Overview
Voltaire
once said, “The fate of a nation has often depended upon
the good or bad digestion of a prime minister.” That bit
of wisdom speaks to the truth of digestive disorders. Stomach
pain, nausea, flatulence and heartburn, even when they don’t
signal a more serious, underlying problem, can make your entire
day miserable or ruin your sleep. Digestive disorders account
for more lost work time than most other illnesses combined.
For
centuries, the most popular herbal remedies have been those that
soothe the stomach, restore regularity, control nausea, vomiting
and diarrhea or otherwise aid the digestive system. Antacids,
stool softeners and digestive aids are still among the most
popular over-the-counter remedies.
Digestive disorders are among the most troubling and least
understood disorders affecting the human body. Disorders of the
digestive system range from occasional mild constipation or
diarrhea to complex conditions like Crohn’s disease and
irritable bowel syndrome that greatly affect the overall quality
of life for those suffering from them. Many medical authorities
also include cancers of the digestive system, including
colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
Common Digestive Disorders and Treatments:
Everyone
suffers from occasional bouts of heartburn, nausea, constipation
or diarrhea, but when those symptoms become chronic, or last
more than a few days, there may be an underlying digestive
disorder.
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, the organ that is most
responsible for healthy metabolism of food. The most common
causes of cirrhosis are alcohol abuse, hepatitis and immune
system disorders. The symptoms of cirrhosis include fatigue,
loss of appetite, jaundice, decreased urine output, itching,
swelling of the belly, legs, feet and lower back and mental
confusion. There is some evidence that green tea,
dandelion extract, licorice root, milk thistle
and turmeric may help prevent damage to the liver.
The
American Cancer Society estimates that 130,000 cases of
colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year,
making it the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in American
men and women. Colorectal cancer is one of the digestive
disorders that is often asymptomatic. When they do occur,
symptoms include blood in the stool, anemia, light-headedness,
fatigue, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss,
narrower stools than usual and gastric discomfort. Some experts
believe that omega 3 fatty acids, vegetable lignans,
olive oil, flaxseed, calcium, folate,
lutein, Lycopene, green tea, curcumin
(curry) and garlic may help prevent colorectal
cancer.
IBD is
an umbrella term that covers several different digestive
disorders like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The
symptoms of IBD include frequent diarrhea, bloody stools,
abdominal pain and bloating, fatigue, poor appetite, weight
loss, nausea and vomiting, fever and floating stools. While
there is no known way to prevent IBD, scientists have noted that
diets deficient in fruits and vegetables and high in sugar and
fats increase the risk of developing one of these digestive
disorders. Those suffering from IBD are at risk of malnutrition
and nutritional deficiencies, so most doctors suggest a high
quality, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplement. There is
also evidence to suggest that omega 3 fatty acids,
zinc, green tea, golden seal, slippery elm
and turmeric may help protect the colon from the damaging
effects of IBD.
Gall
bladder disease is caused by inflammation of the gall bladder,
usually because a gall stone is blocking a passage in the gall
bladder. The most common treatment for a gall bladder that is
chronically causing pain is removal, though doctors may attempt
to dissolve gallstones with medication. Peppermint oil
may help dissolve stones more quickly and milk thistle,
dandelion root and turmeric help promote the
production of bile and health gall bladder function.
GERD,
sometimes called acid reflux disease, is a digestive disorder
that is characterized by the contents of the stomach backing up
into the esophageal tube. The symptoms of GERD include
persistent and chronic heartburn, regurgitation, belching,
nausea and vomiting, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing.
Researchers believe that bromelain, evening primrose
oil, borage, selenium, licorice, turmeric and slippery
elm may help control the symptoms of GERD.
Digestive disorders that lead to inflammation of the pancreas
are called pancreatitis. The pancreas is responsible for
producing insulin and digestive enzymes. Symptoms of
pancreatitis include persistent, severe, sharp abdominal pain,
nausea and vomiting, fever, sweating, abdominal tenderness,
rapid heart rate and rapid respiration. Because people with
pancreatitis often are deficient in several vitamins and
minerals, doctors believe that supplementing with vitamins A,
C, E and B12, selenium and magnesium may both
help prevent pancreatitis and reduce the pain suffered by those
with pancreatitis. In addition, Western medicine is beginning to
adopt the following herbs from Chinese medicine: licorice,
ginger root, Asian ginseng and cinnamon Chinese bark
have all proven to have some protective effect on the digestive
system and the pancreas in particular.
One of
the most commonly known digestive disorders, peptic ulcers are
open sores in the lining of the stomach that may be caused by a
number of conditions. The symptoms of peptic ulcer are gnawing
or burning abdominal pain, pain 2-3 hours after eating, pain
that worsens when the stomach is empty, heartburn, dyspepsia,
belching, nausea and weight loss. Studies suggest that omega
3 and omega 6 fatty acids, l. acidophilus (found in
yogurt), vitamin C, bilberry extract, cranberry, dong quai,
garlic, licorice, slippery elm and turmeric may
protect against gastric damage like peptic ulcers.
While it’s not clear what causes a great many digestive
disorders, most doctors agree that maintaining healthy eating
habits and including foods from all food groups in your diet
will help prevent most digestive problems. In addition, a look
at the various supplements and treatments that are proving
effective in treating individual digestive disorders points out
several that seem to provide overall protection for the
digestive system. Omega 3 fatty acids, bilberry extract,
slippery elm, turmeric and green tea all promote healthy
digestion. Taking a high quality multi-nutrient supplement like
Xtend-Life’s Total Balance formula is one way to be sure
that your digestive system gets all the extra protection against
digestive disorders available.
