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Assess Your Digestion
Do you have any of these symptoms? (Expand each section to answer)
Heartburn/Acid Reflux
- burning sensation, rising up from ribs towards chest or throat
- feeling of pressure/discomfort in upper abdomen or chest
- regurgitation of stomach contents into the pharynx or mouth
- above symptoms worse after eating or lying down, and/or relieved by antacids
Less Common Symptoms:
- chronic irritating cough, worse at night
- frequent belching, worse after meals or drinking fluid on an empty stomach
- halitosis, chronic laryngitis (hoarseness or sore throat) and dental erosion
If you answered YES to any of these symptoms you may be suffering from GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease). A seemingly benign condition, chronic GERD can lead to serious complications. Great news! Dr. Baer has very effective solutions. Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)
Abdominal Pain or Discomfort (between chest and groin)
- pressure, discomfort or burning sensation in upper abdomen or chest (GERD)
- cramp-like pain in middle or lower abdomen accompanied by gas, bloating and/or diarrhea (food intolerance, infection, IBS, Celiac Disease, IBD – without diarrhea, possibly menstrual cramps)
- colicky pain (coming in waves) or pain with fever (appendicitis, gallstones, kidney stones, intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, or even heart attack – seek medical attention!)
Abdominal pain is a symptom – not a condition, and merits further investigation. Severity of pain is not necessarily indicative of seriousness of the condition. Dr. Baer can help you evaluate what is causing your abdominal pain or discomfort and provide effective solutions. Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)
Diarrhea
- loose and/or watery stool
Diarrhea is never normal. If it’s occasional and self-limiting it may be due to food sensitivity or food poisoning. If it occurs more frequently, it may be associated with Celiac Disease, Food Intolerances, IBS or IBD. If associated with travel, gardening, or exposure to some animals, it could be infectious gastroenteritis or a parasite. Further evaluation is recommended. A top concern with diarrhea is dehydration – which can have serious consequences. Note frequency, duration, presence of blood, mucous or undigested food, colour of stool and concurrent symptoms, and seek medical advice if it persists for more than 24 hours. Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)
Constipation
- straining at stool at least 25% of the time
- hard/dry stools at least 25% of the time
- incompletely voided stool at least 25% of the time
- less than 3 bowel movements per week
Did you answer YES to 2 or more of the criteria above? If so – you are constipated! Constipation is never normal. It may be due to: insufficient fluids, low fibre diet, lack of sufficient exercise, excessive dairy consumption, stress, travel/change of environment, laxative abuse, Hypothyroidism, certain medications, alcohol consumption, eating disorders, or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Chronic constipation may also be a precursor to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, colon cancer, high cholesterol, hormone imbalance (i.e. elevated estrogen) and estrogen-dependent cancers. Dr. Baer can help you evaluate what is causing your constipation and provide effective solutions. Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)
Celiac Disease
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- rumbly stomach
- dyspepsia
- weight loss (failure to thrive in infants)
- abdominal distension
- excessive gas
- family history of Celiac Disease
- Irish or Scottish or English descent
- Unexplained female infertility or recurrent miscarriage
- evidence of nutritional deficiencies
- unexplained iron deficiency symptoms that get worse after consumption of gluten-containing grains (wheat, spelt, kamut, rye, barley – and in some cases oats and corn)
Did you answer YES to any of the above symptoms or risk factors? You might want to consider screening tests for Celiac Disease. Diagnostic Testing is imperfect and at times confusing (false negatives are common) – Dr. Baer can help guide you through the process. In addition to a strict GFD (gluten free diet), naturopathy has a number of highly effective treatment options for improved outcomes.
Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- chronic altered bowel habits and abdominal pain/discomfort
- bloating and/or distension
- excessive flatulence
- diarrhea (>3 bowel movements per day, possibly associated with urgency)
- constipation (<3 bowel movements per week, and/or difficulty voiding, straining, hard or dry stool)
- family history of IBS
- acute GI infections
- antibiotic use
- stressful life events
- anxiety & mood disorders
Did you answer YES to any of the symptoms or risk factors listed above? If so, IBS should be considered. IBS is considered a diagnosis of exclusion – meaning other digestive disorders must be ruled out. There is no accepted biological marker or test that is useful in diagnosis – but Dr. Baer can go through a set of diagnostic criteria to make an assessment. A comprehensive naturopathic approach offers effective treatment options.
Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)
IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) – Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease
- chronic diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- fever
- rectal bleeding
- paleness
- abdominal tenderness or masses
- extra-intestinal effects like inflammation and pain of the joints or eyes
- IBS-like symptoms common in remission
- Risk Factors: smoking, a highly refined diet high in sugar, a low fibre diet, a diet low in fish, fruits & vegetables, a diet high in animal protein & animal fat including dairy, formula-fed infants & toddlers, low blood levels of Vitamin D
Chronic unexplained diarrhea and abdominal pain – especially in the presence of blood in stool, fever or unexplained weight loss warrants seeking medical attention immediately – a referral to a gastroenterologist is needed for evaluation. A naturopathic medical approach is highly effective when paired with conventional medicine in the treatment of Crohn’s Disease. Naturopathy emphasizes therapies that are proven to support mucosal healing as an integral part of treatment. Mucosal healing shows: reduced disease activity, longer remission periods, and decreased need for surgery.
Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)
Ulcerative Colitis
- Gradual onset of symptoms, and often periods of active symptoms alternating with periods of remission
- Bloody diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Joint pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- risk factors include: antibiotic use, vaccinations, insufficient breastfeeding
Chronic unexplained diarrhea and abdominal pain – especially in the presence of blood in stool, fever or unexplained weight loss warrants seeking medical attention immediately – a referral to a gastroenterologist is needed for evaluation.
A comprehensive and effective naturopathic approach seeks to include agents to decrease inflammation & inflammatory mediators, increase colonic butyrate production (low in UC), avoidance of exacerbating triggers, healing of the intestinal mucosa and symptom management.
Book an appointment to get started! (Got questions? Request a 15 minute phone consult to learn more.)