Behaviour Linked to Gut Bacteria Chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are often associated with anxiety and depression. The intestinal bacterial content of these patients is less diverse than that found in healthy individuals and its composition can become unstable over time.1 In a small study recently [...]
Polluted Air Affects Appendicitis We already know that air pollution hurts the environment, makes our cities smoggy, smells bad, can damage our lungs, and causes many other ill effects. Recent evidence now shows that it could also increase the incidence of appendicitis. The appendix is a tube-shaped sac extending 3-6 inches from the ascending colon, [...]
Diverticular Disease Updates Diet Plays a Big Role in Diverticular Disease & Other New Insights Diverticular disease (also called diverticulosis) is characterized by the presence of small sac-like out-pouchings (diverticula) of the colon lining, which balloon through the outer colon wall. Symptoms can include constipation, diarrhea, or alternating between the two stool extremes. Many individuals [...]
Peppermint and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Pain Relief Famous botanist, Carolus Linnaeus, was the first to describe peppermint, a sterile hybrid of spearmint and watermint, when he collected it in England in 1753, but people used peppermint as a medicine for centuries before this. Alternative medicine practitioners have implemented peppermint with a number of beneficial results, [...]
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) As many as 20% of Canadians suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic, often debilitating, functional gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms that include abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel behaviours.1 IBS can also involve numerous other colonic symptoms. There is an increasing body of evidence showing that [...]
Functional Dyspepsia: Highly Connected to Other Illnesses If you have a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, you know that managing it can be difficult enough on its own; however, new research reveals that individuals suffering from certain GI disorders are also more likely to have other health problems. Past research has demonstrated that people with irritable bowel [...]
Two Thoughtful Ways to Avoid Bitterness When we have a bad experience, or fail to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge, many of us let these experiences roll off our backs and we move forward only slightly affected. However, according to Carsten Wrosch, a psychology professor from Montréal,1 for those who are unable to [...]
Baking Soda for Heartburn Health practitioners commonly accept baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, to be effective in providing temporary, occasional relief of acid reflux. It works because it has an alkaline pH, which helps to neutralize the acidity in your stomach, working in a similar manner to many over-the-counter antacids. Consult your physician before using [...]
Stomach Ulcer Diet Ulcer disease is a condition in which open sores develop in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. They can occur in the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer), stomach (gastric ulcer), and esophagus (esophageal ulcer). Contrary to long-standing common belief, stress does not cause ulcers. Instead, the leading cause of [...]
Acute Pancreatitis and Alcohol What and How You Drink Can Affect Your Risk The pancreas is a flat gland (that secretes hormones to regulate blood sugar levels) and digestive organ (that produces digestive enzymes) located behind the stomach. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. There are two forms of this disease – acute and chronic. [...]
GERD on the Rise Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common, chronic condition caused by the backflow of stomach contents, such as gastric acid, into the esophagus. The main symptoms include a burning, pressure-like sensation in the chest (heartburn), the sensation of food or liquid rising up the esophagus, and a bitter or sour taste [...]
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