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Tag: digestive concerns

Gastrointestinal complaints are among the most common in health care.

Gastrointestinal complaints are among the most common in health care.

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There is a relationship between unfriendly bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and a multitude of health issues in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract house 100 trillion cells, more then all the stars in the sky! A major part of you immune and nervous system resides in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if there is an imbalance in the bacterial balance in the gastrointestinal tract, one is more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammations, food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies and intestinal permeability (also known as “leaky gut”).

A diet rich in fiber allows the beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract to break down the fiber into short chain fatty acids. These short chain fatty acids are fuel for the intestinal enterocytes, which are the cell lining in the gut.

Stool analysis is an invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment that allows the practitioner to objectively evaluate the status of beneficial and imbalanced microorganisms.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is also performed for non-desirable organisms which allows for a targeted treatment.

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Comprehensive Stool Analysis w/Parasitology x 3

Comprehensive Stool Analysis w/Parasitology x 3

CGastrointestinal complaints are among the most common in medical care. This comprehensive profile helps pinpoint the causes of gastrointestinal symptoms and chronic systemic conditions, and measures key markers of digestion, absorption and inflammation. Using growth-based culture, the standard of practice in clinical microbiology, as well as sensitive biochemical assays and microscopy, this thorough stool test evaluates the status of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms including aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeast and parasites.

Detailed Information

The Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology x1, 2, or 3 is an invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment that permits practitioners to objectively evaluate the status of beneficial and imbalanced commensal bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, yeast/fungus and parasites. Precise identification of pathogenic species and susceptibility testing greatly facilitates selection of the most appropriate pharmaceutical or natural treatment agents. 

Important information regarding the efficiency of digestion and absorption can be gleaned from the measurement of the fecal levels of pancreatic elastase (pancreatic exocrine sufficiency), fat, muscle and vegetable fibers, and carbohydrates. Inflammation can significantly increase intestinal permeability and compromise assimilation of nutrients. The extent of inflammation, whether caused by pathogens or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can be assessed and monitored by examination of the levels of biomarkers such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, white blood cells and mucus. These markers can be used to differentiate between inflammation associated with potentially life-threatening inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which requires lifelong treatment, and less severe inflammation that can be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is frequently due to the presence of enteroinvasive pathogens. Lactoferrin is only markedly elevated prior to and during the active phases of IBD, but not with IBS. Monitoring fecal lactoferrin levels in patients with IBD can therefore facilitate timely treatment of IBD, and the test can be ordered separately. Since the vast majority of secretory IgA (sIgA) is normally present in the GI tract, where it prevents binding of pathogens and antigens to the mucosal membrane, it is essential to know the status of sIgA in the gut through stool testing. sIgA is the only bona fide marker of humoral immune status in the GI tract. 

Cornerstones of good health include proper digestion of food, assimilation of nutrients, exclusion of pathogens and timely elimination of waste. To obtain benefits from food that is consumed, nutrients must be appropriately digested and then efficiently absorbed into portal circulation. Microbes, larger-sized particles of fiber, and undigested foodstuffs should remain within the intestinal lumen. Poor digestion and malabsorption of vital nutrients can contribute to degenerative diseases, compromised immune status and nutritional deficiencies. Impairment of the highly specific nutrient uptake processes, or compromised GI barrier function, as in “leaky gut syndrome,” can result from a number of causes including:

·  Low gastric acid production

·  Chronic Maldigestion

·  Food allergen impact on bowel absorptive surfaces

·  Bacterial overgrowth or imbalances (dysbiosis)

·  Pathogenic bacteria, yeast or parasites and related toxic irritants

·  The use of NSAIDs and antibiotics

Impairment of intestinal functions can contribute to the development of food allergies, systemic illnesses, autoimmune disease, and toxic overload from substances that are usually kept in the confines of the bowel for elimination. After performing a stool test, efficient remediation of GI dysfunctions incorporates a comprehensive guided approach that should include consideration of elimination of pathogens and exposure to irritants, supplementation of hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes and pre- and probiotics, and repair of the mucosal barrier.

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Digestive Health Treatment

Digestive disorders range from mild to severe and from acute to chronic. Before any treatment can be effective, it is essential that a correct diagnosis is made. At Hunt Naturopathic Clinic, digestive disorders are first diagnosed via stool analysis. (click here to read more.) They are then treated based on stool test results.

The treatment regimes target areas of concern gleaned from diagnostic testing. Treatment may include removing irritants to gastrointestinal health such as food allergies, bacterial or fungal pathogens and problems associated with digestion and absorption.

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Diagnostic Stool Parasitology

The Comprehensive Parasitology Test helps pinpoint the causes of gastrointestinal symptoms and chronic systemic conditions. Using growth based culture, the standard of practice in clinical microbiology, as well as sensitive biochemical assys and microscopy, this thorough stool test evaluates the status of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms including aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeast and parasites. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is also performed.

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Crohn Disease

Your digestive tract is the path that food takes through your body after you eat it. Food goes from your mouth (eating) to your anus (passing stool). Your intestine is the long tube in your digestive system that connects your stomach to your anus. It digests food and absorbs nutrients.

You have a small intestine and a large intestine. The small intestine, or small bowel, is very long with many coils. The large intestine, also called the colon or large bowel, is shorter and wider. Crohn disease is long-term inflammation in your intestines. Intestines are also called “bowels,” so Crohn disease is one of the two diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. The other inflammatory bowel disease is ulcerative colitis.

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Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis

The Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis is a test that can help assess digestive and absorptive functions, the presence of opportunistic pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents.

Gastrointestinal complaints are among the most common reasons patients seek medical care. Symptoms related to GI disorders includes persistent diarrhea, constipation, bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, and malabsorption.

The Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis is a test that can hlep assess digestive and absorptive functions, the presence of opportunistic pathogens and to monitor efficacy of therapeutic treatments. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is also performed for appropriate bacterial and fungal treatments.

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Unexplained Chronic Illness and Fatigue?

Consider chronic Lyme disease and other coinfections.
Dr. Jeffrey J. Hunt utilizes specialty Lyme disease diagnostic testing and comprehensive treatment.
Treatment may include addressing sleep disorders, digestion, diet and nutrition, allergies, other infections, hormonal and neurotransmitter disorders, exercise and detoxification.
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