Digestion is how food and other particles are broken down from their original form to be absorbed as nutrients. Digestion problems are relatively common and typically involve the stomach, small intestine, and colon. These problems may be congenital or the result of a disease. In some cases, dietary supplements are required to alleviate the symptoms. Complications from digestion problems can include malnutrition, weight loss, constipation, and diarrhea. The main causes of digestion problems include physical disorders, psychological disorders, and certain drugs or foods.
Healthcare professionals can often diagnose digestive disorders by reviewing a patient’s medical history and conducting a physical exam. More invasive tests like endoscopy may also be necessary to diagnose digestive problems. Blood tests sometimes determine if an underlying condition causes digestion problems. The goal of treating digestion problems is to alleviate symptoms and identify and treat any underlying conditions that may be present. Digestive disorders usually respond well to home treatment and over-the-counter medications. Stronger medications or surgery may be needed if other treatments do not work. Gastrointestinal surgery is only recommended as a last resort when other treatments have failed or if the disorder is causing severe illness or death.
How We Improve Digestion
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Our digestive system is complex, and problems can quickly lead to serious health issues. We will do our best to determine the cause of your symptoms and how these symptoms may be impacting your everyday life. A comprehensive consultation and exam will allow us to determine what is causing your digestive system’s signs to provide you with the corresponding remedies according to our experience and expertise. It is essential to consult a professional before taking any supplements, as they can interact with other medications you are taking or create different issues.
Specific Chiropractic Care
After a thorough examination, we will determine which specific adjustments are most effective for improving the condition of your digestion. Even though many people experience symptoms from other systems in the body due to digestive problems, restoring proper function to the digestive system is a crucial step in restoring health and well-being. We will do everything possible to help you improve your digestive system’s operation, maximize its healing potential, and achieve long-term results. It is important to note that our patients with digestive problems often report having positive effects in other systems of the body immediately following their treatment.
Nutritional Guidance
We will discuss the most suitable foods for your digestive needs with a dietitian and dietician. We will review various dietary restrictions and discuss the best way to continue eating healthy while eliminating foods that may contribute to poor digestion. Your nutritional consultant will help you plan a diet to nourish your body while avoiding digestive discomfort. It is important to note that the digestive system is very complex and can only be optimized by switching to the most nutritious foods after considering your nutritional needs. The digestive tract absorbs the nutrients you eat, so paying attention to everything that goes into your diet to maximize its healing potential is imperative.
Common Digestion Problems
GERD
GERD is a common problem that impacts around 20% of the population. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, often referred to as acid reflux, occurs when excess acid travels back up from the stomach into the esophagus and causes irritation and inflammation of the lining of this passageway between the stomach and throat. It’s most common in people who have a weak lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter, situated just above the abdomen, is the valve that keeps stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. When this valve is weak, the acid can flow into one’s esophagus at any time and cause heartburn or severe stomach pain. It may also result in the corrosion of one’s esophagus and a condition known as Barrett’s Esophagus.
IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems. IBS tends to affect people without any accompanying diseases or disorders. It’s usually a precursor to more severe problems like diverticulitis and colon cancer. IBS can be hard to diagnose since symptoms frequently mimic other conditions, and many people don’t know they have it until they go to the doctor and are told there is something wrong with them. Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, urgency in passing urine or stool, nausea and vomiting (but rarely, these signs occur more frequently in women). Those with IBS may experience symptoms in some or all of these categories, but only rarely will they have more than one symptom at a time.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that occurs when the immune system attacks and damages the walls of your digestive tract. The main areas of the digestive tract that can be affected are the small and large intestines. People with Crohn’s disease may experience pain in their abdomen, diarrhea, weight loss, bleeding from the rectum or inside their vagina, severe cramping, inflammation and abscesses in their small intestines. It can also cause complications with their bowels or bladder.
Constipation & Diarrhea
Constipation and diarrhea are quite common but also dangerous to one’s health. These two symptoms are often related to one’s diet, lack of exercise, and dehydration. They may also indicate something more severe, like digestive tract problems. It’s essential to seek help when this happens. Prolonged constipation or diarrhea can result in dehydration, rashes, flushing and severe skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It can also cause severe cramping and dehydration and may even be fatal. In children, prolonged constipation or diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and malnutrition, leading to brain damage and even death.
Bloating & Gas
Both gas and bloating can be frustrating problems to deal with. Emptying your stomach is as easy as gulping down fluids or eating some simple, bland foods; however, these options may not always help. Bloating and gas are symptoms of severe digestive tract problems such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers or tumors in the digestive tract. These conditions can lead to pain and cramping in the stomach and back, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, the gas buildup can cause one to pass more than just gas; it can also lead to intense abdominal pain due to pressure on internal organs.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia is a widespread digestive problem. It occurs when the stomach has difficulty digesting food properly, causing upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. It may also result in a burning sensation within the abdomen that worsens whenever food is ingested. The pain is typically temporary and won’t cause any long-term damage to your organs. However, if you notice that you have been suffering from frequent or severe bouts of dyspepsia, you should get examined by a physician for further testing and diagnosis. Other symptoms may include:
- Weight loss or weight gain.
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Bloating and swelling in the abdomen or chest area after eating.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the large intestine and rectum. There are different types of IBD, but ulcerative colitis causes the most damage to the lining of your digestive tract. It occurs when white blood cells attack the cells that line your colon and rectum, causing them to produce more mucus. As a result, ulcers form on your colon walls, leading to chronic inflammation and pain. Ulcerative colitis can also cause fatigue, weight loss, cramps or diarrhea and bleeding from the rectum or vagina (although this is less common). You should consult with a physician if you have any symptoms of this condition.
Lactose Intolerance
Some people cannot digest lactose, the primary sugar in milk. Lactose intolerance is not a disease but can cause mild to severe symptoms like bloating and gas, diarrhea and stomach cramps after eating or drinking lactose foods. If you notice that you’re experiencing these symptoms more often than not, it may be because your body cannot properly digest lactose. If you don’t want to give up dairy products altogether, consider trying some supplemental products that contain lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose so it can be easily digested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractors help digestion?
Chiropractic care can be used to treat individuals who have suffered from digestive disorders. Chiropractors are trained and experienced in the proper techniques to help with spinal injuries and abnormal spinal alignment. Spinal adjustments are commonly used to treat digestive disorders by removing pressure from the spine and allowing better performance of the nerves that travel through it, either directly or indirectly. Chiropractic adjustments also improve circulation, which is crucial for proper digestion. Some people also report a reduction in bloating, gas, heartburn and other symptoms of digestive problems.
Can chiropractors cause digestive issues?
Although chiropractors can help treat your digestive system, manipulation of your spine and nervous system should not be taken lightly. Chiropractors are trained in proper chiropractic techniques and equipment, so they do not attempt to manipulate your spine without patient consent. If you have doubts about using it, it’s best to consult a medical professional first. Suppose you wish to see a chiropractor for the treatment of digestive problems. In that case, he must have the proper training and knowledge about stomach anatomy to diagnose any existing symptoms. He should also have knowledge and experience with appropriate chiropractic procedures that can be performed on your digestive system.
Can a misaligned spine cause digestive problems?
A misaligned spine can lead to intestinal issues like diarrhea, constipation and pain. The most common symptoms of a misaligned spine include a feeling of abdominal pressure when you eat or drink, an upset stomach after eating or indigestion that does not go away with a drink of water. If you suffer from any of these digestive problems, chiropractic care can help you.
How does chiropractic release toxins?
The nervous system controls everything in your body, including the digestive process. Nerves branch off of your spine and travel to all vital organs of your body. Minor nerve misalignments can lead to a disruption in bodily function, and one of the first effects is often a disruption in digestion. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to realign any nerves that may be causing digestive issues while also increasing the overall circulation of blood to the vital organs that make up your gastrointestinal tract. Increased circulation helps remove toxins or waste material that may be building up, so they do not accumulate over time.
What part of the spine controls digestion?
The small intestine is the first part of the digestive system. It works solely on food entering your digestive system so it can break down the food you are eating into smaller pieces and separate any water from the rest of what you eat. The next portion of your digestive tract is your stomach, which contains hydrochloric acid, pepsinogen and other enzymes that help break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Ultimately, food waste will be expelled from your body through your feces when it leaves this portion of your digestive system. Then comes your large intestine, where most of our last meal’s poop ends.
Can a chiropractor help a bloated stomach?
Chiropractic care can help reduce stomach bloat. A chiropractor can work on the nervous system through the spinal adjustment to help relieve tension that may be causing food to move slower through your digestive system. Since your digestive tract works on a 24-hour schedule, any disruption in digestion can affect your gut’s ability to process food appropriately, and it could lead to a feeling of bloating. In addition, since digestion is directly connected to the nervous system, any misalignment in the spine can also disrupt proper digestion and increase stomach bloating.
How do I get fast relief for IBS?
Chiropractic care can help reduce IBS-related bouts of painful diarrhea and constipation. The nervous system has been shown to play a role in relieving IBS symptoms, so the rest of your digestive system can be affected when the nervous system is malfunctioning. Chiropractors can adjust your spine’s alignment to correct any misaligned nerves, which will relieve tension in your digestive system and reduce any intestinal pain caused by this condition.
