Digestive Health Testing

The digestive system is a complex array of immune chemicals, digestive enzymes, and normal bacteria that provide the necessary backdrop for food digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function, and toxin elimination. Being able to analyze the various components of digestive functionis critical for anyone with digestive system problems.

For example, individuals with irritable bowel syndrome often have imbalanced intestinal flora (normal bacteria) that contributes to their pain and discomfort. Parasitic infections have been attributed to this condition as well. For those with inflammatory bowel disease such as Chron’s or Ulcerative Colitis chronic infections, along with imbalances in normal digestive bacteria can be problematic too.

The importance of digestive health tests such as the Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis for Gastrointestinal Pathogen Screens cannot be overstated – in order to really know what is happening in the digestive system testing needs to be done. This can certainly be the case for people dealing with ordinary diarrhea and/or constipation as well. In many cases these conditions are caused by intestinal parasites or opportunistic bacterial overgrowth. For example, two parasitic infections called Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are commonly found on digestive stool analysis.

These parasites are known to be invasive causing digestive problems with respects to digestive enzyme production leading to malabsorption and inflammation which leads to tissue destruction. This damage is what leads to the symptoms of bloating, gas and digestive pain.

Various parasitic infections can also be a significant cause of chronic diarrhea, which if occurring in children, can be quite serious as it leads to nutrient deprivation and dehydration. Other infections such as candida overgrowth and clostridia difficle (a highly toxic bacteria that can cause inflammatory bowel disease, as well as produce toxins that negatively impact brain function) are important to assess for as well as these can lead to a myriad of health problems on their own.

Recommended Tests:

Organic Acids Test (OAT)
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA) w/Parasitology x2 (two day test)
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis w/Parasitology x 3 (3 day test)
Gastrointestinal Pathogen Screen (#401)
Gastrointestinal Pathogen Screen With H. pylori (#401-H)
Comprehensive Food IgG (Finger Prick)
SIBO #900 (breath test)
SIBO #901 (breath test)
 

Recommend:  Digestive System Problems