How to Prevent Antibiotics Side Effects With Probiotics

Probiotics have been proven to prevent and treat common antibiotic side effects such as

• upset stomach


• diarrhea


• vaginal infections

Some form of antibiotics, such as especially cephalosporins, clindamycin , or fluoroquinolones, induce colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine, in some individuals. This type of colitis is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium difficile, which is resistant to many antibiotics and which proliferates in the intestines when other normal bacteria in the intestine are destroyed by the antibiotics.

You can protect yourself from these uncomfortable side effects by following these guidelines:-

• take an extra dose of probiotics a few days before taking antibiotics. An extra dose could be an additional 10 billion CFU of probiotics supplement or a serving of yogurt or kefir.


• during the period of antibiotics intake, take two or more doses of probiotics in the day time. Take probiotics at least 3 hours apart from antibiotics. Taking both at the same time simply defeats the purpose as the friendly bacteria will be totally destroyed by the drug.


• obtain variety of bacteria by taking yoghurt and kefir or supplements with six different bacteria strains.


• use saccharomyces boulardii, a non-pathogenic yeast that works like a probiotics. Antibiotics can only kill bacteria and cannot eliminate yeast.


• keep on taking an extra dose of probiotics a day for one week after the completion of antibiotics medication to replenish the good bacteria.


• support the growth of your good bacteria by eating a diet high in fiber.

Note to People with Yeast Infections/Candida and/or Milk-Sensitivity

• Supplements works best if you are sensitive to the cow's milk in yoghurt and kefir or if you have Candida. Brands like UAS Labs and Natren carry the dairy-free version.


• 
  Saccharomyces boulardii is completely unrelated to candida, the yeast responsible for yeast infections. Rather, S. boulardii is recommended by nutritionists for the treatment of Candida overgrowth. Research has also shown that this form of yeast is effective against Clostridium difficile infection. Florastor is a well-known brand for this health promoting yeast supplement.

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment

Ulcerative colitis treatment begins with a definitive diagnosis and a determination of the severity of illness. Once this initial diagnosis has been made, the immediate goal of treatment is to reduce the painful physical symptoms associated with it. Since there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, the long-term goal of treatment is to prevent future onset of illness, or relapse.

Both ulcerative colitis, and a related disorder called Crohn's Disease, are characterized by an abnormal immune system response within the intestines. In patients with ulcerative colitis, the location of this response is restricted to the large intestine, or colon. The resulting inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal walls can cause abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding, the main symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Due to the fact that other health conditions may exist that exhibit similar symptoms, care for ulcerative colitis begins with a confirmation of this initial diagnosis. This includes taking stool samples to rule out the presence of parasites or an existing infection within the colon, and performing blood tests to detect elevated white blood cell counts (high white blood cell counts indicate that the cause of inflammation is due to the activation of the body's own immune response).

A visual examination, either directly using a sigmoidoscope or a colonoscope, or indirectly via a barium enema, will help make the final confirmation that colitis is in fact the culprit. These visualization techniques are an essential step in ulcerative colitis treatment because they allow the physician to measure the severity of the illness, and therefore to figure out the best course to minimize the symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Medications play a large part in both the initial treatment and long-term care for ulcerative colitis. These medications fall into two main categories: immunomodulators, which alter the proteins produced by the immune system which cause inflammation, and anti-inflammatory medications, which act to reduce the inflammation directly. Although these medications do not cure ulcerative colitis, they can induce remission of its symptoms and lengthen the time between relapses. As such they offer an ulcerative colitis treatment option that many sufferers take advantage of.

Very rarely, ulcerative colitis is treated surgically. Although surgery is the only true cure for the disease, it is inherently risky and therefore often reserved only for cases in which prolonged inflammation of the colon has resulted in life-threatening complications.

Although research has not yet shown any correlation between diet and the initial onset of ulcerative colitis, a low-fat, bland diet may alleviate some of the symptoms during periods of disease activity. Similarly, a healthy, balanced diet may help to prolong periods of disease remission.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis mentioned above, make sure you visit your doctor right away for a thorough examination. If you do have this disorder, your doctor will help you determine the best ulcerative colitis treatment for your particular case.

The Colon: What It Does and What Can Go Wrong

Consisting of the large intestine, the rectum, and the anus, the colon is quite possibly one of the most important organs in your body. It is part of a complex system designed to eliminate food waste and the waste generated by your body as effectively as possible and is the part of the body where bowel movements are created out of digestive matter for excretion.

Aside from water and sodium, the colon is usually not associated with the absorption of food nutrients which is technically the job of the small intestines. However, the colon plays an extremely important role in overall health. It is the site of the fermentation of food materials that the small intestines cannot absorb (i.e., soluble and insoluble fibre) by bacterial flora. This is the reason why dietary probiotics have started to gain popularity in recent years. Bacterial flora in the colon are responsible for producing vitamin K-2 which has been shown to aid in proper blood clotting and the formation of strong bones. As a matter of fact, it is believed that one of the reasons why Japanese woman from Okinawa (an area famous for it's high number of centenarians and high average life-span) have much lower incidences of osteoporosis is that they consume healthy bacteria in their diets which increases the amount of vitamin K-2 that their colons absorb.

Evidently, the colon is an important organ for overall health, however things can go wrong. Like most bodily organs and tissues, the colon is susceptible to infection, inflammation, and cancer. There are a variety common conditions that can affect your colon:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition in which the muscles of the colon contract abnormally, causing diarrhea, constipation, cramps in the abdomen, bloating, and gas. It can be managed through dietary changes/food avoidance and medications.

Colitis

Colitis is an umbrella term referring to several conditions characterized by inflammation of the large bowel. The different types of colitis include ulcerative colitis (cause unknown), Crohn's disease (cause unknown), ischemic colitis (when there is a lack of blood going to the colon), infectious colitis (the result of infections of the large bowel), and radiation colitis (caused by radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer).

Symptoms often depend on the cause of the colitis but common symptoms include abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea, bloody stools, joint pain, nausea and vomiting, and a constant urgency to go to the bathroom.

Much like the symptoms, treatments also depend on the cause of the colitis but may include immune moderating medications, antibiotics to target infections, dietary changes, and possibly surgery if necessary.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticular disease consists of diverticulosis (where small pouches form in the colon when it is pushed through small openings in surrounding muscle walls) and diverticulitis (when these little pouches become inflamed). There is no official cause but it is believed that a diet low in fiber can lead to diverituclar disease.

Symptoms include cramping, bloating, and constipation if only diverticulosis is present but can include lower abdominal pain and nausea and vomiting if it becomes diverticulitis.

Surgery, medications, and dietary changes are usually the only common treatments for diverticular disease.

Cancer of the Colon and Rectum

Cancer of the colon and rectum occurs when the cells that make up the lining of the colon begin to reproduce uncontrollably. This leads to the formation of tumours which can ultimately be fatal. The first sign of cancer of the colon or rectum are pre-cancerous polyps, or small protruding growths on the tissues of the colon. These in themselves are not yet actually cancer but can develop into a serious cancerous growth.

There usually no symptoms associated with pre-cancerous polyps but once cancer of the colon or rectum occurs, symptoms may include blood in the stool, bowel obstruction, anaemia, and abdominal pains.

Treatment for cancer of the colon or rectum resembles the treatment of many other cancers and involves either chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or some combination of the three.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is recommended that you advise your doctor so that together, you can rule out any of the above conditions. You may also like to look into some medical diagnostic tests such as the common colonoscopy or a small bowel follow through procedure, as they are the ideal way to catch any problems early before they worsen.

What Is Ischemic Colitis?

Ischemic colitis is a colon condition that occurs when a section of the colon is not getting the blood supply it needs. As a result, it grows larger than it should and becomes inflamed. It is called ischemic colitis because the word ischemia is a medical term that's used when there's a blockage in a blood vessel. The word ischemia is also used to describe coronary arteries when blood flow around the heart is obstructed by plaque. This, of course, is the main reason for a heart attack.

Ischemic colitis generally occurs on the left side of the colon, but blockages may occur anywhere. Happily, it is often mild and goes away in a few days, whether it is treated or not. Chronic cases are possible, however. Sometimes the condition becomes so severe that permanent damage to the colon can result.

Ischemic colitis happens for several reasons. Colon cancer is the most serious of these. Atherosclerosis is another. Atherosclerosis is a build up of fatty deposits on blood vessel walls. Blood therefore has less room to flow to organs and tissues, which can lead to cell death and tissue destruction. Atherosclerosis is often the cause of chronic ischemic colitis. Blood clots account for some cases too.

Ischemic colitis can take place in conjunction with several other disorders, including hernia and diabetes. Certain medications can also trigger the condition, but this is rare. When it does happen, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), estrogen replacement medications, and migraine relievers are generally the cause. Anti-psychotic medications and blood pressure medications are other possibilities.

Abdominal surgery sometimes results in temporary ischemic colitis, as do infections involving certain kinds of bacteria.

The most frequent - and obvious - symptom is abdominal pain that can appear either gradually or suddenly. Pain in the upper abdomen after a meal could be a symptom of gallbladder problems, but it could also be ischemic colitis. Abdominal discomfort is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a slight fever. Some symptoms are downright unpleasant and can certainly be disconcerting or even frightening. These symptoms include diarrhea and a frequent, powerful urge to move your bowels. Blood often appears in the stool, and individuals with this disorder may even pass blood without stools.

As mentioned above, pain and discomfort usually occur on the left side of the colon. If you start feeling discomfort on the right side, it could mean there's a blockage in blood flow to the intestines. Such blockages can be serious and should not be taken lightly due to the possibility of tissue death. This can cause a medical emergency that requires surgery, making it important to get to a doctor right away.

Crohn's Disease Activity Index

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the alimentary tract and can affect any part of it, from the mouth to the anus. It typically affects the terminal ileum and well -demarcated areas of the large intestine.

Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) is a measure of the progress or lack of it, in patients suffering from Crohn's disease. It is used for the detection of post-operative recurrence of Crohn's disease. The equation enumerated below, utilizing eight selected variables, is called Crohn's Disease Activity Index.
CDAI = 2x1 + 5x2 + 7x3 + 20x4 + 30x5 + 10x6 + 6x7 + (weight factor) 8
Each number in the above equation is multiplied pertains to certain factors.

These factors range from the number of liquid or soft stool that a patient passes to the hematocrit measure. Fluctuations in the weight are also considered to be serious factors influencing the CDAI. The other factors considered in the index are abdominal pain ratings on a scale from 0 to 3. General well-being is also factored in a scale of 0 to 4.The symptoms or findings related to the disease are given due importance. The number of incidences of administration of the specific drug, Lomotil for diarrhea is also a factor considered in the equation. Abnormal mass of a patient constitutes yet another parameter for calculating the activity index.

Hematocrit is an important measure of both the number and size of red blood corpuscles. The normal count in males is supposed to be 47 whereas females generally have a hematocrit value of 42.

Generally speaking, CDAI scores below 150 indicate a better prognosis than higher scores. Index values of 150 and below are associated with inactive disease, values above that indicate active disease, and values above 450 are seen with extremely severe disease. Crohn's disease activity index may identify patients in remission. However, many researchers use a 'subjective value' of 200 to 250.

CDAI is used to gauge only the progress by comparing the readings from one week to the next and determine if the patient of Crohn's disease is getting better or worse. Patients of the disease have to use the CDAI on a regular basis and view it as a personal gauge to measure progress.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - What Triggers Rheumatoid Arthritis?

One of the most prevalent types of arthritis afflicting people of different races and of any age is Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The disease appears earlier than osteoarthritis at anytime of a persons life from infancy to old age but it usually upsets people in their 20's to 40's. Women are more prone to acquire the disease than men although this is evened out when the men reach their 50's.

The most familiar place for this kind of arthritis is in the foot, hands, wrists and lastly the ankles. But most cases are found in the foot where more joints are put under a lot of pressure. As a joint disease, it is also symmetrical in which it affects both joints of the body involved.

An acute illness accompanied by high fever with intense inflammation of the joints could mark the start of a rheumatoid arthritis. But the cause of the disease is unknown and its existence among children known as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis has been dubbed as a mystery.

Several views have been provided to explain the occurrence of the disease. One such view postulates that the body's antibodies, produced to fight against infection, actually attack the joints which results in swelling and redness. The cartilage and bone may eventually be damaged as the inflammation spreads to the tissues around the joint.

The study of genetics has found a certain chemical marker among those positive with rheumatoid arthritis leading to the belief that a virus or a bacteria actually triggers its development. Some say that sudden and traumatic injuries like ankle sprains would eventually have the affected joints to be vulnerable to the disease in the future. Symptoms may also develop through severe stress, obesity that aggravates most arthritic conditions and bowel disorders like colitis.

Treatment for the disease does not include its cure as there is no existing cure for it. But treatments are available to relieve pain and discomfort. Drug therapies are available to control the spread of the disease which in its severe form could affect other parts of the body. Aspirin and ibuprofen as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used.

Cortisone shots or steroid injections may also be helpful to relieve intense pain. Drugs known as DMADs are also available if NSAIDs does not work. Surgery is sometimes the last resort if all the other traditional means are ineffective to ease the pain and the progression of the disease.

Among children, the disease is outgrown while older people get stuck with it for a long time. Children are afflicted around 5 to 16 years old where diagnosis is quite difficult because they could easily find ways to ignore the pain. Even if they do get treated for the disease or the disease may go away, the chances that it will come back in later years is high. Its treatment is different from that of the adult rheumatoid arthritis especially on its drug medications.

Children or adults afflicted with the disease are encouraged to do exercise to strengthen their bones and help them move but it should be guided by a therapist. Proper treatment of the disease and any other alternative plan of action after the diagnosis should be discussed with your doctor.

Crohn's Disease Symptoms And Natural Treatment

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the general term for inflammation diseases of the small intestine and colon. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is another form of IBD.

In Crohn's disease, the inflammation is generally in the lower part of the small intestine. But CD can also affect the entire digestive system from mouth to anus. Colitis, on the other hand, usually only occurs in the lower colon or rectum.

Crohn's Disease Symptoms and Complications

The range and severity of Crohn's disease symptoms can vary. This makes CD complicated to diagnose. However, the most common symptoms are:

o Abdominal pain, generally in the lower right area,

o With the pain being accompanied by diarrhea.

Other common Crohn's disease symptoms are:

o Rectal bleeding,

o Weight loss,

o Arthritis,

o Skin problems,

o And fever.

Persistent rectal bleeding is serious and can lead to anemia. Children with CD often suffer from malnutrition, delayed development and even stunted growth.

The most common Crohn's disease complications are:

o Blockage and narrowing of the intestine from inflammation and scar tissue;

o Sores or ulcers in the bladder, vagina or skin that often become infected;

o Small tears called fissures, which develop in the lining of the anus;

o Nutritional deficiencies caused by poor diet, loss of nutrients or mal-absorption;

o Arthritis, skin problems, inflammation of the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones and development of diseases of the liver and biliary system.

Who Gets Crohn's Disease and Why

A tendency towards Crohn's disease often runs in families, affecting both men and women. About one out of every five CD patients has a blood relative with IBD problems, usually a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child. Scientists are not clear if this connection is genetic or environmental, relating to diet and other family habits.

It's difficult to distinguish between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, since they both have such similar symptoms. These include:

o Abdominal pain and cramping,

o Frequent and often bloody diarrhea,

o Loss of body fluids and nutrients,

o Poor appetite, weight loss

o And persistent fatigue.

Medical tests are therefore necessary for the accurate diagnosis of an IBD.

Neither the specific cause nor cure is known for CD. Drug therapy and surgery can relieve symptoms, but do not offer any cure. Most patients are usually treated with anti-inflammatory medications, which have unpleasant and often serious side effects.

Most Crohn's Disease patients also need to avoid foods they personally find upsetting. This varies from one patient to another, but these usually include highly seasoned foods, raw fruits and vegetables and high lactose dairy products.

Natural Help for Crohn's Disease

Several recent studies reported in the Journal of Gastroenterology have shown that natural anti-inflammatory omega 3 fish oil, high in EPA, DPA and DHA fatty acids, can reduce the severity of inflammation from Chron's disease by more than 50%.

Taking fish oil also allows those suffering from the pain of inflammation from CD to discontinue potentially harmful anti-inflammatory and steroidal medications.

Because of the symptomatic loss of nutrients and dietary restrictions, natural, full spectrum food supplements, including pure, non-toxic fish oil capsules, are highly recommended to insure the nutrition necessary to stay as healthy as possible.