As a woman, you have different digestion challenges than a man.

You might be wondering why I am writing about digestion problems just for women? I did this because women need to understand that their digestive tract is not

the same as a man’s…yes, men and women have the same digestive organs, but the digestive system is influenced by factors that are unique to women.  You have probably never heard a doctor say that before but it’s true.

Did you know that women are twice as likely to suffer from IBS than men, according to the World Journal of Gastroenterology?  The gas, bloating, cramping, loose stool or constipation or bowel urgency. Women’s digestion problems are the most common condition I treat in my office. Doctors are not addressing this distinction between men and women. I don’t know if it is because they have not taken notice or maybe it’s because they don’t know what to do about it. I see this as big problem that not only needs to be recognized but addressed.

Did you know that mood disorders like anxiety and depression often accompany digestion problems?  According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America; from the time a female reaches puberty until about the age of 50, she is twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder as a man. Women are also more likely to have multiple psychiatric disorders during their lifetime than men. Anxiety and depression are associated with the imbalance of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitter imbalances can be further disturbed by hormonal imbalances. The digestive tract and the brain require proper levels of neurotransmitters to function properly. How many women do you know that have hormonal imbalances, take hormones / birth control, suffer with anxiety or depression and have digestion problems? I see these women every day in my office!

Do you suffer with any of the following?

• Gas

• Bloating

• Sense of fullness

• IBS

• Stomach pain or burning

• Nausea

• Loose stool

• Constipation

• Heartburn

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Leaky gut Syndrome

• SIBO

• Food sensitivities or food allergies

The most important system that needs to be in balance and working properly for optimal health is the digestive tract. If you suffer with digestive problems, how do you ever hope to achieve health and well-being? In functional medicine, the digestive tract is usually the first and most important system that is addressed. The point I’m making here, is that if you don’t get a handle on your digestive tract, your chances of restoring health will be significantly reduced if not completely eliminated.

Did you know that IBS (gas, bloating, loose stool, constipation, etc.) is the most common diagnose made by gastroenterologists today and the most common digestion problem seen by primary care physicians? This is a huge problem today!

What “solutions” are doctors offering women?

• Antispasmodics (reduce gastrointestinal spasms and cramping)

• Antacids

• Antibiotics

• Anti-depressants

Enough with the “anti- drugs” you don’t need more drugs, you need better solutions!

Women are suffering with digestion problems and they don’t know where to turn for help. Nobody is explaining to you that your digestive tract is subject to variables unique to women. On some level, you were probably already aware of this. I want you to know that I not only agree with you…I understand these unique differences from a functional medicine perspective.

If you are a woman with digestion problems and you want better solutions, contact my Naperville office. I specialize in women’s digestion problems.

If you would like more information about women’s digestion, functional medicine or Dr. Sexton go to www.napervilleintegratedwelness.com

Do your own research, inform yourself and ask lots of questions. When collecting information you MUST consider the source. There is no shortage of false, misleading, outdated, profit-driven and utterly biased information in healthcare today; even from the most respected sources and organizations.

This approach to healthcare is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. Why is this? The FDA enforces its position that these words can only be used with drugs. This approach does not use drugs.