Archive for the 'Health & Fitness' Category

How Water Can Relieve Gout Disease

Posted in Uncategorized, Health & Fitness on March 27th, 2007

Drinking plenty of water is one natural gout home remedy that is effective in relieving and preventing gout disease. However, ingesting water isn’t the only way it can be beneficial to gout sufferers. In fact, different hydrotherapy methods involving hot and cold water temperatures for external treatment of gout can also be an excellent way to relieve pain.

Internal water therapy
Drinking plenty of water is a great way to treat gout disease and prevent future attacks. Keeping the body well hydrated is important to every person’s health, but is especially important for those who are prone to gout or suffer from a chronic case.

Drinking plenty of water for gout helps -
• Prevent attacks
• Lubricate joints
• Flush excessive uric acid out of the body
• Prevent kidney stones
• Pass small kidney stones
• Those who are overweight lose weight

Dehydration reduces kidney function, which can lead to an uric acid build up resulting in gout, kidney stones, kidney infection, and even kidney failure in severe cases. Dehydration can occur from the high consumption of alcohol and caffeinated beverages including coffee, tea and soda. Therefore, should you consume dehydrating beverages, be sure to combat these drinks with water.

To ensure you are obtaining enough water daily for preventing and relieving gout disease symptoms, 12, 8 ounce glasses are recommended daily. Other hydrating drinks you can include in your daily fluid intake are decaffeinated tea and fruit juice. However, make sure that your water consumption is higher than any other beverage.

External water therapy
Hydrotherapy for gout disease can be administered in two ways.

1. Contrast hydrotherapy – Urate crystals in joints can be dissolved during a gout attack by applying hot and cold compresses. This form of hydrotherapy also helps to alleviate inflammation and reduce pain. Contrast hydrotherapy involves applying a hot compress to an affected joint for 3 minutes, removing this compress and immediately applying a cold compress for 30 seconds.

A hot compress can be a heating pad, hot towel or fill a bath, sink or bucket with hot water (between 90 – 95 degrees F.) For a cold compress use ice packs or place ice in a plastic bag. You can also fill a bucket or sink with cold water. Note: Just remember that if you use water, you’ll need to have both the cold and hot water near each other so you can quickly switch from one temperature to the other.

A session of contrast hydrotherapy for gout disease should last for no more than 20 minutes, and it’s best to wait at least an hour before your next treatment. Finally, remember to end this therapy with a cold compress, never hot.

Contrast hydrotherapy should be used during a gout flare up.

2. Standard Hydrotherapy – Standard hydrotherapy involves submerging all or part of the body in water. Water relieves stress from joints as it provides a feeling of weightlessness creating a relaxing sensation. This is due to the fact that water decreases up to 90% of body weight. The buoyancy in combination with warm water is what helps to ease pain and decrease muscle spasms.

One of the best hydrotherapy treatments for gout is to immerse your body, or your affected joint, in a whirlpool tub with hot water (90-95 degrees F), or a tub that has jets. Heat raises the body temperature and the massaging bubbles the jets create dilate blood vessels. This causes circulation to improve and allows blood to carry more nutrients and oxygen to the rest of the body. This aids in healing tissues that are tired or damaged.

In addition, the combination of hot water and massage triggers the body to release endorphins (natural painkillers). This helps to relieve pain and ease sore joints.
Grab your free copy of Lisa McDowell’s brand new Gout Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about gout cure and for information on natural cure for gout please visit Cure Gout Now.

Is Hidden Caffeine Aggravating Your IBS?

Posted in Uncategorized, Health & Fitness on March 27th, 2007

There are many things that can trigger bouts of IBS, but there are times when you might not know what is doing it. There are many things in the diet that can cause the bloating, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea that comes with flare ups, but some of them are easier to pick out than others. Have you considered that hidden caffeine is aggravating your IBS symptoms? It’s quite possible. You may have cut out coffee and caffeinated soda, but there are other places where you might be unknowingly getting enough caffeine to upset your system.

Diet Products: There are many different diet products on the market that you might be taking. Some are supplements that help with energy or with appetite suppression. There are weight control bars that are much like granola bars, and other products that are closely related. These often contain natural substances that have caffeine in them. It won’t necessarily say so on the label though, so you have to know what to look for. If you don’t recognize anything on the label, make sure you look each thing up to see what it really is and if it might contain caffeine. Guarana is one of these that claims to be a natural alternative to caffeine, but it’s basically the same thing and will have the same effect on your IBS symptoms.

Coffee: You probably already know there is caffeine in coffee, and you may have had to cut it out of your diet. Some like to have decaffeinated coffee instead so they can still enjoy the taste of coffee. The problem is that there are some brands that are called decaf, yet they still have some caffeine in them. The amount may be small, but it still might be enough to aggravate IBS.

Coffee Flavoring: Though you might think that ice cream and yogurts would only contain an artificial flavor that mimics the taste of coffee, many of them really have caffeine in them. Check the labels carefully to see if there is caffeine. You may have not thought to look, but if you eat these products often, this might be a troublesome source you never considered.

Candy: Sadly, chocolate contains caffeine, and it might contain more than you think. This includes chocolate drinks like hot cocoa. Something as small as a Hershey’s Kiss has caffeine, though it should only contain 1 mg.

Medications: There are some medications that claim they are non-drowsy. These are supposed to help with your symptoms while keeping you awake. It makes sense. No one wants to take something for a cold only to fall asleep at work during a meeting. The problem is that some of them use caffeine to help keep you awake, and you probably don’t realize it. This is also a problem with some children’s medications also. Children should have very little, if any, caffeine.
Grab your free copy of Susan Reynolds’ brand new IBS Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to treat IBS & help you find out about cause of IBS and for information on rid of IBS please visit Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief Secrets.

Ensuring Adequate Nutrition from Your Crohns Diet

Posted in Health & Fitness on March 19th, 2007

Following a specific crohns diet is one of the best self healing remedies you can implement in your lifestyle.  The reason is because without proper nutrition a crohn’s sufferer puts themselves at greater risk of malnutrition.  Malnutrition is a problem for many people with crohn’s, as it is estimated that as many as 80 percent of people with the disease experience considerable weight loss.

There are many factors that may cause malnutrition in a crohn’s sufferer.  Malnutrition may occur from –
- Excessive diarrhea
- Difficulty eating due to gastrointestinal discomfort, pain, nausea and diarrhea
- Badly damaged bowel
- Bowel shortened by surgery can prevent the absorption and digestion of sufficient nutrients.
- Certain medications may reduce the body’s stores of some vitamins and nutrients.

Thus, it is imperative that adequate nutrition is absorbed through the right crohns diet to prevent malabsorption.

What is malabsorption?  Malabsorption is when the body does not effectively absorb nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, fat, sugar, etc.) from ingested food.   In order for the body to absorb the nutrients from food, the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, and the lining of the small intestine need to be functioning properly.  It is through the small intestine that nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream.  That is why in most cases, the impairment of food digestion primarily occurs in the small intestine.

The symptoms of malabsorption include: diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, fatigue, bloating, abdominal pain, skin changes, oily stool and undigested food in stool.

Malabsorption can result in malnutrition, if the body does not receive the sufficient amount of nutrients it requires.  Malnutrition is a serious condition that can lead to total parenteral nutrition (nutrition provided intravenously) if not taken care of by a crohns diet.

To ensure their diet contains adequate nutrients, a crohn’s suffer needs to make certain that their diet consist of –

- Lots of hydrating fluids (approximately 10 glasses per day), especially water. Certain herbal teas (I.E. mint, ginger, etc.) may also be added.  These fluids help to prevent constipation.

- Eat fiber – When you are not suffering symptoms, make sure your crohns diet is rich in insoluble fiber such as bran, apple, raw vegetables, brown rice, wholegrain bread, etc.  However, if you are experiencing crohn’s symptoms or you are prone to diarrhea, focus your diet more on soluble fiber such as the flesh of fruit, oatmeal, soda crackers, cooked vegetables, etc.

- Avoid dairy if you are lactose intolerant.  If you suffer from lactose intolerance, your body can not properly absorb milk sugar which can lead to symptoms such as gas, bloating and diarrhea.

- Eat a crohns diet rich in protein – Fish, eggs, beans, nuts, lean meats, etc.

- Lower your intake of caffeine, alcohol, fats and sugars (especially sorbitol – a type of sweetener) as these foods are known to trigger diarrhea.

Essentially, the key to avoiding malnutrition is to eliminate foods in your diet that trigger or worsen symptoms (particularly severe diarrhea), and introduce other “safe” foods that contain the nutrients your body needs that it cannot obtain from the foods that have been eliminated from your crohn’s diet. 
Since you may not be able to work certain foods into your diet, you may want to talk to your doctor about taking a multivitamin or a specific vitamin and/or mineral supplement to obtain the nutrients your body requires.

Sign up now for a free newsletter that has proven methods for managing Crohn’s Disease naturally at Natural Crohn’s Disease Relief. On the site you’ll also find more about crohns diets and information on natural crohns remedies.

Autism Understanding Furthered by International Genetic Study

Posted in Health & Fitness on March 8th, 2007

Autism understanding begins when a person realizes that autism is a disorder that affects people differently. Although autism affects the normal functioning of a person’s perception, attention and thoughts, autism is not characterized by one type of perception, attention and thought. Instead, it covers a broad spectrum of disorders that may be mild or severe. Due to the fact that autism is such a complex disorder, medical research is still in the process of understanding how it develops and why it affects certain individuals.

One particular medical project with the aim to find better autism understanding by identifying the gene that causes autism, is the 5 year Autism Genome Project (AGP). So far, phase I of the AGP has identified a gene and parts of a chromosome to be linked with the occurrence of autism. The findings of this particular autism study was published online in the Nature Genetics February 18, 2007 issue.

The Autism Genome Project is a global research consortium that is funded by Autism Speaks and the National Institute of Health. Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising the awareness of autism and raising funds to help research it.

The AGP involves more than 120 scientists from 50 institutions in 19 countries around the world. The researchers who have collaborated on the project combined their autism expertise, and shared all of the data and samples they had to help identify autism-related genes.

As was mentioned, phase I of this project began 5 years ago in 2002, and it allowed the team of medical experts to gain autism understanding by identifying a single specific gene known as neurexil 1, and part of chromosome 11 which could likely be the cause of autism in children. These findings are based on the largest autism genome scan that has ever been done.

Scientists have known for many years that autism is a genetic disorder, but only until the AGP have they been able to use special “gene chip” technology to search for genetic similarities in autistics. Genetic similarities were found in practically all of the autistic individuals within each of the twelve hundred families that that were made part of the project. The scientists also checked the DNA of each family to look for copy number variations that are believed might be connected to autism and similar disorders.

What the researches discovered in their study was that one particular gene known as neurexin 1 plays a significant role with glutamate; a neurotransmitter that has been formerly linked to autism. Researchers also uncovered an area of chromosome 11 that is suspected to contain a gene that may be involved in the occurrence of autism. However, this particular gene in chromosome 11 has yet to be identified which is required for further autism understanding.

Based on previous research, and the research that has been uncovered by the study so far, scientists speculate that there may be as many as 6 main genes and 30 additional genes linked to autism. However, these numbers are only theories, as scientists point out that the actual number of genes could exceed their theory. Nevertheless, despite the number of genes that may be involved, researchers admit that it is still far too early to dictate how these genes may be responsible for autism.

Currently, phase II of the Autism Genome Project has been announced. The promising discoveries found in phase I makes scientists hopeful that discovering the genes that cause autism will provide new steps toward autism understanding. With greater understanding, more effective methods of diagnosis, preventing and treating the disorder can be taken.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter and discover more about understanding autism. On the site you’ll find more information about high functioning autism and adult autism.

Gout and Exercise Some Surprising News

Posted in Health & Fitness on February 27th, 2007

One of the best ways to prevent kidney stones and the recurrence of gout is to exercise.  Aside from helping you stay in shape and maintaining a healthy body weight, exercise provides your body with many benefits, some of which include:

- Strengthening, building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints
- Improve mobility and flexibility
- Improves circulation
- Reduces the risk of heart disease and premature death
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Reduces the risk of developing diabetes
- Reduces the risk of high cholesterol and lowers high cholesterol
- Reduces stress and improves your mental state of mind
- Gives you more energy

All of the exercise benefits listed above help to prevent the recurrence of gout.  This is because regular exercise combined with a healthy controlled diet, helps to lower and control uric acid levels.  Thus, engaging in regular exercise is particularly important for those who are overweight or obese, as both of these conditions can cause high uric acid levels.  That being said, one should not engage in rapid weight loss by overexercising or taking part in crash diets.  Losing weight too quickly can have the reverse affect and actually cause the uric acid levels in the blood to rise.

In addition, it is imperative that you learn how to do exercises correctly.  The last thing you want is to injure your joints or cause inflammation as a result of excessive exercise or improper movements.  Your goal when exercising is to protect your joints at all time.

Exercises for gout – The following are exercises that are particularly helpful in preventing gout.  Note:  Always remember to consult your doctor before starting an exercise regimen.

- Range of motion exercises – This type of exercise is designed to keep your joints flexible and mobile and reduce stiffness.  An example, involving your foot, would be rotating your ankle in a circular motion.
- Strengthening exercises – These exercises are designed to increase and/or maintain the strength of your muscles.  Strengthening exercises are usually performed using weights.  However, they can also include resistance exercises such as holding a giant rubber band in your hands and stretching it.  This type of exercise helps to build muscles.
- Endurance exercises – These exercises are designed to strengthen your heart, increase circulation, boost your energy and control weight.  Exercises include aerobics, walking, cycling, swimming, etc
- Stretching exercises – Stretching exercises help to increase flexibility and muscle strength.  Good exercises including yoga, pilaties and tai chi.   However, it is important that you engage in moderate stretching exercises, especially in the beginning, so you don’t risk pulling, twisting or injuring a joint.  You should receive proper instructions before doing any of these exercises on your own.
Important information about exercise and gout - Although exercise is ideal for gout sufferers, it is imperative that one knows when it is best to exercise and when it is not.  It is also important that one understands what exercise can and can’t do for gout.

First of all, you should never exercise a joint that is inflamed, regardless if the inflammation has been caused by gout or not.  Exercising an inflamed joint can worsen the condition by causing more pain and prolonging inflammation.   Only begin exercise after the inflammation has eased and take it slow.

When a joint is inflamed you need to focus on easing the inflammation by ensuring the joint is well rested and relaxed.  You can also treat the inflammation by applying warm and cool compresses, or with anti-inflammatory medications.  Talk to your doctor about the best treatment during this time.

In addition, exercise has no effect on breaking up uric acid crystals, stones or tophi.  Exercise helps to control uric acid levels and prevent gout; it can’t do much during a gout attack.

 By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover how to treat your gout symptoms with a exercise as an effective natural cure for gout. Discover how lifestyle changes can get rid of gout.

Gout and Exercise Some Surprising News

Posted in Health & Fitness on February 27th, 2007

One of the best ways to prevent kidney stones and the recurrence of gout is to exercise.  Aside from helping you stay in shape and maintaining a healthy body weight, exercise provides your body with many benefits, some of which include:

- Strengthening, building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints
- Improve mobility and flexibility
- Improves circulation
- Reduces the risk of heart disease and premature death
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Reduces the risk of developing diabetes
- Reduces the risk of high cholesterol and lowers high cholesterol
- Reduces stress and improves your mental state of mind
- Gives you more energy

All of the exercise benefits listed above help to prevent the recurrence of gout.  This is because regular exercise combined with a healthy controlled diet, helps to lower and control uric acid levels.  Thus, engaging in regular exercise is particularly important for those who are overweight or obese, as both of these conditions can cause high uric acid levels.  That being said, one should not engage in rapid weight loss by overexercising or taking part in crash diets.  Losing weight too quickly can have the reverse affect and actually cause the uric acid levels in the blood to rise.

In addition, it is imperative that you learn how to do exercises correctly.  The last thing you want is to injure your joints or cause inflammation as a result of excessive exercise or improper movements.  Your goal when exercising is to protect your joints at all time.

Exercises for gout – The following are exercises that are particularly helpful in preventing gout.  Note:  Always remember to consult your doctor before starting an exercise regimen.

- Range of motion exercises – This type of exercise is designed to keep your joints flexible and mobile and reduce stiffness.  An example, involving your foot, would be rotating your ankle in a circular motion.
- Strengthening exercises – These exercises are designed to increase and/or maintain the strength of your muscles.  Strengthening exercises are usually performed using weights.  However, they can also include resistance exercises such as holding a giant rubber band in your hands and stretching it.  This type of exercise helps to build muscles.
- Endurance exercises – These exercises are designed to strengthen your heart, increase circulation, boost your energy and control weight.  Exercises include aerobics, walking, cycling, swimming, etc
- Stretching exercises – Stretching exercises help to increase flexibility and muscle strength.  Good exercises including yoga, pilaties and tai chi.   However, it is important that you engage in moderate stretching exercises, especially in the beginning, so you don’t risk pulling, twisting or injuring a joint.  You should receive proper instructions before doing any of these exercises on your own.
Important information about exercise and gout - Although exercise is ideal for gout sufferers, it is imperative that one knows when it is best to exercise and when it is not.  It is also important that one understands what exercise can and can’t do for gout.

First of all, you should never exercise a joint that is inflamed, regardless if the inflammation has been caused by gout or not.  Exercising an inflamed joint can worsen the condition by causing more pain and prolonging inflammation.   Only begin exercise after the inflammation has eased and take it slow.

When a joint is inflamed you need to focus on easing the inflammation by ensuring the joint is well rested and relaxed.  You can also treat the inflammation by applying warm and cool compresses, or with anti-inflammatory medications.  Talk to your doctor about the best treatment during this time.

In addition, exercise has no effect on breaking up uric acid crystals, stones or tophi.  Exercise helps to control uric acid levels and prevent gout; it can’t do much during a gout attack.

By Lisa McDowell. Sign up for a free newsletter & discover how to treat your gout symptoms with a exercise as an effective natural cure for gout. Discover how lifestyle changes can get rid of gout.  

Does Losing Weight Help Acid Reflux?

Posted in Health & Fitness on February 26th, 2007

Regular exercise is a must for everyone, regardless if they suffer from chronic acid reflux or not.  Exercise is what helps to keep our bodies strong and healthy.  Exercise is what also helps us lose those extra pounds; extra pounds that many researchers believe may be encouraging acid reflux.

Research has found that for those who are overweight and obese, losing weight can actually help reduce the risk of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.  Why?  Many studies have been conducted on the link between BMI (Body Mass Index –a method of measuring body fat) and GERD.  Virtually all studies concluded that as the participants’ BMI increased, so did their GERD symptoms.

How does obesity increase the risk of developing GERD?
Researchers are not entirely sure of the exact cause, but there are many theories being closely considered.  For instance, some believe that excess body fat that occurs around the stomach, increases the pressure against the stomach, and causes fluid to rise up into the esophagus.  Thus, the more weight a person accumulates, the more fat and pressure is placed on the stomach.

Another theory is that many of those who are overweight and obese tend to lead a more sedentary lifestyle, indulge in a diet rich in fatty foods and overeating.  This type of lifestyle dramatically increases the chance of chronic acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.

One recent study that was conducted on women with normal BMI in Boston, Massachusetts, found that as these women increased their weight (gaining 20 pounds or more) during the study, they increased their risk of developing acid reflux symptoms by three times.  Thus, this study actually discovered that a person doesn’t need to be obese in order to increase their risk of heartburn and GERD symptoms.  Simply gaining 10 pounds, a slight change from their regular weight could tip the scale.

Therefore, if you are prone to acid reflux or have GERD, be mindful of your weight.  If you are maintaining a normal weight (BMI 18.5-24..9) there is no reason for you to consider losing weight, unless you have gained a few pounds and notice a change in your heartburn symptoms, even if you are still in the normal weight range.  Other than that, keep in mind that a BMI of 25 and over is considered overweight, and a BMI 30 or higher is a sign of obesity.  To help monitor your weight, you can find free BMI calculators online.

If you need to lose weight, your goal is to do so effectively and sensibly.  This means avoiding crash diets, and adopting a new lifestyle focused on healthy eating habits that involve smaller portions, and include exercise.  Your goals is to gradually lose weight and keep the excess pounds off by making a lifestyle change you can realistically live with, which doesn’t compromise the health and wellbeing of your body.

There are many exercise and diet programs and books that can help you lose weight.  However, before you jump headfirst into a weight loss program, you should first visit your doctor and discuss your weight loss plans with them before you take action.   Your doctor can provide you recommendations and lead you down the path to healthy weight loss.

Another good idea is to visit a licensed dietitian.  This is a health care professional who specializes in advising people about meal planning and controlling their weight.  They can help you make nutritional and healthy eating choices.

In addition, talk to others who are watching their weight.  Find out what they are doing to help keep off the extra pounds.  Exercising with others and introducing your family or friends to healthy meal choices, is an effective way to lose weight successfully, because it’s always easier to change when you’re not going it alone.

By Kathryn Whittaker. Sign up for a free newsletter that has proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on at Stop Acid Reflux Now . On the site you’ll also find more about the different kinds of acid reflux help  and what to do if you have severe heartburn.

The Link Between Esophageal Spasms and Acid Reflux

Posted in Health & Fitness on February 22nd, 2007

Those who suffer from acid reflux and are looking for some acid reflux relief may experience more than complications other than bile reflux. Some acid reflux sufferers experience spasms in their esophagus. Your esophagus connects your throat to your stomach and is structured like a long tube. A healthy esophagus moves food to the stomach through a series of synchronized muscle contractions. Esophageal spasms upset this natural process creating many unpleasant symptoms.

What is an esophageal spasm?
Esophageal spasms occur when the muscle contractions within the esophagus lack coordination and prevent food from properly moving through your esophagus to the stomach. Esophageal spasms affect the muscles that are situated within the walls of the lower esophagus. They can occur in the following two ways:

1. Diffuse spasms – This is when food traveling to the stomach is slowed due to irregular or simultaneous contraction of the esophageal muscles.
2. Nutcracker esophagus – This is when food progresses normally to the stomach, but the muscle contractions are abnormally strong and painful.

Researchers are not exactly sure what causes esophageal spasms, but one theory is that extremely cold, hot or spicy food can trigger a spasm. Another theory is that GERD or heartburn, which causes irritation and inflammation in the esophagus, can trigger a spasm. Whatever the real reason, one fact remains – People who are prone to acid reflux and have GERD are more prone to esophageal spasms, and the chances of developing this condition increases as they age.

The following are some symptoms of this condition that you should be aware of:
- Chest pain that is usually intense and is often mistaken for heart pain. This is the most common symptom.
- Pain when swallowing
- Trouble swallowing
- Feeling something is stuck in the throat
- Regurgitating food
- Heartburn

How are esophageal spasms diagnosed?
This condition can be hard to diagnose due to the fact that its symptoms closely resemble other disorders such as GERD. Nevertheless, should your doctor expect that you suffer from esophageal spasms; the condition may be diagnosed through -

- Barium esophagram – This is the most common test for people who suffer from trouble swallowing. The Barium esophagram utilizes X-rays to examine the esophagus and is the best test for detecting esophageal spasms.
- Esophageal CT scan – This is a test that uses computerized tomography (CT) scans to create and capture cross-sectional sliced images of the inside of the body. The test may reveal that the esophageal muscles have abnormal thickness which could mean esophageal spasms.
- Esophageal manometry test – This test involves the insertion of a thin tube into the esophagus via the mouth or nose. The purpose is to measure how effective the esophageal muscles are during the swallowing process.

Is there treatment for esophageal spasms?
Yes. The following are some suggested treatments:
- Manage underlying conditions – If you are prone to heartburn or suffer from GERD, manage these conditions to reduce your chance of spasms.
- Lifestyle changes – Change your eating habits such as avoid eating certain foods including those that are spicy or acidic, and avoid lying down directly after eating meals. Lifestyle change is also the best way to prevent esophageal spasms from occurring.
- Biofeedback – This is an alternative therapy that teaches you to use your mind to control your body. Electrical sensors help you recognize the way your body responds to psychological stress so you can control it.
- Medication – Muscle relaxants including nitrates or calcium channel blockers are often prescribed to reduce the severity of muscle contractions. Tricyclic antidepressants may also be recommended to help relieve pain.
- Surgery – This treatment is extremely rare but sometimes is the only option in serious cases. Myotmy may be performed to help weaken muscle contractions, or an esophagectomy (the removal of the esophagus) may be needed.

By Kathryn Whittaker. Sign up for a free newsletter that has proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on at Stop Acid Reflux Now. On the site you’ll also find more about natural cure for heartburn and information on the various cause of heartburn.

Breaking the Emotional Connection to IBS 5 tips that you can try today

Posted in Health & Fitness on February 10th, 2007

Regardless if lactose is aggravating your IBS or not, there is a good chance that your emotions are. Negative emotions and feelings such as anxiety, nervousness, fear, embarrassment and depression put a lot of stress on our body.
Studies revealed that those with IBS tend to have a harder time coping with stressful situations than the average person. Moreover, they are far more likely to react negatively, which consequently, has devastating effects on gut functioning.

A person who is under stress with IBS may experience dizziness, insomnia, and/or muscle aches, as well a severe case of IBS symptoms such as:
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Back pain

Stress does not cause IBS, but it can make symptoms more severe. This may be due to the fact that stress makes the mind more aware of spasms that occur in the colon, or because IBS might be set off by the immune system when compromised under stress.

To enable you to find help for IBS, you need to find ways to limit the stress in your life. The following are 5 tips you can try:

1. Exercise – Exercises, especially those that focus on the mind and body simultaneously, are excellent stress relievers without straining your gut. Exercises like Yoga, help you to clear your mind, focus on breathing, and stretch and strengthen your muscles.

2. Meditation –If you feel overwhelmed, learn how to clear and focus your mind through meditation. Take 20 minutes and clear your mind by concentrating on slowly inhaling and exhaling, or repeat a single positive word until this word is all you think about. You can meditate sitting, standing or lying down, but it’s a good idea to meditate in a quiet room or outdoors.

3. Be good to your body – You need to develop a relaxing eating routine. Eliminate the foods that aggravate your IBS from your diet and eat your snacks and meals around the same time each day. You don’t need to eat the same foods everyday, but you should ensure that your body is being properly fed and well hydrated.

When we are hungry and dehydrated, it is easier for us to become stressed and pick up bad eating habits that can aggravate IBS. Furthermore, don’t rush through your meals. Relax and eat slowly.

4. Rest and relaxation – You need to find peace of mind. This may mean listening to soothing music, taking a warm bath, enjoying a cup of tea and snuggling up with a good book, watching your favorite movie or program, taking a walk, shopping, or enjoying a favorite hobby. Whatever it is you find relaxing, you need to make sure that you take time out of your busy day and enjoy it. Taking a break rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit. In addition, proper sleep is essential to ideal rest and stress reduction.

Peace of mind is also feeling good about your body. If your IBS symptoms are aggravating you, talk to you doctor about different treatments to help you find relief.

5. Find support - Release pent up emotions by talking to your partner, family member or friend, writing in a journal, or find support through other IBS sufferers.

IBS can be embarrassing, and often leaves many sufferers worrying about how close they are to a toilet at all times. These are feelings felt and understood by the vast majority of those with IBS. Joining an IBS support group will not only make you feel less alone, but you can also share your opinions and feelings with others, and may be able to find solutions to problems by learning through their experiences.

One of the best places to look for help for IBS is through support groups online.

If you are looking for more help for IBS symptoms please visit NaturalIrritableBowelSyndromeRelief.com and sign up for a free newsletter.

By Susan Reynolds. To find out more about ibs symptom and for information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome please visit Natural Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief , where you can sign up for a free newsletter focusing on managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome naturally.

Finding a Doctor who Understands Autism

Posted in Health & Fitness on January 26th, 2007

Even if bedwetting isn’t a challenge for you, finding a doctor who understands autism may be an obstacle you’ll need to overcome. Why? Unless a doctor has had experience with autism, it will be unlikely that they will be able to help effectively diagnose and treat the condition. Autism is not a simple pervasive development disorder that can be fixed with medication or a few trips to the psychiatrist. It is a serious disorder that affects people differently, making each case specific to the individual.

Therefore, regardless if you or your child’s pediatrician suspects autism, it is imperative to your child and their future that they are referred to someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating autism spectrum disorders. This means your child may require more than one medical professional who specializes in autism.

The following is a list of medical professionals that might make up the multidisciplinary assessment team an autistic child requires:

• Child psychiatrist – Can help determine the initial diagnosis, prescribes medications, and helps an autistic deal with social relationships and developing emotional behavior.
• Clinical psychologist – Specialist who understands the impact and nature of autism and other development disability disorders. They may conduct a psychological assessment test and assist with the training of social skills and modifying behavior.
• Development pediatrician – treats children with health problems related to handicaps or delays in development.
• Language/speech therapist – Helps to improve communication skills, focusing on language and speech.
• Occupational therapist – Focuses on helping those with disabilities develop daily practical and self-help skills such as eating and getting dressed. They may also focus on fine motor skills, sensory integration and coordination of movement.
• Physical therapist – Helps a child improve their coordination and motor skills by strengthening muscles, joints, nerves and bones
• Social Worker – Can help arrange treatments and services and can provide counseling services.

Once you find the professionals your child needs, it is imperative that you work closely with them. The reason is because although professionals have experience with autism, you are the most experienced when it comes to the specific information regarding your child’s needs and abilities.

To effectively work together with professionals you need to:
• Educate yourself – Learn as much as you can about autism
• Prepare yourself- Write down any questions or concerns you have regarding your child, autism or treatment and address them with the professional(s)
• Open communication – You don’t have to agree with everything a professional says. If you disagree with a recommendation voice your opinion.

If you are unsure where you can find the right professionals that specialize in autism, the following are some helpful suggestions:

• In your community – Visit your health care provider, hospital, or pharmacist and ask them if they know anyone who specializes in diagnosing and treating autism. You can also contact your government’s health department. Just remember, even if you are referred to someone, this may not be the specialist you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to find out their experience before making a commitment.

• Internet resources – The internet is a fantastic resourced and has plenty of useful and helpful information about autism, understanding and effectively helping autistics, and how to get help in your community. Some excellent websites you can check out include:
o Autism Society of America (autism-society.org)
o Autism Treatment Services of Canada (autisim.ca)
o National Autistic Society (nas.org.uk)
o AutisimHelpForYou.com
o Autistics.org

• Support group – Getting involved in a support group that is designed to reach out to autistics and their families can be extremely helpful for finding a professional, as you can ask fellow members for recommendations. Support groups also provide you with encouragement when times are tough, and allow you the opportunity to discuss autism with others who know what you are experiencing.

For more help and advice regarding autism treatment or subscribe to a free newsletter on the autism resources site.