The gastrointestinal system and digestive problems: a fundamental primer -- Gastrointestinal anatomy and function: a high-yield overview -- The burden of digestive disorders: common and impactful -- Distinguishing benign symptoms from red flags -- Triggers and causes of digestive problems: a broad spectrum of possibilities -- Genes, food, environment, and beyond -- Flow problems: digestive tract blockages and dysmotility -- The intestinal microbiome: friends, foes, and unknowns -- The role of stress and psychological factors -- Medical evaluation and diagnosis: guidance, pitfalls, and what I wish I knew sooner -- Effectively navigating the path to seeing a subspecialist -- Following a practical sequence in testing -- The unifying diagnosis: often but not always correct -- Seeking a second opinion: when and where -- Treatments and solutions: each patient is unique, and one size doesn't fit all -- Initial approaches: lifestyle and dietary modifications -- Over-the-counter and prescription medications -- Complementary and alternative medicine approaches. .