Perhaps the most common of all problems, the gut, is also the most important. It is required for digestion of food, absorption of essential proteins, carbohydrates and fats as well as vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
It contains a living ecology of billions of bacteria performing essential functions.
Importantly, the internal gut environment because of its exposure to invasion by unfriendly microbes requires an exceptionally vigilant and powerful protection system. No wonder that 80% of the body's immune system is positioned in and around the walls of the alimentary tract (from mouth to anus).
The diagram shows a healthy intestinal lining on the left with millions of good bacteria, tight cell junctions and the villi (like a carpet pile) are thick and pink. On the right, the villi are sparse, cell junctions loose (permeable) and good bacteria are fewer whilst pathogenic (harmful) microbes are predominant. Toxins, partially digested food molecules, microbes can easily penetrate through this 'leaky gut' and cause local and widespread immune problems. Many auto-immune diseases are initiated in the gut. Auto-immune means that the body's own defence system has been 'tricked' or inadvertently turned on its own tissues causing serious damage. Examples are Coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid and other gland disease and so on. There are dozens of auto-immune disorders.
Disorders of the intestinal tract are numerous, some examples are:
- Inflammation, ulceration
- Cancers
- Infections
- Obstructions
- Disordered digestion or absorption
- Motility disorders
The effects of disorders and diseases of the gut can be very localised or have general effects throughout the whole body and can affect almost any organ or tissue system. This is why it is so vital to have an OPTIMAL digestive system.
Common Symptoms
- "irritable bowel syndrome'
- pain
- bloating
- loose stools
- constipation
- blood or mucus in stools
- wind - gas
- indigestion
- food sensitivities
- skin conditions
- joint pains
- breath issues
- mind functional problems
- children behavioural problems
Investigation of all gut related or suspected disorders requires a careful step by step investigation.
The clinic workup:
- establish a good medical history of events, timing, associated symptoms
- dietary evaluation
- relevant examination
- investigations
Investigations - the following may be done when relevant and cost-effective
- Full blood workup
- Stool analysis
- DNA stool microbiological analysis
- Elimination - Challenge diet
- ALCAT cytotoxic food allergy test
- Food allergy testing - blood test for 100 foods by IgG and IgE
- Gut Permeability test
- Liver Detoxification Profile
- CDSA (Complete Diagnostic Stool Analysis)
- Bioscreen stool sample (Melbourne lab)
- Indican Test for bacterial overgrowth
- Hair analysis
- Ultrasound imaging
- Gastroscopy (specialist)
- Colonoscopy (specialist)
- Intestinal Camera
for more information on investigations and costs >>>
Treatments
A wide range of treatments can result from the above workup.
For example: The Gut-Liver detox program >>>