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Helpful Digestive Health Articles
Time for another round-up of some of the great articles my colleagues here at About.com have written. I have hand-picked each article so as to offer information that I think may be of use to all of you in terms of your overall digestive health. There are quite of few of them, so you may want to bookmark this page as a reference as you won't want to miss any of them. Enjoy!
...IBS and the Appendix: Part Two
Quite a while ago I discussed an interesting theoretical article about a relationship between the appendix and IBS symptoms: "IBS and the Appendix: A Unique Theory". Many years later, a person who claims to be the author of that article found my blog and left an thought-provoking comment:
...Digestive Enzymes
I have finally tackled a long overdue series on digestive enzymes. I know that many of you have heard the term bandied about as possibly being helpful for IBS. My first article in the series, offers you basic (okay, maybe a little boring) information about what these enzymes are and why they are important for the process of digestion:
...IBS Preparation
One of the most vexing aspects of IBS is the unpredictability of bowel movements. Strong, urgent bouts of diarrhea may be followed by days of uncomfortable constipation. And just when you think things are nice and settled, wham! Urges hit you when you are out and about.
...The Super Bowl and Your Stomach
As a life-long New Yorker, I am thrilled to see my New York Giants playing in this year's Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is not all fun and games, however, when your IBS is acting up. To make sure that you can enjoy the day's festivities, I offer you my classic game day tips:
...What Is Tenesmus?
As you may know, my goal is to make all of you, my faithful readers, into health experts! Today, I am introducing you to a term that some of you may deal with on a regular basis, but I bet you didn't know there was a name for it:
...Good Eating Habits for IBS
It has been my experience in talking with IBS sufferers that it is quite common to worry about what one should be eating. What often gets overlooked is the contribution to symptoms that may be happening based on eating habits. In other words, it may be quite important to take a look at how you eat. This article contains tips for eating in a way that ensures that your habits are not making your symptoms worse:
...Does Stress Give You Diarrhea?
Yesterday, I introduced you to my article on the relationship between stress and anxiety. As I said in yesterday's blog, it is a subject that many people deal with, but few people talk about. Open conversation is essential in helping to reduce the sense of isolation that is unfortunately so prevalent when it comes to digestive symptoms. Today, I offer you a safe place to openly discuss your struggles with stress-induced diarrhea:
...Can Anxiety and Stress Cause Diarrhea?
Although stress-related diarrhea happens to a lot of people, the very nature of the problem is such that people do not talk about it. This lack of conversation can lead to a lot of unnecessary worry about what is happening. The following article discuss the relationship between stress and anxiety. Learn why it happens, and more importantly, what can be done about it:
...Doctors, IBS, and Natural Remedies
This little report out of Australia caught my eye. It relays the results of a small study done by a medical research firm commissioned by a company that sells "natural medicines." Keeping in mind that I was not able to access the original study, so I have absolutely no idea how good the study standards were, I found the results to be interesting.
...Calcium for Diarrhea
Calcium for diarrhea - some people swear by it. Top IBS researchers don't share their optimism. Before you decide to take supplemental calcium, be an informed consumer and read my article:
...Magnesium for Constipation
They say that things tend to come in threes. In a weird coincidence, I have heard from three IBS-C sufferers in the last few weeks who swear by magnesium for easing their constipation. Have you heard this yourself? Please read my article on the subject to see if taking a magnesium supplement might be right for you:
...How Well Do You Know Your Colon?
If you suffer from IBS, your colon probably spends a lot of time talking to you. But, how much do you really know about your colon? Julie Wilkinson, About.com Guide to colon cancer, has written a wonderful article that provides a comprehensive overview of colon anatomy with some great reminders as to what to do to keep your colon healthy. This is a must-read for any of you for whom high school biology is a distant memory:
...Timeline for New IBS Drugs
Most of you have probably tried all sorts of things to bring about IBS relief. I am sure you would love to take just one pill and make it all go away! As of now, presciption medicine options for IBS are quite limited. Luckily, there are a number of new medications undergoing clinical testing for FDA approval. The big question is: "When will these drugs be available?"
...Probiotics
It always amazes me when I speak to an IBS patient who has not yet tried probiotics. You may have heard me say it before, but I view probiotics for IBS as "the next best thing since sliced bread." For an in-depth look at the research on the subject, please read:
...Doctors and Spastic Colons
Recently I was speaking with a person who obviously was unaware that I am the About.com Guide to IBS. He told me that he had been experiencing severe and chronic abdominal pain and believed it was related to stress. He went to a gastroenterologist and was told, "You suffer from a spastic colon." This is where I inwardly cringe. It goes to show how low on the priority ladder IBS is, if gastroenterologists have not even bothered to learn that the term spastic colon is no longer used!
...The History of IBS
The founder of the advocacy website IBS Impact has alerted me to a fascinating new IBS research project, one that involves an in-depth pursuit of the historical underpinnings of the disorder. It is definitely worth taking a look at the IBS Impact blog to learn more about the project and why it might be helpful to you:
...Good FODMAPs Advice
My reader of the week award goes to guest Emily, who offered some excellent advice about working with a nutritionist if you are going to try the low FODMAPs diet for IBS. She posted this in my "Readers Share" article on tips for following the FODMAPs diet:
...IBS and Exercise
Funny how everyone's thoughts turn to weight as the calendar flips to the New Year. You cannot read a magazine or watch a TV show without being bombarded by ads for weight control and fitness options. As a person who believes strongly in the physical and mental benefits of exercise and weight control, I think this added attention every January is a good thing. However, I am also well aware of the challenges that IBS can throw in the way of maintaining regular exercise. To help you start the year off right, I offer you lots of tips for meeting your New Year resolution to exercise more without aggravating your intestinal system:
...IBS New Year's Resolutions
Welcome to the New Year! I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable evening last night and that you are not paying for it with bad IBS symptoms today. My gift to you in the New Year is to point you toward my thoughts on setting New Year's resolutions that take into account the special needs inherent in managing IBS. I hope to inspire you to take a fresh approach in dealing with your IBS:
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