Summer Newsletter 2024 - The Gut
Christmas Rush?
Hi everyone, it’s that time of the year!
The time approaching Christmas usually a rush for us to choose gifts, prepare celebrations, finish projects and plan holidays.
It’s also the time of the year that the gastroenterologist’s phone runs hot for requests for Colonoscopies & Gastroscopies!
Sounds strange but it makes sense, for two reasons.
1. We can get so busy during the year that we ignore/delay action on niggly gut and bowel issues and sometimes more serious symptoms and realise that we promised ourselves and loved ones that we would do something about it, before the end of the year.
2. The second reason relates to Health Insurance. If you are in Australia and have Health insurance and you have had a hospital procedure during the year, you will not need to pay a hospital excess again for any additional procedures. This means if you book with a No Gap Gastroenterologist with a No Gap anaesthetist, before the end of the year, it will cost you $0! (check with your insurer!)
Hippocrates said that 'all disease begins in the gut, however from a Homeopathic perspective it starts with our emotions and is then driven by a cycle of emotional or brain/gut influence. Emotional issues affect the gut (our second brain) and influence our neurotransmitter production (the bowel is the source of 95% of the body’s serotonin) and consequently, our moods (1). Our moods affect our diet and we eat more sugar and animal protein creating dysbiosis and the gut & bowel lose the ability to regulate the population of non-pathogenic microorganisms and dysbiosis develops with symptoms of constipation, diarrhoea, reflux and bloating. Moreover, continued stress makes us more susceptible to gut and bowel infections, making us miserable and finding it hard to making decisions difficult.
We all know that Serotonin is one of our good feeling neurotransmitters but significantly it is also responsible for the peristaltic movement of our food or chime through the digestive system. If you are feeling consistently low, your digestion and bowel movements can be affected, creating a cycle of low feelings and digestive issues. So, if you have any concerning gut or bowel symptoms ask your GP for a referral for a Colonoscopy & Gastroscopy and get on the phone to a Gastroenterologist to beat the Christmas rush!
These procedures are an invaluable baseline in finding out what physical what physical changes are taking place in the upper and lower GI system.
There are over 100 trillion microorganisms forming our gut/bowel microbiome. When we are healthy they are non-pathogenic. We rely on these microorganisms for maintaining our immunity, digestion, metabolism, production of vitamins, nervous system and endocrine health.
When we have gut/bowel/skin issues it is an indication that some bacteria, such as E.coli have become pathogenic (commonly referred to as an overgrowth), producing infection with symptoms of inflammation, diarrhea, vomiting and pain.
Homeopathic assessment and treatment can gently down regulate the pathogenic microbes back to a symbiotic status, and stimulate the elimination of the remaining debris. Using an holistic approach, I also include homeopathic medicine to support your emotional wellbeing, while you make some simple adjustments to your diet and lifestyle.
This treatment is suitable for both acute and long-term infections.
There are over 100 trillion microorganisms forming our gut/bowel microbiome.
If you eat plenty of fiber-rich fresh vegetables, fruits and unprocessed freshly prepared meals and you still have symptoms, an assessment if highly recommended.
Be wary of self-medicating with popular over the counter reflux medications. If you are on long-term medication for reflux, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor regarding the long-term effects and risks, including kidney disease, fractures, nutritional deficiencies, susceptibility to bowel infections and dementia.
My clinical experience has shown that Homeopathic medicine can provide safe, fast acting results for reflux, diarrhea and constipation without long-term issues.
If you have been diagnosed or have had long-term, gut or bowel issues that have not responded to treatment, Homeopathy is worth considering. I can organise a microbiome test for you. This provides a comprehensive assessment of parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses. This will give us a clear understanding of the biological impact and will provide us with a base line for your Homeopathic treatment.
I highly recommend a Microbiome test for anyone interested in healthy ageing.
The gut microbiome changes with age, becoming more vulnerable (2). Significantly a Microbiome test can identity pathogenic bacteria linked to Autoimmune diseases, such as Alzheimer’s before symptoms develop (3). This allows pre-clinical programs to be implemented.
A Homeopathic program can assist with preventative treatment to promote a diverse non-pathogenic microbiome that can improve the health and ageing process of older adults.
If you experience fever/abdominal pain/blood in urine or stool/persistent vomiting/unexpected & persistent weight loss/chest pain/breathing difficulty/dizziness - attend the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre asap.
References
1. Appleton J (2018), The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health, PubMed Central.
2.Jeffery I. B., et al. (2016). Diverse and rich microbiota linked to quality of life in aging individuals. Nature.
3. F De Luca, Y Shoenfeld, (2018). The microbiome in autoimmune diseases, Clin Exp Immunology
