Chronic Digestive Disorders by Martha Schindler Connors with Larry Altshuler, M.D.
Sometimes, things like diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting are symptoms of more serious digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. These are known as “functional” bowel disorders because they are related to bowel functioning, not anatomical or structural problems.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon, is a condition of unknown origin with no known cure. Symptoms are abdominal pain and either constipation or diarrhea (in most people, one is predominant, but many people alternate between the two); some patients also experience dyspepsia, nausea, and bloating.
IBS is treated in conventional medicine with antispasmodic drugs such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), which can cause blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, and weakness. Acid-reducing, antidiarrheal, and/or laxative drugs are also used (see above).
People with IBS can treat their symptoms with the herbal remedies discussed above, along with these:
• Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) |
This herb contains tannins, which are astringent, making it useful for people with diarrhea-predominant IBS. |
• Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus, C. scolymus) |
Artichoke extracts have been shown to help people with chronic digestive complaints, including IBS-related constipation and pain. |
• Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) |
Peppermint leaves contain antispasmodic chemicals that can help relax the muscles in your GI tract and ease the gas and diarrhea caused by IBS. |
<B>Inflammatory Bowel Disease</B></h2>
<p>Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is much less common than IBS, affecting about 1 million Americans. IBD is immune-mediated, meaning it involves an exaggerated immune response to certain triggers and appears to have genetic and environmental causes. Some experts categorize it as an autoimmune disease.</p>
<p>There are two different forms of IBD: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are characterized by inflammation, abdominal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea. People with ulcerative colitis can also experience fever and blood in the stool. Crohn's disease usually involves the small intestine, but it can affect any part of the GI tract. Ulcerative colitis usually involves just the colon. IBD symptoms usually follow in a pattern of relapse and remission, and patients can go for years without symptoms, then have an attack that lasts from several weeks to several months.</p>
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<p>If you've got inflammatory bowel disease, avoid taking herbs with immune-enhancing effects, such as barberry (<B>Berberis vulgaris</B>), echinacea (<B>Echinacea</B>
<B>purpurea</B>), and goldenseal (<B>Hydrastis canadensis</B>). Some experts think that the effects of these products might actually make IBD worse.</p>
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<p>Conventional doctors generally treat IBD with antispasmodic drugs like Bentyl; anti-inflammatories such as sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) or a 5-ASA agent (Dipentum), which can cause nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and headaches; or corticosteroids (see Chapter 8). Herbal remedies for diarrhea (see above) can be helpful, along with the following:</p>
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<td><p>• <B>Boswellia</B> (<B>Boswellia serrata</B>)</p></td>
<td><p>Boswellia, a.k.a. Indian frankincense, contains natural anti-inflammatories. Preliminary research suggests that it can be effective against both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.</p></td>
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<td><p>• <B>Evening primrose</B> (<B>Oenothera biennis</B>)</p></td>
<td><p>Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and linoleic acid, omega-6 fatty acids with proven anti-inflammatory effects.</p></td>
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<td><p>• <B>Pineapple</B> (<B>Ananas comosus</B>)</p></td>
<td><p>An enzyme from pineapples called bromelain is used to promote proper digestion. Research shows it may be helpful in treating ulcerative colitis and the diarrhea that comes with it.</p></td>
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<div id="rel"><div class="n5">Related Articles</div><ul> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/chronic-digestive-disorders.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Chronic Digestive Disorders - Herbal Remedies Guide </a></li> <li><a href="http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/a.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Articles </a></li> <li><a href="http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/irritablebowels/a/ibssymptomstrea.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS - Symptoms - Treatments </a></li> <li><a href="http://ibs.about.com/od/whatisib1/a/IBS.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> IBS - What Is IBS </a></li> <li><a href="http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/ibs/a/diffibsibd.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Differences Between IBD and IBS - How IBD and IBS Are Different </a></li> </ul></div>
<div id="sec"><div class="n5">Read More Improving Digestion</div><ul><ul class="col1"><li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/the-details-of-digestion.htm">The Details of Digestion</a></li>
<li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/acid-indigestion-and-heartburn.htm">Acid Indigestion and Heartburn</a></li>
<li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/ulcers.htm">Ulcers</a></li>
<li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/gas-and-flatulence.htm">Gas and Flatulence</a></li>
<li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/constipation.htm">Constipation</a></li>
</ul><ul class="col2"><li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/diarrhea.htm">Diarrhea</a></li>
<li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/nausea-and-vomiting.htm">Nausea and Vomiting</a></li>
<li ><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/herbal-remedies-guide/improving-digestion/food-intolerances.htm">Food Intolerances</a></li>
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