Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms Change in bowel habits Abdominal pain Gas Nausea Lack of appetite Bad breath Heartburn Bloating Backache Weakness Faintness Palpitations Rectal bleeding

IBS is unknown in countries where our refined diet is not consumed. I’m in a lot of pain. A product of the west IBS is unknown in countries where our refined diet is not consumed.

The demographics It is more common in women. Will effect 50-75% of population at some time. It is more common in women. Symptoms begin in 20’s or 30’s. After age 50 IBS onset is rare.

Characteristics An abnormality in function rather than anatomy. Colon contracts in uneven spasms. Food passes through GI too fast or too slow. Passing too slowly, water absorbed causing hard, dry stools. Passing too quickly, too little water absorbed, causing watery stools and diarrhea.

Nighttime diarrhea rare. Three types of IBS Constipation with pain Painless diarrhea with mucus Alternating constipation and diarrhea Diarrhea usually occurs upon arising and after breakfast; constipation may consume the rest of the day. Nighttime diarrhea rare.

So what do we do?

May we suggest for starters... During pain flair-ups, eat no food or cold liquids. Apply moist heat to abdomen. Lukewarm, tapwater enemas administered slowly can be effective.

Avoid gas-forming foods: May we also suggest... Avoid gas-forming foods: Navy beans, soybeans, lima beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, radishes, cucumbers, celery, corn, apples, raisins, bananas, prune juice, grape juice, and apple juice. Also avoid: Xanthine-containing foods such as coffee, chocolate, tea… ...as well as: Spicy foods, cold liquids, and carbonated beverages.

And in every case, we suggest... Eliminating milk from the diet. Most have a lactose intolerance. Many are “cured” merely by eliminating milk and milk products. (Read the labels!)

But it could also be... A food sensitivity. Eat on a regular basis. Keep a food diary. Eat on a regular basis. Then eat slowly, chew well, never overeat, don’t drink with meals.

Then there is stress... Don’t eat when upset or under stress. Exercise neutralizes stress. Exercise out of doors. Do exercises you enjoy. Be regular with your exercise. Learn what to do with your stressors.

Other things to avoid... Cigarette smoke. Laxatives (increase colon dysfunction.) Drug therapy if possible. Highly refined carbohydrates.

With every don’t there’s a do... Massage over abdomen when constipated. Eat a high fiber diet and stick with it. Consider the things you are doing for your IBS will help avoid a recurrence and also prevent a host of other health problems.

Peptic ulcer

Symptoms Pain located just beneath the breastbone Pain may radiate to the back Often considered heartburn. Pain appears when stomach is empty. Pain relieved by intake of food.

Characteristics An ulcer is a cavity in the lining and wall of the esophagus, stomach, pylorus, or duodenum. Gastric ulcers are peptic ulcers occurring in the stomach. Duodenal ulcers are peptic ulcers occurring in the first 11 inches of the intestine.

The demographics Most frequent in 25-40 year olds. Duodenal ulcer in males 4X more than females Most frequent in 25-40 year olds. Gastric ulcer in males 2.5X as in females. Most frequent in 40-55 age group. Duodenal ulcers 10X more frequent than gastric. 5-15% Americans have ulcers. Only half are diagnosed. Tend to run in families. Flare up in spring and fall.

So what do we do with peptic ulcers?

At the risk of sounding redundant... Dump the milk out, not in. Eat less frequently. Avoid antacids. Calcium carbonate doubles gastric acid. Magnesium:diarrhea, òK, ñMg levels, òFe Aluminum: constipation, weakness, anemia, delayed gastric emptying, perforation of the colon Calcium: rebound acidity, calcium phosphate deposits in kidney tubules. Sodium: induce salt and water retention (HBP, HD) Bicarbonate: may induce alkalosis

And more redundancy... Avoid drugs, especially aspirin. Don’t smoke. Avoid caffeine in all its forms. No eating between meals. (Gastrin!) Chew, chew, chew. Eliminate sugar. Out with the white bread.

With every don’t there’s a do... Drink fresh cabbage juice daily. Aloe vera gel is soothing. Potatoes are good for ulcers. Ripe olives are soothing, as is millet. External ice to the pain area will being relief.

Diverticulitis & Diverticulosis

So what is driver... diver… whatever? Diverticulitis is an infection or inflammation of a diverticulum. Diverticula are saclike areas which balloon from the colon. Diverticulosis is a condition of multiple diverticula. Diverticulitis requires inflammation and usually infection, while unsymptomatic diverticulosis is essentially asymptomatic.

Symptoms Pain, often localized in left lower quadrant and may be constant Constipation Fever Brief periods of diarrhea

The demographics 10% of Americans are felt to have diverticula Rare in people on “primitive” diets 10% of Americans are felt to have diverticula More common in middle age or elderly persons Women get it more often than men

Causes Prolonged bowel transit time. Constipation Increased pressure within the colon. Tight bands around waist and abdomen.

So what do we do?

May we suggest again... Avoid constipation. So how do we do that, class? Avoid highly refined carbohydrates. Avoid animal fat and dairy products. Limit protein consumption. Use a low sugar diet. Exercise Avoid stomach irritants.