IBS + Original Articles

Studies are showing that this mind-body technique may ease the cramping and bloating associated with IBS. Can simply changing your thoughts relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome? New research is showing that using mind-body techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-a type of psychotherapy-and hypnosis are having a positive effect in reducing the cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and/or constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

This microbe could pose a problem for your condition. Our bodies are teeming with friendly microorganisms, especially our digestive tract. In a healthy person, the number of good microbes, which protect the body from harm, far exceeds bad microbes, such as bacteria and viruses. When something disrupts this delicate balance, however, it causes problems.

Although they are different diseases, Celiac and Crohn’s share similar symptoms and characteristics. Both celiac disease and Crohn's are autoimmune diseases that primarily affect the intestines. In an autoimmune disease, the body's immune system over-reacts and attacks cells in the body as if they were foreign objects, such as bacteria or other toxins.

Learn about the important link between the three. Our bodies need enough stored energy to go for a jog, but no one wants spaghetti sloshing around in their stomach when they’re bouncing on the pavement. Jogging, though, is a high-impact exercise that jostles the stomach. While you don’t want to exercise on a full stomach, you do want to exercise to help stave off digestive problems stemming from food.

Don’t turn to meds just yet; these natural alternatives may do the trick. Digestive diseases are no fun. They prevent you from drinking regular milk or lying down after a meal. They send you to the toilet every hour or keep you from it for days. Whether they’re inherited, rare, common, or uncommon, they can be embarrassing to discuss and a hassle on your daily life.

Environment, eating habits, and genetics all play a key role. There are risk factors associated with every disease, and Crohn’s is no exception. You can’t change the genetic hand that nature deals you, or your family history. Recognizing you are at greater risk for developing Crohn’s (or any disease) is invaluable.

Early studies of the effectiveness of fish oil in maintaining remission in Crohn’s patients have been quite promising. Fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties because of the omega-3 fatty acids it contains—and Crohn’s is an inflammatory disease. Crohn’s is characterized by alternating periods of flare-ups and remission. The first goal of intervention is to control symptoms and bring the disease into remission. Once in remission, the goal of treatment is to keep the patient in remission for as long as possible.

Find out if surgery may help ease your symptoms. Surgery is one step in the treatment program for patients who have Crohn’s disease. In fact, approximately 70 percent of Crohn’s patients will eventually need surgery. Surgery often initiates remission, providing relief from symptoms, and improves quality of life.

The incidence of Crohn’s in children under 16 is increasing. But why? If your child has Crohn’s disease, he or she is not alone. Approximately 140,000 people under the age of eight are affected this disease. And unfortunately, the incidence of Crohn’s in children under 16 is increasing. In fact, teens are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease than any other age group; about sixteen out of every 100,000 teens will be diagnosed with Crohn’s.

With some careful preparation, you can enjoy a successful and stress-free time away from home. Whether you are taking a much-anticipated family vacation or an essential business trip, don’t let Crohn’s disease get in the way. The key to traveling successfully is preparation. Here are a few things to consider: Take a supply of medicine.

Vitamins, minerals and other key nutrients must be included Crohn’s disease affects the intestines, which absorb food that produces energy for your body. When inflamed, it cannot adequately perform this essential function. Furthermore, when patients aren’t feeling well, they may not eat enough to support their body’s increased nutritional needs.

Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn. Learn how to find relief. Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn (most common during the second and third trimester.) The reason: As a woman's level of progesterone increases during pregnancy, her lower esophageal sphincter relaxes. This allows food and acid to reflux back into the esophagus, thus creating the feeling of heartburn or indigestion.

Dining out doesn't have to be difficult. Just follow these simple tips. Sharing meals is at the heart of most social activities with family and friends. If you have Crohn's disease, you know firsthand that dining out can be difficult. However, there's no reason your social life should take a back seat. The key to dining out successfully is to plan carefully and be mindful of what you eat.

Learn how relaxation can help you better manage your condition. We can trace the belief in a mind-body wellness connection all the way back to ancient Greece. Today, the medical literature is mixed when it comes to the relationship between stress and illness. We know for sure that the underlying cause of Crohn's disease is biological-it's an inflammation of the digestive tract.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 20 percent of the U.S. adult population, and the disorder has no known cause. Here, a look at IBS, from symptoms to treatment. Imagine not being able to make dinner plans with your friends or not eating your favorite foods for fear that it will send you running for the bathroom. For people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these scenarios may sound all too familiar.

From head to toe, we explore symptoms and solutions for some of the most awkward health conditions. At one time or another, an embarrassing malady is bound to fall on everyone. Although some are more debilitating than others, all are at least conquerable, if not curable, with a combination of diligence, patience, and a doctor's supervision. Here, we...

Learn about the symptoms and methods of diagnosing this gastrointestinal disorder. Every year, an estimated 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with Crohn's disease. However, many people are uninformed about the disease and, as a result, may go undiagnosed. Here, find out about the symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatments of Crohn's disease, so you can have a better understanding of the condition.

Follow these steps to help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to 20 percent of the general population, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). And for those living with it, the condition can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and even embarrassing.

Your bellyaching over your bellyache may be caused by some of your favorite foods. Find out which foods are common offenders. Stomachaches, indigestion, gas, bellyache, agita, heartburn, upset stomach: Whatever you call it, digestive problems can be inconvenient and sometimes downright painful. Indigestion can be caused by a variety of reasons, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a physical condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus.

Although there's no known cure for Crohn's disease, these tips may help patients to manage their symptoms. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects an estimated 500,000 Americans. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and symptoms may include frequent diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, anal tears, and bowel obstructions.