Saturday, July 6, 2013

Dealing With the Symptoms of Colitis


Colitis is a serious condition affecting many today. It is not only a painful and sometimes embarrassing health problem to go through, but it can also be life threatening if allowed to reach a cancerous state. Individuals are always encouraged to nip this illness in the bud before it reaches that stage. Talk to your doctor about methods of early detection so that treatment can be well underway before it gets worse. These treatments include prescription drugs and changes in one's diet. In the most serious of cases these treatments are done along with the surgical removal of the affected part of the colon.

Specifically, Colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine, or the colon. Reasons for this occurrence include a poor blood supply - which inevitably contribute to diarrhea, dehydration, anemia and shock- infections, and autoimmunity of the body. Colitis usually results in diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition, as well as a bleeding ulcer producing mucus and pus at intervals. Diarrhea causes the body to lose far more fluids than usual. Diarrhea is usually the symptom that is seen in every type of colitis known to man. Cramps and sporadic abdominal pains are also a common feature of this condition. Other signs include fever and chills, the constant urge to use the bathroom, and the presence of blood in one's stool.

Now as mentioned earlier, this occurrence can be quite embarrassing for the victim and often times requires a support system such as close relative and friends. This becomes a greater concern where in almost all cases of colitis, one's daily activities have to be changed to necessitate the demands of this terrible ailment. A great way in which help can be given to someone dealing with the symptoms of Colitis is by being available to them during tests and examinations of this disease. Such tests include examining the blood to check the factors that might lead to this condition, conducting a colonoscopy to scrutinize the walls of the colon and finally, by way of a computerized tomography that visualizes the colon and abdomen.

Many people suffering from colitis have gotten to the point that they have difficulty leaving the house. They never know when they'll have to find a bathroom. This can make work and travel very difficult. Helping a friend or family member discover that colitis is the problem and that there are ways to treat it can help them get their life back again. It is helpful to research and talk about treatment methods with the colitis sufferer, and to carry out proactive measures such as encouraging a doctor's visit for medicinal aids to the aches and pains (which people might easily mistake as just ordinary abdominal pains and diarrhea) and eating healthy foods that don't cause colon distress!

Ergonomics of Computer Stress - Changes in Technology Can Cause Stress


Ergonomics: the study of the problems of people adjusting to their environment; esp. the science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to suit the worker.

By its very nature, "High Tech" means constant transitions and change, and this means consistently high levels of stress from adapting to these changes. Our primitive mechanisms for adjusting to change are often over-whelmed by the High-Tech world of change that we need to live and work within. Virtually everyone agrees that negative transitions such as; job insecurity due to downsizing ("right-sizing," etc.), or financial insecurities (ie credit card debt, mortgages, college fees, stock market swings, etc), or health challenges (ie, sickness, chronic illness, injury, emotional symptoms of stress, etc.), or relationship insecurities (divorce, dating, family role changes, two income families), and international or regional political upheavals (as presented "up close and personal" in our homes by TV,) are viewed as stressful with potential downsides to your health and well-being.

"Good" Change: Same Results

Transitions and change are not always bad. However, even positive change can create responses within our primitive response mechanisms that can lead to negative symptoms of physical and emotional stress. Just in the past ten years, the high-tech advances have increased expectations of productivity and often time commitments to responding to the pressures from work. Do you remember life before: Fax machines, Voice Mail, E-Mail, Cellular Phones, Cellular Faxes, Instantaneous International Business Requests, and yes, even the Internet???? Sure you can turn them off, ignore them, control them(???,) but the pressures of response and keeping up with the changes of hardware/software technologies are still there, even if you do bury your head in the sands of DENIAL....

To prove a point about how positive change/stress can be dramatically bad for your health, I want to tell one brief story. When I was growing up, I read a newspaper account of a man who suffered from good fortune! The story read that a man had won the Irish Sweepstakes. He had won a fortune.... $100,000, which back in those days was a lot of money! He was so overjoyed with his good luck that he celebrated in an unfortunate way... he died of a heart attack! How many people do you know who get a new job or relationship, and wind up paying the price of this positive stress?

In the past ten years, people are developing new symptoms of this technology. Eye strain, back strain, wrist/hand strain, neck problems, even weight and substance abuse increases can be loosely linked to long hours in the world of computers and technology. There are even new industries cropping up to take advantage of the needs for the health and safety of the daily computer user and high tech workers.

Who reading this article can say that our primitive response to stress from millions of years of adaptation and survival has been able to keep up with these past few decades of change? Have you evolved a new midbrain response to the old Flight/Fight Response? If we can not change the world around us, or the people with whom we do business, or the people we have to live with, or the global changes that affect us, then we can at least become aware of this dilemma and avoid becoming a VICTIM to these changes! We do have CONTROL over the way WE RESPOND to these changes.

Awareness is half the battle! Know how YOU respond to stress and what in your life is causing this transitional stress.... THEN, you must develop daily habits of wellness to keep you backed away from the "edge" of falling into the negative physical and emotional responses to stress. You can GET BACK in CONTROL! You can prevent, or at least minimize, symptoms of stress such as: headaches, backaches, neck aches, high blood pressure, panic, anxiety, many stomach problems, sexual dysfunctions, possibly reduce auto-immune problems like allergies or some forms of arthritis, sleeping problems, bruxism, TMJ, etc.... The emotional symptoms such as: loss of concentration, withdrawal (depression), anxiety, being accident prone, memory loss, poor motivation, poor communication, poor performance, some learning disabilities, etc can be linked to stress and reduced, if not eliminated, by awareness/lifestyle changes. Key employees can be given executive/personal coaching and this can prevent them from becoming liabilities due to inefficiency, poor productivity, or worse re-training replacements for these key people. This is as true for families as it is obviously true for companies.

The remedies are as wide as the variables that have created the problems. However, most people perform their functions better when they involve themselves in regular (daily) self-care that often includes: Relaxation (stress management (tapes, exercises, individual counseling)), Physical exercise (5x/wk for 30 minutes+), and proper nutrition (that includes supplementation of minerals and anti-oxidants that are NOT easily found in useable forms in the high-tech processed or mass produced foods that we eat.

Please take good care of yourself.

Vibrational Healing - How Water, Sea Salts, and Colloidal Silver Can Heal Most Anything, Part Seven


The following are a comprehensive listing of earth dimensional names of what we call here as ailments or disease conditions that have been successfully treated by solutions of Colloidal Silver (Note: There are sure to be many other names as well as this list, this is what I discovered in my research to be so) :

Acne, AIDS, Allergies, Angina (Vincent's), Anthrax, Appendicitis, Arthritis, Athlete's Foot, Axillae and Blind Boils of the Neck, Bladder Irritation or Inflammation, Blepharitis, Blood Poisoning, Boils, Bromidrosis (in Axillae or Feet), Burns and Wounds, Cancer, Candida Albicans, Catarrh, Cholera, Colds, Colitis, Conjunctivitis, Cough (Whooping), Cystitis (Chronic), Dacrocystitis, Dermatitis (due to Extreme Toxemia), Diabetes, Diarrhea, Diphtheria, Dysentery (Bacillary), Ear Infections (Inner Ear), Eczema, Epididymitis, Erysipelas, Eustachian Tubes, Fatigue (Chronic), Fibrositis, Furunculous, Gastritis, Gonorrhea, Halitosis (Bad Breath), Hay fever, Hemorrhoids, Herpes or Shingles, Impetigo, Indigestion, Infantile Disease, Inflammation, Infections (Bacterial, Fungal, Parasitic or Viral), Influenza, Intestinal Disorders, Keratitis (Interstitial), Leprosy, Lesions, Leucorrhea, Leukemia, Lupus, Lymphangitis, Lyme Disease, Malaria, Menier's Disease, Meningitis, Neurasthenia (Nervous Exhaustion), Opthalmia, Otitis Media, Parasites, ParaTyphoid Fever, Phlegmons, Pneumonia (Bacterial, Fungal & Viral), Pleurisy, Polyps (Nasal), Prostate (Enlarged or Inflamed), Prostatic Gleet (Gonorrheal), Pruritis Ani, Psoriasis, Pyorrhea Alveolaris (Rigg's Disease), Quinsy, Rheumatism (Inflammatory), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rhinitis, Ringworm, Scarlatina, Scarlet Fever, Seborrhea, Sepsis (Ears, Eyes, Mouth & Throat), Septicemia (Puerperal), Sinusitis, Skin Rashs including Diaper rash, Sores, Sprue, Staph infections, Strep Throat, Stomach Flu, Syphilis, Thyroid Disorders, Tonsillitis, Tonsillitis, Tooth Decay, Toxemia (Extreme Systemic), Trachoma, Tuberculosis, Typhoid Fever, Ulcers, Urticaria (Ulcerative, due to Extreme Toxemia), Valsava's Inflammation, Vorticella, Warts, Yeast Infections.

I personally have experienced and also family members of mine have experienced Colloidal Silver's success within utilizing it for conditions such as Cellulitus, Endometriosis, as well as some of the names listed within this listing and infinitely others.

Colloidal Silver can be added to plant water in order to prevent the formation of mold or fungi and various other harmful organisms. It can also be added to the soil or sprayed directly on fruits and vegetables, such as avocados and bananas, in order to prevent them from developing brown discoloration, molds, mildew or plant rot. Colloidal Silver is also effective for animals with this earth dimensional name of canine parvovirus and other veterinary uses. It can also be used to purify water by adding one ounce to a gallon of water, shake well, then wait six minutes, and shake again, then wait another six minutes...and drink.

If you begin to experience any cold or flu like symptoms, simply begin taking Colloidal Silver, initially tripling the dosage for three days, and then follow the normal regimen. Once you have used Colloidal Silver for a certain length of time, the physical body tends to become less susceptible to colds or influenza. If you develop any aches or sluggishness around 3 to 4 days after using Colloidal Silver, you are merely experience a cleansing reaction or healing crisis while the body is dislodging and expelling stored remnants through the various organs of elimination (including the pores of the skin). This condition is temporary, and its severity can be significantly reduced by ingesting additional quantities of purified water.

There are many topical uses for which Colloidal Silver may be utilized in addition to the list of earth named illnesses listed, including:

* Open cuts, sores, wounds, abrasions, razor nicks, scrapes, scratches, skin rashes, warts, poison oak and poison ivy.
* Apply directly to acne, pimples, moles, insect bites & stings, toothaches, itchy or irritated skin.
* Spray on minor burns in order to accelerate the healing process and reduce the possibility of scar tissue or infection.
* Spray in shoes and between the toes in order to prevent athlete's foot. (My husband has done this and it works!)
* Apply as an underarm deodorant, as most underarm odor is caused by bodily remnant bacteria decomposing on those substances being released by the sweat glands.
* Spray any surfaces that may harbor Salmonella, E. coli, etc.
* Swab air ducts, heating vents, or air conditioner filters to prevent breeding sites for germs.
* Spray in garbage cans, on kitchen sponges, and inside refrigerators to prevent noxious odors.
* Apply to toilets, shower stalls, jacuzzis, or bath & shower mats.
* Add to final laundry rinse to prevent damp towels/diapers from mildew odor.
* Add to dishwater, cleaning, and mopping solutions.
* Sterilize water sources while traveling or camping.
* Add to flower vases, potted plants, pet water, or birdbaths.

When taken orally, solutions of Colloidal Silver is absorbed directly from the mouth into the bloodstream, and then is transported rapidly to the cells of the body. Holding or swishing the solution under the tongue for approximately thirty seconds before swallowing may result in quicker absorption, and the silver may take three to four days to accumulate in the bodily tissues in sufficient for benefits to occur. To reach the lower digestive tract, add one teaspoonful of Colloidal Silver to 16 ounces of distilled water, and drink this for 5 days. Colloidal Silver is eliminated by the kidneys, bowels, and lymphatic system after several weeks or sooner depending upon the amount of water one is ingesting.

It is also important to consume half of the total physical body weight in water each earth dimension day when using Colloidal Silver in order to purge the body of remnants. I just recently did this myself, as I had drank some water that was my husband Aaron's as he had an infection, thus the physical body had the sensations of what is known as the flu virus with these remnants within the water rather swiftly, as I am such a clear channel of water, that it happened immediately within a few hours. As soon as the physical body felt the sensation of this within the throat, I immediately ingested both the Colloidal Silver in addition with continuing with the water, and within twenty-four hours, the virus was flushed out of the physical body. Other than the slight ping within the one side of the throat, the physical body was free from experiencing the brunt of the virus, simply because I chose to use water and Colloidal Silver (one of the infinite forms of water in its energetically electrically charged state) continually to flush out the remnants.

In my research, I discovered that it has been suggested that one teaspoonful of a 5 ppm solution of Colloidal Silver is equivalent to about 25 micrograms (mcg.) of silver. Anywhere from one to four teaspoonsful per day is generally considered to be a "nutritional" dose, and is reported to be safe to use for extended periods of time. Concepts of amounts higher than this are "therapeutic" doses, and should be used 'only' periodically. Natural health practitioners have been noted to recommend one tablespoonful daily for four earth dimension days, and then one teaspoonful daily for maintenance (proportional to body weight for children). After six weeks, a pause of several weeks has also been suggested by some doctors. In cases involving an illness or sudden exposure to a harmful organism (such as anthrax spores), natural health practitioners have often recommended taking double (or even triple) the "nutritional" dose for anywhere from thirty to forty-five days, and then reducing it to a smaller maintenance dose. In acute conditions, amounts ingested have ranged anywhere from one to thirty-two ounces per day.

The dose that myself and my family use is the 500 ppm. There are the 5 ppm and other what are called as lower doses which are considered as effective and there are also dosages that are known as higher than the 500 ppm. However, the 500 ppm (ppm standing for part per million) is the baseline strongest in my estimation. The other dosages are effective but by far I have discovered that the 500 ppm is seems to resonate with us. It may be this earth dimensional phrase of "hard to come by" the 500 ppm in certain places. Here where we live there is one local health food store among the ones here that has this dosage, so if you are unable to discover this at your local health food store, Herbal Healer online also has Colloidal Silver in this dosage, which is where I purchase ours when our local health food store is free from having any in stock. There are also many other sites that I have discovered whom carry the Colloidal Silver in this dosage and higher.

One of the infinite ways of having Colloidal Silver for usage is to make it. By purchasing a Colloidal Silver Generator, you can make Colloidal Silver at any moment. The initial cost for the machine is what we would call here as monetarily expensive (about $150 to $200), but in my estimation well worth the earth dimensional monetary cost.

If it seems that the physical body that our soul, our spirit resides in seems to be in a physical state perception of extremely ill or toxic, cleanse the physical body at a pace that resonates with you. For if you choose a rapid cleansing and if pathogens are destroyed what is considered here on this earth dimensional concept of time as too quickly, then the physical body's five eliminatory channels (the liver, kidneys, lungs, bowels, and skin) may become temporarily overloaded, resulting in what is known here on this earth dimension as a healing crisis condition (commonly referred to as feeling worse before feeling better syndrome) that may include symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue, aching muscles, and other flu like conditions. If this occurs, then reduce the intake of Colloidal Silver while increasing the amount of distilled water. In addition, regular bowel movements will assist in reliving the physical bodily discomforts of the detoxification process.

Colloidal Silver is also completely safe for children, and many have used the solution either orally or topically in the eyes and ears of small infants free from any reactions. One is free from ever being able to overdose on Colloidal Silver, and even if one were to consume fifty times the recommended amount (I personally am free from recommending this however), it is free from being wasted, as it will accumulate in the bodily tissues to provide further benefits when it is needed.

Top 6 Causes of Diarrhea in the Elderly


Many elderly folks suffer from the occasional battle with diarrhea without ever knowing what caused it. While it's generally just an uncomfortable annoyance that only lasts a day or two, it can become a more serious situation when it ends up causing incontinence.

Severe or chronic diarrhea is cause for concern and is a situation that requires medical attention. It can be a symptom of colon cancer, diabetes, fecal blockage, infection or other serious medical problem. Loss of fluids can lead to potentially life threatening dehydration, so it's something to pay close attention to. Get immediate medical attention for your elder should diarrhea be accompanied by stomach cramps or fever.

The 6 most common causes of diarrhea include:

1. Your elder eating too much dietetic candy or chewing too much dietetic gum.

2. Eating or drinking foods like apple and pear juice, or grapes, prunes, dates, figs and some nuts.

3. Drinking caffeinated products such as soda, coffee or tea. Some over the counter antacids containing magnesium as well as some over the counter headache remedies can also cause diarrhea as well.

4. Certain medications such as antibiotics. Some can cause an imbalance of the "good" bacteria in the intestines.

5. Drinking milk, eating ice cream or other dairy products. While this generally applies to those who are lactose intolerant, this isn't always the case.

6. Certain medical conditions such as Chron's disease, overactive thyroid or ulcerative colitis.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, diarrhea in elderly folks isn't all that uncommon. When it runs more than a day or two, it's time to consider contacting your elder's doctor so they can investigate further. And remember, if there is pain or vomiting present with the diarrhea, be sure and get your elder immediate medical attention. Doing so may just save their life.

Can My Thoughts Really Affect My Health?


I was completely taken aback when a friend recently claimed, "I know exactly why I got cancer!"

She went on to explain how she realized that the stressful issues in her marriage had compromised her health and helped to create her illness.

My surprise comes from the fact that this particular woman describes herself as an atheist, and strongly believes that illness happens strictly at random.

As for the notion that "our thoughts influence our reality" she still considers it to be a steaming load of excrement, although now she is beginning to question her own internal biases.

She's not alone; many people believe their thoughts and feelings have nothing to do with their health, and how they feel.

When I suggested to her that we all can learn to control our thoughts to help ourselves be healthier, she responded with vehement anger that I certainly don't know what it's like to be ill.

Well, I do in fact know exactly what it's like.

When I look back to my battle with Ankylosing Spondylitis, I remember the anger, resentment, guilt, depression and other suppressed emotions I harbored. I didn't really understand these feelings at the time because I was in the midst of living them, while coping with the constant, chronic pain of a cruel and punishing autoimmune disorder.

If someone had told me then that I was in any way responsible for my own condition, they wouldn't have wanted to stick around for my answer.

At the time, heavy stress was constantly with me, which weakened my immune system and made my body susceptible to chronic illness. By releasing the deep-seated emotions and buried stress, I helped my body do what it was designed to d0 - repair itself in a timely manner.

Only now, years after recovering from Ankylosing Spondylitis, do I truly understand the role stressful emotions play in chronic conditions.

You might think the daily challenges of life are stressful, but it's not necessarily so. The way we respond to those circumstances is what causes stress, and stress is recognized as the primary cause of illnesses.

Stress is an emotional response that affects the body. When your body becomes so stressed that it begins to break down, your immune system can no longer repair the damage.

Under stress, the cells in your body don't take in proper amounts of oxygen, water or nutrients. They don't release wastes and toxins, and they don't communicate with other nearby cells to help keep you healthy.

However, when you stop creating the constant stress within your body, you allow your cells to move out of their defensive mode and into normal growth mode. Your immune system then works to rid you of illnesses and protect your from creating new ones.

Your body is the world's most perfect healing machine, when your cells are not forced into the defensive position brought on by mental and emotional stress.

Thoughts in the mind create changes in the body that can be easily observed. If you see or hear something that you find embarrassing, you might "blush" and your face turn red. It's a good example of the chemical change that occurs in the body in response to your thoughts. This is called the "mind-body connection."

Our thoughts produce physical reactions, many with predictable results. Sexual thoughts can create responses in the anatomy that are easy to observe; creepy thoughts will make your skin crawl and your hair stand on end. Scary and stressful thoughts cause us to secrete catecholamines, the stress hormones including cortisol and adrenalin that must be metabolized regularly to prevent ongoing tissue damage.

Conditions like hypertension, stroke, ulcerative colitis, heart disease and many other health challenges are clearly impacted by mental stress, establishing the fact that there's a link between our thoughts and the internal chemical reactions that affect how we feel and how we heal.

We feel our bodies respond to our thoughts and subconscious beliefs. Unfortunately, attitudes like anger, jealousy, resentment and guilt are the stressful emotions that create consequences to our health and well-being. These emotions deplete a lot of energy, energy we need to maintain healthy immune function.

Your body is designed to heal itself naturally and keep you healthy. Emotional stress is a problem which worsens the pain and symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Now researchers are learning how we can reverse illness when we first accept that we ourselves are the most powerful factor in our own health care.

Colon Problem


Colon problems are very common and there are many types of problems related to the colon. While some problems are minor and can be easily treated, there are some which takes a lot of effort to cure or are sometimes even life-taking. The causes, symptoms and treatment of these problems will differ from each other. Let us take a look at these colon problems:

o Hemorrhoids: this is the problem where the veins in the rectum swell up because of the pressure exerted to it. The symptoms are itching, pain, swell, and bleeding during bowel movement.

o Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): this is also referred to spastic colon. Individuals with this disorder may experience bouts of constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, fever, and nausea. For many people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, dietary and lifestyle changes can successfully reduce or even eliminate the problem.

o Crohn's disease: When a person suffers from Crohn's Disease, the colon's lumen is too narrow and as a result, the digestive tract is chronically inflamed. Although Crohn's Disease most commonly affects the last portion of the small intestine or the colon, it can affect any part of the digestive tract. These symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, weight loss, anal pain, bloating, rectal abscess, skin lesions, joint pain, and fissures. Excessive bleeding may also occur, which can lead to anemia.

o Polyps: this is a common colon problem and though at first these polyps are benign, they may become cancerous. They can be found on the lining of the colon or rectum, and vary from the size of a pinhead to a golf ball or larger. These polyps are more likely to occur if some body in the family suffers from colon cancer. It is hard to diagnose these polyps because they don't show symptoms but it is necessary to remove them.

o Diverticulosis: this problem is caused when the mucosa lining is not receiving enough blood from the arterioles causing the muscles in the colon to weaken. Symptoms, if present, may include bleeding, abdominal pain and inflammation.

o Ulcerative colitis: this is also a common colon problem and is an inflammation of the innermost lining of the rectum and colon. A person suffering from Ulcerative Colitis may have symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, or fevers. These symptoms are caused by the tiny ulcers, which bleed and produce pus, that develop on the surface of the rectum and colon lining.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Ulcerative Colitis - How Much Coverage Do You Need With This Disease


Ulcerative colitis (UC) belongs in the class of gastrointestinal diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. It is often confused with Crohn's disease because they present some of the same symptoms. However, Crohn's disease affects the entire gastrointestinal tract while UC only affects the small intestine and the colon. It is a chronic disease that causes ulcers to form in the colon. The primary symptom is bloody diarrhea. The exact cause of the disease is unknown. It is speculated that genetic factors mixed with environmental factors may trigger the disease in susceptible people. Some researchers believe that UC may be the result of an autoimmune disorder but there is no definitive evidence of that.

There are a number of treatments that a person with ulcerative colitis might be prescribed to help treat the disease. The goal of treatment is to put the disease into remission and to prevent a relapse. The types of medications used include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and biological treatments. Patients who smoke are encouraged to quit because it aggravates the condition. Doctors may also prescribe a change in diet. A frequently recommended modification is the addition of dietary fiber. Fish oils and the alternative Indian medication Boswellia have been recommended as well.

The only cure for ulcerative colitis is surgical removal of all or part of the large bowel. However, with proper medical treatment, it generally won't come to that. You will most likely be taking medication for the rest of your life to control outbreaks of the disease. Therefore, you will want health care coverage that also pays for some or all of your prescription medications. It is not a particularly life threatening disease but you will need to have regular checkups with your physician to ensure the disease remains under control. Look for a plan with reasonable copayments for doctor's visits. You will also need to ensure that surgery is covered under your plan just in case.

There are a number of health care plans available that will fulfill your needs. Sifting through them all will take time and patient. You can help narrow your selection by using a health insurance quote website. This website will search through the health plans available and find the ones that will pay the costs associated with treating your ulcerative colitis. You will be able to compare the benefits as well as the rates. Without this ability to compare insurance plans, you may inadvertently pay too much for very little. Be smart and use all the tools available to you to get the most affordable healthcare insurance you can.

If you need assistance in locating coverage for this condition, we may help. Please visit our website at http://www.health-insurance-buyer.com and provide your contact information so we may respond to your request.

Ulcerative Colitis Info


The best place to get ulcerative colitis info is from your doctor, but knowing that friends and family members as well as patients sometimes do not get as much information as they need, this article attempts to answer questions such as "what is ulcerative colitis", as well as provide some information about ulcerative colitis nutrition recommendations. None of this is meant to take the place of your doctor's advice, but merely supplement the information that you already have.

What is ulcerative colitis? It is an inflammatory bowel disease. All or part of the colon may become inflamed. Sores may form on the inner walls of the colon. Depending on how much of the colon that is affected, symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe and typically include diarrhea with mucus and/or blood present.

What is ulcerative colitis caused by? According to the latest ulcerative colitis info, no one knows exactly why the colon, which includes the large intestine and the rectum, becomes inflamed. It has been noted that patients tend to have immune system problems, but it is unclear whether the ulcerative colitis causes the problems with the immune system or if an overactive immune system causes the ulcerative colitis. Nutrition is particularly important, because diarrhea, a major symptom, may prevent the body from absorbing adequate nutrients from food.

What is ulcerative colitis cured by? According to the latest ulcerative colitis info, surgery that removes the affected portion of the colon is the only "cure". But, it is possible to live with and control the disease, particularly when symptoms are mild to moderate. Ulcerative colitis nutrition recommendations, medications, herbal remedies and other treatment programs are designed to relieve symptoms and prevent the necessity for surgery. It is a chronic disease, which means that it has a tendency to flare up again and again over time. It is helpful for patients to keep a food and symptoms diary, in some cases they are able to determine what foods cause flare ups and avoid those foods.

What are ulcerative colitis nutrition recommendations? Most doctors advise a multi-vitamin, but particularly supplementation of Vitamins D and B12. Vitamin D deficiencies can cause diarrhea. B12 is needed for energy and to help the body properly absorb other nutrient. Supplements containing the botanical aloe have been recommended by doctors and naturalists alike, because of its ability to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. In 2005, ulcerative colitis info concerning the results of a research program using omega-3 from fish oil was released. The results were promising, but there is no plan to market the formula that was used.

Risks of Colon Cancer in Women and Men


Cancer occurs when something goes wrong with this system, causing uncontrolled cell division and growth. Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon. Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer killer overall and third most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States in both males and females. Who is at risk for colorectal cancer. Men tend to get colorectal cancer at an earlier age than women, but women live longer so they catch up with men and thus the total number of cases in men and women is equal. Women diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer before age 50 are at increased risk of colorectal cancer. Woman with a personal history of breast cancer have only a very slight increase in risk of colorectal cancer. The average age to develop colorectal cancer is 70 years, and 93% of cases occur in persons 50 years of age or older. You have a higher risk for colon cancer if you have:

Cancer elsewhere in the body.

Colorectal polypsCrohn's disease

Family history of colon cancer

Personal history of breast cancer

Ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer vary depending on the location of the cancer within the colon or rectum, though there may be no symptoms at all. The most common presenting symptom of colorectal cancer is rectal bleeding. Cancers arising from the left side of the colon generally cause bleeding, or in their late stages may cause constipation, abdominal pain, and obstructive symptoms. On the other hand, right-sided colon lesions may produce vague abdominal aching, but are unlikely to present with obstruction or altered bowel habit. Other symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, or anemia resulting from chronic blood loss may accompany cancer of the right side of the colon.

The first step to avoiding this ailment is prevention with regular tests at the doctor, but there are other ways of getting around this disease in between checkups. Nevertheless, it appears that increasing the fiber content in the Western diet would be useful in the primary prevention of colorectal cancer. It is recommended that physical activity messages promoting at least 30-45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity on most days of the week be included in primary prevention interventions for cancer. The population prevalence for meeting proposed physical activity criteria for colon cancer prevention is low and much lower than that related to the more generic public health recommendations.

Our bodies need lots of calcium and not only for building strong bones. Colon cancer prevention is one of the most exciting uses for calcium. However, instead of using calcium supplements, this study relied on low-fat dairy products to supply 1,200mg calcium per day. Investigators found this amount of calcium decreased the incidence of changes in the cells lining the colon, which is often seen in the initial stages of colon cancer. A significant protective factor is adequate dietary calcium intake during the period of maximum growth (ages 9-25 y), so that proper peak bone mass is achieved by age 20-30 y and maintained until mid-life, with only slow bone loss in the following years. As already noted, dietary surveys indicate a significant gap between the recommended calcium intake and the actual intake in the United States in the critical years of adolescence and young adulthood and later in life.

Colitis - Can Probiotics Help Your Symptoms?


There are many ways to improve Colitis symptoms one of the most effective that I have found is taking Probiotics regularly Did you know there is more bacteria in your intestinal tract than there are cells in your body?

Benefits of Probiotics -
o They reduce diarrhea
o They are anti-inflammatory
o They Manufacture B complex vitamins
o They help regulate bowel movements
o They create lactic acid that balances intestinal pH levels

There are many other benefits from Probiotic's but these are the main ones we are concerned with in Colitis. Probiotics really work by reducing your diarrhea and lowering inflammation levels in the bowel. When I first took the right type of Probiotics in the right quantity I was amazed at the results, they really improved my stool consistency back to normal in a matter of days.

There are several ways of getting Probiotics into your Diet -

Supplements - There are many many Probiotic supplements for sale out there and it can be confusing knowing which one to take. What you need if you have Colitis is a high powered probiotic with multiple strains of bacteria in it. The best types need to be refrigerated, to keep them fresh and ready for action when they arrive in your intestines. I take one sachet of probiotics containing 450billion live bacteria once a day before bed in a small amount of live goats yogurt. This I find very useful in keeping my bowels regular and my stools well formed. If I feel things are a little bit loose one day then I just take an extra sachet during the day and that gets things back on track.

Kefir - Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins. It really is amazing stuff and the good news is that you can make it at home yourself with very little effort or cost! Kefir provides a virtual Swat team of probiotics which get straight to work cleaning up your intestines. You make Kefir by putting Kefir Grains which look a bit like small bits of cauliflower - and are a living microorganism - into a jar of milk. The Kefir then eats up all the lactose in the milk and as a byproduct produces lots of natural living probiotics which when you drink them help your intestines to function better. I drink a glass of my own home made kefir every morning as part of my breakfast because as well as being an excellent probiotic it is also an excellent nutritious food.

Antibiotic for Treatment of IBS


Based on theory that there might be overgrowth of bacteria in the small bowel (SBO) in patients with IBS antibiotics have been tried as a treatment. Antibiotics have helped some suffering with IBS, especially, those with complaints of diarrhea, excess bloating and gas, and abdominal pain.

Without well-designed scientific studies showing clear cut effectiveness, the use of antibiotics has been somewhat empiric and the questions have continued to be which antibiotic, for how long and how often? Furthermore, the role of SBO has been over stated in past, with an estimate of only 5-10% of IBS patients having confirmed bacterial overgrowth. However, more recently the role of post-infectious IBS and altered gut flora in IBS as well as the availability of non-absorbed antibiotics like Rifaximin and high quality probiotics such as VSL#3 has led to increased interest in antibiotic and probiotic therapy.

Two recent multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, TARGET 1 and TARGET 2, involving over a thousand patients who were given either Rifaximin or placebo have shown favorable though not "earth shattering" results. The dose of Rifaximin was 550 mg 2-3 times a day versus placebo, for two weeks followed by another 10 weeks of follow-up. Constipated IBS patients were excluded. Bloating and a global assessment of IBS symptoms by a standardized scale were the primary endpoints whereas abdominal pain and stool frequency were secondary endpoints.

Abdominal pain, bloating and stool symptoms were all better following treatment with Rifaximin. When data from both studies were combined it was noted that 41% of those receiving Rifaximin versus 32% in placebo group (30% placebo response rate typical in most treatment studies). Though this achieved statistical significance, it isn't a great response rate, significantly less than 50% noting response. There was a statistically significant improvement noted over the three month study period.

Limitations to the study from my stand are that markers for leaky gut and IBD serology were not checked nor were stains for mast cells done on these patients. Patients did not receive probiotics either.

One major advantage of Rifaximin is that is not absorbed from the GI tract so there are no systemic side effects. It also tends to quickly if it works and has been documented to last up to three months. The disadvantage is that it is expensive, often not covered by insurance and doesn't work in more than half of those trying it. Addition of a probiotic may help though there are limited studies to support this as a formal recommendation. A theoretical disadvantage is possible selecting out more resistant bacteria in the gut.

It is a regimen that may be worth a try if your insurance covers the antibiotic. I would recommend that Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), and microscopic colitides (lymphocytic colitis, collagenous colitis and mastocytic enterocolitis) be excluded by blood tests and endoscopies with biopsies.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) In Dogs - What Actually is It?


AIHA is diagnosed by detection of autoantibodies through use of the direct antiglobulin (Coombs') test. Antiglobulin serum is added to washed RBCs from the patient; agglutination indicates the presence of immunoglobulin, generally IgG, or C3 bound to the RBCs.

AIHA is a disorder in which the survival of red blood cells is shortened because the dog's immune system targets and destroys its own red blood cells. This type of immune dysfunction in which the host develops a reaction to and damages its own tissues is termed autoimmunity. AIHA is rarely associated with ulcerative colitis, occurring in approximately 0.6 to 1.7% of cases.

AIHA is most common in middle-aged dogs, and it is more often found in females than in males. Evidence of disease ranges in severity - symptoms can be mild and hardly noticeable, or severe symptoms may come on suddenly. AIHA is now defined as a process of accelerated red blood cell destruction due to the production of autoantibodies directed against the self red cell antigens.

Dogs that spend time around other dogs, that are boarded frequently, or who attend dog shows and dog parks, may need more careful monitoring than dogs that never leave home. Regardless of circumstance, the good news is that there are ways to minimize risk.

Dogs with serious infections or cancers in their body may also develop IMHA (immune mediated hemolytic anemia). The thought for the underlying cause is that something (e.g., vaccine, cancer cells) triggers the immune system to react and to create antibodies. Dogs with this symptom may benefit from very aggressive treatment with anticoagulants and cyclophosphamide, a potent immune system inhibitor. Blood transfusions can be used in dogs with IMHA if necessary but they can make the condition worse so most vets reserve this approach for dogs that appear to be in imminent danger of dying due to severe anemia.

Veterinarians are encouraged to work with specialists in their area for referrals. Veterinarians use genetics in a prescriptive manner. That is, they may use the results of a genetic test to recommend a specific treatment or an exact dosage of a drug.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Preventing Periodontal Disease May Prevent Colon Cancer


A recent study published in Genome Research found that a bacterium that has been associated with periodontal disease has also been detected in colon tumors. Scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute in October 2011 found an abnormally large number of "fusobacterium" in colorectal tumor (or colon cancer) samples. Fusobacterium is typically found in dental plaque and associated with gum disease or periodontal disease. This discovery of the bacteria found in both the mouth and the colon is the first time this type of microorganism has been found to play a role in colon cancer. It is an important finding because colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

DNA samples from normal colon tissue were compared with samples from colorectal cancer tissue. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer. It includes cancerous growths in both the colon and rectum. The tumor tissue contained large amounts of the fusobacterium. Scientists have been giving much more attention in the last ten years to the environment in which cancer cells live. In the case of colorectal cancer, the environment is heavily populated with the same bacteria found in the mouth. This particular bacterium is also associated with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, which can put people at a higher risk of developing colon cancer.

The colon is a part of the digestive system prior to the waste material of the body being eliminated. Most colon cancer starts off as a polyp, although not all polyps are cancerous. A polyp is a growth that starts in the tissue lining. Left unchecked, a polyp may grow, become cancerous and metastasize to other parts of the body. One of the reasons this is the second leading cause of cancer deaths is that the colon is highly vascularized which leads to higher metastasis and growth rate. Also cells of the colon reproduce frequently or turn over very rapidly, unlike brain cells. This rapid growth also causes the cancer cells to grow faster. Effective prevention of colon cancer has always been diet high in fiber, early detection through colonoscopies and removal of polyps. It appears there may also be another weapon to add to this deterrence arsenal: prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the most prevalent diseases on the planet earth. It is a chronic infectious inflammation of the teeth and gums. Although late stages of periodontal disease show signs, early stages do not. The signs of this gum disease are: bad breath that won't go away, red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing, loose teeth, and sensitive teeth. Both periodontal disease and tooth decay (or gingivitis) is caused by bacteria. There are hundreds of different species of bacteria in the mouth. Fusobacterium is just one. The mouth is a dark, moist, acidic environment with a constant warm temperature and a steady supply of carbohydrates. These are ideal bacteria growing conditions - particularly in between teeth and under the gum line.

It has not yet been determined whether the fusobacterium found in colon cancer is essential for the cancer to grow or whether it just affords a favorable environment for the bacterium. In either case, it is suggested that those with periodontal disease run a higher risk of colon cancer. It is important to treat the gum disease and lower the fusobacterium in the mouth. It is becoming evident that periodontal disease is linked to many systemic diseases including heart disease, COPD, arthritis, diabetes, etc. Thus, periodontal disease not only affects the gums and teeth, it affects the whole body. Regular professional cleanings and diligent home oral care are essential in preventing and treating periodontal disease.

How Can I Tell I Have Gallstones In My Liver?


During my research with thousands of patients suffering from almost every kind of illness, including terminal diseases, I found that each person had large numbers of gallstones in the liver and, in many cases, also in the gallbladder. When these people eliminated these stones through the liver flush and introduced simple health-forming habits and supportive measures, they recovered from diseases that defied both conventional and alternative methods of treatment.

What follows is a description of some of the more common signs indicating the presence of gallstones in the liver and gallbladder. If you have any of them, you will most likely derive great benefits from cleansing your liver and gallbladder. In my practice, I have found these indications to be highly accurate. In case you are not sure whether you have stones, it may be useful to cleanse the liver anyway; it can improve your health significantly, regardless. There is an old saying: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." The only way to discover for yourself whether you have gallstones is to do the liver flush. You will find that when you remove all the stones that may be present, the symptoms of disease will gradually disappear, and health will return to normal.

Signs and Marks

The Skin

The major function of the skin is to continuously adjust our internal body to the ever-changing external environment, which includes temperature, humidity, dryness, and light. In addition, skin covers the body to protect us against injury, microbes, and other harmful agents. Apart from having to deal with these external influences, the skin also monitors and adapts according to internal changes taking place within the body. Accordingly, the skin reflects the condition of the organs and body fluids, including the blood and lymph. Any long-term abnormal functioning of the body will inevitably show up in the skin as skin blemishes, discoloration, or changed condition, such as dryness, oiliness, wrinkles, lines, and so forth. Almost all skin disorders have their root in an imbalanced liver condition. Gallstones lead to circulatory disorders, which reduce the nutrient supply to, and waste removal from, the skin and prevent healthy development and normal turnover cycles of skin cells. The following marks are particularly indicative of gallstones in the liver and gallbladder:

Black spots and small or large brown patches that are the color of freckles or moles: They usually appear on the right or left side of the forehead, between the eyebrows or under the eyes. They may also show up just above the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades. Most prominent are the so-called liver spots on the back of the hands and forearms, often seen among middle-aged and elderly people. If gallstones, which are spontaneously excreted by the gallbladder, get caught in the colon, such spots may also appear in the area where the thumb and index finger meet. These liver spots usually start fading after the majority of stones are removed from the liver and gallbladder. Most people assume that the liver spots are due to sun damage and "normal" aging. This is a myth. Liver spots, as the name suggests, come from the liver. Sun exposure merely brings to the surface of the skin any existing acidic waste deposits.

Vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows:There may be one deep line or two, sometimes three, lines in this region. These lines or wrinkles, which are not a part of natural aging, indicate an accumulation of many gallstones in the liver. They show that the liver is enlarged and has hardened. The deeper and longer the wrinkles are, the more the deterioration of liver function has progressed. A line near the right eyebrow also indicates congestion in the spleen. Furthermore, the vertical lines represent a great deal of repressed frustration and anger. Anger arises when gallstones prevent proper bile flow. A bilious nature is one that keeps toxins trapped-toxins that the liver tries to eliminate via bile. Vice versa, anger can trigger gallstone formation. If white or yellow patches accompany the wrinkles, a cyst or tumor may be developing in the liver. Pimples or growth of hair between eyebrows, with or without wrinkles, indicate that the liver, gallbladder, and spleen are affected.

Horizontal wrinkles across the bridge of the nose: These are a sign of pancreatic disorders due to gallstones in the liver. If a line is deep and pronounced, there may be pancreatitisor diabetes.

Green or dark color of the temple area at the sides of the head: This shows that the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen are underactive because of deposits of gallstones in both the liver and gallbladder. This may be accompanied by a green or blue color on either side of the bridge of the nose, which indicates impaired spleen functions. A horizontal line across the bridge of the nose implies weakness of the pancreas.

Oily skin in the area of the forehead: This reflects poor liver performance due to gallstones. The same applies to excessive perspiration in this part of the head. A yellow color of the facial skin indicates disorders of the bile functions of the liver and gallbladder, and a weakness of the pancreas, kidneys, and excretory organs.

Hair loss in the central region of the head: This mark indicates that the liver, heart, small intestines, pancreas, and reproductive organs are becoming increasingly congested and aggravated. There is a tendency to develop cardiovascular disease, chronic digestive problems, and the formation of cysts and tumors. Early graying of hair shows that liver and gallbladder functions are underactive.

The Nose

Hardening and thickening at the tip of the nose: This indicates chronic liver weakness, resulting in hardening of the arteries and the accumulation of fat around the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, and prostate glands. If the enlargement is excessive and blood vessels are visible, a heart attack or stroke may be imminent.

The nose is constantly red: This condition shows an abnormal condition of the heart, with a tendency toward high blood pressure(hypertension). A purple nose indicates low blood pressure. Both conditions are due to imbalanced liver, digestive, and kidney functions.

Cleft nose or indentation of the tip of the nose: This mark indicates irregular heartbeat and heart murmur. If one half of the cleft nose is larger than the other, this shows that one side of the heart is abnormally enlarged. Arrhythmia and panic attacks may accompany this condition. There may be severe lymphatic congestion caused by digestive disorders such as constipation, colitis, stomach ulcer, and so on. Liverfunctions are subdued because of large amounts of gallstones cutting off the blood supply to the liver cells. Bile secretions are insufficient. (Note: I have personally seen clefts in the nose disappear after liver flushing.)

The nose is bending toward the left: Unless caused by an accident, this asymmetric shape of the nose implies that the organs on the right side of the body are underactive. These include the liver, gallbladder, right kidney, ascending colon, right ovary or testicle, and right side of the brain. The main cause of this condition is an accumulation of gallstones in the liver and gallbladder (the nose is likely to return to center once the stones are removed).

The Eyes

Skincolor under the eyes is yellowish: This indicates that the liver and gallbladder are overactive. A dark, even black color in the same area results when the kidneys, bladder, and reproductive organs are overtaxed because of a prolonged disorder of the digestive system. A grayish, pale color occurs if the kidneys and, occasionally, the lungs are malfunctioning owing to improper lymphdrainage from these organs. Also, the endocrine system may be affected.

Water-containing bags under the lower eyelids: These are formed as a result of congestion in the digestive and excretory organs, which results in inadequate lymph drainage from the head area. If these eye bags are chronic and contain fat, this points toward the presence of inflammation, cysts and, possibly, tumors in the bladder, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and prostate.

A white cloud covers the pupil of the eye: The cloud consists mostly of mucus and degenerate protein particles. It indicates the development of cataracts brought about by longstanding poor liver and digestive performance.

Constant redness in the white of the eye: This condition is caused by the protrusion of capillaries, indicating disorders in the circulatory and respiratory functions. White or yellow mucus patches in the white of the eye show that the body is accumulating abnormal amounts of fatty substances because the liver and gallbladder have amassed large quantities of gallstones. When this occurs, the body has a tendency to develop cysts and both benign and malignant tumors.

A thick white line covers parts of the periphery of the iris, particularly the lower parts: This indicates the accumulation of large amounts of cholesterol in the blood circulatory system. The lymphatic system also has major congestion and fat retention. (Note: If you wish to understand the connection of the eyes and iris with the various parts of the body, I recommend that you study the science of iridology, or eye interpretation.)

The eyes have lost their natural luster and shine: This signals that both the liver and kidneys are congested and unable to filter the blood properly. "Dirty" blood, loaded with toxins or waste products, is heavier and more sluggish than clean blood. The thickened blood slows circulation and reduces oxygen and nutrient supply to the cells and organs, including the eyes. If this condition persists, the cells will deteriorate and inevitably age or die off. The eye and braincells are especially affected because the blood has to flow against gravity to reach them. Most vision problems are the direct or indirect result of reduced blood-cleansing capacity by the liver and kidneys. Clean and nutrient-rich blood from a healthy, efficient liver can flow easily and nourish the eye tissues better, thereby improving most eye problems.

The Tongue, Mouth, Lips,and Teeth

The tongue is coated yellow or white, especially in the back part: This indicates an imbalance in the secretion of bile, which is the major cause of digestive trouble. Toxic residues of undigested and fermented or putrefied food linger in the intestinal tract. This blocks lymph flow in the thoracic duct and prevents toxins and microbes in the throat and mouth area from being removed.

Teeth impressions on the sides of the tongue, often accompanied by white mucus discharge: This indicates weak digestion and inadequate absorption of nutrients from the small intestine.

Pimples on the tongue: They are indicative of poor digestion and the presence of fermenting and putrefying food in both the small and large intestines.

Cracks on the tongue: These are signs of long-term intestinal trouble. When food is not being mixed with a sufficient amount of bile, it remains partially undigested. Undigested foods are subjected to bacterial putrefaction and, thereby, become a source of toxicity. Constant exposure of the intestinal wall to the toxins that these bacteria produce irritates and injures it. The resulting lesions, scars, and hardening of the intestinal walls is then reflected by the cracks on the tongue. There may be little or no mucus discharge on the tongue.

Repeated mucus discharge into the throat and mouth: Bile may regurgitate into the stomach, thereby irritating its protective lining and causing excessive mucus production. Some of the bile and mucus may reach the mouth area. This can create a bad (bitter) taste in the mouth and give rise to frequent attempts at clearing the throat, which sometimes involve coughing. Mucus discharge without this bitter taste results when food is not digested properly, and toxins are generated. The mucus helps to trap and neutralize some of these toxins, but as a side effect, it causes congestion.

Bad breath and frequent burping: Both signs point toward the presence of undigested, fermenting, or putrefying food in the GI tract. Bacteria acting on the waste material produce gases, which can be very toxic at times, hence the bad odor emanating from the breath.

Crust formations at the corners of the mouth: This indicates the presence of duodenal ulcers, caused by regurgitation of bile into the stomach, or by other reasons discussed earlier. Ulcers in various parts of the mouth or on the tongue show that inflammation or ulceration is occurring in the corresponding parts of the GI tract. For example, a mouth ulcer on the outside parts of your lower lip points to the presence of ulcer lesions in the large intestine. Herpes ('cold sores') on the lip corresponds to more severe inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal wall.

Dark spots or patches on the lips: These marks occur when obstructions in the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys have resulted in slowness and stagnation of blood circulation and lymph drainage throughout the body. There may be advanced, abnormal constriction of blood capillaries. If the color of the lips is reddish (dark) or purple, this indicates that heart, lung, and respiratory functions are subdued.

Swollen or expanded lips: This condition indicates intestinal disorders. If the lower lip is swollen, the colon suffers constipation, diarrhea, or both, alternating between them. Toxic gases are formed from improperly digested foods, which give rise to bloating and abdominal discomfort. A swollen or enlarged upper lip indicates stomach problems, including indigestion, frequently accompanied by 'heartburn'. An abnormal, tightly closed mouth shows that a person suffers from disorders of the liver, gallbladder, and, possibly, the kidneys. If the lower lip is dry, peels, and splits easily, there may either be chronic constipation or diarrhea, with large amounts of toxic acids prevalent in the colon. This condition is accompanied by advanced dehydration of the colon cells.

Swollen, sensitive, or bleeding gums: Any these symptoms occurs when lymph drainage from the mouth area is inefficient as a result of intestinal lymph congestion. The blood has an overload of acid compounds. Inflammation deep in the throat, with or without swelling of the tonsils, is also caused by lymphatic blockage. Tonsillitis, which often occurs among children, is a sign of constant retention of toxins contained in the lymph fluids and back-flushing of waste from the GI tract into the tonsils.

Toothproblemsare generally caused by nutritional imbalance: Poor digestion and overconsumption of refined, processed, and highly acid-forming foods, such as sugar, chocolate, meat, cheese, coffee, soda, and so forth, deplete the body of minerals and vitamins. Adults usually have thirty-two teeth. Each tooth corresponds to a vertebra of the spine, and each vertebra is connected to a major organ or gland. If any of the four canines are decaying, for example, it indicates the presence of gallstones in the liver and gallbladder. A yellow color of the teeth, and of the canines in particular, indicates the presence of toxins in the organs located in the mid abdominal region, that is, the liver, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, and spleen. Bacteria are not the cause of tooth decay. They only attack tooth tissue that already has an unbalanced acid-alkaline ratio. Proper saliva secretions also play a major role in the protection of the teeth. Truly healthy teeth last a lifetime and are maintained by a healthy digestive system.

Hands, Nails, and Feet

White, fatty skin on the fingertips is a sign of dysfunctional digestive and lymphatic systems. In addition, the liver and kidneys may be forming cysts and tumors. An excessive discharge of fats may occur, seen as oiliness on the skin.

Dark red fingernails point toward a high content of cholesterol, fatty acids, and minerals in the blood. The liver, gallbladder, and spleen are congested and underactive, and all excretory functions are overburdened with waste products. Whitish nails indicate the accumulation of fat and mucus in and around the heart, liver, pancreas, prostate, or ovaries. This condition is accompanied by poor blood circulation and low hemoglobin levels (anemia).

Vertical ridges in the fingernails generally indicate poor absorption of food and the disruption of important digestive, liver, and kidney functions. There may be general fatigue. Strong vertical ridges on the thumbnails, possibly with split ends, show that a person's testicles and prostate or ovaries are not functioning properly. This is caused by the ineffectiveness of the digestive and circulatory systems.

Horizontal indentations in the nails show unusual or drastic changes in dietary habits. The changes can be either beneficial or harmful.

White dots on the nails appear when the body eliminates large amounts of calcium and/or zinc in response to excessive consumption of sugar or sugar-containing foods and beverages. Sugar has highly acid-forming properties and leaches out these minerals from the bones and teeth.

A hard protrusion at the ball of the foot: This condition shows progressive hardening of the organs located in the middle of the body, including the liver, stomach, pancreas, and spleen. It points to the accumulation of numerous gallstones in the liver and gallbladder.

A yellow color of the feet indicates the accumulation of many gallstones in the liver and gallbladder. If the color of any part of the feet is green, then spleen and lymph functions are severely disrupted. This may lead to cysts and to benign and malignant tumors.

Hardness at the tip of the fourth toe or a callus in the area under the fourth toe: This symptom shows that gallbladder functions are stagnant. General rigidity, a bent condition, and pain in the fourth toe imply a long history of gallstones in the gallbladder and liver.

Curving of the first toe: If the large toe curves inward toward the second toe, it shows that liver functions are subdued owing to the presence of gallstones in the liver bile ducts. At the same time, spleen and lymphatic functions are overactive because of the accumulation of toxic residues from inadequately digested foods, metabolic waste, and cellular debris.

White color and rugged surfaces on the fourth and fifth toenails: This indicates poor performance of the liver and gallbladder, as well as of the kidneys and urinary bladder.

The Constitution of Fecal Matter

The stool or fecal matter emits a sharp, sour, or penetrative odor: This indicates that food is not being digested properly. Fermented and putrefied food and the presence of large quantities of 'unfriendly' bacteria in the feces give rise to an abnormal odor and sticky texture. Normal stool is coated with a thin mucus lining, which prevents the anus from being soiled.

Dry and hard stools are an indication of constipation, and so are sticky stools. Diarrhea is yet another sign of weak performance of the digestive system and the liver, in particular.

Pale or clay-colored feces: This is still another indication of poor liver performance (bile gives the stool its natural brown color). If the stool floats, large amounts of undigested fats are contained in it, making it lighter than water.

Conclusion

There may be many more signs and symptoms indicating the presence of gallstones in the liver and gallbladder than those listed above. Pain in the right shoulder, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, numbness in the legs and sciatica, for example, may have no obvious relation to gallstones in the liver. Yet when the gallstones are removed, these conditions usually disappear.

The body is a network of information, and every part influences and communicates with every other part. Seemingly insignificant marks or signs on the skin, in the eyes, or on a toe may be the harbingers of serious health issues. When you recognize them and flush your liver and gallbladder, in concert with adopting a healthy regimen of diet and lifestyle, you will find that the signs of wellness and vitality begin to reappear. To prevent illness and make permanent health a practical reality in your life, it is important to understand what actually causes gallstones in the first place.

Crohn's Disease - Symptoms and Treatment


Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract. The disease is also called granulomatous enteritis, colitis, regional enteritis, regional ileitis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis and it causes ulcerations of the small and large intestine. The disease can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus, but distinctively affects the terminal ileum as well as demarcated areas of large bowel. The disease is named after the American physician, Burrill Bernard Crohn (1884-1983), who described the disease in 1932.

Crohn's Disease Symptoms

Crohn's disease symptoms may include:


  • Chronic diarrhea & disrupted digestion: It becomes difficult for the patients in the acute phase of the disease to eat and/or digest food.

  • Painful and debilitating inflammation

  • Fistulas of the colon

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Lipid absorption problems

  • Anemia: Persistent rectal bleeding may lead to anemia.

  • Bruising of the shins.

  • Fever, pain and psychological damage in many cases

  • Crohn's disease in children may cause delayed development and stunted growth.


Crohn's Disease Treatment

Crohn's disease treatment may include medication, surgery, dietary advice and Helminthic therapy (current research).

Medication Treatment

Acute treatment: steroids are used in the initial stages. Long-term steroid therapy is discouraged because of their side effects. Corticosteroids like prednisone are traditionally used medications. The side effects of steroids may include insulin resistance and frank diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), glaucoma, osteoporosis, severe psychological issues etc.

Chronic treatment (Steroid-sparing): The treatment may include Salicylates - 5-ASA derivates - 5-aminosalicylic acid compounds such as sulfasalazine (Azulfidine®, Salazopyrin®), mesalamine (Pentasa®, Asacol®), olsalazine, and balsalazide. Immunomodulating drugs such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate are given mainly in moderate-to-severe cases. Infliximab (brand name Remicade®) is given in patients with therapy-resistant or fistulating Crohn's. Adalimumab (brand name Humira®) has been used in patients who show allergic reaction to infliximab. The drugs like thalidomide are under study trials.

Surgery

In the case of widespread intractable Crohn's colitis, the colon and rectum (protocolectomy) are removed by the surgery ileostomy. Surgery is generally avoided, as this does not cure the disease. Crohns disease can recur at the site of the anastomosis or ileostomy.

Dietary Advice

Crohn's patients should avoid the following foods and liquids:


  • Dairy foods

  • High fiber foods should be avoided during flare-ups.

  • Hot spicy foods

  • Alcohol & caffeine

  • Foods containing saturated fats, found in meat and dairy products. However some fats such as in fish oil may actually be helpful.

  • Products containing corn or gluten, those made from wheat, oats, barley, or triticale

  • Foods, such as soy, eggs, peanuts and tomatoes

  • Gas-producing foods such as cabbage family vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts), dried peas and lentils, onions and chives, peppers and carbonated drinks

  • Foods that may irritate the intestine (particularly the cabbage family vegetables)

  • Simple sugars

  • Dried fruits or high-sugar fruits, such as grapes, watermelon, or pineapple

  • Sorbitol (an artificial sweetener)

Beneficial Foods:


  • Fluids to keep the body hydrated and prevent constipation

  • Fruits may be protective

  • A high protein diet with lean meats

Advice:


  • Eat small frequent meals

  • Prebiotics such as psyllium may help in the healing process.

  • Probiotics may also be helpful in aiding recovery of the intestines.


Helminthic Therapy

Recent studies have come up with a promising Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis treatment. Helminthic therapy is a new treatment that has shown impressive results in clinical trials. It argues that the absence of intestinal worms (due primarily to higher hygiene standards) from the human intestinal tract may cause the immune system that is not evolutionary adapted to this condition, to over-react causing inflammation and other negative effects, and that reintroducing helminths through ingesting eggs of a certain species (which is not dangerous to humans) can help down regulate and normalize immune responses.

Helminthic therapy like the fecal bacterio therapy induces a characteristic TH2 white cell response in the diseased areas which seems to be the key in achieving and maintaining remission, and may prove to be of key significance in further research.

Ulcerative Colitis and the Role of Candida


One of the main causes of ulcerative colitis is the overgrowth of Candida, a gut flora. The inflammation of the colon, which is the main characteristic of ulcerative colitis, is due to the body's immune response against the proliferation of Candida.

A disease of the large intestine, ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease which is accompanied by severe inflammation of the colon and rectum accompanied by ulcers and open sores. Its major symptoms include diarrhea with bloody, mucus lined, watery stool and abdominal cramps. Rectal bleeding, anemia, weight loss, fatigue, nutritional imbalance, and even joint pains and arthritis are also some of its associated symptoms. Ulcerative colitis is often confused with Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome due to the similarities in symptoms and often becomes difficult to diagnose. Crohn's disease is also an inflammatory bowel disease but occurs mainly in the small intestine. Irritable bowel syndrome on the other hand is a functional disorder.

Though no particular cause of the disease has been found till now, ulcerative colitis is regarded as an autoimmune disease i.e. in which the body's immune system attacks itself. Actually the attack is not on the body but is triggered by an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. A common gut flora, Candida usually is quite harmless. It is fed upon by probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that help kill harmful disease causing agents. When probiotics fall in number due to overuse of antibiotics, the yeast proliferates and takes over all healthy microbes.

Normally resident in the intestinal tract, genitals, throat and mouth, Candida can penetrate the intestinal lining and make its way to various organs of the body through the blood stream. Releasing several toxins in the body and the initiator of many illnesses, the overgrowth of Candida triggers the body's immune system into launching an attack which results in many chronic diseases like ulcerative colitis. The immune response to Candida leads to the inflammation of the colon resulting in colitis. The inflammation is actually a defensive weapon of the immune system in order to prevent the yeast from penetrating the intestinal wall. Hence, ulcerative colitis develops in the course of fighting a harmful microbe.

Being attached to the inner wall of the intestine, Candida provides a stimulus for the immune system to respond. The inflammation can be prolonged and can lead to further aggravation of the disease if the Candida overgrowth is not cleaned out properly. It is usually quite difficult to remove Candida as it suppresses the body's immune response on itself. Taking antibiotics further worsens the situation. Also foods rich in sugar, alcohol, cheese, chocolate, caffeine, nuts and fermented foods help in further proliferation of Candida and should be avoided.

For ulcerative colitis resulting from Candida overgrowth, the only way to heal the body is to get rid of the yeast. A holistic Candida cleanse goes a long way in healing the body. Treatment usually involves taking the right diet along with the prescription medication Nystatin which kills intestinal yeast like Candida and thereby removes the cause of ulcerative colitis.

Who Is More Prone To Develop Colorectal Cancer?


The exact reason why colon cancer develops in some persons and not in others is not clear. The incidence of colon cancer is quite varied among different countries and within different ethnic groups inside the same country. Industrialized countries like United States, Canada, UK, Western Europe, Australia and Japan have a much higher incidence of colorectal cancer compared to the less industrialized parts of the world like Asia, Africa, and South America. Colorectal cancer represent over 9 percent of all cancers in men and about 10 percent of all cancers in women world-wide. In industrialized countries the incidence of colorectal cancer can be as high as 12 to 14 of all cancers, and in non-industrialized countries much lower rates of about 7 to 8 percent of all cancers diagnosed may be colorectal cancer.

Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third commonest cancer diagnosed in the United States. Each year over 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer and over 50 percent of these patients will die from colorectal cancer. Colon cancer incidence is not much different between males and females, however colon cancer is slightly more prevalent in women compared to men (ratio of 1.2:1) but the rectal cancer is more common in males (ratio of 1.7:1).

Even though we do not know the exact cause of development of colorectal cancer, scientists have recognized several factors that can increase the risk of development of colorectal cancer. A risk factor for a disease is any condition that makes a person more likely to develop that diseases. Some of the risk factors like dietary factors are modifiable by the person involved while some other factors like age are un-modifiable. These risk factors may act in combination, and this combination of risk factors may be associated with cumulative increase in the risk of development of colorectal cancer. The simple presence of one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that someone will develop colorectal cancer. On the other hand absence of all risk factors does not mean that an individual will not develop colorectal cancer, but generally more risk factors you have higher is the chance of developing colorectal cancer. Environmental factors also may be playing a role in the development of colorectal cancer. People who migrate from areas of low risk to areas of the world with higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, they tend to acquire the risk of the country to which they are migrating. This finding suggests the presence of environmental factors causing higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Changes in dietary factors associated with migration may also be contributing to this increase in risk associated with migration from low risk areas to higher risk areas.

Risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer include the following:


  • Age over 50 years

  • Increased fat intake

  • Large intestinal polyps

  • Family history of colon cancer

  • Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

  • Personal history of other cancers

  • Sedentary habits and lack of exercise

  • Obesity

  • Diabetes

  • Smoking

  • Alcohol content

  • Genetic colon cancer syndromes like Familial adenomatous polyposis or Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)


Persons who have high risk of colorectal cancer may undergo screening for colorectal cancer with colonoscopy once every 2 to 3 years. Screening colonoscopy is recommended for every one who is 50 years or older. If someone has a higher than average risk of developing colorectal cancer, the screening may be initiated earlier than 50 years.

Emotional Stress and Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms


There is a clear and direct connection between stress and autoimmune disorders such as Ankylosing Spondylitis. Painful or repressed emotions put stress on the body, but natural methods of stress relief can help reverse the pain and symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Recently, a client of mine who has Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) had an enlightening "aha" moment when she suddenly realized her autoimmune symptoms raged out of control whenever she had an argument with her adult son.

Until then she had never recognized stress as an issue for her AS pain and symptoms. Now she clearly gets it. She has come to realize that as her stress ramps up, so do the chronic pain and symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis, an autoimmune disorder similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

This is a common for my clients, and I see it frequently. A considerable aspect of my work involves helping clients identify and eradicate the mental and emotional triggers that worsen the pain and symptoms of AS.

Think about it. When you suppress your guilt, anger, resentment, and other difficult emotions... can it make you sick?

The latest medical studies overwhelmingly conclude that yes, negative emotions do affect our health. Toxic emotions significantly compromise immune function, and mental stress weakens our built-in defenses against premature aging and disease.

Stress and stress-related illnesses account for over 90% of the issues that patients report to their doctors. This means that, in a very real sense, our thoughts and emotions hold the key to our physical health.

For example, medical studies conclude that stress can disrupt the normal function of the human digestive system. Mental and emotional stress can cause loss of appetite, ravenous eating binges, and alter the proper absorption and elimination of nutrients. Alleviating the mental and emotional stress that causes these problems will usually result in restoration of proper gastrointestinal function.

If you suffer from and inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or other GI tract disorder, alarm bells should be sounding off in your head. Let me repeat: Reverse your stress and toxic emotions, and you'll restore proper gastrointestinal function.

Study after study proves that what we think and feel has a profound effect on our health. Here is the good news: Tests conclude that patients who expect positive results from their medical treatments are more likely to have them.

Stress relief helps to reverse the pain and symptoms related to autoimmune disorders including Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthiritis, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and many others.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Is Your Colon Spastic?


If you suffer from diarrhea or alternating with constipation, lower abdominal stomach cramps and frequent gas and bloating that you may have a spastic colon!

Spastic colon, otherwise known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition that can range from being terribly inconvenient to being debilitating and is considered to be the most common chronic health issue in America today.

Some of the symptoms of era bull bowel syndrome or spastic colon are the same symptoms of other diseases so you want to make sure to get a complete diagnosis before you decide that this Is what you have. Symptoms can include cramping of the lower abdomen, constipation, diarrhea or alternating constipation and diarrhea as well as polluting and gas in mucus in the stools. These attacks can happen at any time during the day or night and sometimes even when you are sleeping, waking you up and causing you to run to the bathroom. This is a real physical problem where your bowels simply just do not work properly.

As you can imagine, people who suffer from a spastic colon may want to hide themselves In the house never knowing when the next attack will come. Although there is no "cure" for spastic colon, there are many things you can do to alleviate and sometimes even eliminate the symptoms.

if you suspect that you have IBS or spastic colon you must see your doctor who will probably send you to a specialist to determine if this Is truly your problem. Symptoms associated with this problem can also mean more serious diseases that need to be treated right away. Says there is no test that can tell you that you specifically have spastic colon, what the doctor will do is run a series of tests to eliminate other problems. These other problems include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, diverticulosis and food allergies.

Once you have been properly diagnosed, you can go about trying to control your symptoms. Although there are some medicines out there for spastic colon (IBS), your best bet is to change your diet. What you want to do is avoid insoluble fiber and high-fat foods. Narrow your diet down to include mostly foods that are full of soluble fiber until your symptoms ease up and then adding different foods and monitor your symptoms to try to pinpoint trigger foods. Once you know what your true foods are you can avoid eating those altogether.

It's important to eat a lot of foods with soluble fiber such as rice, oatmeal, soy, carrots, squash, many in his, potatoes, applesauce and pasta in addition to taking a soluble fiber supplement to help ease the digestive process.

You will have to experiment with different foods to find out which ones make your bowels irritable but some foods that seem to consistently do this for most people are high-fat foods, coffee, and alcohol.

While you want to be careful with foods that are high in the insoluble fibers such as fruits and vegetables you also need to include them in your diet as they contain vitamins and minerals that are important to your overall health. The key is to make sure that you cook them, remove the skins and eat them with other foods that are high in soluble fiber. For example, you might try combining rice with cooked carrots or have oatmeal with your morning fruit

Your spastic colon does not have to turn you into a shut in, afraid to go out shopping or even out to eat for fear that an attack will come. With a little bit of time and experimentation you can identify your trigger foods and get yourself on the eating plan that will soothe the digestive process and help alleviate your symptoms and attacks.

Give Yourself Colitis - Here's How!


Because colitis sufferers are continually besieged by well-meaning pundits with information on how to cure colitis I thought I might turn the tables with a few suggestions on how to acquire it. This may throw up a few pointers on how colitis does actually develop.

OK, here goes: Assuming you are reasonably fit, the first thing to recognise is that colitis won't happen overnight. You will need to be a little dedicated. Daily application is the secret here.

First thing to observe is never worry about what you eat. You'll find many doctors will agree on this point. They generally (there are exceptions in everything of course) advocate a rather cavalier attitude to food within normal bounds. For example, they may say that generally whatever you like to eat isn't a problem. Here in Yorkshire (UK) 'a good Sunday Dinner of roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding never did anyone any harm'. And who's to argue?

So, lots of roast potatoes all washed down with a gallon (3.78ltrs) of beer or a couple of bottles of red plonk and... Ole'! Your gut loves to be abused thus.

But first begin the day with a good old fashioned 'Full English' breakfast. That's a large plate of 4/5 slices of fried bacon, 2/3 eggs, 3 large pork sausages, mushrooms, black pudding, tomatoes, with a good helping of baked beans cascading over the sausages. Garnish with liberal amounts of salt and pepper, not forgetting a great dollop of tomato ketchup over everything to add a finishing artistic touch. There...loverly!

A couple of mugs of strong sweet coffee will help wash it all down. It's so enjoyable that it's not unknown for some enthusiastic individuals to indulge in a second helping. Yummy!

Don't worry too much if you can't manage a blueberry muffin after that. You can have that later. For now, if you have time, enjoy another coffee with a cigarette to round it all off. You can have the muffin in half a hour or so with another coffee when you begin to feel a little peckish.

Between meals enjoy a bag of crisps or a chocolate snack bar. Help it down with a coke or other highly colored fizzy soft drink.

For lunch you have several choices: Large Fish 'n' Chips. Don't forget to be generous with lots of salt and vinegar. Fill up on several slices of bread and butter. Yes, refined (very refined) white bread is excellent. A bag of crisps to round it off and you're done... for now. You'll probably need another coffee to melt some of the grease which is covering your tongue and the roof of your mouth. That's fine. Colitis loves all of these things, so you're doing good so far.

After a small afternoon snack like a pork pie and another bag of crisps or maybe a chocolate bar with a coke or coffee. Another option might be a Cornish pasty. Or hot-dog. A pizza or whatever takes your fancy really. Perhaps something a little more satisfying like a Shepherds Pie? You might like to consider the very popular All Day Breakfast on the way home followed by a small triple cheeseburger?

You'll be looking forward to a nice filling meal in the evening, so why not treat yourself and go out for a meal and get sated on a full 5 course meal at a local steak restaurant and have a proper meal. Plenty of meat. Real steak, the size of a small suitcase just like our Argentinian cousins enjoy. Not many vegetarians in Argentina as they like nothing better than a good steak. Except perhaps a salsa session. Or one after the other. Sorry, I digress. So, plenty of red, rare, almost raw meat, quivering with newly slain life. A concession of a few onions with it as a vegetable. But no greens. No fruit.

Note: Try not to park your car more than a few yards (metres) from the restaurant. Exercise is anathema. You'll spoil the whole idea of your objective of developing a really raw, bleeding, pustulating, inert or spastic colon.

Later, when you're watching TV, enjoying a sports game or a movie, have a few cans of lager, beer or whatever. You'll probably become conscious of that familiar 'empty' feeling...again. What do you do? I would suggest either sending out for a nice monster pizza, preferably one with lots of cheese topping.

Alternatively, why not liberate that rather large frozen chocolate cake from the freezer and consume it... in one go? A very satisfying accomplishment it is too. Don't forget more beer or coffee. Both are good. Together? No problem! Just enjoy your life. Ignore what all those silly people advise on those TV health channels. They're just spoilsports.

If you're worried about anything, no problem, just have something to eat. Anything. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. And because 'tomorrow never comes' there's no real reason why you should listen to anyone, especially those faddy health freaks.

After a few months you may find that you have put on a little extra weight. But don't concern yourself too much about that because once the colitis kicks in you'll start to loose it again. It's just the way it goes. So follow the above advice and remember never to exercise as it goes against everything we preach to get yourself out of condition.

Final tips:

For a change from beer and liquor, drink plenty of cow's milk.

Never drink water.

Luxuriate in adding liberal amounts of fresh cream to coffee.

Never be tempted to eat fruit or vegetables. If however you are forced to ingest a vegetable, be sure that it's well cooked. I would recommend at least half and hour on full power so there is no sensation of fibre when eating.

If you lead a stressful life, so much the better. This is certainly conducive to colitis. You probably have the basis for this dis-ease already. So Good Luck.

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease - Self Healing Tips


For managing ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease over an extended period of time, it is important to look at self healing remedies that will help keep these diseases under control.

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease are both disorders that fall under the irritable bowel syndrome. Both these diseases are caused due to an inflammation in the colon and this can cause a lot of suffering to the patient. While allopathic medicines help in treating the inflammation, for a long-term management of these diseases, an individual needs to make lifestyle and dietary changes that will help in the healing process. Here is a look at a few remedies that can promote self healing of these disorders.

Homeopathy - Since long-term treatment with steroids for ulcerative colitis is not a practical solution for an individual's health, the use of homeopathy is a popular choice as it helps in tapering off the steroids. Several patients have experienced remission up to 75% after using homeopathic medicines for treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Herbal remedies - Several herbs have been found to be successful in the treatment and management of colitis and crohn's disease. Boswellia, which is part of a bark of a tree that is found in India, has an active ingredient in its resin that reduces inflammation. Other natural remedies include flaxseed, calendula, green tea, fenugreek, slippery elm and aloe Vera.

Naturopathy - This system of alternative medicine helps in the management of irritable bowel syndrome by promoting self healing through the use of several techniques including diet, lifestyle changes, homeopathy, acupuncture, yoga and meditation techniques. The focus is not so much on treating the disease but helping to manage it in the long run.

Diet - Certain foods in the diet could aggravate the inflammation of the colon in persons suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. This may vary from person to person ranging from milk products to sugars or fats. It is advisable to keep a diary and make a note of foods that aggravate the condition and slowly eliminate them from the diet by replacing them with fresh fruits and vegetables or foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. An individual can also get a diet plan prescribed by his physician or a nutritionist.

Lifestyle changes - To control the long-term effect of ulcerative colitis on the health of a patient, it is vital that changes are made to his or her lifestyle to alleviate the effects of stress or bad habits such as overeating, smoking or alcohol consumption. Reducing stress levels contribute to a great extent in reducing symptoms of this disorder as well as crohn's disease.

How to Cure Crohn's Disease


If you're suffering from Crohn's disease, then you're living a nightmare! I know. I too suffered from this debilitating disease for 4 years - perhaps longer without my knowledge. Despite the seemingly endless claims of 'No cure', I proved them wrong. Today, I am totally Crohn's free and the doctors are amazed.

This is what I suggest:

1. Have a complete heavy metal test.

Normal blood tests can't detect heavy metals. Saliva and hair analysis can. It is now widely acknowledged that Crohn's disease can be caused by mercury toxicity.

2. Get rid of your mercury fillings.

The most common source of mercury poisoning is teeth fillings. See a holistic dentist and have them removed safely.

3. Detox.

An experienced natural practitioner will put you on a detox program that will remove the mercury and any other problem toxins from your body, particularly your bowel.

4. Have a test for candida growth.

Many of us have too many sugary foods and drinks. These and a host of other yeast producing products can create a fungal environment in our bowels.

5. Have bifidus products.

Good quality bifidus taken daily in cold water, will make a huge difference to the functioning of your bowel. If your bowel slows down significantly, consider increasing the dosage of bifidus significantly. See your experienced naturopath for advice.

6. Have only soft foods until your bowel movements return to normal.

When your bowel is inflamed, avoid eating any foods that might irritate it. Soft foods will slide over it and provide healing nutrition.

7. Drink 8 glasses of Evian or Fiji water daily.

Water flushes the entire body of unwanted toxins. High quality bottled water such as Evian and Fiji, contain an extraordinarily high amount of beneficial minerals.

8. Exercise on a rebounder daily.

A fantastic all over toxin flusher, this will quickly and effectively get things moving in the right direction.

9. Go to sleep by 10pm every night.

Not only is sleep healing, but it is a time of relaxation. Both are essential for restoring the bowel to optimum health.

10. Get plenty of sunshine

Vitamin D benefits every part of our bodies. The safest and most beneficial times to go out, are early morning or afternoon.

Body Signs That Tell You That You Need a Colon Cleanse


When you colon is not working properly it not only affects your digestive system but the entire body as well. The main job performed by the colon is removal of water from feces and then to eliminate the feces out of the body. When the excretion of the feces is hampered there can be a serious build up of toxins in the body that makes you sick because they seep back into the body and are circulated by the bloodstream and your body begins to have allergic conditions.

As time moves on the colon begins to slow down and becomes damaged and can lead to serious conditions such as ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn's disease. This build of toxins is also thought to be responsible for some cancers like bowel and colon cancer.

Are there signals that you need a colon cleanse?

There are telltale signs that inform you when your colon is not removing waste efficiently. You need to know them so you can go for a colon cleanse before it is too late. Below are seven common signs that clear warnings that you need to do a detoxification because your colon is clogged.


  1. You wake up tired and sluggish even after you have had up to eight hours of sleep.

  2. You struggle to lose weight without success even when you are eating a diet that has a normal amount of calories.

  3. You have a pale skin that has spots and possibly struggling with acne that never seems to go away.

  4. You do not have daily and regular bowel movements or your bowel movement is generally liquid or on the contrary you excrete just a few pellets and that is after a long struggle in the bathroom.

  5. Your bowel movements have the consistency of heavy paste

  6. You have bad breath consistently and foul body odor even though you practice the best hygiene you know how.

  7. You are always coming down with this ailment or that one.


What are some of the common causes of a poorly functioning colon?

The list of causes of a clogged colon is topped by bad diet practices. A diet that is consistently low in fiber causes blockages and slow moving feces. The reason is that fiber is not digestible; therefore it moves through the digestive system and acts like a broom sweeping the bowel together with the bulking up feces. The bulked up feces move out of your bowels effortlessly.

When your diet is lacking in fiber it causes an internal sludge to build up in your colon. Finally this sticky harmful substance will no longer let anything pass on and constipation is the end result. When there is fiber in the diet it goes through the digestive tract like a drain cleaner taking away everything that it finds in its wake.

So how do you keep you colon clean? Cleanse your system through a colon cleanse and then keep healthy with a high fiber diet.