David May 17th, 2007
Up to 15 percent of the U.S. population suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
But it’s one of the most misunderstood disorder among patients, according to Dr. William D. Chey, director of the gastrointestinal physiology laboratory in the University of Michigan division of gastroenterology.
So he’s listed seven of the most common myths about the syndrome. Continue Reading »
David July 8th, 2006
“Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is just the diagnosis they give you when they can’t figure out what’s wrong.”
“IBS is from stress. If you just learn how to relax you’ll feel better.”
“It’s all in your head.”
Do any of these myths about IBS sound familiar to you? Perhaps you’ve heard them from family or friends over the years to dismiss your “tummy troubles.” Learn the truth behind some of things you may have heard.
Continue Reading »
David April 2nd, 2006
The discomfort of constipation can have several causes, but diet is always an important factor and a good place to start when seeking relief. There are certain foods that are more prone to cause constipation in many people. There also are foods that relieve constipation just as effectively. These foods work much more slowly than fiber supplements, laxatives, and stool softeners. These foods also have the advantage of being natural. Continue Reading »
David April 2nd, 2006
Much of the dietary information available for Irritable Bowel Syndrome is outdated and useless - or so inaccurate it’s actually likely to trigger symptoms instead of prevent them. What’s a reliable, fast and easy way to start following a diet that will actively help your Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms, instead of making them worse? A terrific first step is to start following: Continue Reading »
David March 27th, 2006
Your boss, your spouse, your mother-in-law, your bills, the I.R.S.- life is hard enough and going to the bathroom shouldn’t be. But for 20 million people the urge to go to the bathroom can be agonizing. The reason is a disorder known as irritable bowl syndrome (IBS). Continue Reading »
David March 26th, 2006
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that interferes with the normal functions of the colon. The symptoms are crampy abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common disorder found more often in women than in men and usually begins around age 20. Continue Reading »
David March 26th, 2006
Irritable Bowel Syndrome itself is not a disease. As its name indicates, it is a syndrome–a combination of signs and symptoms. But Irritable Bowel Syndrome has not been shown to lead to any serious, organic diseases, including cancer. Through the years, Irritable Bowel Syndrome has been called by many names, among them colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, or spastic bowel. However, no link has been established between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
David March 26th, 2006
Stress - feeling mentally or emotionally tense, troubled, angry, or overwhelmed -stimulates colon spasms in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The colon has a vast supply of nerves that connect it to the brain. These nerves control the normal rhythmic contractions of the colon and cause abdominal discomfort at stressful times. People often experience cramps or “butterflies” when they are nervous or upset. But with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the colon can be overly responsive to even slight conflict or stress. Stress also makes the mind more tuned to the sensations that arise in the colon and makes the stressed person perceive these sensations as unpleasant. Continue Reading »
David March 25th, 2006
The colon, which is about 5 feet long, connects the small intestine with the rectum and anus. The major function of the colon is to absorb water, nutrients, and salts from the partially digested food that enters from the small intestine. Two pints of liquid matter enter the colon from the small intestine each day. Stool volume is a third of a pint. The difference in volume represents what the colon absorbs each day. Continue Reading »
