6 Rare Digestive Disorders That Often Go Undetected

6 Rare Digestive Disorders That Often Go Undetected

In the United States, digestive system disorders have reached epidemic proportions. Between 10% and 15% of the population suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). After the common cold, IBS is the second most prevalent cause of missed workdays. GERD affects 60 percent of individuals in the United States. Except for Lipitor, Nexium (, an acid-suppressing medicine recommended for GERD), generates more money than any other drug.

Some of the most common digestive diseases and autoimmune disorders include: celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

As a functional health practitioner,I work with all my clients for a year to address the underlying gut dysfunction through labs, protocols, lifestyle changes, and the connection between the gut, the brain, and the heart - and most clients come to me to address one of these most common disorders. Today, however, I want to talk about 6 rare digestive disorders that often go undetected and are less well-known in the world of digestive illnesses. These disorders are not as commonly discussed, so my goal is to bring awareness to these rare disorders and shine light on what you can do to help alleviate the symptoms.

Wondering if you have a rare digestive disorder? Claim your FREE 20-min consultation on me.

What exactly do we mean by digestive disorder?

You probably know that gut health plays a crucial role to your general health upkeep. In fact, a dysfunctional gut relates to everything from obesity and diabetes to autoimmune illness and skin diseases. 

Over the last two decades, research has shown that our gut flora is critical for gut function and integrity. Imbalanced gut flora can contribute to various diseases such as diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, autism spectrum disorder, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Antibiotics and other medications like birth control and NSAIDs, diets high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and processed foods, diets low in fermentable fibers, and dietary toxins like wheat and industrial seed oils have been found to cause leaky gut. These factors contribute to unhealthy gut flora, chronic stress, and chronic infections. 

The contents of your intestines are technically external to your body. The gut is simply a hollow tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Anything that isn't digested in the mouth will pass directly out the other end. Preventing foreign substances from entering the body is one of the gut's most critical jobs.

Large protein molecules escape into the bloodstream when the intestinal barrier becomes porous (i.e., "leaky gut syndrome"). The body produces an immune reaction and assaults these proteins since they don't belong outside the gut walls. These attacks have been linked to the development of autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's and type 1 diabetes, to name a few.

6 Rare Digestive Disorders

In this article, we’ll discuss 6 of the more rare digestive disorders out there. These rare diseases often go undetected and, if left untreated, can lead to more significant risks. For example, some of these disorders occur at birth and others may require surgery. If you or someone you know presents any of these or similar symptoms, working with a functional practitioner can help you understand the causes and identify the best way to treat lingering symptoms. I put together a short webinar that gives a broad overview of how the gut functions and how a leaky gut is often the root cause of digestive disorders.

Peptic Ulcers

The most common sign of a peptic ulcer is a dull or burning ache in your stomach. The pain might occur anywhere between your belly button and your breastbone. 

When your stomach is empty, such as between meals or at night, the pain usually escalates. If you eat or use antacids, the pain may subside for a short while. It can occur for minutes, hours, or days, lasting for days, weeks, or months. 

Bloating, burping, feeling sick to your stomach, poor appetite, vomiting, or weight loss are less common problems associated with peptic ulcers.

Though considered a rare condition, peptic ulcer disease is often caused by long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin NIH and ibuprofen NIH. An infection can also cause ulcers with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Other reasons include Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, characterized by uncommon malignant and non-cancerous tumors in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreas. Both prescription drugs and H. pylori have been shown to be a common cause of peptic ulcers.

Here are some steps you can take to reduce stomach ulcer symptoms:

• Reduce the use of NSAIDs – These medications increase your chances of getting an ulcer and make it harder for them to heal.

• Reduce Alcohol Intake and Stress – Stopping or significantly reducing alcohol consumption allows the ulcer to heal effectively. Stress also impacts the healing process of an ulcer.

• Manage Your Diet – Many foods are advantageous and naturally heal ulcers. Garlic usurps the bacteria that causes an ulcer and brings healing. Yogurt calms and coats your stomach lining to help with the pain. Honey stops the growth of the bacteria and coats the lining of your stomach to provide relief from severe pain. Teas and Herbs such as Red Clover and Wood Apple Leaf Tea help with the pain associated with ulcers and reduce inflammation.

• Take a Probiotic – Probiotics are living bacteria that support the digestive tract. They help destroy H. pylori and increase the recovery rate of those with ulcers.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are rare conditions that can occur when there are high levels of eosinophils in one or more parts of the digestive system. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions. A blood test may show higher than normal eosinophil counts or total immunoglobulin E levels.

Eosinophilic (e-o-sin-o-FILL-ik) esophagitis (EoE) is an esophageal allergic/immune disease. The tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach is referred to as the esophagus. In EoE, the inner lining of the esophagus is lined with excessive quantities of white blood cells called eosinophils. 

Eosinophils can release inflammatory chemicals into the surrounding tissues. In a healthy esophagus, there are no eosinophils. Inflammation and an increase in the number of eosinophils in the esophagus are symptoms of EoE. The cause of your symptoms is EoE's persistent inflammation.

EoE is becoming more common, and it can affect people of all ages, genders, and races. EoE is defined by a variety of symptoms, endoscopic manifestations, and histopathological results that differ according to the person and their age.

Feeding issues, vomiting, and failure to thrive are common in infants and toddlers, whereas dysphasia, or trouble swallowing, is the most common symptom in children, adolescents, and adults.

EoE is caused by a complicated interaction of genetics, environmental factors, and other components of immune system malfunction. EoE is defined by increased levels of esophageal immunoglobulin G four, or IgG 4, which is mostly induced by food or airborne allergens. EoE can be characterized by increased levels of esophageal immunoglobulin G four, or IgG 4, which is largely provoked by food or airborne allergens. 

Antigens or irritating particles in the esophagus cause the generation of cytokines by epithelial cells, which attract inflammatory cells like Th T cells, eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and steroids are the most common medications to treat EoE. PPIs make EoE worse in the long run. Those suffering from EoE should embark on an elimination diet and learn which foods trigger their symptoms.

One way to aid with histamine-related reactions is to supplement any diamine oxidase [DAO] that may be deficient. It's possible that a particular food is overwhelming endogenous diamine oxidase or that your body is not producing enough of it. You can take a small amount of diamine oxidase with foods that cause you concern.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is a rare disorder in which cells in the colon (large intestine) or rectum become uncontrollably proliferate. While there is currently no way to detect if you have colon cancer from blood tests, your doctor may perform blood tests to determine your overall health, such as kidney and liver function tests. Your doctor may also perform a blood test to look for a chemical generated by colon tumors (carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA).

Colon cancer patients may have a chronic change in bowel habits, such as chronic diarrhea or constipation, or a change in stool consistency. Constipation can cause a person to strain during a bowel movement or pass an unusually hard stool. 

Anal disorders such as anal fissures (painful cracks in the anal tissue lining) or hemorrhoids can occur when firm stool is passed. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool and chronic stomach discomforts such as severe abdominal pain, gas, or cramps may occur.

Other signs and symptoms include the sensation that your bowels aren't entirely emptying, weakness or exhaustion, unexplained weight loss, or the feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one. Many patients show no signs or symptoms in the early stages of colon cancer. Symptoms will likely vary depending on the size and location of cancer in your large intestine.

Three areas of intervention are included in a holistic approach to integrative therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients: lifestyle, biology, and conventional medicine. 

The importance of individualized proper treatment is essential. Nutritional therapy, biobehavioral methods with circadian interventions, and physical care modalities are all part of the lifestyle sphere. 

Inflammation, glycemia, oxidative stress, immunological dysregulation, coagulopathy, and stress chemistries are six host elements in the patient's internal biochemical environment or "landscape."

Strong evidence from cohort studies backs up recommendations for a diet that emphasizes plant and fish proteins, healthy fats in amounts that are tailored to the patient's clinical situation, and carbohydrates derived from unrefined whole grains, vegetables, and whole fruits. 

High-glycemic diets and processed carbs should be avoided, especially sugar-sweetened beverages. The practice of the relaxation response and related approaches are examples of biobehavioral strategies.

One study shows a close link between gut dysbiosis and an inflammatory profile for colorectal cancer, which means that attention to the gut is of incredible importance.

If you are just learning about the gut, I put together a 30-minute primer on how the gut works. Download your FREE copy below.

Hirschsprung Disease

Hirschsprung Disease (HD) occurs when ganglion cells responsible for peristalsis do not form in the lower intestines during fetal development. As a result, when a child is born with HD, their guts do not receive the signal to pass feces.

In some circumstances, the colon can be fully clamped down from day one, meaning nothing gets through. The outcome is a loss of appetite, stomach distention, bile vomiting, and a general feeling of being very unwell.

The failure of colonic ganglion cells to migrate during pregnancy causes HD (also known as congenital megacolon). The distal colon's lengths are unable to relax, resulting in functional colonic obstruction. Hirschsprung's illness most commonly affects the rectosigmoid section of the colon, although it can also affect the entire colon and the small intestine in rare cases.

A variety of factors cause Hirschsprung's disease, and it can be inherited through family history or arise spontaneously. It affects boys more than girls. The short-segment illness affects approximately 3% to 5% of male siblings and 1% of female siblings of children with the disease. Siblings of children with entire colonic involvement, on the other hand, have higher risk factors (12.4 to 33 percent).

Hirschsprung's illness is usually treated with surgery to bypass or eliminate the section of the colon that is devoid of nerve cells. This can be accomplished in one of two ways: either a pull-through operation or an ostomy procedure. After surgery, children are at risk of acquiring a bowel infection (enterocolitis), especially in the first year.

Studies have shown that the use of prebiotics and probiotics may help to ward off enterocolitis. Probiotics work through strain-specific mechanisms. Prebiotics have a structure-specific effect on the host as well. When creating an intervention approach, different dosages of probiotics and prebiotics and the complementary or synergistic effects of substances present in a synbiotic preparation are crucial factors to consider.

Based on the evidence of these studies, I recommend a probiotic containing Enterococcus faecalis, Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus acidophilus and a prebiotic containing galactooligosaccharides. I put together a Fullscript Protocol below that includes both of these that you can get at a 15% off discount.

Whipple’s Disease

Whipple's disease is a rare condition caused by a bacteria called Tropheryma whipplei. It is a chronic infectious systemic disease. Non Deforming arthritis is a common first complaint. 

Diarrhea (with severe malabsorption), stomach pain, significant weight loss, and low-grade fever are some of the gastrointestinal issues and general symptoms. Possible neurologic symptoms might be related, which have worse outcomes. The clinical picture and small intestine histology, which demonstrate foamy macrophages with periodic-acid-Schiff- (PAS-) positive material, are used to diagnose.

Whipple's disease is challenging to diagnose. Years can pass between early findings, typical clinical signs, and disease diagnosis. Patients with stomach pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and joint abnormalities should be checked for Whipple's illness.

Immunosuppressive treatment-resistant seronegative arthritis, unexplained fever, chronic serositis, myoclonus, ophthalmoplegia, and early development of cognitive impairments are all rare signs of Whipple's illness. In these cases, clinicians should be aware of this infectious disease, as a delay in diagnosis could be fatal.

According to the National Institutes of Health, long-term antibiotic treatment with penicillin, ampicillin, or tetracycline is the most common medical treatment. Medical treatment must be the first line of defense against this disease, as it can be fatal if left untreated.

Because Whipple's illness makes it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients, it's critical to supplement it with minerals like iron. You won't be able to digest iron effectively, leading to anemia and a low red blood cell count, which means you'll be tired, have headaches and feel weak. 

Your diet should include red meat, eggs, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, liver, mollusks, lentils, beans, artichokes, and turkey.

Given how much Whipple's illness affects the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), any improvement in digestive function is a wonderful thing. Although you may not be able to absorb all of the beneficial elements found in fruits and vegetables, whatever your body is capable of absorbing will be helpful. In addition, a shortage of fruits and vegetables causes scurvy, which is a typical complication of Whipple's disease.

Calcium and magnesium-rich diets can assist improve your gastrointestinal system and many other elements of human health.

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through a hole in the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is a narrow muscle wall that connects the chest to the abdomen. The esophagus and stomach connect at the diaphragm's aperture.

In a hiatal hernia, the stomach is elevated and pushes against the diaphragm. In more severe cases, the top of the stomach has stretched the aperture wide as it has come up above the diaphragm's level. A hiatal hernia, when severe, necessitates surgery to draw the stomach back beneath the diaphragm and close the enlarged aperture. Fortunately, such intensity is uncommon.

The challenge with a hiatal hernia is that mild cases often go undetected. When the ailment is severe, no one will deny the need for surgery, even if the outcomes aren't ideal, but conventional procedures are far more challenging to detect when the condition is modest. 

And, although the degree of herniation is milder, this does not minimize the severity of the symptoms the patient is experiencing. Even minor or subclinical hiatal hernias can cause significant and devastating symptoms.

Some of the symptoms of hiatal hernia are similar to those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A possible cause of GERD is the reflux of digestive juices from the stomach into the esophagus (acid reflux). Heartburn, a bitter or sour taste at the back of the throat, bloating and belching, stomach acid, or discomfort or pain in the stomach or esophagus are all symptoms of GERD.

In conventional medicine, an endoscopy or x-ray is performed when a hiatal hernia is suspected. If a hernia is discovered, acid inhibitors and surgical repair are two possibilities for treatment. Both of these treatment options, however, have flaws. 

To absorb vitamins, minerals, and proteins properly, we require highly acidic stomach secretions. Long-term usage of acid inhibitors produces many health issues, including osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. The surgical repair is frequently ineffective, and it carries the danger of improper surgical repair, infection, scar tissue, and other complications that come with all cutting surgical treatment.

Natural treatment approaches to address Hiatal Hernia include herbal treatment and soft tissue massage. Additionally, drink a glass of lukewarm or room temperature water right after waking up in the morning while still in bed. This assists in relaxing the abdominal cavity and diaphragm, preventing the hernia from opening in the diaphragm. 

Despite its acidic composition, Apple cider vinegar generates an alkaline effect in the body. Apple cider vinegar's anti-inflammatory characteristics cure symptoms of hiatal hernia, such as stomach irritation, heartburn, and acidity.

Other rare conditions not mentioned include Achalasia, Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), Short Bowel Syndrome, Intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Rumination disorder, and a host of functional gastrointestinal disorders and chronic digestive diseases.

Increasingly, autoimmune disease, rare digestive disorders, and other rare GI conditions are showing up in the general population and becoming as prevalent as common digestive disorders. Food allergies such as lactose intolerance, bacterial infections, increased stomach acid, and all kinds of functional disorders are on the rise. 

You can visit the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders for more information. The key to success is a correct diagnosis, treating the underlying cause of the disorder, and a treatment plan that addresses nutritional deficiencies, eliminates harmful bacteria and parasites, and includes restorative protocols. 

Early detection is the key to managing disorders of the digestive system and infectious diseases. Talk to your doctor about physical examination and medical advice you may need. Consult a functional practitioner to address related digestive symptoms and increase your gut's resiliency against these disorders.

Please let me know if you have any questions I can answer about your symptoms. I am just a phone call away.

Talk soon,