Podcast Summary
Discovering the Secrets of Functional Medicine for IBD: Dr. Hyman Plus offers ad-free podcast episodes, functional medicine deep dives, and Q&A sessions for understanding and managing complex health conditions like IBD.
Dr. Mark Hyman is offering a free seven-day trial to the podcast community for Dr. Hyman Plus, a new platform that provides exclusive access to ad-free podcast episodes, functional medicine deep dives, and Q&A sessions. Functional medicine expert Dr. Don Bolio discussed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic inflammatory disorder of the GI tract, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD causes a cycle of inflammation that cannot be stopped, and patients are unable to down-regulate inflammation like those without IBD. Symptoms of uncontrolled IBD include weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, extra-intestinal manifestations, and fevers. IBD is a spectrum disease, and features such as young age at diagnosis, extensive bowel involvement, and Crohn's disease increase the risk for disease progression. The free trial of Dr. Hyman Plus offers valuable insights into functional medicine and its role in understanding and managing complex health conditions like IBD.
UC vs Crohn's Disease: Distinct Differences: UC causes continuous inflammation in the rectum, while Crohn's can occur anywhere in the digestive tract with healthy parts in between inflamed areas. UC does not cause periodical disease or extra-intestinal manifestations, but Crohn's can lead to various complications including fistulas, skin tags, and manifestations in multiple organs.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease are two types of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), but they have distinct differences. UC starts as a continuous inflammation in the rectum, affecting the innermost lining, while Crohn's can occur anywhere from the mouth to the rectum, with healthy parts in between inflamed areas and inflammation that can affect all layers of the mucosal. UC does not cause periodical disease or extra-intestinal manifestations, unlike Crohn's which can lead to fistulas, skin tags, abscesses, and manifestations in the skin, eyes, joints, kidneys, liver, and blood. Both diseases can develop in teenage years or young adults, affect men and women equally, and have similar contributing factors such as genetics and environmental triggers. Symptoms can be similar, but the location and spread of inflammation determine the diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing IBD: Blood work, Endoscopies, Biopsies, and Imaging Tests: To accurately diagnose IBD, healthcare professionals may use various tests, including blood work, endoscopies, biopsies, and imaging tests, to rule out infections and other potential causes. Functional medicine offers a holistic approach to managing IBD by focusing on environmental modifications and lifestyle choices.
Diagnosing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can be challenging due to various conditions mimicking its symptoms. To ensure an accurate diagnosis, healthcare professionals may require blood work, endoscopies, biopsies, and imaging tests to rule out infections and other potential causes. The interplay of genetics, immune system changes, and environmental triggers contributes to IBD. While we cannot alter our genes, we can modify our environment and lifestyle choices to improve overall health. Functional medicine offers a holistic approach to restoring balance within the system and managing chronic complex diseases like IBD. It complements conventional medicine, focusing on environmental modifications, such as early life exposures, to help manage IBD symptoms.
Early life factors and microbiome development impact immune diseases later in life: Exposure to bacterial and parasitic infections during childhood, modern conveniences, certain medications, nutritional factors, vitamin D deficiency, and low zinc levels can increase the risk for immune-related diseases like IBD. Fiber can help maintain colon health and reduce inflammation.
The development of a child's microbiome and their exposure to various factors during their early years can significantly impact their risk for immune-related diseases later in life. This includes things like smoking, breastfeeding, and hygiene. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that a lack of exposure to bacterial and parasitic infections during childhood may contribute to the development of chronic immune diseases. Studies have shown that living in homes with modern conveniences like separate bedrooms and hot water may increase the risk for these diseases, but it's important to note that these findings don't mean we should avoid these things. Triggers for immune-related diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) include medications such as NSAIDs and aspirin, as well as nutritional factors like a high intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and a low intake of omega-3 pufas. Vitamin D deficiency and low zinc levels have also been linked to an increased risk for IBD. Fiber, on the other hand, can help maintain the integrity of the colon and inhibit inflammatory behaviors. It's important to be mindful of these triggers and to consider how they may impact our health, especially during our formative years.
Triggers for leaky gut and increased inflammation: Stress can lead to leaky gut through inflammation, gut motility, mucus secretion, mast cell degranulation, and bacterial transfer. Functional medicine addresses these triggers for improved intestinal health.
There are various triggers that can lead to altered intestinal permeability, or leaky gut, which can result in increased inflammation and systemic disease. Some of these triggers include food, stress, toxins, and infections. Stress, in particular, can lead to inflammation through the release of neurotransmitters, increased gut motility, and mucus secretion, as well as mast cell degranulation and bacterial transfer into the mucosa. Functional medicine offers a holistic approach to addressing these triggers and improving intestinal health. However, it's important to note that this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're looking for help in your health journey, seek out a qualified medical practitioner, preferably a functional medicine practitioner, who can provide personalized guidance and support.
