Screening for colon cancer can save lives

Physicians recommend screening for colon cancer after the age of 50. Even healthy individuals with no history of colon cancer, colon polyps, Crohn's disease, colitis and other intestinal issues or bleeding should have a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the colon and rectum. Colonoscopy can detect inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths. The procedure is used to look for early signs of colon cancer and can help doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, and weight loss.

Which treatment is effective in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis: Probiotic or placebo?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic recurrent disease, which mainly consists of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and whose causes are as yet unclear. Many clinical and research studies have indicated that intestinal flora dysbacteriosis contributes to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Probiotics are non-pathogenic beneficial flora, which have important effects on maintaining the balance of intestinal flora. Many studies have discussed the positive effects of probiotics for treating stomach and intestine diseases, including ulcerative colitis. However, the sample size has been relatively small, such that there is no definitive evidence as to whether probiotics are helpful.

A research team from China systematically evaluated probiotics' curative effects for treating ulcerative colitis based on existing random control trials. Their study will be published on April 21, 2010 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

Through meta-analysis, they concluded that probiotics should be considered as an auxiliary medicine in the remission induction stage and maintenance stage of ulcerative colitis.

Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology

More IBD Genes Identified

According to a study published online in the journal Nature Genetics, researchers have identified 13 more genes that are associated with ulcerative colitis. The study looked at the genes of 2,009 people with ulcerative colitis and 1,580 controls in order to determine which genes affected ulcerative colitis. Researchers then place the number of genes now known to be associated with ulcerative colitis at 30, and about half of those are also associated with Crohn’s disease.
While this new information may seem esoteric, it does help further the understanding of the causes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It could be years before this data is able to be applied in any meaningful way for people who have IBD, but every new piece of data brings the medical community one step closer to prevention and effective treatment of IBD.

Sources:
McGovern DP, Gardet A, Törkvist L, et al. “Genome-wide association identifies multiple ulcerative colitis susceptibility loci.” Nat Genet 2010 Mar 14 [Epub ahead of print]. 23 Mar 2010.
This article is a reprint of http://ibdcrohns.about.com/b/2010/03/24/more-ibd-genes-identified.htm
The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News March 24. 2010

Diverticulosis diet

Diverticulosis Diet

If infection has already occurred it is recommended that a person stick to a low residue diet which will have an effect much like that of constipation. This means that bowel movements will decrease and the infection or inflammation of the diverticula can have a chance to heal.

A low residue diet is one that consists of a daily intake of no more than 10 grams of fiber. While on this diet for an extended period of time it is recommended that a multi-vitamin or mineral supplement be taken daily. This ensures that minerals and vitamins lost while on the low residue diet are made by taking supplements.

Grain products to be eaten while on the low residue diet include:


•refined white bread, buns and english muffins

•cereals including: cornflakes, rice bubbles, special K and cheerios

•biscuits including: arrowroot biscuits and water crackers

•white rice, refined pasta and noodles

•any fruit and vegetable juice excluding prune juice

•stone fruits, melons, grapes and canned fruit salad

•potatoes with no skin, alfalfa sprouts, beetroot, green beans, carrots, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, capsicum, squash and zucchini
•well cooked meat fish and eggs can all be eaten too


AVOID:


•whole grains

•raw and dried fruits, sultanas, raisins, berries

•broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage

•all nuts and seeds

What causes GERD or Acid Reflux?

The reason some people develop GERD is still unclear. However, research shows that in people with GERD, the LES relaxes while the rest of the esophagus is working. Anatomical abnormalities such as a hiatal hernia may also contribute to GERD. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. Normally, the diaphragm helps the LES keep acid from rising up into the esophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, acid reflux can occur more easily. A hiatal hernia can occur in people of any age and is most often a normal finding in otherwise healthy people over age 50. Most of the time, a hiatal hernia produces no symptoms.

Other factors that may contribute to GERD include

-obesity
-pregnancy
-smoking

Acid reflux diet

Common foods that can worsen reflux symptoms include

-citrus fruits
-chocolate
-drinks with caffeine or alcohol
-fatty and fried foods
-garlic and onions
-mint flavorings
-spicy foods
-tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, salsa, chili, and pizza

Probiotics

Probiotics -- whether they are dietary supplements or foods that contain live, non-disease-causing bacteria normally found in the body -- have been shown to provide numerous benefits to your overall health. There is currently great enthusiasm for foods and supplements such as Bacteral that contain probiotics, and this enthusiasm is evidenced by the amount of commercials on television promoting such products. If you’re not familiar with probiotic, keep reading to find out some of the specific benefits you can gain from introducing probiotics into your diet.

Eating bacteria is good for you?

While it may sound absolutely ludicrous to purposely ingest billions of bacteria to improve your health that is exactly what researchers are recommending. Studies have been going on since the mid-1990s on this very subject.
There are about 100 trillion microorganisms that represent more than 500 different species that are in each and every healthy bowel. They are there because they help keep harmful pathogens at bay, making it difficult for them to do you harm. Let’s take a closer look at what probiotics can actually do.

Digestive Health

Numerous clinical studies have shown that probiotics can treat multiple gastrointestinal ailments such as IBS and lactose intolerance, as well as improve proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Probiotics are often used to help treat diarrhea.

Crohn’s Disease

Other studies have shown that probiotics may be beneficial in helping people with Crohn’s disease. Clinical trial results are mixed, but several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohn’s disease and the recurrence of pouchitis (a complication of surgery to treat ulcerative colitis). Because these disorders are so frustrating to treat, many people are giving probiotics a try. More research is needed to find out which strains work best for what conditions.

Urogenital Health

Probiotics are also beneficial in maintaining urogenital health. This is due to the fact that the vagina is like the intestinal tract, a finely balanced ecosystem. The dominant Lactobacilli strains normally make it too acidic for harmful microorganisms to survive. But the system can be thrown out of balance by a number of factors, including antibiotics, spermicides, and birth control pills. Probiotic treatment that restores the balance of microflora may be helpful for such common female urogenital problems as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, and urinary tract infection. Both Oral and vaginal administration of Lactobacilli may help in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, although there isn’t enough evidence yet to recommend it over conventional approaches.

Other Conditions

Research is still being done on the health benefits of probiotics, but early studies show that probiotics may be helpful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, preventing colon cancer, improving immune function, improving mineral absorption and reducing inflammation. There’s indication that probiotics may even aid in weight loss. With the popularity of probiotics on the rise, it’s likely that research on these benefits will ramp up.

Are probiotics safe?

The best part of probiotic therapy is that it is generally considered safe due to the fact that they are already in the digestive system. This also means that probiotics are typically free of side effects, except for people that have an impaired immune function. This is why it is important that if you are going to “self medicate” to address any of the above conditions with probiotics, you talk with your doctor or healthcare provider so that he or she is aware of what you are doing.

This article is a reprint of
http://www.alternativehealthjournal.com/article/probiotics_what_they_are_and_why_you_need_them_part_2/2532 The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News Oct. 28

Ulcerative Colitis Diet

Sometimes you may feel helpless when facing ulcerative colitis. But changes in your diet and lifestyle may help control your symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.


There's no firm evidence that what you eat causes inflammatory bowel disease. But certain foods and beverages can aggravate your symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. It's a good idea to try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. Here are some suggestions that may help:

Limit dairy products

Like many people with inflammatory bowel disease, you may find that problems, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas, improve when you limit or eliminate dairy products. You may be lactose intolerant — that is, your body can't digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. If so, try substituting yogurt or low-lactose cheeses, such as Swiss and cheddar, for milk. Or use an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, to help break down lactose. In some cases, you may need to eliminate dairy foods completely. If you need help, a registered dietitian can help you design a healthy diet that's low in lactose. Keep in mind that with limiting your dairy intake, you'll need to find other sources of calcium, such as supplements.


Experiment with fiber diet

For most people, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, are the foundation of a healthy diet. But if you have inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, try steaming, baking or stewing them.You may also find that you can tolerate some fruits and vegetables, but not others. In general, you may have more problems with foods in the cabbage family, such as broccoli and cauliflower, and with very crunchy foods such as raw apples and carrots.


Avoid problem foods

Eliminate any other foods that seem to make your symptoms worse. These may include "gassy" foods such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits — especially citrus fruits — spicy food, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate and soda.


Eat small meals

You may find you feel better eating five or six small meals rather than two or three larger ones.


Drink plenty of liquids

Try to drink plenty of fluids daily. Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate your intestines and can make diarrhea worse, while carbonated drinks frequently produce gas.


Ask about multivitamins

Because ulcerative colitis can interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients and because your diet may be limited, vitamin and mineral supplements can play a key role in supplying missing nutrients. They don't provide essential protein and calories, however, and shouldn't be a substitute for meals.