Eating Disorders: The Warning Signs

Now, this may seem a bit off topic for an IBS site, however, as what I discuss about getting rid of your IBS is mostly diet related, I thought I could squeeze this in. I also felt this was topical because I have heard/seen mention of it in magazines on the radio lately.  It seems that more and more websites are popping up to help people justify their eating disorders…yes, that is right…the sites are supporting eating disorders.  Pretty disturbing!

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the two most common eating disorders and both of these conditions affect males and females in a serious way. For this reason it is important for you to be able to spot the warning signs associated with these disorders so you can help and take care of someone you love or are close to.

Eating disorders take over when people view themselves and their relationship with food in an unhealthy way. We all need food to deliver the necessary nutrients to our bodies but as well as eating tasty food, the right kind of food is essential to our health, growth and general wellbeing.

Those suffering with anorexia nervosa have an immense fear of gaining weight. When they catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror, they see a grossly overweight person and it does not matter how slim they are really, all they see is fat. They fight this by making sure they eat smaller portions of food.  However, the amount of food they take in is not sufficient to provide their bodies with the nutrition it needs.

The warning signs of anorexia nervosa are easily missed by the people around the sufferer. The small portions are explained away as a means of keeping in shape and this is generally accepted, especially in the case of teenagers, who are usually in conflict one way or another with their bodies. So, if you have a child or teenager close to you who normally eats along with the rest of the family, and all of a sudden they are eating elsewhere, it is time to be taking a little extra interest in what is going on.

Anorexics are constantly concerned with their weight to the point where exercising, jumping on the weighing scales and counting calories becomes an obsession.  They are alarmed by any kind of festivity involving food and more often than not they will get out of attending any event where they would be expected to eat.  However slim they are, they have the idea firmly fixed in their heads that they are fat, even obese.

Usually people with anorexia tend to be underweight, whereas those suffering with bulimia nervosa are within the normal to slightly overweight bracket.  With a low level of self esteem and a dismal view of the shape of their bodies they too are terrified of putting on weight and will do everything they can to control their food intake in order to keep an even tighter control on their lives.

Out of sight of others, bulimics binge on food and then when the feeling of guilt sets in they cause themselves to vomit or take laxatives to get rid of the food they have eaten. Just like anorexics, they avoid gatherings where food is on offer and exercise to excess in a bid to lose weight. If you have a bulimic child in your family, you are likely to find laxative boxes or enema bottles stashed away in their room.

The above mentioned eating disorders are becoming more and more common amongst teenagers and if left untreated the conditions are sure to get totally out of control and as a result serious damage, quite often irreversible, can be caused both physically and mentally.

Keep an eye on those close to you and if you think you have cause for concern make sure you get them to pay a visit to their doctor as soon as possible.  Intervening at an early stage can prevent all manner of health problems in the future and most of all stop the disorder from becoming life-threatening.

Hopefully this will never be an issue for you or anyone close to you, but in case you do come across it you will be better equipped to spot the issue and deal with it quickly!

Treatments and Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Contrary to what some people believe, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic condition, which affects millions of people around the world. However, even though there is no known cure, the condition is often controlled with the use of different drugs, therapies, and natural remedies, in order to reduce the severity of the symptoms. In fact, two drugs in particular have recently been designed specifically for treating IBS, both of which are now available to those suffering from this debilitating condition. There are also other natural approaches one can take in order to manage the condition, which I would recommend, such as what IBS Eliminated dicusses.

IBS Specific Drugs

Those who are diagnosed to be suffering from severe diarrheic IBS are often prescribed Alosetron (Lotronex) by their doctors, providing their doctor has enrolled in a special program, which follows strict protocols. This drug works by blocking certain nerve impulses, which in turn are responsible for spasms and diarrhea.

Those patients who suffer predominantly from constipation will be prescribed Lubiprostone (Amitiza), a drug that increases the amount of fluids in the small intestine in order to encourage bowel movement. However, many patients on this drug complain about side effects including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.

If you are taking either of these, I highly recommend following the IBS Eliminated system to see if you can get off these drugs.

Other IBS Medications

Interestingly enough, they are several drugs on the market nowadays which are able to offer sufferers a certain amount of relief, even though they were not originally designed for treating IBS, such as:

Anticholinergics – relaxes the bowel and prevents spasms
Antidepressants – reduces pain and improves mood
Anti-diarrheals – used for treating diarrhea
Laxatives – uses for treating constipation

Of course, if your condition is being made worse due to an infection, then it’s very likely that your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. In this case, it is crucial that you do not stop taking your medication unless advised to do so by your doctor. Furthermore, before you decide to take any over-the-counter medications, you should always discuss it with your doctor first, particularly if you’re already taking description drugs.

Natural Remedies and Treatments

As many people can attest to, there are several natural approaches for treating IBS, and which are known to be moderately successful. In fact, many people have found at least some relief simply by eliminating certain foods from their diet. As such, it is always advisable for IBS sufferers to keep a food journal in order to determine which foods tend to irritate the condition, causing the symptoms to be more severe. Sufferers should pay particular attention to spicy foods, greasy foods, caffeine, and also dairy products, as these are all known to trigger the condition. Artificial sweeteners are another culprit although many people tend to overlook them completely, believing that something so insignificant could surely not trigger the condition.

In addition, sufferers should make a point of drinking at least 64oz. of water each day. If you suffer frequent diarrhea, drinking water will help to ensure you don’t become dehydrated. On the other hand, if you suffer from frequent constipation, drinking plenty of water will help to soften stools.

Over and above making changes to your diet, it’s crucial that you get enough regular physical exercise as this helps to promote the production of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are essentially a chemical in the brain that helps to regulate moods and this of course is beneficial in terms of reducing stress levels.

Lastly but not least, depending on the severity of your condition, you may want to consider counseling in order to help you bring your stress levels under control. While stress in itself does not cause IBS, high stress levels certainly do make the condition worse.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Common Treatments

Let’s face it – when we find ourselves having to run to the toilet more often than what we would like, we usually attribute it to something we’ve eaten, whether it be spicy food, or even a high fat diet. Even though these can cause an upset stomach from time to time, they wouldn’t result in you experiencing such symptoms regularly. In fact, if you frequently suffer from a sore stomach, constipation, or diarrhea, then there is a possibility that you may be suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which of course is certainly more serious.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS as it’s commonly known, is by all accounts a chronic condition resulting in symptoms which can vary from mild to severe. While some people experience diarrhea, others are forced to endure painful constipation. Furthermore, the frequency at which these symptoms are experienced can also differ from one person to the next.

Fortunately however, IBS can be controlled to a certain extent by means of stress management and a change of diet. Even though there is currently no known cure, those who suffer from the condition can certainly find relief providing they’re willing to make some changes. It’s been determined that there are as many as 50 million people in America suffering from this condition, with 70% only experiencing mild symptoms, 25% experiencing moderate symptoms, and 5% experiencing severe symptoms. The symptoms which affect those in the 5% group are usually so severe, that specialist help might be required.

On the other hand, those who experience mild symptoms can usually find relief simply by altering their diets and by reducing stress levels. Those people who are in the 25% group, that experience moderate symptoms, will of course stand to benefit by reducing stress and altering their diet, but they may need to put in a little more effort. It is also advisable for them to keep track of which foods tend to irritate their condition. In the most severe cases, patients may be required to take prescription drugs in order to control pain at first, just as they may be required to undergo cognitive behavioral therapy.

One should also bear in mind that IBS affects different people differently, which means that treatments which work for one may not work for another. As such, if you are currently taking medication for the condition and you feel that it’s not working then you should of course discuss it with your doctor. Whatever you do; never be tempted to make adjustments to the types of medication you’re taking or to your diet without consulting a doctor first.

Above all, you need to realize that while IBS is by no means pleasant, it’s also not life threatening. If you currently experience the symptoms of this condition, you should however consult with a doctor so that you can be checked for more serious conditions that have similar symptoms to IBS, like colon cancer.  Better safe than sorry!

7 Things you need to know about “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”

So many people experience regular abdominal pain and frequent bouts of diarrhea and/or constipation, but what many don’t realize is that it could be the result of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Additionally, many don’t realize just how serious this medical condition really is, rather than only being an inconvenience at times. In order to help you determine whether or not you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, here are seven things you need to know:

1) Irritable Bowel Syndrome is more common than you think.
It is estimated that approximately 25 to 50 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. Furthermore, IBS is more prevalent among women than it is among men. Of those who suffer from this condition, 60% are women while the remaining 40% are men. One should also bear in mind that this condition can affect anyone, irrespective of age.

2) The exact cause of IBS remains a mystery.
Contrary to what many people believe, IBS is not a condition caused solely by stress, although stress can of course make the condition worse. Many medical professionals have suggested that the condition is brought about due to a disturbance occurring between the brain, the digestive system, and the nervous system. Even so, the root cause has yet to be pinpointed.

3) IBS Symptoms are not always the same.
The symptoms of IBS can vary significantly between one person and the next. While some people may experience constipation, others suffer from severe diarrhea on a regular basis. In fact, some people experience both of these symptoms regularly. Unfortunately, irrespective of how the condition effects you, pain is virtually inevitable, and while it may be relatively mild in some cases, it can be extremely severe than others.

4) There is currently no known cure for IBS.
Even though the condition can be controlled to a certain extent through a combination of medication and stress management, the minute a person stops taking medication, or their stress levels rise, they begin experiencing the symptoms again.   (That is why I don’t recommend this way of training IBS!)

5) IBS is often left unreported.
Surprisingly enough, the vast majority of people who suffer from this condition, do so for many years before they seek help. This is possibly due to the fact that many people are embarrassed about the condition. This is also why some people do report it but they don’t make it perfectly clear just how severe their symptoms really are.

6) IBS is becoming more and more common.
Gastroenterologists have declared that between 20 to 40% of all their patients are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and are in agreement that most fail to seek help simply because they feel ashamed.

7) IBS should only be diagnosed by a qualified health care professional.
If you or anyone close to you regularly suffers from abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or excessive gas, you should immediately go and see a doctor. Irrespective of whether or not you are diagnosed as having IBS, a doctor would at least be able to check you for other, more serious, health issues.

Reminder for Food Combinations

Hi all,

Here is another audio I have recorded just for my members.  Remember curing IBS is not just a one off thing – it is something you need to keep working on!

As you know I am very keen to make sure that what we are eating and drinking is easy on the digestive system.  This is a reminder of how to combine foods to help you stop your IBS.

See you soon!

Kim

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