Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is common and worrisome many individuals. There are hundreds of over the counter remedies that one may take to soothe the symptoms of burning, cramping, nausea, and achiness. Many patients state that the pain causes them anxiety. When seen by a gastroenterologist they are given an acid blocker right away. If that doesn’t help within two weeks they may undergo an endoscopy. If an ulcer or gastritis is discovered, they’re back to the acid blocker and perhaps an antibiotic in cases of H.pylori.  However, in non-infectious cases, the chronic pain is not resolved.

Unfortunately, there is no discussion about about one’s diet which is surprising in cases of stomach pain. Naturopathic doctors always include nutrition consulting whether it be a disease like cancer or in more obvious complaints like weight gain. However, the average gastroenterologist is not educated in holistic nutrition. He may have a dietician in the office, however the products contain dairy and chemicals which further the progression of the disease.

Whether the ailment be upper GI which causes burning or nausea or lower GI which causes cramping and bloating, a diet of unprocessed and digestible foods will halt the progression of the disease and its symptoms.  The field of gastroenterology in general has overcomplicated the diagnoses of different types of abdominal pain and has no “cure”. They can only suppress the symptoms with medications which have side effects and cause malnutrition. And in severe cases, a patient will undergo surgery to remove organs like the gallbladder or parts of the intestines. This in turn causes a whole other state of illness.

Therefore, naturopathic doctors should be the first ones to see in any case of abdominal pain to see if the symptoms will go away with simple dietary changes and supplements.