Gut Health Treatment in Raleigh, North Carolina
Your gut plays a vital role in overall health, impacting digestion, immunity, mood, and even skin conditions.
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At FoundationMED in Raleigh, North Carolina, we specialize in gut health treatment, addressing issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and poor digestion by identifying root causes and creating personalized therapy plans.
Understanding Gut Health
The digestive system contains trillions of microorganisms that support immune function, metabolism, and toxin elimination. However, modern diets, stress, and medications can disrupt this balance, leading to gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and chronic conditions like IBS.
A healthy gut consists of two primary components:
- Gut Flora (Microbiome): The community of beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and protect against harmful pathogens.
- Gut Barrier: A protective lining that controls nutrient absorption and prevents harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. If compromised, it can lead to leaky gut syndrome, which is linked to autoimmune diseases and inflammation.
Symptoms of Poor Gut Health
Disruptions in gut health can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Food intolerances
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Skin conditions (eczema, acne, rosacea)
- Unexplained weight changes
- Anxiety and mood disorders
One of the most common conditions related to poor gut health is irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), a chronic disorder affecting the large intestine.
Diagnosing Gut and Bowel Issues
A proper diagnosis is key to effective gut health therapy. Common tests include:
- Comprehensive stool analysis: Identifies gut bacteria imbalances and digestive enzyme function.
- Food sensitivity testing: Determines potential food triggers causing inflammation.
- Blood tests: Checks for nutritional deficiencies linked to poor digestion.
- Breath tests: Detects small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and lactose intolerance.
Gut Health Treatment Options
Personalized Nutrition Therapy
Diet plays a significant role in gut health. We tailor gut health therapy plans to each individual, incorporating:
- High-fiber foods (whole grains, legumes, berries) to support digestion.
- Probiotics and fermented foods (yogurt, kimchi, miso) to balance gut flora.
- Prebiotic-rich foods (asparagus, garlic, onions) to nourish beneficial bacteria.
- Elimination diets to identify food triggers and reduce inflammation.
Lifestyle Modifications
- Stress management: Chronic stress negatively impacts gut function. Meditation, deep breathing, and exercise can improve digestion.
- Hydration: Drinking enough water helps maintain digestive regularity.
- Adequate sleep: Poor sleep disrupts gut microbiome balance and increases inflammation.
Medical and Functional Therapies
For individuals with IBS or chronic gut issues, treatment may include:
- Probiotic and enzyme supplements to restore gut flora and aid digestion.
- Targeted antimicrobial treatments for bacterial overgrowth.
- Medications (if necessary) to manage severe IBS symptoms.
- Detoxification support to remove harmful toxins affecting digestion.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Before your consultation, track your symptoms, dietary habits, and any lifestyle factors that may contribute to digestive issues. This helps our specialists at FoundationMED create a tailored gut health treatment plan.
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What Our have To Patients Say
FoundationMED always appreciates feedback from our valued patients. We’re thrilled to have an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Please read what others are saying about us below, and as always, we would love to collect your feedback.
BOOK CONSULTATION“I was fortunate to have participated in a group coaching program with Sharon Fowler. The overall experience was enjoyable and insightful. I loved the group chats and individual assessments and learned a lot about vision and goal setting as well as making habit changes.”
“I was fortunate to have participated in a group coaching program with Sharon Fowler. The overall experience was enjoyable and insightful. I loved the group chats and individual assessments and learned a lot about vision and goal setting as well as making habit changes.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Improving gut health involves eating a diverse diet rich in fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics, staying hydrated, managing stress, and avoiding processed foods and excessive antibiotics.
IBS is caused by a combination of gut motility issues, microbiome imbalances, food sensitivities, and stress. It is often triggered by certain foods, infections, or chronic inflammation.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic digestive disorder that affects how the intestines function, leading to symptoms like bloating, cramps, diarrhea, or constipation.
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and mucus in the stool. Symptoms may vary in severity and frequency.
There is no single test for IBS. Diagnosis typically involves ruling out other conditions through stool tests, breath tests, blood work, and dietary trials.
IBS treatment involves dietary changes, stress management, probiotics, fiber supplements, and sometimes medications to manage specific symptoms.
No, IBS is not classified as an autoimmune disease. However, some research suggests immune system dysfunction and gut inflammation may play a role in its development.
