Gastrointestinal Disorders

Proper digestion is a requirement for optimum health. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract ("the tube") are quite common and can lead to improper digestion, malabsorption, abdominal bloating, gas, cramps in the abdomen, constipation, diarrhea and nutritional deficiencies, all of which may contribute to the development of many other diseases such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and auto-immune diseases.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a tube approximately 25 to 32 feet long. It comprises the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum and anus. The liver, pancreas and gallbladder all play an important role in digestion as well.

The Standard American Diet (SAD) of high fat, high carbohydrate, highly processed foods with many additives and preservatives is the root cause of many digestive disorders. Therefore, Dr. Eric R. Hampton and Dr. Melinda J. Whitsell at Westhampton Natural Medicine in Mesa, Arizona emphasize dietary modification and nutrition along with detoxification and colon hydrotherapy to resolve gastrointestinal disorders.

We have discovered that many people with gastrointestinal disorders have very low levels of hydrochloric acid (HCL) and pancreatic enzymes. Low levels of HCL contribute to overgrowth of parasites and candida, which are also common problems that can detected with a variety of special tests like the Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA).