GI Issues

Gut health is the foundation of overall wellness, influencing everything from digestion and immunity to mental clarity and inflammation. If your digestive system isn’t working properly, you can rely on board-certified family health and functional medicine nurse practitioner Kiera Preston at WellPathNP in Cumberland Foreside, Maine, to provide excellent care. GI issues cause more than just discomfort; they’re often a sign that something deeper needs attention. Reach out to WellPathNP to schedule an appointment with Kiera. She has the expertise to offer an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Call or click online now.

What are GI issues?

Gastrointestinal (GI) issues refer to a range of problems that affect the digestive tract, including the stomach, intestines, and related organs. These issues can present as symptoms like:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• Nausea

Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and food intolerances fall under the umbrella of GI disorders.

Your gut is deeply connected to nearly every system in your body. It plays a central role in immune function, detoxification, inflammation regulation, and even mental health. 

When your gut is out of balance, you can experience chronic fatigue, skin conditions, autoimmune issues, mood changes, and more. That’s why gut health is considered a keystone in overall wellness and a core focus in functional medicine.

What causes GI issues?

Many factors can disrupt your gut function. Common causes include:

• Poor diet (especially processed foods or high sugar intake)
• Stress
• Chronic infections
• Food sensitivities
• Environmental toxins
• Imbalances in gut bacteria
• Overuse of antibiotics or antacids

These triggers can weaken the gut lining, disrupt digestion, and lead to chronic inflammation or immune dysfunction.

How are GI issues diagnosed?

At WellPathNP, Kiera has a functional medicine approach. She goes beyond surface symptoms to uncover the root cause of GI issues. 

Your first appointment involves her learning details about your health history, and she may also perform personalized testing that includes advanced stool analysis, food sensitivity testing, organic acids tests, or breath testing for bacterial overgrowth. These tools help identify imbalances, infections, or inflammation contributing to gut dysfunction.

How are GI issues treated with functional medicine?

Kiera's treatment focuses on restoring balance and healing your gut. This often follows the 5R approach: 

1. Remove (triggers like infections and food sensitivities)
2. Replace (digestive support like enzymes or acids)
3. Reinoculate (with beneficial bacteria)
4. Repair (the gut lining with nutrients)
5. Rebalance (lifestyle and stress)

Kiera tailors your plan to your needs, addressing your symptoms and the underlying contributors to IBS, GERD, IBD, bloating, and more. By improving your gut health, you should notice broad improvements in your energy, mood, immune health, and overall vitality.

Schedule an appointment at WellPathNP today if you have GI concerns by calling or booking online now.