CONDITIONS WE TREAT

TREATMENT FOR GUT-BRAIN AXIS DISORDERS (GBAD) IN KATY, TX

What Is The Gut-brain Axis?

The human body contains trillions of bacteria, the most of which are found in the digestive system. There is substantial evidence that the microbiota in the intestines is linked to the neuro-endocrine-immune pathways that underpin the gut-brain axis. In general, the brain and gut communicate on a regular basis via the central and enteric nerve systems, which connect the emotional and cognitive components of the brain to bowel function. Understanding this is critical since any microbial imbalance in the intestine can induce medical symptoms and behavioral issues.

Dr. Karen Richardson is Experienced

With Gut-brain Disorders

Dr. Karen Richardson offers diagnosis and treatment of gut-brain axis disorders in Katy, TX for patients experiencing the symptoms associated with this troubling condition. While many gastrointestinal issues are easily identifiable through testing or endoscopy, GBADs do not produce any clear findings, making the diagnosis and path for treatment challenging for many in the medical community who don’t specialize in gastroenterology. If left untreated, physical symptoms persist, and patients often experience mood alterations. Contact us to schedule a consultation with gastroenterologist Dr. Karen Richardson.

Get Started Today

Learn More About Treatments For Gbad

Dr. Karen Richardson is dedicated to assisting Katy, TX patients with effective therapies for gut-brain axis illnesses and mental health issues linked with this condition. If patients are incorrectly diagnosed or left untreated, they will struggle to get control of their health and will most likely squander time on useless treatments or treatments that target the incorrect symptoms. If you're experiencing digestive problems as well as mental health difficulties like anxieFooterty or depression, please call our office to set up a consultation. Our goal is to diagnose your issue correctly and improve your quality of life.

Common Symptoms Of Gbad

People with gut-brain axis problems have both physical and emotional symptoms because the enteric neural system that lines the intestine walls and the central nervous system that connects to the brain are constantly in communication. GBAD is connected with mood disorders such as persistent stress, anxiety, and depression. Physical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional bowel disorders include diarrhea, bloating, constipation, or stomach distress. This association helps to explain why persons with IBS or other gastrointestinal difficulties have a greater rate of anxiety or sadness. If not properly diagnosed, patients are often left in a permanent state of imbalance with no relief for their bowel or mood disorders, resulting in a decreased quality of life.

How Are Gut-brain Axis Disorders Diagnosed?

When diagnosing GBAD, the patient's physical and emotional symptoms will be discussed. While it was often assumed that illnesses like IBS or bloating caused anxiety or depression, it is now thought that it could be the opposite. Dr. Karen Richardson, your gastrointestinal specialist, will discuss both physical and mental problems in order to appropriately evaluate your illness. Because there are no standardized test results or endoscopic findings to consider when diagnosing GBAD, our assessment will be thorough in order to successfully narrow down our conclusions and establish the best treatment plan.