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The connections between the health and function of all parts of your body take center stage at the Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine. We understand how no organ or system exists in isolation; it can affect or be affected by parts of the body that may be physically distant from it. Similarly, many conditions that affect everything from your immunity to your nervous system may be rooted in the gut. When searching for a “physician near me in Fairfield,” trust our naturopathic providers. Benefit from our expansive perspective and services, which start with not one gut microbiome test but many options to understand your unique needs. Only then can we support long-lasting relief of intestinal conditions and other symptoms that transcend the GI tract.
This category of testing may be combined with many other tests at our office. Such diagnostic services analyze the number and type of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that inhabit your gut. Like many things in life, having the right balance of “good” and “bad” microorganisms is important.
When you have an unbalanced gut microbiome, it can be indicative of a group of autoimmune conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These conditions include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Too many bacteria can also build up in the small intestine. This condition is known as SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Infections are also directly related to dysbiosis, the medical term for an unbalanced or unhealthy gut microbiome. These disease-causing pathogens can cause long-term problems, such as inflammation (colitis) and damage to the lining of your gut.
Dysbiosis weakens your body’s natural defenses. In fact, your gut is home to up to 80% of your body’s immune cells. When there are too many harmful microbes and too few beneficial ones, it can affect the function of these cells, which helps clear out the many germs that pass through them each day. Additionally, some pathogens do not “stay put,” they can travel to the bloodstream and affect your “system.” The toxins released by bacteria have been implicated in nerve damage and the function of hormones that regulate your blood sugar, hunger, feeling of fullness, and more.
While these GI problems are commonly associated with dysbiosis, we go beyond self-reporting and documenting any changes in your health during regular visits. We can assess whether an unbalanced gut microbiome is impacting your health and quality of life through various tests and evaluations. Our testing approach also helps us better understand the underlying dietary, environmental, and other factors responsible for either a loss of beneficial bacteria or a surplus of harmful germs. Some of these tests largely fall under the following three categories:
The findings from these tests are invaluable in numerous ways. They help us create your most personalized treatment plan, one that will be effective at easing your symptoms over the short and long term. We can also use them to assess how well our recommendations are working—lifestyle changes, botanical medicine, nutritional support, and more, as appropriate. Our providers can then make adjustments based on this ongoing monitoring to support your healthiest and most “well” self.
If you want to learn more about gut microbiome testing, request an appointment today! The Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine is located in Stamford and serves the greater Fairfield, Greenwich, Darien, Norwalk, and Westchester County area. Call (866) 320-6402 to speak with a team member.
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