Optimal digestive health serves as the foundation for a healthy body. The digestive system goes beyond nutrient processing; it plays a pivotal role in immune function, hormonal balance, metabolism, and even skin health. At the heart of digestive wellness is the microbiome—a diverse community of microorganisms that impacts digestion, immune regulation, gut integrity, and vitamin production, as well as contributing to the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis highlights how gut health can influence mental well-being, affecting conditions such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

 

Given the vital importance of the digestive system, it's striking that over 60% of people experience at least one digestive disorder. Dr. Torrens' approach focuses on restoring balance within the gut and microbiome. Through advanced diagnostic testing and individualized treatment plans, Dr. Torrens aims to identify and address the root causes of digestive issues, guiding you towards renewed health and vitality.

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is characterized by chronic acid reflux, leading to symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation. There are several contributing factors, such as structural abnormalities and gastric infections, that need to be identified. This ensures proper treatment at the root cause, as opposed to simple symptom management. Lack of treatment in the long-term can increase the risk for complications like esophageal cancer. Treatment often utilizes multiple modalities, from nutrition to herbs to supplements.

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H. pylori

H. pylori is a common bacteria that colonizes the stomach, and for many individuals does not result in significant symptoms. However, H. pylori can also reduce stomach acid (a condition called hypochlorhydria), resulting in incomplete digestion, deficiency of vitamins and minerals, ulcers and gastritis. After diagnosis is made, either through stool or breath testing, a targeted treatment can be created using antimicrobials to eliminate the infection and restore microbial balance.

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common condition characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits - either diarrhea, constipation, or alternating. While gut-brain interactions play a pivotal role in IBS, there are often additional underlying causes to IBS that remain unaddressed, resulting in ongoing pain and symptoms. To best manage IBS, an integrated approach focused on both mental health and digestive health is needed.

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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) / Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO)

SIBO and IMO occur when excessive bacteria accumulate in the small intestine, leading to distressing symptoms like severe bloating, gas, abdominal pain and a change in bowel habits. Diagnosis requires breath testing, and from here treatment can be initiated, focusing on specific dietary plans, antimicrobial treatments, and strategies to prevent recurrence.

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Candidiasis / Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO)

An overgrowth of Candida or other fungal species in the gut can contribute to symptoms within and outside the gut, like bloating, sugar cravings, fatigue, and brain fog. SIFO often coexists with other gut imbalances, making it essential to address underlying triggers such as diet, antibiotic use, and immune dysfunction. Similar to SIBO and IMO, treatments typically focus on specific dietary modifications, anti-fungal treatments and prevention of recurrence.

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Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This damage can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, chronic digestive symptoms, fatigue, skin conditions, and an increased risk of other autoimmune disorders. Standard management requires strict, lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet, though other gut-supportive treatments can further aid in healing damage related to Celiac disease..

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), are autoimmune conditions that cause chronic inflammation of the small and large intestines. Given the autoimmune nature of IBD, treatment requires a comprehensive approach to manage symptoms, address complications such as nutrient deficiencies, reduce inflammation and support overall gut health.

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Parasites and Other Dysbiosis

Parasitic infections and microbial imbalances can disrupt digestion, leading to symptoms like chronic bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and nutrient deficiencies. Many individuals unknowingly carry parasites or suffer from dysbiosis due to travel, poor gut motility, or antibiotic use. Comprehensive stool testing allows for accurate identification, and treatment includes a combination of antimicrobial therapies, nutrient repletion, and gut healing strategies to restore a healthy microbiome.

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Increased Intestinal Permeability ("Leaky Gut")

Leaky gut occurs when the intestinal lining becomes compromised, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and pathogens to enter the bloodstream. This can contribute to inflammation, food sensitivities, autoimmune conditions, skin conditions and cognitive changes and negatively impacts other disease processes in the body. Factors such as stress, poor diet, infections, and medication use can all play a role. 

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Constipation

Chronic constipation is more than just discomfort—it can indicate an dysfunction in gut motility, microbiome health, or hormonal regulation. Factors such as inadequate fiber intake, dehydration, stress, or sluggish motility may contribute to infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Many conditions can also contribute to constipation, most notably hypothyroidism, diabetes, neurologic disorders and hypermobility syndromes.