Category: Digestive System Problems

Constipation is a common disturbance of the digestive tract. In this condition, the bowels do not move regularly, or are not completely emptied when they move. The stools are unduly hard and unusual straining may be required to achieve defecation. It is one of the most troublesome disorders of childhood and a major cause of maternal anxiety.

Constipation is the chief cause of many diseases, as such a condition produces toxins which find their way into the blood stream and are carried to all parts of the “body. This results in weakening of the vital organs and lowering of the resistance of the entire system.

The number of motions required for normal health varies from child to child. Most children have one motion a day, some have :two a day, while others have one every other day. However, for comfort and health, at least one clear bowel movement a day is essential and is considered normal.

Constipation Symptoms

The most common symptoms of constipation are infrequency, irregularity or difficulty of elimination due to hard faecal matter. Among the other symptoms are coated tongue, foul breath, loss of appetite, constant fullness in the abdomen and diarrhoea alternating with constipation.

Constipation Causes

Improper diet and irregular habits are the chief causes of constipation. All foods in their natural state contain a good percentage of ‘roughage’ which is most essential in preserving natural balance of foods and also in helping peristalsis – the natural rhythmic action by means of which the food is passed down the alimentary canal. Much of the food children eat today is deficient in natural bulk or roughage and this results in chronic constipation.

The intake of refined and rich foods lacking in vitamins and minerals, insufficient intake of water, insufficient chewing, overeating, wrong combination of foods, irregular habits of eating and drinking may all contribute to poor bowel function. Other causes include faulty and irregular habit of defecation and frequent use purgatives.

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Home Remedies for Constipation

The treatment for constipation will depend upon the age of the child whether he is a small baby or a child, four or five years of age. When a baby is on breast-feeding, constipation is usually the result of wrong feeding on the part of the mother, and it must be corrected. The baby should be kept on water and orange juice for a day, and small enema of warm water given. In the alternative, a glycerine suppository may be applied. Laxative should be avoided as far as possible. Also if the baby is artificially fed, the cause is wrong feeding, and this should be rectified. Here are some home remedies for the treatment of constipation.

1. Water

Drink a glass of warm water early in the morning, walk around for a while, and then visit the toilet. The water sets up peristalsis, and walking around braces up the system. Do not be in a rush to go to work. Instead wake up early, so that there is enough time for everything.

2. Salads

Eat a lot of raw salads and green vegetables. Drink plenty of water, but not immediately before or after a meal.

3. Warm Water with Honey

Drink a glassful of warm water with a spoonful of honey every night before going to sleep. (This may not be a good idea for those with a weak bladder.)

4. Lemon

Have a glass of warm water with fresh lemon in the morning.

5. Bael

Eat half a cupful of the pulp of a ripe bael fruit and a teaspoon of jaggery eveyday in the evening before dinner. For chronic constipation have this regular for 4-6 weeks.

6. Bael Juice

The ripe pulp of bael fruit can also be made into a pleasant sherbet. To a tablespoon of ripe bael pulp, add a tablespoon of tamarind water and half a teaspoon of jaggery, and drink this once or twice a day for 2-3 days. This clears chronic constipation within 2-3 days.

7. Castor Oil

Some of us are familiar with the old boarding-school remedy for constipation-a tablespoon of castor oil last thing on Saturday night ensures regular motions throughout the week. If it is too unpalatable, have it with half a cup of orange juice or milk.

8. Spinach

Spinach, beetroot or fenugreek leaves, cooked as vegetables with green onion stalks, are very good for clearing the bowels. If you eat beetroot or its leaves, your urine may become reddish in color.

9. Fennel

A teaspoonful of slightly roasted fennel, taken at bedtime with a glass of warm water, acts as a mild laxative.

10. China Grass

Another gentle laxative is china grass. This is a dried seaweed, which when cut into bits and cooked in milk becomes a gelatinous substance. It is used to make a milk custard-like pudding. While cooking, add sugar and flavoring to taste, and set. It makes a good vegetarian pudding and sets at room temperature. It can also be used to thicken soups or jellies. The laxative action is very gentle-ideal for children.

Note: Diabetics should not have fruits which are sweet, including dried figs. All white foods cause constipation-white refined flour (maida), white rice, white bread, cakes, pastries, sugar, cheese and milk products.

Useful References

• http://pmj.bmj.com/content/postgradmedj/60/709/811.full.pdf
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521691809000833?via%3Dihub
• https://www.dldjournalonline.com/article/S1590-8658(13)00116-3/fulltext
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3206560/

Swollen and protruding veins in and around the anus are known as piles (Haemorrhoids). The veins that drain the blood from the tissues in the anal area lie at the junction of the rectum and the anus. The rectum is the last part of the large intestine or colon, and the anus is the external aperture at the end of the gastrointestinal canal, through which the waste products are finally expelled as faeces or stools. The venous drainage of this area is just inside the anal opening.

Causes and Symptoms for Piles

When there is straining during defecation, the muscles of this area contract and put pressure on the veins. If the valves in the wall of the veins are weak, there is engorgement of blood in the veins, causing them to protrude. This engorgement of veins is also called varicose veins. The engorged protruding veins that lie external to the anal orifice are called external piles, and these can be felt. The veins that lie internal to the orifice cannot be seen or felt normally. Constipation is one of the main causes of piles, but any systematic disorder involving the liver, e.g., cirrhosis, or back pressure in the circulation due to any cause, a prostate enlargement, pregnancy, chronic coughing, etc., can all cause pressure in the venous drainage in this area.

People only become aware of piles when they bleed or there is pain. Initially, piles do not hurt. That only happens when infection sets in. So do not neglect any bleeding from the anus, however slight it may be. Bleeding may be the first sign of cancer of the colon. Sometimes, because of the engorgement, there may be a little mucus discharge. This causes itching, which is when a person should visit the doctor to find out the cause.

Sometimes there are no symptoms of piles (if the veins in the area are normal), and there is no systematic cause for pressure in the area. However, the passage of hard, constipated stools cause trauma to the anal orifice, and a linear ulcer occurs. Trauma due to any cause­anal intercourse, a particularly traumatic childbirth, or post-operative lesions can result in a linear cut, forming an ulcer. This is called an anal fissure. Anal fissures cause a sharp agonising pain during defecation, and they set up a vicious cycle of constipation. If constipation is the cause of the fissure, and the fissure is painful, a person avoids passing motions, which then results in him or her not responding to the call of nature and getting more constipated. All in all, most gastrointestinal de-arrangements are only the result of the bowels not being cleared regularly. This may be a hereditary disorder, where there is a congenital weakness of the veins in this area, in which case, more than one person in the family will present with piles, and at an earlier age.

All remedies for constipation will ease the problem. But diarrhea, when it is the result of overuse of laxatives, will result in a fissure becoming inflamed and painful.

Home Remedies for the Piles

1. Neem and Holy Basil

Powder a measure each of dried neem seeds and the roots of the holy basil plant (which has been washed and dried). This can be stored in a dry container. A level teaspoon of this mixture, taken once a day with a glass of buttermilk for 2-3 weeks, heals piles. Neem seeds have a laxative as well as emollient action. Holy basil leaves are digestive and styptic, Le., they stop bleeding. Between the two, they put liver function right (unless there is an inherent weakness in the veins), and help clean the bowels regularly, controlling the oozing of blood at the site. Both have antimicrobical and antiseptic properties. He leaves also have an anti-inflammatory analgesic action. They relieve pain. This preparation also heals fissures.

2. Black Sesame Seeds

A teaspoonful of black sesame seeds, ground to a paste and taken with half a glass of goat’s milk which a teaspoon of jaggery is added, will clear the bleeding and discomfort in two days. Have once a day for 2-3days.

3. A teaspoon of black sesame ground to a paste, with a little jaggery butter added, taken twice a cia week, heals piles. Sesame seeds have laxative action. The paste also has emollient properties, and so it soothes and heals the passage. The medicament in the paste tones up the blood vessels in the area.

4. Sesame Seeds

A decoction of sesame seeds is just as beneficial. Pound coarsely a tablespoon of seeds and boil them in half a water till only a glassful remains. This should be kept aside. Have one-fourth of a glass twice a day.

5. Pomegranate

The peel of a pomegranate, boiled in a glass of of water, cooled and filtered and drunk once a day, is soothing for piles.

6. Ginger

Mix half a teaspoon of ginger juice, a teaspoon of fresh lime juice, a pinch each of rock salt, black pepper powder, long pepper  powder, a tablespoon each of fresh mint juice and honey, and dissolve them in a glass of buttermilk or plain water. Have it once a day. It is helpful in healing piles .

7. Onion

Juice of onion: A tablespoon with a little ghee and sugar should be taken twice a day for a few days .

8. Bitter Gourd Leaves

The juice of bitter gourd leaves is very beneficial. Two or three teaspoons of the fresh juice of the leaves with a glass of buttermilk should be drunk once a day.

9. Radishes and turnips are root vegetables which should be eaten as a salad daily as a treatment for piles.

10. Dried Mango-seed Powder

One fourth of a teaspoon of the powder, with the same amount of honey, should be taken twice a day. Mango seeds can be collected in season, dried and powdered, and the powder stored. It has many uses What is available in the market is unripe mango-peel powder, which man housewives buy as a spice to use in cooking. This is not the same as mango-seed powder.

For local application on painful piles

1. Neem and holy basil leaves, ground together and made into a paste, can be applied as a poultice .
2. Neem-seed oil should be applied locally .
3. Sometimes a cool application gives more relief. Take a tablespoon of sesame seed, a tablespoon of crushed neem leaves, and a 2-inch stick of liquorice. Grind them to a paste with milk. Apply locally on the piles / fissure .
4. Roasted onion, mashed and placed in a cloth and applied as a poultice while still warm, is highly efficacious.

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Alternative names – Duodenal ulcer, Ulcer – duodenal or gastric

What is Peptic Ulcer ?

Peptic ulcer refers to an eroded lesion in the gastric intestinal mucous. An ulcer may form in any part of the digestive tract which is exposed to acid gastric juice, but is usually found in the stomach and the duodenum. The ulcer located in the stomach is known as gastric ulcer and that located in the duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer. Usually both are grouped together and termed peptic ulcer.

Peptic Ulcer Symptoms

The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer are sharp and severe pain and discomfort in the upper central abdomen. The pain is commonly described as burning or gnawing in character. Gastric ulcer pain usually occurs an hour after meals, but rarely at night. Duodenal ulcer pain usually occurs between meals when the stomach is empty and is relieved by food, especially milk. It is often described as hunger pain and gets the sufferer out of bed between 2 and 4 a.m. As the disease progresses there is distension of the stomach due to excessive flatulence, besides mental tension, insomnia and a gradual weakening of the body. It may also cause constipation with occasional blood in the stools. If an ulcer bleeds slowly, there is anemia. Other possible symptoms of peptic ulcer disease includes :-

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Chest pain
• Indigestion

Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcers result from hyperacidity which is a condition caused by an increase in hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This strong acid, secreted by the cells lining the stomach, affects much of the break-down of food. It can be potentially dangerous and, under certain circumstances, it may eat its way through the lining of the stomach or duodenum producing, first, irritation of the stomach wall and eventually an ulcer.

Dietetic indiscretion, like overeating, taking of heavy meals or highly spiced foods, coffee, alcohol and smoking are the main factors contributing to this condition. The ingestion of certain drugs, particularly aspirin, food poisoning, infections like influenza and septicemia and gout may also cause ulcers. Emotional stress or nervous tension also plays a major role in the formation of ulcers. Other factors can make it more likely for you to get an ulcer, including :-

• Drinking alcohol excessively.
• Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco.
• Using aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

Home remedies for Peptic Ulcer

1. Banana 

Banana  is one of the most effective home remedies for the treatment of a peptic ulcer. This fruit is said to contain an unidentified compound, perhaps jokingly called vitamin U (against ulcers). Banana neutralizes the over acidity of the gastric juices and reduces the irritation of the ulcer by coating the lining of the stomach. Patients who are in an advanced state of the disease should take a diet consisting only of two bananas with a glass of milk, three or four times a day.

2. Wood Apple

An infusion of the leaves of wood apple is another effective remedy for this disease. Fifteen grams of leaves should be soaked overnight in 250 ml of water. In the morning this water should be strained and taken as a drink. The pain and discomfort will be relieved when this treatment is continued for a few weeks. Bael leaves are rich in tannins which reduce inflammation and help in the healing of ulcers. The bael fruit taken in the form of a beverage also has great healing properties on account of its mucilage content. This substance forms a coating on the stomach mucous and thus helps in the healing of ulcers.

3. Lime 

Lime is valuable in peptic ulcers. The citric acid in this fruit, together with the mineral salts present in the juice, help indigestion.

4. Cabbage

Cabbage is regarded as another useful home remedy for a peptic ulcer: 250 gm should be boiled in 500 ml of water till it is reduced to half; this water should be allowed to cool, and taken twice daily. The juice extracted from raw cabbage is also a valuable medicine for a peptic ulcer. However, as this juice is very strong, it should be taken in combination with carrot juice, in quantities of 125 ml each.

5. Fenugreek Seeds

A tea made from fenugreek Seeds is yet another useful remedy for peptic ulcers. The seeds, when moistened with water, are slightly mucilaginous. The tea helps in the healing of ulcers as the mild coating of mucilaginous material deposited by fenugreek, passes through the stomach and intestines, providing protective shell for the ulcers.

6. Drumstick 

The leaves of the kalyana murangal tree, which is a variety of drumstick found in South India, have also proved helpful in the healing of ulcers. Ten grams of the leaves of this tree should be ground into a paste, mixed with half a cup of yoghurt, and taken daily.

7. Vegetable Juices

The juices of raw vegetables, particularly carrot and cabbage, are beneficial in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Carrot juice may be taken either alone or in combination with spinach, or beet and cucumber. The formula proportions in case of the first combination are 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice; and in case of the second combination, 300 ml of carrot juice and 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juice to make 500 ml of juice.

8. Almond Milk

Milk prepared from blanched almonds in a blender is very useful as a treatment for peptic ulcers. It binds the excess of acid in the stomach and supplies high quality protein.

9. Goat’s Milk

Goat’s milk is also highly beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It actually helps to heal peptic ulcers. For better results, a glass of goat’s milk should be taken in a raw state, three times daily.

Useful References

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-ulcer/
• https://medlineplus.gov/pepticulcer.html

What is Pancreatitis ?

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a five- to six-inch-long leaf-shaped gland situated behind the lower part of the stomach and extending downward toward the spleen and left kidney. It has two primary functions: to produce digestive enzymes that break down proteins, fat, and carbohydrates in the small intestine; and to release the hormones glucogen and insulin, which regulate blood sugar levels. The pancreas can become inflamed if digestive enzymes build up inside it and begin to attack it.

The disease can be either acute or chronic. In 80 percent of cases, acute pancreatitis is due to excessive alcohol use or gallstones. This condition can also come about as a result of infection (such as with hepatitis A or D or Epstein-Barr virus) or the use of certain drugs (such as divalproex [Depakote], used to prevent seizures and treat bipolar mood disorder; azathioprine [Imuran], sometimes used for rheumatoid arthritis; and 6-MP, a cancer chemotherapy agent). In very rare cases, acute pancreatitis may be caused by injury to the abdomen.

Types of pancreatitis

There are two main types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic

1. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time. It usually resolves. Some people with acute pancreatitis may have more than one attack and recover completely after each. Acute pancreatitis usually causes severe pain that comes on suddenly, starting in or around the area of the navel and radiating to the back. The pain is typically exacerbated by movement and relieved by sitting, The symptoms of acute pancreatitis usually begins with severe pain in the upper abdomen. The pain may be nearly constant for hours or even days and is likely to become worse when you drink alcohol or eat. Other signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis includes nausea and vomiting, fever, excessive gas, upper abdominal pain described as burning or stabbing, fever, sweating, hypertension, muscle aches, and abnormal, fatty stools.

2. Chronic pancreatitis occurs over a long period of time and does not resolve itself. Chronic pancreatitis results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis is a condition in which the inflammation has caused irreversible changes in the microscopic structure of the gallbladder tissue. Repeated episodes of gallbladder infection and gallstones are often involved. The symptoms of chronic pancreatitis may be hard to distinguish from those of acute pancreatitis, except that the pain tends to be chronic rather than coming on suddenly. In addition, chronic pancreatitis may be punctuated with periodic episodes of acute disease. In the majority of cases, chronic pancreatitis is caused by longterm alcohol use. Because the pancreas is the gland that produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels, pancreatitis-especially if chronic often leads to glucose intolerance (diabetes) and digestive difficulties.

What causes pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis is usually caused by drinking too much alcohol or by gallstones . A gallstone can block the pancreatic duct, trapping digestive enzymes in the pancreas and causing pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes attack and destroy the pancreas and nearby tissues. Chronic pancratitis is usually caused by many years of alcohol abuse, excess iron in the blood, and other unknown factors. However, it may also be triggered by only one acute attack, especially if the pancreatic ducts are damaged.

Home Remedies: Treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis

1. Olive Leaf 

Olive leaf extract acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and is helpful if you have an infection.

2. Dandelion

Dandelion root stimulates bile production and improves the health of the pancreas.

3. Burdock Root

Burdock root, milk thistle, and red clover aid in cleansing the bloodstream and liver, reducing the burden on the pancreas.

4. Take a diet that which has high in carbohydrates and low in fat.

In some cases, surgery is needed to relieve pain. The surgery may involve draining an enlarged pancreatic duct or removing part of the pancreas.

Prevention tips for pancreatitis

• Eat a diet low in fat and sugar. This is very important for recovery. High levels of sugar and fats in the blood are common in pancreatitis.
• If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to consume kefir, and yogurt, and add some form of acidophilus to the program.
• If you smoke, stop, and try to avoid secondhand smoke. Recent studies point to a distinct link between chronic pancreatitis and cigarette smoking.
• Consume no alcohol in any form.
• A cute pancreatitis becomes chronic when pancreatic tissue is destroyed and scarring develops.

What is Malabsorption Syndrome?

Malabsorption is the failure of the body to properly absorb vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from food. Even though his or her diet is adequate, an individual with mal­absorption develops various nutritional deficiencies. This problem can result from impaired digestion, impaired absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream from the digestive tract (especially the small intestine), or both. Regardless of how good your diet is or how many supplements you take, if you suffer from malabsorption syndrome, you will have nutritional deficiencies.

Malabsorption Syndrome Symptoms

Common symptoms of malabsorption syndrome include constipation or diarrhea, dry skin, fatigue, gas, mental difficulties such as depression or an inability to concentrate, muscle cramps and/or weakness, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), steatorrhea (pale, bulky, fatty stools), a tendency to bruise easily, failure to grow normally, thinning hair, unexplained weight loss, and visual difficulties, especially problems with night vision. Abdominal discomfort may be present as well. A combination of anemia, diarrhea, and weight loss is typical. However, in some individuals, paradoxically, obesity may result, if fats are deposited in the tissues rather than being utilized properly by the body. In addition, in an attempt to get the nutrients it needs but is not absorbing, the body may begin to crave more and more food, often leading to the consumption of many empty or fat calories.

Causes of Malabsorption Syndrome

Factors that can contribute to impaired digestion are a lack of adequate levels of digestive enzymes; food allergies; a diet deficient in nutrients, such as the B vitamins, that are needed to produce digestive enzymes; and diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and bile ducts that result in a lack of bile and essential enzymes. Although any type of nutrient may be affected by poor digestion, lipids (fats) are affected most often. In addition to causing nutritional deficiencies, the failure to digest food properly causes gas­trointestinal problems. Undigested food ferments in the intestinal tract, causing gas, bloating, and abdominal pain and discomfort.

Even if food is properly digested, there may be a problem that prevents nutrients from being taken up by the blood­stream and used to nourish the body tissues. Damage to the intestinal walls, through which nutrients are absorbed, is one such problem. Disorders such as celiac disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, parasitic infestation, and excessive consumption of alcohol, antacids, or laxatives can all cause intestinal damage. Chronic constipation or diarrhea can have the same result. Another problem is too-rapid intestinal transit time, which results in nutrients being passed out of the body as waste before they can be absorbed. Radiation therapy, digitalis treatment, and surgery that shortens the intestinal tract all reduce the absorptive area, and therefore the absorptive capacity, of the small bowel.

Other factors that can contribute to a malfunction of the absorption mechanism include a poor diet; excess mucus covering the intestinal lining (most commonly a result of the overconsumption of mucus forming and processed foods); an imbalance in intestinal bacterial flora, such as i.rI. candidiasis; the use of certain medications, such as neo­mycin (an antibiotic), colchicine (an anti gout drug), and cholestyramine (a cholesterol-lowering drug); food allergies; and illnesses such as cancer and AIDS. People with AIDS are particularly prone to malabsorption problems because of chronic diarrhea, loss ofappetite, and an over growth of Candida albicans in the digestive tract. Obstruc­ tions in the lymphatic system may also interfere with nutrient absorption.

Natural home remedies for Malabsorption Syndrome

1. Eat a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates and low in fats. Include in the diet well-cooked brown rice, millet, oatmeal, and steamed vegetables.
2. Aloe vera and peppermint aid digestion.
3. Alfalfa, dandelion root, fennel seed, ginger, and nettle are rich in minerals and can aid the body in absorbing nutrients.
4. Consume fresh papaya and pineapple often. Chew four to six papaya seeds after meals.
5. Black pepper contains piperine, which aids in the di­gestion and absorption of nutrients.

Prevention

1. Do not eat large meals, as this places too much stress on the digestive system. Instead, eat smaller portions of food throughout the day.
2. Do not eat meat or meat products. Meats are difficult to digest and are acid-forming.
3. Do not consume wheat products until healing is complete.
4. Avoid using mineral oil or other laxatives. Especially avoid using them for extended periods, as dependence and damage to the colon may result.

Alternative name : Lactase Deficiency

What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose (present in milk sugar and dairy products). Normally when you eat something containing lactose, the body produces an enzyme called lactase in the small intestine. Lactase breaks down lactose into simpler sugar forms called glucose and galactose, which are then easily absorbed into the bloodstream and turned into energy – fuel for our bodies. If lactose is not absorbed properly, it ferments and this results in abdominal pain, a bloated stomach and diarrhea .

The degree of lactose intolerance varies from individual to individual. For most of the world’s adults, lactose intolerance is actually a normal condition. Only Caucasians of northern European origin generally retain the ability to digest lactose after childhood. In the United States, an estimated 30 to 50 million people are lactose intolerant. Lactase deficiency can also occur as a result of a gastrointestinal disorder that damages the digestive tract, such as celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, regional enteritis, or ulcerative colitis. It can also develop on its own.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Although far less common, lactose intolerance can occur in children as well as adults. In infants, lactose intolerance can occur after a severe bout of gastroenteritis, which damages the intestinal lining. Symptoms usually begin between thirty minutes and two hours after consumption of dairy foods. Symptoms of lactose intolerance in an infant can include foamy diarrhea with diaper rash, slow weight gain and development, nausea and vomiting. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose each individual can tolerate.

What causes lactose intolerance?

Lactose is a disaccharide, which means that it is composed of two other sugars bound together. In order for lactose to be absorbed, it must be split into those two smaller sugars. This split is performed by an enzyme called lactase, an enzyme manufactured in the small intestine that splits lactose into glucose and galactose. When a person with lactose intolerance consumes milk or other dairy products, some or all of the lactose they contain remains undigested, retains fluid, and ferments in the colon, resulting in abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and gas.

Treatment for lactose intolerance

Here are some home remedies for dealing with lactose intolerance:

1. Yogurt 

Yogurt is the one dairy product that can be good for a person with lactose intolerance. The cultures present in yogurt digest the lactose it contains, so it is no longer a problem. They also aid in over­all digestion. Be sure to eat only yogurt that contains active live yogurt cultures. Homemade yogurt is best.

2. Leafy Greens

Eat a variety of dairy-free foods that are rich in calcium, such as leafy greens (like spinach, brussels sprouts, or broccoli).

3. Be sure to eat plenty of foods that are high in calcium. Good choices include apricots, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, collard greens, dried figs, kale, calcium-fortified orange juice, rhubarb, salmon, sardines, spinach, tofu, and yogurt. Calcium supplements may be beneficial.

If you are pregnant and have a family history of lactose intolerance, give serious consideration to breastfeeding your baby. If that is not possible, choose a nondairy baby formula, such as a soy-based product.

Foods that contain lactose

• Chocolate.
• Bread and other baked goods.
• Milk, butter, margarine, fermented milk products.
• Cheese.
• Ice cream.

Is lactose intolerance contagious?

Lactose intolerance is not contagious. These disorders are not transmitted from a person to another, nor are they transmitted through any other media (e.g., bacteria, viruses, animals).

Irritable bowel syndrome means just that-an irritable, stressed-out bowel. It is usually the result of mental tension causing physical stress, and is also known as a spastic colon

Causes And Symptoms of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome

In irritable bowel syndrome one has cramp-like abdominal pains, a bloated abdomen, constipated stools alternating with diarrhea, and passage of gas. The exact cause is not known but various theories abound. The most prevalent one is that stress not only precipitates this condition, but contributes to its severity. Women have a tendency to fall victim to it more easily than men, because they have a tendency to internalise problems .

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Home Remedies For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

1. Mint Leaves

An infusion made of a handful of mint leaves (taken warm) relieves intestinal spasms and gas. Take half a cup of this infusion every few hours, 3-4 times.

2. Psyllium Seed

Crushed psyllium-seed husk is a natural laxative. Again, this is something most Indian housewives buy with their monthly groceries.

3. Take note of the kinds of food you eat that precipitate an attack. Eliminate them from your diet and re-introduce them slowly, one at a time once a week, to confirm what triggers the problem. Sore people have lactose intolerance and react to milk products. Try eating fresh unsweetened yoghurt made from cow’s milk. Add a little roasted, coarsely pounded cummim seeds and a pinch of rock salt to your yoghurt.

4. Reduce fats in your dirt, as fat stimulates colon contractions that worsen already irritable bowels.

5. Avoid Coffee 

There are some resins in the coffee bean other than caffeine which can cause the irritation.

6. Cut out smoking, red wine and beer from your diet.

7. Add natural fibre to your diet. Eat wholegrain wheat flour with its husk, oat bran, vegetables, cooked beans, pulses and guar gum. Too much fibre can sometimes produce gas, so if you are not used to it, and have been living on refined carbohydrates, introduce these slowly. Give your system time to adjust. With fibre you need to drink a lot of fluids, do not have it just before or after your meal. You also need 6-7 glasses of water a day.

Useful References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21666425
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome

Alternative names : Dyspepsia, Biliousness, Acid Indigestion, Uncomfortable fullness after meals

Indigestion, dyspepsia or biliousness are usually brought on by overeating, and cause acute discomfort in the throat, chest and abdomen. Indigestion is just another name for an upset stomach. It may be triggered by eating particular foods or after drinking wine or carbonated drinks. It may also be caused by eating too fast or overeating. Indigestion and heartburn are common problems for both kids and grownups.

What are the causes of indigestion?

There is a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen; that the undigested food is still in the stomach. This is accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, regurgitation of sour fluids from the stomach, flatulence, and excessive salivation. Irregular eating hours, eating too much or too fast after having missed a meal, or just eating for want of anything better to do-the food being rich, spicy, oily, or what is known as ‘junk food’-cause these problems. Some of the common causes of indigestion includes:

• Eating too fast.
• Eating a heavy meal.
• Eating too much spicy foods.
• Irregular meals, because long gaps between meals allow the acid more time to act. Each meal neutralizes the acid for a while.
• Tobacco or smoking.
• Pregnancy, which commonly causes heartburn, indigestion or vomiting.

What are the symptoms of indigestion?

The main symptoms of indigestion are:

• Think you’re losing weight.
• Pain, which may be in the upper part of the abdomen or the chest. This may not always be related to eating.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes).
• Back pain, profuse sweating, anxiety.

Natural home remedies for Indigestion

1. Eat regular well-spaced meals. Eat only when you are hungry, and eat a little less than what you feel like having.

2. Limit your fluid intake when you have solid food. Do not eat fast, but chew your food thoroughly in a relaxed manner. You don’t have a train to catch, and neither is food going out of fashion.

3. Eat plenty of greens and whole grain carbohydrates, restrict the intake of refined carbohydrates like maida and white flour, and also spices and fried food. Eat the right combination of foods.

4. If milk causes indigestion, you may have lactose intolerance. Avoid milk and milk products. If you do not have lactose intolerance or milk allergy, and it is only an infrequent problem, have a tablespoon of lime juice with a little water.

5. Sipping hot water relieves the feeling of fullness and indigestion.

6. Cloves

Make a decoction of half a teaspoon each of cloves and black pepper seeds, a tablespoon of cummin seeds, one-fourth of a teaspoon of turmeric, and half a teaspoon of rock salt, coarsely pounded, in a litre of water. Boil it down to half a litre, filter and keep aside to cool. Take two tablespoons of this mixture 3-4 times a day. It can be kept in a refrigerator for 2-3 days, but do not have it cold-have it at room temperature.

7. Pineapple Juice

Half a cup of fresh pineapple or pomegranate juice is a good digestive.

8. Mint Tea

Mint or fennel leaves can be used to make herbal teas or infusions. These are very ‘cooling’ for the stomach

9. Basil Juice

Take a tablespoon of holy basil juice, a teaspoon of dried ginger powder, and twice the amount of jaggery. Mix the three ingredients well and take half a teaspoon twice a day with warm water. This helps digestion and regulates the appetite.

Indigestion Prevention Tips

• Do not eat fruits just before or after a meal.
• Dietary changes, such as reducing intake of fatty foods, tea, coffee and alcohol, and eating small regular meals.
• Stop smoking.
• Give your body a chance to digest food. Don’t eat a huge meal and immediately go to sports practice. Try to eat at least an hour beforehand, or eat afterward.
• Eat slowly.

Gallstones are a collection of normal or abnormal bile constituents in the gall bladder which cause excruciating pain.

Causes and Symptoms of Gallstones

Cholesterol, which is a lipid processed from the intake of fats present in the food, is a water-insoluble substance. The addition of bile, which is produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder, enters the intestine via the bile duct and interacts with the cholesterol to make it soluble. If this cholesterol does not dissolve, it gets precipitated and is deposited in the gall bladder as concretions of cholesterol, bile pigments, calcium and other constituents. These are gallstones, which are stones of different types, depending on their composition.

Gallstones may be single or multiple. They cause pain when they either block the bile duct, or are so many that they stretch the gall bladder wall.

Home Remedies to Cure Gallstones

1. Have a diet rich in artichokes-globe artichokes. These have a substance called cynarin, which helps control cholesterol levels and improves liver and gall bladder function.

2. Beetroots

Beetroot juice are especially beneficial as they clean the gall bladder. The juice can be combined with carrot juice, both in equal quantities. Take half a cup of each. Mix and have it twice a day.

3. Have a fat-free diet.

4. Pears

Among fruits, pears has a positive effect on gall bladder function.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix the 2 tps. apple cider vinegar and 1 tps. lemon juice in the 1 glass of water and drink this empty stomach in the morning.

6. Lemon Juice For Gallstones

Add 1 tps. lemon juice to the 1 glass of water and drink this in the morning.

Dysentery is a serious condition affecting the large intestine. It is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the bowel, a colic pain in the region of the abdomen and passing of liquid or semi-formed stools with mucus and blood. Children are more prone to this disease than adults.

The pathological condition of dysentery is caused by two organisms, protozoa and bacilli. The dysentery caused by former is generally known as amoebic dysentery and by latter as bacillary dysentery. An attack of amoebic dysentery is milder in comparison with bacillary dysentery. But while bacillary dysentery can respond quickly to treatment, amoebic dysentery does not, unless the patient is very careful. Dysentery is prevalent allover the world, except in very cold countries. Places, where poor sanitary conditions prevail, are particularly affected. The disease is most common in late summer, and in hot, tropical climates.

Dysentery Symptoms

Dysentery in children may be acute or chronic. The acute form is characterized by pain in the abdomen, diarrhea and dysenteric motions. Yellowish white mucus and sometimes only blood from the intestinal ulcers is passed with stools. The evacuations are preceded by pain and tenesmus. The child feels a constant desire to evacuate his bowels, although there may be nothing to throw off except a little mucus and blood. There is a feeling of pain in the rectum and along the large intestine. With the advance of disease, the quantity of mucus and blood increases.

Occasionally, casts or shreads of skin-like mucous membrane, from small fragments to 12 inches or so, long and an inch wide,are seen to pass out with motions. Sometimes pus is also thrown out with motion and often the small of the stools becomes very foetid. All the digestive processes are upset and secretions are changed or stopped.

Chronic cases are after-effects of acute attacks. The child does not recover completely. Stool remains putrid and may contain blood, while diarrhea and constipation may alternate, and general health is disturbed. In severe cases, the temperature may rise to 104′ to 105′ F. It may occasionally become subnormal also.

Causes of Dysentery

Dysentery is caused by either protozoa or bacilli. However, the germs develop in the colon as a result of putrefaction of excessive quantities of animal protein food, fried substances, too-spicy foods and hard-to-digest fatty substances. Thus dietary indiscretion and’ eating of excessive amounts of flesh food in hot weather or tropical climate results in indigestion of such foods. The other precipitating factors include debility, fatigue, chill, lowered vitality, intestinal disorders and over-crowed, poor sanitary conditions.

The incidence of amoebic dysentery is very high in areas devoid of proper sanitary facilities. The infection may occur due to contamination of water with human sewage containing amoebic cysts. Various foods may be contaminated by being fertilized with human sewage or by flies exposed to infection .or by careless food handlers who have the disease. Children may infect themselves by playing in muck contaminated with amoebic cysts.

Bacillary dysentery is caused by certain germs of the shigella group, of which there are several varieties. These organisms are spread from one person to another by contact, as well as through contaminated food and water. The disease may also be spread by flies. It is common in younger children. The germs pass directly into the intestine, causing swelling and superficial ulcerations. The inflammation in severe cases may involve whole of the colon and also the lower part of the small bowel.

Treatment For Dysentery

The treatment of dysentery should aim at removing the offending and toxic matter- from the intestines ana for alleviating painful symptoms, stopping the virulence of the bacteria and promoting healing of the ulcer. The child-patient should be kept on liquid diet for the first 24 hours. The use of butter-milk will be especially beneficial as it combats offending bacteria and helps establishment of helpful micro-organisms in the intestines.

The child may be given about 15 to 20 ml. of castor oil with milk. This will facilitate quicker removal of offensive matter, minimize the strain during motion and also act as a lubricant to the ulcerated surfaces. The child should be kept on complete bed rest as movement induces pain and aggravates distressing symptoms. Hot water bags may be applied over the abdomen.

After acute symptoms are over, the child may be allowed rice, curd, fresh ripe fruits, especially bael, banana and pomegranate and skimmed milk. Solid foods should be introduced very carefully and grad~ally according to the pace of recovery. Fresh fruits and vegetable salads, which have a detoxifying and cleansing effect upon the intestines, should form the major portion of the future diet. Flesh foods of all kinds should be avoided in future as far as possible. Other foods which should be avoided are tea, coffee, white sugar, white flour and products made from them.

Home Remedies for Dysentery

1. Orange Peel

Take a tablespoon of dried orange peel, crushed and ground to a powder. Add a tablespoon of large black raisin seeds. The fruit part of the raisin is laxative in nature, whereas the seeds are not. Powder the seeds, and add it to the crushed, powdered, dried orange peel. Take a teaspoon of this mixture once a day for 3-4 days. The combination heals the ulcers in the intestines and stops the passage of mucus in stools.

2. Mango Flowers

Take a tablespoon each of fresh mango flowers and pomegranate flowers. Mango flowers are small and grow in bunches on the tree, whereas pomegranate flowers are bigger, hence just one or two of them will suffice. Grind them together and mix in a glass of buttermilk. Both have astringent as well as soothing properties. The mango flower also has a styptic action which will stop the oozing of blood. Hence, both these act on the ulcers in the intestine. Have once a day for 3-4 days.

3. Dry Pomegranate Seeds

Make a paste of dry pomegranate seeds (Anardana) and Raisin (Kishmis) with a little of salt in it , It is a most effective remedy tried successfully by many.

4. Fenugreek Seeds

Take a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds. Grind and keep aside. One-fourth of a teaspoon of this powder, with a cup of fresh yoghurt, had 2-3 times a day, clears the mucus in the stool. Alternatively, a tablespoon of the juice of fenugreek leaves, taken with 1-2 black rasins, will also relieve dysentery.

5. Cumin Seeds

Roast 1/2 tsp cumin (jeera) seeds and 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds (dana methi). Mix and powder it, add to 4 tsp of yogurt (curd). Take thrice a day.

6. Fresh Lemon Juice

Have the juice of – two lemons added to a glass of water, with rock salt and sugar to taste, 3-4 times a day.

7. Mix 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice, and 1/4 tsp pepper powder and drink it.

8. Pomegranate

The use of pomegranate (anar) rind is another effective remedy for dysentery. About 60 grams of rind should be boiled in 250 ml milk. It should be removed from fire when one third of milk has evaporated. It should be administered to the patient in three equal doses at suitable intervals. It will relieve the dysentery very soon.

9. Apple

Apple is also considered beneficial in the treatment of acute and chronic dysentery in children. Ripe and sweet apples should be turned into soft pulp by steaming and given to the child several times a day, from one to four tablespoons, according to age. The American Medical Association has also advocated the use of apples as therapeutic agent in dysentery.

10. Banana

Mashed banana together with little salt is a very valuable remedy for dysentery. Several cases both acute and chronic dysentery is cured by this treatment.

Useful References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19319017
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dysentery/
• https://www.cdc.gov/shigella/general-information.html