Food Intolerance And Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes is one of the biggest scourges of this century. Along with cardiac problems and high cholesterol levels, this condition has pushed entire generations of people into a high risk zone, where they are literally living on the edge everyday. One of the most puzzling things about diabetes is the fact that there is still a lot of confusion about what causes it. Of course, heredity, food habits and lifestyle factors play an important role. But, there are still gaps in our understanding.
According to studies conducted recently, carbohydrate intolerance could be one of the factors that cause diabetes. It certainly contributes to obesity so by natural progression, it must also contribute to diabetes. The ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians) published a new study in their journal that shows how in some people, the inability to absorb and break down carbohydrates leads to the build up of fat. Such people become obese when they are unable to digest or process carbohydrates. When this intolerance is not diagnosed, it leads to metabolic disorders in the long run. Researchers also made another interesting discovery: carbohydrate intolerance leads to metabolic syndrome, which is nothing but a collective name for medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension.
Proper carbohydrate intake is an important part of type2 diabetes treatment. This is because people who suffer from carbohydrate intolerance cannot tolerate any of the simple sugars that their food provides. In such people, there is a lack of digestive enzymes. This makes it impossible to digest and absorb carbohydrates. Since the body is not getting its fair share of carbs, it goes into a starvation mode. It stores more fat. At the same time, it stimulates hunger, thereby encouraging the person to eat more. This is the reason why untreated food intolerance directly leads to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
It is not just type2 diabetes, even type1 diabetes may be caused by the body’s adverse reaction to food. Evidence has been collected to show how the condition shows great genetic similarity to celiac disease which is caused by gluten intolerance.
As sufferers know, there is no cure for diabetes. The most vital part of diabetes treatment is the proper management of blood sugar levels. Patients are advised to eat food in moderation, exercise and follow a healthy lifestyle so that their blood sugar levels remain stable. Food items that are rich in fiber while lean on carbs is the recommended diet since these items release sugar at a steady pace, unlike simple carbohydrates which inundate the bloodstream with high doses of sugar. Even in spite of following these regulations, carbohydrate intolerance can lead to associated problems. Therefore, such people may need to take in enzymes that help break down carbohydrates.
According to surveys and reports, more than 72% of all Americans suffer from one or another kind of food intolerance. Unfortunately, most of us are not aware of food sensitivities because the symptoms are quite subtle. The only way you can spot food sensitivity is through blood tests that confirm the same. Considering the needless suffering that people with food sensitivities undergo day after day and year after year, a simple blood test seems like a more attractive alternative.
By: quinlanmurray
About the Author:
Food Intolerance – For over 20 years, the ALCAT Test has provided both patients as well as healthcare professionals with a tool to successfully overcome a wide variety of conditions which result from food sensitivity and chemical intolerance.
An Irritable Bowel Syndrome Description – What Is Ibs?
If you are looking for an irritable bowel syndrome description that is easy to understand, then this article should help.
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a term used to define a functional bowel disorder. This basically means that the problems that occur are related to an abnormality in the way the bowels work or function.
IBS sufferers’ experience episodes of abdominal discomfort and abnormal bowel habits.
IBS is also called nervous colon syndrome, spastic colitis and Mucous colitis, but it is entirely different from other types of colitis, which are known as inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD.
The real cause of IBS is unknown, but gastroenterologists can specifically determine its presence by observing the usual symptoms of abdominal pain, cramping, bloating and changes in bowel patterns, as evidenced by diarrhea or constipation.
It can last for many years, or just a few months, and can recur after long periods of remission.
Irritable bowel syndrome is treatable and will not cause other diseases over time.
Although there is a wide range of symptoms associated with the condition, in every person who suffers with IBS there is almost always abdominal pain with changes to bowel habits.
Continue reading to discover how you can sign up for the free IBS newsletter and discover natural methods to overcome IBS.
Abdominal pain is likely to occur from gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as rapid contractions occur, irritating the nerve endings in the area and causing abdominal bloating as well. The pain usually subsides as patients defecate or relieve themselves.
Changes in bowel habits are described as having alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation. Usually one is more predominant than the other at any one particular time.
As gut contraction and motility increase and decrease, it will have an effect on digestive enzymes and waste material and alter the normal function of the bowel.
Depending on the strength and frequency of the contraction it can result in varying episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
Several diagnostic tests can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, although a conclusive diagnosis cannot be made until the doctor has eliminated any other conditions that may be causing the symptoms to flare up.
IBS has similar symptoms to a number of other gastrointestinal conditions, some of which are more severe, and so they need to be eliminated prior to any formal diagnosis.
A medical history and physical examination are vital to properly identify the signs that are linked to IBS. Stool analysis or a sigmoidoscopy may also be requested to directly examine the intestine and observe changes in contraction and structure to eliminate other suggested causes of the condition.
Fiber supplements and antispasmodic medication can improve gastrointestinal motility (movement) and relieve adverse muscle contractions to effectively help relieve the disorder.
Antidepressants are helpful in reducing pain but they do not treat with the factors that can cause an IBS “attack” and so should only be used for a short period until proper identification of the trigger conditions is made and they are removed where possible.
Depression and anxiety are common in IBS sufferers especially in those with pre-existing psychological conditions. It is believed that up to about 60% of people with IBS also have psychological disorders, like anxiety or depression. Although it is not known which comes first, the IBS or the psychological disorder.
Any Irritable bowel syndrome description would not be complete without stating the goal of any IBS treatment. The goal then is to improve bowel function which may subsequently also relieve pain and feelings of gassiness in the abdominal area, as well as improve the quality of the persons life.
By: Susan Reynolds
About the Author:
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a term used to define a functional bowel disorder. This basically means that the problems that occur are related to an abnormality in the way the bowels work or function.
IBS sufferers’ experience episodes of abdominal discomfort and abnormal bowel habits.
IBS is also called nervous colon syndrome, spastic colitis and Mucous colitis, but it is entirely different from other types of colitis, which are known as inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD.
The real cause of IBS is unknown, but gastroenterologists can specifically determine its presence by observing the usual symptoms of abdominal pain, cramping, bloating and changes in bowel patterns, as evidenced by diarrhea or constipation.
It can last for many years, or just a few months, and can recur after long periods of remission.
Irritable bowel syndrome is treatable and will not cause other diseases over time.
Although there is a wide range of symptoms associated with the condition, in every person who suffers with IBS there is almost always abdominal pain with changes to bowel habits.
Continue reading to discover how you can sign up for the free IBS newsletter and discover natural methods to overcome IBS.
Abdominal pain is likely to occur from gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as rapid contractions occur, irritating the nerve endings in the area and causing abdominal bloating as well. The pain usually subsides as patients defecate or relieve themselves.
Changes in bowel habits are described as having alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation. Usually one is more predominant than the other at any one particular time.
As gut contraction and motility increase and decrease, it will have an effect on digestive enzymes and waste material and alter the normal function of the bowel.
Depending on the strength and frequency of the contraction it can result in varying episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
Several diagnostic tests can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, although a conclusive diagnosis cannot be made until the doctor has eliminated any other conditions that may be causing the symptoms to flare up.
IBS has similar symptoms to a number of other gastrointestinal conditions, some of which are more severe, and so they need to be eliminated prior to any formal diagnosis.
A medical history and physical examination are vital to properly identify the signs that are linked to IBS. Stool analysis or a sigmoidoscopy may also be requested to directly examine the intestine and observe changes in contraction and structure to eliminate other suggested causes of the condition.
Fiber supplements and antispasmodic medication can improve gastrointestinal motility (movement) and relieve adverse muscle contractions to effectively help relieve the disorder.
Antidepressants are helpful in reducing pain but they do not treat with the factors that can cause an IBS “attack” and so should only be used for a short period until proper identification of the trigger conditions is made and they are removed where possible.
Depression and anxiety are common in IBS sufferers especially in those with pre-existing psychological conditions. It is believed that up to about 60% of people with IBS also have psychological disorders, like anxiety or depression. Although it is not known which comes first, the IBS or the psychological disorder.
Any Irritable bowel syndrome description would not be complete without stating the goal of any IBS treatment. The goal then is to improve bowel function which may subsequently also relieve pain and feelings of gassiness in the abdominal area, as well as improve the quality of the persons life.
By: Susan Reynolds
About the Author:
Sign up for Susan Reynolds’ free IBS newsletter – Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about irritable bowel syndrome description.