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Dispensary
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
testing
Health From Within
Digestive health plays a huge role in overall health and well being. Our gut houses the largest part of our immune system, meaning healthy digestion is imperative to a healthy immune function. The health of our digestion also impacts our blood sugar regulation, hormone balancing and mood. A comprehensive assessment for any type of health concern usually includes a deep dive into how the gut is functioning, and what areas of digestion may be impacting other health concerns.
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Irritable Bowel syndrome versus inflammatory bowel disease, what is the difference?
IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning all other diagnosis have been considered and assessed, and nothing else appears to be the problem. The issue with this, is that far too often patient’s find themselves being “diagnosed” with IBS when avenues for investigation have been missed or not considered. This is the realm that naturopathic medicine shows it’s strength because of the commitment to exploring all aspects of gut health and digestion to get to the root cause of an irritable bowel.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is quite different as in this case we are starting to see cellular and structural changes to the tissues inside the gut that are impacting digestion and overall health.
The two forms of IBD are Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis. In these cases balancing the body’s immune response becomes an important factor in a patient’s treatment plan.
Whether you have been diagnosed with IBS or IBD, there are many different avenues that can be explored with Dr Allison in order to improve the health of your gut.
Gut Dysbiosis
The health of our gut microflora/ microbiome is crucial for our overall health and wellness. Unhealthy or irregular eating habits, poor sources of nutrition, stress, or simply eating a typical North American diet can eventually lead to microflora imbalances in patients, or what is often referred to as a dysbiosis. A dysbiosis can mean an imbalance of healthy and unhealthy microbes in the gut, or an overgrowth of unhealthy microbes, ultimately leading to a dysfunction in gut digestion.
Common symptoms of gut dysbiosis include:
- Gas and Bloating
- Diarrhea or Constipation
- Abdominal Pain or Discomfort
- Bad Breath or Halitosis
- Mucus in your stool
- Weight Gain
- Fatigue
- Acid Reflux/ Heartburn
- Multiple Food Intolerances
or Sensitivities
- Skin Issues/ Acne
- Poor Immune Function
- Aching Joints
With proper investigation and assessment, it is my goal to help patient’s restore optimal gut function and digestion using diet, lifestyle, nutrition, herbal medicine, and nutraceuticals, among other therapies. Proper investigation can often include various testing that is offered through the clinic.
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Healthy eating, exercise, and optimizing digestive functions are key areas to improve overall health and wellness. Even when these are considered, another area that can impact the health of the gut and the body relates to food sensitivities. Some foods may be considered “healthy” but based on your body’s response to them, they may just not be “healthy” for you.
Food allergies versus sensitivities, what’s the difference?
Food “allergies” are often known to the patient based on the anaphylactic nature of their presentation. These are what we call IgE immune responses in the body and are immediate and can be life threatening. Some commonly known food allergies are things like peanuts, shellfish, bee stings, among others. Food sensitivities on the other hand are a different type of immune response that the body can undergo called an IgG immune response. These can be following a meal, however they also can occur a few days later. They can show up as bloating, inflammation, headaches, skin problems, among other symptoms. As they are not as immediate or obvious as IgE reactions, they can be tricky to pinpoint. This is where food sensitivity comes in as a tool to help identify problematic foods that may be negatively impacting your digestion and overall health.
Food sensitivity testing is completed in the clinic and test results are usually received within 1-2 weeks after testing. This type of finger prick test is generally well tolerated for patients of all ages.
Testing is available to both new and current patients. Booking in for a consultation will allow us the space to discuss what tests might be indicated for you based on your health concerns. We will also discuss how tests are conducted along with costs associated.
Common Food Sensitivity tests include:
- IgG food sensitivity testing
- Candida add on testing
- SIBO, Stool Analysis Testing, Organic Acid testing (OAT) among others.
If you are a new patient, please book the INITIAL NATUROPATHIC CONSULTATION and make a note that you are interested in food sensitivity testing.
Stool Analysis Testing
After taking into account pre-existing health conditions and possible food sensitivities, the next step is often to evaluate and assess overall digestive function, including a microbial and parasitic evaluation. A comprehensive stool analysis test allows both the doctor and patient to gain a in depth understanding of gut function by assessing markers of digestive function, absorption and inflammation. function is for the patient. Stool analysis testing also contains a comprehensive bacteriology and yeast culture to identify beneficial, imbalanced and dysbiotic or pathogenic flora. A check for parasites can also be included in this assessment when necessary. Furthermore, antimicrobial sensitivity testing allows Dr Allison to assess the best natural agents and antimicrobials to improve microfloral imbalances based on that specific patient’s profile.
Want to learn more? Book a meet and greet call today.
Mold Toxin Testing
Mold Toxin exposure is an ever-growing concern. Whether it is mold exposure at home, at work, or in your environment, this is often overlooked as a source for chronic inflammation and pain, multiple food and environmental exposures, chronic headache/ skin/ gut conditions along with many other symptoms. Sometimes there will be known water damage, but many time the water damage itself is hidden until properly assessed and examined. Even if there is known water damage that is dealt with by a professional service, it doesn’t guarantee that this won’t end up being an issue negatively effecting your health.
Generally with minor mold exposure, basic therapeutic interventions are enough to support the body’s natural detoxification systems in clearing this health concern. However, if the issue is major or longstanding, this can require more specific testing and protocols to properly investigate for which mold toxin is present to help guide treatment plans and protocols.
Dr Allison offers mold toxin testing as a part of a comprehensive assessment and care plan if this is suspected to be a concern.
Do you think you could have mold exposure? Book a consult or meet and greet call for more information.