 Your
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A Look at IBS, Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis
By Janet Rowe of Health & Natural LifestylesLet’s first
look at what these disorders are, and why these conditions occur:
Crohn’s is a noncontiguous disease characterized by a chronic ulceration of
the digestive tract. This ulceration extends through all layers of the
intestinal wall and involves the entire digestive system from mouth to the
anus, as well as the adjacent lymph nodes. Often the affected part of the
intestine heals, leaving scar tissue that narrows the passageway.
IBS is a very common condition in which the large intestine or colon fails
to function properly. Usually the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard
enough and cause food to move too quickly or too slowly through the
intestines. Symptoms include abdominal pain and distension, more frequent
bowel movements with pain, or relief of pain with bowel movements.
Constipation, diarrhea, excessive production of mucus in the colon,
indigestion such as flatulence, nausea as well as varying degrees of anxiety
or depression are also factors. Research suggests that people with IBS seem
to have a colon that is more sensitive and reactive than usual to a variety
of things, including certain foods, stress, alcohol, smoking and abuse of
pharmaceutical drugs and hormones. The immune system, which fights
infection, is also involved through the lymph nodes and small intestine.
Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic disorder in which the mucous membranes
lining the colon become inflamed and develop ulcers, causing bloody diarrhea,
pain, gas, bloating and at times, hard stools. This can range from very mild
to severe. The cause is Helicobacter Pylori bacterium with contributing
factors including poor eating habits, stress and food allergies.
Diverticulitis, usually in the sigmoid colon can result, as can enteritis
and ileitis. All may result in a “leaky gut”.
The gastrointestinal tract can be very complex and can be influenced by an
array of contributing factors or combinations of the same. Why are there
more of us women suffering with these conditions? Contributing factors for
these nasty disorders include stress and nerves, eating disorders,
antibiotics, dieting, diet supplements, poor diet filled with sugars, fast
food or skipping meals, plus hormones, pregnancy, yeast/fungus overgrowth,
parasites, toxic build-up, chemical/metal toxicity, being overweight,
untreated viruses, and lack of fibre, water, good bacteria and exercise.
Wow! How many of those things are you currently living with, or did in the
past?
So how can we manage or correct our gastrointestinal complaints? All of
these disorders have some commonalities and contributing factors in their
symptoms and/or condition, so obviously we need to start our program with
eliminating the contributing factors, and cleansing the toxic body.
It has been proven that all of these conditions have a stress or nervous
system connection, that there is indeed a connection between emotional
over/under eating, bowel movement consistency and diarrhoea or constipation,
usually triggered by stress of deadlines, exams, and negative emotions.
Nerves lead to the small intestine from two divisions of the autonomic
nervous system: parasympathetic nerves initiate muscular contractions that
move food along the tract (peristalsis), and sympathetic nerves suppress
intestinal movements. There is also some belief that an abundance of
progesterone can effect the travel time of food. So incorporate positive
thoughts and actions inclusive of exercise and stretching, and other
relaxing techniques such as meditation, yoga, etc. Change how you choose to
handle stress. Set your daily intention with positive thoughts and actions.
Parasites, yeast, fungus, chemical metal and general toxic buildup are seen
in all of these disorders. Continuous cleansing in all of these areas is
important for everybody. We have all had poor dietary habits, and lack
water, fiber and exercise at one point or another and possibly years.
Cleansing the gastrointestinal tract of yeast, Candida and parasites along
with cleansing the liver, pancreas bladder, kidneys, etc., is required to
gain back the GI health.
Hormones can have an effect through the stress on several glands and organs
such as liver, thyroid, pituitary, pineal and female/male anatomy hormones.
For example, if your uterus is swollen due to menstruation or endometriosis,
or your bladder is infected, or you have hemorrhoids/fissures, these things
can all affect the bowel movements as well. Imagine how tight the cavity can
get with swelling and inflammation.
Besides cleaning up your diet of all dairy, wheat and sometimes gluten, and
washing or peeling fruits and vegetables, there are ways of getting your
digestion functional and normal again, with lasting results through
maintenance. Find out what your contributing factors are and how to handle
them. Homeopathics, herbs, probiotics, essential fatty acids, enzymes and
balancing of glands and organs can all make a difference in the time of
recovery.
Dried Blood analysis can reveal indications of what is happening with your
digestion from stomach to anus, the toxicity levels and the order in which
treatment should be approached. This allows you the proper guidance for
getting your relief and maintenance plan for a pain free life with normal
bowel movements forever.
Remember to always work on any disorder on a holistic basis treating the
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual side together for balance and
healing. Look after your gastrointestinal disorders as soon as possible
before they affect other parts of your body. Disease starts in the
gastrointestinal tract and has now been linked to the beginnings of
disorders such as arthritis, cancer, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, etc. It
is important to learn how to look after your digestion today.
Janet Rowe, owner of Health & Natural Lifestyles Inc., offers Live &
Dried Blood Analysis & a variety of therapies & therapeutic supplements.
Call 403.212.6077 or visit
www.healthy-option.com |
