Overview

An Integrative Health approach to gastrointestinal (GI) care focuses on the whole person, building on what matters most to each individual and drawing in mindful awareness and self-care along with conventional and complementary approaches to health and well-being.  Whether it is exploring healthy eating patterns, looking at the research related to the connection between the gut and other organ systems, or helping a person with a specific GI diagnosis, Integrative Health can prove beneficial. 

Empowerment through self-care is key.  The Circle of Health highlights eight areas of self-care:  Surroundings; Personal Development; Nutrition; Recharge; Family Friends, & Co-Workers; Spirit & Soul; Mind and Emotions; and Physical Activity.  Using an example of an Integrative Health patient, this overview and related tools offer an array of options to consider. 

More details for specific conditions, including GERD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are available in various digestive health clinical tools.

Meet the patient

Jake is a 36-year-old police officer who has always had a “sensitive gut.” His symptoms “really got bad” after he required a broad-spectrum antibiotic for a pneumonia he was treated for two years ago.  He also has a history of asthma, and the combination of poor sleep and a stressful mission took its toll. His asthma worsened, and he developed a secondary lobar pneumonia. He started on 5 days of the antibiotic, azithromycin. After his productive cough continued, he was then given 14 days of Augmentin. He reports that his bowels have never been the same since.

Jake has what many would label as having diarrhea-predominant IBS, with 5-6 watery stools a day, bloating, and diffuse gas pains. Any food seems to make his symptoms worse, particularly beer, which he enjoys drinking with his friends. His diet is rather poor. He eats processed, “white” foods with few vegetables and fruits. He has been using over-the-counter omeprazole with little change in his symptoms. The frequency of diarrhea seems to get worse as he starts to look for a job. He is worried about supporting his wife and young daughter.