Digestive Health

Believe it or not, poor digestive health can negatively affect your overall quality of living. At Balanced Health in the Cow Hollow area of San Francisco, California, expert naturopathic physician Erika Horowitz, ND, and her team offer an array of digestive health treatments that improve bacteria balance in your gut and reduce unpleasant symptoms. Call the office to learn more or use the online booking tab today.

What is digestive health?

Digestive health is the cornerstone of your overall health and wellness. In fact, 75% of your immune system is in your gut. The healthy bacteria in your digestive tract are affected by stress, poor dietary habits, antibiotic use, yeast, parasites, and bacterial overgrowth. See the experts at Balanced Health to maximize your gut health and quality of life.

What are the common types of digestive health problems?

Some of the digestive health issues many patients face at some point include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Leaky gut
• Candida
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Other GI problems

Symptoms of such problems include gas, bloating, changes in your stool, bloody stool, abdominal pain, or discomfort during bowel movements.

Your digestive system and liver may be overtaxed and undernourished, causing nutrient deficiencies and the complications associated with them. This, in turn, can lead to brain fog, depression, weight gain, or other unpleasant challenges. 

Which digestive health issues might I have?

To determine if you have digestive health problems and determine the most appropriate treatment, the Balanced Health team reviews your symptoms and medical history, including your medication regimen, lifestyle habits, and personal and family history of disease.

They weigh you, check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and may order blood tests, stool tests, imaging procedures, or other diagnostic tests. You might need a functional digestive analysis, micronutrient testing, or food sensitivity testing to detect possible digestive-system imbalances.

What are my digestive health treatment options?

Some of the digestive health treatments available at Balanced Health include:

Lifestyle changes

Changing your diet plan, getting plenty of sleep, and reducing stress are some of the effective lifestyle changes you can make to enhance digestive health and overall wellness. 

Dietary supplements

Taking dietary supplements can improve gut bacteria balance, improving how your digestive system functions.

Specialist referrals

If you have a complex GI problem and need a medical procedure, the Balance Health team refers you to a highly trained specialist who can help.

To maximize your digestive health and wellness, call the Balance Health office or use the online booking tool today.