stomach pain

Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Children

Irritable bowel syndrome in children usually fluctuates or usually recurring. The symptoms go away for a certain period of time then eventually return for no apparent reasons. It affects both the girl and boy population equally. Majority of the population continue to report symptoms of the condition after 5 years of initial diagnosis. In diagnosing IBS, doctors usually ask questions and examine the child for more serious problems or diseases.

The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome in children is based on having abdominal pain plus any of the two following conditions:

  1. The pain is relieved by having a bowel movement
  2. The onset of pain is associated with a change in the frequency in stools or irregularities in bowel movement
  3. The onset of pain is changed with a change in stool consistency
    Children with IBS also experience headache, nausea, or mucus in their stool. Weight loss sometimes occurs especially if the child avoids eating to rid himself of discomfort and pain. There are children who first show signs or symptoms after incurring stress such as teething, a bout with flu, school related problems or at home. Remember stress doesn’t trigger IBS but it can trigger its symptoms.

Points to remember about irritable syndrome in children:

  1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel habits.
  2. IBS is common among children of all ages
  3. The treatment for IBS includes proper diet, medication, and stress management
  4. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress among children, but is not life threatening, does not damage the bowel, and does not progress to other diseases.
  5. IBS is not a disease it is a syndrome, or group of syndromes that occur together. It does not damage the intestines.

Medications like laxatives are rarely prescribed to children because they are more susceptible to addiction than adults. If laxatives are necessary for the treatment of IBS, parents should follow correct orders from the doctor. Stress management techniques may also be of help to some children. Irritable bowel syndrome in children can be treated by following a healthy diet, proper bowel training and medications.

Irritable Bowel Disease

Irritable bowel disease is a functional disorder. People suffering from this disease seem to have very sensitive nerves and muscles in the bowel area. Its common symptoms are abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation. The disease affects the gastrointestinal tract which stores stool.

Doctors are uncertain what cause the disease. Muscles tend to contract when you eat causing cramping and diarrhea shortly after meals. The nerves may react when the when the bowel stretches aggravating the situation. The main symptoms of irritable bowel disease are:

  1. Abdominal pain often relieved by or associated with bowel movements
  2. Chronic diarrhea, constipation, or both at the same time
  3. White mucus is present in the stool
  4. A swollen abdomen
  5. Sensation or feeling that you are not finished with your bowel movement

In addition to a physical exam and blood tests, the following tests are done to see if a person is suffering from irritable bowel disease:

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series – An x-ray is done to spot for problems in the large intestine area. The procedure is called a barium enema x ray. Before the x ray is done, the doctor will place barium into your large intestines through your anus. Barium is a solution that makes the x ray on your intestines show up better.

Colonoscopy – this test is done by inserting a long, thin tube called a colonoscope into the anus. Through this procedure the doctor can view the inside of a patient’s colon on a big television. For the lower portion of the colon sometimes a shorter tube is used called a flexible sigmoidoscope.

Irritable bowel disease has no known cure yet. It may require you to do some trial and error to see what type of treatment works best for you. Your doctor can give you some advices on this. Here are some helpful tips to relieve symptoms:

1. diet changes
2. medicine
3. stress relief

Your doctor may ask or suggest you to add more fiber in your diet by taking supplementary pills high in fiber. Also take notes of certain foods that trigger your symptoms and avoid eating them. Stress relief activities like meditation, hypnosis and counseling may also help. Irritable bowel disease patients must find therapy or treatment that best works for them.

Irritable Bowel Disorder

Irritable bowel disorder has the following common symptoms: bloating and gas, mucus in the stool, constipation, diarrhea, feeling of bowel movement even after a person had already one, feeling a strong urge to have bowel movement, abdominal pain and cramps. To diagnose this disorder, it may be necessary to do some tests such as blood test or colonoscopy to make sure that the symptoms are not caused by other diseases.

The best way to manage irritable bowel disorder is to have a healthy diet and not to eat foods that could make the problem worse and to find ways to manage stress. Fiber in foods can be helpful because it makes the intestines work better. There are two types of fiber which are the soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber relieves both diarrhea and constipation and is found in many foods such as apples, beans and citrus fruits. Soluble fiber can also be found in supplements containing Psyllium, which is a natural vegetable fiber. Insoluble fiber can help digestion and could be found in whole grain breads, wheat bran and many vegetables.

Irregular bowel movement may become worse by eating some foods containing high fat or caffeine. These foods can cause the intestines to contract which may lead to cramps. Other foods that may worsen the symptoms of this problem are alcohol and chocolate because they might make the gas in the stomach worse. This disorder may also be cause by stress. There are several ways how to cope with stress such as exercise, relaxation or meditation. A family doctor may be avail to give advice on how to deal effectively with stress. Some friends or counselors may also give helpful suggestions on how to deal with stress.

A doctor may prescribe some antispasmodic medicines which can reduce the pain or cramping. The drug Hyoscyamine can relieve the spasms in the colon and it is available in several brand names. The patient can also be relieved using heating pads and hot baths. The drug loperamide can also help if the diarrhea is frequent. Irregular bowel disorder can also be relieved with tranquilizers or sedatives to treat anxiety since worries could make the symptoms worse.

Get Rid Of Constipation

Get rid of constipation is like getting rid of diarrhea, you want it taken care of right away. Like it’s opposite, people suffering from this disorder spend countless hours in the bathroom or toilet in excruciating pain and discomfort. It is a digestive condition wherein a person has extreme difficulties in releasing fecal matter. This disorder affects the children and the elderly and women more than men. Here are some helpful tips to get rid off constipation:

1. Drinking lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon in the morning before you eat or drink anything else.
2. Increase your fluid intake. The digestive system in particular relies heavily on the amount of water in your body to function well. The recommended daily amount would be 8 glasses a day.
3. Eating foods rich with fiber can not only get rid of constipation but prevent also prevent its onset. Foods like legumes or beans, brown rice, wild rice, whole wheat, fruits and vegetables are stellar weapons in fighting constipation. Prunes and prune is a great way of flushing out those unwanted toxins in your body
4. Exercise often. Physical activity increases your metabolism and is actually a fundamental step in the digestive process.
5. Lessen your intake of milk and dairy products like cheese and yogurt.
6. Eat fatty foods. Fat can stimulate the intestines and promote proper digestion.
7. Laxatives are considered to be the last resort in when it comes to treating constipation. Don’t make it a regular habit without first consulting your doctor. Like any other forms of medicines they can produce side effects harmful to the body.
8. Triphala is a herbal cure for constipation. It works by balancing the body’s metabolism ensuring nourishment to the blood.

In order to get rid of constipation you should be cautious of what you eat. Limit your intake or avoid foods that might trigger or worsen the condition. Eating too much of something that is rigorous for your digestion, lack of fiber in what you eat all contribute to this disorder. Get rid of constipation secret is in the diet, no more, no less.

IBS Constipation

IBS constipation means irritable bowel syndrome and often remedied with a combination of therapies which include changes in diet, exercise, stress management and medication. Other therapies include relaxation, biofeedback or hypnosis which are all behavioral therapies. IBS constipation symptoms can also include stomachaches, pain and bloating. The goal of treatment for IBS is not only to eradicate its symptoms but also to ease bowel problems.

Changes in diet can help ease IBS constipation symptoms. This means including fiber in the diet since it reduces constipation by softening the stool. Foods which are good sources of fiber are whole-grain bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, beans, dried plums, prune juice, and ground flaxseed. Water also helps in loosening bowels. Foods and drinks to be avoided are coffee, carbonated drinks and alcohol, chips, cookies and white rice because they can slow the passage of bowels.

Laxatives can be effective with occasional constipation but they may not cure IBS constipation symptoms which include stomach aches and bloating. If taken for a long time, laxatives can also be habit-forming and harmful. The FDA has approved the use of Amitiza in treating IBS with constipation in women but not for men because studies have not shown fully if it is effective in men. Common side effects of this drug include nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain. Zelnorm was also used for IBS but it was pulled from the market due to the risks of heart attacks and stokes.

Antidepressants may also be prescribed although it does not mean that the person with IBS is depressed. There are many kinds of antidepressants but the doctor will recommend the one which is suitable pending on whether the person is suffering from constipation-predominant IBS or diarrhea-predominant IBS. Those with constipation-predominant IBS should eat more fiber but the type of fiber is very important. Soluble fiber is good for IBS since it can reduce the symptoms, it can reduce spasms and can help soften the stool and make it easier to pass.

Constipation can be the result of chronic dehydration and many people do not even know that they are dehydrated. To avoid dehydration, a person should drink 8 glasses of water each day. Another cause of chronic constipation is not getting enough exercise. Exercise is very important to health and can also relieve constipation. It is recommended that one should at least get 30 minutes of exercise each day. IBS constipation can therefore be relieved by these natural methods.

Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Chronic idiopathic constipation is a condition where a person has regular bowels but suffers from chronic constipation. The medical term “idiopathic” means that the cause of this ailment is still yet unknown. The condition may be caused by various reasons like problems with hormones, nerves and the digestive muscles of the anus, rectum or colon. It is a rare digestive disorder and sometimes referred to by medical practitioners as functional constipation.

This condition may happen to anyone but more frequently happens among women. The symptoms though are hard to treat because it does not respond to ordinary or traditional constipation treatment. Persons who suffer from this health condition experience less bowel movement. The stools are small in size and very troublesome to eliminate due to pain as they pass through the rectum and anus. Bowel movement activity may come once every 3 days.

Chronic idiopathic constipation causes discomfort in the abdominal area and bloating. Related health problems are hard to pinpoint because there is no known cause. There are two types of this illness, colonic inertia and delayed transit. Both are caused by decreased muscle activity either in the whole colon or just the lower portion.

Medical therapy requires the proper evaluation of the patient for treatment. The first step is the correction of wrong activities and dietary behaviors of the patient. The second widely accepted therapeutic step is adding barn to the diet. Though not yet proven, some patients show significant amounts of progress in their health when given these treatments. In order to avoid this health condition it is recommended to increase the fiber intake to 20-35 grams a day.

On average, people tend to take only 5-20 daily. Keeping a diet high in fiber is the best way to prevent chronic idiopathic constipation. Eating vegetables, fruits and whole grains is a good way in maintaining your fiber intake on a high level. Medical drugs like Zelnorm and Cisapride can improve conditions of a person previously diagnosed with this condition by regulating bowel movements. Chronic idiopathic constipation is still an unknown illness in the field of science and medicine but is not a life threatening disease.

Constipation After Colonoscopy

Constipation after colonoscopy is a common occurrence. Colonoscopy is the process of examining the colon for polyps, ulceration, tumors, diverticula and inflammation using a camera passing it through the anus. This method can detect and remove even the small size polyps. The process is painful for the patient so the doctor puts the patient to sleep using general anesthesia.

If you experience blood on your stools, colonoscopy is recommended because there could be occurrence polyps in your anus. Aside from detecting polyps, the process also aims to remove the fecal matters stocked in the intestines. After which, constipation after colonoscopy occurs, which indicate that the aim to remove fecal maters is successful or was realized. Colonoscopy is not a complicated procedure thus, if you have normal pulse, blood pressure and breathing then you can be discharged from the hospital outright, even after the procedure was done.

Also, after this anal visualization procedure, some patients may feel bloated and a little sore maybe due to the passage of a foreign object. Blood clots during the first bowel movement are often experienced. But in order to avoid constipation after colonoscopy it is advisable to drink a lot of water and it will also aide immediate recovery.

Normally patients does not feel any pain or discomfort it just all you know is you need to pass your stool. You must massage you stomach or you intestinal area to alleviate the discomfort or feeling bloated. The stools do not appear the same if you are constipated but rather it comes out in pellets form. After that, you may experience passing stools that appear to be chalky black in color which indicates intestinal bleeding.

Generally, constipation after colonoscopy often happens after the procedure. One of the major factors causing it is the passing of a foreign body into the intestine. After colonoscopy there could be definitely some complexities that can be experience like consistent bleeding and perforation. But these are normal. Constipation after colonoscopy is a common result that can be experienced but for you to be sure of your safety, always ask advice from your doctor.

Acid Reflux Symptoms In Women

Acid reflux symptoms in women frequently occur during pregnancy. Acid reflux is defined as the backflow of the stomach’s acid contents into the esophagus or food pipe. Aside from bringing such discomfort, the following will also be some of the major concerns when you have acid reflux:

  1. If you have acid reflux you could be at risk for Laryngopharyngeal reflux where the acids in the stomach pours into and affects your larynx or voice box. This condition is usually seen in thin and tall women while obese women are certainly at risk beginning 57 years of age. The common acid reflux symptoms in women are the gravelly voice and a feeling that there is a lump in the throat that is usually felt when the woman wakes up.
  2. In most cases acid reflux is felt by most women during their pregnancy. This condition is commonly referred to as heartburn and is felt by almost 20 percent of the pregnant women and it is most prominent during the first trimester that increases to 40 percent during the second trimester and 70 percent during the third semester. Meaning, as your baby grows, the symptoms increases in intensity.
  3. There are reasons why these acid reflux symptoms in women maybe experienced during pregnancy. Foremost, when the growing fetus that creates an abdominal pressure. Second, elevated levels of progesterone tend to relax the esophageal sphincter causing the stomach acids and the food you ate to come back up into the throat and esophagus.
  4. There are ways to lessen the impact of acid reflux symptoms in women who are pregnant such as avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux like tomato based foods. You also need to stay away from drinking lemonade, cranberry or orange juice. These kinds of foods are also considered as healthy foods for your baby but when taken during pregnancy stage, it can bring you discomfort.

Acid reflux symptoms in women is an inevitable condition during the conception stages and working with your doctor can help you find ways to deal with it and maintaining your health and the health of your child inside your womb.

Alcoholic Gastritis

Alcoholic gastritis is an inflammation in the lining of the stomach. Alcohol indigestion is the main cause of this and through continuous taking of alcohol it can also lead to an acute hemorrhagic through direct irritation of the gastric mucosa. If you have this kind of disease there are symptoms that you might have experience like nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, vomiting blood or “coffee grounds and swollen abdomen. All these symptoms for alcoholic gastritis may last a few hours to a few days.

There are many symptoms of this gastritis and experiencing a number of these surely indicates that you should visit your doctor to be assessed and treated as well. The methods for diagnosing this disease are by means of examination and laboratory. Your doctor will conduct stomach and rectal exam. During the stomach exam it will distinguish the part where feel the pain while the rectal exam it will reveal microscopic blood if any. Alcoholic gastritis is also diagnosed with laboratory exams such that the doctor will check your blood count to evaluate any blood loss. Endoscopy is another test that will conclude your condition. It uses a small tube called endoscope that is inserted into your throat and will pass down the stomach. This method may sound painful but don’t worry because a local anesthetic will be used.

If you are diagnosed to have this kind of disease, there are treatments that are available and can be opted to get rid from this disease. To start with, you should eliminate spicy, fatty or fried, foods which often trigger it. You should also discontinue drinking beverages most especially alcohol. More so, stop smoking. Medications to be taken like Zantac and sulcralfate acts by forming a coating above the inflamed site. Proton inhibitors such as Prilosec are also prescribed.

Remember that alcohol is not good. Well, of course, you would argue that occasional drinking is acceptable but it can get you addicted to it and that is another problem you will be faced with aside from the gastritis. It can really destroy your health as well as your whole life. Alcoholic gastritis will be prevented if you will not take alcohol or if cannot be avoided, drink some with caution accompanied by healthful habits.

Acid Reflux In Babies

Acid reflux in babies is common, especially during after being delivered. Actually, more than half of all infants experience the symptoms during the first three months of life. The condition can be very painful for babies because it causes unpleasant burning sensation at the back of the throat as well as the upper chest area. More so, with infant acid reflux, you cannot easily identify it.

The possible symptoms for acid reflux in babies include spitting up. It is considered the most common symptoms in infant acid reflux. Spitting up does not have an adverse effect on most babies other than on their appearance. A baby that has acid reflux can spit up frequently and be perfectly healthy. That is one reason also why it is hard to identify if your baby has acid reflux already. Extreme pickiness in foods, refusal to eat even though hungry, gagging or choking, weight loss, bad breath, and frequent sore throat are also some of the manifestations. Because acid is more likely to back up into the esophagus while lying down, the parents should also observe for frequents waking of their babies.

If you observed these symptoms of acid reflux in babies in your infant, you should act immediately and bring your baby to the pediatrician for diagnosis. Usually, tests are conducted like blood and urine test to exclude other cause of vomiting and weight loss, esophageal pH monitoring through a small tube that is placed in the esophagus for 24 hours, and upper endoscopy that also involves the use of a small tube with a camera to view the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter. But not all the test for acid reflux in babies will be conducted. You should not worry because these tests are not painful to your baby but uncomfortable but not as uncomfortable as having acid reflux.

All parents only want their babies to be healthy other than to be always beautiful and lovable. Thus, having acid reflux worries any parent so much.
Acid Reflux in babies can be easily prevented and be treated if you are alert enough not to neglect these simple symptoms that your baby exhibits.

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