Treating Digestive Disorders With Chiropractic Care

Americans spend billions of dollars on over-the-counter and prescription medication hoping to relieve digestive problems. Their symptoms can come in the form of constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, and other common complaints of a digestive nature. Untreated, digestive disorders may affect one's quality of life, immune system, social well-being, and job productivity. On the other hand, the side-effects of steroid medications and other drugs used to treat digestive problems are very hard on the body.

While the symptoms of digestive disorders are bothersome, there are ways to address the underlying factors that contribute to the problem without the use of drugs. Research offers evidence that chiropractic care, for example, can be very effective in treating digestive conditions.

What Chiropractic Care Can Do for Your Digestive Disorder
The nervous system is responsible for controlling digestive function. It does so from several different parts of the body. The vagus nerve, for example, travels from the brain stem to the atlas bone, energizing the digestive organs and inciting the digestive process. The sympathetic nerves of the thoracic and lumbar region, and the sacral parasympathetic nerve fibers, are responsible for the pace of digestion.

Spinal misalignment in these spinal regions may affect the proper functioning of the bowel and the neurological process as a whole. Chiropractic doctors seek to isolate the exact location of spinal misalignments (also known as subluxations). The adjustment is performed in order to realign the impaired regions, and recover proper nerve supply to the affected organs.

Chiropractic care recognizes the body's natural ability to heal itself. As such, its approach to restoring ailments is based on addressing organ function, so that it can perform optimally without the aid of drugs.

Various studies have illustrated the effectiveness of chiropractic care in treating patients with digestive conditions. One study showed how infants with infrequent bowel syndrome receiving chiropractic care experienced almost immediate improvement after sessions.

Another comprehensive study established a link between spinal misalignments and the occurrence of Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease results in inflammation along the small intestine, affecting any part of the digestive tract. In addition to pain, this inflammation results in frequent emptying of the intestines and diarrhea.

The prevailing theory around the cause of Crohn's disease is that the immune system is acting in response to a virus or bacterium. Traditional treatment for Crohn's disease involves the use of corticosteroids to address the inflammation. However, the side-effects of corticosteroids can be serious, possibly prompting greater vulnerability to infection. Drugs that suppress the immune system are also used. Researchers of the study sought to look for treatment options that boosted the immune system (as opposed to suppressing it) in a way that did not rely on the use of drugs.

Another study revealed the link between spinal misalignments and a wide range of conditions including ulcerative colitis, asthma, Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel disorder. It showed that correcting those displacements caused improvement (and sometimes complete remission) of symptoms of Crohn's disease. Research findings also point to another attendant benefit of chiropractic care. Not only is there improvement of digestive disorders following chiropractic care but also an overall improvement of patients' quality of life.

Contact a Chiropractor for a Thorough Assessment of Your Digestive Condition
Chiropractors adjust misalignments of the spine that interfere with nerve function. These problems can be painlessly corrected. Once the misalignment is treated, the troublesome symptoms will likely go away as well.

Chiropractic care can benefit those suffering from digestive disorders by restoring the digestive processes' natural rhythm. In addition to spinal manipulation, your chiropractor may also employ the use of nutritional counseling as part of his or her practice. Vitamin and mineral supplements, healing herbs, as well as other complementary approaches may also be suggested. In an effort to address the patient as a whole, chiropractic doctors seek for ways to encourage wellness in a holistic manner.

Ulcerative Colitis - Your Insurance Choices Affect Your Care

Ulcerative colitis is a serious condition wherein ulcers, which are open sores, form on the lining of the rectum and colon causing pain, bleeding and pus. A sufferer might also experience frequent diarrhea. It is quite an unpleasant and painful condition. There are several types of treatments available for sufferers of ulcerative colitis depending on the severity of the person's condition. For instance, medication might be enough for some while others will require hospitalization and surgery. All of this treatment can become expensive and that is why it is important to be aware of your insurance coverage as soon as you receive your diagnosis.

There are several different types of insurance coverage available to everyone. With your ulcerative colitis diagnosis in mind, here are a few important facts about each of the types of insurance available. A Health Management Organization (HMO) if often low cost, but you have less by way of options when choosing your health care provider and treatments. If you need treatment by a specialist and you are insured under a HMO, then you will need to get a referral from your primary care provider in order for there to be coverage.

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) allows you to choose your provider within a specified list of providers.

There are also insurance policies whereby you pay for the service ahead of time and then your insurance company reimburses you up to about 80% of the total cost. This might sound reasonable, but keep in mind that some treatments with ulcerative colitis might be in the thousands. If you choose this type of insurance coverage, then you might be paying a lot out of pocket for your various treatments. Many insurance policies are called group health insurance policies because they involve insurance granted to a large group, such as a group of employees. The employer pays a majority of the premium, and the employee pays for a smaller part of the premium as well as the deductible amounts, if any. This is often a low-cost alternative in the world of insurance.

Regardless of whether you have a HMO, PPO and individual plan or a group plan, there are costs and benefits associated with each type of insurance. When you have ulcerative colitis, you want to take into account your condition when you are choosing your health care policy. Be sure to ask questions so you understand what you are getting out of the policy in return for your premiums.

Safer Drug Treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis treatments in the beginning tend to revolve around prescribed drugs by a rheumatologist or a physician to stop the progression of the disease, and to overall stop the pain that is associated with Ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The drugs used to combat AS are generally Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), the side effect of such drugs being that they have a negative impact on the digestive lining of the stomach. Research as well as thousands of testimonies from AS sufferers can point to a positive impact on the symptoms by eating a low or non starch diet, based on this it would be safe to make a correlation between AS and the digestive tract. This means that while NSAID's do have their place, as they can reduce inflammation during acute flare-ups, and situations where they are required, they may long term be leading to a further in-ability to combat the disease from it's source, which may likely be digestive system.

As we move into the future we are seeing new drugs that are combating AS in a different way than it has been treated in the past. The drug that is he focus of this article Sulfasalazine.

What is Sulfasalazine used for? it is indicated for the treatement of ulcerative colitis (bowel and intestinal issues). The extended release version of this drug have also been known to help reduce joint pain, swelling and stiffness in those who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis. Sulfasalazine works by affecting the damaged tissue of the small and large intestines, essentially it will reduce irritation and swelling in the intestines. The reason this is looked upon as a positive ankylosing spondylitis treatment deals with the very fact that this drug has limited side effects on the intestinal lining of the digestive system. If you follow the boards at kickas.org (which I suggest you do) you will find thousands of positive results with sulfasalazine using the extended release version. There are many theories by many medical professionals that ankylosing spondylitis is connected to what is known as leaky gut syndrome.

Leaky Gut Syndrome: Refers to a syndrome that can be associated with an increased chance of toxins, food, and bacteria of crossing over into the blood stream due to the increased permeability of the wall of the intestines. A healthy stomach is like a wall that guards these particles from crossing over, but when the stomach is compromised, we see a host of skin and auto-immune disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis. Many physicians see a connection between AS, and conditions such as IBS, Ulcerative Colitis and crohn's disease. This would point further to the fact that AS may be effected, and possibly caused by issues involving the digestive lining of the intestines.

The reason we talk about Sulfasalazine is that it actually has a positive effect on the digestive lining of the stomach, or as some believe the root cause of AS. Sulfasalazine acts to reduce the inflammation that is causing bacteria and particles to enter into the blood stream. This cross-over into the blood stream is believed to be what invokes the auto immune system response, as the presence of bacteria and food particles are seen as a foreign invader to the body. Treating the symptoms is necessary, but not at the long term cost of the damage it may cause to the digestive tract. Sulfasalazine is like any drug you will find on the market, there is a host of scary side effects that you must be told about, but overall these are very uncommon. You MUST speak with a medical professional about if this is the right drug for you to be taking based on your previous medical history, and your current health. Always have a complete history completed with a medical physician before taking any pharmaceutical drug

It is recommended you speak with your rhuematologist or physician with regards to sulfasalazine, they will be able to tell you if this ankylosing spondylitis treatment is right for you, or if there is another approach. Drugs that combat digestive issues are newer to the treatment protocol for AS, as the future unfolds we are certain to see more drugs that combat the inflammation of the intestinal walls. Our next article will focus on natural supplements that can help improve the digestive system, which once again will improve the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The Uses Of Ginger Root

Not just a seasoning, Ginger Root is also a very good choice to battle illness and its symptoms. This potent root protects the stomach and is beneficial in dealing with digestive tract issues, cleansing the colon. In treating stomach upsets, it is actually powerful enough to alleviate the nausea of chemotherapy patients and mild enough to relieve morning sickness connected with pregnancy or intestinal colic in babies. Whether it's diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting or motion sickness, Ginger is a powerful remedy.

Ginger decreases spasms and cramping, so that it is an effective treatment for muscle pain along with the discomfort related to menstruation. A circulatory stimulant, it can help alleviate poor circulation.

An anti-inflammatory, herbalists recommend Ginger Root to aid with the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Ginger has been beneficial in managing the symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis. Studies suggest that this herb could lower cholesterol levels and prevent blood clots. Other research has concluded that ginger may also have anticancer properties.

A powerful antioxidant, effective antimicrobial and an anti-viral: Ginger Root helps fight pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses. These qualities also make it an effective addition to poultices for the treatment of wounds and skin irritations.

Taken internally, this herb helps safeguard the liver and detoxify the kidneys while moving excess toxins out of your body. It's typically used to treat the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches and other pains.

It isn't unexpected that this herb is utilized in many vintage herbal tonics and cleansing herbal blends. In our household, we like to put it to use in a tea at the earliest sign of sinus congestion and enjoy the taste it adds to stir fry meals. Search for ways to incorporate this advantageous herb in your daily living today.

GINGER DECONGESTANT TEA

Mince a Tbsp each of ginger root and fresh garlic, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey for flavor.

Place ingredients inside a mug and add 8 ounces of boiling water. Cover, and let sit for ten minutes. Strain this through a sieve and drink the liquid.

LIVER TONIC SMOOTHIE

To be taken upon rising, before eating breakfast.

Whirl these ingredients in your blender until smooth. Adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

* a whole inch fresh ginger, minced
* 1 tablespoon extra virgin cold pressed olive oil
* one clove of garlic
* two Tbsp apple cider vinegar
* one apple, chopped small
* one half small beet, diced
* 1 stick celery, chopped small
* a few sprigs of parsley, chopped small
* a whole cup filtered water

The apple cider vinegar facilitates the emulsification of the oil and water. Garlic will lose its effectiveness once it is cut. Therefore, it's best to drink this tonic before it separates.

If you want to heighten the impact of this tonic, raise the number of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and the number of garlic cloves over the span of a few days. For the second day utilize two tablespoons of olive oil and 2 cloves, on the 3rd day use three tablespoons and three cloves, and so forth, but don't exceed 5 tablespoons and cloves.

Blend and enjoy!

NOTE: This text presents ideas and information intended to enrich the reader. This is not presented instead of sound medical advice. The ideas and viewpoints conveyed are that of the author and fallible. It's the obligation of the reader to reach his own conclusions and be knowledgeable.

Do You Need a Colonoscopy?

It's distressing to realize, but many people don't consider preventative medicine options until it's too late. We might shrug off a lesion or irregular bleeding as something that will go away on its own, but there is always the possibility anomalies like these could be signs of something dire. The push to have tests and procedures done isn't necessarily a plot to drain your bank account, but a gesture to allow you peace of mind that you are healthy and will be for years to come. Getting a colonoscopy to check for possible cancers and other ailments is a good step in maintaining good health.

Who Needs a Colonoscopy?

If you have never before had a colon cancer screening, it's important to note how soon you should schedule an exam. Rule of thumb dictates that a good candidate for early detection should:

• Have had a history of colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease in his/her family - an immediate relative


• Have had another type of cancer in the past, or has had colon cancer


• Be fifty years or older and have not yet had one


• Have problems with irregular bleeding from the colon, blood in the stool, or difficulty with bowel movements

Consult with a Specialist

If you fall into any of the above categories, you should seriously consider setting up a consultation with a gastroenterologist or other specialist to determine if an exam is needed. If you are over fifty and have had a colonoscopy in the past, talk to your doctor about how often you should be checked going forward.

The more you listen to your body and know your medical history, the better you can arrange for preventative care.

Chronic Colitis

Chronic colitis is also known as ulcerative colitis. It is usually blamed on autoimmunity, which is the process where the body's immune system mistakenly interprets otherwise good elements as invaders and attacks them.

Warning signs

One of the most evident symptoms you may encounter when you have chronic colitis is diarrhea that is accompanied by pain in your abdomen.

You may have to visit the bathroom 10 to 20 times a day due to diarrhea attacks that may contain mucous, bloody purulent and tenesmus. The pain in your abdomen is usually at the left, middle or lower portion. In more severe cases, you may also experience fever, nausea, loss of weight, anemia, edema, and others. You may also experience colon spasms and deformity, and your mucosal folds may become disordered.

Simple cures

There are simple treatments you can do for yourself at home to relieve your chronic colitis. You can give your body lot of clear fluid like water, lemonade, light lemon tea, and light soup. Consume at least eight to 10 glasses of water to prevent dehydration.

As your condition progresses, start to take low-fiber foods. Do not take in greasy or fatty foods. Do not eat raw, cold or deep-fried foods. Remember to eat regular meals and avoid overeating or drinking too much at meals. Avoid mental stress and never overstrain yourself.

Contact your doctor immediately if a sudden change in your bowel routine occurs. Also see a doctor when there is blood in your stool, if you experience continuous diarrhea for 3 days, or if you feel severe abdominal or rectal pain. You should also see a physician as soon as you can when you are unable to urinate. If someone who shared food with you is starting to display your symptoms, bring that person to a doctor, too.

The Human Bowel - Seed, Feed, and Occasionally Weed Your Way Back to Health

What does your bowel have to do with arthritis, chronic disease, immune disorders, and other maladies? In my view, the most remarkable phenomenon in the entire field of human biology is this: A vast number of clinical problems that are seemingly unrelated to the bowel spontaneously resolve when the focus of clinical management turns to managing the bowel back to health!

In my experience I have found problems of extreme fatigue, mood swings, arthralgia (pain and stiffness in joints with or without joint swelling) resolve when the bowel issues are addressed? How often do we successfully prevent chronic headache; anxiety; palpitations; incapacitating PMS; recurrent attacks of vaginitis; asthma and skin lesions by correcting the abnormalities in the internal environment of the bowel?

Physicians who have learned to respect the bowel - as the ancients did - and care for their patients with a sharp focus on bowel issues will readily validate my personal (and fairly extensive) clinical experience.

The Bowel and the Immune System
Our immune defenses exist as plants in the soil of the bowel contents. The ancients seemed to have known this intuitively. I remember that the hakim (folk-doctor) in my village always prescribed laxatives for a headache. He prescribed remedies that seemed to work on the bowel for problems of the skin, joints, liver and other organs. Of course, I, then a medical school student, found it very amusing. It never occurred to me then why these folk-doctors would prescribe year after year remedies that couldn't work.

More important, from my present perspective, I never wondered why people accepted those remedies year after year if they afforded no relief. I was into the science of medicine then. I wasn't into finding out what worked and what didn't. Nor did I ever doubt the science of my professors who doled out prescriptions for drugs by the dozens for sheer symptom suppression. That was then. And that was poor Pakistan. Now I question the science of an average American family practitioner when he prescribes drugs for chronic bowel symptoms. How scientific is his use of antacids for symptoms of burning or pain in the pit of the stomach? How scientific is his use of antispasmodic drugs for abdominal cramps?

How scientific is his use of antidiarrheal drugs for diarrhea? How scientific is his use of steroids for inflammatory bowel disorders? Steroids suppress the immune system. How scientific is it to further suppress the immune system for problems caused by an errant immune system in the first place? How scientific is the use of anti-inflammatory agents, anxiolytic drugs, antidepressants, antispastic agents, antihistamines, and, of course, broad-spectrum antibiotics for treating various types of bowel disorders that we - by our own admission - do not understand the causes of?

The Universe of the Bowel
For many years I have studied a host of clinical syndromes in which the symptom- complexes can be related to events occurring in the bowel. As a hospital pathologist, I have had the opportunity to examine more than 11,000 bowel biopsies.

Every time I peered at a bit of bowel through a microscope and saw inflammation - colitis in common jargon - I wondered where and how it might have started. We pathologists know quite a bit about how a damaged bowel looks, but we know little, if anything, about the initial energetic-molecular events that set the stage for tissue damage. What is the cause of ulcerative colitis? Pathologists will tell you it is not known. What is the cause of Crohn's colitis? The answer: unknown. What is the cause of irritable bowel syndrome and spastic colitis? Unknown. What is the cause of microscopic colitis and collagenous colitis? The answer is the same.

Why is it that we do not know the cause of any of these types of colitis? The reason is we search for answers in the damaged structure after the fact rather than in the events preceding the damage. None of these "diseases" can be understood except with ecologic thinking - a Bowel Ecosystem - Bowel Ecology.

LAPs AND TAPs: THE GOOD AND BAD GUYS OF THE BOWEL
LAPs and TAPs are my abbreviations for lactic acid-producing and toxic agents- producing microbes in the bowel. LAPs preserve the normal bowel ecosystem, TAPs disrupt it.

LAPs confer many important host defenses upon the bowel. TAPs are equally versatile in their functions and produce a very large number of noxious substances in the bowel. Not unexpectedly, LAPs-TAPs dynamics are profoundly influenced by food choices.

Bacteria are living beings capable of executing an enormous number of biochemical reactions. Farmers used bacteria and fungi to turn compost into fertilizer long before biologists understood the metabolism of these single-celled bodies. A partial list of such reactions brought about by the normal bowel flora includes production of ammonia, conversion of amino acids into amines and phenols, inactivation of digestive enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin and other enzymes located on the surface of cells lining the gut, deconjugation of hormones such as estrogen and bile acids, denaturation of bile steroids, breakdown of food flavonoids, hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in food, utilization of certain amino acids such as B12, conversion of some compounds into carcinogens, and many other enzymatic reactions.

LAPs:

First and foremost, LAPs keep TAPs out. It appears that this essential role is played through different mechanisms that include simple physical crowding out of the potential pathogens as well as production of antimicrobial substances. L. acidophilus produces acidophilin, acidolin and bacterlocin; L. plantartium produces lactolin; L. bulgaricus produces bulgarican; and L. brevis secretes lactobacillin.

Second, they produce many life span molecules. Notable among them are members of the vitamin B complex, especially folic acid and biotin and vitamin K. Lactobacillic acid is an important fatty acid that is produced by some lactic-acid producers and is then converted into essential fatty acids. Another notable molecule in this context is tryptophan - this is likely to be one of the mechanisms by which yogurt has been reported to be beneficial in cases of chronic anxiety and other conditions.

Third, they play a pivotal role in digestion. Lactose intolerance is a very common clinical problem. It is often not fully appreciated that a major portion of lactose ingested in dairy products is actually broken down to simpler sugar by lactase enzymes produced by lactic acid producers. Lactic acid and lactase producers also play important roles in protein digestion. This is one of the primary reasons protein intolerance is so common among individuals with altered states of bowel ecology.

Fourth, LAPs actively break down some toxins produced during metabolism such as ammonia, free phenols and polypeptides.

Fifth, LAPs normalize bowel transit time and are effective in controlling infant and adult diarrhea.

Sixth, the antiviral and antifungal roles played by LAPs, having long been empirically suspected by nutritionists and holistic physicians, have recently been documented with research studies.

Seventh, the cholesterol-lowering effects of fermented milk have been attributed, among other mechanisms, to orotic acid, which facilitates fat metabolism in the liver.

RESTORATION OF BOWEL ECOLOGY
Disruptions of bowel ecology can be arrested and reversed only with a gardener's sense of tending to the soil, nurturing the plants, and respect for the sunshine. That, of course, is the theme of this chapter. The sun-related factors - chronic anger, hostility, conflict, and a sense of being a victim - both slow down the bowel transit time and significantly reduce perfusion in different parts of the alimentary tract. Those anatomically-mediated responses, of course, form the core of the so-called stress response

The Seed-Feed-and-Occasionally-Weed Approach to Restoration of Bowel Ecology
Seeding is the repopulation of the gut with microflora that have been destroyed by indiscriminate use of antibiotics or crowded out by the unrestrained proliferation of yeast and bacterial organisms such as the Proteus and Pseudomonas species.

The "guardian angel bacteria" for bowel ecology belong to the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. Some other species also play protective roles. In health, these organisms provide the necessary counterbalance to the growth of yeast and pathogenic bacterial organisms. Beyond this, these organisms produce several molecules that play critical roles in our molecular defense systems.

Feeding is the use of some growth factors that the normal bowel flora require to flourish. These include biotin, pantetheine, Vitamin B12 and others. We clinicians have used Vitamin B12 for decades with good clinical results. One of the principal mechanisms by which vitamin B12 exerts its myriad beneficial effects is by serving as a "growth hormone" for health-preserving bowel flora

Occasional weeding is the use of several natural substances that are known to suppress the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts. During initial treatment, I frequently use oral nystatin or fluoconazole (Diflucan) for short periods of two to three weeks, partly for diagnostic and partly for therapeutic reasons (how a person with one of the ABE states responds to these agents is useful in assessing the degree of damage to bowel ecology). Extensive clinical experience has convinced me that long-term clinical results are far superior when the use of drugs is kept to a minimum.

Simple-minded efforts to "get rid of the yeast" with nystatin and "yeast- free diets" usually yield poor long-term results. Cold hands are associated with "cold bowel." Cold hands and cold bowel are the result of oxidatively-damaged thyroid enzymes (underactive thyroid gland), oxidatively-damaged autonomic nerve cells and fibers (dysautonomia) or an oxidatively-overdriven adrenalin gland. None of these problems can be effectively managed with yeast-free diets and Nystatin. Of course, there are other essential issues of nutrition, environment, food and mold allergy, and fitness. In the management of battered bowel ecosystems, it is essential to consider the biologic individuality of the patient. It is necessary to adopt an integrated, long-term approach that addresses all relevant issues of bowel flora and parasites, bowel transit time, bowel ischemic patterns, IgE-mediated disorders related to candida and other yeast antigens, malabsorptive dysfunctions, and secondary systemic consequences.

Physicians who are not familiar with natural therapies for managing chronic bowel and gastric disorders are in for a pleasant surprise. A very large number of effective natural agents are available to them. Extensive clinical experience has convinced me that for nonlife-threatening, chronic disorders, natural therapies are far superior to the huge array of drugs that are foisted upon us.

Following are important consideration in integrative management of chronic gastric and bowel disorders:

First, all patients should be offered standard drug therapies for acute disorders when any question exists about impending clinical crises or risk of serious complications.

Second, all patients managed with natural agents should be prepared for slow and sustained recovery over weeks and months. It is my practice not to wean my patients off drugs prescribed by other physicians. Rather, my clinical strategy is to go for gentle restoration of bowel and gastric ecologies. The patients sense clinical improvement within several days or some weeks. It is at this time that they ask me if they should begin to reduce the dose of drugs they are taking, and I am only too happy to provide guidance on how to do so gradually.

Third, all patients are required to attend a full-day workshop in which I give detailed information about the devastating impact of internal and external environments on our biology. In addition, nutrition and exercise classes are given by the nursing staff at the institute.

Fourth, all patients must be managed with an overarching philosophy of holistic molecular relatedness in human biology. I repeat this essential point several times at the risk of offending the reader because it is the very essence of the new medicine that the problems of the 21st century call for.

Fifth, and this is of critical importance for the general reader, a self-help approach to health requires guidance from a knowledgeable professional. Safety first. This is the first principle of molecular medicine as it must be for all other types of medicine.

Blood in Stool - Cause For Concern

Sometimes, when you are passing stool, you can see streaks of blood in the stool or the tissue paper. Spotting blood like this can be quite an alarming sight for anyone. The presence of blood in stool could be for various reasons, and they generally point towards rectal bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding. It's time to head towards your physician's office if you see blood like this. Ignorance can complicate the matter even further. Ask yourself - can blood in stool cause other problems? Sure they can. Excessive blood loss can lead to weakness, fatigue, and even anemia.

What is the cause of blood in stool? There is more than one factor that can cause rectal bleeding. Let's look at the more important ones among them one by one.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is one of the main reasons that can cause the appearance of blood with stool. A condition which causes the intestines or the stomach to become inflamed, Gastroenteritis can also cause nausea, abdominal pain, weakness, and diarrhea that could possibly contain blood.

Internal Bleeding

Internal Bleeding refers to the bleeding of blood vessels inside the body. Apart from being a blood in stool cause, it may also lead to weakness, dizziness, and stomach pain. The person might also become unconscious due to internal bleeding. The main causes for internal bleeding are bleeding ulcers, tears to the stomach or intestines and trauma.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid can also lead to bloody stools. Hemorrhoids are a medical condition in which the patient suffers from swelling in the blood vessels around the anus and hence experiences severe pain and discomfort while sitting or passing stool. Hemorrhoids are of two kinds - internal and external hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can also cause a number of other symptoms, such as anal swelling and itching, pain and discomfort.

Anal Fissures

Anal fissure refer to a torn anal which causes bright red blood in stool. Patients also complain to have blood on the toilet tissue and underwear. Anal fissure leads to severe pain and discomfort in any activity that requires anal movement or puts pressure on the anus, such as passing stools, bending over or lifting something heavy.

Ulcerative Colitis

Patients suffering from Ulcerative colitis have ulcers and inflammation in their rectum and colon. This is a chronic disease of the lower digestive tract which can cause rectal bleeding or blood, mucus or pus while passing your stool. Such patients may also experience water and blood in diarrhea, high fever, stomach pain, nausea, and dehydration. Symptoms like passing foul smelling stools, loss of appetite, skin lesions, and joint pain can also be associated with Ulcerative colitis.

The Facts on Krill Oil and If it is Really Better Than Fish Oil

Krill oil is derived from krill and is similar to fish oil. Krill are small shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the cold depths of the ocean and although they are very small, they make up the largest animal biomass on the planet. Both krill and fish oils contain the complete essential fatty acids, omega 3 fats, EPA and DHA.

Krill oil contains astanxanthin, which is a key benefit. Astanxanthin is an excellent antioxidant that helps increase the ORAC potency of this oil to 48 times that of fish oil and helps protect you against ultraviolet light. The omega 3 fats found in krill oil are in the phospholipid form whereas fish oil is in the triglyceride form. Since the fat cells in your cell walls are in the phospholipid form, this makes krill oil much more absorbable

So why should we consume krill oil or even fish oil?

Our intake of Omega 6 fats and Omega 3 fats averages around 20:1 with 20 being omega 6 fats. Since the ideal ratio of omega 6 fats to omega 3 fats is 1:1, we consume too few Omega 3 fats and way too many Omega 6 fats. This can mean a serious danger to your health.

We consume vegetable oils every day, which are all packed with omega 6 fats, such as corn, safflower and sunflower oil. This is one of the reasons we are consuming so many omega 6 fats.

The belief of many scientists is that inflammation, sensitivity to pain and thickening of the blood can be triggered when we consume large quantities of omega 6 fats.

If you have prolonged inflammation or chronic inflammation, there can be an extraordinary change in the type of cells that are at the site which can cause the tissue to simultaneously try to both heal and destroy itself.

Many different proteins are susceptible to genetic mutation during the inflammation process which can impair the normal function of that protein.

This chronic inflammation may cause Crohn's disease, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and many other diseases.

It has been found through research of scientific studies that you may reduce your incidence of inflammatory disease by increasing your essential fatty acids so that your ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 is equal.

In A Perfect World

It is a fact that the majority of our fish supply is heavily contaminated with pollutants, heavy metals, PCBs and other toxins. So while it would be great to increase our omega 3 fatty acid consumption through fish, unfortunately the toxins make it difficult to do.

Fish oil supplements can become rancid quickly as they are very perishable, therefore, you would need to take extra antioxidants. The upside to consuming krill oil supplements is that it has 48 times the antioxidant potency as traditional fish oil so the risk of rancidity is not the same.

There are many benefits for a variety of health issues such as anti-aging, protection of cell membranes, healthy cholesterol levels, healthy liver function, relief of normal PMS symptoms, boost to your immune system and other issues, when consuming krill oil.

Many studies have been published concerning this oil and complete essential fatty acids.

Two grams per day of an oil, either krill (supplement), fish (supplement), or a control (olive oil) were randomly given to 76 overweight and obese men and women in a double blind parallel arm trial for 4 weeks in one of the studies.

Scientists found that after 4 weeks, the levels of EPA and DHA concentrations significantly increased with the participants consuming the krill oil supplements than with those consuming the fish oil supplements or the control.

The result was that at the end of the treatment, the EPA concentration on average was higher in the krill oil participants when compared with the fish oil participants. Therefore, what we have seen is that the quantities of EPA and DHA in these oils is absorbed equally as well whether it is from fish or krill.

It has been proven through another study that HDL cholesterol which is the good cholesterol improved 44% with Neptune Krill Oil and only a 4.2% improvement was seen in fish oil. Conversely LDL cholesterol which is your bad cholesterol decreased 32% with Neptune Krill Oil and only a 2% reduction was seen in normal fish oil. So what this tells us is that krill oil was more effective than fish oil in improving cholesterol levels.

We need to get the ratio of Omega 6 fats equal with the Omega 3 Fats. These studies make it very clear that we need to specifically be consuming complete essential fatty acids and more omega 3 fats.

Always look at the quality when choosing any supplement. Unfortunately due to the potential risks of toxins, we cannot rely on normal fish consumption for essential fatty acids, so we are left with omega 3 supplements.

Since krill oil is becoming more and more popular, you will find many other types of krill oil released that may not be of the same quality as Neptune krill oil (NKO) so be sure to purchase a quality supplement.

The harvesting of the Neptune type is in cold waters far away from potential pollutants and is in compliance with international fishing standards To provide an essential fatty acid oil free of contaminants such as heavy metals and PCBs, the biological benefits of this essential fatty acid are preserved through a cold extraction method. We will see continued research showing the benefit of krill oil supplements over fish oil supplements. Choose the high quality Neptune Krill Oil.

Ulcerative Colitis: Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis is a common chronic long-term disease that causes inflammation of the colon. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that has some similarity to Crohn's disease, in that both conditions are characterised by inflammation, which is not caused by infection.

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis are unpleasant and usually occur when the patient is having a flare up, however they can usually be treated through a number of different ways including medication and a change of diet. Though if the symptoms are severe enough for medication to be ineffective, surgery may be required to remove the affected portion of the colon. Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis usually include rectal bleeding and diarrhea, however there is a wide range of symptoms among patients with this disease.

As diarrhea is a common symptom, patients may also feel an urgency to have a bowel movement and can have diarrhea up to 10 to 20 times a day. This urge can be so desperate that it may wake a patient up at night. Rectal bleeding is caused by the ulcers located in bowel, which are disturbed by feces when it passes through the colon. When the ulcers are disturbed, they expel blood therefore causing the bloody diarrhea and mucus; this may also cause the patient to have rectal pain.

Due to constant diarrhea, other symptoms may appear including growth failure, dehydration, anemia and joint pain. Growth failure and dehydration occurs when the patient has a lack of nutrients and fluids in their body; this is usually caused by the persistent diarrhea. Anemia only occurs when there is blood within the feces that is being expelled, thus leading to a low iron count. This can be treated through taking iron tablets and eating red meat.

It's also important to note that the patient's stomach may feel tender and be sore when touched; this is due to the ulcers. A doctor will usually test to see if the stomach is tender during a checkup as a way to assess the severity of the sores. Although ulcerative colitis is incurable, doctors are able to control and keep these symptoms away through the use of steroids and anti-inflammatory medication. Steroids are effective for inducing remission, however are tapered down after the disease is in remission.

Also, it's extremely important to know when to see your doctor. If you experience a persistent change in your bowel habits or if you have any of the signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including,
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Ongoing bouts of diarrhea that don't respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medications
• An unexplained fever lasting more than a day or two
Then it is imperative that you see your doctor as soon as possible.

For more information on ulcerative colitis including causes, diet, pregnancy, risk factors and treatment, please visit Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms and more.

Ulcerative Colitis Medication

Ulcerative colitis is a concern for both male and female sufferers in the quest to become pregnant. This chronic inflammatory bowel disease is more of a problem in women, as it can reduce ovulation and the malnutrition and weight loss which accompanies the condition, can indirectly impair the chances of conception. There is also a higher risk of iron deficiency and infections with the disease when active. Previous surgery to treat this disorder may result in lowered fertility as a result of abdominal organ scarring.

An increase in symptoms of u. colitis may be experienced in both the first trimester and shortly after birth, both probably related to hormone changes. There is a higher risk of having a premature baby and even a small chance of increasing the likelihood of birth defects, so wherever possible, women should go off their ulcerative colitis medication during pregnancy.

Flare ups during pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriage, but fortunately most ulcerative colitis medication (corticosteroids sulphasalazine and salazosulphadimidine) is not contra indicated for pregnancy. Methotrexate and Thalidomide, both immunosuppressive drugs, are completely banned for pregnancy usage and treatment with them is only prescribed in conjunction with rigorous birth control.

For a full list of what medication is safe and what isn't when trying to conceive and when pregnant, please consult a medical specialist.

In men, malnutrition may impact on fertility and some of the ingredients in prescribed sulfa medication (e.g. sulfasalazine) may alter sperm and cause lower sperm motility and sperm count. It is important to get the disease into remission or to go off this medication temporarily, before trying to impregnate your partner. Sperm return to normal within two months of not taking the sulfa component in ulcerative colitis medication.

Other medication is also available e.g. olsalazine and mesalamine as well as corticosteroids which may prove as effective as sulfasalazine but without the negative effects on sperm production and quality.

Apart from ulcerative colitis medication, much can be done to maintain and improve the disorder with a diet tailored to your allergies and food sensitivities, and the reduction of stress and anxiety in your life.you can relate to and confide in. Support groups whether on or offline are also really helpful for suggestions which worked for others.

9 Secrets Why Aloe Vera is Good For You

Aloe Vera is a popular plant that is used for many medicinal purposes. It is originally discovered in North Africa and grows in arid climate. There are many uses for this amazing plant and is used for thousands of years by the Egyptians. If you can, try to grow the plant in your backyard so that you have a fresh supply of it when you need it.

Here are the many uses of this brilliant plant:

1. It accelerates healing rate. If you get a cut or a blister, apply this on top of the wound and you will notice that it will heal quickly.

2. Eating Aloe Vera will increase your blood glucose level if you have diabetes. However, it is best to consult a physician first before you try this.

3. Decreases lipid levels in your body and helps prevents cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes.

4. Decreases inflammation and symptoms with people who are suffering from ulcerative colitis.

5. Treatment of some STD (sexually transmitted disease) like genital herpes.

6. As a skin and face moisturizer. If you have baby oil, apply a bit of the plant inside and this would help to moisturize the skin.

7. Give fast relief if you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or heartburn.

8. Many of the soaps and shampoo have the extract of the plant in them. You can usually smell of it when you it on your body.

9. Strengthens your immune system and helps fights infections.

Wheatgrass Juice Provides You Lasting Relief From Digestive Issues

When you have digestive problems, it's easy to become dependent on over-the-counter drugs. I've had many patients come to me for help breaking their antacid habit.

If you feel like you're a slave to antacids, I have a solution for you that I bet you haven't thought of before. Many people with chronic digestive issues find lasting relief by drinking wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass juice is an all-natural, very nutritious way to relieve your indigestion pain.

Nature's Own Healing Agent

Wheatgrass is a cousin of the wheat we grow for flour. Its technical name is agropyron. When it's still young, wheatgrass looks pretty much like grass. The juice from wheatgrass is incredibly nutritious. From vitamins and minerals to amino acids and enzymes, this juice contains many things that can enhance your digestion and your general health.

Wheatgrass juice has been touted to cure everything from male pattern baldness to anemia to bad breath. It's been purported to prevent cancer and enhance weight loss. Despite some outlandish claims, many benefits of wheatgrass juice are very real. The digestive benefits, in particular, are backed up by good research.

Proven Relief From Your Indigestion

Wheatgrass juice is a good source vitamin B, amino acids and enzymes. Each of these helps promote healthy digestion. Whether you have constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, or other stomach problems, drinking this juice each day can provide quick and lasting relief.

In one study, patients with ulcerative colitis were given either 3 ounces of wheatgrass juice each day or a placebo. Those receiving the wheatgrass juice saw significant improvements in their symptoms. They had less pain and discomfort and experienced less rectal bleeding.

It's the high level of enzymes in this juice that helps improve digestion by causing your body to properly break down foods and absorb nutrients. Enzymes are essential to good digestion. Unfortunately, the average American diet is deficient in enzymes. A daily serving of wheatgrass juice can bring your own enzyme levels back into balance and that can do wonders for your digestion.

The high chlorophyll content of wheatgrass juice also helps promote good digestion. Chlorophyll which is valued for its detoxifying effects, works by removing toxins from the blood and by supporting good liver function. Most importantly for your digestion, it helps to cleanse your bowels. When your bowels are clean, they work better, and you'll notice less gas, bloating, and discomfort after eating.

Where to Find Wheatgrass Juice

You can get wheatgrass juice from juice bars, health food stores, or you can grow your own.

At juice bars, you can get this juice that is mixed into a tasty smoothie. This is an easy way to benefit, but it can get expensive if you're trying to drink it every day.

If you have a green thumb and a juicer at home, you can grow and juice your own wheatgrass. This grows quickly. It sprouts and is ready to juice within one to two weeks. Growing your own wheatgrass is the cheapest way to get all the benefits of this amazing food... and you'll be certain about the freshness and ingredients used to raise your own.

Personally, I prefer a quick visit to my local health food store, which carries this juice. This "middle ground" solution lets me enjoy the benefits of this juice without the trouble of tending the plants. Because you only need two to three ounces a day of juice a quart easily lasts me three weeks, making it a cost-effective option as well.

I do want to note one more thing about using wheatgrass juice. Most people don't enjoy the taste. I use my blender to mix the the juice with a variety of fruit juices. This masks the flavor without interfering with any of the benefits.

Wheatgrass juice is a great supplement, especially for digestive disorders. Whether you get a smoothie made to order or juice your own, you're sure to enjoy the digestive benefits of this juice.

Ulcerative Colitis Vs Crohn's Disease - Brief Discussion

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease can be together termed as irritable bowel syndrome. However certain dissimilarities they posses help physicians diagnosis and treat the diseases appropriately.

Commonly referred to, as irritable bowel syndrome, Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two most common bowl diseases. Your small intestine and colon get mostly affected by these two diseases. They may bare a lot of similarities in the symptoms that include pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of weight and anemia, but there are some significant differences as well that let the physicians distinguish between the diseases.

The common aspects of the diseases are as follows:
?? Almost 10-14 people in every 100,000 people get affected by the irritable bowel syndrome.
?? They mainly affect the Caucasian and Ashkenazi Jew population i.e., these two diseases are mostly seen in the advanced and developed countries.
?? The main reason for both the diseases seems to be the lesser amount of parasites in the intestine that led to the decreased fitness level of the enteric immune system.
?? One of the significant treatments for the diseases includes Trichuria Tricuriasis parasites that are injected into the intestine to reduce the symptoms of the diseases.

There are many other significant similarities as well. But there are also some differences that mainly help the physicians with the diagnosis of Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Some of the significant differences are as follows:

?? Crohn's disease usually doesn't affect the rectum but Ulcerative colitis doesn't spare it.
?? If you look into the biopsy results you would find characteristic noncaseating granulomas for Crohn's disease while in the case of UC you would find crypt abscesses.
?? UC mainly attacks the mucosa and sub mucosa of the GI tract while Crohn's mainly causes inflammation to all three layers of the GI tract. The latter mainly causes perforation to the colonic wall that can be truly dangerous.
?? Crohn's disease is also responsible for cobblestone appearance and a thick bowel wall due to inflammation and regrowth of the colonic wall. UC is mainly responsible for appearance of pseudo polyps as a result of indentations caused by the ulcerations present in the GI tract.

Usually an X-Ray is used by pathologists to distinguish between the Crohn's disease and the Ulcerative colitis so that the physicians can easily treat the patients with proper diagnosis.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease may bare a lot of similarities and also a lot of dissimilarities, but proper diagnosis of both of them is extremely necessary, as both require difference methods of treatments.

Causes and Symptoms of Colitis - A Guide

Ulcerative colitis is a relentless disorder that is epitomized by persistent incidents of abdominal discomfort, high temperatures, shivering and prolific dysentery. It is a continual, inflammatory bowel disorder in which the interior coating of the large intestine (the colon or the bowel) and rectum turn out to be painful.
Ulcerative colitis may possibly be attributable to an assortment of infections over and above a shortage of blood supply and certain autoimmune responses.

The colon, often also known as the large intestine accumulates and amasses the residues after digestion has occurred. The large intestine also functions as the route or conduit through which this residual matter moves towards the rectum to be thrown out of the body. As a result of ulcerative colitis the inner layer of this passage gets irritated. There is no specific cause of ulcerative colitis. The most common risk factors attributable to this disorder may be atypical attack of the immune response on the intestines. Smoking also has been found to cause this ailment. Environmental aspects like nourishment and a variety of infections may also cause colitis.

Crohn's disease is another type of colitis. It is an inflammatory ailment of the bowel and the intestines which mostly distresses many regions of the GI tract - starting with the mouth to the rectum. This is manifested in a wide variety of symptoms. It generally causes abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, queasiness and loss of weight. It may also bring about indications such as skin inflammation, arthritis, and irritation of the eyes, fatigue and loss of focus.

Crohn's disease is classified as an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's own immune response besets the GI tract, causing inflammation. There isn't any identified basis for the disease as such. Infectivity, family history, heredity, nutrition, various immunological aspects, measles, certain vaccines, and even psychosomatic factors may have a role to play in crohn's disease.

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a fairly common colitis that affects numerous people. On the whole, people with IBS have a markedly vulnerable GI tract. Irritable bowel syndrome can have varied medical manifestations. The warning signs may vary from dysentery, to lack of bowel movement, to abdominal spasms to the urge to visit the washroom as soon as food is eaten. All these indications are an expression of the very same disease. Experts have found the major sources of irritable bowel syndrome to be improper digestion of the food that is eaten and to a certain extent, the stress that most people experience these days.

In conclusion, a lot of people suffer from the various forms of colitis. Knowing some of the symptoms and causes associated with these may be useful to people.

Colon Disease Symptoms - Do I Have Any Colon Disease? Check the Symptoms

With the passage of time it has been witnessed that lifestyles of people have changed a lot. In fact their hectic schedule rarely gives them time to concentrate on healthy diets. Further the intake of the junk foods and sugar seem to increase the health related issues a lot. The most prominent among them can be the clogged constipated colons. The symptoms of colon disease rarely show up.

Some of the common symptoms can help you identify Colon Disease are :

* Blood in your stool

* Irregular stomach pain or cramps

* You experience change in your stool habits

* Weight loss

In case, if you are suffering from these symptoms, then you must immediately consult your doctor.

Do I have Colon Disease? Check out the Symptoms:

There are various types of colon diseases. You can check out the symptoms so that you can pick up the appropriate treatment option in a wise manner. Check them out:

* Colon Polyps: It more or shows no symptoms at all. In most of the cases they are found incidentally during the x-ray or endoscopy of the bowel. However, in some cases you would find symptoms like mucus discharge, bleeding, abdominal pain and change in the bowel function.

* Crohn's Disease: In such a case, symptoms might include fever, bloating, skin lesions, joint pain, weight loss, bloating, rectal abscess and cramping etc. Bleeding might be dangerous in most of the cases as it would lead to anemia. This disease might even cause infection in the bladder or skin.

* Ulcerative Colitis: In this case you would experience abdominal pain, constipation, weight loss, fever, bloating etc. Kids suffering from such a disease won't grow properly.

* Deverticular disease: Most suffering from this disease won't experience any symptoms or discomfort. However, the most common symptom which would disturb you a lot is the abdominal pain. Further, if you are suffering from infection then you would suffer from nausea, vomiting, cramping, constipation, chills etc.

A Shot of Wheatgrass Juice Everyday Keeps the Doctor Away

People have taken interest on wheatgrass because of the many health benefits it gives. For the health-conscious individuals, wheatgrass juice is the way to go. If you are planning on taking the natural road to a healthy you, here are some things you have to know to get you started on wheatgrass juice.

What is wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the young grass of wheat plant that is dried or juiced. Because it has a high amount of Chlorophyll, it is rich in many vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown that wheatgrass has various curative and detoxifying functions.

Because wheatgrass has increased in popularity for some time now, you can easily buy wheatgrass prepared in various forms. Some bars and restaurants also included wheatgrass juice in their menu.

What are the benefits of taking wheatgrass?

• Improves metabolism and cares for your heart

Wheatgrass is good for your heart as it lowers down your blood pressure. It also makes your blood healthier by increasing the red blood cells in your blood. The properties of wheatgrass also reduce the acidity of your blood because wheatgrass is very rich in alkaline minerals. Taking wheatgrass will also help enhance your thyroid functions. It is also said that wheatgrass is effective in treating gastrointestinal diseases like constipation, diarrhea, peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis.

• detoxifying agent

Because of the presence of minerals and antioxidants, wheatgrass is a very effective detoxifying agent. It also fights off and gets rid of harmful chemicals and other substances that may develop into various types of cancers and other illnesses. Wheatgrass makes your blood healthy and cleanses the liver effectively. Using this to treat tumors and toxins helps patient recover from their illnesses without the harmful side effects of synthetic drugs.

• Slows down the aging process

Aging is part of an individual's normal growth and development but it doesn't mean that your health should be affected by aging. Taking wheatgrass puts aging on a different level. It does not only slows down the process, but it makes you age healthily by cleansing your body off harmful toxins and keeping your cells healthy.

• Aids individuals to lose weight

Wheatgrass has fat-burning properties. It also suppresses your appetite. Losing weight doesn't have to mean taking those weight-loss pills or undergoing surgery. A regular dose of wheatgrass will do wonders to your body.

Preparations

The popularity of wheatgrass resulted to it being available in various forms. Now, you can take wheatgrass in powdered juice, tablets or through juice shots.

Some people also decide to grow wheatgrass in their homes so they can always have it easily available to them. Whatever preparations you prefer, the important thing is to be able to have your regular intake of wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass juice is prepared like any other type of juice. Add water and enjoy. You can also add some ice. Juice shots are also available in the market. A 5ml shot is equal to a tablet of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass tablets are taken twice daily.

Wheatgrass has many healthy benefits for you. Take a dose of wheatgrass everyday and start your journey to a healthier you.

An Overview of Abdominal Pain

We can hardly find a person who has not suffered from abdominal pain at least once in his life. Abdominal pain may be of different types, caused by a number of causes, which range from simple to life threatening conditions. Irrespective of the cause and the severity, it is troublesome for the sufferers and the caregivers, and hence forces them to go for a medical consultation.

Abdomen is the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, which is separated from the thorax by a diaphragm and from the true pelvis by an imaginary plane. Anteriorly the anterior abdominal wall supports it and posteriorly, the spine and back muscles. Skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, muscles, layers of fascia (Fascia transversalis), extra peritoneal connective tissue and the outer layer of peritoneum form the anterior abdominal wall. The abdominal cavity extends upwards in to the concavity of diaphragm and downwards in to the pelvic cavity. Since there is overlapping by the ribs in the upper part and pelvic bones in the lower part, the exact size of the abdominal cavity is masked.

The abdomen contains digestive organs like stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and uro-genital organs like kidneys, ureters, bladder, fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. It also contains organs like spleen, adrenal glands, mesenteric lymph nodes, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels etc. Ligaments formed by peritoneal tissue attach these organs and keep them in position. The peritoneum is a large serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and has got two layers. The outer layer is called parietal peritoneum and it covers the inner surface of the abdominal wall and the inner layer is called visceral peritoneum, which covers the organs and restricts their mobility. These two layers of peritoneum are connected by omentum and mesentery through which the organs get blood supply and nerve supply. The cavity formed by the two layers of peritoneum is a potential space, called peritoneal cavity, which is moistened by a serous fluid to avoid friction of abdominal contents.

Types of abdominal pain:

Depending upon the origin, there can be different types of abdominal pains.

1. Visceral pain (Splanchnic pain): This is caused by stimulation of visceral nerves by a noxious agent, which may be living organisms, toxins, mechanical stimuli like stretching, excessive muscular contraction or an ischaemia. Visceral pain is dull in nature and is poorly localized and felt in the midline.

2. Parietal pain: This is also called somatic pain. Here, some noxious agents stimulate the parietal peritoneum causing a sharp and localized pain. This type of pain is worse by movements.

3. Referred pain: Here the pain, though originating in other sites, is felt in the abdomen due to common nerve supply. Example: Conditions like pleurisy, pericarditis, torsion of testes etc. cause pain in abdominal region due to supply of nerves having the same root value (Spinal segments).

It has already been mentioned that abdominal pain is agonizing for the affected person and his family members irrespective of its cause and severity. Intensity of pain may not always indicate the seriousness of the condition because severe pain can be from mild conditions like indigestion and flatulency, where as mild pain may be present in life threatening conditions like perforation, cancer etc. Hence proper diagnosis and management is very essential.

Modes of presentation of abdominal pain:

1. Acute abdominal pain: Here, the pain is sudden with a rapid onset and short course, which may be due to severe or mild lesions. The term 'acute abdomen' is used in conditions wherein the patient complains of acute abdominal symptoms that suggest a disease, which definitely or possibly threatens life and may or may not demand urgent surgical interference. Acute pain may be colicky or non colicky in nature.

2. Chronic abdominal pain: Here the pain is long lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering. The complaints persist for a long time with fluctuations in the intensity of symptoms.

3. Sub acute abdominal pain: As the name indicates the duration of pain lies between acute and chronic conditions.

4. Acute exacerbation: In this state, a person having chronic symptoms comes with sudden onset of symptoms that simulate an acute condition. In such cases the patient or the bystanders give the history of chronic sufferings.

Causes of abdominal pain:

The etiology of abdominal pain can be discussed under the following headings.

A. Pain due to lesions in the abdomen: Example: Gastritis, Duodenitis, Appendicitis, Peritonitis, Pancreatitis, Intestinal obstruction, Renal colic, Cholecystitis, Gall stones with obstruction, Peptic ulcer, Intestinal perforation, Non ulcer dyspepsia, Food allergy, Hepatitis, Liver abscess, Mesenteric lymphadenitis, Inflammatory bowel diseases (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), Dysentery, Cancer of the gastro intestinal tract (GIT), Abdominal TB, Abdominal migraine, Acute regional ileitis, etc.

B. Pain due to metabolic and general problems: Example: Poisoning, Renal failure, Diabetes, Thyroid problems, Hyper parathyroidism, Porphyria, Drugs, Lead colic, Black widow spider bite, Blood diseases, Malaria, Leukemia, Peri arteritis nodosa, Hereditary angioedema, Cystic fibrosis.

C. Pain due to lesions outside the abdomen (Referred pains & neuralgic pains): Here the pain is referred from other sites due to common innervations. Example: Pneumonia, Heart attack, Sub acute bacterial endocarditis, Torsion of testes etc. Pains as a result of some neurogenic lesions are also included in this category. Example: Herpes zoster, Spinal nerve root pains, Tabes dorsalis, TB spine, Abdominal epilepsy, etc.

D. Functional pain: Here, the pain comes without any lesions, mostly due to some psychological causes. Example: Panic disorder, School stress, Somatisation disorder, History of sexual abuse, Irritable bowel syndrome.

E. Pain due to lesions in the urinary tract: Both upper and lower urinary tract lesions cause abdominal pain. Example: Urinary tract infection, Cystitis, Pyelonephritis, Urinary retention, Renal colic, Ureteric colic.

F. Pain due to gynecological and obstetrical problems: Even though the gynecological organs are situated in the pelvis, most of the lesions present with pain in lower abdomen. Example: Menstrual colic, Ruptured ectopic gestation, Acute salpingitis, Endometriosis, Endometritis, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Torsion of polyp, Pelvic abscess, IUCD pain, Puerperal infection.

G. Causes in children: In children there are some common causes, which are worth mentioning. Example: Babies colic, Lactose intolerance, Milk allergy, Intussusception, Volvolus, Torsion of testes, Accidental swallowing, Streptococcal throat infection, Congenital megacolon, Overfeeding, Food allergy, Aerophagy.

H. Non specific abdominal pain: Here, no immediate cause is found even after history taking and investigations.
In about 35 to 40% of cases of abdominal pain, the cause may not be identified easily and hence treated symptomatically. But, if the pain persists along with the appearance of other signs and symptoms that indicate the underlying cause, it should be identified as early as possible to manage the case properly.

Provisional disease diagnosis:

Here the probable condition causing abdominal pain is diagnosed by considering the history, signs and symptoms along with other clinical findings.

Lab investigations:

This includes several diagnostic procedures that can help for the final disease diagnosis. The choice of investigation depends upon the signs and symptoms that indicate a probable condition. The suitable investigation helps to reach a final diagnosis.

Example: Routine blood, Routine urine, Blood biochemistry, Stool examination, X-ray Barium x-ray Ultrasonography, Endoscopy of GIT, CT scan, MRI scan, Gastric acid secretion studies, Laperoscopy, Mucosal biopsy, ECG, Excretory urography, ERCP, IVP, Exploratory laparotomy etc are some useful investigations.

Final disease diagnosis:

After doing necessary investigations, the disease or the condition causing abdominal pain is diagnosed by correlating with the clinical findings and the history of the patient. In case of a diagnostic dilemma, a team of doctors are involved in the diagnosis and management.

The Essential Benefits of Bee Propolis

Often referred to as "bee glue", bee propolis has been popular due to its essential benefits. Based on facts, bee propolis is a resinous mixture which is made by bees using tree buds, sap flows or other botanical resources. Typically, the highlight benefits of bee propolis focuses on the health wellness whereas its advantages evolves in folk medicine since the ancient times.

The propolis unique composition as well as its capability to promote general nutritional health as well as its supplemental benefits in promoting optimal health is the reasons why most people do consider this type of health regimen. Basically, the benefits of bee propolist are due to it components such as protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and flavonoids. Hence, in order to know more about the well known health benefits of bee propolis, here are some of the advantages belonging to this amazing type of bee product.

繚 Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects: since prehistoric era, researches have shown that propolis can internally combat certain unwanted manifestations in the body such as bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral infections which are found in tuberculosis, malaria or even in colds. Furthermore, it has been also known to promote faster wound healing as it inhibits inflammation as well as prevent the occurrence of infections.

繚 It can manage ulcers and ulcerative colitis: the tough healing effect on digestive organs as well as in the stomach and bowls are mainly due to its flavonoid components. In addition, since peptic ulcers as well as ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation in some of the parts in the digestive system, the proplis essential anti-inflammatory benefits can prevent the occurrence of such condition.

繚 Dental anti-plaque agent: as subject by recent dentistry studies, one of the benefits of bee propolis that experts must look upon to is its ability to protect the oral cavity against dental caries and other forms of oral diseases. Its antimicrobial properties have made this treatment possible as it fights against different kinds of infections. Furthermore, the benefits of bee propolis can also be used as a treatment for canker sores which is a painful open sore in the mouth as well as in canal debridement for endodontic procedures.

繚 Anti-tumor growth agent: in actual fact, bee propolis can also be an effective agent against tumor growth as it inhibits tumorigenesis which literally the origin of cancer. Fundamentally, studies have shown that propolis can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Moreover, it can also reduce growth expression and other transcription factors particularly caffeic acid phenethyl ester which is considered to be responsible for the resistance of cancer cell to chemotherapeutic agents.

繚 Good source of antioxidants: studies have shown that one of the most useful benefits of bee propolis is due to flavonoids. Essentially, researches have reported that certain flavonoids such as chrysin are good source of antioxidant compounds which is basically a good thing. Antioxidants are substances that may protect the cells against the effects of free radicals which include damaging of cells and can practically trigger heart disease, cancer and other diseases.

Make Use of Aloe Vera for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Aloe Vera has proven to be a wonderful natural remedy to treat bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis with it anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing and many other properties.

People suffering from ulcerative colitis have some good news in the form of Aloe Vera treatment. This herbal medicine has become an effective drug for the treatment of intestinal disorders. In fact, thousands of people have found this treatment effective. Some of the major advantages of this drug are:

• It causes internal healing
• It restores the health
• It is 100% natural
• It has no side effects

Therefore, you can use it without any worry. This drug is not only effective in treatment of ulcerative colitis, but also other disorders like Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. This natural drug is also known to eliminate constipation.

Aloe Vera drug is safe for children and people of all age groups. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used along with other medicines. In fact it can recover the effects of other medicines in the body. The healing property of the plant is mainly due to AMP molecules. AMP is the short form for Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharide. It acts on each cell of the body and heals them. It can also eliminate diarrhea.

Aloe Vera also has anti-oxidizing property. It helps to rebuild the tissues of the whole body. Thus the mucosal lining inside the colon, which has been damaged by colitis, is repaired once the tissues get back to normalcy. This drug has helped in the elimination of crohn's disease in many people. The leaves of aloe Vera are well known for their antiviral and anti fungal properties. They also act against bacteria that attack the body.

Aloe Vera also helps with digestion. It also boosts the immune system of the body. Altogether, it helps the body to get back its strength after the being affected by ulcerative colitis. People who have been suffering from various forms of colitis have benefited from this herbal drug. Since it helps in building the lining of intestine, it is also helpful in eliminating irritable bowel syndrome. There are many online stores that sell this drug. Some may even offer buy one get one free deals. You can get information from various stores through phone or email.

Can L Glutamine Help Gastrointestinal Function?

L-Glutamine, a non-essential amino acid, is found prevalently in our blood stream. It is an amino acid, occurring naturally in our body and found in large amounts in the skeletal muscles, liver, lungs, brain and stomach tissues. This article illustrates the beneficial effect of L-Glutamine in aiding gastrointestinal function.

Recent research has provided ample evidence that L-Glutamine helps in gastrointestinal functions. Glutamine-rich foods are associated with intestinal effects like maintenance of gut barrier function and cell differentiation. The vitamin is definitely used in very large amounts by the gastrointestinal tract of all other body parts, since the enterocytes in the intestinal epithelium employ glutamine as their major metabolic fuel.

Almost all the research conducted on glutamine for its connection to intestinal permeability has been in conjunction with Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) uses. There are evidences that glutamine-containing TPN solution reverses mucosal atrophy, decreases villous atrophy, lowers intestinal permeability and increases jejuna weight.

Conditions like trauma, starvation, infection, chemotherapy, etc are linked to a derangement of intestinal permeability. One of the likely consequences of increased permeability is microbial translocation. Microbes like bacteria, fungi, etc with their toxins may possibly translocate across the mucosal barrier into blood, thus resulting in sepsis.

On addition of either glutamine or glutamine dipeptides to TPN enhanced the gut barrier function in addition to the boosting of immune system in the gut. Some of the conditions that may be avoided through this supplementation include food allergies, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, etc.

It has been proved in a clinical study that the employment of just 30g of germinated barley foodstuff (rich in glutamine) for a period of four weeks can lead to significant improvements in ulcerative colitis patients, irrespective of the stage of the disease. Consumption of cabbage juice is found to be beneficial for gastric ulcer as well as gastritis patients, especially due to its high glutamine content.

Besides, the gastrointestinal tract possesses a huge number of immune cells such as fibroblasts, macrophages, and lymphocytes all along the length of the tract. Glutamine is capable of providing nourishment to these immune cells, which may in turn account for a positive impact on the gastrointestinal tract and its immunity. This function is especially responsible for the accomplishment of actions like healing of trauma injuries, burns, surgical wounds, etc.

It is evident that the functioning of immunity in the gastrointestinal tract is thus completely dependent on glutamine. This acts as a metabolic fuel for the immune cells to grow as well as proliferate. Thus, a decrease in the intracellular glutamine levels during stressful conditions can slower the pace of growth in these cells and thus prolongs the healing process. In another study, glutamine supplementation with arginine and omega-3 fatty acids will assist in restoring the normal tissue function as well as intestinal permeability in postoperative patients.

Glutamine does play a significant role in enhancing the immune function of the gastrointestinal tract.

The Health Benefits Of Ginger

Ginger is a culinary spice known to add its pungent taste and aroma to whatever dish it is added to. It has a long history as a culinary spice and medicinal herb for thousands of years in Asia, and has been exported to the West thanks to Eastern traders. Since then it has become a staple in most kitchens around the world.

I. History Of Ginger

Ginger or Zangiber officinale in Latin, is an aromatic underground stem or rhizome. This plant has a long history in Asian cuisine for thousands of years. Indigenous to China, it was used as a culinary spice for more than 4,400 years. Its medicinal value was sought after; for more than 2,000 years it has been recognized as a cure against diarrhea, nausea and stomach upset. Its use became widespread in India, under the

Muslim rule, when it was used in preparing meat dishes, and even buttermilk and curd products.

During the time of Roman Empire, ginger was brought by Eastern traders to Rome for its medicinal properties. Even when the
Roman Empire fell, and when Arab merchants controlled the trade of spices and herbs, it was constantly exported to Europe. By
the 16th century the Arabs brought the rhizome to East Africa to plant it there, and introduced it to the Caribbean.

II. Culinary Uses Of Ginger

You may be wondering about the taste and smell of ginger. It has phenylpropanoids (gingerol and zingerone) and diarylheptanoids (gingeroles and shoagoles) - compounds that are responsible for its distinct taste. When cooked, gingerol transforms into zingerone, which has a less pungent, spicy-sweet aroma.

Ginger is a common ingredient when meat dishes are cooked, as it acts as a tenderizer to soften the meat. In the West, ginger acts as a flavoring in baked goodies like ginger cake, ginger biscuits, and in drinks like ginger ale.

II. Health Benefits Of Ginger

Modern medical science has proven its efficacy in treating nausea and motion sickness. In one study, for example, 80 novice sailors prone to motion sickness were made to take powdered ginger. The subjects showed significant reduction in cold sweating and in vomiting.

It is also seen as a more effective aid for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting compared to placebo. In one large study composed of 70 pregnant women with severe vomiting and nausea, those who took 1 g of ginger each day had reported less vomiting and being less nauseous, against those who took placebo.

Ginger contains antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in certain food like garlic, green tea, coffee, red wine and apples.

These are responsible for fighting free radicals which naturally occur inside the body, and which contribute to the development of health problems such as heart disease and cancer.

Aside from that, it acts as a natural anti inflammatory in health problems like arthritis, ulcerative colitis, bursitis and bronchitis.

While no major side effects are associated with taking ginger as a medicinal herb, caution is advised to those with gallstones. Consult your physician first before taking it.

A Case on Candida and Ulcerative Colitis

This article will discuss about Candida and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). This is based from someone who sent me an email. He is 24 years old from the United Kingdom. He's suffered from candida and ulcerative colitis, although he thought candida might be the cause of his UC. He's suffered from UC without remission for 7 years.

He's having difficulty coming off steroids. He'd started an anti-fungal/diet program again, but every time he took anti-fungals, the yeast would come back the following day, and he would feel very tired during the morning. He thought it's because her adrenals were having a hard time coping with the die-off. He's currently at 1mg of prednisolone, he was wondering if he may need to increase his dose to 2.5 mg so that he can get things moving with the anti-fungals and his adrenals can cope with the die-off.

Dealing with those circumstances, a lot of sources have recommended that you do the diet for a few weeks (one book says 3 months) before starting on anti-fungals to avoid the problem of a sudden, massive die-off.

Once you realize what the yeast can do, anytime you have symptoms of any kind, just continue your medicines but cut back on them and take lots of colon cleanse and distilled water. You should have a die-off and once that happens you will feel better. But beware and keep taking your medicines like before. Maybe now you can tolerate your usual dosage and you probably will have another die-off but not before you start feeling bad again.

Wheatgrass - What's So Good About it?

The wheatgrass message has spread like wildfire over recent years and most people will have heard of it. Most will also know that is good for you. But what exactly is so go about it?

1. Well, for a start wheatgrass lowers blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body and increases red blood-cell count. It is also a great blood, organ and gastrointestinal tract cleanser. Wheatgrass enriches the blood and therefore stimulates the body's enzyme systems and metabolism.
2. The abundance of alkaline minerals in wheatgrass helps restores alkalinity to the blood. It has been used to successfully treat ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal tract complaints.
3. Wheatgrass Is a powerful detoxifier, and helps protect the blood and liver. It can offer protection from carcinogens in a way that no other food can replicate. It detoxifies the liver and bloodstream and strengthens our cells.
4. Wheatgrass can eliminate itching almost immediately when applied to the skin. It is amazingly soothing.
5. Apply a wheatgrass poultice to cuts, burns and scrapes in order to soothe the pain. The poultice should be changed every 2-4 hours. Also great for, insect bites, rashes, boils, ulcers, sores and, tumors.
6. Place a tray of wheatgrass in your bedroom if you want a good night's sleep. It will enhance the oxygen in the air and generate negative ions.
7. If taken regularly over a number of months, wheatgrass has the ability to turn gray hair back to its natural color.
8. Wheatgrass promotes youthfulness and can therefore restores fertility.
9. Wheatgrass can be used as a breath freshener, as it will neutralize bad breath. If you gargle with it, it will also firm and tighten your gums.
10. Wheatgrass has the ability to neutralize many toxic substances. These include nicotine, mercury, cadmium, and strontium.

Finding a Qualified Classical Homeopath

Homeopathic Services - when you need a Professional Classical Homeopath with the letters DCH, CCH or HMC?

Recently at a presentation I was speaking at, it became very obvious what a confusing struggle it is to know when you've found the appropriate holistic practitioner for your specific health concern. In Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, East Vancouver, Burnaby and all of the Lower Mainland, this is a particularly challenging.

The positive aspect of the fact that this is such a challenge in Vancouver is that there are many holistic practitioners to choose from. There are many highly qualified Homeopaths, Naturopaths, TCM practitioners, TCM Doctors, Acupuncturists, Shiatsu, Craniosacral Therapists, Osteopaths, Reiki Masters etc... in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Within the different modalities to choose from, there are various levels of education. Usually this is indicated by the letters behind the practitioners' name.

When choosing a well educated and experienced Homeopath, look for the following letters: DCH, CCH and HMC. They will often be shown somewhat in this order. The significance of these letters is that they have received four years of up to date/contemporary education. That is what the DCH stands for (Diploma of Classical Homeopathy).

I will define the significance of the term 'Classical Homeopath' in another article. The CCH signifies that the Homeopath has completed the Board exams for Certification as a Classical Homeopath that apply to all North American Homeopaths. The CCH letters are very important when looking for a properly trained Homeopath. CCH stands for Certified Classical Homeopath.

In the Vancouver area (specifically Bowen Island and West Vancouver), we are fortunate to have an upper level Homeopath and Professional Teacher, Louis Klein. Between the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy (DCH) with Murray Feldman and Louis Klein's Homeopathic Master Clinician (HMC) courses, the Vancouver area is brimming with the best trained Homeopaths in North America.

Louis Klein's HMC course is an excellent three year follow up to the Diploma years. After these seven years of focussed, professional training - a Classical Homeopath is well equipped to help you with any range of health concerns - even the ones that conventional medical doctors might not know how to address (undiagnosed).

Seek Homeopathic Treatment from a Classically trained, professional homeopath for any chronic or acute health concerns. At Access Natural Healing Centre, we have the highest calibre, professional Homeopaths to serve you and your families natural health care needs.

We offer homeopathic treatment for, but not limited to: Allergies, Asthmatic Bronchitis, Headaches, Many psychological problems and disorders including Anxiety and Depression, Constipation, Diarrhea, Insomnia, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, ADD, Autism, Weight Control, Menopausal symptoms, Chalazion, Eczema, Hepatitis-C, IBS, Psoriasis, Tonsillitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Urticaria, Vitiligo.

Good luck and remember to research responsibly. The internet can be a great first start to your research but follow it up with grounding contact with a professional of your choice.

Sincerely,
Elena Cecchetto ("El" for short) DCH, CCH (pending), HMC (pending)

Why a List of Gluten Intolerance Symptoms Doesn't Help Much

If you are trying to determine whether or not you have celiac disease, you may have hit up your favorite search engine for a list of symptoms. But I'm afraid gluten sensitivity can't be encapsulated with a simple list. Let me explain why.

There Are Over 250 Symptoms Associated With Gluten Intolerance

The first reason any list will not help you is that celiac disease and varying degrees of gluten sensitivities feature an enormous, evolving and growing list of symptoms. Most people experience just a small subset of those symptoms, but that subset of symptoms could often represent an entirely different disease or condition.

If you were to look at a genuine attempt at a complete list of symptoms of celiac disease, it would read like an overwhelming collective list of dozens of other diseases or conditions. It could also imply to some people that if they didn't experience a large number of those specific symptoms, they did not have celiac sprue disease. And that is dangerously mistaken.

Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms Often Overlap With Other Problems

For example, in adults anemia is a common symptom of gluten sensitivity. But anemia could also occur if you are not consuming enough iron in your diet or if you have some other problem with your digestive tract, like an ulcer or Barrett's esophagus.

Osteoporosis is another symptom among celiac adults. But osteoporosis can represent a wide variety of conditions or simply represent a lack of vitamin D and/or calcium in the diet.

The most common symptoms associated with an intolerance to gluten are diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating, along with cramping. All of these could also indicate a wide number of conditions, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Lactose intolerance and candida problems can also mimic problems digesting gluten, so if you are worried about suffering from celiac sprue disease because of certain symptoms, you should also have yourself evaluated for these problems.

The Terms Gluten Intolerance, Wheat Allergy and Celiac Disease Are Not Synonyms

Another reason a simple list of gluten intolerance symptoms may not help you too much is that many websites often confuse a wheat allergy for a gluten sensitivity or vice versa. Furthermore, some assume that if you have an intolerance to gluten that you automatically have celiac disease, which is not true.

Others may imply that if you test negative for celiac disease than you can consume gluten. That definitely is not true as there are varying degrees of gluten intolerance and one can be diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity and still require a gluten-free diet.

So try to delineate the differences between these different terms and understand what the symptoms you personally are experiencing may mean in the context of your diet and your overall health profile.

Crohn's Disease Information

Crohn's Disease (also known as ulcerative colitis, granulomatous enteritis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis) is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract (also known as the gastrointestinal tract). Crohn's Disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, however it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease - the common name for diseases that cause swelling in the intestines. Because the symptoms of Crohn's Disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it can be difficult to diagnose. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine. In Crohn's Disease, all layers of the intestine may be involved, and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel.

The cause of Crohn's Disease is unknown. It is suspected that infection by certain bacteria, such as strains of mycobacterium, may be the cause of Crohn's Disease. However, there has been no conclusive evidence that the disease is caused by infection. Crohn's Disease is not contagious. Although diet may affect the symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease, it is not likely that diet is actually responsible for the onset of the disease.

The most common Crohn's Disease symptoms are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Less common symptoms include poor appetite, fever, night sweats, rectal pain, and rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, and skin problems, may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn's Disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth. The range and severity of symptoms varies.

A thorough physical exam and a series of tests may be required to diagnose Crohn's Disease. Blood tests to check for anemia - which could indicate bleeding in the intestines. Blood tests may also uncover a high white blood cell count, which is a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body. By testing a stool sample, the doctor can tell if there is bleeding or infection in the intestines.

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage. Crohn's Disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus.

Crohn's Disease affects both men and women and can run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's Disease have a blood relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Crohn's Disease can occur in people of all age groups, but it is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30. People of Jewish heritage have an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease, and African Americans are at decreased risk for developing Crohn's Disease.

Treatment for Crohn's Disease may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these options. Treatment controls inflammation, corrects nutritional deficiencies, and relieves symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment can help control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence - however - there is no cure. Treatment for Crohn's Disease depends on the location and severity of disease, complications, and the person's response to previous medical treatments when treated for reoccurring symptoms.

Some people have long periods of remission, sometimes years, when they are free of symptoms. However, the disease usually recurs at various times over a person's lifetime.

This changing pattern of the disease means you cannot always tell when a treatment has helped. It is not possible to predict when a remission may occur or when symptoms will return. A person with Crohn's Disease may need medical care for a long time, with regular doctor visits to monitor the condition.

Anal Fistula and Its Treatments

Anal fistula, also known as fistula-in-ano, is a condition wherein a tunnel-like track is developed in the perennial region with one or multiple external openings near the anus area which leads to internal opening in the mucosa of the rectum or the anal canal.

Allopathy, homeopathy and even Ayurveda have different treatment options for this condition. In Ayurveda, anal fistula is termed as 'Bhagandara' and is classified on the basis of the site and shape of the fistula track. The complex ischio-rectal fistula also known as the horse-shoe fistula has been referred to and dealt in detail in the classical Ayurveda text - Sushruta tracing back in 300 A.D. Ayurveda suggested the Ksharsutra treatment and with a little modification, it is still relevant even today, according to Ayurvedic medical services.

The rare condition of chronically inflamed abnormal tunnel results from an infection in the tissue lining of the anal canal. The track between the outer skin of anus and the anal canal sometimes drains watery pus which can irritate the outer tissues and can cause itching and discomfort. The infection is caused to due to bacterial spread in the rectum. It may also occur due to cancer of the large intestine, tuberclosis, healed sore in the rectal area, diverticulitis, gonorrhea, ulcerative colitis or crohn's disease.

The symptoms of anal fistula may include itching, discomfort and pain, recurrent abscess, blood or pus discharge or irritation of tissue around the anus or burning sensation in the perennial region. The symptoms subside when the abscess or boil bursts spontaneously causing discharge. These boils heal for a short period but recur after a while. There is no definite cause for it but sometimes the fissure in ano gets affected and infection travels down to form a track or fistula and sometimes there is a previous history of ano-rectal abscess.

Anal fistula can be treated but they do not heal spontaneously. Fiber tissues develop on the inner walls of the fistula and the payogenic membrane doe not allow spontaneous healing. The common method of treatment is the removal of the payogenic membrane and the fibrous tissue which can take many sittings and sometimes, a silk setone is passes through parts of the track. The other methods may be sealing with fibrin glue, applying a skin graft, coring out fistulous track, laser surgery or fistulectomy or excision of fistulous track and suturing the wounds.

One can also take help of online medical products for the treatment of anal fistula.

Always Tired - It Could Be Iron-Deficient Anemia

The most common complaint I hear is that people always feel tired. In fact, most people seem to think feeling tired all the time is just a normal part of modern life. Fortunately, this isn't so.

There are many causes of chronic tiredness. Sometimes it's obvious, like not getting enough sleep, but other times it can be due to an underlying health issue. Chronic tiredness can be a frustrating condition. There usually isn't a simple solution to it and any medical tests are likely to come back 'normal'.

In this article I'm going to explore iron-deficient anemia, how it can cause chronic tiredness and who is most at risk.

Other symptoms of iron-deficient anemia include:

You feel particularly tired after exercising

You may have a malabsorption problem (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease) which can cause internal bleeding and anemia

You are more prone to catching colds, infections and the flu

You may often feel cold and look pale or generally unwell

Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body.
Iron deficient anemia is the most common type of anemia. It happens when you don't have enough iron in your body. You need iron to make hemoglobin.

It's possible to be iron deficient without having anemia. Iron deficiency develops gradually and occurs when the dietary iron intake does not meet the daily need for iron. Initially the storage form of iron becomes depleted, while the blood hemoglobin level (a marker of iron status) remains normal. People who are iron deficient have no iron stores to mobilize if the body requires more iron.

How does iron deficiency progress to iron deficient anemia? Iron deficiency anemia is an advanced stage of iron depletion. It occurs when storage sites of iron are deficient and blood levels of iron cannot meet daily needs. Blood hemoglobin levels are now below normal.

Who is most at risk for iron deficiency and iron-deficient anemia?

Women of childbearing age. This is due to 2 main reasons. Firstly, they loose blood each month with menstruation. Secondly, they are the group most likely to diet and unfortunately protein and meat are commonly reduced in the erroneous belief that they are fattening.

Pregnant women - the growing baby uses the mother's iron stores.

Infants and toddlers - especially if they are fussy eaters

Athletes - due to the increased needs for oxygen.

People who lose abnormal amounts of blood (heavy menstruation, people with gastro-intestinal bleeding)

People with kidney disease - people with kidney failure, especially those being treated with dialysis, are at high risk for developing iron deficiency anemia because their kidneys cannot create enough erythropoietin, a hormone needed to make red blood cells. Both iron and erythropoietin can be lost during kidney dialysis.

People who have a low intake of dietary iron (fussy eaters, vegetarians)

People with malabsorption and digestive problems who can't absorb the iron that they eat. Most iron is absorbed in the small intestines. Gastrointestinal disorders that result in inflammation of the small intestine may result in diarrhea, poor absorption of dietary iron and iron depletion.

People who have deficiencies of vitamin A. This nutrient helps mobilize iron from its storage sites, so a deficiency of vitamin A limits the body's ability to use stored iron. This results in an "apparent" iron deficiency because hemoglobin levels are low even though the body can maintain normal amounts of stored iron.

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.