more closely related than you may think! These conditions are diverticulitis and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). In both …
Constipation and Diarrhea
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Every week I get calls asking about how to deal with digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea. In fact, constipation and diarrhea are the 2 most common concerns that people have when it comes to health. But what is constipation? What is diarrhea? Constipation refers to less than 3 bowel movements (BMs) a week. In contrast diarrhea is when there is frequent BMs that usually consist of thin or loose watery stools. From a holistic viewpoint, it is best to have a daily BM. One that is not too loose or too hard.
How do you know if you are suffering from constipation or diarrhea? It may seem obvious but let me break it down for you. Symptoms of constipation include having only a few BMs a week, having a BM every other day as well as straining to have a BM is also considered constipation. Other signs of constipation include gas, bloating, anal itching, bloody stool, stomach pain as well as nausea/vomiting and the stool itself hard/small. What about diarrhea? In addition to causing frequent thin/watery stool, diarrhea can cause stomach bloating stomach/intestinal cramps, nausea, vomiting or a feeling of urgency to have a BM. Long term diarrhea can also cause what is called anal leakage as well as a decrease in the natural “urge” to have a BM or the feeling you get when you are about to have a BM. Diarrhea can cause a painful irritation of the skin to occur.
What can cause constipation or diarrhea to occur? Oftentimes they are a symptom of different underlying systemic conditions. For example, thyroid disorders and pregnancy can affect BMs. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis can also affect our BMs. Even diabetes and Lupus can affect BMs. Medications often cause constipation or diarrhea as a side effect. For example, it is well known that antibiotics can trigger diarrhea. On a serious note, changes in BMs can be a sign of colon cancer. Just like many different medical concerns, constipation and diarrhea can be caused by or exacerbated by stress. An overgrowth of pathogens can also lead to either constipation or diarrhea. These pathogens can include Candida as well as bacteria and parasites. Even food allergies and digestive disorders such as Celiac disease and Lactose intolerance can affect BMs. Disorders of the GI tract such as IBS, Diverticular Disease, Lazy Bowel Syndrome, or structural defects can also affect the frequency of BMs. Other digestive disorders that can affect our BMs include gallbladder disorder. While this is not every cause of constipation or diarrhea it is a list of the most common causes.
When addressing constipation and diarrhea it is especially important to rule out any systemic concerns. The following suggestions are things that have been found to be helpful in combating constipation and even diarrhea.
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