70,000,000 people everyday suffer from some form of digestive issues (heartburn, acid reflux, GERD (gastro esophageal reflex disorder), IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), indigestion constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.). To relieve these symptoms people turn to Tums®, Rolaids, Zantac, Tagamet, or the more dangerous, PPIs (Proton Pump Inihibitors) Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonics, etc. A study in the December 27, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association by Dr. Yang, et al, finds that people over age 50 who take the drugs that are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for more than one year have a 44% increased risk of breaking a hip. PPIs inhibit the body from producing stomach acid. However, some stomach acid is needed to absorb calcium, which is needed for healthy bones. Isn't that just great for our health?
Many people clients and, unfortunately, many medical professionals, think only in a linear and one-dimensional way about tummy troubles. Here is a common line of advice offered by doctors: “First, try medication. Then add fiber or a fiber supplement. If that doesn’t work, go to a dietitian so she or he can ‘fix the problem’ by providing a regimen of food restrictions.” The flaw in this approach is that a functional disorder always has both physical and psychological components.
Let's take a glance at some natural methods to help tummy troubles. How about probiotics and self monitoring techniques.
The work probiotic is derived from the Greek meaning 'for life' and has had several different meanings over the years. It was first used by Lilley and Stillwell in 1965 to describe substances secreted by one microorganism which stimulated the growth of another. It thus meant the exact opposite of 'antibiotic'. It wasn't until 1974 that Parker used it in the context we know now. 'Organisms and substances which contribute to intestinal microbial balance.' In 1989 scientist went even further to say that probiotics is a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance. This definition stressed the need for a probiotic to be viable.
Although the word probiotic relating to feed supplements only dates from 1974, the history of live microbial feed supplements goes back thousands of years. Probably the first foods that contained living microorganisms were the fermented milks that are recorded in the Old Testament. There is also evidence from wall paintings dating back to 2500 B.C. that the Sumarians were in the habit of inoculating milk to induce fermentation. While the health benefits for the individual can only be inferred, the effect on prevention of spoilage would undoubtedly have a beneficial effect on the health community.
What are the potential health benefits of probiotics? Diarrhea Brain Function Cholesterol Blood Pressure Irritable Bowel Syndrome Infection Psoriasis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
What are some probiotic containing foods? Yogurt Kefir Aged Cheeses Kimchi Sauerkraut Miso Tempeh
Another huge misconception is that your tummy trouble is not a mind body concept. But in reality it is. Most of our clients come to us for help with relationship difficulties, work-related stress, persistent anxiety, chronic depression or other well-researched and commonly encountered challenges. How many times have you heard this unspoken message, "I, as your doctor, cannot find anything medically wrong with you, so it must be in your head.” The subtle or sometimes not so subtle implication is that this person has stomach troubles because she or he is so stressed out and overwhelmed by life." The most surprising insight is that our brain does not distinguish between what is physical and what is psychological. It creates the same neurohormonal responses either way. This new perspective allows a completely different way of looking at the problems of gastric distress. More important, it makes it possible to find new solutions.”
Many clients and, unfortunately, many medical professionals, think only in a linear and one-dimensional way about tummy troubles. Here is a common line of advice offered by doctors: “First, try medication. Then add fiber or a fiber supplement. If that doesn’t work, go to a dietician so she or he can ‘fix the problem’ by providing a regimen of food restrictions.” The flaw in this approach is that a functional disorder always has both physical and psychological components.
One objective way of fixing tummy troubles is self-monitoring. A proven way to self monitor is clients should note when symptoms occur and what triggers them. In addition, clients use a daily stress worksheet to write down stressful situations, thoughts related to what was happening during the situation and techniques that were used to cope. Tracking symptoms will help you identify more subtle triggers of your symptoms and how you respond to them. This can create a little distance between you and your symptoms so that you can see the big picture more clearly. Another way of self monitoring is relaxation. Yes. I said, relaxation. Diaphragmatic breathing activates a part of the nervous system that puts a brake on the fight or flight response. It's impossible to be physically relaxed and stressed at the same time, so that by controlling your breathing patterns you override the physical part of stress that can aggravate bowel symptoms. Think of diaphragmatic breathing as tummy breathing. If you chest rises and neck muscles are tensed then chances are you are chest breathing.
Tummy troubles can wreak havoc to anyone's life. Adding a probiotic and practicing some self monitoring techniques can go a long way into progressing your healing process. These are just natural ways that you can practice that are proven in many ways to be better than opposing methods.
References. What are probiotics? What are the health benefits of probiotics? (2015, September 23). Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264721.php