Showing posts with label colitis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colitis. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Foods and Supplements That Can Worsen Diarrhea

If you suffer from Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s and have chronic diarrhea the followings foods and supplements may contribute to loose stools.

  • Dried beans, corn, vegetables and cabbage family vegetables are all high in fiber, which may worsen diarrhea
  • Fruits and juices contain fructose, which can worsen diarrhea
  • Caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee and tea can have a laxative effect
  • Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and liquor can worsen diarrhea
  • Fatty meats such as bacon, lunch meats, and heavily marbled meats can worsen diarrhea
  • Fried foods, pastries and chips are high in fat which can worsen diarrhea
  • NutraSweet may be a problem for some people
  • Large quantities of nuts or nut butters may worsen symptoms
  • Concentrated sweets can worsen symptoms
  • Dried fruits such as figs, dates, raisins and prunes can have a laxative effect
  • Prune juice can exert a laxative effect
  • Sugar-free gums and mints contain the sugar alcohols sorbitol, mannitol, and/or xylitol, which can have a laxative effect
  • Real black licorice (not the candy) can have a laxative effect

In addition to food choices that may be bother some there are several supplement which may cause more frequent bowel movements and exacerbate existing diarrhea.

Supplements that can Worsen Symptoms

  • 5-HTP
  • Acetyl L-carnitine
  • Activated charcoal
  • Bee pollen
  • Borage oil
  • Bovine colostrum
  • Cayenne
  • Chlorophyll
  • Chondroitin sulfate
  • DHA
  • EPA
  • Flaxseed oil
  • Glucosamine
  • Guarana
  • Guar gum
  • Horse Chestnut seed
  • Kola Nut
  • Lactulose
  • Mate
  • Senna
Stay ahead of your diarrhea by staying well hydrated and well informed.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Digestive disorders

Intestinal problems are one of the main health issues plaguing our society. They are very common and if you were to ask around, chances are that everyone would have suffered from at least one digestive problem sometime in one's life.

Symptoms include bloating, belching, flatulence, indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, diarrhea, colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation due to factors such as improper dietary intake, illnesses, stress, infections and sensitivity to certain food.

Taking care of your diet is an important step in ensuring a healthy digestive system. It is advisable to increase your intake of vegetables and fruits in your existing diet.

Many constipated people find relief in merely modifying their diet to reduce refined carbohydrates such as white flour, white sugar, white bread, noodles and white rice and increasing fiber intake.

According to the American Dietetic Association, it is recommended that we take about 25 to 35 grammes of fiber daily. It is beneficial in regulating bowel movements and adding bulk to the feces. Regular bowel movements are essential in aiding the body in eliminating toxins, and thus improve intestinal health. You may achieve this by consuming a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains. Having regular meal times helps to minimize excessive stomach acid production at any one time and is also good for preventing heartburn and gastric problems.Excessive gas in the intestines can also be prevented by reducing certain gas-forming food such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, onions and legumes.This is because they contain indigestible sugars that will be broken down by intestinal bacteria to produce gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and methane. Avoiding carbonated beverages may also be beneficial. Some people may not realize that the intestinal symptoms they are suffering from may be due to food intolerance.Try eliminating milk and dairy products for a few days. If you notice an improvement, you may be lactose intolerant. You can minimize its effects by eating dairy products in small portions with other food or by selecting lactose-free products.

However, some people may have underlying problems that lead to intestinal symptoms such as celiac (a condition that hinders normal digestion), gastritis (inflammation of the intestinal tract) and diverticular diseases (inflammation of the large bowel, which pushes the muscular layer to form pouches, where food can be trapped in these pouches, causing infection).

Diverticular diseases may be due to the ageing process and a diet low in fiber.

Nutritious food plays an important role in improving health, but consuming them without proper care regarding its cleanliness may cause food poisoning, leading to infections. Food poisoning will often produce similar symptoms as indigestion, accompanied by fever, vomiting and nausea. Therefore, watch what you eat and drink when travelling to areas where sanitation is poor and disease rates are high.

Stress management is also important because nervous people tend to swallow a lot of air, resulting in build-up of excess gases in the digestive tract. Exercise is also recommended to keep the bowels moving normally and helps reduce stress.

Natural remedy to consider: Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharides from Serovera®

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Ischemic Colitis

Ischemic colitis, is an illness that affects your colon health (colon or large intestine). With Ischemic colitis, the colon can become inflamed. There is also a possibility of colon becoming injured. Decline of blood flow to the large intestine, or a disruption of blood flow, can cause this illness. The disruption of blood flow can be long term or succinct.

This illness is also referred to as colonic ischemia. People who are 50 years old and older are at risk of getting Ischemic colitis. This is one of the common illnesses that affects the large intestine in older adults. It is important to go to your doctor if you have any significant bowel movements, because this condition can become serious.

In most people with Ischemic colitis, there are mild symptoms. In few cases does the illness become severe or life-threatening. If there is a serious deprivation of blood to the colon, severe damage is probable. Usually in this case ulcers begin to form in the lining of the colon. Ischemic colitis can affect any part of the colon, and it usually engages pain on the left side of your abdomen.

The most recurrent cause of inadequate blood flow to the colon, is blood clots. If the arteries near the colon are blocked, it can cause Ischemic colitis. In severe cases, build-up of fat in blood vessels is usually the cause of disruption of blood flow to the large intestine.

Sometimes other conditions may cause ischemic colitis. People with high sugar levels are at risk of getting this sickness. If you are under-going radiation to the abdominal, it can also cause Ischemic colitis. Rarely, do medications play a role in causing Ischemic colitis. If you are taking medication for blood pressure, inflamed blood vessels, or estrogen, there is a slight chance that you can get this illness as a side-effect.

Ischemic colitis can sometimes occur after having abdominal surgery. Especially, if you are getting an aneurysm near the colon. Ischemic colitis can also be caused by infections from viruses.

Treating Ischemic colitis depends how severe it is. Mild Ischemic colitis is usually treated by keeping the blood pressure as normal as possible. In doing so, it will help keep the blood flowing to the colon. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection. Symptoms for mild Ischemic colitis usually last for only one to two days, if treated properly. Dehydration though may lead to hospitalization, so you can get fluids into your system.

For some, surgery may be essential. If you have tenderness to the abdominal and a fever that refuses to go away, surgery is probably necessary if treatment is not working. People who have blocked arteries may also have to have surgery. Also, if a hole in your colon appears it must be removed.

Older adults are at a high risk for getting Ischemic colitis. Also, people who have conditions that are connected with heart disease are at risk of Ischemic colitis. This includes using tobacco, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Unfortunately, research has yet to find something that will definitely prevent you from getting Ischemic colitis. If you have a severe risk of this illness, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, keep on getting treatment. Taking SEROVERA AMP 500 on a daily basis at the recommended dosage, exercising, following a colitis diet and stopping smoking can help your chances of preventing Ischemic colitis.