Ulcerative Colitis Information

Ulcerative colitis surgery involves removing all or part of the colon, which includes the large intestine and rectum. Ulcerative colitis surgery is the only known cure for the disease, but it can often be controlled with medication and complimentary treatment programs including botanicals, vitamins, dietary changes and chiropractic therapy. There is no specific diet for someone with ulcerative colitis. Experts and healthcare professionals as well as those who suffer from the disease do not always agree on what foods to include in or exclude from a diet for someone with ulcerative colitis.

In an effort to delay or negate the necessity for ulcerative colitis surgery, many patients look for alternative and supplemental treatments. Some are unhappy with the side effects associated with their prescription medications, but even those who do research concerning alternative treatments do not recommend that anyone stop taking their medicine. It is important to control the disease. A special diet for someone with ulcerative colitis may not be enough. If symptoms are mild, then natural remedies and dietary changes may be effective, but it is a chronic disease, meaning it has a tendency to flare up again and again overtime. For this reason counseling and support groups are often recommended before and after ulcerative colitis surgery. Chronic diseases often lead to depression and/or anxiety. Anxiety can aggravate symptoms of the disease.

A diet for someone with ulcerative colitis should be well-balanced, on this point everyone agrees. Frequent diarrhea may prevent the body from being able to use essential nutrients. Frequent bleeding may lead to anemia. Vitamin supplementation, particularly with Vitamins D and B12, should be added to the diet for someone with ulcerative colitis. When symptoms are severe and cannot be controlled with medication or if the colon becomes so inflamed that perforation is a possibility, the only real option is ulcerative colitis surgery.

Foods to include in or exclude from a diet for someone with ulcerative colitis is a point on which there is little agreement. Some experts suggest that nuts, meats and eggs should be excluded while others say to include these foods. The best way to find an effective diet for someone with ulcerative colitis is to record what foods cause flare-ups and avoid those foods. A well balanced diet is one that includes a combination of fresh foods, salt and preservatives may aggravate symptoms. Products containing caffeine, sugar and other things that may have a laxative effect should be avoided. Alcohol and cigarette smoking should be avoided.

A special diet for someone with ulcerative colitis may not exist, but there are many diets that individuals have found effective. Eliminating certain foods from the diet may seem restrictive, but may help delay the need for ulcerative colitis surgery.

The fact is a healthy digestive system will produce a certain amount of mucus in the stool. The mucus acts like a lubricant which makes for an easier passage through the large intestinal canal.

However, if you notice more mucus than normal, it becomes persistent and is accompanied by blood, then you should visit your doctor for a check-up.

Reasons Why

Large amounts of mucus in the stool can be caused by a number of chronic digestive disorders.

Common examples include:

繚 Crohns disease

繚 Ulcerative colitis

繚 Celiac disease

繚 Colon or bowel cancer

Mucus in the stool can often be a sign of inflammation. When the digestive tract is irritated by certain foods the intestinal walls can react by producing a mucus like substance. This mucus acts as a way of protecting the sensitive lining of gut.

Bacterial Overgrowth

Many nutritional experts consider the most common cause of mucus in the stool is a bacterial overgrowth within the intestinal tract. This happens when your good bacteria is overrun by disease causing pathogens and yeast infections such as Candida.

A bacterial overgrowth is responsible for causing a number of digestive problems that include indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

A bacteria overgrowth is often a result of the type of diet you're eating. If you eat lots of processed foods and foods containing refined sugar and flour, then your risk of a bacterial overgrowth is higher.

Food Intolerances

Excessive mucus can also be caused if you're allergic or intolerant to certain foods. For example, gluten which is a type of protein found in wheat and rye is an irritant that can cause inflammation in the gut. This can also lead to bloating and diarrhea.

Milk can also be a problem if you've an enzyme deficiency. Lactose, which are the sugars in milk, need to be broken down by the enzyme lactase, otherwise it can cause excessive gas, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Certain people aren't able to produce this enzyme and milk can cause them distressing digestive problems.

To Avoid Mucus In Your Stool

Begin by avoiding foods that you've an adverse reaction to as these foods will cause inflammation. Therefore, avoid foods that contain wheat and milk.

With a bacterial overgrowth you will need to replace your lost intestinal flora in order to restore balance to your digestive system. This can be achieved by eating more natural foods that are rich in fiber, enzymes and prebiotics.

Good sources are fresh raw vegetables and fruit. It's also a good idea to boost your healthy diet with a good quality natural digestive health supplement.

The richest source of arabinogalactan is extracted from the Larch tree but it can also be found in leek seeds, carrots, radishes, black beans, pears, maize, wheat, red wine, Italian ryegrass, tomatoes, ragweed, sorghum, bamboo grass and coconut meat and milk. Once again the traditional medicines have beaten science to the punch, with the herbs echinacea and astralgus also containing significant amounts of arabinogalactan.

These herbs are well known for their immunity boosting properties. When you are fighting infection it has been shown that arabinogalactan can 'rev' up your immune system to attack the invader. Alternatively if your immune system is overactive, it can help to slow it down. Arabinogalactan works to normalise your immune system.

By far the most exciting research to date shows that arabinogalactan may be useful in helping fight cancer. It has been shown to stimulate natural killer cell activity and block the growth of tumour cells. Arabinogalactan also protects against the damage caused by radiation. The decreasing activity of the natural killer cells has also been noted as a marker in a variety of chronic diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome, viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

But the benefits do not stop there. Arabinogalactan also supports digestion by acting as a prebiotic. It provides food for the 'good' bacteria in the intestines enabling an increase in the production of the short chain fatty acids which are critical to colon health. It is common for many Doctors to use prebiotics to prevent and treat intestinal conditions like diverticulosis, leaky-gut, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.

One final note on this amazing glyconutrient, you do need to supplement arabinogalactans as it would be impossible to consume enough of the naturally occurring sources.

Aloe vera juice comes from the gel that is inside the thick succulent leaves of the plant.

This juice is taken as a drink which allows the aloe vera to work from the inside out. Despite the lack of formal studies on the actual benefits the juice, people have been taking it as a daily food supplement for hundreds of years and this method of internal healing is still very popular.

People drink aloe vera for several health reasons. It assists in detoxifying the liver and soothing the colon, as well as cleansing the bloodstream. Many people who suffer from a variety of diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis have found tremendous relief by taking a small quantity of aloe vera juice on a daily basis. Another of the benefits of this juice is that it has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal qualities so it actually helps the body to prevent many illnesses.

A lot of people drink aloe juice just because they feel it gives them a general sense of health and well being and more energy.

One of the downsides that a lot of people find with drinking aloe is that it tastes very bitter, and once opened it has to be consumed fairly quickly, because deterioration sets in when the juice becomes exposed to the air. There is a very pure form of aloe vera now available in the form of capsules, which give you all the benefits of the juice in a small capsule that you can carry with you.

These new Aloeride aloe vera capsules allow you to safely detoxify and heal your body from the inside out, and you get the same benefits of drinking 4 ounces of juice or gel without the horrible taste. In fact, these capsules are one of the most superior forms of aloe vera available, making them a very welcome alternative to aloe vera juice.

Your nursing assistants probably know that an "ostomy" is a surgical procedure that creates a special opening in the body connecting an internal organ with the surface of the body. But how much do they really know about ostomies? At your next CNA inservice meeting, try asking these 7 questions...and see if you get the right answers.

Ostomy Q & A for Your CNAs

Q: How many different types of ostomies are there?

A: There are many different kinds of ostomies. Each type is named after its location in the body. For example, a colostomy is located in the colon (the large intestine). An ileostomy is located in the ileum (the small intestine). A urostomy is located in the urinary system. An ostomy in the stomach is called a gastrostomy and an ostomy in the trachea (the windpipe) is called a tracheostomy.

Q: Only old people have ostomies, right?

A: No. There are people of all ages with ostomies. For example, some babies are born with defects in their bowels or bladders that require them to have permanent ostomies. And, many young adults have had ostomy surgery as a treatment for chronic digestive diseases like ulcerative colitis.

Q: Isn't odor a big problem for people with ostomies?

A: Well, odor can be a problem, but keep in mind that you've probably met a number of people with ostomies-and haven't even known it! There are several ways to deal with the odor issue. It helps to use an odor-proof ostomy appliance. And, there are personal care and nutrition tips for dealing with odor.

Q: What's an enterostomal therapist?

A: An enterostomal therapist-or ET for short-is a health care professional who has been specially trained to work with people before and after ostomy surgery. They assist with the physical and emotional needs of ostomates.

Q: Is an ostomy always permanent?

A: No. Sometimes, surgeons create an ostomy with the hope of reversing the procedure in the future. The ostomy gives the digestive or urinary system a chance to heal (from either disease or trauma). After a few months, another operation is performed to "hook up" the normal anatomy again. An ostomy is permanent when parts of the digestive or urinary system have been removed or were never present in the first place.

Q: I've heard of irrigating a colostomy. What's that all about?

A: Irrigation involves rinsing out the colon. Some colostomates perform this procedure as a way to control the timing of their bowel movements. (However, they still wear an appliance in case of a "surprise".) Irrigation can be risky and should only be performed according to doctor's orders.

Q: Some stomas are so red. Is that normal-and does a stoma hurt?

A: Most stomas are created from a piece of the intestines. Intestinal tissue is normally very red, but it has no nerve endings-so a stoma does not hurt.

An age old substance could offer new hope for sufferers of inflammatory arthritis and the more common osteoarthritis. That substance is frankincense, a resin derived from the hardy Boswellia tree. Frankincense has been traded for over 5000 years, and is best known for its aroma. It is commonly used in incense and perfumes.

Frankincense is also widely used in various religious rites, and was said to be among the gifts presented to baby Jesus by the biblical Magi, or wise men, along with gold and myrrh (a similar reddish resin). Frankincense is still burned in the Roman Catholic Church.

Frankincense has also long been valued for its medicinal properties. The resin is edible, and is used in Asian traditional medicine to aid digestion and promote healthy skin. Frankincense has also been used in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine for hundreds of years, and is called dhoop. Dhoop is used for treating arthritis, healing wounds, strengthening the female hormonal system and combating germs and mosquitoes.

Scientists have been investigating frankincense as a treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, asthma, cancer, and rheumatoid and osteoarthritis In 2008, researchers from John Hopkins University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reported that frankincense smoke was a psychoactive drug that relieved depression and anxiety in mice.

In another 2008 study at the University of California, 70 osteoarthritis patients taking a frankincense extract showed a significant improvement in their condition in less than seven days, with no major adverse effects. The extract was a proprietary product developed by Laila Nutraceuticals.

Recently, scientists from Cardiff University in Wales, noting that frankincense was a traditional herbal remedy for arthritis in the local Somali community, began to research it in the lab. Their research focused on whether and how extracts of frankincense could help reduce arthritic inflammation and reduce pain.

They were able to demonstrate that an extract of a rare frankincense species, Boswellia frereana, inhibited the production of key inflammatory molecules, helping to prevent the painful breakdown of cartilage that is characteristic of arthritis and gouty arthritis.

"What our research has managed to achieve is to use innovative chemical extraction techniques to determine the active ingredient in frankincense," explained Dr. Ahmed Ali, "Having done this, we are now able to further characterize the chemical entity and compare its success against other anti-inflammatory drugs used for treating the condition."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arthritis is the most common form of disability in the US, impacting nearly 21 million adults. Arthritis can be classified as either inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Inflammatory arthritis is characterized by the presence of inflammatory white blood cells in the joint fluid.

Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis, as is rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory form of the disease. Both forms are incurable, but can be managed with lifestyle changes and arthritis or gout medications.

Ulcerative colitis is a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It causes inflammation and ulcers-which are sores-in the lining of the large intestines [or colon] and rectum. These afflicted areas are red and swollen. The ulcers form when inflammation kills the cells in the lining. It is also characterized with pus and bleeding. At times, the patient may also experience diarrhea as among its symptoms. Men and women are at risk to such disease. It is more likely to occur in teens and young adults than in individuals at age 50 and above.

There are many factors that can cause Ulcerative Colitis. Experts say it may be caused by a combination of few factors like the environment, genes, and weak immune system. There is also no established connection between foods and Ulcerative Colitis because there have been very few studies done. The reason for this is because studies are only conducted if they show a profit motive, such as treating UC with drugs.

Nonetheless, patients should monitor their diet closely. Foods that may trigger the symptoms or worsen the condition must be avoided. In addition, foods for Ulcerative Colitis should be healthy and balanced.

The immune system plays a crucial role in the body's natural defense against disease-causing bacteria. For good health, the immune system should be strong. Foods that are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and fiber are among the best choices.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of these nutrients. Fruits to include in daily diet are oranges, grapefruit, grapes, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, apples, and bananas. They contain high amounts of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, and antioxidants and phytonutrients to fight off free radicals and other toxins.

Meanwhile, leafy vegetables provide fiber to aid in digestion. Some of these are lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli, to name a few. But, be careful with cabbage because it has been known to give many people with IBD problems. Nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, macadamia, and Brazilian nuts contain antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium, phytonutrients, and fiber. They are also good for the heart, and provide plant-based protein.

Organic fruits and vegetables have become more popular today because of how they are cultivated. Unlike the traditional and commercial fruits and vegetables, the organic produce does not use any artificial chemicals for pesticides and fertilizers. Experts claim that the nutrients in organic food are found to be 50% higher. The best thing about organic foods is the absence of harmful chemicals and toxins which can be detrimental to the health.

Besides fruits and vegetables, meats and other livestock food products like eggs can also be organic. This means that they are not fed with commercialized feeds. Rather, they are fed with natural foods. Organic chicken is one of the highest quality sources of protein around. In preparing chicken, it is best not to include its skin due to high fat content.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential unsaturated fatty acids found in flaxseed oil and algal oil and in fish oils. These essential acids are good in reducing the inflammation in patients with Ulcerative Colitis or IBD.

Part of a healthy diet is the fluid consumption. Water is efficient in removing harmful bacteria, toxins, and free radicals. Fresh fruit juices are also recommended.

Dark green poop does not imply that you are suffering from some internal infection but if your poop is accompanied with stomach ailments such as gas, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or bloating of the stomach, then you need to undergo a natural colon cleanse procedure. Listed below are top 5 causes behind your dark green bowel movements:

o The biggest reason for the abrupt change in the color of your bowel movements is the excessive consumption of green leafy vegetables. If you are consuming green veggies such as broccoli and spinach on a regular basis, your bowel may change its color naturally.

o Secondly, if you are consuming excessive quantities of breakfast cereals, red beans, red meat and spinach, you may suffer from dark green bowel movements. The reason why this happens is because they contain excessive amounts of iron, which in turn darkens the color of your stool as it cannot be fully absorbed by your intestinal tract.

o Thirdly, if you are consuming foods that use coloring agents, such as sherbet, drink flavorings and popsicles, you may once again suffer from dark green bowel movements.

o One of the main reasons behind your dark green poop is adverse side effects to numerous medications. In fact, excessive use of laxatives and antibiotics is also considered harmful for the body. Food poisoning could also be a major cause.

o Last but not the least, a few chronic abdominal diseases such as the irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, malabsorbtion of nutrients and a sudden overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the human colon can also change the color of your poop.

A Natural Solution

While dark green poop may not be a serious ailment, if it persists and brings with it chronic abdominal ailments such as abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas and indigestion, you need to cleanse your infected colon using a natural colon cleanse supplement. A colon cleanse supplement which is made from herbs has the ability to flush out blocked fecal matter, plaques as well as parasites from within your intestinal tract. This also gets rid of your dark green bowel movements permanently.

I used a natural colon cleansing supplement to get rid of my green bowel movements. In fact, it also helped me cure my chronic abdominal ailments with ease and allowed me to loose 32 pounds of body fat. For better results, I combined it with an acai berry supplement.

Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides or AMP are said to be long sequences of sugar molecules that are separately made up of mannose and glucose sugar molecules that are linked together. These AMP molecules are only one of the many, many constituents that can be found in the plant called Aloe Vera. What one has to understand is that it is the AMP in the Aloe Vera that is the only ingredient that is accountable for all the different healing properties that the Aloe Vera has been credited with. This helps in many areas of medicine especially in the autoimmune and the gastrointestinal sections of medicine.

In actual fact the mucopolysaccharides are a substance that is produced inside the human body and is accountable for the performance of many vital functions in your body. The sad part is that, once you attain puberty the production of this substance comes to a halt and the body has to look for other sources to attain it.

The Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides have very many benefits. it is anti-inflammatory thereby reducing and controlling inflammation, it helps to control the recurrence of diseases, in is an excellent intracellular antioxidant. It has high anti-bacterial and anti-viral functions, it helps to enhance the growth of tissues, improves cellular metabolism, augments the working of the immune system and adds on to the number of immune cells and is one of the natural, non-toxic substances that is said to have absolutely no side effects.

Studies have proved that the Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides can be broken into various chain lengths like small, medium, large and very large chains and it is said that each different length of chain can exclusively offer its own healing properties. As word spreads more and more people are turning to the many healing powers of this great miracle herb that seems to have no end to the hundreds of medical properties that it contains.

Inflammation is the underlying cause of Colitis. Colitis literally means inflammation of the colon. The chances are that if you have Colitis you will also have other signs of inflammation in the body as a whole such as skin rashes and joint pains. What is going on is that your body's immune system has got out of control and is working to hard - it's forgotten when to take a break! And it starts attacking your body by mistake. The main place this is happening if you have Colitis is in your colon, but there may be signs of inflammation elsewhere in the body as well.

Why You Need to Lower Your Inflammation Levels

o Inflammation is the root cause of Colitis

o When we become inflamed our body is literally attacking itself

o If you lower your inflammation levels you will have less aches and pains

o Inflammation is now thought to be the trigger for many other modern chronic diseases

Ways to Reduce Inflammation

Omega 3 Fish Oils

Omega 3 fish oils are one tool we can use to reduce inflammation in the body, not only that - they are good for your brains as well! There have been several studies showing positive results from the use of Omega 3 Fish Oils in people with Ulcerative Colitis. I take 4 grams of Omega 3 Fish Oils a day, and as an added bonus I find that my eyesight is clearer as a result of taking them.

Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Boswellia - is a herb that is often used in Ayurvedic Medicine from India. It has been found in studies to block chemical reactions involved in inflammation. It is safe to use and a study in 1997 of people with Ulcerative Colitis found that 82% of the people in the study who took 350mg three times a day experienced remission.

Turmeric - is spice often used in Ayurvedic medicine and is also used in Indian cooking. It contains a flavanoid called Cur cumin that is showing promise in the treatment of Crohn's and Colitis. It inhibits an inflammatory agent called NF kappa-B that has been linked to autoimmune diseases.

I take a combination supplement of Boswellia and Cur cumin daily as part of my treatment plan as well as the fish oils, I find both to be very beneficial to my Colitis and overall wellness.

Inflammatory bowel diseases include both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these are inflammation of the intestines. They lead to inflammation of the intestines, ulcers, bleeding of the intestines; the commonest symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain fever, fatigue and cramping.

Diet and nutrition are very important parts of the recovery process. This prevents malnutrition and rapid and severe weight loss. The dietary recommendations for ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel syndrome are the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids 8-10 servings on a daily basis. This is vital to keep the body hydrated and prevent constipation.

• Your dietitian will suggest a daily multivitamin -mineral supplement to make up for the lost nutrients.

• You must have a high fiber diet. Some patients like to have steamed vegetables better than eating them raw.

• When there is flare up, eat a low fiber, low residue diet. So that bowel gets rest and the symptoms are minimal.

• Do not take foods with lactose like diary if you have lactose intolerance. You can use lactase enzymes.

• During flare ups, you have to continue nourishing your body. Eat frequently small meals. You can take a high protein diet that will give you relief from IBD. You can take the pre-digested nutritional drink that the dietitian recommends.

• Minimize the intake of caffeine, alcohol,

• Avoid gas producing foods like cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, onions, carbonated drinks foods with high fat content causes diarrhea and gas in such patients.

It is vital to manage irritable bowel syndrome with healthy lifestyle habits and a diet plan which is rich in nutrients. This is crucial as IBS can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and loosing of essential nutrients. This can lead to anemia, fatigue.

Diet plan of ulcerative colitis should be rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, and good fats. This diet will give you energy. Your diet must have poultry, fish vegetables, margarine and oils. If you are a vegetarian you can have soy products.

It's been proven that stress can, without a doubt, have an impact physically. Stress related health problems occur when the body is in a frequent and prolonged state of mental or emotional stress. During stress the fight or flight reaction is triggered within the body causing physiological changes.

This is especially significant for those who suffer from autoimmune diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis, because the fight or flight mechanism specifically affects two parts of the Ulcerative Colitis equation: the digestive system and the immune system. When you are stressed it takes a toll on your physical health. If you have Ulcerative Colitis this means that symptoms of flares can intensify due to stress or that a flare can be triggered by stress if you were currently in remission. Stress is especially dangerous because it isn't nearly as tangible as other factors that can be problematic in managing disease such as diet, medication, physical fitness etc.

For this reason it is important to take steps to manage stress. In today's fast paced, high pressure world it seems almost impossible that stress could be altogether eliminated. It is important, however to recognize stressors and then take steps to manage stress to keep it at bay. One major source of stress is the workplace. In this article I will outline some suggestions for managing/avoiding workplace stress specifically.

1. Shut up and work

As if work isn't stressful on it's own. Add office drama to the mix and it becomes even worse. For some it is very difficult to keep work and personal life separate, but from experience let me tell you it's a good idea. It is all too easy for stress to creep in especially when you consider office gossip, negativity towards employer and coworkers discussed among employees, and the all time greatest source of unnecessary stress - office relationships. Most office and workplace environments generate plenty of stress naturally. Workloads, scheduling, deadlines, labor all of these are challenging enough. By keeping personal interactions to a professional standard while in the workplace you can go a long way towards eliminating a source of stress that really isn't even necessary to begin with.

2. Work with your employer to facilitate an understanding of your condition

Ulcerative Colitis will inevitably interrupt your professional endeavors. Unfortunately this comes with the territory. In order to be able to function with as much normalcy as possible its a good idea to make a plan of action while at work. In some cases you may have to suddenly leave a meeting or your workstation without warning. When things are at their worst you may be forced to call in or take off early. It's embarrassing to talk about Ulcerative Colitis, but it may be difficult to explain such situations otherwise. By sitting down with those who will be affected by these occurrences you can help them to know exactly why your behavior is as such. This will aid in helping make you and them more comfortable when the sudden emergencies are unavoidable. Not to mention this will protect you from possible disciplinary consequences that may result if your employer doesn't realize that your behavior is not your fault. By overcoming your fear of discussing an embarrassing topic, you'll be surprised at the stress and worry that will be lifted as a result.

3. Allot yourself extra time

No matter what it is you're doing Ulcerative Colitis will interrupt. For example, when you are trying to get ready for work or on your commute. For this reason it's a good idea to plan for extra time. Wake up early, leave a few minutes before you need to. If you find yourself constantly running behind because your symptoms are causing interruptions, you will become stressed and feel overwhelmed. By giving yourself a little extra time to cover an interruption that may occur, you can keep your day running more smoothly and ultimately with a little less stress. Also, being early is a simple and powerful example of professionalism and will gain you respect from your colleagues. If you plan for extra time and aren't bothered by an interruption your effort has not been wasted by any means.

4. Familiarize yourself with your organization's leave structure

Time off often becomes a problem for those with Ulcerative Colitis. Many in the past have been punished at work for attendance when Ulcerative Colitis was the reason. This is unfair because symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis can be debilitating and those who have been diagnosed also need more time off for medical appointments, surgeries etc. There is good news though. Since 2008 Ulcerative Colitis has been included in the Americans With Disabilities Act. Also known as the ADA. This means that employees with Ulcerative Colitis are afforded certain protections when it comes to work attendance. These include programs such as FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), STD (short term disability), and LTD (long term disability). There are strict guidelines, however, to protect the system from abuse. Study and know your options and resources for these programs. Knowing that your job is protected at times when you cannot work due to illness will be a huge stress reliever in every case.

5. Remind yourself that stress, to some extent, is a state of mind

It's important to know when stress is coming on and to make a conscience effort to stop it in it's tracks. In most occupations stress will be a factor. By recognizing and confronting those things that stress you at work you can begin to try to release that stress in attempt to manage it. If you have a particular task that stresses you each time it is presented learn ways to be your own comfort when you feel the stress working itself up. Tell yourself you've done it before, remind yourself that you were successful last time and you've "got it" this time as well. This is just one example, but the idea is that instead of just letting stress run it's course make it a priority to identify it before it takes hold. By doing this you can devise ways to turn the stressful thought patterns around. You may still have to take those stressful responsibilities on but by denying stress it's power over you, you may find that it is more manageable than you realized.

6. Identify those tasks that stress you most and determine if you can eliminate some of them altogether

It may be that you are taking on tasks that you really don't have to. Talk to your employer. Tell them the situation and see if the task can be given to other employees, divided, or even outsourced. Some tasks are more stressful for some than others and it may not be nearly as stress inducing for someone else to do if possible. This may not always be an option but every effort to eliminate stressors is a step towards less stress in your work life.

7. Consider a transfer of positions or even a career change

This isn't always very easy to do, but it should be examined as a consideration. Also, this is an option within the ADA protections. Another reason to become as familiar as possible with how the ADA and your employers leave structure is set up.

Work is a reality for the majority of us. It isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Don't make the mistake of just going in and telling yourself that there is nothing you can do to improve the amount of stress that you experience. Take a direct, informed, systematic approach to defeating stress. the outcome can be very liberating and beneficial to your health and well being.

Research has proven the importance of a GFCF diet (gluten-free and casein-free) for many of the following conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Celiac, Depression, Weight-Loss, Psoriasis, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Chron's Disease, Schizophrenia, Ulcerative Colitis, Chronic Diarrhea Cystic Fibrosis.

Many individuals have problems breaking down the proteins that are in diary called caseins and the protein in wheat, oats, barley, rye and spelt flours are called gluten. Illness occurs when the incomplete breakdown of the gluten and/or casein pass the intestines as peptide chains and enter into the bloodstream passing the blood brain barrier. The incomplete breakdown actually turns into casomorphines from the casein and glutomorphines from the gluten and transforms into an opiate. Opiates can cause any or all of the following side effects: clouded mental functioning, insomnia, diarrhea, impaired social connection, blocking of pain messages, dilated pupils, inflammation on the stomach lining and depression.

It is a vicious cycle that never ends. You eat the foods that one cannot breakdown properly and the result is inflammation, leaky gut syndrome, skin disorders, depression, weight issues, behavioral and mental issues.

Take heart, there is hope. One can implement a specialized GFCF diet and assist their body in healing while removing any toxic residue from the incomplete digestion of the offending foods. In addition, the daily use of adding digestive enzymes will lighten the burden of the body in the digestion process. Don't be overwhelmed since there are so many delicious and nutritious alternatives to explore to eat. There are numerous cookbooks and local health food stores will offer gluten-free and casein-free products from snack bars, flours, deli meats, dinner dishes, breads, cakes and more. Read all the labels before consuming anything. Educate and empower yourself.
Let Food Be Thy Medicine and not Thy Poison.

GFCF diet support groups available at http://www.coachforhealthyliving.com.

You or a family member have been diagnosed with colon cancer and you want to know what caused this cancer. Doctors don't know the exact cause of colon cancer, but they do know that it usually starts as small growths on the inside of the colon called polyps. These polyps can take years to grow large enough to be seen during a routine colonoscopy and then it takes several more years for those polyps to become cancerous.

While the exact cause of colon cancer is unknown, there are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing this cancer. A risk factor is something that can raise the chances of you developing cancer or another disease. Some risk factors, such as age, cannot be changed while others, such as diet, can be modified and reduce the risk. The risk factors for colon cancer range from age to hereditary diseases.

The first risk factor for colon cancer is the most common. It is your age. Approximately 90% of all colon cancer cases are found in people over the age of 50. Many of these cases have no other risk factors, making this the most important factor in developing this cancer. This is why many doctors suggest getting a colonoscopy as part of your annual exam starting at age 50.

Another risk factor for developing colon cancer is your family's medical history and any hereditary diseases that may affect the development of colon polyps. If a member of your immediate family (parents, siblings, or children) has had colon cancer, you are more likely to develop it. The risk depends upon how many relatives have had it, how old they were when they were diagnosed and if the history spans multiple generations. This is referred to as a strong family history of colon cancer and may be caused by genetic mutations. These mutations are more common in certain ethnic groups, such as Jews of Eastern European heritage. If this is your case, you may want to have a blood test to check for any genetic mutations.

These genetic changes can cause several conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). All of these genetic conditions can develop into colon cancer, if left untreated. These conditions are rare and few of the people diagnosed with colon cancer actually have them.

Your medical history also contributes to your risk of developing colon cancer. Your risk is higher if you have had any cancer in the past. Large polyps, even after removal, can increase your chances of developing colon cancer. There are also certain diseases that can increase your risk of colon cancer, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The final - and easiest to change - risk factors are diet, exercise and habits. A high fat, high calorie and high protein diet has been shown to increase the chances of you developing colon cancer. This type of diet may also contribute to another risk factor, weight. Lack of exercise also contributes to your risk. You can minimize these three risk factors by making some simple changes such as eating more fruits and vegetables and beginning exercise. These two changes will help you lose weight and improve your diet. Smoking and drinking also contribute to colon cancer risk. Some studies have shown that smoking increases your chance of developing colon cancer. Alcoholics are also at an increased risk for colon cancer because of their alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that drinking more than 2 drinks a day increases the risk of colon cancer.

Flare up symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be controlled by natural remedies and also medication. While herbs like turmeric, aloe Vera and Boswellia have a major role in controlling the inflammation; patients should also avoid high fiber diets and cut down on stress.

An inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis causes inflammation in the lining of the colon and rectum and is characterized by open sores and ulcers. Its main symptoms include diarrhea accompanied by frequent watery and bloody stools and abdominal cramps. Due to the similarities in symptoms, it is often confused with Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, which is actually a functional bowel disorder.

A far more serious disease compared to Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis requires immediate treatment. Regarded as an intermittent disease, patients suffering from ulcerative colitis experience painful flare up symptoms in the form of loose stool and severe abdominal cramps from time to time. Several natural remedies as well as medications are available for controlling flare-ups. The remedial treatment is based on the symptoms a patient experiences and looks to control the pain, ulcers and inflammation and also improve the overall health.

Apart from prescribed medications, remedies for ulcerative colitis flare-ups include taking herbal supplements and also nutritional supplements in the form of vitamins and minerals.

Probiotics - A gut friendly bacteria, probiotics is mainly taken in the form of VSL-3 and helps control the inflammation of the colon.

Turmeric - Having strong anti-inflammatory properties, it also helps fight infection and even has a role in preventing cancer.

Aloe Vera - Taken in the form of gel capsules or drunk as juice, aloe vera helps in controlling ulcers along with reducing inflammation. It also helps in healing other digestive tract and stomach ailments.
Boswellia - Taken in the form of capsules, Boswellia has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and thus helps control abdominal cramps, loose stool and stabilizes bowel movement.

Nutritional Supplements - Frequent loose stool leads to the loss of essential body fluids and nutrients leading to weight loss and fatigue. Thus, patients suffering from this disease must take multi-vitamin capsules to make up for the loss of nutrients. Iron supplements help in controlling anemia, while Vitamin E being a strong anti-oxidant, has anti-inflammatory properties, prevents bleeding, and also boosts the immune system.

Moreover it has been seen that diet has a major role in the flare up of the disease. Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis should avoid fiber-rich foods like whole wheat bread, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, alcohol, caffeine and red meat. Removing fibers from the diet results in lesser formation of undigested residue and thus helps in controlling the frequent loose stools. Although oils should be avoided as much as possible, omega-3 fatty acids present in fatty fish like tuna, sardine and mackerel help in reducing flare up symptoms and controlling inflammation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Colitis is the term for inflammation of the colon or large bowel or intestine. The rectum is the very last part of the colon. When it is inflamed the term proctitis is used. Understanding the causes and treatment of colitis requires a basic understanding of the colon and inflammation.

The beginning of the colon is called the cecum. It begins in the lower right portion of the abdomen where the last part of the small intestine (ileum) empties into the large intestine. This part of the colon is also where the appendix attaches. The segments of the colon in order from the beginning of the colon or cecum going distally are ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid colon and rectum. One of the major jobs of the colon is to recycle water for the body. When the entire colon is present and healthy the stools have only enough water in them to remain soft and easy to pass, but not so watery or loose that leakage occurs and dehydration ensues. When a large part of the colon is removed or when the colon is significantly injured the stools are very watery and frequent.

Inflammation is the body? response to infection or suspected attack or irritation. Inflammation of a body area is labeled by adding the suffix ??itis??to the body part, hence tonsillitis when tonsils are inflamed and appendicitis when the appendix is inflamed. Recognized since ancient times, inflammation has been classically described by the presence of signs and symptoms of redness (rubor), pain (dolar), heat (calor), swelling (tumor) and impairment of the function of the involved organ or tissue. If you have arthritis, joint inflammation; the joint is red, swollen, painful, warm and is stiff, preventing normal function.

In colitis the colon is usually quite red and swollen appearing when seen by colonoscopy (scope exam of the colon). Abdominal pain and impaired function occurs resulting in diarrhea because the damaged colon loses some of its ability to absorb water. If enough damage occurs to the lining sloughing of the surface cells occurs with passage of bloody stools, mucus, and even the appearance of tissue.

Inflammation has cell and fluid components. The cell component includes various white blood cells. The type of white blood cells found in the lining of the intestine determines the cause and effect on the intestine. Fluids include chemicals secreted to fight infection or presumed infection that can cause damage to the colon lining.

Colitis can be acute (self-limited) like E. coli infection or chronic like in ulcerative colitis. Causes of colitis include infections, ischemia (poor blood flow), food allergies, food protein intolerances, lack of normal bacterial flora or stool (after antibiotics, diversion after a colostomy), radiation injury, chemotherapy induced low white blood cell counts (neutropenic), or idiopathic (unknown cause).

Chronic colitis is one of several types of inflammatory bowel disorders or IBD for short and should not be confused with IBS the term for irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) does not involve any colon inflammation though it was referred to in the past as mucus colitis because of common symptom of excess mucus in stools or spastic colitis because of the common complaint of painful spasms of the colon that commonly occur in IBS. Biopsies of colon tissue in irritable bowel syndrome are normal and do not show signs of inflammation therefore it is not considered an inflammatory bowel disorder.

The food allergy expert-the food doc Dr. Scot Lewey reviews in more detail the various types of colitis, their causes and treatment in part II of this series. In the future href=?ttp://www.thefooddoc.com??target=?blank??www.thefooddoc.com will offer online help for colitis, Crohn's disease, food allergies, food intolerance, Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

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Take it from me: an ulcerative colitis diet can be very helpful in relieving the symptoms of this painful disease.

Here are some facts about whether an ulcerative colitis diet can help you and tips for implementing a program that works with your lifestyle.

The Symptoms

Though the causes of ulcerative colitis are unknown we do know what it does; it causes problems in the large intestines and rectum. Symptoms of this disease can be anywhere from slight abdominal pain to severe weight loss--more severe still, there are sometimes complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

Because certain foods are known to be triggers of attacks, a specially-designed ulcerative colitis diet can sometimes be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of this often debilitating disease.

What is an Ulcerative Colitis Diet?

A typical diet for this disease will have you eating small amounts of food throughout the day. This helps to avoid overloading the intestine and possibly triggering an acute attack. It will also be low in fatty foods like nuts, beans, bran, popcorn and seeds; consumption of fats is also a common trigger.

Does it Work?

A diet of this kind will commonly allow only small amounts of dairy. Typically, a diet plan for ulcerative colitis is the same as any nutritionally-based diet. Full of protein, good fats, fruits and vegetables and grains while limiting fat and sugar intake.

Foods to Avoid

Though there is no scientific evidence that any specific foods cause flare-ups in the disease, people who suffer from this disease have found triggers that are common to them all. Some of them, like alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks, are things that should be avoided in any diet; at least in excess.

Dried fruit, beans, and foods containing sulfur or sulfate as preservatives are also prone to causing attacks. The list continues with spicy foods, nuts, some meat, popcorn, high-fiber foods, seeds, raw vegetables, and things that contain sorbitol.

Balancing Life With a Colitis Diet

The trick with ulcerative colitis is balancing medications with a diet. In some cases, a person may choose to avoid medications in favor of a diet.

Similarly, some may choose to take medications and eat whatever they desire. However, these plans work best in conjunction. The medications are primarily designed to heal damage, while the diet plan is designed to minimize the damage before it is done to the body.

Importance of Nutrients

More important than the diet, though, is a vitamin regimen. Because the disease is so depleting, nutritional supplements are essential to the health of the sufferer. Without these, medication or a diet plan will not do much good.

If you or a loved one are suffering from this horrible disease, rest assured that there are things that can help. An ulcerative colitis diet plan can help alleviate the symptoms, and can even prevent some occurrences. Though the cause is unknown, and there is not yet a cure, there is always room for hope. Until then, though, consider managing your symptoms with a specially-designed diet plan.

Many patients suffering from ulcerative colitis have been observed to have abnormalities of the immune system. However, it is not known if these abnormalities are a cause or are a result of this type of irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease. Many doctors opine that in case of ulcerative colitis the immune system reacts abnormally to bacteria present in the digestive tract leading to an inflammatory and ulcerative condition.

Inflammation in case of ulcerative colitis resulting from an abnormally functioning immune system leads to the formation of sores called as ulcers in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. These ulcers form in areas where the epithelial cells lining the colon and rectum have been lysed due to inflammation. These dead cells then bleed and produce pus that in turn leads to an infectious condition. Inflammation also increases the urge to clear the large intestines thus causing bleeding diarrhea.

Since inflammation is a major cause for ulceration in ulcerative colitis, the disease is also termed as inflammatory bowel syndrome. If the inflammation occurs deeper within the walls of the intestines and also occurs in other parts of the digestive tract including mouth, esophagus, stomach and small intestines then the same condition is termed as Crohn's disease.

As a result of inflammation, patients might also suffer from other inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, eye inflammation, liver diseases and osteoporosis. Although the exact reason as to why symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome occur outside the colon is not known, it is postulated that inflammation caused by the immune system might be the predominant reason.

Other causes of ulcerative colitis have been outlined as stressful lifestyles, emotional problems and allergies to certain types of foods. These three are also known to lead to inflammatory conditions. No wonder then that people suffering from any one, two or all three of these are more prone to suffer from Crohn's disease.

In consonance with the fact that ulcerative colitis appears to be caused by inflammatory reactions, its treatment also involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids and immunomodulators. Being a systemic problem involving the immune system rather than just the colon, there is also a chance for contracting cancer if it is left untreated. Therefore, timely treatment of irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease is mandatory not only to relieve oneself of its unbearable symptoms but also to overcome the risk of suffering from cancer.

Thus, those suffering from ulcerative colitis might also have immune system abnormalities that in fact might cause the inflammatory condition.

The peptic ulcer damages the lining of either the stomach or the duodenum.The symptoms of indigestion caused by peptic ulcers may harm a person by a severe pain.They can be treated with medicines, but without treatment serious complications may appear.There are two kinds of peptic ulcers: one is gastric and the other one is duodenal ulcer.The diameter of peptic ulcers is between 1-2cm,which seems with a mouth ulcers.

One to ten people at some point in their lives are affected by the duodenal ulcers, especially younger men.Stomach ulcers are more common. The peptic ulcer may be acute or chronic.One of acute ulcers may heal without any long term consequences. On the other hand chronic ulcers are deeper and they causes symptoms leaving a scar even they heal.The stomach contains acid which helps to protect the body from infection.The stomach and duodenum has its lining covered in mucus which protects it from acid.When the stomach produces excess acid an ulcer may appear.

There are some factors which leads to the apearance of the peptic ulcer like: infection with bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori; certain medicines like aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac;smoking and alcohol.In many cases the majority of people have abdominal pain, below the chest bone,but there are also people without symptoms.In the case of gastric ulcer a sharp pain may occur soon after eating, and the pain caused by the duodenal ulcer is relieved by eating or by drinking milk. Other unpleasant symptoms of the peptic ulcer are belching, general discomfort in the stomach,loss of appetite,nausea, vomiting, loss of weight.

Nowadays there are many tests that deals with the detection if there is any infection with H. pylori, needed in the diagnosis of the gastric or duodenal ulcers or even for stomach cancer.Through several methods we may see if a person has or has not peptic ulcer. One of these methods can be realized by breath or by blood test to observe the presence of H. pylori. Another method is the one with a given substance to swallow called barium, which appears white on X-rays.The X-rays may show the presence of an ulcer.The gastroscopy is another method which uses a tube called endoscop with a fibre-optic cable; the last one being passed through the mouth and into the stomach.

If any person accuse such kind of pains should immediately consult a doctor.