What to Do About IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10 percent to
20 percent of the general population. It is a "functional" disorder, one
that is caused by the way the body works rather than by an infection or
Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or discomfort
associated with a change in bowel pattern, such as loose bowels or
The problem is that IBS is not caused by a single
food, but by any food that is high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, is
carbonated, or contains alcohol. All of these are either GI stimulants
or irritants that can cause violent reactions in the muscles in the
colon. Those reactions are painful
Fat is the greatest digestive tract stimulant. It
triggers the gastrocolic reflex more powerfully than any other food.
This reflex causes the colon to start contracting. In IBS sufferers, it
can cause pain, constipation, or diarrhea
Meat, dairy products, and egg yolks are dangerous for
all aspects of IBS. They pose high risks and may be best eliminated from
the diet. For some people, wheat is also a trigger food
IBS varies in cause and severity from one person to
another. That's one reason it's difficult to treat. Most patients keep a
food diary until they are certain of what causes colon spasms
There are treatment options available to manage IBS,
whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe
By Prevent Blindness America
With other medical problems, you realize that
something is wrong. You have symptoms like a cough or a pain. That isn't
so with glaucoma. At first, your vision is OK and you don't feel any
pain. It could be years before you know something is wrong. By that
time, you have lost much of your peripheral vision and you'll never get
About 120,000 Americans are totally blind because of
glaucoma. Each year, more than 300,000 cases are diagnosed and 5,400
more people will suffer complete blindness
Ophthalmologists at Stanford University say people
think of glaucoma only as a disease of high eye pressure. Actually, it
is the most common optic nerve disease in the world
Since it has no symptoms, regular screening is the
only way to detect it. Ophthalmologists find it when they dilate the eye
and look directly at the optic nerve to examine it for damage
Tonometry is a test done by optometrists with an
instrument that measures pressure inside the eye
Pachymetry is a test in which the doctor uses
ultrasonic waves to measure the thickness of the cornea. Anyone can get
glaucoma, but these people have a higher risk:
Everyone over age 40.
People with a family history of glaucoma.
People who are nearsighted.
Those who have had an eye injury or have had eye surgery.
People with high blood pressure or diabetes.
Those who must take drugs such as steroids.
An examination by an ophthalmologist who dilates the
eye is best but it's expensive. Doctors of optometry can do early
screening when you get glasses
Stay Active to Be Happy, Have More Energy
It's cold outside, you've barely recovered from the
holidays, and a lot of people have the sniffles. You might not feel like
working out, but it's just what you should do now, according to new
They say one week without exercise increases fatigue
by up to 20 percent. After two weeks, their study subjects started to
show signs of depression
If you can't make yourself go to the gym, do a
lower-intensity routine in your living room. After a few sessions,
you'll feel more like working out.