Comprehensive Care for Digestive Disorders

Your digestive system, often called your GI tract or “gut,” is a complex pathway that includes the esophagus (the tube carrying food from your mouth), the stomach, the small intestine, and the large intestine (colon). There are other organs that also directly impact proper digestion and function of the GI System, including the liver, gallbladder and the pancreas. 

When everything works as it should, your gut digests food smoothly. Sometimes the gut doesn’t work properly, even when scans, scopes, or blood tests look normal. These are called functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders or disorders of gut-brain interaction.

The Functional GI Program at Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics is designed to help people living with these difficult, often frustrating conditions. Our goal is to improve your quality of life using a whole-body, team-based approach that treats not just your symptoms, but the way your gut, brain, and lifestyle all interact. The Functional GI Program is a compliment to our traditional GI services and takes a deeper look at a specific type of dysfunction. 

Who We Can Help

Our program is for patients ages 10 and older who have experienced ongoing GI symptoms for at least two months, including:

• Chronic abdominal pain, bloating, or bowel changes
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Digestive problems linked to stress, anxiety, or depression
• Food sensitivities or intolerances
• Unresolved issues even after standard treatments
• Incontinence (trouble controlling bowel movements)

Conditions We Manage

We specialize in functional GI disorders, sometimes called disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). These conditions don’t show up clearly on imaging or scopes, but they cause real, often chronic symptoms.

Here are some of the most common conditions we treat:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Ongoing abdominal pain with changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both).
• Functional Dyspepsia (Indigestion): Upper belly discomfort, burning, or fullness even after eating small meals.
• Gastroparesis: The stomach empties too slowly, causing nausea, vomiting, or feeling full quickly.
• Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS): Episodes of severe nausea and vomiting that come and go.
• Chronic Nausea: Long-term queasiness not explained by other tests.
• Bloating, Belching, and Gas: Excess air in the stomach or intestines leading to discomfort.
• Functional Constipation: Difficulty passing stool regularly, not caused by a blockage.
• Functional Diarrhea: Frequent loose stools without infection or structural cause.
• Functional Dysphagia: Trouble swallowing, even though no blockage is found.
• Globus Sensation: Feeling of a “lump in the throat” with no physical obstruction.
• Anorectal Pain Syndromes: Ongoing pain in the rectum or anus without a clear structural cause.
• Functional Defecation Disorder: Problems with the pelvic floor muscles that make bowel movements difficult.

Our Team Approach

Functional GI disorders are complex. That’s why our program uses a multidisciplinary team that works together for your care:

• Gastroenterologists & Nurse Practitioners: Specialists in diagnosing and managing GI disorders.
• Dietitians: Help identify food triggers and create a plan to manage symptoms through diet.
• Mental Health Experts: Address stress, anxiety, depression, and the gut-brain connection.
• Psychology: Examine the roll certain medications can play in gut function and optimize treatment.
• Physical Therapists: Rehabilitate and strengthen core and pelvic floor muscles to improve bowel function and reduce pain.
• Speech Therapists: Treat symptoms like chronic cough, throat clearing, or swallowing difficulties.

GI Testing Available

When needed, we offer specialized tests:

• Endoscopy & Colonoscopy: Directly examine the esophagus, stomach, and colon.
• pH Testing: Measure the acidity in the esophagus.
• Breath Testing: Detects bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or certain food intolerances like lactose malabsorption.
• Expulsion Testing: Measures rectal muscle strength and coordination.
• Pelvic Floor Evaluation: Identifies muscle dysfunction that can affect bowel control and function.

Why Choose Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics

• One coordinated program: We schedule, guide, and support you through every step.
• Whole-body approach: We treat the gut, the brain, and lifestyle factors together.
• Trusted expertise: Our team uses the latest, research-based therapies.
• Personalized care: Your plan is tailored to your life, goals, and health needs.

Why Functional GI Care Matters

• These disorders are real. Symptoms are not “just in your head.”
• Standard tests may miss them. That’s why specialized programs are needed.
• They affect daily life. From work to family activities, functional GI disorders can limit independence.
• They require teamwork. No single treatment works for everyone, and our program brings all the right experts together.

Functional GI Program FAQs

What is a functional GI disorder?

Functional GI disorders affect how the digestive system works, not how it looks. They cause real symptoms like pain, bloating, or bowel changes, even though tests may appear normal.

Who can join the Functional GI Program?

Our program is designed for patients ages 10 and older with ongoing digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or bloating.

What conditions does the program treat?

We treat many conditions, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), functional constipation, chronic nausea, cyclic vomiting, dyspepsia (indigestion), anorectal pain, and swallowing disorders.

How is the Functional GI Program different from regular GI care?

Traditional GI care often focuses on structural problems seen on tests or issues with a clear origin. The Functional GI Program looks at the gut-brain connection, diet, stress, and lifestyle, using a full care team.

Do functional GI disorders ever go away?

While these conditions can be long-term, many patients improve greatly with personalized care, lifestyle changes, and the right treatment plan. We want to manage your symptoms so you live a quality life.

How to Get Started

If you’ve been living with GI pain, bloating, bowel changes, or digestive symptoms for more than two months, you don’t have to keep struggling. At Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, our Functional GI Program is here to help you feel better, take control of your symptoms, and get back to living fully.

Call us today at 515-532-9310 or 641-444-5546 to ask questions or request an intake packet.

More Info

Looking for more information on behavioral therapy for IBS? Click here.

We focus on real solutions to help you feel better now and remain symptom-free later.