Poga Moonga, The Proofs In The Pudding!

The main ingredient and probably the most important ingredient, in Poga Moonga is Moringa, the miracle tree. The"moonga" in poga moonga comes from the word moringa, which is called moonga in some places of the world. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Moringa is its ability amazing health benefits covering a wide range of health issues. Here a just a few:

NUTRITION AND ENERGY BOOST

While most people notice a natural, sustained, energy boost right away, the nutritional results helping undernourished people in third world countries is staggering.

DETOXIFICATION

Studies show Moringa's ability to detoxify water, using the seeds is amazing. It can be grown locally for very little money, which makes it a very cost effective detoxifying agent. It is believed that over 6 million children die each year, due to infections from unclean water. If Moringa can detoxify the worst water and make it usable, how good do you think it would be at detoxifying our bodies? Simply Amazing!

ANTIBIOTIC

Moringa works as a gentle, natural antibiotic, See Eilert, U.,B. Wolters and A. Nahrstedt. "The antibiotic principle of seeds of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala." Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, 42, pp 55-61. 1981

SKIN TREATMENT

Like an other amazing plant, Aloe Vera, Moringa is believed to have great healing benefits for the skin. Most of the research done so fart is on topical applications, but the healing properties would extend to the body itself.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Indian traditional medicines have long used the Moringa in treating the body's inflammation. See, Udupa, S.L., A.L. Udupa and D.R.Kulkarni, "Studies on the anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of Moringa oleifera and Aegle marmelos. Fitoterapia 65(2) pp 119-123.

ULCERS

In 1955, the anti-ulcer effects of Moringa were reported in Phytotherapy research. An extract was used from dried leaves and showed to have an impressive ability to heal ulcers in lab animals. Holst, p17.

DIABETES

Further research has shown that an extract from the Moringa leaf was effective in lowering blood sugar levels within a 3-hour period. Holst, pp17-18.

SLEEP

Moringa leaves have shown to aid in keeping a calmer nervous system, which in turn provided improvements in sleep. Holst, p18Some studies have proved Moringa leaves effective for treating,

· Blood pressure

· Diabetes

· Colitis and Diarrhea

· Used as a diuretic

· Headache

· Glandular swelling

· Skin antiseptic

· Fevers

Seeds are used for,

· Fevers

· Tumors

· Rheumatism

· Skin diseases

· Prostate and bladder issues

In all. Moringa is truly an unbelievable tree. So amazing, that is the only plant, which provides the 8 "essential amino acids" our body needs but does not make. We normally must acquire these amino acids by eating the right combination of food.

THE MAGIC OF ALOE VERA

Aloe is an amazing plant that has at least three key actions on cells. It can enhance the effects of even the strongest drugs available without being toxic and causing side effects leaves absolutely no poisonous residues in your body unlike most other drugs. Aloe vera also stimulates the body to cleanse itself in a very positive way, which no other drug, natural or pharmaceutical can match. This is what sets aloe vera apart from any other drug. Aloe Vera is used to treat an awry of health problems. Here is a short list of the benefits of taking Aloe vera:

· Anti-bacterial

· Anti-fungal

· Anti-viral

· Arthritis

· Burns

· Diabetes

· Digestive System

· Anti-inflammatory

· Tumors

· Wounds

Uses based on scientific evidence: Western medicine has done little research on aloe vera and other natural products. But aloe vera has been used for centuries, by many civilizations, with written benefits for all the ailments above. Only further research will gain the approval of the amazing benefits of aloe vera for western medicine.Constipation (laxative) Dried latex from the aloe leaves, taken internally have been used as a laxative. The laxative properties such as aloin are well studied. A herbal remedy containing aloe was found to be an effective laxative, although it is not clear if this effect was due to the aloe itself. Genital Herpes. Some evidence suggests a .05% extract of hydrophilic cream taken from aloe vera, may be an effective treatment of genital herpes in men. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits. Psoriasis vulgaris

Evidence from one human trial suggests that 0.5% extract from aloe in a hydrophilic cream was an effective treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits. Seborrheic dermatitis (seborrhea, dandruff)One study using 30% aloe lotion, applied to the skin twice daily for 4-6 weeks, was effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits. Cancer preventionFrom a small case-control study, it showed that oral aloe may help in reducing the risk of developing lung cancer. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits.Canker sores (aphthous stomatitis)From two studies, it was found that using aloe vera gel was a good treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers of the mouth. It reduces the pain and increases the amount of time between the appearances of new ulcers. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits. Diabetes (type 2) Laboratory studies show that aloe vera can stimulate insulin release from the pancreas and can lower blood glucose levels in mice.

Results from two human trials suggest that oral aloe gel may be effective in lowering blood glucose levels. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits.HIV infection Acemannan, a component found in aloe gel, has been shown to have anti-viral activities and immune-stimulating properties. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits. Skin burns Preliminary evidence suggests that aloe may be effective in promoting healing of mild to moderate skin burns. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits. Ulcerative colitis There promising research of the use of oral aloe vera in ulcerative colitis (UC), compared to placebo. Additional research is being done to verify these benefits.Wound healing Study results of aloe on wound healing are mixed with some studies reporting positive results. Further study is needed, since wound healing is a popular use of topical aloe.Radiation dermatitis Reports from the 1930s about the aloe's topical beneficial effects on skin after radiation exposure lead to widespread use. Currently, aloe gel is sometimes recommended for radiation-induced dermatitis.

What's so great about pomegranate? There's no doubt that most of you have heard something about pomegranate, even before the wonders of this magical fruit were introduce to you by Poga Moonga. Pomegranate is the "Po" in PogaMoonga. Pomegranate is a great source of antioxidants.Emerging science suggests that unstable little molecules called free radicals may be linked to disease.Where do they come from? Everywhere. Free radicals come from many external sources such as air pollution, alcohol, pesticides, sunlight, tobacco smoke, drugs, and even fried foods. And if that weren't enough your body also produces them. Antioxidants from pomegranate, which is found in PogaMoonga fight hard to help prevent free radicals from doing their damage.Cancer and emerging science. Cancer is not a single condition, but it is a name connected to hundreds of different diseases. The name "cancer" is characterized by the uncontrolled spread and growth of abnormal cells.

Emerging science has shown that diets rich in vegetables and fruits that contain antioxidants, along with regular exercise, might slow or help prevent the development of cancer. PogaMoonga is a great source of antioxidants, from both the moringa and pomegranate. Aging and Emerging Science (and just plain common sense!)We all know that there isn't a Fountain of Youth. But emerging research is leading us to believe that there are a few things we can do to live "young" no matter what our age is. Scientists believe that free radical damage accumulates with age and that antioxidants may help protect the body from free radical damage. It makes sense that exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables including antioxidant-rich Poga Moonga may help you live "young". 1. What are antioxidants?Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer and other diseases. Antioxidants stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals otherwise might cause if uncontrolled.

Examples of antioxidants include vitamins C, E, and A ,beta-carotene, lycopene and other substances.2. Can antioxidants prevent cancer?Considerable laboratory evidence in animals, using chemical, cell culture, indicates that antioxidants may slow and even possibly prevent the development of cancer. Further research is needed to prove the beneficial properties of antioxidants and it's relationship to cancer. 3. What was shown in previously published large-scale clinical trials?The clinical trial about the effect of antioxidants on cancer, published in the 1990s reached differing conclusions. The studies examined the effect of beta-carotene and other antioxidants on cancer in different patient groups. Below is the summary of this trail. o The first large randomized trial on antioxidants and cancer risk was the Chinese Cancer Prevention Study, published in 1993. This trial investigated the effect of a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium on cancer in healthy Chinese men and women at high risk for gastric cancer. The study showed a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium significantly reduced incidence of both gastric cancer and cancer overall. Blot WJ, Li JY, Taylor PR, et al. Nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China: supplementation with specific vitamin/mineral combinations, cancer incidence, and disease-specific mortality in the general population. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:1483-91.

Amino Acids Role

Amino acids play important roles as intermediates in metabolism and building blocks of proteins. The amino acids that are found in proteins combine to create many different amino acids. The precise sequence of those amino acids, amino acid content of a specific protein, is determined by the sequence of the bases in the gene that encodes that protein. The chemical properties determine the biological activity of the protein in amino acids. Proteins not only catalyze all (or most) of the reactions in living cells, they control all cellular process. Proteins contain within their amino acid sequences the information to determine how that protein will be structured, and the stability of the resulting structure. The field of protein folding and stability has been researched for years, and remains one of the great unsolved mysteries. But progress is being made daily to truly completely understand amino acids. As we learn about amino acids, we will learn more about amino acid structure and properties along with properties and structure of proteins. We will learn that even the smallest protein has very complex characteristics, which are a composite of the properties of the amino acids, which comprise the protein.

Essential amino acids

Humans can produce 10 of the 20 amino acids. The others must be supplied in the food. Failure to obtain any or enough of even 1 of the 8 essential amino acids, which our body doesn't produce, results in degradation of the body's muscle and proteins. to obtain the one amino acid that are needed. The body does not store excess amino acids, like it does fat and starch, which can be used at a later time. The amino acids must be replenished, daily. The 12 amino acids that we can produce are alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine and tyrosine. Tyrosine is produced from phenylalanine, so if the diet is deficient in phenylalanine, tyrosine will be required as well. The essential amino acids are arginine (required for the young, but not for adults), histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids are required in the diet. Plants must be able to make all the amino acids. Humans do not have all the enzymes required for the biosynthesis of all of the amino acids.

Why learn these structures and properties?

Learning the structure and chemical make up of these amino acids will further our knowledge of enzymes, proteins or the nucleic acids.

Bacterial Colitis is the Most Common Cause of Colitis

Pseudomembranous colitis is a form of inflammatory disease characterized by the pathologic presence of pseudomembranes consisting of mucin, fibrin, necrotic cells, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Bacterial IBS is the most common cause of this disease , particularly beyond the first year of life. Allergic IBS is the most common form of colitis during the first year of life. Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis are two other types of bowel inflammation that affect the colon.

A diagnosis of collagenous IBS or lymphocytic IBSis made after tissue samples taken during a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy are examined with a microscope. Collagenous IBS and lymphocytic IBS are also called microscopic IBS. Ulcerative colitis is not caused by emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods or food products, but these factors may trigger symptoms in some people.

For extreme cases of collagenous and lymphocytic that have not responded to medication, surgery to remove all or part of the colon may be necessary.

Ulcerative colitis can occur in people of any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and less frequently between 50 and 70 years of age. IBS is an inflammation of the colon. IBS may also cause problems such as arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis. This disease causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon.

Ischemic is a form of vasculitis that results from inflammation and ischemia of colonic mucosa, which causes rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. Treatment for collagenous and lymphocytic varies depending on the symptoms and severity of the case. People with ulcerative colitis have abnormalities of the immune system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or a result of the disease. Pseudomembranous usually presents with profuse watery or mucoid diarrhea, tenesmus, fever, abdominal cramps, and tenderness usually within one week of antibiotic therapy.

After age 50 a regular colonoscopy is recommended for early detection of colon cancer unless the patient has increased risk of cancer and then more frequent examinations may be prescribed by the patients doctor.

Dog Diarrhea - Symptoms and Treatment of Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea in dogs can have a number of different causes, including infection, parasites and stress. The first step in treating dog diarrhea is identifying its source, and one way to do this is to note its consistency, smell and color. In older and younger dogs it is more serious as it can cause dehydration. Make a visit to your veterinarian if your dog is in this risk group and experiencing loose bowels.

Causes of Dog Diarrhea

The following are common causes of diarrhea in dogs and their symptoms:

繚 Parasites - Roundworms are the most common dog parasite and since they affect the gastrointestinal tract, they often cause diarrhea and vomiting. Some worms, such as intestinal flukes, can cause bloody diarrhea, a more serious condition that should be attended to immediately by a veterinarian.

繚 Leptospirosis - These bacteria causes chills, muscle aches and fever, followed by extreme vomiting and diarrhea. It often results in kidney and liver damage and is sometimes fatal.

繚 Parvo - This virus is has a number of initial symptoms similar to leptospirosis, but is usually less dangerous. Diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration pose the greatest risk. In more severe cases, blood can be observed in the diarrhea.

繚 Hyperthyroidism - This condition results in an overproduction of thyroid hormone that speeds up the body's processes, including metabolism. Weight loss and diarrhea are common symptoms.

繚 Corona Virus - This is a serious viral condition that can lead to intense vomiting and diarrhea. In this case, the diarrhea will be watery, foul-smelling and yellow-orange in color.

繚 Canine Crohn's Disease and Colitis - Both of these conditions lead to inflammation of the intestines and can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

繚 Allergies - Allergic reactions to food or medication can often cause diarrhea.

Dog Diarrhea Treatment

Since diarrhea in dogs can be caused by a number of different conditions, it is important first to identify its source. Once the cause is removed the diarrhea will cease. To help your veterinarian identify the cause of diarrhea, try to collect a sample that you can keep in a jar for your visit. In some cases, your veterinarian will be able to use the sample to visually identify the cause while in others he or she might use it to perform a clinical diagnosis. Depending on the exact nature of the condition, a number of different treatments might be recommended, including antibiotics, FortiFlora Canine Nutritional Supplement or Centrine Tabs.

Regardless of the cause of diarrhea, it is important to treat the symptoms as well, especially in the cases of older and younger pets. Diarrhea can lead to intense dehydration, especially when it is accompanied by vomiting, so it is important to keep your dog hydrated. Your veterinarian might administer fluids intravenously or via injection, but you can also do your best to provide your dog with fluids. You also might want to keep your dog on a diet of chicken and rice for a while, as this will help to bind loose bowels in dogs.

Herbal Remedies and Treatments You Might Want to Try For Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, which affects the alimentary tract, anywhere from the mouth to the anus. This inflammation can extend throughout all the layers of the stomach wall and can occur in patches, or in normal tissue. The exact cause of Crohn's disease is yet unknown, but many have recognized a link to stress and family history. Crohn's disease is a chronic disease for which there is no cure, but only treatments.

Diet is an important factor in Crohn's disease and with the right food and supplements, your body can begin to heal itself naturally, causing your Crohn's disease to go into remission for an extended period of time, sometimes even permanently. In conjunction with natural treatments from your Ontario chiropractor, and the right diet, together with natural herbs and supplements, your body may be able to heal itself naturally from this chronic disease altogether. Here are some natural treatments and supplements for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Herbal and homeopathic remedies can be effective in treating symptoms of Crohn's disease and address the underlying causes of the illness, while aiming to restore the body's natural healing properties. They can help to restore harmony and equilibrium in the body, and provide a supportive platform to bring natural healing remedies into the affected body systems. These remedies will be specifically tailored by your Ontario wellness physician, to meet your specific needs, and to address specific symptoms.

Some examples of these herbal remedies used in conjunction with treating Crohn's disease include Filipendula ulmaria, Ulmus fulva, and Matricaria recutita just to name a few. These herbs may be recommended alone, or in combination with another, depending on the individual's specific health needs. These herbs can help to strengthen the digestive health of the patient, as well as decrease inflammation in the bowel walls. These herbs can be a natural option for the treatment of Crohn's disease, without all the dangerous side effects associated with prescription drugs and steroids currently used for the treatment of this illness.

Another herbal treatment that has shown to have success in treating Crohn's disease is green tea. Green tea has been well known for thousands of years for its soothing qualities as well as its miraculous healing properties. But only until recently, has green tea been used in the treatment of Crohn's disease. Green tea has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation in Crohn's patients, as well as reduce pain and provide temporary relief. Green tea has also, in some cases, been found to ward off cancer with long term use, which can be a major concern down the line, with patients with Crohn's disease.

Ginko biloba has also been seen to have positive effects in the treatment of Crohn's disease, and other inflammatory-related illnesses like colitis, and IBS. Ginko biloba is particularly effective in treating inflammatory diseases like Crohn's because of it's rich antioxidant properties. These antioxidant properties help to clear out bacteria in the intestinal wall, reducing inflammation and pain associated with Crohn's disease. Consult your Ontario wellness physician for more information about herbal remedies and treatments available for Crohn's disease.

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Digestive System Disorders

The function of the digestive system is to take the food and liquids that we put into our mouths and then either turn them into nutrients and energy needed by the cells of our body, turning what the body doesn't absorb into waste products to be expelled by our body as bowel movements. Digestive system disorders happen when there is a faulty function during the process of digestion which prevents some part of the digestive system from working as it should do. There are many common digestive system disorders.

Colon and Rectal cancer is a malignant cell in large intestine, which consists of the colon and the rectum. Colon and rectal cancers share so many common features that they are referred to as the same cancer which is how the name colorectal cancer came about. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death by cancer in the U.S.A. If you have symptoms of colorectal cancer you should consult your doctor right away. Common symptoms include: a change in normal bowel habits, blood on or in the stool that is either bright or dark, unusual abdominal or gas pains, very narrow stool, a feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely after passing stool, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.

Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, affected approximately 21,700 Americans in their 60s and 70s in 2001. The risk factors for developing stomach cancer are increased by a diet that consists of eating large amounts of smoked foods, salted fish and meat, foods that are high in starch and low in fiber, pickled vegetables, and foods and beverages that contain nitrates and nitrites.

Diarrhea is watery stool, or an increased frequency in bowel movements, or both as compared to the normal amount of stool passed by the individual. Diarrhea can be short-term, which can be related to a bacterial or viral infection, or it can be long-term which is usually related to a functional disorder or intestinal disease.

Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection which occurs in small pouches that bulge out in the colon. There is a tendency for these patches to catch and trap food particles, which can lead to infection.

Gas in your digestive tract is often caused by swallowing air or during the breakdown process of certain foods by the bacteria that is present in the colon. Everyone has gas, but if you have a gas problem it can be uncomfortable and certainly embarrassing to pass the gas.

Heartburn is what most of us get from time to time. Chronic, problematic heartburn is a digestive disorder called gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is caused by gastric acid that backs up from the stomach and into the esophagus, where it can burn sensitive tissue, and can lead to cancer.

There are several different diseases that fall under the category of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), all of which require a doctor for treatment. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two of these diseases. Ulcerative colitis can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders and to Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease differs because it causes inflammation deeper within the intestinal wall and can occur in other parts of the digestive system including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Crohn's disease symptoms can be different for each person. The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea. Some people have bleeding in the rectum, which is the lower end of the GI tract, just before the anus, which can be serious and may not stop without medical help. Bleeding can lead to anemia, the loss of too many red blood cells. Anemia makes a person feel tired. People can also have weight loss, skin problems, and fevers. Children with Crohn's disease may develop and grow slower than most other children or they may not reach their expected full height.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, also called spastic colon, irritable colon, or nervous stomach) is a condition in which the colon muscle contracts more readily than in people without IBS. A number of factors can trigger IBS including certain foods, medicines, and emotional stress. Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain and cramps, excess gas, bloating, and a change in bowel habits such as harder, looser, or more urgent stools than normal. Often people with IBS have alternating constipation and diarrhea. The primary causes for IBS include: eating a diet low in fiber, not drinking enough water or other fluids , not getting enough exercise, traveling or other changes in routine, eating large amounts of dairy products, being stressed, resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, overusing laxatives that, over time, weaken the bowel muscles, taking antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum, taking certain medicines (especially antidepressants, iron pills, and narcotic pain medicines), and pregnancy.

Lactose intolerance is a condition caused by the lack of an enzyme called lactase, which is needed by the body to digest lactose (a sugar found in milk products). Adults and children can be affected by this intolerance. Digestive diseases or injuries to the small intestine can cause this intolerance. Individuals can experience different symptoms but the common ones are: cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea. The symptoms will worsen when milk products are consumed.

Stomach ulcers, or gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers are open sores or lesions found in the mucous membranes of areas of the body. Lifestyle, stress and diet may have a role in ulcer formation; however they are not the main cause of them. Scientists now know that ulcers are caused by hydrochloric acid and pepsin that are contained in our stomach and duodenal parts of our digestive system and that these acids contribute to ulcer formation; many stomach ulcers are caused by the bacteria H. pylori, and can be cured with antibiotics.

Constipation is the difficult passage of stools or the infrequent (less than three times a week) or incomplete passage of stools. Constipation is usually caused by inadequate roughage, or fiber, in the diet, or a disruption of the regular routine or diet. Constipation causes a person to strain during a bowel movement. It sometimes causes anal problems such as fissures and hemorrhoids. The body needs two types of fiber: soluble fiber (dissolves and acts like a sponge) and insoluble (does not dissolve and acts like a wisk broom). We have recently recognized the need for a third kind of fiber, macrofiber; macrofiber is not only insoluble, it is indigestible, and it carries water through the digestive tract with your food. We used to get a lot of macrofiber 100 years ago; we called it chaff, and a little dirt from the garden, and bug parts....

Structural disorders are those in which the bowel looks abnormal and doesn't work properly. Sometimes, the structural abnormality needs to be removed surgically. The most common structural disorders are those affecting the anus, as well as Diverticulitis and cancer.

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that line the anal opening caused by excess pressure from straining during a bowel movement, persistent diarrhea, or pregnancy. There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are normal structures cushioning the lower rectum and protecting it from damage by stool. When they fall down into the anus as a result of straining, they become irritated and start to bleed. Ultimately, internal hemorrhoids can fall down enough to sink or protrude out of the anus. External hemorrhoids are veins that lie just under the skin on the outside of the anus. Sometimes, after straining, the external hemorrhoidal veins burst and a blood clot forms under the skin. This very painful condition is called a pile.

Anal fissures are splits or cracks in the lining of the anal opening. The most common cause of an anal fissure is the passage of very hard or watery stools. The crack in the anal lining exposes the underlying muscles that control the passage of stool through the anus and out of the body. An anal fissure is one of the most painful problems because the exposed muscles become irritated from exposure to stool or air, and leads to intense burning pain, bleeding, or spasm after bowel movements.

Colitis is a condition that causes an inflammation of the bowel. There are several types, including infectious colitis (caused by bacteria), ischemic colitis (caused by not enough blood going to the colon), radiation colitis (after radiotherapy), ulcerative colitis (cause not known), and Crohn's disease (cause not known). Colitis causes diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, and urgency (frequent and immediate need to empty the bowels).

Celiac disease is a condition of intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and in some medicines. In people with celiac disease, the body's immune system reacts to gluten by attacking and damaging the lining of the small intestine. Eating foods containing gluten can produce severe abdominal pain. When the lining is damaged, the body cannot get the nutrients it needs. Over time, celiac disease can cause anemia, infertility, weak and brittle bones, and other health problems. Celiac disease tends to run in families.

Rapid gastric emptying, or dumping syndrome, occurs when undigested food empties too quickly into the small intestine. Early rapid gastric emptying begins either during or right after a meal. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue. Late rapid gastric emptying occurs 1 to 3 hours after eating. Symptoms include hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar; weakness; sweating; and dizziness. Experiencing both forms of gastric emptying is not uncommon.

Smoking can harm all parts of the digestive system, contributing to such common disorders as heartburn and peptic ulcers. Smoking increases the risk of Crohn's disease, and possibly gallstones, which form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material. Smoking also damages the liver.

Many diseases of the colon and rectum can be prevented or minimized by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and practicing good eating, exercise, and bowel habits:

Eat to live, rather than living to eat. Choose foods that will nourish your body, the fresher the better; keep prepackaged foods and snacks down to a minimum; there are healthy snacks!

When you eat, stop, sit, relax, slow down, and chew well. Try not to overeat; many small eatings are much better for our digestive system than three large ones, especially if you also snack.

To get the most out of the foods you eat, it is best to avoid drinking lots of liquids 20-30 minutes before and after your meals. Drinking too much liquid with meals dilutes the concentration of hydrochloric acid and enzymes needed for proper digestion.

Find your best time of day to have a bowel movement, usually a half hour to an hour after breakfast or after lunch.

Eat all of your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at a predictable time each day. The bowel functions best when food is introduced at the same regular intervals.

Eat a high fiber diet.

Drink plenty of fluids, ideally 64 ounces a day or 8 glasses of water. Keep caffeine to a minimum; it is a diuretic which draws fluid from your colon and leaving your stools hard.

Exercise daily. Bowel function is helped most when exercise is at a consistent daily time.

It is generally accepted that you should take only a minute or so to empty your bowel. Never strain or hold your breath. Hemorrhoids can result from straining.

Avoid relying on laxatives and use them only when needed - ask your doctor or continence adviser for help.

Regular exercise, drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of fresh high fiber foods should keep your bowel healthy. Believe it or not, try chicken soup; it is not just a Jewish myth. Half a cup or so of chicken broth sipped with meals is a great digestive aid.

Disclaimer: The above article is educational in nature, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician.

Sudden Hearing Loss - What You Need to Know?

One of the most devastating hearing losses is the sudden hearing loss (SHL). This occurs relatively quickly in a matter of hours or days and can affect one or both ears. Many specialists state that this type of loss is frequent in people between the age group of 30-60 years and has an equal occurrence rates in both men and women. It is important to note that SHL affect people differently but it is often accompanied with other conditions like vertigo or tinnitus or both. The condition may be mild or server and may affect various parts of the hearing frequency range. It may also be temporary or permanent.

There are two types of this condition: sudden conductive and sudden sensorineural hearing. These conditions will be treated differently because they are of different natures. The sudden conductive condition is relatively easy to diagnose and fix and are therefore not considered a medical emergency. On the other hand the sudden sensorineural condition is a medical emergency and patients need to see an otologist or a neurologist. This condition usually occurs within three days and the loss is more than 30DB as shown on the audiogram. In other situations, the condition may be instantaneous and the patients may hear a loud sound or a pop sound before their hearing disappears.

The condition is not idiopathic as there are quite a number of known causes. One of them is autoimmune conditions such as lupus, relapsing polychodritis and Ulcerative colitis among others. Vascular conditions like red blood cell deformity, sickle cell and blood dyscrasias; Neurological Neoplastic like acoustic Neuroma, leukemia and multiple sclerosis are also some of the causes of this condition. People who have undergone trauma or have infections due to viruses and toxins in the body may also suffer from sudden hearing loss. Sometimes it may be difficult for the ear specialists to determine the cause of the condition and may render it as idiopathic.

For those patients with history of SSHL associated with situations look straining, diving or recent surgery it is important to see a specialist as it will require a surgery. Patients diagnosed with idiopathic SSHL usually recover completely without treatment but others may require some treatment options in order to regain their ears while others do not recover whether they have been treated or not.

Crohn's Disease Support Groups

Man is a social animal and does not live in isolation. Hence, it is vital for patients to adjust to the society and their living conditions despite any diseases they may have. This is where the role of health support groups is critical. Support groups, as the name suggests, support an individual and his or her family. They help adjust to the changed social scenario brought about by a debilitating disease.

Crohn?s disease is a chronic illness which generally onsets between the ages of 15 and 30. There is currently no cure for the disease and treatment is mainly jus to ease symptoms. Some patients have reported that consumption of foods high in fiber and dairy foods make their symptoms worse. Therapies include treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs that act in the intestines and steroids. In advanced cases, a bowel resection may be required.

A patient Crohn?s disease has gas and abdominal pain in case of mild ailment, whereas severe cases have uncontrollable bowel movements. This makes it difficult for the patient to move freely in public. This could lead to isolation, embarrassment and anxiety, which can severely alter the patient?s life and may also lead to depression.

Support groups provide support in terms of information needed about the disease. Medications, surgical options and symptoms are some of the areas that patients need information on. Some members of support groups belong to the medical profession and offer advice to other members. It is also helpful to talk to people who suffer from the same condition.

It is very easy to become a member of a support group. One can join a local support group or the various support groups globally, through the Internet.

Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can provide valuable information about ones condition as well as emotional support. Members of support groups learn about the latest medical treatments or integrative therapies. Patient's also finds it reassuring to be among people who understand what they are going through. Crohn?s disease support groups also help patients keep abreast of the latest findings in the treatment of the disease.

Understanding Chronic Treatment-Resistant Pain - Psychosomatic Back Pain

Science has demonstrated that there is an incredibly powerful link between the mind and the body. In many instances, the underlying cause of neck pain, back pain and sciatica, also referred to as the back pain complex, may be psychological. Many times, when an individual is in pain and told that it may be psychological or psychosomatic, the patient immediately becomes defensive, often stating, "It is not in my mind, the pain is real!" The fact is, it is indeed very real, regardless of whether the pain is labeled as psychosomatic or not. When dealing with treatment-resistant, chronic pain the mind/body link must be explored, so it can be ruled out. In this article, we will discuss psychological pain, psychosomatic pain, and chronic psychological back pain. While discussed in a previous article, we will also address, once again but briefly, the link between chronic back pain and depression. Chronic pain, in any form, can be the most insidious, debilitating, and disabling of any medical complaint. In order to fully treat the condition, underlying causality must be explored and diagnosed thoroughly. It is true that most cases of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica are or have their basis in an actual pathology or other physiological condition. However, psychological back pain is quite common and in fact is one of the primary causes of treatment-resistant chronic pain.

Unfortunately, when an illness is labeled psychosomatic there is often an immediate stigma or negative perception associated with it. Very often, when an individual suffering from neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica hears the term psychosomatic, they immediately respond defensively. When a condition is labeled as psychosomatic the connotation attached is that the condition is "all in the mind" or somehow "imaginary." There is even a mental illness stigma attached, with the patient protesting, "I am not crazy, this pain is real!" Even people close, at times members of the individual's own family, will say unkind things like, "I knew he was faking it" or "I knew she was just trying to get attention, I felt sorry for her!" For these reasons and others, the resistance to a psychosomatic diagnosis is considerable, often socially and culturally based.

As discussed in a previous article, there is a powerful link between stress and psychosomatic illness, in this case neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica; or treatment-resistant chronic back pain. Additionally, the link between depression and psychosomatic illness, particularly as we age, is often quite powerful. Individuals suffering from psychosomatic illness may experience incredible pain or other physical manifestations or symptoms, with no physical diagnosis. Paradoxically, there are a number of physical conditions, such as brain injuries and vitamin deficiencies just to name two, which may exhibit profound psychological symptoms. However, it is often the case that many individuals exhibiting treatment-resistant chronic pain, with no underlying medical diagnosis, may have a psychological or psychosomatic condition.

Contrary to commonly held beliefs, pain that is the result of a psychosomatic condition, of an emotional or psychological process, is actually quite real. Psychosomatic pain, in this case treatment-resistant chronic back pain, is not imaginary, it is not "in our heads," it is not the result of a delusional or a sick mind, and it is not the consequence of mental illness. The fact is that anyone suffering from tension headaches, ulcers, colitis, tension backaches, and a myriad of other stress-related illnesses has a psychosomatic condition. Clearly, all of these individuals are not "crazy." I suppose the best way for an individual to understand just how real psychosomatic pain can be is to have them think back to their last tension headache and ask a single, quite simple question: "Was the pain real?"

Psychological back pain is simply another name for psychosomatic back pain and is sometimes referred to as stress-induced back pain. Once again, pain associated with this condition is indeed very real. While the pain may ultimately be linked to the mind/body link, the physical expression of pain, whether the pain is neck pain, back pain or sciatica, may be debilitating and disabling. Consequently, dealing with psychosomatic, treatment-resistance chronic pain is often difficult, if not close to impossible, without effectively dealing with the underlying condition. As a noted evolutionary scientist once pointed out, psychosomatic pain may be considered an evolutionary anomaly but it is completely human and utterly normal. As our system, and that includes our mind, becomes overloaded, it seeks to alleviate or eliminate the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible. Unfortunately for the patient, it does this by shifting focus away from the actual cause, the real danger, expressing it in a very uncomfortable, often intense fashion; and, in this case through chronic treatment-resistant back pain.

Psychosomatic pain is the most frequently diagnosed and least understood form of both acute and chronic back pain. Significantly, most treatment-resistant chronic back pain sufferers, those with unresolved back pain, meaning that there is no clear diagnosis, by definition suffer from an underlying and misdiagnosed psychological ailment or condition. While medical schools are beginning to address this very significant medical issue, psychosomatic illness has long been relegated to the back burner of medical education. Consequently, medical practitioners are simply not prepared for or able to understand, much less treat, this condition. As a result, many individuals are misdiagnosed with this "scapegoat condition," leaving individuals with very real physiological, structural, and medical conditions undiagnosed.

Unfortunately, while solutions are available, they are still relatively unknown. As the medical community begins to educate itself, so they can be better prepared to deal with this condition, we are beginning to see the first steps towards a holistic approach to this problem. Psychosomatic medicine has been talked about for centuries, even Sigmund Freud was fascinated by it in his time, yet it is only in the last few years that we see a real movement to deal with this ongoing epidemic. Treatment-resistance chronic pain sufferers, particularly those individuals with an extended history of unresolved and undiagnosed pain, are most likely to exhibit a myriad of medical complaints to include ulcers, colitis, and depression, just to name a few. The combination of unresolved neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica and depression leads to profound consequences for the individual, the family, the community, and even the state. The impact of this poorly understood and often misdiagnosed condition or set of conditions ripples throughout the system with consequences far beyond those of a medical nature.

Ultimately, and until such time as the underlying condition has been diagnosed, treated, and eliminated, symptoms must be recognized and alleviated. For this reason, it is advisable for the individual to begin a wide-ranging, individualized, and medically supervised program to deal with both symptoms expressed and causality yet undetermined. Exercise, in and of itself, will have a remarkable and immediate impact on most individuals. Not only will an exercise program, properly administered and supervised, do wonders to alleviate stress, it will also serve to improve self-esteem and self-confidence. With exercise, particularly until the musculature adapts and adjusts to the new routine, certain other measures will need to be taken. The additional treatment strategies to be initiated, along with the exercise program, should include a stretching program, 2 to 3 times a day (see: "Simple and Easy Program of Exercise for Sciatica Relief... Part I & Part II"). Self-education, both individually and in a group setting, will also enhance understanding, self-knowledge, and self-esteem. Most importantly, either individual or group therapy should be initiated in order to comes to grips with the underlying issues contributing to the unresolved and/or misdiagnosed psychosomatic pain condition. The concert of bad back strategies will do wonders to alleviate symptoms, ultimately leading to a resolution when used along side of a solid therapy program to understand underlying stressors which resulted in the back pain complex of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica.

It's Amazing - Natural Remedies Cure Cancer

Natural herbs do have magical curing ability. Do you know that even fatal diseases like cancer can be cured by natural herbs? Yes, Lapacho is the herb. This wonder herb stands as a proof to the fact that natural remedies cure cancer.

Cancer is a deadly disease. No successful curing methods or medicines exist in allopathy for that. Lapacho, a natural herb found in abundance in South America has a miraculous curing effect on cancer. In this herb, the inner bark is used to make herbal medicines that cure cancer.

Existing allopathic cancer treatment methods have a list of not so likable side effects. The radiation kinds of treatments are very stressful for the patients experiencing cancer. But, the great news is that no adverse side effects are affected when natural remedies cure cancer.

There are two wonderful herb varieties. Tabebuia, Altissima and Tabebuia Avellaneda. When these two are mixed in proper proportions, they, both together present us miraculous cancer curing effects. Studies by South American medical practitioners reveal that, within one month, these herbs produce strong cancer curing effect and reduce the pain of cancer patients considerably.

Herbal tea made from Lapacho has excellent cancer curing effect. One cup of such tea is made from one heaping teaspoonful of Lapacho bark. If taken three times a day, this Lapacho tea offers cancer curing effect to the affected patients. Herbal extract from Lapacho produces even better possible effects.

Worldwide scientists have frankly agreed on the chemistry of Lapacho. In 1930's, in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Frederick Koch, M.D., used the ingredients from Lapacho tree bark, that are called Quinone. He produced, from that, astonishing cancer curing ability that was welcome news for the ailing cancer patients and whole of the medical world. He administered the medicines he produced even on advanced cancer patients and proved the herbs cancer curing effect beyond dispute.

Dr. Frederick used only a single Quinone from herb Lapacho. He revealed that this single specific Quinone of herb Lapacho is oxidizing(burning up) the encapsulated pockets of stagnant cancer-causing spots in the ailing cancer patients. His reports clearly showed the herb's ability to provide a breath of oxygen to the cancer patients.

In total the herb Lapacho has about 16 quinones in it. It is to be noted that jungle Lapacho is totally immune to any sort of fungus infections. The curing ability of this wonder herb Lapacho is not limited only to cancer. It has a magical curing effect on other related diseases like Leukemia, Anaemia, Lupus, colitis, inflammation of the reproductive organs, Parkinson's disease, Hodgkins disease, and all types of cancers. It is also found to be curing some other diseases including but not limited to Cystitis, Arteriosclerosis, Leukorrhea, haemorrhages, polyps, prostate inflammation and eczema.

Lapacho even cures gastric problems and psoriasis.

Lapacho daily dosage: Medicinal extract of this herb, mixed with a cup of water, can be taken from 40 to 80 drops and from three to four times a day for best possible curing effects. Up to 20 drops per day can be taken in confidence as preventative measure.

Arthritis Treatment - Prednizone and Its Side Effects

Prednisone is a generic, very inexpensive, and commonly used medicine in arthritis treatment.

The diseases for which corticosteroids are most often used are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, gout and pseudogout, sarcoidosis, and the arthritis accompanying inflammatory bowel disease.

Ordinarily, endocrine glands in the body are responsible for the fine tuning of organ function. These glands elaborate hormones, all of which have specific regulatory tasks. Various feedback loops exert tight control over this very elaborate and complicated system.

One of the endocrine organs, the adrenal glands is responsible for the production of glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids have many "jobs" including maintenance of blood pressure, as well as sugar, protein, and fat metabolism, stress response, and effects on inflammation.

Glucocorticoids manufactured by the adrenal glands are called endogenous steroids- meaning they are made by the body. They also can be divided into anabolic or catabolic. Simply put, anabolic steroids build tissue such as muscle while catabolic hormones break down tissue.

Steroids can also be administered from outside the body either by mouth, intramuscularly or intravenously. These steroids are called exogenous. The administration of exogenous steroids chronically reduces the ability of the adrenal glands to manufacture glucocorticoids because the normal feedback loop has been broken.

With the inability of the adrenal glands to increase steroid production in the face of stress producers such as injury, infection, and surgery, a patient can go into shock.

Getting back to prednisone, the primary catabolic glucocorticoid, the odds of the adrenal glands being suppressed increase as the dose of exogenous steroid exceeds the average daily equivalent output of the adrenal glands which is about 5.0-7.5 mg prednisone. Other factors that constrain the ability of the adrenals to perform are if therapy continues for more than a few weeks or months, if doses are given late in the day or in divided doses throughout the day, or if long-acting corticosteroid preparations are used.

Patients who require high doses of prednisone (more than 20 mgs a day) for extended periods of time always develop side-effects.

Taking steroids on an alternate day (every other day) schedule reduces the chance of adrenal insufficiency but does not eliminate it.

Other side-effects include:

Elevated blood sugar and diabetes
Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
Fluid retention
Increased blood pressure
Electrolyte abnormalities such as low potassium serum levels
Hardening of the arteries
Hirsutism (abnormal hair distribution)
Easy bruising
Thinning of the skin
Cataracts and glaucoma
Purple striae (stretch marks)
Poor wound healing
Muscle wasting
Susceptibility to infection and masking of infection leading to sepsis and death
Psychosis
Avascular necrosis (dead bone)
Sweating
Inflammation of the pancreas
Stomach ulcers (particularly if used with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Obviously, patients must be counseled as to the relative risks and benefits, and the lowest possible steroid dose should be used.

History of Crohns Disease

Crohn?s disease, a disease belonging to the larger group of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), is named after an American gastroenterologist, Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. Crohn's disease initially came to be known as a medical entity when it was referred to by Dr. Crohn, Dr. Leon Ginzburg, and Dr. Gordon D. Oppenheimer in 1932. The first description of this condition was earlier made by the Italian physician Giovanni Battista Morgagni (1682?1771) in 1769, when he diagnosed a young man with a chronic, debilitating illness and diarrhea.

Successive cases were reported in 1898 by John Berg and by Polish surgeon Antoni Lesniowski in 1904. In 1913, Scottish physician T. Kennedy Dalziel, at the meeting of the British Medical Association, described nine cases in which the patients suffered from intestinal obstruction. On close examination of the inflamed bowel, the transmural inflammation that is characteristic of the disease was clearly evident. Abdominal cramps, fever, diarrhea and weight loss were observed in most patients, particularly young adults, in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1923, surgeons at the Mt Sinai Hospital in New York identified 12 patients with similar symptoms. Dr. Burrill B. Crohn, in 1930, pointed out similar findings in two patients whom he was treating.

On May 13, 1932, Dr. Crohn and his colleagues, Oppenheimer and Ginzburg, presented a paper on ?Terminal Ileitis?, describing the features of Crohn?s disease to the American Medical Association. This was published later that year as a landmark article in the Journal of the American Medical Association with the title "Regional Ileitis: A Pathologic and Chronic Entity." The JAMA article was published at a time when the medical community was interested in new findings. The findings were given significant recognition, while the Dalziel article in the British Medical Journal of 1913 was not. It is by virtue of alphabetization rather than contribution that Crohn's name appeared as the first author. This was the first time the condition was reported in a widely-read journal, and the disease came to be known as Crohn's disease.

The Do's and Don'ts of an Effective Diet For Colitis

Whilst there appears little connection between a poor quality diet and the diagnosis of colitis, diet does have a significant role to play during both periods of flare up and remission. Through careful awareness of the effects of diet on the bowel, a sufferer can still enjoy a varied diet for colitis whilst in remission and another for periods of attack that will not compound the symptoms.

It is often the case that as soon as people hear about the medical condition of colitis they immediately conclude that a sufferer's diet will have to change beyond recognition and that all fibre should be eliminated. They view fibre as the last food group that a sufferer should inflict on their ulcerated large colon. This common misunderstanding could not be further from reality as it should be recognised that there are actually two distinct types of fibre.

The two types of fibre have differing effects on someone diagnosed with colitis. Soluble fibre is in fact helpful for colitis and should be encouraged in its use as it is broken down and digested in the large colon. The result of this is the production of soft stools and has the benefit of not producing the type of particles that can adhere to the wall of the large colon and ultimately cause inflammation. Included in the variety of soluble fibre that a colitis sufferer can eat are fruits such as apples and pears plus root vegetables including potatoes and carrots. Just remember that they must all be peeled to avoid the problematic fibre in the skins. Oat bran can be eaten such as porridge plus the use of white rice in savoury dishes.

In complete contrast to this, insoluble fibre can have the unfortunate affect of inflaming colitis and thus steps should be taken to avoid it if possible. The difference is that this type of fibre passes through the entire digestive tract without being digested. The result of this is that there is a tendency for it to adhere to the wall of the large colon. This can have the effect of irritating it and thus increase the chance of aggravating the ulceration. This is particularly important to avoid during the period of a flare up. A high fibre diet is made up of insolubles and includes the peel of fruits and vegetables plus broccoli, cabbage and sweet corn. You should be aware that wheat bran which is found in wholemeal bread and several breakfast cereals should be avoided.

Another beneficial food group to include in a diet for colitis is fish oils especially from oily fish such as sardines. It is acknowledged that fish oil has a beneficial effect in reducing inflammation generally plus also it is a soluble foodstuff that easily passes through the bowel. It should be noted that eating actual fish rather than fish oil supplements will be far more beneficial to the colitis sufferer.

Plus also, another factor in a diet for colitis that should be examined is the amount of consumption of dairy products such as milk, cream and cheese. Whilst it is not essential to eliminate this food group from the diet, it is well advised to lower present consumption to reduce the chance of the build up of lactose in the colon, which unfortunately has the effect of encouraging the production of unhelpful bacteria that can result in inflammation.

It should be recognised that an effective diet for colitis does not necessarily suggest a heavily restricted choice. In fact, when in remission, the sufferer can enjoy a diet as close to normal as possible though this has to change when a flare up occurs. It is then that there has to be even more vigilance about what is eaten and the resultant effect it has on the bowel activity.

Crohn's Disease and Colitis - Questions and Answers

Crohn's Disease and Colitis, inflammatory diseases of the intestines, are misunderstood by many people - including some sufferers. Often when individuals are diagnosed, they are embarrassed to ask questions about their condition. It is vital, however, that Crohn's Disease and Colitis sufferers gather as much information as possible about the state of their health.

Symptoms for these conditions can vary from person to person. As well, sufferers can receive treatment to manage and even eliminate their individual symptoms. A trusted Naturopath physician can be one of the best sources of information about individual cases of Crohn's Disease and Colitis. Certain truths about these conditions have not yet been acknowledged by the regular medical community.

Questions and Answers

. What is Crohn's Disease And Colitis?

Crohn's Disease (CD) can exist anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Usually, Colitis (UC - Ulcerative Colitis) is discovered in the large intestine. Sometimes Colitis, however, will affect part of the small intestine.

. Is There A Cure?

At present, there is no cure for these conditions. Sufferers can, however, manage the symptoms. Crohn's Disease and Colitis are not fatal diseases.

. What Is The Life Span For A Person With Crohn's Disease And Colitis?

People with these conditions are thought to have a normal life span. Generally, men with the condition live to be 78 years and women live for 79 years. These statistics are in line with figures for the average life span of males and females. The untold statistics are when death occurs in Crohn's and Colitis patients there are classified as deaths from complications such as bowel cancer and recorded as a cancer death rather than one of Crohn's or Colitis. This skews the statistics for suffers giving a false impression of greater longevity.

. What Are The Symptoms?

Individuals experience different signs. Sufferers can experience varied symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, and stomach pains, as well as other health issues. People should not ignore the symptoms of these diseases. If left untreated, ordinary symptoms can lead to serious complications.

. What Side Effects Can Result From Untreated Symptoms?

The side effects of these conditions can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening situations. If sufferers ignore their symptoms, they can be stricken with malnutrition, intestinal blockages, damaged organs, and other serious afflictions. Yet these side effects are preventable if individuals get treatment for their symptoms.

. How Can Individuals Manage The Symptoms?

A person's doctor can help with managing - and even temporarily eliminating - a patient's symptoms. Physicians may prescribe drugs to control these conditions. In some situations, doctors may suggest surgery. Yet some sufferers, as well as researchers, claim that Crohn's Disease and Colitis water fasts and a regular raw food diet can eliminate uncomfortable symptoms. Of course, patients must always check with their doctor before embarking on strict fasts or any dramatic changes to one's diet.

. How Could A Raw Food Diet Control Crohn's Disease and Colitis Symptoms?

At present, researchers are exploring the connection between a raw food diet and more manageable (and even disappearing) symptoms. The study of Vitamin A plays a significant part in this research. Many patients have claimed that their symptoms lessened and even ended over time as they adhered to a raw food diet.

After all, the Western diet is filled with fats, sugars, chemicals, and processed foods. Research continues regarding the raw food diet and its contribution to better health for Crohn's Disease and Colitis sufferers. Of course, the bottom line in looking after one's health is to make an informed decision before making any drastic changes.

Natural Remedies For IBS - A Quick and Easy Cure

If you are one of those suffering from IBS, you'll be surprised to know that there is more to the cure than just prescription medications alone. Natural remedies for IBS has been in existence even before pharmacological treatments and this has helped people centuries ago and it still can help people of today's generation. Before we list down these natural treatments, let us try to get to know more about this condition.

Fast Facts Irritable Bowel Syndrome is categorized as a functional disorder. This condition happens when the usually normal activities in our intestines takes a different course of activities. There are actually no abnormalities that can be seen in its anatomy, blood or cells. The problem arises when it performs differently.

Many people experience this disorder of functioning. It affects a trivial 10-20% of our general populace. According to gastroenterologists and other physicians, this is the most common disorder diagnosed. Other terms for this disorder include spastic colon, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and irritable colon-all referring to the parts of the digestive system.

The symptoms manifested clearly states that there is a problem with the functions and interaction of the intestines, the brain and the nervous system which are all connected in order to have normal bowel movements.

The symptoms are usually pain and discomfort in the abdominal area, different bowel pattern and persistent diarrhea or constipation. The discomfort in the abdominal area can be accompanied by cramps. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.

There are no diagnostic tests that can track this condition. The only way this can be diagnosed is to identify the symptoms unique to this disorder.

The efficacy of the treatments for sufferers of this condition may vary. Some may find a method effective, while others may not. This is why it is important to widen the search for a treatment that can relieve the symptoms.

The best treatment is to avoid the foods that can trigger the malfunction of the intestine. So avoid ingesting caffeine or drinking too much alcohol. Avoid eating fatty foods and foods with dairy content. It will also be helpful if you try to increase you intake of foods rich in fiber. But whatever you do, avoid beans, uncooked broccoli and cabbage as these can make you feel bloated.

Natural remedies for IBS include the use of herbal remedies. If you want a more natural approach to treating this disorder try the following:

Peppermint - this can reduce bloating and pain. It helps reduce the likelihood of heartburn.
Fennel - If this is combined with Dill, another herb, it can help calm the intestines and reduce symptoms such as gas and bloating.
Ginger - this is a great ally for our digestive functioning. It allays the symptoms such as indigestion and nausea.
Cinnamon - This is effective in preventing diarrhea. Not only does it taste good but it also helps reduce the level of cholesterol and sugar in the blood stream.

Sufferers if this disorder should also try a product called DigestAssist. Like what its name suggests, it can help promote a healthy functioning of the digestive system and supports its good interaction with the brain and the nervous system.

DigestAssist eases up unwanted symptoms after meals and can provide immediate relief. This product uses herbal ingredients such as ginger, fennel, peppermint and stomach bush. These powerhouse ingredients enable the digestive system to perform normally.

It is easy to say that natural remedies for IBS work better than over-the-counter medications. You can try this kind of remedy and you might be pleasantly surprised with its results too.

Candida Overgrowth Is Caused From an Unknown Sugar Addiction

Candida yeast is a natural part of your colon's bacteria population. In a healthy body, it makes up about 15% of your gut bacteria. When this healthy balance is compromised -- because of excessive sugar consumption -- the body will develop a host of unpleasant symptoms, such as vaginitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, systemic candida, food allergies, white tongue (oral thrush), psoriasis, migraines, asthma, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, acid reflux, and other digestive disorders.

I suffered from systemic candida for over twenty years, and I tried every "remedy" and "treatment" out there. But no matter how many products or promised cures I tried, how many how many fasts I endured, how many anti-fungal herbs I took, how many colonics I was given, or how many probiotics I ingested, the candida fungi kept coming back. Eventually, I began to realize that the candida were being produced by my Intelligent Body to counterbalance a more significant underlying problem: an inability to properly digest foods and absorb nutrients.

You see, candida is not something you "catch". And it's not something you need to "get rid of" or "eliminate" or "cure", because it's created naturally by the body for good reason. It's not a an accident that you have it, because just as when the body creates a fever to kill off a lethal virus or causes vomiting or diarrhea to expel toxins, its divine intelligence is doing its job to protect itself from a much more life-threatening danger. The Intelligent Body is all about life-preservation. In my case of systemic candida, my body was constantly having to defend itself against the barrage of sugar that I was unknowingly ingesting on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. And candida fungi feast on sugar.

A major epiphany hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized that the massive amounts of sugar I was ingesting was coming from honey, fruit, fruit juice, maple syrup, bread, potatoes, pasta, and cereal. Even though none of these foods and drinks contain "added sugar", all of them get converted into glucose in the body and this is why my body was manufacturing the candida; to dispose of all this toxic sugar.

To complicate matters further, I was not eating sufficient protein and healthy fats. Raised as a vegetarian from birth, I relied mainly on soy products for protein. But the body cannot digest soy at all -- unless it is fermented. And so, what did my body do to compensate for this constant barrage of foods that it can't digest and sugars that it can't assimilate? Well, it protects itself by manufacturing a fungus to devour the sugar. And this is what causes candida overgrowth -- it all boils down to an unknown addiction to sugar.

Antibitoics can lead to candida overgrowth -- this is true, however, it is not the primary cause of it as many nutritionists advocate. As a population, we simply don't take nearly enough antibiotics to be causing such as "yeast syndrome". However, we do consume more than enough sugar! And contrary to another popular myth in the wellness industry, the Intelligent Body is perfectly capable of manufacturing the appropriate probiotics on its own (there are over 500 varieties) if it is supplied with the proper nutrients, minerals, and foods that it can digest. If, however, you're continuously drowning out vital magnesium, calcium, selenium, and trace minerals with diuretics such as caffeinated beverages every day, the body simply cannot do its job.

The U.S. Congress just passed a law that the tomato sauce on pizza will be considered as a vegetable for school lunches. Not only is the pizza devoid of all nutrition and has a glycemic index above 70, when combined with the high-starch, sugary, acidic tomato sauce, it will be instantly converted to glucose in the bloodstream, contributing to the rapidly rising childhood diseases of hypoglycemia, type 2 diabetes, ADHD, and obesity.

I believe that poor nutrition is the major cause of cancer, candida, digestive disorders, and nearly every other chronic disease out there because it weakens every cell in the body. The modern human diet is completely devoid of the vital nutrients and minerals that the body needs to repair the constant bombardment of sugar, GMO's, undigestable oils (such as margarine, trans fats, Canola oil, and soybean oil), heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, vaccines, prescription drugs, caffeine, and other carcinogens and toxins that we are bombarding it with on a daily basis.

H Pylori Infection Causes Gastritis

My Mother died aged just 60. When doctors performed her autopsy, they reported that she had been suffering severe gastritis and bleeding of the stomach and small intestine. In ten years of medical care, nobody had bothered to check her stomach for the presence of damage.

My Mother died as a result of septicemia: an infection developed in her psoas muscle, burst and allowed the infectious bacteria to enter her brain. It is fairly clear to me that the infectious organisms that caused the sepsis broke into her circulation through her damaged stomach and intestine.

This is a serious topic!

Gastritis simply means "inflammation of the stomach". H pylori infection is the leading - but not the only - cause of gastritis.

In fact, any word that ends in 'itis' means inflammation. For example, colitis is inflammation of the colon, arthritis is inflammation of joints, uveitis is inflammation of the eyes.

Most of the pain people experience is caused by inflammation. If tissues in your body are inflamed, you'll tend to feel pain there.

However, inflammation does not always cause pain and this is one of the most important lessons you can learn regarding your health because "silent" inflammation causes most of the diseases that afflict the Western population.

Chronic, long term inflammation can lead to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression, IBS, autoimmune disease and many other disease processes. These diseases don't appear over night, they are the result of a long term process.

H Pylori, Gastritis & Stomach Pain

H pylori infection always causes inflammation. This inflammation is generally located in the stomach and small intestine, where it is known as gastritis and duodenitis, respectively.

In some folk, gastritis and duodenitis will cause them to experience pain consciously, but other folk will not feel this pain. This is similar to the situation in celiac disease, where some people feel extreme pain upon eating gluten, whereas others feel no discomfort whatsoever, even though the gluten causes huge amounts of inflammation in the intestine.

Individual differences in the way we react to the H pylori infection, in addition to the specific strain of H pylori involved, seem to be the primary reasons why some folk develop stomach pain, heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms while others do not.

The most common symptom of gastritis is a burning pain that occurs between the breastbone and the bellybutton. The pain can either be worsened or made better by food.

Nausea, loss of appetite, bloating and other common digestive symptoms may also be signs of gastritis. Severe gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers or bleeding, both of which must be treated by a medical professional.

If you have severe pain, burning, nausea, vomiting - especially if you vomit blood or coffee-like granules - or if your bowel movements are unusually dark, seek medical attention immediately as you may have bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

Three Main Causes Of Gastritis

There are three major causes of gastritis:

First, H pylori infection is believed to be the number one cause of gastritis.

Second, NSAIDS such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Naxopren (Aleve, Naprosyn) are used to treat pain syndromes such as arthritis and headaches. They are available over the counter, without prescription.

They work by decreasing the formation of some of the body's pain signalling chemicals, known as prostaglandins. Gastritis and bleeding of the stomach are known to be side effects of using NSAIDS. For example, in one study it was found that the use of one adult strength aspirin per day triples a person's risk of being hospitalised for a major gastrointestinal bleed.璽?玲?/p>

Third, several diet and lifestyle factors may cause or contribute to the development of gastritis. Here are some of those factors:

• Alcohol consumption (alcohol is a major irritant of the GI tract)
• Cigarette smoking
• Dehydration
• Eating smoked, pickled and processed foods, for example bacon, salami, pickles, vinegar). Processed meats that contain nitrates and nitrites are preservatives are especially problematic.
• Spicy foods such as chilli
• Greasy foods containing processed vegetable oils
• Consuming gluten-containing foods (from wheat, rye and barley)
• Cow's milk products, especially when they are pasteurised
• Sugar consumption
• Coffee drinking
• Food allergies: common triggers include cow's milk, wheat, corn, yeast, nuts, eggs
• Stress (yes, stress has been shown to directly cause inflammation)

Overcoming Gastritis

Overcoming gastritis is not difficult. If you have digestive pain above your bellybutton, the chances are that you have gastritis.

So first, check your lifestyle against the factors listed above and correct any of these that need correcting. Remove problematic foods, stop smoking and talk to your doctor about whether you need NSAIDs.

If this does not relieve your symptoms, make sure that get a test for H pylori. You can get a test from your doctor. We recommend that you two tests: a stool antigen test and a urea breath test.

If H pylori is detected in your testing, you must take steps to eradicate the infection using triple therapy antibiotics or a well-designed herbal protocol such as the one I used when I had H pylori.

Once H pylori has been successfully eradicated, substances that are helpful in healing a damaged stomach and intestinal lining include DGL, zinc-l-carnosine, l-glutamine, cysteine or n-acetyl cysteine, gamma-oryzanol, colostrum and probiotics.

If you are experiencing very severe symptoms, I recommend that you ask for an endoscopy examination from your doctor or specialist. The endoscopy procedure can help you identify how severe your gastritis is. It can also determine whether you have developed stomach, or peptic ulcers, Barrett's esophagus, atrophic gastritis and other conditions, including cancer. A biopsy can also be taken during the endoscopy procedure to identify H pylori infection.

Do not underestimate your body's messages. If you have pain in your digestive system it means there is something wrong. H pylori can cause stomach cancer if it is left untreated. So what begins as simple gastritis can end up causing very serious problems.

Please don't take chances. Alter your diet and lifestyle habits and, if this does not bring relief, seek medical attention immediately.

Treatments for Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. It is considered a serious ailment and requires medical attention.

Ulcerative colitis is an ailment that causes inflammation in the bowels. The word "colitis" refers to inflammation (-itis, as in dermatitis, hepatitis) of the colon (col-). It is characterized by ulcers and open sores in the colon. More than a quarter million people in America are affected by it. While it is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, it is not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome which is also a bowel related ailment but is not serious in nature. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic ailment characterized by bowel pain, irregular bowel movements, discomfort and bloating.

Ulcerative colitis is very similar to Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive system from mouth to anus. The causes for ulcerative colitis can be attributed to many factors like genetic factors, diet and food habits, environment and some also classify it as an autoimmune disease - that is, the body's immune system turns against the body itself.

There are many treatments for ulcerative colitis that depend on the extent and severity. While irritable bowel syndrome can be treated rather swiftly by a few simple drugs, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease require serious medical attention. Chemotherapy is used more commonly than any other form of treatment and is used in more than 70% of the cases. It involves an initial drug course to initiate the cure, followed by maintenance drugs. A class of drugs known as aminosalicylates is used. Aminosalicylates include mesalazine, sulfasalazine, balsalazide, olsalazine and dipentum - although sulfasalazine has been known to cause side effects like nausea; vomiting; reduced sperm count; damage to blood cells, liver, kidneys, pancreas, nerves and hearing.

Corticosteroids are also used. Corticosteroids include cortisone, prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone and budesonide. Apart from these, immunosuppressive drugs and TNF inhibitors are also used. Also, some new drugs like Methotrexate, hepagrin and anti-integrin anti-bodies are being tested with varying degrees of success. Sometimes, surgery is also recommended for ulcerative colitis treatment. Besides there are many alternative treatments for this and nearly a fifth of the cases rely on these alternative treatments like dietary control, consumption of certain fats and oils, herbal medicine and bacterial recolonization.

Get Effective Relief With Natural Cures Of Colitis

The colitis affects the different parts of the colon which can be quite troublesome for a person. Different types of infections that are brought on by numerous diseases along with low blood supply are the two common causes of colitis. Ulcerative colitis is known to be the most horrible type of colitis in general according to various medical professionals. It can often lead to cramps which can be quite troublesome as you may not be able to carry out important chores during the day. Natural cures for colitis are certainly the best way to ensure that you do not have to face this issue again and again.

It is actually not surprising that not the same cure works for every individual since corrective measures need to be taken after knowing the extent of the problem. The reduction of fats and sugar is very important along with the addition of fiber in the diet. This type of diet will help in reducing the number of sores in the colon area. Fatty acid is also a good option as it helps in getting rid of the pain that you may feel due to the sores. This ingredient helps to keep constipation in control as well which can be an issue during colitis.

There are different symptoms that will detect the issue of colitis. You should keep a check on these symptoms so that you are able to go ahead for quick treatment. Loss of blood during bowel movements should definitely ring the alarm bells as it is certainly a symptom of some or the other disease. High fever and pain in the abdomen are some symptoms that will give you an idea about the issue of colitis. These symptoms may attack all at once or start to occur one after the other as well. You should not take a risk at any cost and get to the root of the medical issue by visiting the doctor.

It is a wise idea to transfer to a liquid diet for a certain period of time for getting rid of colitis. Diet plays a very good role in eliminating the condition of colitis. It is advocated that you do not indulge in food items that are known to affect your condition negatively. Liquid diets are suggested since it helps the colon to relax so that you do not have to be stressed about any pain. The best thing to do in any case is to maintain a strict and balanced diet so that you are not affected by the symptoms seen in various types of colitis.

Natural herbs are actually one of the best natural cures for colitis and you should try it out. Aloe vera is known commonly for its medicinal qualities and is also known to act well against colitis. The ulcerative colitis is stopped effectively with the use of aloe vera. It is highly effective as a body cleansing agent as well and is present in nature in high amounts. This is a very good way to clear your body of unwanted chemicals and get effective treatment against the disease. Research has also proved that over ninety percent of people suffering from colitis have got relief with the help of herbal treatments.

Monitor Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer often exhibits the same symptoms as other colon conditions. Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, and peptic ulcer disease show the same symptoms of colon cancer: red or dark blood in stools, changes in bowel habits, narrow stools, diarrhea or constipation, unexplainable weight loss, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, and anemia. In order to observe your symptoms better, it is also important to read up on other colon diseases.

The disease can be present for many years before symptoms of colon cancer even show. This is why the best thing to do to watch out for colon cancer is to undergo regular screenings, preferably those that entail fecal blood testing and colonoscopy.

Symptoms of colon cancer vary according to where the tumor is located. Because the right colon is spacious, tumors in the right colon can grow to large sizes before they even cause symptoms of colon cancer. As tumors have a tendency to bleed, cancers on the right colon cause iron deficiency anemia because of the slow, unnoticed loss of blood over a long period of time. It is all the more unnoticeable because the stool travels through the colon longer, so whatever blood is in the stool dries up and even becomes invisible. Iron deficiency anemia, in turn, results in fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath for patients.

On the other hand, the left colon is narrower than the right colon. Cancers of the left colon are more likely to cause partial or complete bowel obstruction. This type of cancer causes the following symptoms of colon cancer: diarrhea, constipation, narrow stools, abdominal pains, cramps, and bloating. If there is bright red blood in the stool, this can also mean that there is a cancerous growth near the end of the left colon or the rectum.
Go and see your doctor if you develop any of the following symptoms of colon cancer mentioned above. However, don't panic just yet. As mentioned, some of the symptoms can be indicative of another colon disease altogether. For example, while blood in your stool may be one of the symptoms of colon cancer, it may also come from hemorrhoids or minor tears in your anus. If you are constipated as a result of not drinking enough water and not taking in sufficient fiber, tough stools may scratch your rectal wall.

Additionally, certain foods, such as beets and red licorice, can cause your stools to turn red, while iron supplements and some anti-diarrhea medications often make stools black. However, it is still a good idea to visit your doctor at any sign of blood or other changes in your stools and bowel movement. After all, early detection based on symptoms of colon cancer usually result in complete cures.

Below is a complete list of the top symptoms of colon cancer. It will do no harm to visit your doctor as soon as you feel two or more of the following:

* Major change in your toilet habits, whether you move your bowels more or less

* Blood in your fecal matter, bright red or dried

* Stools that are thinner than usual

* Unexplainable dramatic weight loss

* Stomach pains, cramping or bloating

* Unexplainable fatigue

* Always feeling like you need to move your bowels

* Constant nausea and vomiting

* Iron deficiency anemia

* Abdominal pain, which is a rare symptom of colon cancer, and may exhibit itself as mere tenderness in the abdomen.

Ulcerative Colitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome are all the similar diseases with very minor variations. They all affect the bowel system. The symptoms are very similar to each other.
What are the underlying causes of irritable bowel syndrome?

Strictly speaking, the cause is unknown. Not that this disease has been neglected by the research fraternity, but the results are inconclusive, leading to several presumptions. One obvious presumption is that this is a type of allergic reaction to food; another is that that this is hereditary; while still another is that when the immune system of the bowels is weakened, it causes irritation of the bowels. But all said and done, none of these causes are actually identified to be the culprit.

What are the symptoms?
Some symptoms of Ulcerative colitis are diarrhea, loss of appetite, blood in stool, pain and cramps in the abdomen, fever, mucus in the stool, ulcers in the large intestine. An experienced physician can diagnose the disease using the results of colonoscopy which involves a biopsy of a swab of tissue from the colon. Monitoring depletion levels of important electrolytes like sodium and potassium by blood tests can also lead towards a diagnosis.

What is the best treatment for Ulcerative Colitis?
Conventional systems use two types of drugs. An occasional flare-up is usually taken care of by certain medicines. The symptoms subside until the next spurt which could be several weeks later. The other type of treatment is for more chronic cases where the drugs need to be taken regularly and at all times.

Of all the drugs used in this treatment, corticosteroids are prescribed for short term and the doses are tapered off. They are stopped for some time before being restarted. The reason being that, corticosteroids are known to weaken the bones if taken regularly for a long time; upset the body's delicate hormonal balance; and cause diabetes, glaucoma and even mood swings.

Some doctors resort to surgery as a last measure. But, this is an inconclusive step, since irritable bowel syndrome can still prop up in other healthy areas.

Treating irritable bowel syndrome with natural Aloe Vera shows encouraging results. Aloe Vera has an anti-inflammatory action on the inner linings of the intestines. Being a natural product, Aloe Vera is quite safe. There are no negative side effects other than regenerating dead cells in other parts of the body, including the intestines. Aloe Vera heals and if taken regularly, restores your digestion and absorption. With Aloe Vera you can continue your doctor's prescriptions for Ulcerative Colitis. Using Aloe Vera finally eliminates the unhealthy side effects of using drugs.

Clinical research is still going on in finding the cause and effective treatment for ulcerative colitis using allopathic drugs.

Massage Contraindications - Why Some People Cannot Receive a Massage

Massage therapy is a wonderful and beneficial form of holistic health care. Massage can provide stress relief, muscle tension relief, improve circulation, and the list goes on. But massage can be detrimental to your health if you have certain physical conditions, illnesses, or disease. You can also put your therapist at risk of contracting certain illness or disease if you are in a contagious state of health.

The term "massage contraindication" means you are not able to receive massage, or the massage may be limited to certain areas of your body. When you are contraindicated for a massage it is for your health and safety as well as the massage therapists. Not all contraindications mean that you will never be able to have a massage. There are two types of contraindications: local contraindications and absolute contraindications.

Local Contraindications

Local contraindications are conditions involving a pathology related illness/disease or an acute injury. These conditions mean caution must be exercised and the massage must be adapted to the condition. This is to ensure the safety of both the client and the therapist. For the client, the massage must be adjusted as to ensure it will not spread the condition, or further injure the client. For the therapist, it is to ensure the therapist does not contract the disease.

If you have what is determined to be a local contraindication your therapist may require a doctor's release before he will agree to provide you with a massage. While some local contraindications only require that you and your therapist discuss the condition and tailor the massage accordingly. In either case, it is the therapist that will make the final decision as to whether or not you will be able to receive the massage. This is done to protect your health and safety as well as the massage therapist.

A massage may be adjusted for a local contraindication in several ways. It can mean an area is to be avoided, such a the lower leg of a recently sprained ankle. It can require that the pressure be adjusted during the massage. The position in which the client is lying the massage table is adjusted, such as using a side lying position for pregnant women. It can also mean the time allowed for the massage be adjusted.

Some of the more common local contraindications include, but are not limited to: Abnormal lumps, Ance Vulgaris, athlete's foot, blisters, bruises, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Cystitis (Baker's and sebaceous), Decubitus Ulcers, Gouty Arthritis, Graves' Disease, hernia, Hyper and Hypothyroidism, infectious diseases, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, local inflammation, open wounds, Phlebitis, poison ivy - oak - sumac, Shingles, swollen lymph glands, ulcers, unhealed burns (sunburn if not widespread), Varicose Veins, and warts.

The following conditions will require a medical doctors clearance: Acromegaly, Aneurysm, Atherosclerosis, Burns, Cancer, Cerebrovascular accident, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, Hemophelia, Hodgkin's Disease, Kidney Stones, Leukemia, Myasthenia Gravis, Nephrosis, Peritonitis, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Uremia.

Absolute Contraindications

Absolute contraindications are conditions where you cannot receive a massage. Giving a massage to someone who has an absolute contraindication can result in serious health risks for the client and/or the therapist. Some absolute contraindications can even cause death to the client.

Not all absolute contraindications are permanent; meaning you may have a condition that, once it clears, you can receive a massage. These conditions are typically an illness such as a viral infection. Some conditions are permanent and unfortunately if you have one, you will not be able to receive massage. In either case, as long as the condition is in an acute stage, you will be denied massage therapy.

The following is a list of common, but temporary, absolute contraindications for massage: Chickenpox, Contact Dermatitis (if wide spread), diarrhea (if due to infection), fever, German Measles, Gout (during acute phase), Hepatitis, Hives, High Blood Pressure (unless controlled by medication, diet or exercise) Influenza (the flu), lice, Lupus (during a flare up), measles, Mononucleosis (mono), Mumps, Pneumonia, Ringworm, recent injuries or surgeries, Scabies, and Tonsillitis. This list is not definitive, but a list of the more common conditions that are absolute contraindications. These are all temporary conditions that once they have run their course, you can receive a massage.

The following conditions are a permanent condition that will prevent you from receiving a massage. These are serious conditions and if you receive a massage it can cause further health related problems or even death. Your massage therapist must be informed of these conditions. This is one of the reasons you are required fill out a health history form when you enter a professional massage therapists office.

Some common absolute permanent contraindications (this is not a definitive list): Blood Clots, Cirrhosis of the liver, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Embolism, Hypertension (unless controlled by medication, diet or exercise), Intestinal obstruction, Kidney failure, Lymphangitis, Myocarditis, Pericarditis, Pulmonary Embolism, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Syncope (fainting), and Tuberculosis.

While massage has many benefits certain conditions warrant caution. If you have a condition that has not been listed here, or you are unclear about whether you can receive massage, talk to your massage therapist and you family doctor. They will both be happy to discuss this with you. Remember, if you are turned down for a massage because of a condition you have, it is because the massage therapist has your best health at interest.

Ulcerative Colitis - Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid Of Colonoscopy

Most patients fear colonoscopy thinking that it is painful and postpone getting it done. It is however essential that this procedure is done to diagnose ulcerative colitis so that they can receive treatment soon.

When you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome either in the form of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, one of the most common medical tests that your physician will advice you to undergo is a colonoscopy. Many people fear just the sound of the word colonoscopy as they feel it is a painful invasive procedure, and postpone undergoing it resulting in their condition deteriorating. Getting the colonoscopy done sooner rather than later will help patients start treatment faster and reduce the possibility of surgery.

Most patients fear colonoscopy for the reason that they think it is a painful procedure. However, this is not the case. It is preparing for the colonoscopy that is difficult when you need to be evaluated to verify if you are suffering from ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The colon has to be emptied out completely before the colonoscopy procedure. This means not eating any solid foods 12 hours before the procedure. In addition, a laxative is usually prescribed along with fluids that are clear, so that the colon is cleansed completely before the procedure is carried out for diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome.

The actual colonoscopy procedure for diagnosing ulcerative colitis is relatively painless. The patient is usually given a sedative to ease any discomfort felt when the tube like probe with a miniature video camera at the end is inserted into the colon. In certain cases, a pain killer may also be prescribed if the patient requires it. Most patients who have undergone the procedure agree that they felt only a mild discomfort and no pain during the procedure. The test takes only 20 minutes if the inflammation is found to be mild and there are no polyps seen that requires removal. If there are any polyps found or a tissue sample need to be collected for doing a biopsy then the procedure could take approximately 45 minutes or more.

Since undergoing colonoscopy is almost painless, patients should not fear the procedure and postpone getting it done. As with other disorders, early diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is crucial to treating it successfully and keeping it under control. Undergoing a colonoscopy can help patients get diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome - either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease - and could help them receive medication sooner. Postponing the colonoscopy procedure can only lead to further complications and the possibility of surgery, this would be much more painful than the colonoscopy itself.

Blood in Cat Stool - Causes and Treatment For Hematochezia

Like humans, cats are susceptible to a lot of health risks. From time to time, a cat may suffer from cases of infection such as feline urinary tract infection, bladder infection and many more. Cats may also experience a condition called hematochezia.

Hematochezia is a condition characterized by the presence of blood in cat stool. Typically, the blood is bright red in color and is fresh. Hematochezia should not be mistaken for another medical condition where cat blood in stool is hardened, making the stool look tarry, dark, and black. This kind of condition is called melena. Both hematochezia and melena are common in cats.

The presence of blood in the stool of the cat may be associated with a minor disorder in your pet. However, in some instances, it may be a sign of a more serious problem. In younger cats, hematochezia may be a sign of the presence of parasites in the animal's intestines.

Factors that may cause the presence of fresh blood in the cat's stool are the following:

o Cancer of the lower bladder, medically known as neoplasia
o Trauma to the lower bowel or the lower anal area
o Presence of polyps or benign tumors in the rectum or colon
o Dietary intolerance
o Coagulopathy or blood clotting disorder
o Bacterial infections such as those caused by the bacteria E. coli, salmonella, and clostridia
o Viruses
o Protozoa
o Parasites in the intestines such as hookworms, tapeworms and round worms
o Colitis or inflammation of the bowel
o Ingestion of poisonous substance

Your first reaction upon seeing blood in your cat's stool may be alarm and anxiety. After all, who would not be alarmed at seeing blood in stool? Fortunately, although this condition in cats can be extremely alarming, there are certain remedies that may help solve the problem.

Since hematochezia may at times be caused by allergy or intolerance on the diet, you might want to consider changing the diet of your pet. If the animal has been on commercial and canned food, you may change its diet to homemade food. It is especially recommended to give your pet a bland diet, one that is rich in fiber and contains low levels of fat. Fatty foods are a no-no as they may lead to potential health disorders in cats.

If you are certain that the cause of hematochezia in your pet is the presence of parasitic worms, you may give it deworming medications. You may also give the animal antibiotics and other drugs to alleviate inflammation in its intestines and to control the rate of its food movement in the intestines.

If no improvement is seen in the feline despite the measures you have taken to stop the presence of blood in the cat's stool, the best thing to do is to consult the veterinarian. The vet can administer proper medical procedures to rule out the real cause of the presence of blood in the cat's stool. He can also prescribe the right treatment that is best for the animal.