Common types of digestive disorders that cause weight gain

Food intolerance

Food intolerances or food sensitivities are common digestive disorders. This occurs when when the body has difficulty digesting certain foods. It can lead to digestive symptoms such as bloating, pain, gas, and diarrhoea. In some cases, food sensitivities and intolerances may trigger chronic inflammation, disrupt metabolic processes and lead to weight gain. Identifying and eliminating problematic foods from your diet, under the guidance of your Shift naturopathic practitioner, can help alleviate symptoms and support healthy weight loss and management.

Constipation

Chronic constipation can impact more than just your bowel movements. When waste material builds up in the colon, it can cause abdominal distension and affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, potentially leading to weight gain. Naturopathic treatments focus on improving digestive health to promote motility, incorporating dietary fibre, and increasing hydration to alleviate constipation and maintain a healthy body weight.

Ulcers including peptic ulcer disease

Ulcers, including PUD (peptic ulcer disease), are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or oesophagus. These painful sores can disrupt digestion, causing symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain, and unintended weight gain. The naturopaths at Shift create a treatment plan to alleviate ulcer symptoms, promote gut healing, and restore healthy digestion through a combination of dietary modifications, herbal remedies, and stress management techniques.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease defined by recurring inflammation of the colon and rectum. The inflammation can impair nutrient absorption and lead to weight gain or difficulty in losing weight. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis are diarrhoea, blood or mucous in your stool, urgency to empty your bowels, abdominal pain and fatigue. Naturopathic treatments for ulcerative colitis focus on reducing inflammation, restoring gut health, and focusing on eating habits and a balanced diet to promote healthy weight management.

Acid Reflux or GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly known as acid reflux. GERD occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, which can also create reflux esophagitis. The chronic inflammation and discomfort caused by GERD can disrupt eating patterns and contribute to weight gain. GERD symptoms may include chest pain or burning, nausea, belching, a bad taste in your mouth, abdominal discomfort and a dry cough. Naturopathic approaches aim to identify triggers, reduce acid reflux symptoms, and promote digestive health through dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and herbal remedies.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a persistent gastrointestinal disorder that affects the intestines, causing symptoms such as abdominal bloating, pain, and varying bowel habits. Weight gain or difficulty in losing weight is commonly associated with IBS alongside other digestive issues and poor absorption of nutrients. Naturopathic treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome focus on identifying triggers, managing stress, optimising intestinal health, and restoring balance to support healthy weight management.

Alongside our Naturopaths, our Acupuncturists and Hypnotherapists support clients with managing lifestyle stress, pain management, the emotional stress from feeling unable to lose weight, and any psychosomatic components to your pain and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract. The persistent inflammation and malabsorption corresponding with Crohn’s disease can lead to unintended weight gain, weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. Naturopathic treatment plans aim to reduce inflammation, support gut healing, and enhance nutrient absorption, promoting digestive health and weight management.

Bacterial issues

Bacterial issues impacts and creates imbalance in the gut microbiome. Imbalances like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), can disrupt digestion, cause many digestive symptoms and contribute to weight gain. Naturopathic treatments for bacterial issues focus on rebalancing the good and bad bacteria through dietary changes, probiotics, use of antimicrobial herbs, restoring digestive harmony and supporting healthy weight management.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, sometimes known as paralysis of the stomach, is a condition defined by delayed gastric emptying. Gastroparesis can lead to symptoms such as abdominal bloating, nausea, and unintentional weight gain. Naturopathic treatment for gastroparesis focus on dietary modifications and herbal tinctures to alleviate these digestive problems and symptoms, and manage symptoms to support healthy weight loss.