Digestive Symptoms

The gut is a complex part of the human body that is a hotbed of activity. The nervous system, digestive system, immune system, endocrine system, and a large microbiome all converge in the gut and serve various functions to help keep you surviving and thriving.

Normal digestion has a wide range, but if you are here, then it is likely that either you or someone you know is suffering from digestive symptoms representing an aberration from normal.

Whether it’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or some form of ongoing, episodic, or chronic digestive issues involving chronic abdominal discomfort/pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, acid reflux, regurgitation, and/or gas that you have, your symptoms are not “all in your head”; your symptoms are real physiological symptoms. Whereas physicians are able to detect and localize dysfunction in the body when it comes to organic problems, problems detected in one or more of your bodily organs, digestive problems like IBS, chronic constipation, functional dyspepsia, and cyclic vomiting happen despite that your digestive organs appear to be working just fine. These kinds of gut problems fall into a category of medical diagnoses referred to as Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI), formerly known as Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs). DGBI are also known as mind-body or psychophysiologic disorders. Think of DGBI as physiological problems in the gut that are largely a function of the communication between the brain and the gut, often resulting from chronic stress or trauma.

It may feel extremely disappointing and frustrating to be diagnosed with a DGBI because there is not a medication or surgery that can rid you of your symptoms for good. It is, however, good news, that your body is structurally sound and free of any life-threatening disease. Your body is capable of functioning normally even if it has not been behaving normally lately. The materials on this website are designed to help you to heal your gut and body by addressing the underlying nervous system dysregulation that results from chronic stress and trauma. Even if you cannot pinpoint a stressor or traumatic event that preceded the onset of your digestive symptoms, you may have a dysregulated nervous system.