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Probiotic Yeast and IBS
File this under "you learn something new everyday": Probiotics are not just bacteria. Apparently, a strain of yeast can be considered a probiotic if one expands the definition to include any microorganism that improves the health of its host.
...Back to School with IBS
As I spend the day organizing my kids to be ready for school tomorrow, my thoughts are with all of you who have to manage school and the unpredictability of IBS. Please take a moment to review my tips:
...IBS and Labor Day
This Labor Day, I am asking all of you to do the opposite -- to use this three-day weekend as inspiration for relaxation, something that can only benefit your IBS. Here are some easy, practical tips:
...Low Fat Fish Recipes for IBS
In spite of the fact that it has been a very hot summer, my sons have been catching a lot of fish! Their success has inspired the next installment in my series of recipes for IBS:
...Study: Probiotic VSL#3 Helps Kids with IBS
IBS is a tough thing to deal with at any age, but it seems even more heart-breaking when it afflicts children. Luckily, a new study has found some positive results for the probiotic VSL#3 in easing IBS symptoms in children.
...Low Fat Chicken Recipes for IBS
As I continue on my series of IBS-friendly recipes, I turn my attention to low-fat recipes. Low-fat cooking is an excellent fit for IBS due to the fact that foods with high fat content can strengthen painful intestinal contractions. I begin my low-fat series by focusing on low-fat chicken main dishes. Each recipe has been provided by Fiona Haynes, About.com Guide to Low Fat Cooking, and has been selected for IBS-friendly preparation and ingredients. See what you would like to make for dinner tonight!
...Book Review: The Mindfulness Solution
The last time I was at the library, the book "The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems", by Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D., caught my eye. As someone who has been dabbling in meditation, but somewhat slacking due to the "two kids, two jobs" thing, the "Everyday Practices" part appealed to me and I took the book home. I was thinking that I would find a way to fit meditation around everything else, but the opposite happened. Dr. Siegel did such a good job explaining what to do while meditating, that for the past month I find myself getting up 45 minutes earlier each day to spend time in formal meditation.
...IBS Advocacy Group
A member of the IBS discussion forum, stepjrn, has posted about a new Yahoo group called "IBS Impact". As stepjrn explains, this group is about "encouraging people with IBS to speak out and take concrete actions toward greater public awareness, better treatments and services, research funding or whatever other interests and issues may arise."
...Drug Dealing or IBS?
A story too good to be left unshared: According to the Willesden and Brent Times, a man in Neasden, England tried to use his IBS as a way to explain why he had 975 grams (over two pounds) of marijuana in his car. The report reveals two very different versions as to what occurred on the night of January 18, 2009. The police state that the man, Leon Brown, drove off when officers put on their flashing lights. After apprehending Brown on foot, he "gave a false name and denied driving the car". Mr. Brown's story was that he was on his way to help coach a children's football team. Although an expert testified that the amount of marijuana would result in over 1900 joints, Mr. Brown's stated that he brewed the marijuana as a tea with honey and lemon to soothe his IBS (Don't try this at home!). The court didn't buy his story and Mr. Brown was convicted on a charge of possession with intent to supply. I guess we can rely on the U.K. justice system to "weed" out those who use IBS as an excuse for criminal behavior!
...Low Carb Breakfast Recipes for IBS
Whenever I think about breakfast, I hear Spongebob Squarepants singing "Breakfast is...the most important meal of the day". I know that for many of you, you skip breakfast thinking that it will trigger symptoms. IBS symptoms are often worse in the mornings, but this is due to your body's natural biorhythms and not specific foods that are eaten. For those of you who suffer from IBS-D skipping breakfast is a mistake for a couple of reasons: your system works better when it is given food on a fairly regular basis and skipping meals puts you at risk for eating too much later in the day and thus triggering symptoms simply by eating too large a meal. A better option is to eat something small and light to start your day off right. For those of you who have IBS-C, breakfast is essential for working with those biorhythms to encourage a morning bowel movement.
...Twelve Terms Every IBS Patient Should Know
Do you consider yourself an expert on IBS? I am sure many of you are experts on IBS symptoms, but do you know all that you should know about the terms that doctors and researchers use when talking about IBS? My newest article contains twelve top IBS terms that you need to be aware of so that you can have a better understanding of what may be causing your IBS, and to improve your ability to communicate with your doctor.
...From the Forum: IBS-C and Diabetes
A forum member named Phsciaba writes:
" I recently was diagnosed with diabetes. I am having trouble finding a diet that is good for both IBS-C and diabetes. It seems that what is good for one is bad for the other. Is anyone else having this problem? If so, have you had any success? Please let me know."...Study: Pain in the IBS Brain
More evidence that the brains of IBS patients process pain information differently: A group of researchers performed a meta-analysis of studies regarding brain responses to rectal stimulation.
These types of studies use brain scans to assess what happens when subjects receive rectal stimulation. This rectal stimulation usually consists of placing a balloon in the rectum and slowly filling it with air. I am always impressed that IBS patients and healthy individuals volunteer to go through this!
...Low Carb Soup Recipes for IBS
Many hot-weather cultures maintain that ingesting hot liquids is a good way to cool off. I might just be using that as a rationalization as I introduce you to the next installment of my series on low carb recipes for IBS. So, although it has been a long, hot summer, you might want to think about a soothing bowl of soup.
...From the Forum: IBS and the Vasovagal Response
A forum member recently shared the unusual symptoms they experience when having a bowel movement:
"The bad part is that, with the rectal pain, I will begin to have a vagus response: my throat will tighten, I will begin salivating, get hot and sweaty. then spasms will start in my stomach and I will begin rhythmic heaving with acid reflux. There isn't anything in my stomach, so there is not much to vomit, but on occasions, I will bring up the water or the coffee and bile, I suppose. The spasms are quite violent and when the episode is over, I am completely wasted. Sometimes this sequence happens once, but I have had up to three experiences in a morning. It makes it impossible to leave the house some days!"...What Did You Learn from an IBS Symptom Diary?
Several weeks ago, I offered you an easy template for keeping an IBS symptom diary:
Did you try it? Did you learn anything helpful about what makes your IBS tick? My newest article offers you a place to share your experience regarding the use of an IBS symptom diary:
So far, a couple of you have responded, with very different tales to tell. If you haven't yet tried a symptom diary, perhaps their experiences will inspire you!
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Recipes for IBS: Low Carb Side Dishes
When my kids were little, I never stressed too much about whether or not they ate their vegetables. I personally never ate a vegetable until I was 18. Now, for me, it's all about the vegetables. Whenever I decide what to cook or what to order, I always choose the option with the most vegetables.
...Read a Good IBS Book Lately?
Here is your chance to channel your inner "Siskel and Ebert" and be a reviewer. My newest article provides you with a place to post your reviews of any IBS self help books that you may have read. Let us know if you loved a book, and why, and feel free to share your not-so-positive reviews:
...IBS and the Appendix: A Unique Theory
In my perusing of articles about IBS, an abstract published in the journal Medical Hypotheses caught my eye as it discussed a theoretical link between the appendix and IBS. Who knows if the theory has any merit, but you have got to give the writer credit for certainly "thinking outside the box".
...Calcium for IBS-D: Is There a Risk?
Although there is scant research on the subject, some diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) patients have reported relief by taking a calium supplement. To me, this always seemed like a fairly safe recommendation - what could be the harm in taking a little extra calcium? A new study suggests that things might not be so clear cut.
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