Probiotics – Are they beneficial?

Dear Members,

Probiotics are quite a trendy thing right now – so do they actually benefit the body?  In one word – yes.  Probiotics add healthy bacteria to the digestive system.  Eating foods filled with probiotics can help avoid a variety of digestive related issues. You can learn more about the health benefits of probiotics and where you can find them below.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are bacteria that support life.  You already have bacteria in your body.  These good bacteria support a healthy immune system.  Ideally, you want the healthy good bacteria to outnumber the bad bacteria to fight infections.

Eating foods that are high in probiotics is a plus especially when you are taking medications.  By definition antibiotics are the direct opposite of probiotics.  They kill bacteria.

While they are useful for killing the bacteria that cause infections like urinary tract and vaginal yeast, the good bacteria are also decreased at the same time.  Probiotics reverse this process to replenish the good bacteria in your system.  That is one reason that eating yogurt helps prevent vaginal yeast infections when taking antibiotics at the same time.

Where are probiotics?

Have you seen those commercials for yogurt that can improve your digestive health?  They are all over the television and magazine ads.  The live bacteria cultures found in yogurt are one example of probiotics.  Bacteria like lactobacillus, in its many strains, are plentiful in yogurt and provides for an increase in intestinal bacteria.

When buying yogurt, look for natural yogurt that contains no added sugars or flavoring.  Plain yogurt is the best because it adds the most benefit with the least amount of added calories and sweeteners.  Yogurt can be made at home instead of purchased at the grocery store.

Other probiotics can be found in fermented food.  Think of pickles, sauerkraut, acidophilus milk, cheese and miso paste (a soybean paste found in Japanese foods).  Bacteria are introduced to ferment foods and these bacteria are probiotics.  Also try kefir (a milk drink) for increasing the probiotics in your diet.

As some of these natural sources of probiotics are acidic, a great alternative is taking probiotic supplements.  The exact amount of probiotics needed each day is not well known but even a small amount can protect you from intestinal troubles and prevent certain conditions like diarrhea and yeast infections.  Many supplements contain billions of beneficial bacterial cultures in each pill.

However, with all this said, probiotics is just one small change you can make to your overall diet to help with your IBS.  Keep moving with the other things IBS Eliminated discusses!

To your health,

Kimberly

Constipation, Causes and Treatments

Constipation – an inability to have a bowel movement, frequently from excessively hard stools – is a normal condition when it occurs rarely or for short periods. Treatments range from doing nothing and allowing the condition to self-correct to use of mild laxatives or a change in diet.

Normally, bowel movements occur 2-3 times daily (typically fewer as individuals age) and without undue strain. When constipation becomes chronic, severe, or long-lived it signals a more serious health issue. The body has to eliminate waste from digestion and the inability to do so leads to numerous complications, with accompanying discomfort or worse. Fewer than one per week is usually a sign of serious trouble.

The causes of constipation are too numerous to list in a single article. They can be anything from inadequate fluid intake and improper salt balance to diverticulitis (an inflammation of the colon due to infection, producing pouches on the outside of the intestine). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is another common cause. Tumors or colorectal cancer can be a cause of severe constipation. Medications or supplements, such as codeine or iron, can be the culprit, too.

Fortunately, treatments are equally wide ranging.

In many cases, as suggested above, time is all that’s required. The body can normally re-balance fluid and salt levels. Constipation resulting from a habit of resisting bowel movements will disappear with a change in habits. Changes in diet, such as consuming additional fiber or cutting down on caffeinated beverages, can restore normal bowel movements.

Increasing fiber is easy by consuming more of the right kinds of fruits and vegetables. Oat bran is justly well-known as a good source of fiber. Fiber adds needed bulk to stools as well as naturally absorbing water that helps soften them. One common mild side effect, though, may be increased abdominal gas. The bacteria present in the colon partially digest the fiber that humans can not (for lack of the right enzyme). Their resulting digestion produces flatus, or gas.

Laxatives, whether in the form of supplements or as pills or liquid, should be taken with care and only for short periods. Saline laxatives (like Milk of Magnesia) are one type. Stimulant laxatives (Ex-Lax, and others) work by stimulating the muscles that produce bowel movements. Apart from the risk of the other extreme – diarrhea – excessive reliance on laxatives can lead to irregularity and dependence. Bowel movements, in so far as possible, should occur naturally except for brief periods of needed treatment.

There are exceptions, such as prescription laxatives like sorbitol and polyethylene glycol (Miralax), which are regarded as safe for long term use. But these are intended for treating medical conditions, not for relief of constipation that can be eliminated by changes in diet and lifestyle.

As with any severe health condition and proposed treatment, consult your physician for professional advice. Self-treatment that results in temporary relief is fine for temporary conditions. Long term self-treatment may mask, to a point, more serious underlying disease that warrants a professional diagnosis.

Drugs and Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

When you suffer from the pain of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, it can be discouraging to learn that the condition is a chronic one. But while IBS cannot currently be cured, there are drugs and other therapies which can lessen the severity of the symptoms. In particular, two drugs specifically designed for IBS have become available in recent years. There are also natural lifestyle changes you can make to keep IBS symptoms under control.

Drugs for IBS

For adults with severe diarrheic IBS, Alosetron (or Lotronex) can be prescribed by physicians who are enrolled in a special program with certain protocols. This drug blocks nerve impulses that cause spasms and diarrhea.

For patients with constipation-predominant IBS, Lubiprostone (or Amitiza) is a drug which increases fluids in the small intestine and eases difficult bowel movements. Patients take Amitiza twice twice daily, and some have complained of nausea, stomach pain, and loose stools.

Unfortunately, both of these medications are only approved for women’s use. Women make up about 60-65% of all IBS sufferers. More research is needed to come up with equivalent treatments for men.

Other Drugs

Many drugs that were not designed specifically to treat IBS can still bring relief from moderate to severe symptoms. These include anticholinergics, which relax the bowel and prevent it from spasming; antidepressants, which act as mild painkillers and mood elevators; and over-the-counter anti-diarrheals and laxatives. If your IBS is being triggered by some type of infection, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics as well.

If your doctor prescribes a drug regimen, never stop taking your medication or alter your dosage without your physician’s approval. You should also ask before taking over-the-counter medicines, as these may interfere with your other medications and make your symptoms worse.

Natural Remedies

There are natural ways to approach your IBS. Many people experience relief by eliminating certain foods and chemicals from their diet. Keep a food journal so that you can keep track of what you eat and drink, and how your symptoms were affected by it. Be especially wary of dairy products, caffeine, greasy or spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners.

Cutting back on gas-producing foods such as beans and broccoli can also be a help. A healthy amount of dietary fiber is important, though, so make sure you’re getting enough. Some IBS sufferers tolerate fiber supplements better than high-fiber foods. Try a low dose of Metamucil or Citrucel, accompanied by 64 ounces of water daily.

If stress is making your symptoms worse, start exercising daily. Your body will produce the feel-good chemical known as endorphin, and your stress level will naturally decrease.

Finally, don’t rule out counseling as an option. By learning to control your stress and strong emotions, you can decrease the severity of your IBS symptoms.

Natural Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic, painful condition that causes diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal distress. While drug therapy helps in certain cases, there are also many natural remedies to help keep IBS symptoms under control. From altering your eating habits to monitoring your intake of food, these healthy changes will benefit you whether your IBS is mild, moderate, or severe.

Dietary Habits

Some foods are notorious for worsening IBS symptoms. These include dairy products, caffeinated beverages, artificial sweeteners, and greasy, spicy, or rich foods. Foods that are high in fiber might cause cramps, gas, and bloating as well.

On the other hand, many IBS sufferers find that additional fiber actually helps ease their symptoms. The key is how you add fiber to your diet. Start with a small amount and gradually build up. You can use fiber supplements like BeneFiber or Metamucil, or consume small amounts of beans, broccoli, or other high-fiber foods.

How you eat is just as important as what you eat. Try to avoid overindulging. Eat at the same times every day to regulate your bowel movements. Small, frequent meals can ease diarrhea, while moderate portions of high-fiber foods can help with constipation.

Food Journal

To find out which foods make your symptoms worse, write down everything you eat and make a note if you experience IBS symptoms afterward. By keeping a detailed food journal, you can figure out which foods trigger your condition and which ones do not. Then you can eliminate the problem foods from your diet, or indulge in them only occasionally.

Water & Exercise

If you have diarrhea, be sure to get at least 64 ounces of water each day to keep yourself from becoming dehydrated. Water will also help soften stools and can help battle constipation.

Regular exercise is good for keeping your body systems healthy. It also causes your brain to produce chemicals called endorphins, which keep stress levels under control. Since stress can cause an IBS attack, reducing stress is one important part of keeping the disease under control.

Medications

If you have IBS, don’t take over-the-counter medications without your doctor’s approval. It might be tempting to take laxatives when you’re constipated, or Immodium or Pepto Bismol for diarrhea, but these medicines might cause more harm than good. Ask your doctor if you might benefit from a low dose of such medicines. Chances are, there are natural remedies that will help ease your pain and regulate your bowel movements

Common Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

When we experience stomach upset, we often attribute it to spicy food, a fatty diet, or unusual levels of stress. While these things can cause stomach upset, recurring symptoms might be a sign of something more serious – Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic condition that causes symptoms of varying types and degrees. Some sufferers have loose stools, while others become constipated. Some complain of extreme abdominal pain, while others experience all of these symptoms off and on.

The good news is that IBS can be controlled through a combination of stress management, dietary changes, and medications. While the condition can never be completely cured, many sufferers find relief after they consult a medical professional.

Of the millions of IBS sufferers, about 70% have mild symptoms which can be treated by a general physician. 25% have moderate symptoms that might interfere with their daily life. 5% of all sufferers have severe symptoms that are very troubling, painful, and detrimental to their quality of life. These people typically require treatment by a specialist.

Mild cases can usually be brought under control by reducing stress and consuming a healthier diet. Moderate cases of IBS can benefit from those changes, but might require more legwork. Consider keeping a food journal to write down everything you eat and discover which foods make your IBS flare up. Severe cases of IBS might require drug therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and perhaps even pain relievers or treatment at a pain management center. Your doctor will recommend the course of therapy that will best benefit you.

Remember that no two IBS sufferers will respond to treatment in the exact same way. If you don’t think that your treatment regimen is helping, speak with your doctor about the next step. Never make changes to your drug or diet plan without the approval of your doctor.

IBS can make you miserable, but it’s not a deadly disease. Nor is it the sign of an underlying condition. If you have symptoms of IBS, seek a doctor’s advice so that you can get a diagnosis and a good plan for managing your discomfort.