The Dangers of Bleeding Ulcer

More and more people are suffering from digestive disorders these days. Due to poor diets, unhealthy lifestyles and the abuse of caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol, most people develop different forms of ulcer. There are multiple types of ulcer and some of them are considered to be life-threatening. Even milder forms of ulcer may endanger a person's life if the disorder is not appropriately treated.

Ulcer involves irritation, sores or lesions at different levels of the gastrointestinal tract. The main cause of ulcer is considered to be the infection with the bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which can be acquired through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Another cause of ulcer is the excessive production of hydrochloric acid and pepsin. When in excess, gastric acid may damage the protective walls of the stomach or other particular internal organs, enabling the bacteria to cause greater damage. Although the bacteria Helicobacter pylori and excessive gastric secretions are mainly responsible for the development of ulcer, there are also other factors that may contribute to the process: smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, etc.

When hydrochloric acid and pepsin are also involved in the development of the ulcer, the disorder is referred to as peptic ulcer. If the ulcer occurs at the level of the duodenum, the disorder is called duodenal ulcer. If the ulcer develops in the stomach, the disorder is called stomach or gastric ulcer. Gastric ulcer is considered to be a serious form of digestive disorder, as it may lead to complications and even cancer. The most severe complications of peptic ulcer are bleeding ulcer and perforate ulcer.

Bleeding ulcer is very dangerous and in some cases it can cause the death of the affected person. Bleeding ulcer requires immediate medical attention and in most cases it can only be corrected through surgery. Operations performed in order to treat bleeding ulcers are mostly done through the means of a gastroscope. General anesthesia is not always required in performing such operations. Fortunately, not all patients who suffer from bleeding ulcer need surgery. Latest experimental medicines have decreased the mortality rate of patients who develop such complications and maybe in the future oral treatment will become a substitute for today's surgery.

The most common symptoms of bleeding ulcer are: vomiting blood, presence of blood in the feces, black stools, nausea and dehydration. Bleeding ulcer can also lead to anemia; due to excessive blood loss, fewer red blood cells remain within the body, failing to provide sufficient oxygen to internal organs. It is vital to try to prevent bleeding ulcers from appearing, as in some cases they may be fatal. The best thing to do when confronted with the symptoms of ulcer is to immediately inform your physician of your problems, in order to receive an appropriate medical treatment, thus avoiding further complications of the disorder.

General Information on Gallbladder Disease

Bile is a substance made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder which helps the digestion of fat.
Where is the gallbladder situated?
The gallbladder is situated underside of the liver and releases bile after every meal especially the fatty ones.

Gallbladder disease affects mostly women.

The symptoms are pain of different intensity, jaundice, nausea and fever. Gallbladder disease appears when solid stones are formed in the gallbladder from cholesterol, bile salts and calcium, they are of different sizes-gallstones, they are caused by cholesterol in high quantities which forms crystals.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones appear in people of all ages and the possibility of developing increases with age, obese people, Chrone's disease and ulcerative colitis, people with high cholesterol level in the blood, women that follow contraceptive medication and those with antecents of gallstones are more susceptible to develop gallbladder disease.

Patients may manifest no symptom at all, but when they do is due to chronic cholecystitis (biliary colic) which is a chronic inflammation of the gallbladder manifested with pains in the upper abdomen or in the right side below the ribs, pain which is worse and worse, the pain may spread in the shoulder and sometimes is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain is difficult to be distinguished from other diseases such as: kidney stones, back problems, pneumonia, gastric ulcer, heart pains. The attack is triggered by fatty foods and can last for two to three hours, after it comes to normal.

Acute cholecystitis (acute inflammation or infection of the gall bladder) is a condition manifested with pain and tenderness under the ribs on the right side, temperature lasting more than twelve hours. The pain is getting worse when moving and coughing. There may be gallstones or only the infection. It is treated with antibiotics and in urgent cases emergency surgery is required to remove the gallbladder.

Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of eyes)
Appears when the flow of bile from the liver is obstructed.
Fever and other serious symptoms are suggestive for the infection through the bile duct system. Urine is coloured in dark, the skin and eyes are coloured in yellow and the skin becomes itchy. There may also appear similar symptoms as in cholecystitis.
These symptoms may appear all or only some of them, but at least one will manifest.

Painful attacks are to be treated with painkillers. Keeping a low fat diet and placing something warm on the pain spot are also helpful methods. If you have gallbladder and no symptoms appear then no treatment is required, there are also many alternative treatments which can be applied, if they are not effective surgery is highly recommended.

Psoriatic Arthritis Along With Pustular Arthritis & Steps For a Cure

Psoriatic arthritis, a chronic disease, is characterized by inflammation or swelling of skin (psoriasis) and joints (arthritis). It features patchy, red areas of human skin with inflammation and scaling. Psoriasis frequently affects the tips of our elbows and knees, the scalp, around the genital areas and the navel. Approximately 30% of patients who get psoriasis also develop an inflammation of joints. And patients having inflammatory arthritis and psoriasis are mostly diagnosed for having psoriatic arthritis.

The beginning of psoriatic arthritis is generally found in the fourth and fifth decade of human life. Gents and ladies are equally affected. The skin disease and the arthritis often appear separate. In fact, the psoriasis precedes the joint disease in about 80% of patients. But sometimes the arthritis also precedes the psoriasis in 15% of patients. In some people, the diagnosis of this arthritis may become difficult if the joint disease precedes psoriasis by long years. In fact, some patients have arthritis for more than 20 years before psoriasis actually appears! But also, patients have psoriasis for more than 20 years prior to arthritis development, leading to the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis is nothing but a systemic rheumatic disease that can cause inflammation in body tissues other than the skin, such as in eyes, lungs, heart, and kidneys. It shares several other arthritic conditions, like ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis (formerly known as Reiter's syndrome), and also arthritis associated along with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. All these conditions may cause inflammation or swelling in the spine and other joints also, and the eyes, mouth, skin, and various other organs. According to their similarities and tendency to give rise to inflammation of spine, these conditions are conjointly called as "spondyloarthropathies."

Genetic problems, disorder in immune system as well as atmospheric changes are the most important causes of this disease. In patients with the above cited disease who have arthritis of spine, a gene named HLA-B27 is frequently found. Blood testing is now available to test this. Several others are also found to be more common in patients with this arthritis. Some changes in immune system may be important sometimes in its development. For example, the decline in the number of helper T cells in AIDS patients plays a role in the development and progression of the disease psoriasis in patients. Now-a-days the importance of these infectious agents and also other environmental factors in the cause of this arthritis is investigated by researchers.

Pustular psoriasis is also one of the several types of psoriasis which causes parts of our skin to redden, expand and covered by pus-filled blisters called as pustules. There are also several subtypes of this psoriasis. It may stay confined to small areas of patients' body; some times, just on the palms of our hands, the soles of our feet, or the fingers and toes are harmed and this is called the focal form of this disease. But It also can cover larger areas of the body as well. The generalized form which is also called as von Zumbusch psoriasis is more serious, and this form can also be fatal. For its cure we have to follow the same steps as in normal psoriasis like, reducing stress, smoking, drinking and dealing a healthy life. Its treatment also follows the three processes that are, topical, light therapy and systemic.

Benefits of Fish Oil in Bodybuilding

You have probably heard people repeat over and over about the benefits of using fish oil but you have probably never known the full reason why this is so. The first quality that you should know about fish oils is that they supply the body with Omega 3 fats which are full of healing properties. Omega 3 is a special type of fatty acid that is polyunsaturated in nature. These beneficial oils mostly occur in fish. With respect to all the types of polyunsaturated fats that are available in nature there are only two that are of essence to the body.

These are the linoleic and linolenic acids. These acids are required to maintain the cell membranes, to maintain the body nerves and arteries in trim condition, and to regulate the normal growth patterns. The essential oils that have been mentioned above are indeed vital in keeping the skin lubricated and smooth. They also keep the joints well-oiled and flexible. These essential oils are required to facilitate the breaking down and subsequent metabolisms of cholesterol.

Fish oils do the body much good by supplying sufficient levels of the omega 3-fatty acids. One of the main reasons why it is important for you to have sufficient omega 3 oils is that the body needs them to reduce the amounts of both LDLs (low density lipoproteins) and triglycerides in the blood. If these substances are in excessive quantities they may as well bring about various cardiovascular diseases. Triglycerides are the true fats. They are deposited in the muscles and the fat tissue. Too much triglyceride in the body is counterproductive to health.

Perhaps the most important role that is played by the omega 3 fatty acids has to do with the amounts of LDLs (low density lipoproteins) and HDLs (high density lipoproteins) in the blood. For a fact, cholesterol may occur in the blood in either of the two formats. If it appears in the form of LDLs it implies that the quantity of cholesterol involved is too high. As such this cholesterol are deposited on the arterial walls in effect making them narrower and more constricted.

The LDLs are the worst type of cholesterol that you can have and they have negative impacts on the heart and the general cardiovascular system. On the other hand, HDLs contain lesser amounts of cholesterol. Their role is that of scrapping off the cholesterol that is deposited on the arterial walls and shipping these back to the liver for further breakdown. After this reprocessing, the products can be safely ejected from the body.

It is in this concept that the benefit of fish oil is heralded. The main reason as you may now know is that the Omega 3 fatty acids inherent in the fish oil are important for the well being of the arteries and the general cardiovascular system at large. Fish oils are also beneficial in helping recover from ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil is indeed an important supplement for any bodybuilder.

Chronic Illnesses Covered by Most Medical Aids

There are a lot medical aids offered in South Africa and all of them follow a set of rules that are created by the CMS (Council for Medical Scheme of South Africa) and they have also come up with a list of chronic diseases covered by the PMB's (Prescribed Minimum Benefits). This list contains 25 - 27 chronic illnesses. Each type of chronic disease needs a different amount of medicine prescribed per month that ensures continuous treatment. The list includes the following:

Addison's Disease

A type of renal insufficiency that targets the kidneys or adrenal glands.

Asthma

A lung disorder that causes difficulty in breathing by narrowing the airways, sometimes due to allergic reactions.

Bronchiectasis

A type of condition that causes destruction of the airway walls due to infection or inhalation of foreign objects.

Cardiac Failure

A disorder that causes the heart to maintain a sufficient amount of oxygen needed to support tissues.

Cardiomyopathy

A disease that destroys heart muscles.

Chronic Renal Disease

This disease renders the kidneys unable to excrete wastes.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

A disease that affects the lung's ability to inspire and expire properly.

Coronary Artery Disease

The thickening of artery walls in the heart.

Crohn's Disease

A disease that causes the large intestines and some parts of the small intestines to become inflamed.

Diabetes Insipidus

A disease that causes excessive urination and thirst due to imbalances of ADH (antiduretic hormones)

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

A Diabetes that is caused by the lack of insulin secretion.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Almost the same as Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, this disease is due to the relatively lack of insulin secretion of the pancreas

Dysrhythmias

This disease is caused by abnormal cardiac rhythms.

Epilepsy

A condition that causes seizures due to brain disorders.

Glaucoma

A disease that causes damage to the retina.

Haemophilia

A disease that renders the blood to clot properly.

Hyperlipidaemia

A disease caused by massive amounts of fatty acids in the blood.

Hypertension

This type of condition increases the blood pressure.

Hypothyroidism

This disease is caused by a relatively low amount of thyroid hormones.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease that damages the protective layer of the brain and the spinal cord.

Parkinson's Disease

This condition causes involuntary shaking or tremors.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A disease that causes joint deformity due to the inflammation of joints.

Schizophrenia

A condition affecting the brain resulting to psychotic thoughts and disturbing behavior.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A disease that causes inflammation of the skin.

Ulcerative Colitis

A disease that causes inflammation of the large intestines and the rectum.

Most chronic diseases cannot be cured, however, this list ensures that the person suffering from any type of condition contained in the list, get medical coverage including consultations and tests. Getting the right information, ensures that proper handling and treatment of these chronic diseases are well observed.

There, however, are diseases that are included in the list but are only available to comprehensive and exclusive plans only. This is why it is better to gather information like medical history before signing up for any medical aid.

Lymphocytic Colitis

Lymphocytic colitis is a type of bowel inflammation that affects the colon. In order to detect this disease, the doctor would need to perform a biopsy, which is a process where a piece of your tissue would be removed from the lining of your intestine.

Symptoms

You may experience chronic, watery, non-bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain or cramps if you have lymphocytic colitis. However, there are times when the symptoms for the disease do not show.

The medical community is still unsure about what causes lymphocytic colitis. It is assumed that certain bacteria, toxins or viruses trigger the inflammation and damage to the colon. It is also theorized that the disease is caused by autoimmune response, where the body's immune system destroys healthy cells for reasons yet to be discovered.

No one is actually safe from lymphocytic colitis. Both men and women are often diagnosed with this condition, although statistics show that there are more women affected by this disease compared to men. The majority of the people affected are between 60 to 80 years of age, but there have been reported cases where the victims are adults who are less than 45 years old. There have also been reports of lymphocytic colitis in children.

Treatment

The first step to treating lymphocytic colitis is to overhaul your lifestyle. Reduce the consumption of fat in the diet and eliminate the intake of caffeine, lactose and over-the-counter pain relievers.

If this still does not remedy the situation, medications can be taken to help control the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications and steroids are used to reduce the inflammation, but steroids are only recommended to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. Intake of steroids should be regulated to avoid detrimental side effects.

Immunosuppressive agents can also reduce inflammation, but this medication is rarely necessary. In extreme cases, the doctor may suggest removal of the colon. However, this is not really necessary as long as lymphocytic colitis is treated early and does not evolve to become colon cancer.

Crohn's Disease Fistula - What Are They and How Can They Effect You?

If you have Crohn's Disease something that you may not be aware of is what a fistula is. Even though I have had Crohn's for many years I am very lucky to have never have had a fistula. A fistula is an abnormal tunnel connecting two body cavities that are not normally connected, such as the rectum and the vagina. A fistula can also be a body cavity to the skin such as the rectum to the outside of the body.

One way that a fistula may develop is through an abscess, which is a pocket of pus in the body. If the abscess is always filled with bodily fluids, like urine or stools this can prevent healing from taking place. Fistulas are more common in Crohn's Disease than in Ulcerative Colitis, about 25% of people with Crohn's will develop a fistula.

Some of the symptoms that you can get if have a fistula are things like pain, fever, tenderness, itching, and generally not feeling very well. It may also drain pus or a foul smelling discharge, these symptoms vary depending on the severity and the location of the fistula.

A common place to get a fistula when you have crohn's is in the perianal region. They can be internal, around or between the intestine and other organs such as the bladder and abdominal wall. A fistula in the colon or rectum may cause the contents of the intestine to seep into the bladder, vagina or even drain through the skin. Fistulas can be common causes of sepsis in Crohn's disease, in some cases sepsis can be life threatening.

Fistulas are usually treatable and the treatment varies depending on the location. Around half of fistulas can heal themselves, but if you think that you have a fistula then it would be best for you to see your doctor and follow the recommendations that they give you to remedy the problem.

Beating Ulcerative Colitis - Diet Is Important

If you are one of those many people suffering from Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and are tired of taking numerous different medications day in a day out with very little effect, there are a lot of things you can do to make your health better. You can go for several complementary and alternative therapies which are known to have very good effect with no side effects. Both Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are sometimes together called irritable bowel syndrome which is actually a milder version of both the diseases and is greatly impacted by the food that one consumes. You can choose to go for the biologically based products and practices which are found to be very effective in fighting Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The food that you take in will help you ease the discomfort caused by the bowel diseases. Even though there are no certain foods which will cause the conditions, there are a few foods which will make the symptoms more severe. By getting a good knowledge about the nutrition and its effect on bowel diseases, you will be able to deal with them more aptly.

Food and nutrition are the main things that the doctor will try to change in an effort to help you fight these conditions. The nutrition plan will have to be tailor made just for you keeping in mind the condition that you have, the part of the intestine that is affected and several other parameters. You will have to focus on consuming a healthy and well balanced diet if you wish to overcome Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

You will have to take special care to ensure that you do not consume any kind of contaminated food. The contaminated food that you intake will result in food poisoning and dysentery which will make the condition even worse. It is hence recommended that you consume healthy and clean food to keep irritable bowel syndrome at bay.

Is it a Colitis Attack Or Not?

First of all, don't panic. Don't immediately start to worry about the future and what this will mean for your life. Yes your life will change but probably not to the exaggerated extent that your racing mind is suggesting.

The symptoms that you maybe suffering from could well not be colitis. Don't get inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) mixed up with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With IBS, you will experience a mild version of IBD. Yes you may have some discomfort in your bowel when going to the toilet and you will probably have some very small evidence of passing blood. It is imperative to seek your doctor's advice for colitis (IBD) to be discounted and if you are fortunate that you are given the all clear then just celebrate. Why did I just say this? Well, you have been spared the difficult journey that more people each year have to endure when they are diagnosed with colitis.

So what should you look out for as the early signs of colitis? You may notice a slight discomfort of feeling in your lower abdominal area. It can be brought about by the movement of walking. Normally, for example when an infection begins you feel its strength slowly building up. You are aware of its gradual influence over your body's health and how it influences then takes control over it. It is normally gradual. Colitis can often be very different. From very mild symptoms, such as the burning sensation in the abdominal area, to the onset of diarrhea, things can start to change very quickly.

Colitis is no respect of time, whatever is going on in your life, you can't just take a tablet or two to delay the symptoms. If you are going to get a colitis attack, it is going to happen no matter how you may wish to delay it or think "I will be okay to keep going for another week before it hits me" to the point where you will have to slow down and stop what you are doing. Furthermore, it is essential to understand that you can't assume that it will "just go away" if you ignore it. You must understand that ulceration of the colon is very serious and once occurred, it certainly will not "just disappear". If someone took this stance, they would be storing up a lot of trouble and discomfort for themselves.

If the colitis attack is not treated with the appropriate prescribed medication, the ulceration of the colon will go unchecked and the symptoms will worsen. The bleeding will intensify and coupled with an increase in the need to go to the toilet and the resultant pain, the sufferer will inevitably be faced with the no choice scenario of going to their doctor for a diagnosis and then undergoing treatment. Unfortunately, the patient might have endured a longer period of greater discomfort that could have been reduced had assist been asked for sooner. At this time, it is also important to seek the experience and knowledge of others who have experienced exactly what it is like to live through their first colitis attack and learned how to live life as normal as possible with ulcerative colitis. Little pieces of advice really can make a big difference.

All That You Wanted To Know About Colon Cleansing Side Effects

All of us are know about the benefits of colon cleansing. But another fact which we may not be aware of is that side effects also tend to occur while using the colon cleansing methods. It is important to understand what the normal side effects are and what the serious side effects are.

Colon cleansing side effects tend to occur even when you use herbs in order to clean the colon. The main reason for these adverse effect is the herb which is a part of these herbal colon cleansing products. These herbs only possess the properties which help in the relief of constipation besides enhancing the cleansing of colon. The adverse effect which tend to occur while using them include drowsiness as well as fatigue while a detoxification is in progress. Other common adverse effect include nausea, bloating as well as loss of appetite. And in case the herbal cleansing product contains the herb Senna, then the product should not be consumed for more than a week. Usually, urine discoloration also tends to occur while consuming Senna.

Colon cleansing side effects include chronic diarrhea also which can be dangerous. This is because it results in the loss of electrolytes like potassium. This loss can even be life-threatening. And in case of long term mineral loss, there can be even more severe effects like cardiac arrests, and kidney failures leading to death.

In case of overuse of Senna, it can lead to over-dependency. This means that the colon would lose its natural ability to defecate. Thus it is advisable to consult a doctor prior to taking Senna. This should also be done in case you suffer from any inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis. Senna tends to affect the body in a way that the colon will not be able to absorb water. This can lead to dehydration as well as electrolyte imbalance.

Thus, pregnant, nursing women as well as children should not take Senna. Similarly, the herb Cascada Sagrada also produces similar adverse effect. It is not advisable to consume it for more than a week. In case of mothers who are breastfeeding, Cascada Sagrada gets excreted along with the breast milk.

Certain herbs can trigger off an allergic reaction. The allergic symptoms would include lip swelling, tongue as well as face swelling, besides difficulty in breathing and hives. In such a case, it is best to stop consuming the product immediately as well as seek prompt medical attention. But generally, Senna as well as Cascada Sagrada is tolerated quite well by the general population.
Colon hydrotherapy can also be dangerous in case it is administered by personnel who are not trained well-enough.

A Book Review: Overcoming Arthritis - Holistic Treatments for Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and CFS

As with other books I have reviewed (Iodine and Overcoming Thyroid Disorders), Brownstein provides his readers with valuable information regarding the nature of a number of related conditions including arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and others. He explains the various symptoms and underlying causes. Based on the particular underlying causes, he uses a combination of therapies including natural hormones, vitamins and minerals, allergy elimination, detoxification, diet and water.

One unique aspect of his approach to treating arthritis is that he has observed a connection between arthritis and infection. So in addition to a number of natural therapies, he may combine with them a low dose of antibiotics. He listed a number of diseases that he suspects of having an infectious etiology (cause): Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, Vasculitis, Reither's Syndrome, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Graves Disease, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Polymyositis, Juvenile Arthritis, Sjogren's Syndrome, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. In addition, he lists 14 different infectious causes of arthritis.

From the Greek, arthritis means inflammation of the joints. Also a chronic disorder, fibromyalgia is a condition of poor sleep, muscle pain, stiffness and tender trigger points on the body. Those with fibromyalgia often have the diagnosis of other disorders including arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms include: impairment of short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender cervical or axillary nodes, muscle pain, multi joint pain without redness or swelling, headaches of a new pattern or severity, unrefreshing sleep, and postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.

Brownstein tests his patients' hormonal levels (thyroid, adrenal, ovarian and testicular), for infection, nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity and allergies. Dr. Brownstein devotes two chapters on Natural Hormones and refers the reader to his own book, The Miracles of Natural Hormones.

In his chapter on diet, he talks of the macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates and proteins) and points out how Americans have become obese from the pyramid recommendation of low fat and high carbohydrate diet. (Now replaced with http://www.ChooseMyPlate.gov). While he does not agree with Dr. Barry Sears in every point, he recommends much of what he says in Enter the Zone. Brownstein also recommends Sally Fallon's treatment of dietary fats in her book, Nourishing Traditions.

Dr. Brownstein refers to a study that lists the food allergies that can cause arthritic symptoms (listed from most frequent to less frequent): Corn, Wheat, Pork, Oranges, Milk, Oats, Rye, Egg, Beef and Coffee. Environmental allergies include animals, pollens from trees, grass, weeds etc., chemicals and others. He uses NAET (Nambudripod's Allergy Elimination Technique) to diagnosis and treat allergies. It is a combination of applied kinesiology and acupuncture. I believe that allergies may result from consuming these foods or from ingredients used in the growth/production of these foods. There may be multiple reasons why this happens.

Further, Dr. Brownstein outlines general guidelines for nutritional supplements and ways to detox heavy metals. Truly, Brownstein's approach to arthritis and related conditions is holistic, in that it is comprehensive.

In addition to his own extensive medical practice and the data he has gathered over the years, he references other esteemed medical colleagues. In his chapter on Water, he recommends and quotes: F. Batmanghelidj, M.D author of Your Body's Many Cries for Water and ABC of Asthma, Allergies and Lupus. Further, he references Jonathan V. Wright M.D. who wrote the Foreword of this book and is author of numerous books. Throughout the book, Brownstein gives ample case studies to illustrate his approach. He also quotes Thomas Edison who said, "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest the patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease."

Books mentioned in the review can be purchased on http://www.amazon.com.

An Insight to L-Arginine Dosage and Benefits

L-Arginine is an essential amino acid that acts as a building block for proteins in the body. In most of the cases, our body maintains the needful levels of this amino acid on its own. However, during the course of aging, infections, severe burns, injuries etc the body's supply of this essential amino acid gets depleted. Under such circumstances, it is imperative that proper intake of the same should be considered in order to replenish it. It is also useful for patients with different types of health disorders.

There are many benefits associated with intake of L-Arginine. Most common of the L-Arginine Benefits to human body are:

i) Its intake helps inhibit the primary mechanism of aging process. It increases the release of Human Growth Hormone also known as HGH from the pituitary gland.

ii) It has proven benefits for cardiovascular system:

a) It works on improving the blood circulation, increases the ability to exert physically.

b) It helps with vasodilation in patients who have angina.

c) It prevents the occurrence of atherosclerosis and also helps relieve the severity of existing atherosclerosis.

d) By stimulating the production of nitric oxide, it improves circulation of the blood.

e) Its use also helps in prevention of abnormal clotting of the blood by increasing vasodilation.

f) It increases cardiac output and stroke volume.

iii) It lowers the blood pressure in hypertensive patients. It also reverses the bad effects of high blood pressure.

iv) It has specially efficacy to improve the digestive system. It decreases the incidence of gallstones and reduces intestinal permeability. In many cases, it has shown alleviation of gastrointestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

v) For immune system, it works by preventing viral and bacterial diseases. It also improves the efficacy of cancer treatments.

vi) It helps in reducing hair loss, especially male pattern baldness

vii) It accelerates healing of wounds and burns.

viii) It can benefit men with erectile dysfunction.

ix) It improves memory and aids in loss of excess weight.

Recent studies have revealed that supplemental dosages of Arginine can provide many types of health benefits when taken daily for a 3-month period. In order to boost the effects, in many patients they can be combined with L-citrulline - another essential amino acid. In view of the different nutritional and physical needs, the right L-Arginine Dosage needs to be identified and administered accordingly.

There are many online stores that offer you the supplements for the same. Opt for a reliable store that offers quality products. Online order can also be placed. If you wish to seek an L-Arginine supplement for prevention of a particular health condition, it is imperative that you consult your primary care doctor for right dosage and targeted approach.

Colitis Cure - Natural Remedies That Work

Many people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have already tried prescription drugs and often surgery to combat their illness. In most cases, the medical treatments only work to suppress the symptoms for a while. But since they don't heal the underlying causes of colitis, it is nearly impossible to effect a cure using medical methods.

Ulcerative colitis is usually caused by one or several of the following factors combining synergistically to produce disease. If you go back over your own personal health history, I think you'll find a mix of the following damaging events, that singly or in combination have degraded the health of your gut and immune system:

• 
  Antibiotic Use - any antibiotic therapy that is not followed by full-spectrum probiotic therapy causes lasting, pervasive damage to the bacterial flora of your gastrointestinal tract (from mouth to anus), which in turn leads to increased infestation of yeast, parasites, viruses, bad bacteria and other pathogens. These pathogens degrade the mucosal lining and damage the intestinal wall (symptoms include bloating, gas, inflammation, bleeding, etc.) which leads to Leaky Gut Syndrome, which then triggers allergic and auto-immune response. Certain antibiotic drugs can cause ulcerative colitis all by themselves (like Novo Clindamycin), and the pharmaceutical information that comes with these products even explicitly warns of this. Yet medical doctors continue to prescribe them and also don't follow usage with probiotics.




• 
  Environmental and Food-borne Toxins - processed foods with preservatives, monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial sweeteners and flavors, nitrites and other proven toxins and carcinogens, microwaved foods, toxins contained in skin care products, shampoos, cosmetics, furniture, carpets, and the air (to name a few sources) all cause cellular and systemic damage.




• 
  Vaccination - childhood, adult, flu vaccines, etc. Causes direct damage to bacterial flora of the gut and long-term, immune system damage. See my article, "Should I Vaccinate My Child?" for details and scientific references.




• 
  Emotional Trauma or Abuse - don't underestimate the damaging effects of abusive or traumatic emotional experiences on the body, and the gut in particular. For some of you, this may be damage from your past that was never resolved/healed, and/or ongoing emotional patterns or experiences that continue to degrade your health daily. Remember that 60% of your body's neurotransmitters are in your gut, not your brain! An excellent book on this topic is When The Body Says No by Gabor Mate, MD.




• 
  Parasites & Pathogenic Microorganisms - if your gut ecology is already weakened or imbalanced, travel to a foreign country or ingestion of tainted food/water can be the 'straw that breaks the camel's back'. If your bacterial flora is already imbalanced with a deficit of beneficial bacteria, then it's very easy for parasites, yeast, molds, bad bacteria, or fungus to flourish. These pathogens then degrade the health of your intestinal mucosal lining, which can result in ulceration, inflammation, bleeding and subsequent damage to your systemic health.

Each of these causative factors - including lesser factors like whether or not you were breastfed, your mother's health while you were in utero, hereditary/genetic weaknesses, heavy metal levels in your body, mercury amalgam fillings in your teeth, pesticide exposure, etc. - will contribute in varying degrees and combinations to your particular pathology. Different people are susceptible to different factors and something that strongly affects your friend adversely, may only mildly affect you adversely. There is seldom just one factor (pathogen) in isolation that causes ulcerative colitis. However, I believe each of us is capable of identifying our own particular pathology, or the causative factors, of our own ill health and then taking the steps that will be particularly healing to each of us.

Once you've identified the underlying root causes of your colitis, you can seek out potent natural remedies to heal each of those causative factors. If infection is the cause of your colitis, then your medical doctor will likely already have put you on antibiotics to wipe out the bad bacteria that are infecting your colon. However, unless this was followed by therapeutic-grade probiotics, then your colon is likely infected again, plus overrun with yeast (Candida albicans), which flourishes following antibiotic usage.

So in this case, you would need a potent natural antibiotic like wild oregano oil, followed by high dose, therapeutic-grade probiotics and a low-sugar diet to prevent relapse. You may also need targeted supplements to repair the damage done to your mucosal lining and intestinal wall - like L-glutamine, aloe vera, N-acetyl glucosamine, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, slippery elm, marshmallow root, etc.

Lastly, you need to keep in mind that natural healing is not quick. Since it is healing the actual cause(s) of your colitis (which no doubt took a long time to build up in your body), this healing and balancing will take some time. You know that if you cut your finger open, for example, it will not heal immediately, but takes time to heal. In addition, your body will simultaneously be cleansing and detoxing from pathogens, drug residues, and other toxins, and this also takes time.

But if you truly want to 'cure' your colitis - not just suppress the symptoms, or experience short-term remissions - then natural, holistic healing is the pathway to success. Yes. it takes time. This is why I call it a "Healing Journey", but it is so very worth it.

Do You Experience Explosive Diarrhea After Eating?

Explosive diarrhea after eating is not pleasant: you go out to a restaurant, and enjoy a beautiful meal but within a half hour you start to feel stomach cramps, and that horrible feeling in your bowels that something is about to happen!

I am sure you know the feeling - we all get it now and again, but some of us a lot more than others. The cramps get worse, and you have to rush to the rest room where you have explosive diarrhea. The problem is that you never know when you are finished, and it can be extremely embarrassing. Wouldn't you just love to have that cured?

Of course you would, and there are a few possible reasons for diarrhea after eating, such as allergy to the gluten in many foods, although the most common is IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome to give it its Sunday name. This is a condition that affects up to 20% of all Americans.

The root cause of IBS usually is not a single trigger but a complex set of triggers, with explosive diarrhea after eating as one of the main symptoms. IBS can be tied with celiac disease, which is an intolerance to the gluten protein in some grains such as wheat. It is difficult to know where the beginning starts with these types of digestive issues, thus it is a condition that has to be targeted from several directions.

Main stream medicine has trouble diagnosing IBS, because it has such similar symptoms as several other digestive disorders. In fact IBS not only causes diarrhea, but can also cause the exact opposite: severe constipation. The way that IBS is generally diagnosed is to test with very invasive procedures for all other known causes of the symptoms, and once none are left it must be IBS. How unscientific! No wonder that the best remedies for you are natural ones. Let's discuss a few alternative diarrhea cures that you can try.

1. Your diet. It is probably worth while trying a gluten free diet just to make sure that is not the cause. Lactose can also cause similar symptoms, so if you keep free of these for a week or so and the symptoms disappear, then you could have found your cure. However, celiac disease occurs in only 1 in each 133 of the population: a long way away from 20%!

2. Eating a lot of fruit and vegetables can help some people. You might feel tempted to increase your fiber intake, but that can often cause symptoms of bloating and gas. Many find that bananas can help both the diarrhea and constipation symptoms of IBS. Many people swear by them, and so are worth a try. The high potassium content of bananas helps replace potassium that is lost through diarrhea, and also helps in the proper formation of stools. Juiced greens also seem to be an effective treatment for some.

3. Activated charcoal absorbs gas and toxins, and helps your stool to form properly.

4. Garlic is useful in that it helps to remove parasites and mucus from your colon, and fights infections in the gut. It also expels gas, and a combination of all of these effects can help relieve some of the symptoms of your condition. A side-benefit of garlic is that it is also good for your heart!

5. Slippery elm taken with a lot of water can coat the colon, and treat chronic diarrhea and ulcerative colitis. It appears to soothe and heal your whole gastro-intestinal tract and help you to form normal stools.

6. Where children are involved, agrimony and meadowsweet are very useful because they are mild but effective herbal remedies for explosive diarrhea after eating, and meadowsweet is both astringent and nutritious for children.

Diarrhea after eating can also be caused by drinking too much alcohol, infections from contaminated food or water, parasites and also emotional stress and other similar conditions. An example of one of the minor causes is withdrawal from some forms of prescription painkillers.

However, most of these cause only temporary diarrhea which goes when the condition is cured. Nevertheless some other natural remedies reflect one or two of these other causes. So, to continue:

7. Stress relieving herbs such as catnip and chamomile are particularly effective in treating IBS and other conditions of the bowel, and far more effective that St. John's Wort for this condition. Kava kava and valerian are useful in dealing with general stress: in fact kava kava is increasing in popularity, and can relax you without affecting your mental alertness. Hops also help to reduce stress, but not in the form of beer!

8. Finally, probiotic drinks and supplements can increase the volume of friendly bacteria in your gut, and improve your digestion in general as well as regulating the function of your bowel.

All of these remedies are a good place to start for overcoming explosive diarrhea after eating. They are easy to try, and actually aid your body in healing, unlike many of the manufactured chemical drugs that can have severe side effects, only address the symptoms and not the root causes, and can even make your condition worse.

While main stream medicine still does not recognize the causes of IBS and struggles to give definitive diagnoses, if you are struggling with diarrhea after eating or other digestive disturbances, you can try these natural remedies since they are easy to take and give good results. They have been recommended after countless years of successful use by untold numbers of people that have gone before us.

Risk Factors in Bowel Cancer

Most of us flirt with the risk factors for bowel cancer. How many of us don't exercise enough; eat the wrong foods and have bad habits such as drinking and smoking that are not conducive to good health? How many of us are stressed in our high powered lifestyles and don't seem to have enough time to exercise or prepare healthy meals?

So what are the risk factors for bowel cancer and what can we do about them.
The main risk factor of bowel cancer is age.

* 83% of people who get bowel cancer are over the age of 60yrs.
* Poor diet.
* Lack of exercise.
* Smoking.
* Being over the age of 50. (risk increases with age)
* You have a family history of bowel cancer.
* If you have ever had Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
* If you have previously had polyps called adenomas in your bowel.

So, if 83% of people who get bowel cancer are over the age of 60 years and I'm well under that, I'm safe, right? Not exactly, there's still17% left who get bowel cancer below that age and some in their 20's.

So what to do? For a start, if you are approaching 60years old, book yourself in for a colonoscopy. Who knows they may find nothing, on the other hand they may find something that can be dealt with before it gets serious. For those younger, be vigilant and look for any signs and symptoms that may manifest themselves.

Fortunately bowel cancer is fairly slow in developing; unfortunately it doesn't show symptoms until it's developed. Therefore, the earlier you go to the doctor, if any symptoms do occur, the better for your long term survival.

Poor diet, something a lot of us suffer from. Whether it be fast food for convenience sake or those yummy snacks we eat when we are probably not even hungry, it doesn't matter, they take their toll. For a start this type of food will probably be high in fat or processed to death. Take your pick, neither is good. Fresh vegetables and fruit are a good start on the road to good eating habits. Plenty of fibre and water to get the flow going is another plus on the road to good eating habits. There are plenty of books on the subject, go out and find them and educate yourself.

Lack of exercise, another pastime we often ignore, especially when we are asleep in front of the TV. You don't have to be a marathon runner to exercise. Walking is extremely good for you.10,000 steps a day is fantastic. Get yourself one of those step counters and clip it to your belt and see how much you walk in a single day. Some will be pleasantly surprised and some will be disappointed. The good thing is it's a simple way to define and reach your goal. Be good to yourself and use the stairs, walk the dog, walk to the shops and leave the car at home. Do any sort of walking to get your 10,000 steps and you are heading toward the healthy zone.

My next article will finish off the risk factors we started in this article.

Colitis Symptoms and 3 Natural Hemorrhoid Treatments

Manifestations of different colitis symptoms can vary in severity. Colitis symptoms are very similar to those of pathological hemorrhoid and without proper diagnosis, are easily mistaken to be cases of infected hemorrhoids. Colitis symptoms include abdominal pains, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, cramping of gastrointestinal muscles, tenesmus, and bloating.

Colitis symptoms manifest in several physical conditions such as tenderness of the entire abdomen, abrupt weight loss, more frequent bowel habits, fever, excretion of bloody stools, and distension.

As the name implies, colitis refers to the inflammation of the colon. However, it can also be used to describe the inflammation of the large intestine in general which encompasses cecum, colon, and rectum. Colitis can be acute and restricted to itself, or chronic. It can be caused by several factors such as underlying infections, poor blood supply, or a weakened immune system.

The colon, in particular, collects and temporarily stores the waste products of food digestion. It is a long tube made of smooth muscles, that pushes undigested food through the anus for excretion. This process is collectively called the bowel movement. However, when the walls of the colon get irritated and inflamed, the movement of the bowels through the canal creates further pressure and friction on the walls. This, in turn, makes the underlying tissues more inflamed, ultimately leading to what is known as colitis.

The colon is situated within the abdominal cavity and is divided into segments - the cecum, the ascending and descending colons, and the rectum. The end part of the colon is the segment most prone to developing colitis since it contains more concentration of tissues and membranes. The colitis in this area eventually ends up as the hemorrhoids in the anus. As the canal runs through the end, the walls tend to be more susceptible to underlying infections that causes colitis symptoms to be felt.

The wall of the colon is made up of different layers. First, there is a smooth muscle layer, which wraps the exterior and is responsible for squeezing and pushing the waste products all the way through the colon. The inner layers, also called as mucosa, touches these fluid waste products, which will then absorb remaining water and electrolytes in it, thus solidifying it into feces. It is in the mucosal layer where the colon inflammation occurs and serves as one of the stages where colitis symptoms manifest.

Colitis symptoms are identified and diagnosed through a physical examination, and laboratory tests including medical imaging, such as x-rays, and colonoscopy.

Since colitis symptoms are similar to hemorrhoids, relief could be achieved through the same three natural ways used in treating infected hemorrhoids. These treatments involve eating foods that are rich in fiber, such as green leaf vegetables and fruit, in order to induce proper digestion and bowel movement. Natural products like apple cider vinegar and Cayenne pepper can help mitigate internal bleeding and prevent further infection. Natural herbs promote good digestion and help maintain a healthy digestive tract.

How Does Zinc PCA Shampoo Control Oily Hair and Hair Loss

A Zinc PCA Shampoo provides several benefits to those experiencing hair loss or chronically oily hair. Zinc helps regulate and control sebaceous glands that secrete oil onto our scalp and hair. Equally effective, Zinc PCA also helps block DHT, a primary cause of male hair loss.

Zinc L-Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid has several important functions on skin and scalp. It comes in the form of salt as well as Zinc PCA. As Zinc PCA, functions to inhibit catalase to limit the production of DHT (Dihydroxytestostosterone). DHT is responsible for sebaceous gland production of sebum as well as constricting blood flow to the scalp. When this chemical compound slows the oil production in the perifollicular sebaceous glands, it effectively also controls and lowers the cause of the oily feeling of hair.

Other benefits include the static properties against bacteria and fungi. In this way it secondarily controls odor that arises from bacterial overgrowth. While it controls sebum production, it moisturizes through other chemical reactions. This makes a Zinc PCA shampoo excellent for several applications - controlling oily scalp and hair, helping stop hair loss, and as an active ant-fungal.

Where Is Zinc Found?

The trace elements can be obtained through diet. Any fish, if you eat it two to three times a week will provide you with enough minimum levels that you shouldn't have to take supplements or vitamins. Shellfish have especially large amounts of zinc in it. It can also be found in oysters, Veal liver, and in wheat germ. Seeds, like watermelon seeds, pumpkin or sesame seeds will provide adequate amounts as will dark chocolate.

There are many sources from which you can get your daily recommended amounts. Remember that it is a trace element. This means that only a trace amount of it is needed to fulfill the body's requirement for it. However, if there is any doubt that you may be deficient, an all-around diet supplements will help you restore any deficiency.

Who May Be At Risk Of Oily Hair or Hair Loss Through Zinc Deficiency

Most people do not have to worry about vitamin or mineral deficiencies. However, if you are battling certain illnesses, such as sickle cell disease, or if you have had GI surgery due to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, you may want to be sure to take supplements. These surgeries involve removal or alteration of certain parts of the intestine, thereby compromising absorption abilities that occur through the bowels.

Vegetarians and Alcoholics may experience zinc deficiencies. The vegetarian may be deficient because of the decreased availability of zinc, which is found in much greater concentrations in meat and fish than in legumes, grains and vegetables. The alcoholic may be deficient because his metabolism has changed so that re-absorption of zinc through the GI system has been reduced and elimination via urine increased.

Zinc PCA And Hair

With its enzymatic activity, a Zinc PCA shampoo will suppress the production of oil in the sebaceous glands. It is those sebum producing glands that express oil along the hair shaft, giving it an oily feeling and look. Not only does it inhibit excess oil production, but it will also absorb some of the oil already on the scalp. In this way it keeps hair better looking, healthier and keeps the scalp from becoming infected with bacteria as well. Zinc also inhibits the action of 5-alpha-reductace, the enzyme that produces DHT. DHT is a testosterone derivative which is much higher in males than in females. In short, a Zinc PCA shampoo suppresses sebum production in the scalp.

The Do's and Don'ts of an Effective Diet For Colitis

Whilst there appears little connection between a poor quality diet and the diagnosis of colitis, diet does have a significant role to play during both periods of flare up and remission. Through careful awareness of the effects of diet on the bowel, a sufferer can still enjoy a varied diet for colitis whilst in remission and another for periods of attack that will not compound the symptoms.

It is often the case that as soon as people hear about the medical condition of colitis they immediately conclude that a sufferer's diet will have to change beyond recognition and that all fibre should be eliminated. They view fibre as the last food group that a sufferer should inflict on their ulcerated large colon. This common misunderstanding could not be further from reality as it should be recognised that there are actually two distinct types of fibre.

The two types of fibre have differing effects on someone diagnosed with colitis. Soluble fibre is in fact helpful for colitis and should be encouraged in its use as it is broken down and digested in the large colon. The result of this is the production of soft stools and has the benefit of not producing the type of particles that can adhere to the wall of the large colon and ultimately cause inflammation. Included in the variety of soluble fibre that a colitis sufferer can eat are fruits such as apples and pears plus root vegetables including potatoes and carrots. Just remember that they must all be peeled to avoid the problematic fibre in the skins. Oat bran can be eaten such as porridge plus the use of white rice in savoury dishes.

In complete contrast to this, insoluble fibre can have the unfortunate affect of inflaming colitis and thus steps should be taken to avoid it if possible. The difference is that this type of fibre passes through the entire digestive tract without being digested. The result of this is that there is a tendency for it to adhere to the wall of the large colon. This can have the effect of irritating it and thus increase the chance of aggravating the ulceration. This is particularly important to avoid during the period of a flare up. A high fibre diet is made up of insolubles and includes the peel of fruits and vegetables plus broccoli, cabbage and sweet corn. You should be aware that wheat bran which is found in wholemeal bread and several breakfast cereals should be avoided.

Another beneficial food group to include in a diet for colitis is fish oils especially from oily fish such as sardines. It is acknowledged that fish oil has a beneficial effect in reducing inflammation generally plus also it is a soluble foodstuff that easily passes through the bowel. It should be noted that eating actual fish rather than fish oil supplements will be far more beneficial to the colitis sufferer.

Plus also, another factor in a diet for colitis that should be examined is the amount of consumption of dairy products such as milk, cream and cheese. Whilst it is not essential to eliminate this food group from the diet, it is well advised to lower present consumption to reduce the chance of the build up of lactose in the colon, which unfortunately has the effect of encouraging the production of unhelpful bacteria that can result in inflammation.

It should be recognised that an effective diet for colitis does not necessarily suggest a heavily restricted choice. In fact, when in remission, the sufferer can enjoy a diet as close to normal as possible though this has to change when a flare up occurs. It is then that there has to be even more vigilance about what is eaten and the resultant effect it has on the bowel activity.

Easy Inexpensive Home Test For Bowel Function - Test Yourself!

The famous Greek physician Hippocrates said, "All disease begins in the gut." 70% of your immune system resides in the gut, there are more nerve cells in the small intestine alone than in the brain and spinal chord combined and every single chemical produced in the brain is also made in the gut. If you are having trouble losing weight this could actually be an imbalance in the bacterial colonies in your intestine!

Your digestion is a key factor in achieving optimal health.

The bowel transit time test is an easy and inexpensive way to assess your gut function. To perform the test do the following: Ingest six 250mg capsules of activated charcoal (inert substance that will stain your stool black or gray), 翹 cup of unpopped popcorn, or 翹 ounce of a liquid vegetable dye following completion of the largest meal of the day. Make a note of the exact time. After each bowel movement the stools should be observed. Log the time when you first visualize a sign of the substance and continue until the substance has completely disappeared in successive bowel movements. The total time from the ingestion of the substance until complete disappearance is then recorded as your bowel transit time.

Normal bowel transit time is 18-24 hours. If your transit time is longer than 24 hours you may have a toxic bowel, poor muscular tone of the bowel, enlarged colon, dysbiosis (bacterial colonies are out of balance), leaky gut, dehydration, hypothyroidism, low stomach acid production, pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, gall bladder dysfunction, or adrenal stress.

If your transit time is less than 18 hours you may have malabsorption, parasites, gluten intolerance, bacterial or viral infection, sympathetic nervous system overdrive, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or acute poisoning.

Repeat the test in 3-5 days to see if your results are consistent. This can provide valuable data about not only your gut function but your overall health. If you perform this test please mark your findings and bring them to your next appointment. Your gut function must be working well to balance the rest of the systems of your body. A stool test may be required to evaluate the specific type of parasite you may have or to pinpoint any of the other imbalances showing up on your home test.

Try this easy and inexpensive test today!

Why Colitis Symptoms Can Return After a Relapse

Once the sufferer has endured the worst of a colitis relapse, their strength slowly returns and having no doubt been confined to indoors for a period of time, they will be anxious to get out and start living life to the full again. Unfortunately, if key points are not understood and adhered to, the colitis symptoms that were so painful and discomforting to endure, could well make a fast reappearance.

Having been stuck indoors for several weeks, the feeling of freedom can be amazing. Now that you have entered the phase where the discomfort has disappeared, it really can feel wonderful to be outside again and undertake the little things that you would normally take for granted. The sense of being able to undertake usual daily activities again without any discomfort, reintroduce your normal diet, every thing that you normally take for granted when well. But you must be on your guard.

It is essential to be very cautious about what you do and undertake until you know that the relapse had ended completely and that the inflammation of the colon had reduced entirely. It is not the case to assume that once the symptoms such as the passing of frequent diarrhea and blood have stopped that the sufferer can assume that the relapse has passed and life can begin as normal once again. The inflammation of the colon takes many weeks to be eliminated through the use of medication such as steroids and therefore whilst the symptoms may have reduced or disappeared, the safe haven of remission mode has not as yet been reached.

The effective action to take in the short term is the very cautious approach. Reintroduce daily activities back into your life very slowly in a restrained way so as not to put too much mental and physical pressure on your body. Yet some sufferers do not do this and before they have enjoyed the start of remission their health takes a downward turn. Through incorrect advice that they receive, their own actions, their lack of understanding of colitis and lack of appreciation of how strong this disease is in fighting back colitis makes an unwanted return.

The cause can be incorrectly returning to your work far too soon. And whilst the pressure to return to work will most likely exist, the sufferer must consider the impact it will have on their recovery and overall health. Through undertaking both physical and mental tasks far too soon, and it is so easy to do this, there is the increasing chance that the relapse will not be given the full opportunity to pass whereby colitis symptoms could re-emerge. There requires to be more rest taken than usual when in the early days of remission to give the body greater time to recover and ease back into the pattern of everyday life. Ignorance of this can be very costly.

It is imperative to realize that one of the most susceptible times for a colitis sufferer is the period just after a relapse has died down. There may not be the feeling of any discomfort any longer, in fact the sufferer might be feeling really quite well again, but that does not mean they are out of the immediate danger zone. By using the knowledge of other colitis sufferers they can find the answers to avoid unintentionally provoking what were dying colitis symptoms into a second life.

Ulcerative Colitis Surgery

Ulcerative colitis surgery involves removing all or part of the colon, which includes the large intestine and rectum. Ulcerative colitis surgery is the only known cure for the disease, but it can often be controlled with medication and complimentary treatment programs including botanicals, vitamins, dietary changes and chiropractic therapy. There is no specific diet for someone with ulcerative colitis. Experts and healthcare professionals as well as those who suffer from the disease do not always agree on what foods to include in or exclude from a diet for someone with ulcerative colitis.

In an effort to delay or negate the necessity for ulcerative colitis surgery, many patients look for alternative and supplemental treatments. Some are unhappy with the side effects associated with their prescription medications, but even those who do research concerning alternative treatments do not recommend that anyone stop taking their medicine. It is important to control the disease. A special diet for someone with ulcerative colitis may not be enough. If symptoms are mild, then natural remedies and dietary changes may be effective, but it is a chronic disease, meaning it has a tendency to flare up again and again overtime. For this reason counseling and support groups are often recommended before and after ulcerative colitis surgery. Chronic diseases often lead to depression and/or anxiety. Anxiety can aggravate symptoms of the disease.

A diet for someone with ulcerative colitis should be well-balanced, on this point everyone agrees. Frequent diarrhea may prevent the body from being able to use essential nutrients. Frequent bleeding may lead to anemia. Vitamin supplementation, particularly with Vitamins D and B12, should be added to the diet for someone with ulcerative colitis. When symptoms are severe and cannot be controlled with medication or if the colon becomes so inflamed that perforation is a possibility, the only real option is ulcerative colitis surgery.

Foods to include in or exclude from a diet for someone with ulcerative colitis is a point on which there is little agreement. Some experts suggest that nuts, meats and eggs should be excluded while others say to include these foods. The best way to find an effective diet for someone with ulcerative colitis is to record what foods cause flare-ups and avoid those foods. A well balanced diet is one that includes a combination of fresh foods, salt and preservatives may aggravate symptoms. Products containing caffeine, sugar and other things that may have a laxative effect should be avoided. Alcohol and cigarette smoking should be avoided.

A special diet for someone with ulcerative colitis may not exist, but there are many diets that individuals have found effective. Eliminating certain foods from the diet may seem restrictive, but may help delay the need for ulcerative colitis surgery.

Mucus In Stool - Should I Be Worried?

The fact is a healthy digestive system will produce a certain amount of mucus in the stool. The mucus acts like a lubricant which makes for an easier passage through the large intestinal canal.

However, if you notice more mucus than normal, it becomes persistent and is accompanied by blood, then you should visit your doctor for a check-up.

Reasons Why

Large amounts of mucus in the stool can be caused by a number of chronic digestive disorders.

Common examples include:

繚 Crohns disease

繚 Ulcerative colitis

繚 Celiac disease

繚 Colon or bowel cancer

Mucus in the stool can often be a sign of inflammation. When the digestive tract is irritated by certain foods the intestinal walls can react by producing a mucus like substance. This mucus acts as a way of protecting the sensitive lining of gut.

Bacterial Overgrowth

Many nutritional experts consider the most common cause of mucus in the stool is a bacterial overgrowth within the intestinal tract. This happens when your good bacteria is overrun by disease causing pathogens and yeast infections such as Candida.

A bacterial overgrowth is responsible for causing a number of digestive problems that include indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

A bacteria overgrowth is often a result of the type of diet you're eating. If you eat lots of processed foods and foods containing refined sugar and flour, then your risk of a bacterial overgrowth is higher.

Food Intolerances

Excessive mucus can also be caused if you're allergic or intolerant to certain foods. For example, gluten which is a type of protein found in wheat and rye is an irritant that can cause inflammation in the gut. This can also lead to bloating and diarrhea.

Milk can also be a problem if you've an enzyme deficiency. Lactose, which are the sugars in milk, need to be broken down by the enzyme lactase, otherwise it can cause excessive gas, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Certain people aren't able to produce this enzyme and milk can cause them distressing digestive problems.

To Avoid Mucus In Your Stool

Begin by avoiding foods that you've an adverse reaction to as these foods will cause inflammation. Therefore, avoid foods that contain wheat and milk.

With a bacterial overgrowth you will need to replace your lost intestinal flora in order to restore balance to your digestive system. This can be achieved by eating more natural foods that are rich in fiber, enzymes and prebiotics.

Good sources are fresh raw vegetables and fruit. It's also a good idea to boost your healthy diet with a good quality natural digestive health supplement.

Arabinogalactans - You Have Got to Be Joking - What is That?

The richest source of arabinogalactan is extracted from the Larch tree but it can also be found in leek seeds, carrots, radishes, black beans, pears, maize, wheat, red wine, Italian ryegrass, tomatoes, ragweed, sorghum, bamboo grass and coconut meat and milk. Once again the traditional medicines have beaten science to the punch, with the herbs echinacea and astralgus also containing significant amounts of arabinogalactan.

These herbs are well known for their immunity boosting properties. When you are fighting infection it has been shown that arabinogalactan can 'rev' up your immune system to attack the invader. Alternatively if your immune system is overactive, it can help to slow it down. Arabinogalactan works to normalise your immune system.

By far the most exciting research to date shows that arabinogalactan may be useful in helping fight cancer. It has been shown to stimulate natural killer cell activity and block the growth of tumour cells. Arabinogalactan also protects against the damage caused by radiation. The decreasing activity of the natural killer cells has also been noted as a marker in a variety of chronic diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome, viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

But the benefits do not stop there. Arabinogalactan also supports digestion by acting as a prebiotic. It provides food for the 'good' bacteria in the intestines enabling an increase in the production of the short chain fatty acids which are critical to colon health. It is common for many Doctors to use prebiotics to prevent and treat intestinal conditions like diverticulosis, leaky-gut, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.

One final note on this amazing glyconutrient, you do need to supplement arabinogalactans as it would be impossible to consume enough of the naturally occurring sources.

Aloe Vera Is The New Wonder Plant For Ulcerative Colitis

Aloe vera juice comes from the gel that is inside the thick succulent leaves of the plant.

This juice is taken as a drink which allows the aloe vera to work from the inside out. Despite the lack of formal studies on the actual benefits the juice, people have been taking it as a daily food supplement for hundreds of years and this method of internal healing is still very popular.

People drink aloe vera for several health reasons. It assists in detoxifying the liver and soothing the colon, as well as cleansing the bloodstream. Many people who suffer from a variety of diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis have found tremendous relief by taking a small quantity of aloe vera juice on a daily basis. Another of the benefits of this juice is that it has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal qualities so it actually helps the body to prevent many illnesses.

A lot of people drink aloe juice just because they feel it gives them a general sense of health and well being and more energy.

One of the downsides that a lot of people find with drinking aloe is that it tastes very bitter, and once opened it has to be consumed fairly quickly, because deterioration sets in when the juice becomes exposed to the air. There is a very pure form of aloe vera now available in the form of capsules, which give you all the benefits of the juice in a small capsule that you can carry with you.

These new Aloeride aloe vera capsules allow you to safely detoxify and heal your body from the inside out, and you get the same benefits of drinking 4 ounces of juice or gel without the horrible taste. In fact, these capsules are one of the most superior forms of aloe vera available, making them a very welcome alternative to aloe vera juice.

7 Questions to Ask Your Nursing Assistants About Ostomies

Your nursing assistants probably know that an "ostomy" is a surgical procedure that creates a special opening in the body connecting an internal organ with the surface of the body. But how much do they really know about ostomies? At your next CNA inservice meeting, try asking these 7 questions...and see if you get the right answers.

Ostomy Q & A for Your CNAs

Q: How many different types of ostomies are there?

A: There are many different kinds of ostomies. Each type is named after its location in the body. For example, a colostomy is located in the colon (the large intestine). An ileostomy is located in the ileum (the small intestine). A urostomy is located in the urinary system. An ostomy in the stomach is called a gastrostomy and an ostomy in the trachea (the windpipe) is called a tracheostomy.

Q: Only old people have ostomies, right?

A: No. There are people of all ages with ostomies. For example, some babies are born with defects in their bowels or bladders that require them to have permanent ostomies. And, many young adults have had ostomy surgery as a treatment for chronic digestive diseases like ulcerative colitis.

Q: Isn't odor a big problem for people with ostomies?

A: Well, odor can be a problem, but keep in mind that you've probably met a number of people with ostomies-and haven't even known it! There are several ways to deal with the odor issue. It helps to use an odor-proof ostomy appliance. And, there are personal care and nutrition tips for dealing with odor.

Q: What's an enterostomal therapist?

A: An enterostomal therapist-or ET for short-is a health care professional who has been specially trained to work with people before and after ostomy surgery. They assist with the physical and emotional needs of ostomates.

Q: Is an ostomy always permanent?

A: No. Sometimes, surgeons create an ostomy with the hope of reversing the procedure in the future. The ostomy gives the digestive or urinary system a chance to heal (from either disease or trauma). After a few months, another operation is performed to "hook up" the normal anatomy again. An ostomy is permanent when parts of the digestive or urinary system have been removed or were never present in the first place.

Q: I've heard of irrigating a colostomy. What's that all about?

A: Irrigation involves rinsing out the colon. Some colostomates perform this procedure as a way to control the timing of their bowel movements. (However, they still wear an appliance in case of a "surprise".) Irrigation can be risky and should only be performed according to doctor's orders.

Q: Some stomas are so red. Is that normal-and does a stoma hurt?

A: Most stomas are created from a piece of the intestines. Intestinal tissue is normally very red, but it has no nerve endings-so a stoma does not hurt.

Frankincense Proves a Natural Arthritis and Gout Medication

An age old substance could offer new hope for sufferers of inflammatory arthritis and the more common osteoarthritis. That substance is frankincense, a resin derived from the hardy Boswellia tree. Frankincense has been traded for over 5000 years, and is best known for its aroma. It is commonly used in incense and perfumes.

Frankincense is also widely used in various religious rites, and was said to be among the gifts presented to baby Jesus by the biblical Magi, or wise men, along with gold and myrrh (a similar reddish resin). Frankincense is still burned in the Roman Catholic Church.

Frankincense has also long been valued for its medicinal properties. The resin is edible, and is used in Asian traditional medicine to aid digestion and promote healthy skin. Frankincense has also been used in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine for hundreds of years, and is called dhoop. Dhoop is used for treating arthritis, healing wounds, strengthening the female hormonal system and combating germs and mosquitoes.

Scientists have been investigating frankincense as a treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, asthma, cancer, and rheumatoid and osteoarthritis In 2008, researchers from John Hopkins University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reported that frankincense smoke was a psychoactive drug that relieved depression and anxiety in mice.

In another 2008 study at the University of California, 70 osteoarthritis patients taking a frankincense extract showed a significant improvement in their condition in less than seven days, with no major adverse effects. The extract was a proprietary product developed by Laila Nutraceuticals.

Recently, scientists from Cardiff University in Wales, noting that frankincense was a traditional herbal remedy for arthritis in the local Somali community, began to research it in the lab. Their research focused on whether and how extracts of frankincense could help reduce arthritic inflammation and reduce pain.

They were able to demonstrate that an extract of a rare frankincense species, Boswellia frereana, inhibited the production of key inflammatory molecules, helping to prevent the painful breakdown of cartilage that is characteristic of arthritis and gouty arthritis.

"What our research has managed to achieve is to use innovative chemical extraction techniques to determine the active ingredient in frankincense," explained Dr. Ahmed Ali, "Having done this, we are now able to further characterize the chemical entity and compare its success against other anti-inflammatory drugs used for treating the condition."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis is the most common form of disability in the US, impacting nearly 21 million adults. Arthritis can be classified as either inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Inflammatory arthritis is characterized by the presence of inflammatory white blood cells in the joint fluid.

Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis, as is rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory form of the disease. Both forms are incurable, but can be managed with lifestyle changes and arthritis or gout medications.

Ulcerative Colitis Diet: Foods You Must Eat

Ulcerative colitis is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It causes inflammation and ulcers-which are sores-in the lining of the large intestines [or colon] and rectum. These afflicted areas are red and swollen. The ulcers form when inflammation kills the cells in the lining. It is also characterized with pus and bleeding. At times, the patient may also experience diarrhea as among its symptoms. Men and women are at risk to such disease. It is more likely to occur in teens and young adults than in individuals at age 50 and above.

There are many factors that can cause Ulcerative Colitis. Experts say it may be caused by a combination of few factors like the environment, genes, and weak immune system. There is also no established connection between foods and Ulcerative Colitis because there have been very few studies done. The reason for this is because studies are only conducted if they show a profit motive, such as treating UC with drugs.

Nonetheless, patients should monitor their diet closely. Foods that may trigger the symptoms or worsen the condition must be avoided. In addition, foods for Ulcerative Colitis should be healthy and balanced.

The immune system plays a crucial role in the body's natural defense against disease-causing bacteria. For good health, the immune system should be strong. Foods that are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and fiber are among the best choices.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of these nutrients. Fruits to include in daily diet are oranges, grapefruit, grapes, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, apples, and bananas. They contain high amounts of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, and antioxidants and phytonutrients to fight off free radicals and other toxins.

Meanwhile, leafy vegetables provide fiber to aid in digestion. Some of these are lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli, to name a few. But, be careful with cabbage because it has been known to give many people with IBD problems. Nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, macadamia, and Brazilian nuts contain antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium, phytonutrients, and fiber. They are also good for the heart, and provide plant-based protein.

Organic fruits and vegetables have become more popular today because of how they are cultivated. Unlike the traditional and commercial fruits and vegetables, the organic produce does not use any artificial chemicals for pesticides and fertilizers. Experts claim that the nutrients in organic food are found to be 50% higher. The best thing about organic foods is the absence of harmful chemicals and toxins which can be detrimental to the health.

Besides fruits and vegetables, meats and other livestock food products like eggs can also be organic. This means that they are not fed with commercialized feeds. Rather, they are fed with natural foods. Organic chicken is one of the highest quality sources of protein around. In preparing chicken, it is best not to include its skin due to high fat content.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential unsaturated fatty acids found in flaxseed oil and algal oil and in fish oils. These essential acids are good in reducing the inflammation in patients with Ulcerative Colitis or IBD.

Part of a healthy diet is the fluid consumption. Water is efficient in removing harmful bacteria, toxins, and free radicals. Fresh fruit juices are also recommended.

Dark Green Poop - What Are the Top 5 Causes of Dark Green Poop?

Dark green poop does not imply that you are suffering from some internal infection but if your poop is accompanied with stomach ailments such as gas, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or bloating of the stomach, then you need to undergo a natural colon cleanse procedure. Listed below are top 5 causes behind your dark green bowel movements:

o The biggest reason for the abrupt change in the color of your bowel movements is the excessive consumption of green leafy vegetables. If you are consuming green veggies such as broccoli and spinach on a regular basis, your bowel may change its color naturally.

o Secondly, if you are consuming excessive quantities of breakfast cereals, red beans, red meat and spinach, you may suffer from dark green bowel movements. The reason why this happens is because they contain excessive amounts of iron, which in turn darkens the color of your stool as it cannot be fully absorbed by your intestinal tract.

o Thirdly, if you are consuming foods that use coloring agents, such as sherbet, drink flavorings and popsicles, you may once again suffer from dark green bowel movements.

o One of the main reasons behind your dark green poop is adverse side effects to numerous medications. In fact, excessive use of laxatives and antibiotics is also considered harmful for the body. Food poisoning could also be a major cause.

o Last but not the least, a few chronic abdominal diseases such as the irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, malabsorbtion of nutrients and a sudden overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the human colon can also change the color of your poop.

A Natural Solution

While dark green poop may not be a serious ailment, if it persists and brings with it chronic abdominal ailments such as abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas and indigestion, you need to cleanse your infected colon using a natural colon cleanse supplement. A colon cleanse supplement which is made from herbs has the ability to flush out blocked fecal matter, plaques as well as parasites from within your intestinal tract. This also gets rid of your dark green bowel movements permanently.

I used a natural colon cleansing supplement to get rid of my green bowel movements. In fact, it also helped me cure my chronic abdominal ailments with ease and allowed me to loose 32 pounds of body fat. For better results, I combined it with an acai berry supplement.

The Benefits of Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharides

Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides or AMP are said to be long sequences of sugar molecules that are separately made up of mannose and glucose sugar molecules that are linked together. These AMP molecules are only one of the many, many constituents that can be found in the plant called Aloe Vera. What one has to understand is that it is the AMP in the Aloe Vera that is the only ingredient that is accountable for all the different healing properties that the Aloe Vera has been credited with. This helps in many areas of medicine especially in the autoimmune and the gastrointestinal sections of medicine.

In actual fact the mucopolysaccharides are a substance that is produced inside the human body and is accountable for the performance of many vital functions in your body. The sad part is that, once you attain puberty the production of this substance comes to a halt and the body has to look for other sources to attain it.

The Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides have very many benefits. it is anti-inflammatory thereby reducing and controlling inflammation, it helps to control the recurrence of diseases, in is an excellent intracellular antioxidant. It has high anti-bacterial and anti-viral functions, it helps to enhance the growth of tissues, improves cellular metabolism, augments the working of the immune system and adds on to the number of immune cells and is one of the natural, non-toxic substances that is said to have absolutely no side effects.

Studies have proved that the Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides can be broken into various chain lengths like small, medium, large and very large chains and it is said that each different length of chain can exclusively offer its own healing properties. As word spreads more and more people are turning to the many healing powers of this great miracle herb that seems to have no end to the hundreds of medical properties that it contains.

What Has Inflammation Got to Do With Colitis?

Inflammation is the underlying cause of Colitis. Colitis literally means inflammation of the colon. The chances are that if you have Colitis you will also have other signs of inflammation in the body as a whole such as skin rashes and joint pains. What is going on is that your body's immune system has got out of control and is working to hard - it's forgotten when to take a break! And it starts attacking your body by mistake. The main place this is happening if you have Colitis is in your colon, but there may be signs of inflammation elsewhere in the body as well.

Why You Need to Lower Your Inflammation Levels

o Inflammation is the root cause of Colitis

o When we become inflamed our body is literally attacking itself

o If you lower your inflammation levels you will have less aches and pains

o Inflammation is now thought to be the trigger for many other modern chronic diseases

Ways to Reduce Inflammation

Omega 3 Fish Oils

Omega 3 fish oils are one tool we can use to reduce inflammation in the body, not only that - they are good for your brains as well! There have been several studies showing positive results from the use of Omega 3 Fish Oils in people with Ulcerative Colitis. I take 4 grams of Omega 3 Fish Oils a day, and as an added bonus I find that my eyesight is clearer as a result of taking them.

Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Boswellia - is a herb that is often used in Ayurvedic Medicine from India. It has been found in studies to block chemical reactions involved in inflammation. It is safe to use and a study in 1997 of people with Ulcerative Colitis found that 82% of the people in the study who took 350mg three times a day experienced remission.

Turmeric - is spice often used in Ayurvedic medicine and is also used in Indian cooking. It contains a flavanoid called Cur cumin that is showing promise in the treatment of Crohn's and Colitis. It inhibits an inflammatory agent called NF kappa-B that has been linked to autoimmune diseases.

I take a combination supplement of Boswellia and Cur cumin daily as part of my treatment plan as well as the fish oils, I find both to be very beneficial to my Colitis and overall wellness.

Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan For Those With Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome

Inflammatory bowel diseases include both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these are inflammation of the intestines. They lead to inflammation of the intestines, ulcers, bleeding of the intestines; the commonest symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain fever, fatigue and cramping.

Diet and nutrition are very important parts of the recovery process. This prevents malnutrition and rapid and severe weight loss. The dietary recommendations for ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel syndrome are the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids 8-10 servings on a daily basis. This is vital to keep the body hydrated and prevent constipation.

• Your dietitian will suggest a daily multivitamin -mineral supplement to make up for the lost nutrients.

• You must have a high fiber diet. Some patients like to have steamed vegetables better than eating them raw.

• When there is flare up, eat a low fiber, low residue diet. So that bowel gets rest and the symptoms are minimal.

• Do not take foods with lactose like diary if you have lactose intolerance. You can use lactase enzymes.

• During flare ups, you have to continue nourishing your body. Eat frequently small meals. You can take a high protein diet that will give you relief from IBD. You can take the pre-digested nutritional drink that the dietitian recommends.

• Minimize the intake of caffeine, alcohol,

• Avoid gas producing foods like cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, onions, carbonated drinks foods with high fat content causes diarrhea and gas in such patients.

It is vital to manage irritable bowel syndrome with healthy lifestyle habits and a diet plan which is rich in nutrients. This is crucial as IBS can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and loosing of essential nutrients. This can lead to anemia, fatigue.

Diet plan of ulcerative colitis should be rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, and good fats. This diet will give you energy. Your diet must have poultry, fish vegetables, margarine and oils. If you are a vegetarian you can have soy products.

Ulcerative Colitis Remedy - Stress At Work

It's been proven that stress can, without a doubt, have an impact physically. Stress related health problems occur when the body is in a frequent and prolonged state of mental or emotional stress. During stress the fight or flight reaction is triggered within the body causing physiological changes.

This is especially significant for those who suffer from autoimmune diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis, because the fight or flight mechanism specifically affects two parts of the Ulcerative Colitis equation: the digestive system and the immune system. When you are stressed it takes a toll on your physical health. If you have Ulcerative Colitis this means that symptoms of flares can intensify due to stress or that a flare can be triggered by stress if you were currently in remission. Stress is especially dangerous because it isn't nearly as tangible as other factors that can be problematic in managing disease such as diet, medication, physical fitness etc.

For this reason it is important to take steps to manage stress. In today's fast paced, high pressure world it seems almost impossible that stress could be altogether eliminated. It is important, however to recognize stressors and then take steps to manage stress to keep it at bay. One major source of stress is the workplace. In this article I will outline some suggestions for managing/avoiding workplace stress specifically.

1. Shut up and work

As if work isn't stressful on it's own. Add office drama to the mix and it becomes even worse. For some it is very difficult to keep work and personal life separate, but from experience let me tell you it's a good idea. It is all too easy for stress to creep in especially when you consider office gossip, negativity towards employer and coworkers discussed among employees, and the all time greatest source of unnecessary stress - office relationships. Most office and workplace environments generate plenty of stress naturally. Workloads, scheduling, deadlines, labor all of these are challenging enough. By keeping personal interactions to a professional standard while in the workplace you can go a long way towards eliminating a source of stress that really isn't even necessary to begin with.

2. Work with your employer to facilitate an understanding of your condition

Ulcerative Colitis will inevitably interrupt your professional endeavors. Unfortunately this comes with the territory. In order to be able to function with as much normalcy as possible its a good idea to make a plan of action while at work. In some cases you may have to suddenly leave a meeting or your workstation without warning. When things are at their worst you may be forced to call in or take off early. It's embarrassing to talk about Ulcerative Colitis, but it may be difficult to explain such situations otherwise. By sitting down with those who will be affected by these occurrences you can help them to know exactly why your behavior is as such. This will aid in helping make you and them more comfortable when the sudden emergencies are unavoidable. Not to mention this will protect you from possible disciplinary consequences that may result if your employer doesn't realize that your behavior is not your fault. By overcoming your fear of discussing an embarrassing topic, you'll be surprised at the stress and worry that will be lifted as a result.

3. Allot yourself extra time

No matter what it is you're doing Ulcerative Colitis will interrupt. For example, when you are trying to get ready for work or on your commute. For this reason it's a good idea to plan for extra time. Wake up early, leave a few minutes before you need to. If you find yourself constantly running behind because your symptoms are causing interruptions, you will become stressed and feel overwhelmed. By giving yourself a little extra time to cover an interruption that may occur, you can keep your day running more smoothly and ultimately with a little less stress. Also, being early is a simple and powerful example of professionalism and will gain you respect from your colleagues. If you plan for extra time and aren't bothered by an interruption your effort has not been wasted by any means.

4. Familiarize yourself with your organization's leave structure

Time off often becomes a problem for those with Ulcerative Colitis. Many in the past have been punished at work for attendance when Ulcerative Colitis was the reason. This is unfair because symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis can be debilitating and those who have been diagnosed also need more time off for medical appointments, surgeries etc. There is good news though. Since 2008 Ulcerative Colitis has been included in the Americans With Disabilities Act. Also known as the ADA. This means that employees with Ulcerative Colitis are afforded certain protections when it comes to work attendance. These include programs such as FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), STD (short term disability), and LTD (long term disability). There are strict guidelines, however, to protect the system from abuse. Study and know your options and resources for these programs. Knowing that your job is protected at times when you cannot work due to illness will be a huge stress reliever in every case.

5. Remind yourself that stress, to some extent, is a state of mind

It's important to know when stress is coming on and to make a conscience effort to stop it in it's tracks. In most occupations stress will be a factor. By recognizing and confronting those things that stress you at work you can begin to try to release that stress in attempt to manage it. If you have a particular task that stresses you each time it is presented learn ways to be your own comfort when you feel the stress working itself up. Tell yourself you've done it before, remind yourself that you were successful last time and you've "got it" this time as well. This is just one example, but the idea is that instead of just letting stress run it's course make it a priority to identify it before it takes hold. By doing this you can devise ways to turn the stressful thought patterns around. You may still have to take those stressful responsibilities on but by denying stress it's power over you, you may find that it is more manageable than you realized.

6. Identify those tasks that stress you most and determine if you can eliminate some of them altogether

It may be that you are taking on tasks that you really don't have to. Talk to your employer. Tell them the situation and see if the task can be given to other employees, divided, or even outsourced. Some tasks are more stressful for some than others and it may not be nearly as stress inducing for someone else to do if possible. This may not always be an option but every effort to eliminate stressors is a step towards less stress in your work life.

7. Consider a transfer of positions or even a career change

This isn't always very easy to do, but it should be examined as a consideration. Also, this is an option within the ADA protections. Another reason to become as familiar as possible with how the ADA and your employers leave structure is set up.

Work is a reality for the majority of us. It isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Don't make the mistake of just going in and telling yourself that there is nothing you can do to improve the amount of stress that you experience. Take a direct, informed, systematic approach to defeating stress. the outcome can be very liberating and beneficial to your health and well being.