A stool test can tell you a lot about your health, from bacterial overgrowth to inflammatory bowel disease. There are many reasons to order a stool test. At Monarque Health and Wellness Center in Ashland, Oregon, our team may recommend a stool test to check the health of your microbiome.
A stool test involves analyzing a sample of your stool. This noninvasive test can provide insights into your digestive health and nutrient absorption, and can detect the presence of infections, among other things.
In a functional medicine approach, we often use stool tests to get a holistic view of an individual's gut health, which is integral to overall health.
The gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms that play a crucial role in your digestive and overall health. An imbalance in these microorganisms can lead to a variety of health issues, including autoimmune diseases, allergies, and even mental health disorders.
A stool test can analyze the composition of your gut microbiome, which helps to better understand your gut health, enabling our team to recommend personalized treatments to restore balance.
Proper nutrient absorption is essential for maintaining health. A stool test can reveal how well your digestive system is absorbing nutrients. Malabsorption issues can lead to deficiencies in vital nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Identifying these issues provides a road map for making dietary adjustments to address deficiencies and boost your health.
By analyzing your stool, we can identify issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. We can spot inflammation, malabsorption, and other signs of these chronic conditions through abnormalities in the stool samples.
Not only do these conditions cause distressing symptoms, but the ongoing inflammation impacts nutrient absorption, making proper management crucial.
Stool tests are instrumental in identifying infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Gastrointestinal infections can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.
Other common pathogens that can be detected include salmonella, E. coli, and giardia. Early detection through a stool test allows for timely treatment, preventing the infection from worsening or spreading.
A stool test can be essential for detecting pancreatic insufficiency, a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes to properly digest food. If you experience persistent digestive issues like chronic diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, or nutrient deficiencies, we may recommend this test.
It helps to identify undigested fats in the stool, an indicator of enzyme deficiency. Detecting pancreatic insufficiency early is important because it allows for timely intervention with enzyme replacement therapy, dietary adjustments, and other treatments to manage symptoms and improve nutrient absorption.
In a functional medicine approach, we often use stool tests to monitor overall gut health. This comprehensive approach considers various factors, including inflammation, microbiome balance, and digestion efficiency.
Regular stool testing can help track changes over time, allowing for adjustments in treatment plans to optimize gut health and overall well-being.
If you’re experiencing digestive symptoms or want to take a proactive approach to your health, consider discussing stool testing with our team at Monarque Health and Wellness Center.
This step could be crucial in uncovering underlying health issues and setting you on a path to better health. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
