It is interesting that people talk about their digestive problems with the term regularity, because regularity – that is, order – is the answer to the problem. You eat and you eliminate; those are the basic physiological functions that keep us alive. When the elimination function blocked, it is called constipation. This is usually thought to be disease that needs to be treated with pills (laxatives). In reality, constipation is a poor function of an organ as it interacts with our environment (the food we eat). It is not a disease – but it can lead to disease – and laxatives are not the answer. It is recommended the following practices to relieve constipation:

•    Drink seven glasses of water, preferably warm, each day. Drink more if the weather is hot or you are exercising.
•    Never suppress the urge to move your bowels. The longer these undesirable substances linger inside you, the more likely cancer and reabsorption of toxins become. Also, if you override the urge, the stool thickens and harder to expel.
•    Avoid antibiotics (except, of course, in life-threatening situations when antibiotics are necessary) because they destroy the healthful bowel bacteria. Take probiotics daily, usually acidophilus, bifidus, and benign E.coli populations; they build up a healthy bowel flora. You find probiotics in the fridge section of your health food store.
•    Digestion starts with chewing well, and if everything you eat is soft, the digestion process does not function well from the beginning. There is a saying in German pertaining food: soft in, hard out; hard in, soft out. So give your teeth some work to do.

Here are some gentle herb and food remedies for constipation:

•    Prunes
•    Unsweetened prune juice
•    Flaxseed (thoroughly chewed or freshly ground is better than store-bought ground)
•    Psyllium
•    Ginger
•    Fenugreek
•    Garlic
•    Sweet violets
•    Apple

The old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctors away” might well stem from laxative benefits of apples.

Colic is a severe, spasmodic pain that occurs in waves of increasing intensity, reaches a peak, and then stops for a short time before returning. The intermittent increase in pain occurs when the muscles in the affected part of the body contract.

Babies with colic may cry inconsolably and do not seem to respond to the usual means of comforting. Although these babies are healthy and show no sign of illness, they appear to be in pain. Typically, colicky babies become irritable, go red in the face, draw up their legs and pass wind, which sometimes seems to provide relief. Episodes of colic tend to be worse in the evening.

What causes colic?

No one is sure of the exact cause, but colic is common, occurring in roughly one in 10 babies. Some doctors think the baby may be having trouble digesting food. A few studies point to milk sensitivity as a possible cause, but this has not been conclusively proven. The problem may simply be sensitivity to noises in the environment.

Colic usually appears at the age of three to four weeks and rarely lasts past four months of age.

Some researchers believe that colic may be due to a muscle spasm in an immature gastrointestinal tract. There is obviously no serious problem with digestion as a colicky baby eats well, does not vomit up and gains weight normally.

How is colic treated?

There is no specific treatment for colic but there some measures that may help. Recent research has found that the incidence of colic may be lowered among breastfed babies whose mothers eliminate cow’s milk and other dairy products from their diet.

Some doctors are now recommending that this be done even before the baby is born, which may reduce the chances of milk sensitivity in the newborn.

What can I do myself?

Swaddling or wrapping the baby firmly in a light blanket makes the baby feel more secure. Colicky babies are sometimes soothed by motion – try taking the baby for a walk or a drive but be sure you use an infant car seat or secure the carrycot firmly. Simply walking around with the baby with a sling-type carrier may also help.

Don’t try feeding the baby every time he or she cries, as this will only make the stomach more bloated.

Try not to let the baby’s crying make you overanxious or exasperated. If possible, get a break from the stress of being around a constantly crying child by asking a relative, friend or neighbour to take over for an hour or so.

When should I see my doctor?

All babies should have a check-up in the first new weeks after going home. Discuss the crying with your health visitor or that the child development clinic. Your baby’s general health will be checked and a stool sample may be taken to determine if there are any problems with the intestines.

If your baby has frequent and very watery bowel movements with greenish stools, accompanied by vomiting, the crying may be due to a gastrointestinal infection rather than colic. Call your doctor promptly if such symptoms appear.

What will the doctor do?

Your doctor will examine your baby to make sure the colic is not a symptom of other conditions. A change of diet may be tried but otherwise there is no treatment for colic, and you will simply have to wait for your baby to grow out of this problem.

Is Colic Dangerous?

As long as your child is growing normally and does not appear malnourished, there is no need to worry about colic. Parents are often concerned that a colicky baby will develop into a discontented child. However, there appears to be no relationship between colic in the first few months of life and later personality development.

Perhaps one of the most striking features of colic is the emotional stress it entails for the parents.

Symptoms of Colic

• Frequent and prolonged crying.
• Baby draws up legs, as if in pain.
• Baby goes red in the face.

Are there any Natural Remedies for Colic?

Colic should initially recieve professional medical attention, but camomile tea or an infusion of crushed fennel seeds may help relieve the symptoms. Administer in 5ml/1tsp doses.

What can I do to avoid colic?

• Burp the baby thoroughly after feeding.
• If you are breast-feeding, try avoiding milk and other dairy products. Foods in a breast-feeding mother that have been linked to colic include chocolate, wheat, eggs and citrus fruits. Try eliminating them from your diet to see if this helps reduce symptoms.
• Make sure the baby is not swallowing a lot of air as it feeds. This can cause wind and abdominal discomfort.

WARNING

Call your doctor if the baby’s crying is accompanied by diarrhoea, constipation, a fever, or any other symptoms of illness.

What causes hepatitis?
Viruses are the most frequent cause of hepatitis. Other possible causes of liver inflammation include alcohol, drugs, and certain bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infectoins.

The virus known as Hepatitis A is the cause of many cases of hepatitis. It enters the body through the mouth, grows in the intestines and is shed in the stools. It is usually caught from consuming food contaminated by faecal contact, such as when a person with unclean hands prepares food. It can also be caught by eating shellfish taken from sewage contaminated water.

Hepatitis B, also known as serum hepatitis, is spread by direct contact with infected blood, either from a transfusion, or from other body fluids such as semen. This rarely occurs as a result of blood transfusions nowadays, because modern methods of screening can identify infected blood. Other common causes of viral hepatitis include contact with contaminated needles used by drug abusers, or unprotected sexual intercourse. Hepatitis viruses C,D and E have also been identified.

Hepatitis may also result from complications arising from glandular fever and a number of other infectious diseases.

How is hepatitis diagnosed and treated?
A diagnosis is established by a review of symptoms, along with blood tests for antibodies to the hepatitis viruses. Further blood and urine tests may also show abnormalities indicating liver disease.

In may cases, no special treatment is required, except for bed rest. Appetite usually returns within a few days. People who have hepatitis should not drink alcohol or take any drugs that may effect the liver, and so aggravate the condition.

A sudden, severe from of hepatitis is rare but extremely serious. Coma often develops within hours. This severe from is seen with both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Even with the best medical care, it can be fatal.

What can I do myself?
You can help control the spread of hepatitis by maintaining cleanliness. Always wash your hands after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food. Dishes, glasses, and utensils used by a person with hepatitis should be kept separate and boiled after they are used. However, the person does not need to be kept isolated.

When should I see my doctor?
You should see your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the symptoms of hepatitis.

What will the doctor do?
Your doctor will check to see if the liver is enlarged or tender, and will also look for an enlarged spleen. Laboratory tests will be done to determine whether the hepatitis virus is present in your blood, stool, or urine, and to identify which virus is causing the condition.

What is the outlook for sufferers?
Most cases begin with appetite loss, general feelings of discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and fever. The skin may itch and the joints may ache.

After 3-10 days the urine becomes dark, and jaundice appears. This is yellowing of the skin and eyes, due to escessive amounts of bile pigments in the bloodstream. The stools will also become yellowish.

At this point, despite the fact that the jaundice may get worse, other symptoms start to disappear and most people begin to feel better.

Within 1-2 weeks, the jaundice will peak and then fade away during a 2-4 week period of recovery.

People with hepatitis B or hepatitis C may develop a chronic from of the disease. This can be a benign condition with no symptoms, or it can progress to cirrhosis of the liver, or liver failure.

Is hepatitis dangerous?
Hepatitis A is usually mild and generally resolves itself after several weeks with no after-effects. Hepatitis B or hepatitis C can be extremely dangerous, and even fatal. Hepatitis as a complication of other viral diseases, such as glandular fever, is only rarely serious.

SYMPTOMS

• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Joint pain.
• Skin irritation.
• Dark urine.
• Yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes jaundice.

What can I do to avoid hepatitis?

• Immunization: People at high risk of Hepatitis B for example, male homosexuals or sexual partners of hepatitis B carriers can now be immunized with a new vaccine against this strain.
• Immune serum globulin: People known to have been exposed to hepatitis A can be given immune serum globulin. There is also a vaccine against Hepatitis A available.
• Personal cleanliness and habits: Maintain good personal hygiene and do not eat food that has been prepared under questionable conditions. Do not abuse drugs or share needles for any purpose.
• Blood transfusions: If receiving a blood transfusion in a foreign country, be sure the blood has been screened for contamination with Hepatitis B.

Itching, pain, bumps, and sores on the inside of the cheeks and in other areas within the oral cavity may all be categorized as mouth ulcers until a more specific diagnosis can be established. The most common types of mouth ulcers are as follows:

• Aphthous ulcers are painful, greyish bumps with bright red borders.
• Herpangina is a crop of painful red sores in the mouth and throat caused by a virus.
• Leukoplakia forms yellowish-white patches that precede the development of oral cancer.
• Lichen planus is a skin disorder which often produces bluish-white patches in the mouth.

What causes mouth ulcers?

Simple injuries such as minor burns, or even scratches made by careless toothbrushing, can cause sores to erupt in the mouth. A wide variety of allergic and infectious disorders are another common cause.

Often, however, mouth ulcers cannot be attributed to any clearly identified cause. They may be localized responses to minor infections or irritations inside the mouth.

Alternatively, mouth ulcers may be symptoms of a systemic illness such as influenza.

How are mouth ulcers diagnosed and treated?
Different types of mouth ulcers are recognizable to doctors. Tests, including a biopsy, are sometimes needed to help clarify the diagnosis.

The treatment depends on the diagnosis. Some forms of mouth sores can be relieved with local remedies, but topical medications are often difficult to apply inside the mouth since they are quickly washed away and swallowed in the saliva. Consequently, systemic treatment with pills may be required.

What can I do to relief mouth ulcers?

If pain, itching, bumps, or rough areas develop inside your mouth, you may be able to relieve the discomfort effectively with home remedies, such as sucking on an ice cube or rinsing the mouth with warm salt-water.

Non-prescription drugs may also help. For relief of pain, soluble aspirin in the form of a mouth rinse or gargle may be helpful. Your pharmacist may also be able to recommend a soothing mouth-wash, spray or lozenge containing a local anaesthetic, or a demulcent such as gelatin, glycerin or pectin which covers and protects irritated inner mouth surfaces, and speeds healing.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have a very itchy, painful, or bloody sore, or if the sore has an odd texture or taste, you should see your doctor or dentist.

What will the doctor do?

He or she will start by examining your mouth, using a light and a tongue depressor. The doctor may take a biopsy specimen in order to study the cells. This is an aid to differentiating lichen planus from leukoplakia and other stubborn oral sores, including cancers.

The doctor may prescribe mouth rinses with the anaesthetic lignocaine or another pain reliever, to be used just before eating, to help ease discomfort. Corticosteriod pills are often prescribed to relieve pain, itching, and inflammation. Other drugs, such as retinoids which are derived from vitamin A, may also be used.

What is the course of mouth ulcers?

The body seems to cure the majority of mouth ulcers over time. Those that persist may have a serious underlying cause.

When lichen planus appears in the mouth, it is likely to spread to different sites on the skin. It may eventually disappear without treatment, although it tends to recur. Herpangina, on the other hand, usually occurs once only.

Are mouth ulcers dangerous?

Most are not. A few are, however, and medical evalution is necessary to tell the dangerous ones from the harmless ones.

SYMPTOMS

• Itching or pain.
• Bumps, rough areas, or ulcers in the mouth.
• Visible discolouration of the oral membranes.
• Bleeding from the mouth.

ALTERNATIVE  TREATMENTS

Practitioners of alternative medicine offer the following treatments for mouth ulcers:

• Herbal medicine
  Herbalists generally view mouth ulcers as a symptom of being run down, so their treatment will concentrate just as much on the overall health of the patient as curing the ulcer. Swilling with a mouth-wash of tincture of myrrh- available at chemists and health food shops- every two hours, may be advised. This should clear up the condition within two days.Chewing licorice root, is sometimes suggested as it has been found to be effective in soothing and curing mouth ulcers.

• Homoeopathy
  For severe mouth ulcers, which are extemely painful, and produce a sharp pin-point pain, nitric acid 6 may often be prescribed by a homoeopath.

What can I do to avoid mouth ulcers?

• Practice good oral hygiene dy brushing and flossing teeth regularly.
• Since tobacco use contributes to mouth ulcers, give up smoking, taking snuff and chewing tobacco.
• Drink alcohol in moderation as excessive consumption increases the likelihood of mouth ulcers.

Warning / Precaution

If an ulcer, sore or lump persists in your mouth for longer than one month, see your doctor or dentist- it could be a sign of cancer.

Mouth ulcers are common and usually clear up within seven to 10 days. However, some ulcer-like growths in the mouth or on the tongue can be malignant. Early detection of a malignant growth is essential, so any lump or growth in the mouth area which persists for more than one month should be investigated by your doctor.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems or digestive disease. It is characterized by colicky abdominal pain and an increased frequency of bowel movement. the condition often develops in adolescence or young adulthood, and often flares up during times of stress.

What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome is known as a functional disorder because no underlying cause for it has been identified. Peristalsis, the movement of digested food through the intestines, occurs as the result of rhythmical muscular contractions. In some people with IBS, the contractions are irregular and abnormally strong.

In others the contractions may be normal, or may be exaggerated, rather than abnormal. There may be spasms of pain and an excess or decrease of fluid inside the bowel.

How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome diagnosed and treated?

In those who are under 35 and in generally good health (apart from IBS), diagnosis is likely to be based on symptoms alone.
Tests may be necessary to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms, such as an inflammatory bowel disorder (Crohn’s disease, for example), or certain types of gastrointestinal cancer.

These tests may include rectal examination, sigmoidoscopy (in which a viewing device is used to examine the rectum and part of the large intestine), and barium x-rays (which provide an image of the digestive tract).

Occasionally, a colonoscopy (in which the main part of the large intestine is examined with a viewing device) may be carried out.

Such tests are essential in older people as the risk of more serious diseases with similar symptoms increases with age.
Treatment aims to minimize discomfort and to reestablish a normal pattern of bowel movements. Your doctor will counsel you on diet and lifestyle and may prescribe medications to add bulk to your stool.

For severely painful episodes, other drugs may be prescribed to reduce intestinal spasm.

What can I do myself?
A variety of lifestyle measures can help to regulate the bowels. Some suggestions include:

• Keep a diary to identify the lifestyle factors that trigger attacks.
• Take regular exercise.
• Avoid excessive tea, coffee and alcohol.
• If flatulence is a problem, avoid beans, cabbage, and any other foods which may trigger intestinal gas.
• Some doctors recommend a high-fibre diet, although there is no established link between high fibre and gastrointestinal disorders.

Those who wish to try this should obtain their fibre from vegetables, rice, fruit, and so on, rather than bran, which may worsen the condition. If a high-fibre diet does not help, or makes it worse, a bland diet may help.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a highly variable disorder which affects individuals differently. So, it is important to identify, and then avoid foods or activities that may worsen your condition. Since the primary treatment for the disease is a change in lifestyle, rather than medication, you need to learn more about your bowel’s response to your habits.

For example, some people may find they react badly to certain foods. Sometimes, simply eating smaller meals can help.
Since tension often worsens the disorder, relaxation therapy or psychotherapy can help you cope better with stress. Self-hypnosis has been of benefit to some people.

When should I see my doctor?

You should report any persistent deviation in your bowel habit to your doctor. If you are already under treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, call your doctor if you experience any prolonged change or worsening of your symptoms, or pass blood in the stools.

Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome dangerous?
No, but sufferers can experience some amount of discomfort.

Symptoms of IBS

• Absence of a regular pattern of bowel movements.
• Frequent diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating bouts of each.
• Bloating or swollen abdomen.
• Abdominal pain and/or cramps.
• Excessive gas or flatulence.
• Related symptoms may include fatigue, depression and anxiety.

How can I avoid Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

• A high-fibre diet which promotes efficient bowel function may help to prevent the symptoms.
• When you know you are likely to be under extra stress, special attention to diet, exercise and relaxation may be able to help, or supplementary medication may be necessary
• Avoid over-eating and eating at irregular hours

Warning / Precaution

Any persistent change in bowel habit should be checked by a doctor, as this may be a warning symptom of colon cancer. In fact, for a more cautious approach, any symptoms of pain or cramp associated with change of bowel habit should be consulted with a doctor immediately.

A biopsy of sample tissue taken from a tumour, lesion or other suspicious area may be removed for further examination to establish a diagnosis of colon cancer. Such investigations might include a barium enema, a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy.

A barium enema involves infusing a chalky substance into the rectum, in order to outline the colon on an X-ray. With a sigmoidocopy, a short flexible tube is inserted for a colonoscopy, which allows the colon to be examined along its entire length Some tissue samples may also be removed for analysis during this procedure. Colon cancer is treated by surgical removal of the tumour, along with a portion of the colon above and below the cancer, to make sure that all of it is removed. The lymphatic tissue that drains the area is also removed and studied for any signs of possible spread.

Usually the two ends of the colon are rejoined and will function normally after surgery. Occasionally a colostomy (an opening between the colon and the surface of the body which allows faecal matter to be evacuated from the colon) may be necessary. This is often just a temporary measure in order to allow healing of the bowel area where the tumour has been removed.

When Should I See My Doctor?

You should see your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any warning symptoms of colon cancer. As the likelihood of colon cancer increases with age, some doctors recommend that people over 50 years of age, especially high-risk individuals should have a sigmoidoscopy (when the rectum and colon are examined with a flexible viewing tube) every three to five years.

What Will The Doctor Do?

Your doctor will probably carry out a physical examination and arrange for any further tests or X-rays. You may be referred to a hospital for these to be carried out.

What Can I Do Myself?

The best thing that you can do if you have any symptoms of possible colon cancer is to see your doctor as soon as possible. Colon cancer is curable if it is diagnosed and treated early enough. Unfortunately many people put off seeing their doctors until the cancer is at an advanced stage, which makes a cure more difficult to achieve.

Is Colon Cancer Dangerous?

Although colon cancer is a dangerous condition, over half of those treated surgically survive for more than five years after operation. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances are there for a cure.

Who Has Higher Risk Of Developing Colon Cancer?

Some people have an increased risk of developing colon cancer. These risk factors include:

• family history of the disease
• polyps in the colon
• ulcerative coligtis and other inflammatory bowel diseases

If you fall into a high risk group you should see your doctor for advice about regular screening tests.

Treatments for Colon Cancer

Radiation therapy may be used either before or after surgery, and cancer chemotherapy may be given after surgery, depending upon how far the cancer has spread.

The colon makes up the majority of the large intestine, except the last 10cm, which is called the rectum. Colon cancer is a malignant in this area of the large intestine.

Most colon cancer is on the left side oin the sigmoid colon, the segment nearest the rectum. In Australia, colon cancer is one of the most common causes of death from cancer.

What Causes Colon Cancer?

The cause of colon cancer is unknown. How diet promotes cancer is not known either, but some researchers believe it plays an important role and studies have found that people who consume a diet low in fibre and high in protein and fat have a high incidence of colon cancer. It may well be related to the digestion of fats and to the speed at which faeces travel through the bowel. Fresh fruit and vegetables may act as protective factors.

Colon cancer often develops from a benign mass (adenoma) that grows from the surface fo the bowel and then spreads into the bowel channel. Adenomas range in size from the barely visible to several centimetres wide. Cancer cells may grow inside them and the larger the adenoma is, the more likely it is to contain them.

A small colon cancer can lie undetected for many years, without causing any symptoms. The growth patterns and eventual sysmptoms all differ, depending on where the cancer is located along the colon. Eventually, if it is not treated, it can spread to other body organs with fatal consequences.

What Are The Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

1. Persistant change in bowel habits (either diarrhoea or constipation)
2. Rectal bleeding
3. Lower abdominal pain or bloating
4. Change in the size or shape of the stool
5. Weight loss