INTRODUCTION
Digestive problems are very common and many of them require multifaceted approach. Symptom based approach works in subset of patients but specific approach tailored and individualized to patients are needed in gastrointestinal disorders due to the interaction of GI tract with the external influences for eg. food allergens, infections , toxins as well internal influences for eg. Autoimmunity, stress etc.
There are several patients with symptoms which are chronic or recurrent in nature and by and large difficult to manage. For example chronic heartburn, indigestion, gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, food sensitivities can be difficult to manage and patients try several allopathic and alternative approaches. Most of these patients run from one doctor to other without appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The idea of digestive wellness clinic was born after our experiences of treated thousands of patients of GI ailments over past two decades and we realize that GI wellness is a complex dynamics involving multiple pathways & simple drug treatment may not suffice in majority of patients. It is necessary to treat these patients holistically yet scientifically. We intend to provide a holistic approach based on current best practices to help facilitate a healthy digestion & liver system.
COMPONENTS
A complete detailed history and evaluation of symptoms along with personal history remains the core in assessing these patients in order to achieve complete cure. All people attending digestive clinic will undergo thorough assessment by our experts. This will include assessment of digestive health, diet, physical activity, infections, allergy and psychological profile. There will be one to one contact with gastroenterolo- gist, dietary experts, psychologists and other experts if needed, including yoga /meditation sessions to reduce symptoms and improve outcomes. By working together in an integrative fashion to meet each patient’s needs, we strive to achieve the best possible outcomes not only for digestive health, but also for overall well-being.
TECHNOLOGY
Today we are fortunate to have number of technologies by which we can assess wide variety of function including secretion, absorption, movements as well as detect offending or irritating substances like food allergens, infective organisms or autoim- mune processes. With the availability of technology there is tendency to do many test with little impact on outcome. It is important to tailor the investigations specific to the patient’s symptoms. We have wide array of tests available at our door steps. Majority of these test are simple and noninvasive and do not require admission. These include motility test, test for infections, to asses function of stomach mucosa, enzyme levels, and malabsorption. We have highly advanced endoscopes to detect early pathological changes of cancers, polyps & inflammation by ultra high magnification technique through endocytoscopy. Liver health evaluation is being done by fibroscan to detect fatty liver and early fibrosis. To differentiate food allergies vs food sensitivity variety of tests are being done here so that underlying root cause can be treated with specific dietary elimination.
HELIC ABT Reader
For patients with suspected H. pylori infection
24 hour pH monitoring
For patients with acid reflux, heartburn,
regurgitation of food and liquids or refractory
reflux not improving by medication
Esophageal Manometry – In patients with dysphagia, regurgitation.
It asses lower esophageal sphincter tone and the movements of the esoph- agus.
Peptest
It measures the presence of a stomach enzyme called pepsin in a sample of saliva which
suggest reflux
Gastropanel test
For evaluation of functional dyspepsia.
Hydrogen Breath Test
For Patients with unexplained gas, bloating , heaviness after meals. It detects small intestine bacterial overgrowth and carbo- hydrate malabsorption, such as lactose, fructose, and sorbitol malabsorption.
Fibrotouch
For measuring the levels of liver fibrosis
and fatty liver. For chronic alcoholic,
deranged liver test, Hepatitis B & C cases.
Endocytoscopy
Ultra-high magnification technique that
enables surface morphology to be assessed
in real time, with magnifications in excess
of 450×. High diagnostic accuracy in early
gastrointestinal cancers.
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
- Overweight/Underweight
- Stressful lifestyle
- Tobacco and Alcohol intake
- Food hypersensitivity/intolerance
- Fatty Liver
- Acidity
- Gas/Bloating/Indigestion
- Constipation/Diarrhea
- Food Allergies / Gluten sensitivity
- Leaky Gut
- Family H/O Cancers
- H/O Previous Cancers
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)