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Showing posts from June, 2009

How to tell if your baby has diarrhea?

While a severe case of diarrhea can alarm even the most unflappable parents, rest assured that in the United States most cases of diarrhea are relatively mild and don't pose a major health threat as long as your baby doesn't get dehydrated. But dehydration can be very serious, even fatal, in a baby, so it's crucial that you make sure your baby is getting plenty of liquids. What causes diarrhea? Here is a long list of bacterial infection. It might also be the result of a parasite, a course of antibiotics, or something he ate. Viral infection Bacterial infection Ear infection Parasites Antibiotics Too much juice Food allergy Milk protein Food intolerance Lactose intolerance Poisoning

What is Diarrhea? Normal & Loose/Excessive Bowel Movements (Diarrhea)

What Is a Diarrhea? Diarrhea (Greek dia = through, rhein = flowing) means having more than three bowel movements, or passing more than 300g of watery stool daily (1). NOTE: American English spelling is diarrhea, UK English spelling is diarrhoea.

FODMAPS - Help With Diet

Diet with Low FODMAP: This includes Fructose, fructans, sorbitol, raffinose. Symptoms of Gastrointestinal disorder include abdominal pain, bloating, wind, reflux, diarrhoea and/or constipation. FODMAPs are a collection of small chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbable in the body. Fermentation of FODMAPs in the distal small and proximal large intestine stimulates such conditions in the bowel that lead to releasing gas, boost intestinal permeability, an inclination factor to growth of Crohn's disease. FODMAPs are a group of poorly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates in the diet because of their osmotic consequences (diffusion of molecules through a semi-permeable membrane until both sides balanced), increase fecal output following colectomy and ileal pouch formation or ileorectal anastomosis (IRA).

Bicarbonate as Remedies for Gastroenteritis

Role of bicarbonate and base substances in treatment of acute gastroenteritis Regardless of its aetiology, a dramatic decrease in the morbidity and mortality associated with childhood gastroenteritis have been seen due to widespread use of oral glucose-electrolyte rehydration solutions (ORS). In developing countries, diarrhoeal disease continues to be the most common cause of death of children. More researchers making efforts for optimizing the effectiveness of ORS, because of its simplicity and economy. Different compositions of "ideal sodium and glucose" are now recommended in the developing and industrialized world. The addition of bicarbonate or a base substance (citrate, acetate, or lactate) in ORS is generally assumed to be necessary, both for increasing absorption of water and sodium and correction of acidosis. Since early days, the use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) has increased. Bicarbonate or a base substance is included in the World Health Organisation (WHO)

Wheat Gluten Celiac Disease Symptoms

Can Adults build up Food Allergies? It is also possible that you’ve not paid any attention to your gluten intolerance symptoms. The illness is infamously under-diagnosed because diagnosis takes some study and consideration.  What is Celiac Disease? Although Celiac Disease occurs as immune system response to protein in wheat, but Celiac Disease is not particularly a wheat allergy. A wheat allergy, like other known allergies, is the reaction of white blood cells (basophils) and mast cells (Immunoglobulin E or IgE for short). If your physician decides that your gluten intolerance symptoms are a result of gluten consumption, you may be having celiac disease. Celiac Disease is an immune system response of small intestine. Clinical tests, blood and/or an intestinal biopsy, can diagnose the presence of a Celiac Disease. It is possible that you have gluten intolerance despite negative test results. Gastro-intestinal problems are major symptoms of gluten intolerance including diarrhea, flatulen

Mucus in Bowel Movement

Mucus membrane of large intestine produces a clear, white, or yellow jelly like substance, Mucus. Other organs of the body such as lungs also produce Mucus. In intestines, the prime object of mucus is to protect inner lining of the intestine and to ease the passageway of stool. Mucus in Bowels is Body’s natural immune response. Just like the situation when you suffer from a cold, your nose produces mucus. How Mucus is produced by Immune System Lymph nodes comprises of small tissue masses in various parts of the body. These lymph nodes contain protective cells. When some infectious agent tries to penetrate in the body, some of the infectious cells will always pass through the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes destroy any harmful organisms. When an infectious agent such as a bacteria or virus somehow escapes the lymph nodes, the body tries its next stage of immune response by increasing the blood flow to the infected area. By applying this method, the body supplies additional amount of white

How to Stop Heartburn Caused by Wheat and Cereals

If you are experiencing heartburn almost all the time, and are in a habit of keeping antacid pills in your pocket all the time, then read in details: The stress and strain are referred as the major cause of heartburn but there might be other reasons of heartburn, especially if this is accompanied with an unpleasant contraction below ribs in left side of your body as well as an often diarrhea. Pancreas and spleen is situated below the ribs, and it's the spleen which is the cause in this case. If you have feeling of contraction, your spleen might be working too hard. The spleen acts as a lymphatic node and filter the blood as well. You might be have this odd feeling, if something happens which increase the need of extra blood filtering and extra immunologic defense. Due to this reason, the stomach also over-produce gastric juice which results heartburn. One reason of this is that you might be eating something that your body can't manage well and thus recognizes as exotic and dama

Traveler's Diarrhea

Causes • Buffets - here the food may stay out at room temperature for long periods and breed bacteria • Dairy products • Fruits and vegetables, unpeeled • Ice • Salads • Street food • Undercooked animal protein • Water, tap Take a homeopathic remedy kit with you for traveler’s diarrhea: podohyllum (the best remedy for acute diarrhea) and arsenicum (for food poisoning). See homeopathic remedy section below. Remedies Folk Acidophilus Take acidophilus with meals whenever you feel sanitation or water supply may be questionable. This will help build up the "friendly" bacteria in your intestines. Either a tablespoon of liquid or one to two capsules should do the trick. One good product is called Culturelle (a probiotic formula). Apple cider vinegar For a preventive measure start taking a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in a glass of water half an hour before each meal a few days before your trip. Continue this regimen during your trip. Bismuth Subsalicyla

Other Causes of Diarrhea

Underlying Disease As A Cause • If you do not have a sudden bout of diarrhea and cannot identify the cause from those mentioned here, you may have one that is chronic due to some major underlying causes which you should discuss with your healthcare provider. Some of these are: • Lactose intolerance (lack of enzymes to digest milk sugar) is another common cause. • Gluten intolerance . You may not be able to tolerate certain foods that contain gluten (wheat, oats, rye and barley). See celiac disease below. • Various types of bowel problems , such as bowel cancer , irritable bowel syndrome , Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis . • A hyperactive thyroid can also cause diarrhea. • Food allergies are a very common cause of diarrhea. Proper testing will discover which one(s) you are allergic to. Eliminating the offending food may well stop the diarrhea. Have a blood test done or try an elimination diet to find out what is causing the diarrhea. • Celiac disease . This is a dise

Causes of Diarrhea

Causes • Bacteria in food or protozoa in water are often the cause, but other causes are viruses , parasites in food and other sources. Diarrhea caused by intestinal parasites is the third leading cause of illness. If you have a number of the following symptoms: gas, diarrhea, chronic constipation, bloating, fatigue, skin rashes, nail biting, mood swings, insomnia, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, weight gain, bad breath, and muscle cramping, you should be tested for parasites. • Gastroenteritis , caused by a virus that has entered the digestive tract or contaminated food or water, causes inflammation, cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe cases can lead to dehydration, so be sure to drink fluids and balance your electrolytes (take Pedialyte for young children and the elderly, and sports drinks for everybody else.) • Eating an excessive amount of fatty foods or fruit • F ood poisoning • Extreme fatigue • Stress or anxiety . What effects the mind ends up effecti

What is Diarrhea

Diarrhea is characterized by frequent, watery bowel movements, often accompanied by stomach cramps, abdominal pain and gas. Diarrhea may be various colors and contain mucous, blood or pus. In general diarrhea is caused by a gastrointestinal problem, but may be a symptom of some underlying ailment such as: irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, bowel cancer, celiac disease, pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, Crohn’s disease, dysentery, AIDS or ulcerative colitis, among others. It is important, therefore, to discover the cause of the diarrhea. Diarrhea is one of Nature’s defense systems used to help rid the body of toxins and poisons as quickly as possible. It is important to know what diarrhea does to the body besides the obvious effects. The salivary glands in the mouth, the mucous membrane in your stomach, and the liver and pancreas produce saliva which is used in the digestive process to break down food. When diarrhea strikes the saliva is lost and the digestive p

Connection between Hemorrhoids and Diarrhea

A person may have a fever or even bloody stool due to different causes. If diarrhea is prolonged, its symptoms can be similar to hemorrhoids symptoms; both may cause rectum bleeding. Diarrhea is very rare the cause of hemorrhoids, but it can contribute if you already have other symptoms. Treat it seriously and persistently and it should go away, usually all it takes is to find what food your body does not absorb well. Long-term diarrhea causes hemorrhoids, due to bulging of the veins in the anal canal, and that is what causes hemorrhoids. Many people do not take diarrhea seriously, but there are several cases when delay in going to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis might result serious complications. For example: if it lasts for more then three days, you suffer from abdominal or rectal pain, along with high fever, there is blood in your stool or if you are dehydrated. If any of these symptoms apply you should immediately see your doctor. Children are exception, do not hesitate goi

Causes of Green Stool

The following medical conditions are some of the most possible causes of Green stool. There would be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.    * Salmonella - can cause greenish stool (usually diarrhea)    * Giardia - can cause greenish stool (usually diarrhea)    * Swallowed postnasal drip - ie. from an upper respiratory disorder    * Intestinal disorder    * Starvation stools - usually in children; green watery stool caused by being on a liquid diet for a few days (e.g. if ill)    * See also dark stool, blood in stool, or stool color changes    * Normal breast-fed baby    * Gastroenteritis    * Certain foods    * Some cow milk formulas

What is Viral Gastroenteritis and how to get cured?

Viral gastroenteritis is an infection in intestines that is caused by several different viruses. Being highly transmittable, viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States. Each year millions of cases of diarrhea are reported. Although most people recover without any complications, however, viral gastroenteritis can be serious when people cannot drink enough to replenish the fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea especially infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems. Symptoms and Diagnosis The major symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery vomiting and diarrhea. Other major symptoms are headache, fever, chills, and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually appear within 4 to 48 hours after activation of virus. These symptoms lasts for 1 to 2 days, though symptoms can last as long as 10 days. If you experience theses symptoms you may want to see your doctor. Doctors generally diagnose viral gastroenteritis based on the symp

What is Acidosis?

Definition: Acidosis is blood acidity occurred due to excessive acid in the blood or a decrease in bicarbonate from the blood (metabolic acidosis), or through increase of carbon dioxide in blood that results from poor lung function or slow breathing (respiratory acidosis) Causes: The kidneys and lungs controls acid/base (pH) balance in body. Acidosis happens when acid builds up or bicarbonate (a base) is dropped. The major types of acidosis are respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis. Respiratory acidosis happens when excessive carbon dioxide is builds up in the body, mainly caused by decreased breathing. Other names for this include hypercapnic acidosis and carbon dioxide acidosis. Types of metabolic acidosis Diabetic acidosis (also called diabetic ketoacidosis and DKA) happens when ketone bodies build up during uncontrollable diabetes. Hyperchloremic acidosis results from excessive amount of sodium bicarbonate is eliminated from body, as in severe diarrhea. Lactic acidosi