Intestinal infection can lead to chronic symptoms: Here are ways to keep your gut healthy

Sometimes an intestinal infection like the traveler’s diarrhea, can cause development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. Scientists aren’t sure exactly how this happens, but some think an infection may contribute to IBS by damaging the gut nervous system.

A recent study has come up with new findings about how this happens, which can lead to better treatments of IBS. The study conducted with mice takes a close look at why neurons in the gut die and how the immune system normally protects them.

The researchers explain – in a healthy gut, the immune system must strike a careful balance between responding to threats and keeping that response in check to avoid damage. “Inflammation helps the gut ward off an infection, but too much of it can cause lasting harm,” said study researcher Daniel Mucida, Associate Professor at Rockefeller University in the US. The finding is published in the journal Cell.
 
Ways to keep your gut healthy
If you have a healthy gut, you’re less likely to experience damaging inflammation. So here are some ways to keep your gut healthy.
 
Eat ‘healthy gut’ foods
The food you eat will not only provide nutrients to you, but it will also feed the trillions of bacteria that live in your gut. Eat more fibre-rich foods.  Fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts and whole-grains feed healthy bacteria provides the fibre that builds good bacteria and overall gut health.

Other ‘healthy gut’ foods include probiotic foods like live yoghurt, kefir, some cheeses and fermented or pickled foods (such as kimchi, sauerkraut and pickled ginger). Avoid eating highly processed foods, as they can suppress ‘good’ bacteria or increase ‘bad’ bacteria.

Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep may increase risk of obesity, which in turn can cause digestive system disorders.
 
Do some exercise
It may sound like a cliché, but exercise is the best way to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight. A healthy body means you are less prone to digestive system problems.

Manage anxiety and depression
Due to the brain-gut connection, your mood and digestive system health (especially disorders like irritable bowel syndrome) are inseparable. So, anxiety and depression may affect your gut health. If you suffer from these issues, get help to solve it. You may try relaxation therapies along with other distraction techniques.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: 5 Surprising Triggers Behind This Condition

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gut condition that affects millions across the world. Evidences suggest that people are likely to suffer from this condition between their teens and their 40s. Women are more susceptible to Irritable Bowel Syndrome than men. IBS is a condition characterised by a combination of physical manifestations: Pain or discomfort in the belly, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea (one can suffer from both alternately), inconsistency in the type of poop (thin, hard, or soft and liquid). Though not life-threatening, IBS can take a toll on your functionality and bring down your quality of life.

WHAT CAUSES IBS?

There are innumerable theories about the culprits behind Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While one school of thought suggests it is the result of an oversensitive gut, another theory points out that chemicals like serotonin and gastrin may be associated with IBS. Research also hints at the possibility of certain bacteria playing the culprit. However, experts in the field are yet to arrive at a definite conclusion. Here, we guide you through some sneaky things which may contribute to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Your cup of coffee

Coffee is one of the 10 most common culprits that trigger an IBS episode, observes a study published in The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. Reason? Caffeine. Overconsumption of coffee may lead to indigestion and cramping. So, it’s best to limit your daily caffeine intake. Look for healthier stimulants if you need.

Your long-term depression

This is a vicious cycle. Depression triggers the symptoms of IBS and people living with this gut condition experience bouts of this mental health challenge. Take professional help to beat depression.

Sugary foods

Sugar, we all know, isn’t good for our health. But it sneaks into your diet through multiple routes. While the most common culprits are processed foods and sugary drinks, some healthy fruits and vegetables harbour a lot of sugar. While you shouldn’t ban the healthy foods if you’re suffering from IBS, be choosy about them and exercise portion control.

Onions

Sorry to disappoint you. Onions, a crucial flavour for most your dishes, can be a trigger behind your IBS symptoms, thanks to a short-chain carbohydrate that it contains. Look for other alternatives for flavouring, that are low in this carbohydrate.

Sedentary lifestyle

It has been found that lack of exercise can enhance chronic stomach ache, one of the prominent features of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that study participants who were involved in 20-60 minutes of physical activity for three to five times a week experienced lesser symptoms of IBS.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

Intestinal infection can lead to chronic symptoms: Here are ways to keep your gut healthy

Sometimes an intestinal infection like the traveler’s diarrhea, can cause development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) , a chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. Scientists aren’t sure exactly how this happens, but some think an infection may contribute to IBS by damaging the gut nervous system. 

A recent study has come up with new findings about how this happens, which can lead to better treatments of IBS. The study conducted with mice takes a close look at why neurons in the gut die and how the immune system normally protects them.

The researchers explain – in a healthy gut, the immune system must strike a careful balance between responding to threats and keeping that response in check to avoid damage. “Inflammation helps the gut ward off an infection, but too much of it can cause lasting harm,” said study researcher Daniel Mucida, Associate Professor at Rockefeller University in the US. The finding is published in the journal Cell.

Ways to keep your gut healthy

If you have a healthy gut, you’re less likely to experience damaging inflammation. So here are some ways to keep your gut healthy.

Eat ‘healthy gut’ foods

The food you eat will not only provide nutrients to you, but it will also feed the trillions of bacteria that live in your gut. Eat more fibre-rich foods.  Fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts and wholegrains feed healthy bacteria provides the fibre that builds good bacteria and overall gut health.

Other ‘healthy gut’ foods include probiotic foods like live yoghurt, kefir, some cheeses and fermented or pickled foods (such as kimchi, sauerkraut and pickled ginger). Avoid eating highly processed foods, as they can suppress ‘good’ bacteria or increase ‘bad’ bacteria.

Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep may increase risk of obesity, which in turn can cause digestive system disorders.

Do some exercise

It may sound like a cliché, but exercise is the best way to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight. A healthy body means you are less prone to digestive system problems.

Manage anxiety and depression

Due to the brain-gut connection, your mood and digestive system health (especially disorders like irritable bowel syndrome) are inseparable. So, anxiety and depression may affect your gut health. If you suffer from these issues, get help to solve it. You may try relaxation therapies along with other distraction techniques.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement 

A Quick Guide to Understanding Incomplete Bowel Movements

Bowel movements may not be the ideal topic for a dinner conversation, but it’s extremely important to be aware of how your internal systems are functioning. There’s nothing quite as uncomfortable as going to the bathroom and feeling like you’ve not quite finished the job when you leave. Not only is it a physical discomfort but it can leave you wondering if there are bigger issues occurring within your body that are causing it. This guide will help you understand how healthy and unhealthy bowel movements occur, the symptoms of incomplete bowel movements, what can cause it and how it can be treated. 

What is an incomplete bowel movement?

Anyone suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is likely familiar with the uncomfortable sensation of “incomplete evacuation”. It is a subjective sensation that occurs when one feels like they have not completely evacuated their bowels. However, this struggle is not isolated only to people with IBS. Despite how common this affliction is, there has been limited research done into the symptoms, causes, and treatment of this particular issue. Understanding what causes an incomplete evacuation can go a long way in figuring out self-care strategies to reduce instances of incomplete evacuation.   

How does a complete bowel movement occur?

After food is eaten, during the process of digestion, stool matter moves through the large intestine, during which water is absorbed from the stool matter. This is what allows the stool to solidify. After this, the stool matter makes its way to the sigmoid colon and then finally to the rectum where it is prepped to be passed. This is meant to happen about one to two times a day, depending on an individual’s biorhythms.    

What causes an incomplete evacuation?

While there is still much research to be done to know the general range of causes of this problem, there are two major physiological processes associated with IBS and constipation that are believed to be the cause of incomplete evacuation. The first is called visceral sensitivity, which is when the internal organs, such as the large intestine, the anus, and the rectum have an increased sensitivity to pain. This can affect the passage of the stool through the rectum. 
Motility dysfunction is the second possible cause, which inhibits the digestive tract from functioning smoothly. This can affect the formation of the stool and leave you feeling unsatisfied after evacuation. 

What are your options for treating this? 
1. In cases where one suffers from bouts of constipation, it may, in fact, be physiological issues causing the incomplete evacuation of your bowels. Treating the underlying cause of constipation with medications or laxatives may be able to result in healthier and completed bowel movements. 
2. Empty the bowels as much as possible routinely, and at the same time every day. For most people, their biorhythm dictates that the strongest urges to evacuate their bowels are in the morning. 

3. If you are suffering from dyssynergic defecation, which is a pelvic floor dysfunction of the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor, this can result in constipation. Biofeedback can be extremely helpful as a treatment. 
4. With persons suffering from chronic diarrhea, the sensation of an incomplete bowel movement will often occur following a bowel movement. If this sensation cannot be traced to any physiological issue, it is likely only a feeling. In such cases, it can be helpful to give yourself gentle reminders that the bowel has been fully evacuated. 
5. Finally, when you’re on the toilet, it can drastically help the body to use relaxation exercises, which can settle and calm your body, muscles, and nerves which can effectively allow you to pass your stool. 

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement     

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)- Foods to eat, foods to avoid

Home Remedy for IBS 
eat yoghurt as it is or have as a smoothie, have it several times a day.
OR
Mix 1/2 tsp of Isabgol or psyllium husk with 1 cup yoghurt, have it after 1 hour after lunch and dinner.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement             

Healyh benefits of Curd

Curd is a staple in every household in India; whether it is served with piping hot parathas or by itself after a meal. The simple food item is packed with a number of nutrients and helps in increasing the health benefits in your body.
Here are a few reasons why you should be eating curd, almost every day:

1. Probiotics help in digestion: Curd, being rich in probiotics (good bacteria), improves digestion as it kills all the harmful bacteria in the digestive tract and aids the proliferation of good bacteria. Probiotics also help in the prevention of various digestive issues such as cramps, bloating and abdominal pain caused due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
    
2. Promotes weight loss around the belly: A hormone called cortisol, also called the ‘stress hormone’ persuades the fat cells to produce more fat around your belly area. Consuming a cup of curd daily increases the amount of calcium in your body which limits the release of cortisol, thus, helping you lose weight. Curd also retains one-third of lean muscle mass which helps you maintain your physique post those dropped kilos for a longer time.
    
3. Curd strengthens your immunity system: A cup of curd is loaded with good bacteria which is essential for fighting off germs, thereby making your immune system stronger and more persistent. Making curd a part of your daily diet is a great idea as it is effective in preventing yeast infections around the vaginal area.
    
4. Toughens up your skeletal system: Like all dairy products, curd is rich in calcium which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. Apart from calcium, curd is rich in phosphorous and together, they quicken the bone growth process and helps in preventing arthritis and  osteoporosis.
    
5. Helps in improving cardiovascular health: Eating curd helps in improving cardiovascular health as it discourages the spread of cholesterol around the arterial area, thus, reducing the risks of a coronary disease. Curd reduces hypertension which is a pre-cursor to most heart ailments.                          this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
   https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
   https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
   https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement            

Good bugs in the gut

We all think we are composed of human cells, but actually a part of us has always been alien, as we are colonised with microorganisms. Bacteria start living in our intestines soon after birth. These “gut microorganisms” make up two kilos (65 per cent of the total number of body cells) of our total body weight.

Many of our actions have an uncontrollable, instant reaction in the gut. It can be anxiety-causing nausea and diarrhoea, tension and stress contributing to the symptoms of IBS (inflammatory bowel disease), or heartburn, ulcers and even Crohn’s disease. Our stomach can “tie itself up in knots”.

Even when antispasmodics, anti-motility agents and antacids are used, the response to specific medication may not be optimal. When anti-anxiety or anti-depression agents are added, the response improves rapidly. If the gut bacteria are also tackled, the response is better. The vagus nerve connects the smooth muscles of the intestines to the brain. It might be responsible for carrying the unconnected symptoms.

The symptoms may in part be due to the two kilos of microbes in our intestines. They use nutrients from the food we eat and produce waste products. These excretory products also have a local action on the intestines and a distant action on parts of the body, particularly the brain. Gut bacteria release chemicals such as cytokines that produce inflammation. This contributes to pain, muscle spasms and motility problems.

The microbes colonising the gut are very individual. They vary by race and country. Scientists found that gut bacteria in persons with autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, neurological and muscular degenerative diseases were different from that in normal people. They have a role in controlling appetite and the chemicals they release may reset the appetite centre in the brain, contributing to obesity. They also help with glucose utilisation and can alter the ratio between white and brown fat-storing cells.

Gut bacteria synthesizse essential vitamins, especially those belonging to the B complex group and several antioxidants. These help the body develop immunity and fight disease. They help improve the breakdown of lactic acid, which they use as a nutrient. This reduces fatigue, increases endurance and improves performance in athletes. Elite athletes have specific gut bacteria, different from those found in sedentary people.

Antibiotics indiscriminately kill bacteria, both disease-causing organisms and beneficial ones. They can cause an unbalanced overgrowth of harmful bacteria resulting in diarrhoea, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and even dangerous conditions such as necrotising enterocolitis.

The pharmaceutical industry promotes the concept of good and bad bacteria by advocating the administration of pre and probiotics along with antibiotics. Prebiotics are dietary fibre which theoretically act as a base for the growth of good bacteria. Probiotics are good bacteria, which are meant to populate the gut. To work, probiotics have to be live cultures. These can be killed by heat, stomach acids or with prolonged storage. Neither has been proven to be efficient.

It is possible to try to populate your gut with healthy microbes. Whatever you eat provides nutrition for yourself and your inner bacteria.

    Eat at least 4-6 helpings of fresh fruits and uncooked vegetables a day
    Eat a variety of food and vegetables
    Do not take unnecessary antibiotics, especially OTC (over the counter) and for viral infections
    Drink three litres of water a day
    Increase the fibre content of food by using nuts and whole grains
    Limit the quantity of red meat eaten
    Highly processed food with colours and preservative chemicals are harmful to gut bacteria
    Eat natural probiotics such as homemade curd.



this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations 
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement