Addressing Poor Digestion
Addressing Poor Digestion: Comprehensive Care and a Whole-Patient Approach
Poor digestion is a common health concern that can lead to discomfort, nutritional deficiencies, and serious health conditions. At BreatheWorks, we adopt a whole-patient approach, emphasizing interdisciplinary care to effectively manage and improve digestive health. Poor digestion encompasses a range of gastrointestinal issues that impede the body’s ability to properly break down and absorb nutrients from food. It often manifests as a spectrum of symptoms and can be influenced by various factors, including lifestyle and underlying medical conditions.
Prevalence and Commonly Seen Conditions
Digestive issues are widespread, affecting a significant portion of the population. Stressful lifestyles, dietary habits, and increasing prevalence of certain health conditions contribute to the growing number of individuals experiencing poor digestion. Common types include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A common disorder affecting the large intestine, marked by symptoms of cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, leading to heartburn and other symptoms.
- Dyspepsia: Often described as chronic indigestion, causing discomfort in the upper abdomen and leading to excessive burping and bloating.
Contributing Factors of Poor Digestion
Dietary Choices, such as the consumption of processed foods, high-fat foods, and lack of fiber, often contribute to poor digestion. These choices can be compounded by other lifestyle factors including stress or sedentary habits. Medical Conditions such as IBS, GERD, ulcers, and food intolerances can result in poor digestive health, as can certain side effects of a number of commonly-prescribed medications.
Diagnosis and Treatment Pathways
A multidisciplinary approach to poor digestion is essential to proper management and care:
- Comprehensive Assessment: Thorough examination of medical history, lifestyle and dietary habits, and further testing often including blood testing.
- Nutritional Counseling: Tailoring dietary recommendations to individual needs.
- Stress Reduction Techniques: Managing stress through mindfulness, meditation, or counseling.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen core muscles and improve overall body function.
- Medication Management: When necessary, prescribing or adjusting medications to alleviate symptoms.
BreatheWorks’ whole-patient Approach
At BreatheWorks, our comprehensive approach to managing poor digestion includes:
- Whole-Patient Assessment: Conducted by a Speech-Language Pathologist, we take a detailed case history to get a clear picture of your body’s story and assess the function of the speech, swallowing, and breathing mechanisms. We will observe how the muscles perform tasks like speaking, chewing, swallowing, clearing your teeth, and breathing and identify the contributing factors that may relate to your symptoms.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working with a team of nutritionists, gastroenterologists, and mental health professionals to ensure whole-patient care.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Addressing the unique dietary and lifestyle needs of each patient and taking oropharyngeal or swallowing difficulties into consideration.
- Patient Education: Empowering individuals with information about digestive health and self-care practices. Supporting patients by promoting lifestyle changes that align with individual patient goals.
Conclusion
Poor digestion, while common, can significantly impact overall health and quality of life. BreatheWorks is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and personalized approaches to digestive health, focusing on dietary management, stress reduction, and lifestyle modifications. Through our integrated care model, we aim to enhance digestive function and promote overall health and wellness.
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Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD)
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) refer to a group of conditions characterized by abnormal patterns of muscle function and incorrect habits involving the face, mouth, and throat. These disorders can affect various aspects of oral function, including speech, swallowing, breathing, and facial development. Examples of OMD include tongue thrust (where the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing or at rest), open mouth posture (habitual mouth breathing with the mouth consistently open), and incorrect tongue resting position. OMD can contribute to dental malocclusions, speech articulation difficulties, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and other orofacial issues.Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT or MYO)
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a specialized form of therapy designed to address and correct Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD). It focuses on retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to achieve proper resting posture, swallowing patterns, and speech articulation. OMT involves a variety of exercises, techniques, and behavioral modifications tailored to the individual’s specific needs and goals. The goals of OMT include improving orofacial muscle strength and coordination, correcting abnormal swallowing patterns, promoting nasal breathing, and enhancing overall oral function and health. OMT is typically provided by speech-language pathologists or therapists trained in orofacial myofunctional therapy techniques.Benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) can be highly beneficial for individuals with Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD). By addressing underlying muscle dysfunction and promoting proper oral habits, OMT can help improve speech clarity, correct swallowing patterns, alleviate breathing difficulties, and optimize facial development. However, the effectiveness of OMT depends on various factors, including the severity of the OMD, the individual’s commitment to therapy, and consistency in practicing exercises and techniques. OMT is often recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as dentists, orthodontists, and ENT specialists, especially when addressing complex orofacial issues.We hold space in our clinicians’ schedules for new patients because we know that early intervention is the best approach. We like to see new patients in less than 2 weeks and typically schedule phase one treatments during the first visit. We can see you virtually or in person. Get started now.