"Health Articles"

Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder found in patients who are genetically susceptible, with the resulting damage to the small intestine by an interference with the absorption of nutrients. The main culprit with Celiac Disease is a protein called Gluten. These proteins are found in all forms of main stream and non-mainstream wheat products. Such as durum semolina, spelt, einkorn, kamut and related grains such as rye, barley, and oats. Damage to the mucus on the surface of the small intestine is caused by a toxic reaction to the ingestion of gluten.

Effects Of:

With Celiac Disease the villi,which are the tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine, shrink and eventually disappear. This is the destructive reaction to Celiac Disease. Damaged villi interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and even possibly water and bile salts. If left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be life threatening, posing an increased risk of many disorders.

If Left Untreated:

Iron deficiency, Anemia, Vitamin K deficiency, Vitamin deficiencies such as folate, B12, B6, or an iron deficiency, and other mineral deficiencies, other food sensitivities.

Symptoms May Include:

Abdominal cramping, gas, and bloating. Diarrhea or constipation. Fluctuation of weight (loss or gain), fatigue, weakness, lack of energy, and all thats associated with with lack of energy.

Possible Treatment:

There is no treatment or cure for Celiac Disease. Except for a lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine will begin to heal and general health will be improved. You may want to consider supplementation for any deficiencies. Consult your doctor about this. Lifestyle changes are in order for the Celiac sufferer. Become a label reader. If you are unsure about a certian food or ingredient, stay away and learn to identify ingredients that may contain that hidden gluten. Be very diligent. Be aware that hidden gluten can be hiding in some unlikely foods such as low or non-fat products, deli meats, soups, hard candies, soy sauce, even salad dressings. If there is no label to read such as candy in a dish, stay away, again be very diligent.

Gluten may also be used as a binder in prescription medicines. Again ask youre doctor about Gluten in medications.

Alcohol that’s properly distilled shouldn’t contain any harmful gluten. Research indicates that the peptide is too large to carry over in the distillation process. Beer is a definite no-no. You might want to consider staying away from alcohol altogether (like the author of this site). This might seem drastic to some but our health is at stake. Wine from the Liquor store might bother youre stomach, like it does mine possibly because of Sulfites as a preserative to give it a longer shelf life. Home made Wine wthout any added ingredients in moderation seems to be O.K.

Sometimes Gluten products are added to alcohols and Vinegars after the distilling process and should be avoided intirely. Malt vinegars are not distilled and therefore are not gluten-free. This in a nutshell is what Celiac Disease is. I might have left out some details, I’m not a doctor. But, I am a Celiac sufferer and I know what Celiac’s go through.

Many people are under the impression that gastric bypass surgery is the easy way out of obesity. However, those that believe this unfortunately misunderstand the operation and its lifestyle and mind altering effects.

After speaking to people who have had the gastric bypass you soon realise that real work and focus is needed to actually keep the weight off after the first year of rapid weight loss. Right after surgery your stomach won’t be able to cope with much food, perhaps only a quarter of a cup of solid food. This will increase over time, but eating too much could make you vomit – you must stop eating as soon as you feel hungry.

Most nutrition’s agree that 3 solid food meals a day is sufficient for those who’ve had gastric bypass surgery, making sure you drink enough water in-between so you don’t dehydrate but don’t eat and drink together – you’re small stomach simply can’t handle it and you may be sick!

With any healthy balanced diet, eating nutritious meals will serve your body well – reduce fatty and sugary meals and focus on protein rich foods such as fish and chicken. Google is your friend and there are many websites out there giving example diets specifically for those who’ve recently had gastric bypass surgery.

If you suffer from frequent abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, indigestion or gas, you may have celiac disease.

People who suffer from celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten intolerance, cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found especially in wheat, rye, and barley.

Although gluten is mainly found in foods, everyday products such as stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines, and vitamins contain gluten as well.

Celiac Disease

According to Joseph Murray, MD, a gastroenterologist who specializes in the treatment of the disease, “Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten that results in damage to the small intestine and is reversible with avoidance of dietary gluten.”

When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine.

The tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine, called villi, are damaged or destroyed. Villi are what normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream, so without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, regardless of the quantity of food eaten.

Celiac disease is a genetic disease, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered — or becomes active for the first time — after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Researchers estimate that 97% of people who have celiac disease remain undiagnosed and untreated. Patients are often first diagnosed with other conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lactose intolerance since they share similar symptoms and because of the lack of knowledge of this celiac disease in the U.S.

Symptoms vary among celiac disease patients; however, some symptoms shared by many are shown in the following chart:

Common Celiac Disease Symptoms:

• Excessive gas
• Recurring abdominal bloating and pain
• Chronic diarrhea
• Pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• Weight loss
• Missed menstrual periods
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Joint pain
• Behavioral changes
• Discoloration of the teeth
• Anemia
• Muscle cramps
• Delayed growth
• Seizures

Diagnosis of Celiac Disease

Currently, Americans are not routinely screened for celiac disease. However, researchers and doctors are working on finding a test that can give a true definitive diagnosis of the disease.

For now, celiac disease can be diagnosed with a blood test that measures the level of antibodies to gluten. After the blood test, a biopsy of the small intestine is usually done to look for damage to the villi. If the villi appear damaged, then a gluten-free diet is introduced and another biopsy is done after 6 months.

The most convincing evidence that an individual has celiac disease is the relief of symptoms or reversion of an abnormal intestinal biopsy. If you suspect you have celiac disease, discuss it with your doctor, including the potential of taking the aforementioned blood test.

Celiac Disease Treatment

The only treatment of celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet. A gluten-free diet means not eating any foods that contain wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, and barley. Of course the foods and products made from these grains are also not allowed.

Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet can be challenging. Fortunately there are many grocery stores that are now carrying gluten-free items, as are many specialty health food stores like Whole Foods. There are also a growing number of exclusively gluten-free specialty stores.

If a strict gluten-free diet is followed religiously, rapid improvement of symptoms and healing of the intestines occurs.

New Labels to Help With a Gluten-Free Diet

It is imperative that food and other product labels accurately reflect the sources of the ingredients contained in them.

The good news is that a new federal law that came into effect January 1, 2006 will make it easier to spot ingredients that people are allergic to. Manufacturers are now required to easily identify in plain English any ingredient that is or contains protein from any of the eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, or soybeans.

Instead of seeing “seasonings” on a package, you’ll see exactly if it came from wheat. However, companies are not required to list “gluten” on labels or identify additional sources of this grain protein, such as barley and rye.

Sources:

• National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
• Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance A Genetic Immunologic Disease

Gastroenteritis means inflammation of stomach as well as the gastrointestinal tract. It is also known as stomach flu. It can be caused by an infection, virus, bacterium or parasite. These viruses can lead to condition like fever, diarrhea and vomiting. The different viruses that cause gastroenteritis are rotavirus, adenoviruses, caliciviruses and astroviruses. The signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis may vary depending upon the individual. It is very important that your doctor makes the proper diagnosis before writing down the prescription.

This condition may not cause too much harm if proper care is taken. You body takes quite a toll due to diarrhea and other symptoms. Without proper care it can be get severe. Adults as well as kids are not spared by this inconvenience. Gastroenteritis can be contagious and can spread from person to person. The contamination of drinking water is one of the reasons for trouble. Unhygienic food and unhygienic conditions of maintaining the food causes problem too. Sea food in the likes of shellfish reaped in polluted water and handled by unhygienic people creates problems.

One of the common symptoms of gastroenteritis is severe diarrhea. It is the main reason for dehydration. You also suffer stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. Due to this continuous pain there is loss of appetite, fever or chills. You also endure body ache as well as stiffness of your joints. There is lack of stool control. Dark color urine should ring a bell. It is very important that you wash your hands once you have been to the bathroom. By keeping your kitchen spic and span you can avoid any causes of infection. Drink boiled or bottled water. Avoid food which is half-cooked especially seafood.

Children are the common patients of gastroenteritis and special care has to be taken for that. Due to loss of fluids it is very important that the child remains dehydrated by constant intake of fluids. Take plenty of rest. Consume at least eight to ten glasses of water everyday. Avoid spicy food and eat more of vegetables. Plain and simple food may go a long way.

Some Home Remedies.

You can make concoction by using eight ounces of fruit juice (one, which won’t escalate your gastro problem), 1/2 tsp honey, corn syrup and a pinch of salt, mixed in a glass. In another glass you can have 8 ounces of purified water with 1/4 tsp baking soda. Drink alternately from each glass until it’s over.

Having clay mixed with water is very good to prevent gastroenteritis.

Campfire ash used also helps due to its astringent and drying-up effect when brewed in tea.

Blackberry root when made into a tea can assist with your gastro problem.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Natural stomach acid is in your stomach for a reason. The actual acid is not the cause of acid reflux disease. It is not a nasty poison that someone put there. The acid breaks down foods and sorts them out into the right department so to speak. Proper digestion depends on the presence of adequate stomach acid while you are eating.

When you eat, food moves from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach to be digested. At the end of the esophagus, there is a band of muscles that open and allow the food to go into the stomach. It then closes to prevent the food and acid from coming back up into the esophagus. Many people experience acid reflux when foods or digestive juices escape the stomach and come back up through the esophagus.

To make sure your stomach has enough acid at mealtimes, make sure you chew your food thoroughly. Getting saliva mixed into the food as you chew will get the digestion process off to a good start.

Snacking throughout the day causes the stomach to pump out acid gradually instead of saving it for mealtimes when it is needed the most. It is best to not eating closer than three hours apart. For example - if you eat breakfast at six a.m. and lunch at twelve p.m. then a snack at nine a.m. would be fine.

Next, make sure you do not drink too much liquid while eating a meal. Too much liquid dilutes the necessary acid in the stomach. The best policy is to drink a glass of water 30 minutes to one hour before or after your meal, with only a few ounces consumed during the meal. After you have eaten, one hour or two feel free to guzzle down all the pure natural water you want.

Another cause of acid reflux comes from eating large meals. This increases pressure on the stomach causing the stomach contents to be forced out and up into the esophagus. You will need to give your body at least two hours to digest your food properly. In addition, never ever lie down immediately after eating a large meal.

To avoid overproduction of acid eat smaller portions of food at each meal. It would also help a lot to eliminate any fried food or food that contains refined sugar, or caffeine.

Obesity can also increase abdominal pressure, and your risk of suffering from acid reflux as well. If you are overweight, cutting back on the amounts of food that you eat at each meal, and exercising daily should put you on the right path to helping you shed a few pounds.

Acid reflux is caused in some people when the sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus becomes weak or does not close correctly. Prescription drugs, certain foods, alcohol, and smoking have been known to weaken the sphincter muscles.

Try not to use antacids since they cut down the acids you will need when you eat. Without enough acid, your stomach is unable to do its job of breaking down the food into the various nutrient components.

Inadequate digestion of proteins can cause the liver to increase production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol that does the most damage to your body.

Instead of taking antacids, try the following natural approach. If you still have sour stomach in between meals try eating something that will settle it without triggering more acid production such as sauerkraut. Your stomach should relax after eating sauerkraut in five to ten minutes.

The benefits of natural solutions are they normally cost a lot less, but even more important is the fact that natural solutions are a healthier alternative. They tend to reduce the possibility of becoming dependant on addictive chemical drugs.

There are also three herbs that are well known for soothing stomach muscles, which are chamomile, gentian, and ginger. If your problem does not respond successfully to natural remedies within a few days, please see your health care provider.

One in five Northern Americans has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which makes it one of the most common disorders diagnosed today. Irritable bowel syndrome usually hits the person around age 20 and is more common among women than in men.

Irritable bowel syndrome is actually a disease, although doctors consider it a functional disorder. However, even though the syndrome can cause considerable pain and discomfort, it does not actually damage the digestive system.

Irritable bowel syndrome disturbs the normal functions of the colon, particularly how the muscles in the intestines work, causing a lot of embarrassment and pain. Irritable bowel syndrome does not cause internal bleeding, but may worsen a medical condition if you already have one.

No one really knows why certain people develop IBS. Researchers believe that people with Irritable bowel syndrome have sensitive colons that react to aggravating foods and certain emotional conditions, most commonly, to stress, conflict, or upsets. Antidepressants are often used to relieve stress-related irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Some doctors link colon sensitivity to weak immune systems.

No cure has been found yet for irritable bowel syndrome. Your doctor might prescribe fiber supplements or occasional laxatives to ease constipation, as well as medicines to help with diarrhea, or drugs that calm down abdominal pain, but careful eating is the most important step in reducing irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Many irritable bowel syndrome sufferers can successfully control their symptoms with simple diet changes. Quite often, when you increase your fiber intake, Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are relieved.

Eating more fiber can be easier than you think. Whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables are both delicious and rich in healthy fiber. Fiber-rich diet results in regular bowel movements and better colon cleansing. However, fiber will make you feel worse if you have pain or diarrhea because high-fiber diets may cause some discomfort at first, but do not panic. You simply need a few days to adjust to the new diet. Positive changes take time if your colon is more irritated than normally.

When starting fiber-rich diet, stick to plain foods like white rice, plain unflavored oatmeal, rice cereal, pasta, peeled potatoes. Incorporate insoluble fibers carefully by blending fresh fruit with soy or rice milk making delicious and nutritious cocktails. You can always add vegetables into soups or pasta sauces. Grilled, not fried, fish filet or low-fat chicken breast goes well with your pasta or rice. Eat fruits and vegetables as much as possible. To increase fiber intake, drink psyllium or flaxseed dissolved in water, such as Citrucel or Metamucil.

In general, try eating foods that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as whole grain pasta and breads, unprocessed (not quick-cooking) rice and cereals. Avoid food that is high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, coffee, carbonation, or alcohol.

When relieving irritable bowel syndrome symptoms through dietary means, you should keep your water intake at a maximum. Water prevents dehydration, especially if you have diarrhea. Drink plain water. Carbonated drinks, such as sodas, may result in increased levels of gas and cause pain in the abdomen.

Irritable bowel syndrome may require you to change the way you eat your meals. Big portions of food can cause cramping and diarrhea. To prevent these occurrences eat smaller portions and plan your meals so that you eat more frequently. Less food requires less effort from your bowels, so the message is to eat little and often.

When following these simple diet guidelines people can start living a normal, happy, outgoing life. Diarrhea and pain should reduce in just a few days. Constipation, however, can take several weeks to relieve, but it is worth persevering. Besides, you will look and feel healthier, too!

Colon Cleanse

Colon cleansing uses natural health & herbs to help your body to heal health problems which are often related to a colon which is not functioning as nature intended.

More and more people are suffering from health problems, including pain, constipation and lack of energy which can be related to a dirty bowel.

The most important cleanse to do is colon cleansing, because if you have a dirty colon with impacted fecal matter, this will create extra toxins which the other organs then have to continually cleanse and detox.

The #1 CANCER AMONG MEN AND WOMEN TOGETHER IS COLON CANCER.

The person on a typical Western Diet holds 8 meals of undigested food and waste material in the colon. Everyone would greatly benefit with doing a full Colon Cleanse at least once per year, with ongoing colon maintenance when necessary. It is recommended that Parasite Cleanse be taken at the same time as the Colon Cleanse. For optimum health, our objective should be to cleanse not only the colon, but all of the vital inner organs as well.

One of the most frequent bowel problems that people experience today is constipation. Constipation is generally attributed to a low fiber diet and lack of sufficient water, which cause our fecal matter to become condensed and compressed.

A good cleansing program should always begin by removing the waste in your colon, the last portion of your food processing chain. If you attempt to clean your liver, blood, or lymph system without first addressing a waste filled bowel, the excreted toxins will only get recycled back into your body.

The longer your body is exposed to putrefying food in your intestines, the greater the risk of developing disease. Even with one bowel movement per day, you will still have at least three meals worth of waste matter putrefying in your colon at all times. On top of all this, your system can also become continuously self-polluting by the poisonous gases that are caused by foods you don’t tolerate. These poisonous gases can enter your bloodstream, irritating your organs and joints.

Bran and raw vegetables are so rich in fibrous bulk that they cannot get through the tiny holes remaining for passage of feces in most colons. Instead they back up, fester and contribute further to the problem. There is only one good way to clean yourself out and that is by cleansing your colon.

Natural Cleansing Products

Herbal colon cleansing may decrease the risks of developing certain health problems. Many people who are affected by a health condition have found that cleansing can help their body rejuvenate itself naturally. The body’s immune system is the first line of defense against almost all infections and diseases. If your body has a strong immune system you will be less prone to infection. The immune system is made up of a vast system of lymphatic channels and lymph nodes. Detoxing your body and your colon with the right herbs and supplements is an all natural way to remove unwanted toxins and heavy metals from lymphatic system improving the overall immune system.

Toxins from air, food and water tend to accumulate in your body over time. Your liver, colon, small intestines, pancreas, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen and lymph nodes work in harmony and in balance to eliminate these toxins.

Cleansing with Fibre

Fibre plays an essential role in maintaining the health of the digestive system, and adequate fibre in the diet has significant value in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and other ailments. Fibre cleanses the digestive tract and enhances its function. Metabolised by intestinal bacteria into substances that prevent colon cancer, fibre dilutes and speeds the removal of carcinogens and other toxins in foods so that they spare the delicate lining of the GI tract. Fibre helps achieve optimal blood sugar control and cholesterol levels by slowing digestion and maximising cholesterol excretion.

Benefits of Colon Cleansing and Liver Detoxification:

• products increase energy
• improves digestion
• result in clearer skin complexions
• improve circulation
• increase mental alertness
• support weight maintenance
• balance the function of vital cleansing organs
• strengthen your immune system