When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.
Most people expect the occasional episode of nausea, gas, or diarrhea, but some people experience these problems frequently or so often that it's chronic. There are several issues that may explain the increase in gastrointestinal problems.
Food Intolerances
Food intolerance are probably the most common cause of gastrointestinal distress. Since these problems can be hard to identify, you may experience issues for a prolonged period before you find the culprit. Common food intolerances are gluten and lactose, but there are plenty of foods that may be irritating to your digestive system. The easiest way to figure out if you have a food intolerance is to do an elimination diet. Leave out gluten, dairy, oils, and spices for a couple of weeks to see if you notice any improvements. Once you reach a point where your digestive system seems okay, add back one potential culprit at a time until you notice what is causing the problem.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional problem with the intestines, and the exact cause is not well understood. Some people notice certain foods or situations exacerbate the problem. It can be common for women to experience more IBS symptoms near their menstrual cycle, and most people find stress is another trigger. People with IBS typically have more issues with either constipation or diarrhea. Most of the prescription medications available for IBS are geared toward people with primarily constipation symptoms. Avoiding food triggers and eating a cleaner diet might help some people with IBS. Since stress is a significant trigger, finding ways to keep your stress to a minimum or developing better coping skills may also help.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of autoimmune diseases that affect all or part of the digestive system. It may be easier to identify IBD because the symptoms are frequently severe and persistent, which may include bloody stool. Poorly-controlled IBD can cause permanent damage to the digestive system, such as ulceration and obstructions from scar tissue. When significant damage occurs, surgery may be necessary to remove or repair the diseased portion of the digestive system. Once the problem is identified, medications can be prescribed in hopes of preventing the immune system from attacking the digestive system. These medications are usually injectable treatments that are taken weekly.
Prolonged gastrointestinal problems are often resolved by eliminating problematic foods. If you realize there are no specific foods contributing to the problem, seeing a gastroenterologist can help you identify more serious problems that might be the underlying issue.
Share22 July 2019
