Diarrhea

Diarrheanurse

Diarrhea is defined as "frequent bowel evacuation or the passage of abnormally soft or loose faces" (Oxford Dictionary of Nursing, 1998). There are many causes of diarrhea including short-term causes such as food poisoning and nervous diarrhea, to more long-term episodes involving lactose intolerance, food allergies or sensitivities, parasitic infections, intestinal inflammation or Irritable Bowel Syndrom (IBS). Diarrhea is generally a symptom of an underlying disorder or problem.

The greatest danger of diarrhea is the excess loss of fluids, salts and nutrients which, in turn, leads to other medical problems. Colon Hydrotherapy may improve the symptoms of diarrhea by not only "flushing out" the irritant in the gut, but by also eliminating the possible cause of the problem (for example foods containing dairy, coffee and so on). We can use herbs during the treatment to help reduce any inflammation and provide you with supplements to take home to heal the gut further. Sometimes, diarrhea may be caused by a lack of fiber in your diet. Whatever the cause, your diet will be looked at and remedied as required.

If your diarrhea is due to food poisoning or a parasitic infection, we can use anti-parasitic remedies during the treatment to kill the parasites. You will then be sent home with anti-parasitic supplements and dietary advice to ensure all the parasites and eggs are destroyed. Supplements will also be given to help repair and heal your gut and to repopulate it with probiotics for healthy digestion.

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrom-IBS

IBS is a common condition in which recurrent stomach pain  along with constipation, diarrhoea and bloating can continue for years without any general deterioration in physical health (Oxford Dictionary of Nursing, 1998). Often there can be discomfort and a change in bowel habits with no obvious cause.

IBS is more prevalent in females and 20% of the population suffer from it at some point during their lives, with 5% being chronic sufferers.

IBS affects "gut motility", the rate at which the contents of the bowel are pushed along to the rectum. Sufferers can be from all age groups. Symptoms of IBS can vary a great deal from person to person, but may include:

 

  • Stomach pain
  • inability to defecate frequently
  • Diarrhoea
  • Bloating
  • Excessive wind
  • Mucus in stools
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Depression
  • Painful periods

 

IBS is often charactrised by alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea along with abdominal pain. It can get worse during periods of stress and through eating the wrong diet. It is a condition which can come and go. No specific cause for IBS has yet been discovered but possible causes include food allergies or intolerences, gut inflammation, stress, infection, over-excitation of the gut muscles and toxic overload.

In certain instances, Colon Hydrotherapy can be effective in helping to restore balance both physically and emotionally.

Constipation

Constipation

Constipation is defined as a condition in which bowel evacuations occur infrequently, or in which the feces are hard and small, or where passage of feces causes difficulty or pain (Oxford Dictionary of nursing, 1998). It can be a feeling that, having been to the toilet, a person may feel they haven't emptied their bowels completely, have only passed a small amount and feel they could go again a short while later. In a person with healthy bowel function, bowels should move at least once a day or after every meal.

Consequences

Fecal matter which doesn't move through the bowel quickly enough can lead to a build up of toxic material in the colon. Peristalsis (the action of the bowel which pushes material along the digestive tract) can be suppressed due to long-term constipation. Hemorrhoids (piles) can result from chronic constipation. Continued straining to pass a stool can result in the blood vessels surrounding the anus becoming swollen. At its worst, constipation over long periods can result in physical blockages or distension of the bowel which can lead to diverticulosis.

 

Causes

When constipated, water is reabsorbed from stools leading to even harder stools which become more difficult to pass. The main reasons for constipation are:

  • Insufficient water intake
  • Not going to the toilet when we initially feel the need
  • Eating too many concentrated foods e.g. bread, pasta
  • Diet too low in fibre
  • Lack of exercise can lead to poor muscle tone of the bowel
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Habitual use of laxatives
  • If peristalsis is weak, constipation can result

Research has shown the major factor in chronic constipation is diet and although dietary changes can help with constipation, it is not always enough to cleanse the colon.

The healthy transit time for food to pass through our bodies should be 24 hours, but on average in modern populations, it is 60 hours for men and 70 hours for women.

Colon Parasites

Digestive Issues

Colons job is to remove toxins from the system. Toxic foods containing viruses, bacteria, metals and unwanted chemicals can cause digestive problems. Colonics can remove the toxins from the colon. This creates larger surface area for absorption of water by the colon. Colon cancer is the 2nd leading cancer in the US. Also, people are spending over 400 million a year for laxatives and related products.