What are “functional” disorders?
Functional disorders (disorders of functioning) are conditions where there is an absence of visable anatomical or biochemical abnormalities, which could explain symptoms, found on common diagnostic tests. In a functional GI disorder the body’s normal activities in terms of the movement of the intestines, the sensitivity of the nerves of the intestines, or the way in which the brain controls some of these functions is impaired. However, there are no structural abnormalities that can be seen by endoscopy, x-ray, or blood tests. Thus a functional GI disorder is identified by the characteristics of the symptoms and infrequently, when needed, limited tests.
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