Gastrointestinal Gas | Digestive Disorders That Cause Gas

What Is Gastrointestinal Gas?

Everybody has gas in his or her digestive tract (the esophagus, stomach, small intestine/bowel, and large intestine/bowel). The amount of gas varies and there is a wide range of normal (7-14 Tbsp. or 100-200 ml). What this gas is made up of and how it is distributed through the intestines are determined by how it is produced, how it moves through various areas of the bowel, and how it is eliminated

Intestinal gas can occur in the stomach and upper intestine if you swallow air while eating, drinking or chewing gum. Intestinal gas related to swallowed air is usually passed by burping or belching.

Intestinal gas can also form in the lower, or large, intestine (colon) as a normal byproduct of the bacterial breakdown of undigested food. Intestinal gas related to bacterial action is made up of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and sometimes methane, and is usually passed through your rectum (flatulence).

Most people pass gas rectally several times a day as a normal part of daily activities and food breakdown. Sometimes, excessive intestinal gas can indicate a digestive disorder.

What Causes of Gastrointestinal Gas?

But what causes these noisy, embarrassing, and sometimes foul-smelling eruptions? And is there a way to prevent them? There are several ways by which gas enters the body or is produced by it, and several ways that the body can dispose of it.

Gas enters the digestive tract through:

1. Swallowing of air. People swallow air to varying extents. We get rid of some of the swallowed air by belching. The rest is passed into the intestines. You can increase the chances of swallowing air by:
* Smoking
* Chewing gum
* Drinking through a straw
* Sucking on hard candies
* Drinking a lot of carbonated beverages
* Eating or drinking too quickly
* Wearing loose dentures

2. Back-passage of gas from the blood stream into the intestines.

3. The production of gas through chemical reactions within the intestines.

4. As a by-product of the fermentation of food by intestinal bacteria.

5. Foods. What Foods Cause Gas? The foods that are likely to cause gas are carbohydrates. This is because carbohydrates pass through the gastrointestinal tract mostly undigested. When carbohydrates enter the colon they are further broken down by bacterial
fermentation. This fermentation can generate gas. The processing of fats and proteins cause little gas.

The following foods are likely to cause gas:

* Starches: Starch is a carbohydrate. Starches such as potatoes, corn,noodles, and wheat all produce gas.

* Dietary Fiber: Fiber is a complex carbohydrate present in edible plants. Though fiber can temporarily cause gas, fiber is important for stoolproduction and regularity. Dietary fiber is divided into two types: Insoluble and Soluble.

• Insoluble Fiber: Insoluble fiber is found in fruit and vegetable peels, corn, and wheat bran. Insoluble fiber swells up with fluids and helps to create volume and moisture in the stools. However, since it is not further broken down by bacteria it produces little gas.
• Soluble Fiber: Soluble fiber is found in the flesh of fruits and vegetables, seeds, legumes, oats, some grains and can be found in high concentrations in dried fruit. Bacteria is able to break soluble fiber down into a gel that helps to make stools moist, soft and flexible. This bacterial activity can generate gas.

* Sugars: Sugar is a carbohydrate. Sugar can cause gas. The sugars that cause gas are raffinose, lactose, fructose, and sorbitol. Sources of these sugars are:

• Raffinose: Raffinose is a complex carbohydrate. It can be found in beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables, and whole grains.
• Lactose: Lactose is the natural sugar in milk and milk products such as cheese and ice cream. It is also found in many processed foods, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing. Some people have low levels of the enzyme lactase that is needed in order to digest lactose. This can result in gas. With age, enzyme levels may decrease. As a result, some people may experience increasing amounts of gas after eating foods containing lactose.
• Fructose: Fructose is a natural sugar present in onions, artichokes,pears, grapes and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks and fruit drinks.
• Sorbitol: Sorbitol is a natural sugar found in fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. Sorbitol is also used as an artificial sweetener in many of the diet industry foods. It can also be found in “sugar free” candy and gum.
  

Excessive production of gas

Excessive production of gas by bacteria is a common cause of intermittent abdominal bloating/distention. Bacteria can produce too much gas in three ways:

1. First, the amount of gas that bacteria produce varies from individual to individual. In other words, some individuals may have bacteria that produce more gas, either because there are more of the bacteria or because their particular bacteria are better at producing gas.
2. Second, there may be poor digestion and absorption of foods in the small intestine, allowing more undigested food to reach the bacteria in the colon. The more undigested food the bacteria have, the more gas they produce. Examples of diseases of that involve poor digestion and absorption include lactose intolerance, pancreatic insufficiency, and celiac disease.
3. Third, bacterial overgrowth can occur in the small intestine. Under normal conditions, the bacteria that produce gas are limited to the colon. In some medical conditions, these bacteria spread into the small intestine. When this bacterial spread occurs, food reaches the bacteria before it can be fully digested and absorbed by the small intestine. Therefore, the bacteria in the small intestine have a lot of undigested food from which to form gas. This condition in which the gas-producing bacteria move into the small intestine is called bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine (bowel)
   

Excessive production of gas by bacteria is usually accompanied by more flatulence. Increased flatulence may not always occur, however, since gas potentially can be eliminated in other ways-absorption into the body, utilization by other bacteria, or possibly, by elimination at night without the knowledge of the gas-passer.

Digestive Disorders That Cause Gas

Excessive intestinal gas — belching or flatulence more than 20 times a day — sometimes indicates a digestive disorder such as:

* Celiac disease
* Dumping syndrome
* Food intolerance vs. food allergy: What's the difference?
* Gastroparesis
* GERD
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Lactose intolerance
* Peptic ulcer
* Short bowel syndrome

How To Reduce The Gas?

Everyone has to contend with some belching and intestinal gas every day.

But if it's really bothering you, or if you feel that the amount of gas you're producing is excessive, there are some steps you can take. There are a few things you can try which may help to reduce digestive gas:

• Avoiding anything that might increase your chances of swallowing air, such as smoking, drinking through straws, and eating too quickly.
• Avoiding or cutting down on problematic foods, such as carbonated drinks, beans, and some raw vegetables.
• Considering a food diary. If you can't figure out what may be causing your increased gas, try keeping a journal of what you eat. You may find one or two foods that seem to increase your symptoms.
• Try cutting back on fried and fatty foods. Often, bloating results from eating fatty foods. Fat delays stomach emptying and can increase the sensation of fullness.
• Increase Bacterial Populations. Buttermilk, kefir, yogurt, and Pro-biotic supplements that contain live bacteria can help to increase healthy bacteria in the colon.
• Eat Slowly. Eating slowly and chewing your food well can help to cut down on the amount of air that you may swallow.
• Increase fluid intake. Fluids are the basis of mucus that helps to moisturize the colon lining. This helps promote healthy bacterial growth. Caution: Drinking a lot of fluid quickly in a very shot period of time can cause painful stomach gas.
• Try a cup of peppermint tea. Peppermint oil contains menthol, which appears to have an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of your digestive tract. You may find that a warm cup of peppermint tea can provide relief from gas and gas pain. On the other hand, peppermint may contribute to heartburn and acid reflux
• Exercise. Movement, even walking, can help your body to release trapped gases.
• Massage. Gentle abdominal massage can help to reduce painful trapped gas.
• Medicines are available to help reduce symptoms, including antacids with simethicone and activated charcoal. Antacids, such as Mylanta II, Maalox II, and Di-Gel, contain simethicone, a foaming agent that joins gas bubbles in the stomach so that gas is more easily belched away.
• Consult a Doctor. Talk to your doctor if you are having persistent problems with gas, or if you have excessive gas production.
  

What The Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Gas?

The most common symptoms of gas are:

• Belching.
• Bloating
• Flatulence. Passing out through the anus (flatus).
• Abdominal Pain
• Excessive or foul-smelling air
• Difficult gas evacuation

Belching



Belching, also known as burping, is the act of expelling gas from the stomach out through the mouth. The usual cause of belching is a distended (inflated) stomach caused by swallowed air. The distention of the stomach causes abdominal discomfort, and the belching expels the air and relieves the discomfort. The common reasons for swallowing large amounts of air (aerophagia) are gulping food or drink too rapidly, anxiety, and carbonated beverages. People are often unaware that they are s wallowing air. "Burping" infants during bottle or breast feeding is important in order to expel air in the stomach that has been swallowed with the formula or milk.

Excessive belching is a common gas related complaint that doctors see. Patients who belch a lot accidentally swallow air that gathers in the stomach, and is then released by belching. Often, belching is triggered by an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen that patients mistake as excessive gas in the stomach. During repeated but ineffective attempts at belching, air is actually drawn into the stomach with increasing discomfort, although some relief may be felt when belching finally does occur. In most of the cases a clear explanation can resolve the problem. The solution is to avoid intentional belching, thereby preventing additional air swallowing. If the upper abdominal discomfort persists, another problem may be present that a doctor will need to diagnose and treat.

Bloating

It is important to distinguish between bloating and distention. Bloating is the subjective sensation (feeling) that the abdomen is larger than normal. Thus, bloating is a symptom akin to the symptom of discomfort. In contrast, distention is the objective determination (physical finding) that the abdomen is actually larger than normal. Distention can be determined by such observations as the inability to fit into clothes or looking down at the stomach and noting that it is clearly larger than normal. In some instances, bloating may represent a mild form of distention since the abdomen does not become physically (visibly or measurably) enlarged until its volume increases by one quart. Nevertheless, bloating should never be assumed to be the same as distention.

There are three ways in which abdominal distention can arise. The causes are an increase in air, fluid, or tissue within the abdomen. The diseases or conditions that cause an increase of any of these three factors are very different from one anther. Therefore, it is important to determine which of them is distending the abdomen.

Flatulence

Flatulence, also known as farting, is the act of passing intestinal gas from the anus. Gas in the gastrointestinal tract has only two sources. It is either swallowed air or it is produced by bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines, primarily the colon. Swallowed air is rarely the cause of excessive flatulence. The usual source is the production of excessive gas by intestinal bacteria. The bacteria produce the gas (hydrogen and/or methane) when they digest foods, primarily sugars and polysaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose), that have not been digested during passage through the small intestine. Sugars that are commonly poorly digested (maldigested) and malabsorbed are lactose, sorbitol, and fructose. Lactose is the sugar in milk. The absence of the enzyme lactase in the lining of the intestines, which is a genetic trait, causes the maldigestion. Lactase is important because it breaks apart the lactose so that it can be absorbed. Sorbitol is a commonly used sweetener in low calorie foods. Fructose is a commonly used sweetener in all types of candies and drinks.

Starches are another common source of intestinal gas. Starches are polysaccharides that are produced by plants and are composed of long chains of sugars. Common sources of different types of starch include wheat, oats, potatoes, corn, and rice. Rice is the most easily digested starch and little undigested rice starch reaches the colon and the colonic bacteria. Accordingly, the consumption of rice produces little gas. In contrast, the starches in wheat, oats, potatoes, and, to a lesser extent, corn, all reach the colon and the bacteria in substantial amounts. These starches, therefore, result in the production of appreciable amounts of gas.

The starch in whole grains produces more gas than the starch in refined (purified) grains. Thus, more gas is formed after eating foods made with whole wheat flour than with refined wheat flour. This difference in gas production probably occurs because the fiber present in the whole grain flour slows the digestion of starch as it travels through the small intestine. Much of this fiber is removed during the processing of whole grains into refined flour. Finally, certain fruits and vegetables, for example, cabbage, also contain poorly digested starches that reach the colon and result in the formation of gas.

Most vegetables and fruits contain cellulose, another type of polysaccharide that is not digested at all as it passes through the small intestine. However, unlike sugars and other starches, cellulose is used only very slowly by colonic bacteria. Therefore, the production of gas after the consumption of fruits and vegetables usually is not great unless the fruits and vegetables also contain sugars or polysaccharides other than cellulose.

Too much and/or foul-smelling gas -

Some patients complain of bad smelling air, which may become socially disabling. Odor stems from the presence of small quantities of sulfide substances that are produced by specific bacteria in the colon. Other patients complain of too much passage of gas through the anus. The frequency of anal gas evacuation in healthy subjects varies depending on the diet, but is usually around twenty times per day. There are parts in the normal diet that are not completely absorbed in the small bowel and are fermented in the colon. These tend to increase gas production and include:

* Fermentable dietary fiber.
* Dietary starch.
* Complex carbohydrates, that appear to be the most important source of gas, in beans.
* Sugars such as sorbitol and fructose.

Furthermore some substances contained in beans block the intestinal enzyme that normally digests starch so that starch cannot be absorbed in the small bowel and passes into the colon, where it is fermented increasing gas production.

Some diseases, which are easily recognizable by a doctor, affect the normal absorption of nutrients within the small bowel. Patients with these usually treatable diseases may have excessive gas production and evacuation. Regardless of the cause, those with increased gas production and evacuation do not complain of abdominal symptoms unless they have associated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), because healthy subjects handle most gas loads without difficulty or symptoms.

Abdominal pain and discomfort

Some people have pain when gas is present in the intestine. When pain is on the left side of the colon, it can be confused with heart disease. When the pain is on the right side of the colon, it may mimic gallstones or appendicitis.

Difficult gas evacuation

While some patients have excess gas, others find gas difficult to get rid of. The process of gas evacuation requires effective muscle-nerve coordination, which not everybody has. Lack of coordination may also produce constipation with retention of stool. In some patients these problems can be resolved by biofeedback treatment. When normal coordination is restored there is also less retention of stool, which in turn leads to reduced fermentation time and reduced gas production.
Abdominal gas symptoms in IBS and related syndromes

Patients with functional GI disorders such as IBS frequently attribute their abdominal symptoms to gas. Bloating, for instance, where the abdomen feels distended and full, is one the most common and bothersome complaints in many patients with functional GI disorders. These patients usually feel gas as the cause of their symptoms, but there is little experimental evidence to support this feeling.

How To Treatment Gastrointestinal Gas?

Medical Treatment

The goal of treatment of flatulence is to reduce gas and odor. Medical intervention includes treatment with antibiotics if bacterial overgrowth of the GI tract is suspected or evidence of parasitic infection is seen.

* Some promising studies have investigated feeding nonoffensive strains of bacteria to push out the bacteria that are offensive, although no established treatments are available at this time.

* Regulation of bowel function is essential. Constipation should be treated with increased dietary fiber or certain laxatives.

* In cases where anxiety causes you to swallow air, your doctor may suggest you seek mental health counseling to change habit patterns.

Medications

If you do not desire to avoid the foods that cause gas for you, many nonprescription medicines are available to help reduce symptoms.

• Beano is an enzyme supplement that may be useful with bean ingestion. It contains the sugar-digesting enzyme that the body lacks to digest the sugar in beans and many vegetables. Beano has no effect on gas caused by lactose or fiber. You can buy the enzyme over-the-counter. Add 3-10 drops per serving just before eating to break down the gas-producing sugars.
• Antacids, such as Mylanta II, Maalox II, and Di-Gel, contain simethicone, a foaming agent that joins gas bubbles in the stomach so that gas is more easily belched away. However, these medicines have no effect on intestinal gas. These can be taken before meals. Dosage varies so read the labels.
• Activated charcoal tablets (Charcocaps) may provide relief from gas in the colon. Gas can be reduced if tablets are taken before and after a meal. The usual dose is 2-4 tablets taken just before eating and 1 hour after meals.
• Certain prescription medicines may help reduce symptoms, especially if you have a disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome. Some medicines such as metoclopramide (Clopra) have also been shown to decrease gas complaints by increasing gut activity.
  

resource:
* By Mayo Clinic Staff
* WebMd
* GIResearch
* Asumex
* Fruit Eze
* eMedicine

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Gastritis | Definition, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Definition of Gastritis

Gastritis commonly refers to inflammation of the lining of the stomach, but the term is often used to cover a variety of symptoms resulting from stomach lining inflammation and symptoms of burning or discomfort. True gastritis comes in several forms and is diagnosed using a combination of tests. In the 1990s, scientists discovered that the main cause of true gastritis is infection from a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).



Description of Gastritis

Gastritis should not be confused with common symptoms of upper abdominal discomfort. It has been associated with resulting ulcers, particularly peptic ulcers. And in some cases, chronic gastritis can lead to more serious complications.

1. Nonerosive H. pylori gastritis



The main cause of true gastritis is H. pylori infection. H. pylori is indicated in an average of 90% of patients with chronic gastritis. This form of nonerosive gastritis is the result of infection with Helicobacter pylori bacterium, a microorganism whose outer layer is resistant to the normal effects of stomach acid in breaking down bacteria.

The resistance of H. pylori means that the bacterium may rest in the stomach for long periods of times, even years, and eventually cause symptoms of gastritis or ulcers when other factors are introduced, such as the presence of specific genes or ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Study of the role of H. pylori in development of gastritis and peptic ulcers has disproved the former belief that stress lead to most stomach and duodenal ulcers and has resulted in improved treatment and reduction of stomach ulcers. H. pylori is most likely transmitted between humans, although the specific routes of transmission were still under study in early 1998. Studies were also underway to determine the role of H. pylori and resulting chronic gastritis in development of gastric cancer.

2. Erosive and Hemorrhagic Gastritis


After H. pylori, the second most common cause of chronic gastritis is use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These commonly used pain killers, including aspirin, fenoprofen, ibuprofen and naproxen, among others, can lead to gastritis and peptic ulcers. Other forms of erosive gastritis are those due to alcohol and corrosive agents or due to trauma such as ingestion of foreign bodies.

3. Other forms of gastritis

Clinicians differ on the classification of the less common and specific forms of gastritis, particularly since there is so much overlap with H. pylori in development of chronic gastritis and complications of gastritis. Other types of gastritis that may be diagnosed include:

* Acute stress gastritis--the most serious form of gastritis which usually occurs in critically ill patients, such as those in intensive care. Stress erosions may develop suddenly as a result of severe trauma or stress to the stomach lining.

* Atrophic gastritis is the result of chronic gastritis which is leading to atrophy, or decrease in size and wasting away, of the gastric lining. Gastric atrophy is the final stage of chronic gastritis and may be a precursor to gastric cancer.



* Superficial gastritis is a term often used to describe the initial stages of chronic gastritis.

* Uncommon specific forms of gastritis include granulomatous, eosiniphilic and lymphocytic gastritis.

Causes and Symptoms Gastritis

Gastritis can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Sometimes gastritis develops after major surgery, traumatic injury, burns, or severe infections. Certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia, autoimmune disorders, and chronic bile reflux, can cause gastritis as well.

Gastritis is associated with various medications, medical and surgical conditions, physical stresses, social habits, chemicals, and infections. Some of the more common causes of gastritis are listed here.

Medications Gastritis

* Aspirin (more than 300 drug products contain some form of aspirin)
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen)
* Steroids (prednisone is one example)
* Potassium supplements
* Iron tablets
* Cancer chemotherapy medications

Swallowing poisons or objects

* Corrosives (acid or lye)
* Alcohols of various types
* Swallowed foreign bodies (paper clips or pins)


1. Nonerosive H. pylori gastritis

Causes :

H. pylori gastritis is caused by infection from the H. pylori bacterium. It is believed that most infection occurs in childhood. The route of its transmission was still under study in 1998 and clinicians guessed that there may be more than one route for the bacterium. Its prevalence and distribution differs in nations around the world. The presence of H. pylori has been detected in 86-99% of patients with chronic superficial gastritis. However, physicians are still learning about the link of H. pylori to chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers, since many patients with H. pylori infection do not develop symptoms or peptic ulcers. H. pylori is also seen in 90-100% of patients with duodenal ulcers.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of H. pylori gastritis include abdominal pain and reduced acid secretion in the stomach. However, the majority of patients with H. pylori infection suffer no symptoms, even though the infection may lead to ulcers and resulting symptoms. Ulcer symptoms include dull, gnawing pain, often two to three hours after meals and pain in the middle of the night when the stomach is empty.

2. Erosive and Hemorrhagic Gastritis

Causes:

The most common cause of this form of gastritis is use of NSAIDS. Other causes may be alcoholism or stress from surgery or critical illness. The role of NSAIDS in development of gastritis and peptic ulcers depends on the dose level. Although even low doses of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause some gastric upset, low doses generally will not lead to gastritis. However, as many as 10-30% of patients on higher and more frequent doses of NSAIDS, such as those with chronic arthritis, may develop gastric ulcers. In 1998, studies were underway to understand the role of H. pylori in gastritis and ulcers among patients using NSAIDS.

Patients with erosive gastritis may also show no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include anorexia nervosa, gastric pain, nausea and vomiting.

3. Other Forms of Gastritis

Less common forms of gastritis may result from a number of generalized diseases or from complications of chronic gastritis. Any number of mechanisms may cause various less common forms of gastritis and they may differ slightly in their symptoms and clinical signs. However, they all have in common inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Diagnosis Gastritis

How is gastritis diagnosed?

Gastritis is diagnosed through one or more medical tests:

* Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The doctor eases an endoscope, a thin tube containing a tiny camera, through your mouth (or occasionally nose) and down into your stomach to look at the stomach lining. The doctor will check for inflammation and may remove a tiny sample of tissue for tests. This procedure to remove a tissue sample is called a biopsy.

*Blood test. The doctor may check your red blood cell count to see whether you have anemia, which means that you do not have enough red blood cells. Anemia can be caused by bleeding from the stomach.

* Stool test. This test checks for the presence of blood in your stool, a sign of bleeding. Stool test may also be used to detect the presence of H. pylori in the digestive tract.


1. Nonerosive H. Pylori Gastritis

H. pylori gastritis is easily diagnosed through the use of the urea breath test. This test detects active presence of H. pylori infection. Other serological tests, which may be readily available in a physician's office, may be used to detect H. pylori infection. Newly developed versions offer rapid diagnosis. The choice of test will depend on cost, availability and the physician's experience, since nearly all of the available tests have an accuracy rate of 90% or better. Endoscopy, or the examination of the stomach area using a hollow tube inserted through the mouth, may be ordered to confirm diagnosis. A biopsy of the gastric lining may also be ordered.

2. Erosive or Hemorrhagic Gastritis

Clinical history of the patient may be particularly important in the diagnosis of this type of gastritis, since its cause is most often the result of chronic use of NSAIDS, alcoholism, or other substances.

3. Other forms of Gastritis

Gastritis that has developed to the stage of duodenal or gastric ulcers usually requires endoscopy for diagnosis. It allows the physician to perform a biopsy for possible malignancy and for H. pylori. Sometimes, an upper gastrointestinal x-ray study with barium is ordered. Some diseases such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, an ulcer disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract, may show large mucosal folds in the stomach and duodenum on radiographs or in endoscopy. Other tests check for changes in gastric function.

Treatment of Gastritis

H. Pylori Gastritis

The discovery of H. pylori's role in development of gastritis and ulcers has led to improved treatment of chronic gastritis. In particular, relapse rates for duodenal and gastric ulcers has been reduced with successful treatment of H. pylori infection. Since the infection can be treated with antibiotics, the bacterium can be completely eliminated up to 90% of the time.

Although H. pylori can be successfully treated, the treatment may be uncomfortable for patients and relies heavily on patient compliance. In 1998, studies were underway to identify the best treatment method based on simplicity, patient cooperation and results. No single antibiotic had been found which would eliminate H. pylori on its own, so a combination of antibiotics has been prescribed to treat the infection.

DUAL THERAPY

Dual therapy involves the use of an antibiotic and a proton pump inhibitor. Proton pump inhibitors help reduce stomach acid by halting the mechanism that pumps acid into the stomach. This also helps promote healing of ulcers or inflammation. Dual therapy has not been proven to be as effective as triple therapy, but may be ordered for some patients who can more comfortably handle the use of less drugs and will therefore more likely follow the two-week course of therapy.

TRIPLE THERAPY

As of early 1998, triple therapy was the preferred treatment for patients with H. pylori gastritis. It is estimated that triple therapy successfully eliminates 80-95% of H. pylori cases. This treatment regimen usually involves a two-week course of three drugs. An antibiotic such as amoxicillin or tetracycline, and another antibiotic such as clarithomycin or metronidazole are used in combination with bismuth subsalicylate, a substance found in the over-the-counter medication, Pepto-Bismol, which helps protect the lining of the stomach from acid. Physicians were experimenting with various combinations of drugs and time of treatment to balance side effects with effectiveness. Side effects of triple therapy are not serious, but may cause enough discomfort that patients are not inclined to follow the treatment.

OTHER TREATMENT THERAPIES

Scientists have experimented with quadruple therapy, which adds an antisecretory drug, or one which suppresses gastric secretion, to the standard triple therapy. One study showed this therapy to be effective with only a week's course of treatment in more than 90% of patients. Short course therapy was attempted with triple therapy involving antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor and seemed effective in eliminating H. pylori in one week for more than 90% of patients. The goal is to develop the most effective therapy combination that can work in one week of treatment or less.

MEASURING H. PYLORI TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS

In order to ensure that H. pylori has been eradicated, physicians will test patients following treatment. The breath test is the preferred method to check for remaining signs of H. pylori.

Treatment of erosive gastritis

Since few patients with this form of gastritis show symptoms, treatment may depend on severity of symptoms. When symptoms do occur, patients may be treated with therapy similar to that for H. pylori, especially since some studies have demonstrated a link between H. pylori and NSAIDS in causing ulcers. Avoidance of NSAIDS will most likely be prescribed.

Other forms of gastritis

Specific treatment will depend on the cause and type of gastritis. These may include prednisone or antibiotics. Critically ill patients at high risk for bleeding may be treated with preventive drugs to reduce risk of acute stress gastritis. If stress gastritis does occur, the patient is treated with constant infusion of a drug to stop bleeding. Sometimes surgery is recommended, but is weighed with the possibility of surgical complications or death. Once torrential bleeding occurs in acute stress gastritis, mortality is as high as greater than 60%.

Alternative treatment

Alternative forms of treatment for gastritis and ulcers should be used cautiously and in conjunction with conventional medical care, particularly now that scientists have confirmed the role of H. pylori in gastritis and ulcers. Alternative treatments can help address gastritis symptoms with diet and nutritional supplements, herbal medicine and ayurvedic medicine. It is believed that zinc, vitamin A and beta-carotene aid in the stomach lining's ability to repair and regenerate itself. Herbs thought to stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation include echinacea (Echinacea spp.) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Ayurvedic medicine involves meditation. There are also certain herbs and nutritional supplements aimed at helping to treat ulcers.

Prognosis

The discovery of H. pylori has improved the prognosis for patients with gastritis and ulcers. Since treatment exists to eradicate the infection, recurrence is much less common. As of 1998, the only patients requiring treatment for H. pylori were those at high risk because of factors such as NSAIDS use or for those with ulcers and other complicating factors or symptoms. Research will continue into the most effective treatment of H. pylori, especially in light of the bacterium's resistance to certain antibiotics. Regular treatment of patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers has been recommended, since H. pylori plays such a consistently high role in development of ulcers. It is believed that H. pylori also plays a role in the eventual development of serious gastritis complications and cancer. Detection and treatment of H. pylori infection may help reduce occurrence of these diseases. The prognosis for patients with acute stress gastritis is much poorer, with a 60 percent or higher mortality rate among those bleeding heavily.

Prevention

The widespread detection and treatment of H. pylori as a preventive measure in gastritis has been discussed but not resolved. Until more is known about the routes through which H. pylori is spread, specific prevention recommendations are not available. Erosive gastritis from NSAIDS can be prevented with cessation of use of these drugs. An education campaign was launched in 1998 to educate patients, particularly an aging population of arthritis sufferers, about risk for ulcers from NSAIDS and alternative drugs.

Key Terms

Duodenal
Refers to the duodenum, or the first part of the small intestine.

Gastric
Relating to the stomach.

Mucosa
The mucous membrane, or the thin layer which lines body cavities and passages.

Ulcer
A break in the skin or mucous membrane. It can fester and pus like a sore.

For Your Information

Resources

Periodicals

* Podolski, J. L. "Recent Advances in Peptic Ulcer Disease: H. pylori Infection and Its Treatement." Gastroenterology Nursing 19, no. 4: 128-136.

Organizations

* National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. 2 Information Way, Bethesda, MD 20892-3570. (800) 891-5389.

Other

* American College of Gastroenterology Page.

* HealthAnswers.com.

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Published December, 2002 by the Gale Group The Essay Author is Teresa Odle.

This article was updated on 08-14-2006

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Gastrointestinal Disease | Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease

Gastrointestinal Diseases:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Barrett's Esophagus
• Hepatitis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Hemorrhoids
• Diverticulosis

What is Gastrointestinal Disease?
By: Dr. Anshu Gupta

Also called: Digestive Diseases

When you eat, your body breaks food down to a form it can use to build and nourish cells and provide energy. This process is called digestion.

Your digestive system is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube. It runs from your mouth to your anus and includes your esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. Your liver, gallbladder and pancreas are also involved. They produce juices to help digestion.

There are many types of digestive disorders. The symptoms vary widely depending on the problem. In general, you should see your doctor if you have

* Blood in your stool
* Changes in bowel habits
* Severe abdominal pain
* Unintentional weight loss
* Heartburn not relieved by antacids

Gastrointestinal (GI) disease refer to ulcerative disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Stomach acids and some enzymes can damage the lining of the G.I. tract if natural protective factors are not functioning normally.

The GI research strategy focuses on gaining a better understanding of the genetic basis of GI diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease) and the pathophysiology associated with these diseases, including mucosal barrier function and innate immunity, and on neural control of motility and perception.

GI concentrates on inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroparesis.

Symptoms of gastrointestinal disease are indigestion, heartburn, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain that is often worse after eating, and gastrointestinal bleeding (signs of this are vomiting material that looks like coffee-grounds, or having dark stools). Some other symptoms are acid bile reflux in the throat, asthma-like symptoms, often irritable bowel syndrome, chronic poor digestion with sharp abdominal and chest pains, hoarseness and chronic cough.

Causes of gastrointestinal disease are aspirin use, alcohol and tobacco use, poor diet (to many fried, fatty foods, sugar and refined foods), poor food combining, drinking with meals, over eating especially spicy foods, eating to fast or to often, food allergies, candida overgrowth, stress, serious illness.

Various pathogens, which usually get into our body through contaminated food and water, can produce an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. This manifests itself in diarrhea, often accompanied by pains in the stomach, nausea and vomiting. Among the most frequent pathogens at fault are the e-coli bacteria, salmonella and poison from staphylococcus.

Other causes of gastrointestinal disease may be reflux injury (such as bile backing up into the stomach and esophagus, trauma (for example surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, severe vomiting and having swallowed a foreign object), bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections, pernicious anemia and systemic disease for example (Crohn's) disease.

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Diet For Gastritis

Gastritis Symptoms

Loss of apetite

The main symptoms of gastritis are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. There is pain and discomfort in the region of the stomach.

Coated tongue, bad breath

Other symptoms are a coated tongue, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, increased flow of saliva, scanty urination, a general feeling of uneasiness, and mental depression. In more chronic cases, the patient complaints of heartburn and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, especially after meals. Often there is constipation, but occasionally, there may be diarrhoea due to intestinal catarrah.

Gastritis Causes

Irregular or excessive eating

The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating; eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods; excessive intake of strong tea, coffee, or alcoholic drinks; or habitual use of large quantities of condiments and sauces.

Worry, Anxiety

Other causes include worry, anxiety, grief, and prolonged tension, use of certain drugs, strong acids, and caustic substances.

Home remedies for Gastritis

Gastritis treatment using Coconut

Coconut water is an excellent remedy for gastritis. It gives the stomach the necessary rest and provides vitamins and minerals. The stomach is greatly helped in returning to a normal condition if nothing but coconut water is given during the first twenty-four hours.

Gastritis treatment using Rice

Rice gruel is another excellent remedy for acute cases of gastritis. One cup of rice gruel is recommended twice daily. In chronic cases where the flow of gastric juice is meagre, such foods as require prolonged vigorous mastication are beneficial as they induce a greater flow of gastric juice.

Gastritis treatment using Potato

Potato juice has been found valuable in relieving gastritis. The recommended dose is half a cup of the juice, two or three times daily, half an hour before meals.

Gastritis treatment using Marigold

The herb marigold is also considered beneficial in the treatment of gastritis. An infusion of the herb in doses of a tablespoon may be taken twice daily.

Gastritis Diet

Fasting, Water

The patient should undertake a fast for two of three days or more, depending on the severity of the condition. He should be given only warm water to drink during this period. This will give rest to the stomach and allow the toxic condition causing the inflammation to subside.

All-fruit diet

After the acute symptoms subside, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for the next three days and take juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches, and melons.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco, spices, meat, sweet, strong tea/coffee

The patient should avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, spices and condiments, meat, red pepper, sour foods, pickles, strong tea and coffee. He should also avoid sweet, pastries, rich cakes, and, aerated waters.

Have curd and cottage cheese

Yoghurt and cottage cheese should be used freely. Too many different foods should not be mixed at the same meal. Meals should be taken at least two hours before going to bed at night. Eight to ten glasses of water should be taken daily but water should not be taken with meals as it dilutes the digestive juices and delays digestion. Above all, haste should be avoided while eating and meals should be served in a pleasing and relaxed atmosphere.

Well-balanced diet

He may, thereafter, gradually embark upon a balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Other Gastritis Treatment

Warm-water enema, dry-friction

From the commencement of the treatment, a warm-water enema should be used daily for about a week to cleanse the bowels.The patient should be given dry friction and a sponge daily.

Application of heat with a hot compress or hot water bottle

Application of heat with a hot compress or hot water bottle, twice a daily, either on an empty stomach or two hours after meals, will also be beneficial.

Avoid hard physical, mental work, worries.

The patient should not undertake any hard physical and mental work.He should avoid worries and mental tension.

Breathing exercises are essential

He should, however, undertake breathing and other light exercises like walking, swimming, and golf.

resource : Home Remedies

Diet for Gastritis by Diet Health Club:

After the acute symptoms subside, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for further three days. Juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineapples, peaches and melons may be taken during this period at five-hourly intervals.

The patient can, there¬ after, gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely; seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits as outlined in Chapter 1 on Diet in health and Disease.

The patient should avoid the use of alcohol, nicotine, pieces and condiments, flesh foods, chillis, sour things, pickles, strong tea and coffee. He should also avoid sweets, pastries, rich cakes and aerated waters. Yoghurt and cottage cheese may be taken freely.

Carrot juice in combination with the juice of spinach Is considered highly beneficial in the treatment of gastritis. Six ounces of spinach juice should be mixed with ten ounces of carrot juice in this combination.

Too many different foods should not be• mixed at the same meal. Meals should be taken at least two hours before going to bed at night.

Eight to ten glasses of water should be taken daily but water should not be taken with meals as it dilutes the digestive juices and delays digestion. And above all, haste should be avoided while eating and meals should be served in a pleasing and relaxed atmosphere.

From the commencement of the treatment, a warm water enema should be used daily for about a week to cleanse the bowels. If constipation is habitual, all steps should be taken for its eradication. The patient should be given daily dry friction and sponge. Application of heat, through hot compressor or hot water bottle twice a day either on an empty stomach or two hours after meals, will also be beneficial.

The patient should not undertake any hard physical and mental work. He should, however, undertake breathing exercises and other light exercises like walking, swimming and golf. He should avoid worries and mental tension.

TREATMENT CHART FOR GASTRITIS
A - DIET

I. An all-fruit diet for five days. Take three meals a day of fresh-juicy fruits at five-hourly intervals and use warm water enema during this period.


II. After an exclusive fresh fruit diet, gradually adopt a well-balanced diet on the following lines:-

1. Upon arising: 25 black raisins soaked overnight in water along with water kept overnight in a copper vessel.

2. Breakfast: Fresh fruit and a glass of milk, sweetened with honey.

3. Lunch: A bowl of freshly-prepared steamed vegetable, two or three whole wheat wheat tortilla and a glass of buttermilk.

4. Mid-afternoon: A glass of carrot juice or coconut water.

5. Dinner: A large bowl of fresh green vegetable salad with lemon juice dressing, green gram bean sprouts, cottage cheese or a glass of buttermilk.

6. Bedtime Snack: A glass of milk or one apple.

B - OTHER MEASURES

1. I do not take water with milk, but half an hour before and one hour after a meal.

2. Never hurry through a meal, never eat to full stomach.

3. And do not eat if appetite is lacking.

4. Wet girdle pack for one hour during night daily.

5. Cold hipbath for 10 minutes.

6. Yogic asanas such as uttanpadasana, pavanmuktasana, vajrasana, Yogamudra, bhujangasana, shalabhasana and shavasana.

resource : Diet Health Club

THERAPEUTIC FOOD AND JUICES for GASTRITIS

Gastric distress in stomach owing to excess gas and acid formed by incompatible combinations of foods, stimulating spices, alcohol, coffee and other irritants.

Cleansing-detox is the very first step towards resolving this issue followed by a rejuvenation-diet.

The below foods and juices are therapeutic and healing after your cleansing.

Yogurt: soothes inflammation; neutralizes toxic gas and acids; promotes efficient digestion. Plain yogurt only, may be flavored with a little molasses, if desired.

Carrot, beet and cucumber juice: powerful alkalizing blend; neutralizes stomach acidity; promotes digestion in stagnant stomach; 10 oz/3 oz/3 oz, 1-2 pints daily.

Spinach (raw or juice): detoxifies intestinal tract; restores pH balance; soothes inflammation; consume raw in salad, or as juice, 6 oz with 10 oz carrot juice, 1-2 pints daily.

Grapes: dark grapes, raw 1-2 pounds daily, with no other food, for 1-3 days; or raw juice equivalent; powerful organic alkalizing and detoxifying elements.

Apple cider vinegar: contains malic acid (all other vinegar's contain acetic acid), which is highly beneficial to digestion; balances stomach pH; 2 tsp. in glass of water, 2-3 times daily as needed.

Other beneficial foods: almonds, molasses, raw apples, raw tomatoes, papaya.

Foods to avoid: deep fat fried foods; pickled and smoked foods; salt preserved foods; vinegar (except apple cider vinegar); hot peppers, mustard, alcohol, coffee, sweet carbonated soft drinks.

resource: HPS Health

Herbal Remedies:



Amla (Indian Goosbery): Amla is the richest natural source of Vitamin C. It prevents Indigestion and controls acidity as well as it’s a natural source of anti-ageing. It is one of the supplement used in hyperacidity and Liver disorders. Amla is found to be one of the strongest rejuvenatives in Indian pharmacopoeia.



Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – In India, ginger has been used to aid digestion and treat stomach upset as well as nausea for more than 5,000 years. This herb is also thought to reduce inflammation.



Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - this herb is a demulcent (soothing, coating agent) that has long been valued for its use in food and medicinal remedies, including treatments for stomach ailments.

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Stress Causes Acid Reflux

According to a National Heartburn Alliance Survey, over 58 million Americans suffer acid reflux , with 90 percent saying that acid reflux impacts or changes their lives. They also say cost of their medication impedes their ability to treat their conditions.
Although it has not been proven scientifically, many people believe that stress is a major contributor to acid reflux disease. Physiologically, stress can cause the digestive system to come to a screeching halt. Under stress the body sends energy to the muscles, via the blood stream, to help the body cope with a stressful situation. This means that less blood, or energy, is flowing to the digestive system. When digestion is slowed down in this manner, undigested food and gastric juices remain in the stomach much longer enhancing the occurrence of acid reflux.

What is most striking about the results of this survey is that more than half of the respondents say they have a busy or stressful life which increases the onset and the severity of the symptoms of acid reflux. The study does point out that although there is no proven direct link between heartburn and stress, we do know that stress itself causes behavioral changes that contribute to the problem. Increases in smoking, alcohol use, fast food or eating late at night are just some of the few changes a person may undergo during stressful times.

Reducing Stress and Treating Acid Reflux Disease

Whether you suffer from chronic acid reflux and find that stress exacerbates the condition, or you experience occasional acid reflux brought on by bouts of stress, consider the following:

• Take the pressure off yourself - Lining up too many goals to be accomplished in too short a period of time can be very stressful. Do one thing at a time. Learn to relax and learn to say no when others become too demanding. Set your priorities straight and make lists that you can stick to. Go easy on yourself.

• Take your mind off of you - "Loosing your mind" is not the worst thing you can do. Meditation, Tai Chi, Hatha Yoga, Chi Gong and self-hypnotism are all great ways to relieve stress. Focusing on a demanding activity will take your mind off what is causing the stress. Not thinking about yourself can be very beneficial. These arts can also be applied to enhance life with positive improvement.

• Exercise your way to peace of mind - Everyone knows that exercise is essential for good health. Besides the physical benefits it is also an important way to relieve stress. Who has time to think about problems when you're about to win a tennis match! The endorphins produced in your brain while exercising create an opiate-like "good feeling" sensation that can take you far away from the cares of the day. It is important to find a way to make exercise fun, whether it be jogging with your dog or playing ball with your friends.

• "Let it be" - You cannot control everything in life. There will always be planes that are late arrivals or departures. The weather may not cooperate with that family picnic that you planned. Your mother-in-law may show up when least expected and there will always be taxes to pay. It is important to learn to roll with the punches. You can always find something good in an otherwise bad situation, but most importantly don't let it stress you out.

• Maintain an optimistic attitude - Never underestimate the power of positive thinking. Focus on the good things - not the bad things. Be excited about the future and believe that only good is in store for you. Better than projecting the future, concentrate on the present and demonstrate gratitude in the moment. Being optimistic not only affects others in a positive way, it gives you the balance that you need to be stress free.

• Have a good laugh! - Laughter is the great healer. A good laugh can relieve more stress than anything else. Watch a funny movie, go to a comedy club or go see Hunter Blue perform at Mimi's in New York City. Try to associate with people who make you laugh, or at least don't make you frown. Maintain a good sense of humor at all times. Stress cannot exist where there is laughter.

• Love a dog or a cat - Pet animals are a sure cure for stress. Their pure unaffected love and funny antics can blow that stress away. If you can't muster the obligation of responsibility for a pet, borrow someone else's pet or volunteer to be a care taker when they are out of town. Pets have a tranquilizing affect on us and their power to diminish stress should not be overlooked.

• Talk to a friend - It's very therapeutic when a trusted friend gives advice and thoughtful support. We all need objective guidance at times. Sympathy from friends and relatives has a calming affect and can reduce stress. It's almost as if you are not bearing your problems alone anymore and that kind of encouragement is invaluable.

• Get a massage - There is nothing quite as stress relieving as a good massage. I find that going for acupuncture is very relaxing as well. If you can't manage a massage, indulge in a long hot bath, whirlpool or steam shower.

It has been said that stress is a killer. Thankfully, its reduction is not rocket science and is quite easily accomplished. By reducing the stress in our lives, we can minimize the effect of the acid reflux condition. Of course there are other factors involved with acid reflux, but stress is certainly one of the big ones and should be dealt with in a serious manner. Relax!

© 2006 Wind Publishing
By Charles Stewart Richey

Stress Reduction

Relaxation training technique:
Record these directions for yourself by reading them slowly. Use the tape daily to practice the relaxation response:

Settle back as comfortably as you can and close your eyes. Let your self relax to the best of your ability. Now, as you relax like that, clench your right fist. Just clench your fist tighter and tighter and study the tension as you do so. Keep it clenched and feel the tension in your right fist, hand, forearm. Now relax. Let the fingers of your right hand become loose, and observe the contrast in your feelings. Now, let yourself go and try to become more relaxed all over. Once more, clench your right fist really tight Y hold it, and notice the tension again. Now let go, relax; your fingers straighten out and you notice the difference once more. Repeat that with your left fist. Clench your left fist while the rest of your body relaxes; clench that fist tighter and feel the tension. Now relax. Again, enjoy the contrast. Repeat that once more. Clench the left fist, tight and tense. Now do the opposite of tension: relax and feel the difference. Continue relaxing like that for a while. Clench both fists tighter and tighter, both fists tense, forearms tense. Study the sensations. Relax; straighten out your fingers and feel the relaxation. Continue relaxing your hands and forearms more and more.

Now bend your elbows and tense your biceps, tense them harder and study the tension feelings. All right. Straighten out your arms, let them relax and feel that difference again. Let the relaxation develop. Once more, tense your biceps; hold the tension and observe it carefully. Straighten the arms and relax; relax to the best of your ability. Each time, pay close attention to your feelings when you tense up and when you relax. Now straighten your arms. Straighten them so that you feel the most tension in the triceps muscles along the backs of your arms; stretch your arms and feel that tension. Now relax. Get your arms back into a comfortable position. Let the relaxation proceed on its own. The arms should feel comfortably heavy as you allow them to relax. Straighten the arms once more so that you feel the tension in the triceps muscles; straighten them. Feel that tension Y relax. Now concentrate on pure relaxation in the arms without any tension. Get your arms comfortable and let them relax further and further. Continue relaxing your arms even further. Even when your arms seem fully relaxed, try to go that extra bit further; try to achieve deeper and deeper levels of relaxation.

Let all your muscles go loose and heavy. Just settle back quietly and comfortably. Wrinkle up your forehead now; wrinkle it tighter. Now, stop wrinkling your forehead; relax and smooth it out. Picture the entire forehead and scalp becoming smoother as the relaxation increased. Now, frown and crease your brows and study the tension. Let go of the tension again. Smooth out the forehead once more. Now, close your eyes tighter and tighter. Feel the tension. Relax your eyes. Keep your eyes closed, gently and comfortably, and notice the relaxation. Now clench your jaws, bite your teeth together; study the tension throughout the jaws. Relax your jaws now. Let your lips part slightly. Appreciate the relaxation. Now press your tongue hard against the roof of your mouth. Look for the tension. All right. Let your tongue return to a comfortable and relaxed position. Now purse your lips. Press your lips together tighter and tighter. Relax the lips. Note the contrast between tension and relaxation. Feel the relaxation all over your face, all over your forehead and scalp, eyes, jaws, lips, tongue and throat. The relaxation progresses further and further.

Now attend to your neck muscles. Press your head back as far as it can go and feel the tension in the neck now roll it to the left. Straighten your head and bring it forward. Press your chin against your chest. Let your head return to a comfortable position and study the relaxation. Let the relaxation develop. Shrug your shoulders. Hold the tension. Drop your shoulders and feel the relaxation. Neck and shoulders relaxed. Shrug your shoulders again and move them around. Bring your shoulders up and forward and back. Feel the tension in your shoulders and in your upper back. Drop your shoulders once more and relax. Let the relaxation spread deep into the shoulders, right into your back muscles; relax your neck and throat, and your jaws and other facial areas as the pure relaxation takes over and grows deeper, deeper, ever deeper.

Relax your entire body to the best of your ability. Feel that comfortable heaviness that accompanies relaxation. Breathe easily and freely in and out. Notice how the relaxation increase as you exhale. As you breathe out, just feel that relaxation. Now breathe right in and fill your lungs inhale deeply and hold your breathe. Study the tension. Now exhale, let the walls of your chest grow loose and push the air out automatically. Continue relaxing and breathe freely, gently. Feel the relaxation and enjoy it. With the rest of your body as relaxed as possible, fill your lungs again. Breathe in deeply and hold it again. That's fine, breathe out and appreciate the relief. Just breathe normally. Continue relaxing your chest and let the relaxation spread to your back, shoulders, neck and arms. Merely let go. Enjoy the relaxation.

Now let's pay attention to your abdominal muscles; your stomach area. Tighten your stomach muscles, make your abdomen hard. Notice the tension. And relax. Let the muscles loosen and notice the contrast. Once more, press and tighten your stomach muscles, make your abdomen hard. Notice the tension. And relax. Let the muscles loosen and notice the contrast. Once more, press and tighten your stomach muscles. Hold the tension and study it, relax. Notice the general well being that comes with relaxing your stomach. Now draw your stomach in, pull the muscles in and feel the tension this way. Relax again, let your stomach out. Continue breathing normally and easily. Feel the gentle massaging action all over your chest and stomach. Now pull your stomach in again and hold the tension. Push out and tense like that; hold the tension. Once more, pull in and feel the tension.

Now relax your stomach fully. Let the tension dissolve as the relaxation grows deeper. Each time your breathe out, notice the rhythmic relaxation both in your lungs and in your stomach. Try and let go of all contractions anywhere in your body. Now direct your attention to your lower back. Arch your back, making your lower back quite hollow, and feel the tension along your spine. Settle down comfortably again, relaxing the lower back. Just arch your back and feel the tension as you do so. Try to keep the ready of your body as relaxed as possible. Try to localize the tension throughout your lower back area. Relax once more, relaxing further and further. Relax your lower back, relax your upper back. Spread the relaxation to your stomach, chest, shoulders, arms and facial area, these parts relaxing further, further, further, ever deeper.

Let go of all tensions and relax. Now flex your buttocks and thighs. Flex your thighs by pressing down your heels as hard as you can. Relax and note the difference. Straighten your knees and flex your thigh muscles again. Hold the tension. Relax your hips and thighs. Allow the relaxation to proceed on its own. Press your feet and toes downward, away from your face, so that your calf muscles become tense. Study the tension. Relax your feet and calves. This time, bend your feet toward your face so that you feel tension along your shins. Bring your toes right up. Relax again. Keep relaxing for a while.

Now let your self relax further all over. Relax your feet, ankles, calves and shins, knees, thighs, buttocks and hips. Feel the heaviness of your lower body as you relax still further. Now spread the relaxation to your stomach, waist, lower back. Let go more and more. Feel that relaxation all over. Let it proceed to your upper back, chest, shoulders and arms, right to the tips of your fingers. Keep relaxing more and more deeply. Make sure that no tension has crept into your throat; relax your neck and your jaws and all your facial muscles. Keep relaxing your whole body like that for a while. Let yourself relax all over.

Now you can become twice as relaxed as you are merely by taking in a deep breath and exhaling slowly. With your eyes closed you become less aware of objects and movements around you, thus preventing any surface tensions from developing. Breathe in deeply and feel yourself becoming heavier. Take in a long, deep breath and let it out very slowly. Feel how heavy and relaxed you have become.

In a state of perfect relaxation you should feel unwilling to move a single muscle in your body. Think about the effort that would be required to raise your right arm. As you think about raising your right arm, see if you can notice any tensions that might have crept into your shoulder and arm. You decide not to lift the arm but to continue relaxing. Observe the relief and the disappearance of tension.

Just carry on relaxing like that. When you wish to get up, count backward from four to one. You should then feel fine, refreshed, wide awake and calm.

Coping.org is a Public Service of James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance M. Messina, Ph.D., Email: jjmess@tampabay.rr.com ©1999-2007 James J. Messina, Ph.D. & Constance Messina, Ph.D. Note: Original materials on this site may be reproduced for your personal, educational, or noncommercial use as long as you credit the authors and website.

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Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions as Affected by Probiotics

Antioxidant Property of OM-X Probiotic Capsules. Bioactive components of the human diet, such as antioxidants, contribute a significant "flinction" to several plant-based food products. Antioxidants are very important to human health because they play a vital role in reducing the risk of "radical-related" oxidative damage associated with many clinical conditions and degenerative diseases.
By Iichiroh Ohhira

Current 20th Century research focuses on the potential to influence, by dietary means, the functional level of antioxidants in the body. Western research has emphasized the importance of the established antioxidant micronutrients including vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene. Evidence tends to argue in favor of the possible protective mechanisms underlying the value of these nutrients in reducing the risk of several important degenerative diseases especially cancer, cardiovascular disease and ocular cataracts.



As has been establish by scientific research conducted by a team of Japanese research scientists, headed by Dr. lichiroh Ohhira (the award-winning microbiologist most celebrated as the inventor of OM-X Probiotic Capsules), consumption of OM-X Probiotic Capsules on a regular basis will enhance the capability of the human body to produce badly needed antioxidants. Antioxidants are particularly important because of the role they play in combating certain human degenerative conditions. Worldwide, only OM-X Probiotic Capsules provide the ingredients isolated by Dr. Ohhira and his team of scientists.

Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions and OM-X. The role of probiotics like OM-X in the prevention and treatment of certain conditions have now become evident from research on the microflora of the upper gastrointestinal tract with special reference to the lactic acid bacteria group (LAB). In fact, many research scientists are now convinced that probiotic products, such as OM-X, can assist in the treatment of certain diseases.

The normal microflora of the mouth, stomach and duodenum are a rich ecosystem of enormous complexity containing a large number of species of bacteria. The esophagus and mouth have similar bacterial populations. In a "fasting" condition, the stomach and duodenum contain very few microorganisms and those that are present are mainly derived from the oral cavity and throat The total population and species in the entire ecosystem show dramatic variations along the gastrointestinal tract with the highest concentration of microorganisms residing in the colon.

During fasting, the gastric juice contains only small numbers of bacteria and yeast ranging from 100 to 100,000 per ml. The predominant bacterial group found in the stomach and duodenum include Streptococci, Lactobacillus sp., Veillonelta sp. and Clostridium perfringens.

After a meal, the bacterial counts in the gastric juice increase 100 to 1000 fold. This dramatic increase in transient bacterial counts will return to baseline levels within one to two hours as a result of a decrease in gastric juice volume and pH, as well as the effects of gastric motility.

A wide variation of bacterial types occurs among individuals, however, the number of species and population of bacteria are relatively stable in healthy adults. Within the upper gastrointestinal tract, the normal established "resident" bacterial microflora may be altered by bacteria introduced into the body as a normal part of food ("transient" microflora) or as contaminants ("accidental" microflora). In the upper gastrointestinal tract, these transient bacteria have a much greater effect on the resident microflora because of the lower numbers of the latter being present.

In spite of its stability, the intestinal microflora can vary enormously in the stomach and duodenum dependent on host factors such as level of gastric acid secretion, bile salts, and mucous in the intestinal wall.

In addition, medications, diet, infections, age, stress and climate can also alter the microflora. The contents of microflora may also be influenced by bacterial interaction such as antagonism or symbiosis. Adaptation of intestinal microflora can occur to most substances that enter the intestines from the oral tract or the biliary system. This adaptation occurs within several days with the ability of intestinal microflora to metabolize these substances. Gastric acid inhibits the growth of microorganisms with the stomach of patients having no gastric acid showing an increased number of bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including lactobacillus, leuconostoc, lactococcus, pediococcus, and bifidobacterium are found throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The predominant population of lactic acid bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract is the lactobacillus species. Lactobacilli may colonize the mucosal surface of the duodenum as well as the stomach. For this to occur, lactobacilli must possess certain properties including adhesion, competitive exclusion ability and bacterial inhibitor production.

Only OM-X Probiotic Capsules provide live lactic acid bacteria that is "cultured" by Dr. Ohhira to be 6.25 times stronger than any naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria. Consequently, the "bad" bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract is destroyed or "inhibited" by the presence of the "good" bacteria contained in OM-X. Also, the special strains of OM-X's lactic acid bacteria, specifically TH 10, which is isolated from the Malaysian delicacy tempeh, are capable of inhibiting all harmful pathogenic bacteria living in the human "gut" including the MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Clearly, OM-X Probiotic Capsules, as developed by Dr. Ohhira, are the world's finest probiotic products. Only OM-X recognizes the challenges associated with maintaining and strengthening the microflora contained in the human "gut" so that the resident "good" bacteria make up at least 85 percent of the bacteria living in the "gut" and not more than 15 percent of "bad" bacteria reside in the human body.

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Herbal Teas for Acid Reflux Treatment

Herbal teas for acid reflux are very effective and also serve as an anti-cancer agent for your body. Tea has been used for thousands of years to soothe and ease a variety of health problems. Organic herbal tea also has been known to support wellness -- and is a good choice for those searching for a natural heartburn herbal remedy. That means that any herbal teas that you try must be caffeine-free. A few herbal teas for acid reflux:

1. Green Tea is an excellent choice to help your body digest oily and spicy foods. It can also help calm an upset stomach. Green tea is widely known for its antioxidant properties, and may even help reduce your risk for gastric and esophageal cancers. Again, be sure to choose a green tea that is non caffeinated.
2. Chamomile tea or Fennel is one of the most popular teas used. Not only that this herbal teas for acid reflux helps prevent acid reflux this could also help relieve indigestion, heartburn, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Chamomile is said to relieve esophageal irritation.
3. Peppermint tea which is made from the mint leaves that are brewed. This helps calm heartburn, settle upset stomach and relieve gas pain. Although there were doubts that peppermint could help a person with heartburn, there’s also proof that it does. The oil from the peppermint helps stimulate the flow of bile to the stomach. Studies have also indicated that drinking peppermint, spearmint or other strongly spiced teas actually causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax even more, resulting in additional acid reflux and heartburn.
4. Chicory Root Tea can also be used to make a great herbal tea. You boil a few cups of this and then let sit for a while. You can then drink the tea with honey if you wish.
5. Marshmallow tea is make from the marshmallow plant root that is used in herbal medicinal products. It is said to ease bladder infections, coat and soothe the gastrointestinal tract, relieve sore throats, ease respiratory problems and promote healing of the urinary tract.
6. Lavender Tea is a very special herbal tisane which has calming effects that helps relieve stress, fatigue, headache and insomnia.
7. Black Tea which are highly concentrated in the tea, have been associated with a number of health benefits that include reduced the risk of stroke and heart disease. According to the USDA flavonoid database, both black and green contain 150 to 190 milligrams of flavonoids per cup. They also provide trace amounts of healthful minerals such as potassium and fluoride.
8. Ginger Tea can help sooth acid reflux symptoms, and if you can find it in a tea, a cup after a meal might help your stomach settle down for the night. You can mix peppermint with aniseed and lavender for a great tasting and soothing blend. You should boil a few cups of water and a teaspoon of your herbal mix, then drain the herbs after sitting for about ten minutes. If you boil this tea and want to have it sweetened, you might try honey instead of sugar or artificial sweetener. We found a great inexpensive Ginger Tea by Botanic Choice that is perfect to ease these symptoms. Ginger is a natural wonder for occasional stomach upset indigestion and heartburn. It acts directly in the stomach to neutralize certain acids and toxins.
9. Rooibos Tea contains no colors, additives or preservatives, making it a natural beverage. It contains no caffeine which makes it a perfect warming tea if you have heartburn. Studies also show that this tea contains anti - spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping and colic in infants.

There are lots of other type of herbal teas for acid reflux that are available but remember that there are some teas that you might be allergic to so in order to make sure that you’re safe to drink it better ask your doctor first. Using the herbal teas acid reflux treatment is a much safer and a natural way of curing or improving your lifestyle.

Instead of drinking coffee everyday try changing it to herbal tea still have similar effects but herbals teas gives you more benefits than health risk. Because too much coffee drinking is one of the major causes of acid reflux and by switching to herbal teas you could help your body be healthy.

Although more expensive, it may be worthwhile to get good quality organic herbs if your aim is to also help you detoxify and cleanse your body system.

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