Dysbiosis:
Your intestinal tract plays a vital role in your overall health, not only allowing life-supporting nutrients to be absorbed, but also providing the first line of defense as a physical and immune barrier to food antigens or microorganisms that you may ingest.

Within this environment is a highly active society of approximately 500 different kinds of bacteria that can have both harmful and beneficial effects on your health. While it is imperative for your overall health that the beneficial bacteria dominate, many factors can lead to an imbalance in favor of harmful bacteria, such as a poor diet, antibiotics, and contaminated food and water. This imbalance is referred to as dysbiosis. Signs and symptoms of dysbiosis generally include:

-Bloating, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea
-Sudden intolerance to lactose-containing foods and beverages
-Chronic fatigue
-Joint pain
-Chronic headaches

Dysbiosis can be responsible for the development of several chronic health problems including allergies, digestive problems, fibromyalgia, skin disorders, depression, learning and behavioral disorders, immune dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, and headaches. The following factors are thought to be possible causes of dysbiosis:

-Repeated or long-term use of antibiotics can kill healthy bacteria, leading to a predominance of unhealthy bacteria.
-Exposure to toxins such as chemicals and heavy metals.
-Improper sanitation.
-A diet high in protein and fat, but low in vegetables and fiber.
-Poor digestion.
-Excessive alcohol consumption.
-Increased use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen) and corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone).

Inflammatory Bowel Disease:
Inflammatory bowel disease can be broken down into two conditions: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. While Crohn's disease generally causes inflammation and open sores in the small intestine, it has been shown to affect all parts of the digestive tract - from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and open sores in the innermost layers of the large intestine.
Patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis usually experience one or more of the following symptoms:

-Diarrhea (blood may be present)
-Difficulty passing stool
-Abdominal pain
-Excessive bloating
-Nausea and vomiting
-Fatigue
-Poor appetite
-Weight loss
-Rapid heartbeat
-Fever
-Anemia
-Joint pain
-Gastrointestinal bleeding
-Broadened or thickened toes and/or fingers (often referred to as clubbing)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a collection of symptoms that take place when the intestinal muscles contract faster or slower than normal. Patients with IBS may have painful cramps in the lower gut along with diarrhea, constipation, or alternating bouts of both. Many patients also experience gas and bloating. The symptoms tend to come and go and can occur in any combination.

While many IBS patients have relatively mild symptoms, up to 25% of all IBS patients experience severe symptoms that can have a significant impact on their quality of life. For these patients, the symptoms often cause a withdrawal from normal activities - potentially leading to unnecessary stress, embarrassment, anxiety, or depression. IBS affects approximately 15% to 20% of the general population, and ranks second only to the common cold as a cause of missed work time.

While the underlying cause remains unknown, researchers believe the following factors may play a significant role in the development of IBS:

-Harmful bacterial overgrowth Intestinal disorders are often associated with an -imbalance of the intestinal microflora.
-Antibiotic therapy Because antibiotics disrupt the balance of intestinal microflora, their excessive use has been implicated in the progression of IBS.
-Brain-gut connection In some patients, IBS appears to be caused by an abnormal -interaction between nerve pathways that connect the brain and gut. This has been shown to alter bowel regulation and pain perception.
-Hypersensitivity in the colon Research indicates that the typical IBS patient has a higher level of sensitivity and reactivity in the colon, with a lower threshold of pain.
-Stress and diet While stress and diet do not cause IBS, researchers believe that they can significantly worsen symptoms.
-Hormonal factors Because women tend to experience symptoms more during their menstrual period, hormones have been implicated as a possible cause of IBS.

Leaky Gut Syndrome:

Over a lifetime, the average person ingests more than 25 tons of food that provide the nutrients each of us needs to survive. Unfortunately, this food may also contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins that can be damaging to the system.
Leaky gut syndrome often referred to as intestinal permeability is a major gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when openings develop in the gut wall. Harmful microorganisms and macromolecules are then able to pass through these openings and enter the circulatory system.

As a result, leaky gut syndrome can lead to many systemic inflammatory and immune-related symptoms including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, eczema, fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, chronic urticaria (hives), and inflammatory bowel disease. Major signs and symptoms of leaky gut syndrome include:

-Facial swelling upon exposure to strong smells
-Bloating, gas, and cramps immediately after eating
-Alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea
-Headaches, poor concentration, and irritability

Inflammation of the gut lining is the root cause of leaky gut syndrome. Gut inflammation is usually instigated by one or several of the following factors:

-Prescription hormones (e.g., birth control pills and/or hormone replacement t-therapy) and prescription corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone)
-Excessive use of antibiotics
-Processed foods, as well as foods and beverages contaminated by parasites, fungus, and/or mold
-Increased amounts of refined carbohydrates (e.g., candy bars, cookies, cake, soft drinks, and white bread)
-Increased alcohol and caffeine consumption

Bile Insufficiency:
Bile is a thick, digestive fluid that breaks down fats into fatty acids, which are then absorbed by the digestive tract. Bile is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. After meals, the gallbladder contracts and bile empties into the small intestine where it mixes with food and pancreatic enzymes. A deficiency in bile can result in impaired fat and nutrient absorption.

Bile insufficiency can be caused by numerous factors including: 1) chronic liver disease, 2) an obstruction of the bile duct, 3) a disorder of the ileum (i.e., lower end of the small intestine), 4) Crohn's disease, or 5) harmful bacterial overgrowth. Signs and symptoms of bile insufficiency include:

-Steatorrhea, or the excessive excretion of fat in the feces
-Abdominal pain and bloating
-Diarrhea
-Pain between the shoulder blades or over the eyes
-Gray or tan stools
-Biliary tract obstruction also known as jaundice that results in a yellow pigmentation of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes
-Inability to tolerate greasy or fried foods
-Night blindness

The treatment of bile insufficiency depends on the cause. In addition to reducing your intake of hydrogenated fat and refined foods, your healthcare provider will most likely recommend a variety of nutritional supplements

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease :
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to the reflux or return of partially digested contents from the stomach or small intestine back up into the esophagus. This is due to a weakness or dysfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter muscle that connects the esophagus to the stomach.

The primary symptom of GERD is heartburn a burning pain in the chest, throat, or neck but many other symptoms can occur including:
-Regurgitation of food
-Difficulty or pain when swallowing
-Nausea and vomiting
-Belching
-Acidic or bitter taste in the mouth
-Chest pain
-Sore throat
-Coughing or wheezing
-Hoarseness
-Bad breath

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 60 million Americans experience GERD and heartburn at least once a month, and approximately 25 million Americans experience heartburn on a daily basis. Diet and lifestyle factors greatly contribute to the onset of GERD. Smoking, as well as excessive consumption of fatty or spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, peppermint, pepper, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol may weaken the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Obesity and pregnancy have also been shown to cause GERD.

While antacids and other drugs such as proton pump inhibitors relieve many of the symptoms associated with GERD, they can also cause adverse side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and headache. For this reason, your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle and dietary adjustments to help ease your GERD symptoms safely and naturally.

Hypochlorhydria:
Hypochlorhydria is a fairly common condition that results from an inadequate production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) by the parietal cells in the stomach. While hypochlorhydria affects half of all people over the age of 65, it can be present at any age. There are several signs and symptoms of hypochlorhydria, including:
-Stomach bloating
-Burping
-Upset stomach
-Burning sensation in stomach
-Flatulence
-Diarrhea
-Heartburn
-Rectal itching
-Weak, peeling, or cracked fingernails
-Dilated capillaries in the cheeks and nose
-Adult acne
-Chronic intestinal infections
-Undigested food in stool

HCl is necessary for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and the breakdown of protein for further digestion in the small intestine. In addition, HCl also kills many harmful organisms, which helps keep the stomach sterile and the body free of disease. Low levels of HCl increase the likelihood and severity of certain bacterial and parasitic intestinal infections. The following are thought to be causes of hypochlorhydria:

-Excessive use of antacids and other acid-blocking medications
-Deficiencies in various nutrients such as zinc and thiamin (due to poor diet, increased intake of sweets, etc.)
-Excessive stress levels
-High alcohol consumption
-Food allergens
-Infections caused by bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori
-Eating foods that are too cold or drinking ice water before or with your meal
-High protein intake

Pancreatic Insufficiency:
The pancreas is an elongated, tapered gland that is located behind the stomach. As part of the digestion process, the pancreas secretes insulin, glucagon, and enzymes such as protease, lipase, and amylase. Pancreatic insufficiency occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough enzymes to ensure proper digestion. Pancreatic insufficiency is generally caused by:

-Heavy alcohol use over an extended period of time
-Overuse of azathioprine, sulfonamides, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and tetracyclines
-High levels of triglycerides (fats) in the blood
-Cystic fibrosis
-Chronic pancreatitis
-Peptic ulcers
-Celiac disease
-Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune disorders
-Crohn's disease

Severe pancreatic insufficiency may result in impaired fat and nutrient absorption, as well as severe nutrient deficiencies. Common signs and symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency include:
-Abdominal discomfort, gas, and bloating
-Abnormal bowel movements
-Bone pain
-Muscle cramps
-Night blindness
-Susceptibility to bruising

Peptic Ulcer:
Peptic ulcers are open sores in the lining of the duodenum (referred to as duodenal ulcers) or stomach (referred to as gastric ulcers). According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20 million Americans develop at least one ulcer during their lifetime. While the reasons remain unknown, men are more likely to get duodenal ulcers and women are more likely to get gastric ulcers.

Symptoms vary with each type of ulcer, but often include burning pain in the abdomen, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, and bloody stools. Ulcers can occur when the body's natural protection against stomach acid is compromised by:

-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) a type of harmful bacteria responsible for approximately two-thirds of all ulcers
-Overuse of certain drugs, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
-Smoking
-Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine
-Aging

There are several lifestyle changes that can help ease the pain associated with peptic ulcers. Try to eliminate all known food allergens from your diet. Avoid dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. Reduce stress levels and don't smoke. Because sulfur has been shown to nourish the stomach lining, try to include sulfur-containing foods - such as garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower - in your diet whenever possible.

With proper treatment, the majority of ulcers heal within six to eight weeks. Because more serious problems can occur, it is important to see your healthcare provider immediately if pain does not subside after treatment.

Intestinal Parasites
There are two main types of intestinal parasites: helminths and protozoa. Helminths are worms with many cells. Usually, helminths cannot multiply in the human body and will eventually clear up without infecting you again. Protozoa have only one cell. They can multiply inside the human body.

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Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms include the following.

Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
Gas or bloating
Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus)
Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva
Stomach pain or tenderness
Feeling tired
Weight loss
Passing a worm in your stool

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What Causes It?

The following factors put you at higher risk for getting intestinal parasites.

Living in or visiting an area known to have parasites
International travel
Poor sanitation (for both food and water)
Poor personal cleanliness
Age?children are more likely to get infected
Exposure to child and institutional care centers
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Candidiasis
Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeastlike fungus called candida. It can infect the mouth, vagina, skin, stomach, and urinary tract. Approximately 75 percent of women will get candidiasis of the vagina during their lifetime, and 90 percent of all people with HIV/AIDS develop candida infections.

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Signs and Symptoms

Creamy white patches in the mouth or on the throat
Painful cracks at the corners of the mouth
Skin rashes, patches, and blisters found most commonly in the groin, between fingers and toes, and under the breasts
Vaginal itching and irritation with a curdlike discharge

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What Causes It?

Normal amounts of candida existing in the mouth, stomach, and vagina do not cause infections. Candidiasis occurs when there is a buildup of candida. This may be caused by taking certain drugs (especially antibiotics), pregnancy, being overweight, bacterial infection, or by several health conditions (for example, immune disorders, diabetes, and psoriasis).

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Roundworms
Roundworms, or nematodes, are parasites that can infect humans, usually by residing in the intestines. Several different species of worm can cause infection, and worms can range in length from 1 millimeter to 1 meter. As with other parasitic diseases, roundworm infections are more common in warm, tropical climates than in cooler, temperate areas of the world. The most common roundworm infection is Ascariasis (caused by the worm Ascaris lumbricoides), which affects as many as 1 billion people worldwide.

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Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of roundworm infection include:

Passage of worm by mouth, rectum, or, with certain species (particularly dracun culosis), through skin ulcers; worm eggs may also be passed in feces
-Abdominal cramps
-Loss of appetite
-Diarrhea or constipation
-Flatulence
-Weight loss
-Anemia
-Cough, chest pain, or difficultly breathing
-Nausea and vomiting
-Fever
-Skin lesions, rashes, hives, itching
-Muscle aches
-Swelling of lymph nodes
-Visual impairment with certain species (particularly onchocerciasis)

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Causes

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, many roundworm parasitic diseases result from a lack of appropriate personal hygiene and sanitation measures. Most roundworms or their eggs are found in the soil and can be picked up on the hands and transferred to the mouth or can enter through the skin. Different species of roundworms cause different infections.

The various roundworm infections include:

Ascariasis
Ascariasis is an infection caused by the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. Infection occurs when an individual consumes food or drink contaminated with fecal matter that contains mature worm eggs. Adult worms can reside in the small intestine and produce eggs for a year or more.

Whipworm (trichuriasis)
A whipworm infection occurs when an individual consumes food or drink contaminated with fecal matter containing the roundworm Trichuris trichiura. After eggs are ingested, larvae hatch in the small intestine and mature in the large intestine.

Hookworm (ancylostomiasis)
A hookworm infection occurs when larvae of the roundworms Ancylostoma duodenaleor Necator americanuspenetrate human skin, making their way through the lungs to the small intestine, where they attach and mature into adults, laying more eggs. Children are particularly susceptible to this kind of infection. Once infected, children become weak and experience delayed growth patterns. These roundworms infect about 25% of the world's population.

Threadworm (strongyloidiasis)
Threadworm is an infection caused by the roundworm Strongyloides stercorali. This type of roundworm infects humans in the same way as Ancylostoma duodenale. About half of the population of some African countries has been infected with Strongyloides stercorali.

Pinworm (enterobiasis)
A pinworm infection occurs when an individual consumes food or drink contaminated with fecal matter containing the roundworm Enterobius vermicularis. After being ingested, eggs hatch in the small intestine and adult worms ultimately inhabit the large intestine. The pregnant female worms migrate to the anus and deposit large numbers of eggs in the skin around that area. Pinworm, which is commonly spread in day care centers, schools, and camps, affects as many as one-third of all American children.

Visceral larva migrans, or VLM (toxocariasis)
VLM is an infection caused by the roundworms Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, or Baylisascaris procyonis. These parasites ordinarily infect dogs, cats, and raccoons, respectively, but a human can become infected by consuming soil contaminated by infected animal feces. While the larvae do not mature to adults in humans, they penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate to various parts of the body, particularly the lungs and liver.

Trichinosis (trichiniasis)
Trichinosis an infection caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis. These larvae live in pigs and other wild carnivores, such as bears, but humans can become infected with Trichinella spiraliswhen they eat such meat (particularly pork) that is undercooked. The larvae mature in small intestines and migrate to muscle cells where they can live for months or years.

Guinea worm disease (dracunculosis)
Humans can become infected with Guinea worm disease when they consume drinking water contaminated with the roundworm Dracunculus medinensis. Larvae penetrate the intestinal wall, where they mature and migrate to connective tissues. This type of roundworm infects 10 to 40 million people annually worldwide, primarily in the Indian subcontinent, West and Central Africa, and some Middle Eastern countries.

Lymphatic filariasis
A lymphatic filariasis infection occurs when an individual is bitten by a mosquito containing the roundworms Wucheria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori. Over a period of 6 to 12 months, adult worms mature and live in human lymph vessels and nodes and can eventually circulate through the blood. About 90 million people worldwide have been infected with these roundworms.

River blindness (onchocerciasis)
River blindness is an infection caused by the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus. Onchocerciasis, which is spread by day-biting flies, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting about 20 million people, mostly in Africa.

Loiasis
Loiasis is an infection caused by the roundworm Loa loa. Like river blindness, loiasis is spread by day-biting flies. An estimated 3 to 13 million people in equatorial Africa have been infected with Loa loa.

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Risk Factors

The risk factors for roundworm infection include:

Living in or visiting a warm, tropical climate
Poor sanitation
Poor personal hygiene
Crowded conditions, such as day care or institutional settings
Frequent practice of anal intercourse
Compromised immune system
Malnutrition
Eating undercooked meat from carnivorous animals
Eating dirt or clay (children and especially boys tend to become infected this way)
Contact with animal feces
Multiple insect bites

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