Gut Dysbiosis Treatment in Charleston, SC

Gut dysbiosis refers to a shift in the balance of the microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, where helpful bacteria decrease and less supportive species begin to dominate. This imbalance can interfere with digestion, nutrient absorption, immune regulation, and the overall stability of the gut environment. When this occurs, a wide range of symptoms and health concerns can follow, some subtle and others much more disruptive.
 
The gut plays a large role in overall wellness, and when its microbial community becomes unsettled, it can influence every part of daily function. People may notice changes in energy, increased sensitivity to foods, or difficulty maintaining focus for long stretches of time. Disturbances in the microbial landscape can also affect the immune system, making the body more reactive to irritants in the environment.

At The Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) in Charleston, SC, board-certified functional medicine doctors Dr. Stephen P. Elliott and Dr. William J. Weirs provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for gut dysbiosis. Their goal is to understand the full picture of each patient’s health, including digestion, stress levels, environmental exposures, and long-standing patterns that may have contributed to the imbalance.

Gut dysbiosis can develop from many different influences, and most patients have more than one contributing factor. Processed foods, high sugar intake, nutrient deficiencies, and long periods of stress can gradually change the gut environment and interfere with healthy microbial diversity. Exposure to chemicals, pesticides, mold, or other environmental triggers may also influence gut balance, especially for individuals who have sensitivities or underlying immune challenges.
 
Certain lifestyle habits also influence the development of dysbiosis. Limited sleep, irregular eating schedules, and high caffeine or alcohol intake can create a cycle where the digestive system is constantly in recovery mode instead of maintaining a stable rhythm. Some individuals may also experience gut disruption after viral illnesses, chronic infections, or antibiotic use, which can temporarily clear beneficial bacteria and open the door for more aggressive strains to grow. Hormonal fluctuations, chronic inflammation, and metabolic concerns can contribute as well.
 
The functional medicine doctors at COEM in Charleston, SC, offer holistic care for gut dysbiosis. Their assessment process includes a review of nutrition, environment, stress, medical history, and laboratory studies to understand the deeper reasons behind the imbalance.

At COEM in Charleston, SC, Dr. Elliott and Dr. Weirs take a holistic and evidence-informed approach to gut health. Their detailed assessment includes nutritional review, stress evaluation, and testing for environmental exposures to uncover the root causes behind dysbiosis and design personalized healing strategies.

Gut dysbiosis can present through a wide range of digestive symptoms, such as bloating, constipation, loose stools, abdominal discomfort, or increased sensitivity to foods that were once tolerated without difficulty. Some individuals notice shifts in appetite or sudden cravings, especially for sugar or processed foods. These symptoms often come and go at first, which makes it easy for a patient to think they are dealing with ordinary digestive fluctuations rather than a deeper imbalance.
 
Gut dysbiosis can also influence mood, energy, cognitive clarity, and overall inflammatory responses throughout the body. Many people experience fatigue, irritability, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating during tasks. Skin concerns, joint stiffness, and sleep disturbances can also appear, reflecting the deep connection between the gut and other major systems in the body. When these patterns persist, they can begin to interfere with work, relationships, and daily routines.
 
At COEM, Board-Certified Dr. William J. Weirs and Dr. Stephen P. Elliott use advanced functional lab testing, dietary analysis, and lifestyle evaluation to identify the underlying causes of these symptoms. Their personalized treatment plans may include nutritional therapy, targeted probiotics, natural antimicrobials, and lifestyle modifications to help restore gut balance and long-term digestive health.

Functional medicine doctors at COEM utilize comprehensive testing in the diagnosis of gut dysbiosis, including stool analysis, microbial diversity assessments, inflammatory markers, and evaluations of digestive function. These tests help create a detailed picture of the gut environment and show how different strains of bacteria are interacting with one another. They also reveal whether yeast, parasites, or other microbes are contributing to the imbalance.
 
Laboratory testing provides information that cannot be seen through symptoms alone. It can show whether the gut lining is inflamed, whether digestive enzymes are functioning properly, and whether short-chain fatty acids are present in healthy amounts. These pieces of information help determine exactly where intervention is needed. For many patients, testing can also highlight food sensitivities, nutritional gaps, or underlying inflammation that may be amplifying the problem.
 
The specialists at COEM then use the results to build an individualized plan to promote long-term health improvements. Treatment may involve dietary changes, targeted probiotics, natural antimicrobials, nutritional support, stress management tools, and therapies that help repair the gut lining.

Dr. Stephen P. Elliott, MD, and Board-Certified Dr. William J. Weirs, MD, bring a combined depth of clinical experience and advanced functional medicine training to treating gut dysbiosis at COEM. Their collaborative approach integrates diagnostic precision with a personalized healing framework that evaluates digestion, environment, nutrition, and overall systemic balance.

Dr. Elliott’s expertise in functional medicine and Dr. Weir’s extensive background in environmental and occupational health allow them to identify how microbial imbalances connect to chronic inflammation, fatigue, and neurological symptoms. As the only MedMAPS-certified physician fellow in the region, Dr. Elliott offers specialized insight into gut-related neurological and metabolic dysfunctions, while Dr. Weirs’s work in environmental medicine helps uncover hidden triggers such as toxins, mold exposure, and chemical sensitivities that often drive gut disturbances.

At COEM, treatment plans are individually crafted to help patients restore microbial harmony, strengthen the gut lining, and improve overall vitality. Through nutrition, detoxification, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle guidance, their patients experience long-term improvements in digestion, energy, cognition, and immune balance.

Trusted Functional Medicine Doctors Treating Gut Dysbiosis in Charleston, SC. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 7510 North Forest Drive North Charleston, SC 29420. We serve patients from Charleston SC, Mount Pleasant SC, Summerville SC, North Charleston SC, Goose Creek SC, Ladson SC, Hanahan SC, James Island SC, John’s Island SC, Daniel Island SC, West Ashley SC, Moncks Corner SC, Sullivans Island SC, Folly Beach SC, Isle of Palms SC and all of South Carolina, Nationally, and Internationally. Patients routinely fly into Charleston to be evaluated by COEM and to enjoy this beautiful city, which is a Condé Nast and Travel and Leisure Top Domestic and International Tourist Destination.