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    -Low Fiber Diet

    -Not Enough Liquids-Lack of Exercise-Poor Bowel Habits-Laxative Abuse-Changes in Life or Routine

    People often become constipated when traveling because their normal diet, water intake,schedules and daily routines are disrupted. During pregnancy, women may be constipated because ofhormonal changes or because the heavy uterus compresses the intestine. Aging may also affect bowelregularity because a slower metabolism results in less intestinal activity and muscle tone.-Medications

    Many medications can cause constipation including pain medications (especially narcotics),antacids that contain aluminum and calcium, blood pressure medications (calcium channel blockers),anti-Parkinson drugs, antispasmodics, antidepressants,iron supplements, diuretics, tranquilizers, iron supplements, anticonvulsants for epilepsy andantihypertensive calcium channel blockers.

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    Treatment & Prevention

    For most people, dietary and lifestyle improvements can relieve symptoms of constipation.A well-balanced diet that includes fiber-rich foods, such as unprocessed bran, whole-grainbread, and fresh fruits and vegetables, is recommended. Drinking plenty of fluids andexercising regularly will help to stimulate intestinal activity. Probiotic andfibersupplementation where indicated can restore bacterial balance and increase digestive

    efficiency.=For severe symptoms, solution is PBL: Peristalsis, Bulk and Lubrication.

    Peristalsis - To maintain the regular movement, the peristaltic action of the bowel must beregular and vigorous. The ideally functioning digestive system has an approximate 24 hourtransit time and hydration is an important part of this. In addition, hydrating minerals suchas magnesium and gentle, non-laxative

    Bulk - The right amount and kind of fiber is critical to bowel function... A diet with enoughfiber (20 to 40 grams) helps form soft, bulky stool. A doctor or dietitian can help plan anappropriate high-fiber diet that includes beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruitsand vegetables including asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbage and carrots. For peopleprone to constipation, limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese,meat, and processed foods is also important.

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    Lubricant of the colonflax, borage and fish oils are very effective in providing necessary

    lubrication for smooth and gentle elimination. Because these fats are hard to digest, itsimportant to use an oil supplement that includes lipase, the digestive enzyme that assists in

    the breakdown of oils into essential fatty acids.

    Know what is normal and do not rely unnecessarily on laxatives. Eat a well-balanced diet that includes unprocessed bran, whole-wheat grains, fresh fruits

    and vegetables. Add more fruits and vegetables. Lower the amount of refined starches,sugar and processed foods.

    Drink plenty of fluids.

    Supplement your daily diet with fiber products to improve bowel transit time.

    Take probiotic supplements to restore and maintain healthy intestinal microflora balance. Regular exercise - ideally 30 minute daily. Special exercises may be necessary to tone up

    abdominal muscles after pregnancy or whenever abdominal muscles are lax. Enhance digestion by taking digestive enzymes with each meal.

    Dont ignore the urge to defecate. Set aside time after breakfast or dinner for undisturbed

    visits to the toilet. Ignoring the urge repeatedly can actually suppress the natural urges.

    Whenever there is a significant or prolonged change in bowel habits, check with a doctor.

    There is a chance that an underlying disorder is causing constipation. Then treatmentshould be directed toward the specific cause.

    Lubricate the colon by taking essential fatty acids in oils such as fish, borage and flax.

    Do bi-annual cleanses using herbal combinations to support overall body and intestinal

    detoxification

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    Diarrhea with its loose, watery stools, frequent trips to the bathroom and otherunpleasant symptoms is a digestive disorder that virtually everyone has or willeventually experience. It is estimated that up to 5 percent of US population isaffected by diarrhea at any given time with the average adult experiencing a boutof diarrhea about four times a year.

    =The signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea often include:-Frequent loose, watery stools-An urgent need to use the bathroom-Abdominal cramps-Abdominal pain

    -Fever-Bloody stools-Bloating,-Nausea and vomiting

    Causes. The most common causes of the intestinal infection or irritation that

    causes diarrhea include:

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    Bacteria

    Contaminated food or water can introduce pathogenic bacteria into your intestinal tract.

    Common bacterial causes of diarrhea include campylobacter, salmonella, shigella and

    Escherichia coli. Normally your intestinal tract is home to billions of beneficial bacteria that

    perform vital functions in the digestion of food.

    VirusesRotavirus and adenovirus are common causes of diarrhea in young children as direct

    contact easily spreads these viruses.

    Medication

    Diarrhea can be a side effect of many medications, particularly antibiotics. Antibiotics

    disturb the natural balance of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in your intestines leaving you

    vulnerable to infection. Some high blood pressure medications, cancer drugs and antacids

    containing magnesium can cause irritation and diarrhea.

    Food intolerances and allergiesSome people are unable to digest a component of food, such as lactose, the sugar found in

    milk and milk products. In addition, the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and mannitol found in

    chewing gum and other sugar-free products can cause irritation and diarrhea.

    Previous surgery or radiation of the abdomen or gastrointestinal tract

    Some people develop diarrhea after stomach surgery or removal of the gallbladder. Thereason may be a change in how quickly food moves through the digestive system afterstomach surgery or an increase in bile in the colon that can occur after gallbladder surgery.

    Parasites

    Parasites like Giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea.

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    Treatment & Prevention

    =Treatment of Symptoms Replace water and prevent dehydration. The fluid lost during diarrhea need to be

    replaced promptly as the body cannot function properly without them. Drinkplenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine as they act to dehydrate the body.

    Replace electrolytes (potassium, sodium, chloride). Although water is extremelyimportant in preventing dehydration, it does not contain electrolytes. Broth orsoup containing sodium, and fruit or vegetable juices containing potassium helpwith electrolyte levels as do rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte* and

    Oralyte*. Eat easy to digest foods. Until diarrhea subsides, try to avoid milk products and

    foods that are greasy, highly seasoned, high-fiber, or very sweet as these foodstend to aggravate diarrhea.

    Reestablish intestinal flora with probiotic supplementation. Probiotics arebeneficial bacteria necessary to digestive functions. They can be lost in a variety

    of ways including antibiotic treatment and infection. Supplementing our dietswith an effective probiotic re-populates the intestinal tract with friendly strains,puts the gut flora back in balance, improves intestinal health and helps guardagainst further infection.

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    Maintain your immune system, your first defense against pathogenicbacteria and infection, through proper nutrition, sleep and exercise.

    Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses (2 to 2 1/2 quarts) of clean purified waterevery day and be careful ofthe source, especially when traveling.

    Take probiotic supplements to restore and maintain healthy intestinalmicroflora balance and protect against infection.

    Maintain proper hand-washing habits. You can help prevent the spread ofviral diarrhea by washing your hands and encouraging your children towash their hands. Because viral diarrhea spreads easily, it's a good idea tokeep your child home from school or child care if he or she has diarrhea.

    Use only pasteurized dairy products. Pasteurization involves heatingdairy products for a period of time to kill bacteria.

    Serve food right away or refrigerate it after it has been cooked orreheated. Leaving food out at room temperature encourages growth ofbacteria.

    Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, especially if you are sensitive to them.

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    =Diverticulosis Diverticulosis is the formation of numerous tiny pockets, or diverticula, in the

    lining of the bowel. Diverticula, which can range from pea-size to much larger,are formed by increased pressure on weakened spots of the intestinal walls by

    gas, waste, or liquid. Diverticula can form while straining during a bowelmovement, such as with constipation. They are most common in the lowerportion of the large intestine (called the sigmoid colon).

    Diverticular BleedingDiverticular bleeding occurs with chronic injury to the small blood vessels that arenext to the diverticula.

    DiverticulitisDiverticulitis occurs when there is inflammation and infection in one or morediverticula. This usually happens when outpouchings become blocked withwaste, allowing bacteria to build up, causing infection.

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    Gallstones Gallstones form in the gallbladder, a small organ located

    under the liver. The gallbladder aids in the digestive process bystoring bile and secreting it into the small intestine when foodenters. Bile is a fluid produced by the liver and is made up ofseveral substances, including cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile salts.

    What Are Gallstones? Gallstones are pieces of solid material that form in the

    gallbladder. These stones develop because cholesterol andpigments in bile sometimes form hard particles.

    The two main types of gallstones are: Cholesterol stones (approximately 80% of gallstone cases): These

    are usually yellow-green in color. Pigment stones: These stones are smaller and darker and are

    made up of bilirubin.

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    What Causes Gallstones? Several factors may come together

    to create gallstones, including: genetics (others in your family have

    had gallstones) body weight decreased motility (movement) of

    the gallbladder diet

    What Are the Risk Factors for Gallstones? Obesity. This is one of the biggest risk factors.

    Obesity can cause a rise in cholesterol, and canalso keep the gallbladder from emptyingcompletely.

    Estrogen. Women who are pregnant or who takebirth control pills or hormone replacement therapyhave higher levels of estrogen. This can cause a

    rise in cholesterol, as well as a reduction ingallbladder motility. Ethnic background. Certain ethnic groups,

    including Native Americans and Mexican-Americans, are more likely to develop gallstones.

    Gender and age. Gallstones are more commonamong women and among older people.

    Cholesterol drugs. Some cholesterol-loweringdrugs increase the amount of cholesterol in bile,which may increase the chances of developing

    cholesterol stones. Diabetes. People with diabetes tend to have

    higher levels of triglycerides (a type of blood fat),which is a risk factor for gallstones.

    Rapid weight loss. If a person loses weight tooquickly, his or her liver secretes extra cholesterol,which may lead to gallstones. Also, fasting maycause the gallbladder to contract less.

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    When symptoms do appear, they include the following: Pain in the upper abdomen and upper back. The pain may

    last a long time (several hours).

    Nausea Vomiting Other gastrointestinal problems, including bloating,

    indigestion, and gas

    What Is Peptic Ulcer Disease? Peptic ulcer disease refers to painful sores or ulcers in the

    lining of the stomach or first part of the small intestine,called the duodenum.

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    Infection with a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Use of painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as

    aspirin, naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, and others), ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Midol, and others), and many others available by prescription. Even aspirincoated with a special substance can still cause ulcers.

    Excess acid production from gastrinomas, tumors of the acid producing cells of

    the stomach that increases acid output; seen in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.What Are the Symptoms of an Ulcer?

    An ulcer may or may not have symptoms. When symptoms occur, they include: A gnawing or burning pain in the middle or upper stomach between meals or at

    night Bloating Heartburn Nausea or vomiting In severe cases, symptoms can include: Dark or black stool (due to bleeding) Vomiting blood (can have a "coffee-grounds" appearance) Weight loss Severe pain in the mid to upper abdomen

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    How Serious Is an Ulcer? Though ulcers often heal on their own, you

    shouldn't ignore their warning signs. If not

    properly treated, ulcers can lead to serioushealth problems, including: Bleeding Perforation (a hole through the wall of the

    stomach) Gastric outlet obstruction from swelling orscarring that blocks the passageway leadingfrom the stomach to the small intestine.

    Taking NSAIDs can cause any of the above

    without warning. The risk is especiallyconcerning for the elderly and for those with aprior history of having peptic ulcer disease.

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    Are infected with the H. pylori bacterium Take NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and many

    others

    Have a family history of ulcers Have another illness, such as liver, kidney, or lung disease Drink alcohol regularly Are 50 years old or older

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    How Are Ulcers Diagnosed? Your doctor may be able to make an ulcer diagnosis just by talking with

    you about your symptoms. However, to confirm the diagnosis one of

    several tests should be taken. First, your doctor may ask you to take anacid-blocking medication such as those used to treat heartburn for ashort period of time to see if your symptoms improve.

    If needed, your doctor may recommend a procedure called an upperendoscopy. It involves inserting a small, lighted tube (endoscope)through the throat and into the stomach to look for abnormalities. Thisprocedure is usually given if you are having severe symptoms of ulcers.

    Often, doctors will frequently treat without confirming the diagnosisusing endoscopy. If the cause is not likely to be from NSAIDs, then it isvery likely to be from H. pylori. Most doctors will now test for H. pyloriand will treat specifically for that in addition to giving medications to

    reduce the symptoms.

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    What is the spleen and what causes an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)? The spleensits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. It isan organ that is part of the lymph system and works as a drainage network thatdefends your body against infection.

    White blood cells produced in the spleen engulf bacteria, dead tissue, and foreign

    matter, removing them from the blood as blood passes through it. The spleen alsomaintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets; platelets help your bloodclot. The spleen filters blood, removing abnormal blood cells from the bloodstream.

    A spleen is normally about the size of your fist. A doctor usually can't feel it during anexam. But diseases can cause it to swell and become many times its normal size.Because the spleen is involved in many functions, many conditions may affect it.

    An enlarged spleen is not always a sign of a problem. When a spleen becomesenlarged, though, it often means it has been doing its job but has become overactive.For example, sometimes the spleen is overactive in removing and destroying bloodcells. This is called hypersplenism. It can happen for many reasons, including problemswith too many platelets and other disorders of the blood.

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    An enlarged spleen can be caused by infections,cirrhosis and other liver diseases, blood diseasescharacterized by abnormal blood cells, problems

    with the lymph system, or other conditions. Here are some common causes of an enlarged

    spleen:Infections

    Viral infections, such as mononucleosis Parasitic infections, such as toxoplasmosis Bacterial infections, such as endocarditis (an

    infection of your heart's valves)

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    Leukemia, a cancer in which white blood cells displace normalblood cells

    Lymphoma, a cancer of lymph tissue, such as Hodgkin's disease Other causes of an enlarged spleen include:

    Inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis and rheumatoidarthritis

    Trauma, such as an injury during contact sports Cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the spleen A cyst, a noncancerous fluid-filled sac

    A large abscess, a pus-filled cavity usually caused by a bacterialinfection Infiltrative diseases such as Gaucher's disease, amyloidosis, or

    glycogen storage diseases

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    Being unable to eat a large meal Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the

    abdomen; this pain may spread to your left shoulder . Fatigue Weight loss Frequent infections Easy bleeding Jaundice Anemia

    Your doctor will ask you questions and do a physical exam to

    diagnose an enlarged, painful spleen. This involves palpating (examiningby touch) your spleen. You will also likely need diagnostic tests to confirmthe cause of the swollen spleen. These may include blood tests, anultrasound, or computerized tomography (CT) scan. In some cases, othertests may be needed

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    What is diverticulitis? Diverticulitis happens when pouches (diverticula ) form in the wall of the colon

    and then get inflamed or infected. What causes diverticulitis? Doctors aren't sure what causes diverticulitis. But they think that a low-fiber diet

    may play a role. Without fiber to add bulk to the stool, the colon has to workharder than normal to push the stool forward. The pressure from this may causepouches to form in weak spots along the colon.

    Diverticulitis happens when bacteria get trapped in the pouches. This can lead toinflammation or infection.

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    What are the symptoms? Symptoms of diverticulitis may last from a few hours to a week or more.

    Symptoms include: Belly pain, usually in the lower left side, that is sometimes worse when

    you move. This is the most common symptom. Fever and chills. Bloating and gas. Diarrhea or constipation. Nausea and sometimes vomiting.

    Not feeling like eating.

    How is diverticulitis diagnosed? Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will examine you. He or

    she may do tests to see if you have an infection or to make sure that youdon't have other problems. Tests may include:

    Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC). Other tests, such as an X-ray, a CT scan, or a colonoscopy.

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    How is it treated? The treatment you need depends on how bad your symptoms are and

    whether you have an infection. You may need to have only liquids at first,and then return to solid food when you start feeling better.

    If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Take themas directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better.For mild cramps and belly pain:

    Use a heating pad, set on low, on your belly. Relax. For example, try meditation or slow, deep breathing in a quiet

    room. Take medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example). You may need surgery only if diverticulitis doesn't get better with other

    treatment, or if you have problems such as long-lasting (chronic) pain, abowel obstruction, a fistula, or a pocket of infection (abscess).How can you prevent diverticulitis?

    You may be able to prevent diverticulitis if you drink plenty of water, getregular exercise, and eat a high-fiber diet. A high-fiber diet includeswhole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

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    Heartburn is a feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain that often starts in the upper abdomen justbeneath the lower breastbone (sternum). This discomfort may spread in waves upward into your throat,and you may have a sour taste in your mouth. Heartburn is sometimes called indigestion, acidregurgitation, sour stomach, or pyrosis. It is not caused by problems with your heart, althoughsometimes heart problems can feel like heartburn. See a picture ofheartburn .

    Heartburn may cause problems with swallowing, burping, nausea, or bloating. These symptoms cansometimes last up to 2 hours or longer. In some people, heartburn symptoms may cause sleep problems,

    a chronic cough, asthma, wheezing, or choking episodes. Heartburn usually is worse after eating or made worse by lying down or bending over. It gets better if

    you sit or stand up. Almost everyone will have troubles with heartburn now and then. Heartburn occurs more frequently in adults than in children. Many women have heartburn every day

    when they are pregnant. This is because the growing uterus puts increasing upward pressure on thestomach.

    Symptoms of heartburn and symptoms of a heart attack may feel the same. Occasionally, a person may

    dismiss serious symptoms as "just gas or indigestion." If you have a history of heart problems or riskfactors for a heart attack, your heartburn symptoms may indicate a more serious problem and need tobe checked by your doctor.

    Dyspepsia is a medical term that is used to describe a vague feeling of fullness, gnawing, or burning inthe chest or upper abdomen, especially after eating. A person may describe this feeling as "gas." Othersymptoms may occur at the same time, such as belching, rumbling noises in the abdomen, increasedflatus, poor appetite, and a change in bowel habits. Causes of dyspepsia can vary from minor to serious.

    C f h tb

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    Causes of heartburn Heartburn occurs when food and stomach juices back up (reflux) into the

    esophagus, which is the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach. Thisprocess is called gastroesophageal reflux . Common causes of reflux include:

    Incomplete closing of the valve (the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) between

    theesophagus and the stomach. Foods and drinks, such as chocolate, peppermint, fried foods, fatty foods, or

    sugars; and coffee, carbonated drinks, or alcohol. Once heartburn occurs, thebackflow of stomach juices can cause the esophagus to become sensitive toother foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, spicy foods, garlic, and onions. Eatingthese foods may cause more heartburn.

    Pressure on the stomach caused by obesity, frequent bending over and lifting,tight clothes, straining with bowel movements, vigorous exercise, andpregnancy.

    Smoking and use of other tobacco products. Prescription and nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen,

    prednisone, iron, potassium, antihistamines, or sleeping pills. A hiatal hernia , which occurs when a small portion of the stomach pushes

    upward through the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the lungsfrom the abdomen.

    Stress, which can increase the amount of acid your stomach makes and causeyour stomach to empty more slowly.

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