About Digestive Conditions & Issues
Anatomy & Physiology
Overview
In this lesson, we introduce common digestive conditions and explore the yogic perspective of categorizing issues as conditions of excess or deficiency.
Objective
Become familiar with common digestive issues and the terminology used to describe them, including hyper and hypo functioning conditions.
What You'll Get
You'll walk away with a clear framework for understanding digestive health through both yogic and anatomical lenses. Learn how stress impacts your gut, recognize the difference between conditions of excess and deficiency, and gain practical knowledge about common issues like GERD, IBS, and inflammatory bowel conditions. Whether you're managing your own digestive health or supporting clients and students, this foundation helps you understand what's happening beneath the surface.
Lesson Overview
In this lesson, we define terminology related to common digestive issues.
Objective
Become familiar with common digestive issues.
Description
Define “hyper” and “hypo” in the naming of conditions. Name seven anatomical areas related to categorizing digestive conditions. Define constipation. Describe acid reflux, GERD, IBS, leaky gut syndrome, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Introduction
In Yoga for Wellness, Gary Kraftsow explains that the yogic perspective of imbalance includes categorizing issues as conditions of excess or deficiency. In the case of digestive issues, they are either “hyper functioning” associated with a digestive fire that is too strong or “hypo functioning” when it is too weak. Kraftsow explains further:
- Hyper conditions include such conditions as stress-based excessive acid secretion, ulcers, heartburn, diarrhea, IBS and IBD conditions such as Crohn’s disease.
- Hypo conditions include such conditions as lack of digestive enzyme, hypochlorhydria and constipation.
In Yoga Therapy, Mark Stephens categorizes digestive condition by anatomical area:
- Oral disease such as dental and periodontal infections, and oral cancers
- Esophageal disease such as GERD
- Stomach disease such as gastristis
- Intestinal disease such as IBS, celiac disease and Crohn’s disease
- Liver disease such as hepatitis
- Pancreatic disease such as pancreatitis
- Gallbladder issue such as gallstones
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