Digestive Health – Page 3

Going Gluten-Free: A Mayo Clinic Expert Explains The Most Common Myths

Misinformation abounds when it comes to celiac disease and gluten-free eating. But an estimated 1 in 141 Americans has celiac disease, and countless more may be sensitive to gluten. Unfortunately, many people with celiac disease are misdiagnosed or do not know they have the condition because its symptoms are often varied and subtle. Moreover, “gluten-free”… Continue reading Going Gluten-Free: A Mayo Clinic Expert Explains The Most Common Myths

A New and Improved Turmeric?

Researchers have figured out a way to better distribute the biological effects of curcumin, an anti-inflammatory, over-the-counter supplement that until now has metabolized too quickly to be of maximum effect. Curcumin, a natural compound in the spice turmeric, has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurveda – a Hindu system of medicine – for… Continue reading A New and Improved Turmeric?

Coping with Crohn’s Disease

Editor’s Note: Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, affects up to 700,000 people in the U.S., according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA; www.ccfa.org). The foundation lists typical symptoms as persistent diarrhea; rectal bleeding; urgent need to move bowels; abdominal cramps; a sensation of incomplete evacuation; and constipation, which… Continue reading Coping with Crohn’s Disease

Solve the Medical Riddle: The Patient Is No Longer “Regular”, Fourth Week

By Marie Savard MD Editor’s note: Welcome to our ThirdAge feature that gives you a chance to play medical sleuth as we share the details of what happened when a patient presented with a problem that stumped the physician at first. The first week of this riddle, the patient reported her symptoms and the doctor… Continue reading Solve the Medical Riddle: The Patient Is No Longer “Regular”, Fourth Week

Solve the Medical Riddle: The Patient Is No Longer “Regular”, Third Week

Editor’s note: Welcome to our ThirdAge feature that gives you a chance to play medical sleuth as we share the details of what happened when a patient presented with a problem that stumped the physician at first. The first week of this riddle, the patient reported her symptoms and the doctor proceeded with the examination.… Continue reading Solve the Medical Riddle: The Patient Is No Longer “Regular”, Third Week

Hope for New Crohn’s Disease Tx

Genetic changes that occur in patients with a type of inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn’s disease could hold clues to fighting the illness, according to research led by the University of Edinburgh in the UK and published August 26th 2014 in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Currently, there is no way to prevent Crohn’s disease and therapy is focused on treating the symptoms, which may include abdominal pain, diarrhea and severe weight loss.

Diverticulitis Patients Suffer Symptoms Long After Attack

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles interviewed people with diverticulitis and confirmed that many suffer psychological and physical symptoms long after their acute illness has passed.

Watch: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Advice

Here’s another addition to our ThirdAge Video Collection. Press play to start learning!

Possible Breakthrough for IBD Tx

A microRNA cluster believed to be important for suppressing colon cancer plays a critical role in wound healing in the intestine, according to researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. The findings could provide a fresh avenue for investigating chronic digestive diseases and for potentially repairing damage in these and other disease or injury settings.
A release from the medical center quotes Dr. Joshua Mendell as saying, “We identified a novel role for microRNAs in regulating wound healing in the intestine.

GERD: Help For Heartburn And Other Woes

Ugh…heartburn again? If that’s your mantra after meals or as you fall asleep, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

In GERD, the valve between your lower esophagus and stomach weakens. This sometimes lets food and stomach acids back up into your esophagus. The result is usually a burning sensation behind the breastbone, or heartburn. But GERD can also cause other symptoms: hoarseness, chest pain, a dry cough, the sensation that food is caught in your throat.

A Problem For All Ages

Are You Lactose Intolerant?

If you find yourself suddenly having unpleasant digestive effects from dairy products, the culprit might be lactose intolerance. Even if you’ve never suffered from it, lactose intolerance can manifest itself in adulthood. Here, from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing House (NDDIC), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is some information on what it is, why you might have it and how you can manage it:

Diverticular Disease: Greatest Myths and Facts

By Meagan Costedio, MD

There is a lot of misinformation floating around about diverticular disease – namely diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

Patients believe they can’t eat nuts or seeds, one of the most common myths, or they are simply confused about the difference between conditions. Below, the most common myths are dispelled.