Microbiome analysis, evaluating your “gut health” to support symptom relief, sustained health
Many chronic diseases and ailments start in the gut. Notably, the composition of bacteria in the gut can either support or damage systemic health and well-being. Along with viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms, bacteria or microbes are collectively referred to as the “microbiome.” Trillions of microbes are present in areas such as the skin and intestines.
The Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine in Stamford puts these microorganisms “under the microscope” with substantive analysis. Through this analysis, our team led by Drs Robert Kachko, Paul Epstein, and Veena Verma-Dzik, acknowledges the vital connection between gut health and overall health.
How balanced is your gut?
Our trusted, state-of-the-art testing gets to the bottom of any imbalances that may be present. When imbalances in the microflora exist, your body’s ability to absorb and assimilate essential nutrients is adversely affected. Instead of presenting a “protective element,” bolstering your body’s defenses against pathogens, these microbiotas may make your body vulnerable to disease. Additionally, an unhealthy microbiome can make it more difficult for individuals to shed excess pounds or get the necessary nutrients. In fact, individuals’ nutritional deficiencies can stem from the absence of certain types of gut bacteria, which help absorb food.
Microbiome imbalances that trace back to the gut contribute to many common conditions that we treat each day. These conditions include:
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Acne
- Rosacea, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
- Poor wound healing
- Other chronic digestive illnesses
Foundational to our center’s approach is an array of state-of-the-art holistic diagnostics. We use comprehensive blood work as a broad-based alternative to standard blood panels. Our broad-based approach to stool testing assesses, partly, for the health and balance of the gut microbiome. Additionally, we use a breath test to check for a condition called “SIBO,” which stands for “small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.”
Our findings can then be used to tailor treatment to your specific needs. We blend the “best” of functional medicine and conventional with naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. IV therapy may be recommended to replenish stores of vital nutrients among those with deficiencies. Prescription medications and botanical medicine can also help to ease many symptoms of IBD, IBS, and other digestive conditions or diseases rooted in the gut. Our holistic approach honors you and your body, mind, and spirit in promoting long-term wellness.
If you are interested in more information about microbiome analysis and other health assessments available at our office, request an appointment today! Call the Connecticut Center for Integrative Medicine in Stamford at (866) 320-6402.
Treatments available for Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Dr. Robert Kachko
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and what are its symptoms?
Dr. Robert Kachko here. I have put together a cutting-edge program to help people dealing with digestive disorders.
We specialize in patients suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Irritable Bowel Syndrome can manifest in many different ways for different people.
Some people present with pain, bloating, or gas fluctuations between diarrhea and constipation and sensitivity to almost any food.
How can Irritable Bowel Syndrome be diagnosed?
The challenge with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is it can take years for people to get diagnosed. It is a diagnosis of exclusion.
It means we do a couple of testing based on gastrointestinal perspective, and if there are no other digestive disorders diagnosed, you might get a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
What are the treatment options available for IBS?
At our practice, we take a completely different approach. While we help you rule out all those common digestive disorders, we will also do functional medicine testing.
This might include stool tests, breath tests, more comprehensive blood work to assess things like your microbiome, likelihood of having a condition called SIBO, which is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
We will also test for any likelihood that you have inflammation, difficulty absorbing your food, or assimilating nutrients.
Why should someone visit CT Center For Integrative Medicine for IBS treatments?
We are an Integrative Medicine Clinic that combines the best from functional medicine and invests in conventional gastroenterology alongside naturopathic medicine and acupuncture.
This will give you the tools that you need to find relief both now and long into the future. Some of those ways might include IV therapy to replace the nutrients that you might be deficient in.
We might recommend prescription medications or botanical medicines to help you with your symptoms. We take a comprehensive approach that honors who you are as a person, treating you, your mind, body, and spirit.
Digestive disorders affect a large number of people throughout the world. Book a consultation with us today.
The importance of having a healthy digestive system - Dr. Robert Kachko
How important is having a healthy digestive system?
Hi, this is Dr. Robert Kachko from the CT Center for Integrative Medicine. In our practice, we see a lot of patients with chronic digestive conditions.
Having worked with thousands of patients with digestive conditions, we understand that long term and whole-body health often starts in the digestive tract.
The nervous system, the immune system, and our body’s likelihood of being inflamed all correlate to the digestive system’s health.
How can the health of the digestive system be measured?
To understand the health of each person’s digestion, in addition to their symptoms, we can do truly comprehensive testing.
At the CT Center for Integrative Medicine, we do stool testing to assess the microbiome. We can do breath-testing to look for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
We also do stool testing to look for inflammation, absorption, and assimilation of essential nutrients, overgrowth of parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc.
What is included in a treatment plan for a healthy digestive system?
Once we have a thorough understanding of each individual’s digestive health, we can create a customized treatment plan.
When it comes to a customized treatment plan, we are always taking a holistic, integrative approach. Some of our patients will be recommended to receive IV nutrient therapy.
Other patients might do well with acupuncture, mind-body medicine, botanicals, targeted nutraceuticals, and sometimes pharmaceutical medications to help each individual in a personalized and precise way.