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Ingrid
| | Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 02:36 pm: | |
This discussion is being launched as a result of questions people have with respect to symptoms associated with gastrointestinal distress, often undiagnosed. Many people visiting this site start on the gall stone pages and feel that their symptoms do not perfectly match those of others posting about their gall stone issues.
Invariably, I suggest that people see health care practitioners who can help them zero in on what the problem really is, and some people do take this advice. Recently, one person learned that she had IBS, not gall stones.
There is no one specific cause of irritable bowel syndrome. As the name suggests, the "disease" consists of a collection of symptoms. These are usually intermittent and uncomfortable, sometimes very painful.
The gastrointestinal tract is a long system, beginning in the mouth and ending at the rectum. At any point along the way, something could disturb digestion and/or elimination, but let me start with some basics.
First, food should be tantalizing. It should awaken the senses by aromatic appeal that jump starts digestion. Beginning with salivation, the body should go into a state of anticipation in which gastric secretions are increased. Boring food simply won't trigger this kind of excitement, nor will eating on a full stomach.
So, step one is to create interesting food and hope there is a sensory response which starts the digestive process. Food is moistened and softened in the mouth and then churned in the stomach. If the output of gastric secretions is insufficient, food is broken down by fermentation rather than digestion. The is the beginning of gas and bloating, but it is predominantly abdominal distention that is the problem at this stage. Once the problem has begun, enzymes are the best solution after the fact.
Food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestines and then the large. Each part of the gastrointestinal system is specialized and absorption of nutrients depends on the efficiency of each part. One could eat good food, but if it is not assimilated, there will not only be deficiency conditions but also complications such as congestion and flatulence.
The second main problem associated with this process is lack of adequate intestinal flora. One can lose intestinal flora for a number of reasons:
1. drinking chlorinated/fluoridated water
2. taking antibiotics (as prescription medications or through ingestion of animal products that have antibiotic residues)
3. diarrhea
4. infection (usually parasitic)
5. poor dietary habits
This list may not be complete, but it's a good checklist.
Lack of friendly bacteria needed for making colon hygiene is a very common problem that is relatively easily corrected by taking acidophilus, bifidus, bulgaricus, and other types of probiotic supplements. Once the proper balance of intestinal flora is achieved, it will be maintained unless one drinks enough treated water to knock out the bacteria. Things like colloidal silver also tend to destroy intestinal flora so if using a supplement like this, one may need to add probiotics to the menu also.
Parasites are an additional complicating factor because they not only help themselves to nutrients intended for you, but they excrete waste materials into the colon which are gaseous (like ammonia) and toxic.
Given the length of the intestines, it is relatively easy for a pocket of fermentation to form that throws off enough gas to cause a sudden twist or kink of the intestines. This can be excruciatingly painful and/or it could cause a temporary blockage and then when enough force is built up, an emergency evacuation, explaining the alternation many people have between constipation and diarrhea.
Another major problem is impaction due to diets high in refined foods, like white flour and white sugar. This results in deposits on the inside walls of the colon which slows down peristalsis since the villi needed to move food through are covered with pounds and pounds of old food.
Serious colon cleansing will gradually remove most of this impaction. Most people will do just fine with some supplemental intestinal flora and perhaps a colon cleanser or tonifier, like triphala. Others will need to detoxify both the blood and colon in addition to the basic plan. In general, all the flora can be repopulated in ten days; but some people, especially those with candida, have a surge in distress on the first couple of days of use.
The colon can generally be ridded of impacted material in 2-3 months, but a few people require half a year. Some people cannot achieve the desired result only with herbs, and they need to see a colonic therapist or use a colema board. In general, I prefer to see people succeed using natural means, not having to resort to accessory devices, but much depends on the starting point, diet, compliance with respect to protocols, etc.
Parasites can be a very much more serious matter and could take a long time to eliminate. I know many people believe they can succeed in five days, but I have just almost never "seen it with my own eyes." It is much more usual that people have to persevere for a long time, and the effort is worth it because the problem is chronic and debilitating.
I hope this acts as a good starting point.
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Christianne Hawk
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 02:06 pm: | |
Yes it does, thank you! What do you recommend for cleansing the colon naturally? Do the herbal "detox" formulas that you can buy help? Thank you! |
Ingrid
| | Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 12:49 am: | |
If triphala works for you, it is the best because it is not a laxative but a colon rejuvenator. This concept doesn't really exist in Western medicine, but the idea of taking a few months to cleanse the colon and revitalize its function is important to all longevity therapies.
Triphala is an Ayurvedic formula consisting of three tropical fruits. We sell it and it combines well with Blood Cleanse or the Liver Formula. Little by little, you simply restore colon function. If you also take probiotics, you will get even better results.
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Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 11:00 am: | |
i have been having severe lower stomach pain for two weeks. i have been to doctors with no help. they say they don't know. i have had blood tests,urine tests, x-rays, catscans with no results. very nauseated, the spasm pains and stomach rumblings are terrible. can't keep liquids down and haven't eaten much solids. also, i have been very shaky and weak. don't know where to turn. can you help? |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 11:02 am: | |
i have been having severe lower stomach pain for two weeks. i have been to doctors with no help. they say they don't know. i have had blood tests,urine tests, x-rays, catscans with no results. very nauseated, the spasm pains and stomach rumblings are terrible. can't keep liquids down and haven't eaten much solids. also, i have been very shaky and weak. don't know where to turn. can you help? |
Ingrid
| | Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 01:03 pm: | |
Honestly, it's impossible to know, but sometimes a holistic practitioner has approaches not used in conventional medicine, including darkfield microscopy. |
tim orrahood
| | Posted on Saturday, November 13, 2004 - 12:13 pm: | |
Hello .My name is Tim.
I have done 20 or so gallstone cleanses and feel like I have a big obstruction in my gallbladder-stomach.I also have an ulcer.
In Feb.2004 I had my amalgams out and swallowed some mercury.I went to a Dr.,told him I had an ulcer and gallstones for which he dissmissed me saying it was nonsense
If I take stone free,do apple juice fasts and olive oil and lemon juice,will it dissolve a big stone?
I fear going back to a Dr,only to have him carve out mt gallbladder
Please help!
Thanks,
Tim |
Ingrid
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 12:17 am: | |
Well, it sounds like you need to find out what is really wrong. How do you know you have an ulcer? and what makes you think you have an obstruction? and if you have done 20 flushes, why do you think you have or had gall stones? It sounds to me like you are lacking some critical information about what is really happening.
Best wishes! |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 10:31 pm: | |
I have suffered for over 10 years with what the doctors have always called irritable bowel. If I take no medications I can have 20 - 30 stools a day. I have had every test that is known to men and god. I've been to numerous Universities and hospitals. I take Many Many anti-diarrheals. I even take one they pulled off the market and am in a research study to be on it. I take over 30 pills a day for this problem just to function. Any thing you suggest. I am almost afraid to try to take any medicine for fear it might get worse. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 08:16 am: | |
perfect site !!!!!!!! Perfect piece of work fellows !!!!!!! <img><map><area></map> |
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