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OPTIMIZE YOUR HEALTH JULY 2006 This month the Center providers focus on common gastrointestinal disorders. Throughout the newsletter you will see the theme of how an integrated approach can be so helpful to people who suffer with GI problems like our mock married couple, Mary and John, who are generally compatible with each other—except in the area of diet and gastrointestinal health. Mary, 48, suffers from chronic constipation despite plenty of fiber, water and, at times, laxatives. John points out that her stress and anxiety adds to her symptoms, but Mary doesn’t really see the connection. John, on the other hand, is never too far from a restroom. He believes his GI tract is aggravated by white flour, his fast food lunch diet, and work stress. However, he is simply not ready to make any changes, dietary or otherwise, even though Mary has been trying for years to influence his nutritional choices. To John’s dismay, he recently fell off his motorcycle and fractured his left wrist and ankle. Imagine his shock when his doctor told him he needed a bone density test because his X-rays showed that he might have osteoporosis to predispose him to fractures! Somehow Mary knows that his bowel issue is a clue to his osteoporosis. But both Mary and John were surprised to learn that osteoporosis is actually not all that uncommon in men after all. Read on to find out how the Center might approach help for this couple. MEDICAL NEWS
Read more about the endocrine and GI systems...
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEWS
All the evidence is there: cognitive behavioral therapy, with or without hypnosis, beats medication for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Does that mean that IBS is all in one’s head? No! But the fact is that people who have IBS are very likely to also have increased levels of depression, anxiety, and hyper-vigilant attention to one’s physical symptoms. Teaching people some basic cognitive skills, plus relaxation, is incredibly beneficial. In one study, people who received a 10 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) had a 73 percent improvement of symptoms, compared to people who were simply put on a wait list. This is not just significant; it is downright impressive! Find out more about the psychological treatment of IBS...
NURSING PRACTICE NEWS Celiacs disease, also called celiac sprue, is an autoimmune, inflammatory disorder of the small intestine, resulting from wheat ingestion. Gluten, which is wheat protein, triggers an inflammatory reaction in the small bowel, causing a decrease in the amount of surface area available for nutrient, fluid, and electrolyte absorption. Symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, weakness, weight loss, anemia, fatigue, thinning of the bone, rash, or no symptoms at all. Also, with severe celiac disease, there is an increased incidence of small intestine lymphomas and adenocarcinomas. Learn more about celiacs disease...
EXERCISE NEWS
Although Mary and John have different bowel habits and situations, safe and effective exercise programs could significantly benefit them both. At the Center we use a team approach which could help Mary identify that her stress and anxiety could be aggravating her GI symptoms. Since Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be aggravated by stress, Mary would benefit from an individually designed exercise program by the Centers’ Physical Therapist. Exercise is well documented to help manage stress and anxiety, and a lack of physical exercise can actually lead to constipation. Read more about exercise and gastrointestinal health...
NUTRITIONAL NEWS
While there is no specific diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Mary and John may be able to get some relief by making individualized dietary modifications. How can they target the symptoms of IBS with diet? True food allergies are very uncommon, however, research has shown that many IBS sufferers have food sensitivities and that symptoms decrease when the offending foods are exposed and eliminated. The only practical way to assess which foods might trigger IBS symptoms is to avoid the foods then reintroduce them. A Registered Dietitian is the best health care provider to help you with this process. Attempts to uncover the offending foods without professional help may fail and aggravate symptoms. Read more about IBS and diet...
RECIPE OF THE MONTH Take advantage of the summer’s abundance of vine-ripened tomatoes to make a Mediterranean Tomato and Basil Salad. They’re delicious and healthy too!
SEXUAL HEALTH NEWS
I am writing this from the AASECT conference in St. Louis, where a passionate group gathered to learn from one another how we can improve the sexual well-being not just of Americans, but individuals worldwide as membership becomes international. Our sexuality is truly at the core of our identity and personality. Our gender and orientation are part of how we experience the world and are defined by it. The way in which we relate to one another in our most intimate relationships and the expression of love and caring through sexual activity can be one of life’s primary joys. Thus, I would like to share with you highlights of the conference.
SUPPLEMENT CABINET Lactobacilli are symbiotic and make up some of the 400 normal flora in the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Lactobacilli are used therapeutically as probiotics, the opposite of antibiotics. They are considered "friendly" bacteria and are taken for the purpose of re-colonizing areas of the body where they normally would occur. The human body relies on the normal flora for several functions including metabolizing foods and certain drugs, absorbing nutrients, and preventing colonization by pathogenic bacteria. Lactobacilli seem to provide nutritional benefits including inducing growth factors and increasing the bioavailability of minerals. Lactobacilli also stabilize the mucosal barrier and decrease intestinal permeability. Learn more about lactobacilli...
Probiotics and Fiber on Sale - 5% OFF During July and August, the following products are 5% off.
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