I bet that you have heard of IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, before. It is one of the most uncomfortable and embarrassing conditions known to man. Perhaps that is why despite the fact that it is a recognized condition, not many people are open to discussing it.

So what is IBS exactly? According to Barbara Bradley Bolen:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a digestive disorder that many people have, but few people talk about. It is estimated that IBS affects up to 15% of the population with its symptoms of chronic abdominal pain and major disturbance of bowel functioning. IBS can entail bouts of urgent diarrhea, episodes of chronic constipation, or a pattern of alternating between the two.

Indeed, it could be quite common yet not as commonly discussed. What causes IBS? There are many theories as to what causes IBS but there is no clear cut reason as of today.

Dr. Bolen further states:

Researchers are not yet quite clear why people develop IBS. Often the disorder manifests itself following a severe bout of gastroenteritis, otherwise known as the stomach flu. Sometimes symptoms appear after the experience of an extremely stressful event. A high incidence of IBS in adults were the victim of sexual or physical abuse in childhood. As you can see, stress and IBS often go hand in hand, but the relationship is not yet fully understood. New research avenues are looking at dysfunction in the neurochemical systems of the gut and the brain to better understand the role that stress plays in the onset and maintenance of IBS symptoms.

Now that we’ve opened this topic and we’ve described IBS, let us look into its symptoms next time.

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In the previous post, we took a look at the condition called Irritable Bowl Syndrome, or IBS. This time, let us take a look at the symptoms of IBS.

Doctors generally use a list of symptoms to diagnose a patient. This is called the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria and it is used to differentiate IBS from other gastrointestinal problems. Here is the Criteria, as presented in the About IBS web site:

Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort** at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months associated with 2 or more of the following:

1. Improvement with defecation
2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
3. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

* Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis.
** “Discomfort” means an uncomfortable sensation not described as pain.

Other symptoms that are not essential but support the diagnosis of IBS:

• Abnormal stool frequency (greater than 3 bowel movements/day or less than 3 bowel movements/week);
• Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool);
• Abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete bowel movement);
• Passage of mucus;
• Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension.

There are other symptoms that may be present and these symptoms may not be gastrointestinal in nature. These include the following:

• Anxiety or depression.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Backache.
• Sleeping problems (insomnia) not caused by symptoms of IBS.
• Sexual problems, such as pain during sex or reduced sexual desire.
• Heart palpitations (feeling like the heart skips a beat or is fluttering).
• Urinary symptoms (frequent or urgent need to urinate, trouble starting the urine stream, trouble emptying the bladder).

Even if you do not have ALL the symptoms, you may want to consult with your doctor and see if you have IBS.

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If you think that you have IBS, the first thing that you should do is consult your doctor. It might be embarrassing, true, but that is really the best course of action to take. However, if you are like some people who would avoid going to the doctor at all costs, there are some things that you could do to alleviate your IBS symptoms. (Still, I am strongly suggesting that you seek professional help.) For your sake, though, here are some ways you can deal with IBS, courtesy of WebMD.

For some people who have IBS, certain foods may trigger symptoms. The following suggestions may help prevent or relieve some IBS symptoms:
• Avoid caffeine.
• Limit your intake of fatty foods. Fats increase gut sensations, which can make abdominal pain seem worse.
• If diarrhea is your main symptom, limit dairy products, fruit, or artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol or xylitol.
• Increasing fiber in your diet may help relieve constipation.
• Avoiding foods such as beans, cabbage, or uncooked cauliflower or broccoli can help relieve bloating or gas.

As you can see, these are only some ways by which you can deal with IBS. More so, these will only work IF your IBS is being triggered by certain food. If your IBS is due to something else, then the above suggestions may not really help you at all.

Another thing that could help IBS would be to exercise regularly. Aside from this, you can actually get medication to treat your condition. This is where professional help comes in.

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Traveling would perhaps be one of the biggest concerns of a person with IBS. If one were to merely stay at home, he would be able to do his business anytime without any inconvenience. Going out is another story altogether. So how can a person with IBS enjoy traveling? Here are some tips to make that vacation better, courtesy of the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD).

Allow enough time in the morning to get to the airport on time without worry. When traveling to and from your destination, bring an extra bag with a change of clothes in the event that your luggage is lost. Throughout your trip, always have a change of clothes with you, and bring a supply of tissue in case there’s none available where you are going.

Indeed, you never know when the symptoms may arise. Better to have time allowance so that you will not miss your flight.

When planning your trip, consider driving if possible. Some people may feel more comfortable traveling by car, because they can stop when necessary to use a restroom or take a break. There is a greater sense of control when traveling by car, as you don’t have to be on someone else’s schedule or timetable.

I would prefer to drive as well. This means you can stop anytime you need to. More so, you will be with people you know, avoiding embarrassing situations.

Divide your medication(s) into two containers; keep one in your hotel room and one with you at all times.

This is something that you should always remember. Again, you never know when you might need to take your medication.

More tips in the IFFGD web site.

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After all that hullabaloo about salmonella in U.S. tomatoes, things have finally died down. Thursday this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that tomatoes are safe for everyone’s consumption once again. This announcement is due to the fact that there are no more tomatoes coming from the producers which are being investigated.

However, the salmonella issue is not yet over it seems. Though we can have all the tomatoes we want in our salads and other food, we have to be careful when it comes to peppers. The authorities seem to be encountering some difficulties as to the exact source of salmonella contamination. Now they think that jalapeno and Serrano peppers may be the source. Another possible source is cilantro.

The bottom line is that the authorities still do not know what caused the outbreak. This, of course, raises some questions as to how effective the regulations and tracking systems are. As consumers, there is nothing we can do but make sure that our food is washed thoroughly, especially if we are eating them raw.

I suppose salad lovers are at the forefront of this issue. If you do not eat salads, though, then you probably do not have much to worry about as the whole cooking process normally kills any salmonella in the food. Then again, salad is good for you, so you should maybe get into the habit of eating it every now and then – as long as there is no salmonella.

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And I thought I have seen everything there is to see about “easy way out” weight loss products! Apparently I was wrong – I had not heard about the FitFlop, have you? These special flip flops are supposed to help you tone your legs (and bum I suppose) and give you more comfort than any other pair of shoes or flip flops. FitFlops seem to be the next big thing in footwear, especially since Oprah featured them in her show and has named them as one of her favorite items for the summer season.

Melissa Dahl, health editor at MSNBC, bought herself a pair and has this to say:

What the experts say: The FitFlops and, of course, the MicroWobbleboard, actually do provide some great fitness benefits, says msnbc.com fitness contributor Jay Blahnik, a Laguna Beach, Calif.-based fitness trainer who has worked with celebrities, including Jane Fonda. It just doesn’t provide benefits anyone really wants. The wobbleboard makes walking a little harder for your feet, which normally don’t have to work very hard during workouts, when they’re stuffed in cushy athletic shoes, Blahnik says.

I guess the bottom line is this:

“The concept of strengthening your feet – that’s a great concept, but it’s not going to lead you to smaller thighs or a smaller butt,” Blahnik says. He thinks the FitFlops might also help improve your posture and balance, which aren’t often at the top of my reasons to hit the gym.

I am not saying that you shouldn’t go out and get yourself a pair. All I am saying is that do not use firmer muscles for an excuse to buy one. You know what I mean?

Are you a woman who is between 50 and 79 years of age? Do you like to sleep a lot? Well, if you are, you might want to examine your sleeping patterns. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill reveals that too much sleep can increase the risk of stroke in middle-aged women.

A report by Reuters states:

The greatest increase in stroke risk — 70 percent — was noted among women who slept 9 hours or more per night, according to their report in the medical journal Stroke.

After following the group for an average of 7.5 years, the researchers found that 1,166 women experienced an ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. This prevents oxygen from reaching the brain and the brain’s tissue begins to die.

Upon further analysis, Chen’s group found that women with a sleep duration of 6 hours or less, 8 hours, or 9 hours or more increased the risk of stroke by 14 percent, 24 percent, and 70 percent, respectively, compared with sleeping 7 hours.

However, the study does not conclusively state that if women lessen their sleeping hours, their risk of stroke will be lower. Chen further states:

Our data do not imply that if women with long sleep cut their sleep hours they would be at a lower risk….Further studies are needed to help us understand the possible mechanisms involved in the associations found in this study.

Sometimes I wish that they would conduct further studies to give more conclusive information before releasing the results to the general public!

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We all know that smoking does nothing good for our health. Oh well, maybe, it helps some people keep those pounds away. Still, it does so at the expense of our overall health. But did you know that certain individuals have made it their mission to help people all over the world quit smoking?

Yep, two people by the names of Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, have donated a total of USD 500 million in between them. Their aim is to help promote a worldwide anti smoking campaign. The U.S. News reports:

Billionaires Bill Gates and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced yesterday that they’ll contribute a combined 0 million to a worldwide antismoking campaign, the New York Times reports. The new campaign, dubbed Mpower, will receive 0 million from Bloomberg’s foundation during the next four years, in addition to 5 million already donated. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation plans to give 5 million during a five-year period. Bloomberg has spoken out against smoking for years, but this is a new effort by the Gates Foundation, the Times reports. The campaign will encourage governments to raise tobacco taxes, ban smoking in public places, outlaw cigarette giveaways and kid-directed advertising, start advertising campaigns against smoking, and offer people help in quitting.

I have to admit, I admire these two people for giving this much to such a worthy cause. Smoking is a dirty habit and a very unhealthy one at that. I smoke and I know how hard it is to quit. I also know that quitting would largely depend on the individual himself. Then again, one would need all the help he can get to quit this nasty habit. Here’s one to Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg!

I am not talking about people killing other people here but health threats that are the most common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has data from 2003 (the most recent they have) of the top ten health issues that threaten the lives of the male population most. And they are:

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Unintentional injuries
4. Stroke
5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
6. Diabetes
7. Influenza and pneumonia
8. Suicide
9. Kidney disease
10. Alzheimer’s disease

So why are men more susceptible to these diseases that ultimately lead to death? There is no clear cut reasoning but researchers think that one reason may be the lifestyle of most men. Take note, this is not a sweeping statement as different men have different lifestyles. However, it is a fact that even in the most modern of societies, there are certain behaviors that are more acceptable for men than women.

The article on MSN Men’s Health section states:

Socially sanctioned “male” behavior also may predispose men to premature death. CDC statistics show men are more likely to smoke, drink, use illicit drugs and engage in casual sex than are women — all of which can increase their risk of serious diseases. Males are also more likely to take risks and behave aggressively, which may partly explain why they have a higher risk of dying from accidents, suicide and homicide. Young men are especially at risk. In young men, accidents, suicide and homicide are among the most frequent causes of death. In young and middle-aged men, AIDS is on the top 10 list.

Do you make it a habit to give your father a gift every year at this time? Or maybe at least give him a call to tell him how much you love and appreciate him. This year, maybe it’s time for a different kind of gift – a gift of health awareness. If you are a father yourself, you should reward yourself with this kind of gift as well. I am talking about three key questions regarding prostate cancer , as presented by the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).

The three questions are:

What could put me at risk for prostate cancer?
Is genetic testing for prostate cancer available?
If I decide to have genetic testing, what should I expect?

It may sound morbid to some people but I think we should all think in practical terms. I never thought that we would have a case of prostate cancer in our family but my uncle died of this disease 2 years ago. He was married to my aunt so we weren’t related by blood but still, the fact that I personally know someone who died of prostate cancer is enough to make me want to answer those three questions above, especially since prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in American men.

Is testing going to help? According to Angela Trepanier, president of the NSGC:

Genetic tests for prostate cancer can help save lives, but they can also raise more questions than answers. It is important that someone who has expertise in genetics helps you understand and interpret your risks, options and the impact that test results could have on you and your family.

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