The gastrointestinal system and digestive problems: a fundamental primer
Gastrointestinal anatomy and function: a high-yield overview
The burden of digestive disorders: common and impactful
Distinguishing benign symptoms from red flags
Triggers and causes of digestive problems: a broad spectrum of possibilities
Genes, food, environment, and beyond
Flow problems: digestive tract blockages and dysmotility
The intestinal microbiome: friends, foes, and unknowns
The role of stress and psychological factors
Medical evaluation and diagnosis: guidance, pitfalls, and what I wish I knew sooner
Effectively navigating the path to seeing a subspecialist
Following a practical sequence in testing
The unifying diagnosis: often but not always correct
Seeking a second opinion: when and where
Treatments and solutions: each patient is unique, and one size doesnt fit all
Initial approaches: lifestyle and dietary modifications
Over-the-counter and prescription medications
Complementary and alternative medicine approaches.