Colitis Treatment Information

1. Flaxseed oil is a great part of an overall cure for yeast infections and is a good source of omega-3- and omega-6-EPA fatty acids. Evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant seed oil are excellent sources of omega-6-EPA fatty acids. All are antifungal. Flaxseed oil has many important roles in the creation of health.

Its major properties are:

o natural anticoagulant: helps prevent blood clots
o reduces risk of heart attack and stroke
o protects arteries from damage
o reduces blood triglycerides
o lowers LDL blood cholesterol
o lowers blood pressure
o improves symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and scleroderma
o helps migraine headaches, asthma, gastritis, and colitis
o anti-inflammatory agent
o prevents cancer

2. Glutamic acid hydrochloride is a part of a cure for yeast infections and is a stomach-acidifying digestive aid that works better in some individuals than betaine hydrochloride. It is usually effective for improving the absorption of trace minerals and killing off unfriendly microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract.

Glutamine (L-Glutamine) may be very important for those Candida cases where leaky gut syndrome has been identified, such as in severe cases of chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. Glutamine is produced primarily in skeletal muscle. Its mechanism of action is to work as an inter-organ nitrogen and carbon transporter. Glutamine is traditionally classified as a nonessential amino acid because it can be made in the body from other amino acids. Regardless of this classification, glutamine is essential for maintaining intestinal function, immune response, and amino acid homeostasis during times of severe stress or greater physical activity.

Glutamine is an important metabolic fuel for all the white blood cells, fibroblasts (cells involved in tissue repair and healing), and enterocytes (cells lining the gastrointestinal tract). Glutamine also functions as a precursor of other amino acids, glucose (blood sugar), purines and pyrimidines (DNA and RNA), and glutathione, the body's most important self-generated antioxidant.

Glutamine as part of a cure for yeast infections can also be an effective treatment for sugar cravings, hypo-glycemia, peptic ulcers, depression, moodiness, poor memory, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, short bowel syndrome, and Crohn's disease. It also has been shown to enhance stamina and exercise performance. The usual aches and pains after heavy exercise are significantly reduced by regular use of this supplement.

Glutamine is used for HIV wasting, abnormal intestinal permeability in people with HIV, chemotherapy-induced mucositis, protection of the immune system and gut barrier function in people with esophageal cancer undergoing radiochemotherapy, cystinuria, ulcerative colitis, and sickle cell anemia; for improving recovery after bone marrow transplant; and for alcohol withdrawal support. Glutamine is also used for preventing morbidity in n.mm.i p.nu-uts and preventing infectious complications in critically ill patients.

Glutamine helps sustain mental ability, regulates brain metabolism, and, along with glutamic acid, is used as a brain fuel. Glutamine is used in the treatment of alcoholism and can protect against alcohol poisoning. It has been documented to benefit both schizophrenia and senility.

Studies show that glutamine is well tolerated and without side effects in doses up to 40 grams per day and is a great part of an overall cure for yeast infections.

There are different ways you can promote self healing colitis and crohns if you suffer from either of these inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Self healing remedies, which are essentially non-drug alternative treatments, are the preferred choice of treatment for many IBD sufferers because most of these remedies are free of negative side effects and encourage the body to heal itself.

The following are 10 self healing colitis and crohns methods you can look into -

1. Diet - Many IBD symptoms are triggered by food products. Therefore, it's a good idea to create a food diary and eliminate the foods that aggravate your condition (I.E. fat, sugar, acid foods) and increase those that lower the risk (I.E. most fruits, vegetables, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids). Talk to a dietician or your doctor about good food choices and to start a diet plan that works for you.

2. Herbal remedies - There are many herbal remedies for self healing colitis and crohns treatments. Herbs from plant have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes including treating gastrointestinal disorders such as crohns and colitis. Popular herbal remedies that may be used as treatment for inflammation include: cat's claw, green tea, ginkgo, slippery elm, wild indigo, etc. Herbs may be taken as supplements, added to recipes, in tea, or eaten whole, depending on the herb. It's in your best interest to talk with a professional herbalist.

3. Acupuncture - Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into specific acupoints in the body to help bring balance back to the body. Acupuncture can help treat painful symptoms as well as, diarrhea and constipation. This treatment should be sought from a professional acupuncturist.

4. Hypnosis - Known as body/mind medicine, this form of self healing colitis and crohns is a treatment that helps to increase relaxation, improve immune function, decrease stress and ease feelings of anxiety. Hypnosis improves conditions by allowing a patient to use their subconscious to gain control over their symptoms. Hypnosis should be sought from a psychologist or psychiatrist.

5. Homeopathy - This is a type of treatment that focuses on treating individuals as a whole. The course of treatment is determined after a person's physical, psychological and emotional makeup is studied. This form of treatment is given by a homeopath.

6. Naturopathy - Naturopathy treats a person as a whole - mind, body and spirit. Naturopathy does not treat the illness, and promotes self-healing by determining what lifestyle changes a person needs in order to achieve and maintain good health. Many alternative treatments may be recommended including acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, herbs, etc.

7. Probiotics - Some research has found that probiotics, also known as good gut bacteria (I.E. lactobacillus) can improve the symptoms of crohns and colitis. By providing the stomach with beneficial bacteria it helps to keep other "bad" bacteria under control and bring more balance to the gut flora.

8. Reduce Stress - Anxiety and stress have been shown to trigger and worsen symptoms related to IBD. Therefore, part of a good self healing colitis and crohns treatment plan is to make sure you find ways to reduce stress. Stress can be reduced through meditation exercises such as Yoga and Tai Chi, and massage therapy.

9. Reduce bad habits - If you have bad habits such as smoking, overeating, and drinking alcohol, it is imperative you put a stop to these habits right away to avoid triggering and worsening symptoms.

10. Joining a support group -Suffering from crohn's and ulcerative colitis can be difficult and embarrassing to live with. It helps to talk with people who understand your physical and emotional conditions. Treating emotional and psychological symptoms of IBD helps to reduce stress and is an important part of the self healing process.

Despite which self healing colitis and crohns remedies interest you, make sure you consult with your doctor before starting any treatment. It is important to first obtain his/her advice, and it is a good idea to allow your doctor to monitor your condition to see how you respond to self healing treatments.

If you've found blood in cat stool, you are right to be concerned. Blood in feces can be the sign of a serious medical condition. In this article, you'll learn the symptoms to watch for, possible causes and how to treat this condition and then prevent it from coming back.

Symptoms of Cat Blood in Stool

Besides seeing blood in your cat's feces, you may also see one or more of the following symptoms. Be sure to write them down, so you can report them to your vet:

• Exertion while defecating
  


• Excessive intake of water
  


• Appetite loss
  


• Frequency of bowel movements increases
  


• Excessive urination
  


• Lethary, decrease in activity
  


• Weight loss

Since these symptoms can be the signs of something serious, take your cat to the vet right away.

What Causes Cat Blood in Stool

Below is a list of possible cause of blood in your cat's feces:

• Clotting disorder
  


• Ingestion of foods or antibiotics that the cat is allergic to
  


• Colitis or bowel inflammation
  


• Colitis (which is inflammation of the bowel)
  


• Benign tumors in the colon or rectum
  


• Parasites (roundworms, hookworms, etc)
  


• Ingesting household poisons
  


• Bacterial infections

The treatment will depend on which factors are causing blood in the stool.

• Stop feeding your cat packaged and canned cat food. Processed food is not good for humans and it's not healthy for cats because it's full of chemicals, additives and fillers.
  


• Instead, feed your cat a diet that is high in fiber, has good quality protein and is low in fat.
  


• Follow the vet's advice and don't give your cat leftovers.
  


• If you cat has parasites, administer a de-worming medication
  


• Give you cat drugs to slow the passage of the food through the intestine and/or use antibiotics.

The problem with treating your cat drugs or antibiotics is that they have side effects and can actually worsen your cat's symptoms and increase your pet's chance of having recurring problems. It's important to understand that drugs suppress symptoms but do not actually cure them.This is why many pet owners are turning to natural remedies.

Natural remedies work at the cellular level to heal blood in cat stool and the conditions that cause inflammation and disease in the colon, rectum and bladder. Since they do not have side effects and are gentle enough to be used every, they can also be used for prevention. They are inexpensive and work to support your cat's immunity, eliminate infection, soothe tissues and improve quality of life. In addition they are convenient for the pet owner because they come in granular form, so you just put a few crystals on your cat's tongue or sprinkle it on your pet's food. Since all natural remedies are not alike, make sure to do your research and look for one that contains proven ingredients like uva ursi, berberis, cantharis and staphysagris.

So there you have it. By following some common sense guidelines and giving your cat a natural remedy, you can treat cat blood in stool and fortify your cat's immunity, which will improve your furry pet's overall health.

The best place to get ulcerative colitis info is from your doctor, but knowing that friends and family members as well as patients sometimes do not get as much information as they need, this article attempts to answer questions such as "what is ulcerative colitis", as well as provide some information about ulcerative colitis nutrition recommendations. None of this is meant to take the place of your doctor's advice, but merely supplement the information that you already have.

What is ulcerative colitis? It is an inflammatory bowel disease. All or part of the colon may become inflamed. Sores may form on the inner walls of the colon. Depending on how much of the colon that is affected, symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe and typically include diarrhea with mucus and/or blood present.

What is ulcerative colitis caused by? According to the latest ulcerative colitis info, no one knows exactly why the colon, which includes the large intestine and the rectum, becomes inflamed. It has been noted that patients tend to have immune system problems, but it is unclear whether the ulcerative colitis causes the problems with the immune system or if an overactive immune system causes the ulcerative colitis. Nutrition is particularly important, because diarrhea, a major symptom, may prevent the body from absorbing adequate nutrients from food.

What is ulcerative colitis cured by? According to the latest ulcerative colitis info, surgery that removes the affected portion of the colon is the only "cure". But, it is possible to live with and control the disease, particularly when symptoms are mild to moderate. Ulcerative colitis nutrition recommendations, medications, herbal remedies and other treatment programs are designed to relieve symptoms and prevent the necessity for surgery. It is a chronic disease, which means that it has a tendency to flare up again and again over time. It is helpful for patients to keep a food and symptoms diary, in some cases they are able to determine what foods cause flare ups and avoid those foods.

What are ulcerative colitis nutrition recommendations? Most doctors advise a multi-vitamin, but particularly supplementation of Vitamins D and B12. Vitamin D deficiencies can cause diarrhea. B12 is needed for energy and to help the body properly absorb other nutrient. Supplements containing the botanical aloe have been recommended by doctors and naturalists alike, because of its ability to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. In 2005, ulcerative colitis info concerning the results of a research program using omega-3 from fish oil was released. The results were promising, but there is no plan to market the formula that was used.

Ulcerative colitis is a serious condition wherein ulcers, which are open sores, form on the lining of the rectum and colon causing pain, bleeding and pus. A sufferer might also experience frequent diarrhea. It is quite an unpleasant and painful condition. There are several types of treatments available for sufferers of ulcerative colitis depending on the severity of the person's condition. For instance, medication might be enough for some while others will require hospitalization and surgery. All of this treatment can become expensive and that is why it is important to be aware of your insurance coverage as soon as you receive your diagnosis.

There are several different types of insurance coverage available to everyone. With your ulcerative colitis diagnosis in mind, here are a few important facts about each of the types of insurance available. A Health Management Organization (HMO) if often low cost, but you have less by way of options when choosing your health care provider and treatments. If you need treatment by a specialist and you are insured under a HMO, then you will need to get a referral from your primary care provider in order for there to be coverage.

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) allows you to choose your provider within a specified list of providers.

There are also insurance policies whereby you pay for the service ahead of time and then your insurance company reimburses you up to about 80% of the total cost. This might sound reasonable, but keep in mind that some treatments with ulcerative colitis might be in the thousands. If you choose this type of insurance coverage, then you might be paying a lot out of pocket for your various treatments. Many insurance policies are called group health insurance policies because they involve insurance granted to a large group, such as a group of employees. The employer pays a majority of the premium, and the employee pays for a smaller part of the premium as well as the deductible amounts, if any. This is often a low-cost alternative in the world of insurance.

Regardless of whether you have a HMO, PPO and individual plan or a group plan, there are costs and benefits associated with each type of insurance. When you have ulcerative colitis, you want to take into account your condition when you are choosing your health care policy. Be sure to ask questions so you understand what you are getting out of the policy in return for your premiums.

Embarrassment, Fatigue, Pain
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can severely impact every aspect of a patient's life. IBS can also complicate other chronic health conditions such as clinical depression, hemorrhoids and generalized anxiety disorder. IBS taps into the fears children have about not being able to control their bowels. This lack of control and pain may evoke feelings of low self-esteem in a sufferer. Sometimes potentially dangerous attempts to self-medicate are made because the patient may be too ashamed or too embarrassed to go to a doctor.

Adding to the problem is that IBS is a mysterious condition, often acting as a catch-all phrase for many types of chronic digestive problems such as spastic colon and colitis. The world-renowned Mayo Clinic notes that there are no diagnostic tests for IBS, so a doctor may have to run tests in order to eliminate more severe problems such as cancer before making a diagnosis. Symptoms of IBS are also similar to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, so there is a chance of misdiagnosis. The misconception that IBS does not exist and that patients are merely exaggerating their symptoms still persists in society.

Symptoms of IBS
Another factor making IBS difficult to diagnose is that each person experiences their own set of symptoms. The most common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, excessive flatulence, mucus-coated stools, hemorrhoids or a lack of bowel control. Pain is eased after a bowel movement. The Mayo Clinic reports that less common symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting and sudden weight loss. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports that patients with IBS often cycle between periods of diarrhea and constipation and rarely have a normal bowel movement.

In order for a doctor to diagnose IBS, the patient must have exhibited symptoms for at least 12 weeks in the past 12 months. Although many patients wait until conditions are severe before seeing a doctor, many patients may not be able to obtain an IBS diagnosis because they are in the early stages of the condition. The Mayo Clinic also recommends a colonoscopy for all patients with IBS symptoms to rule out colon cancer. Colonoscopy preparation involves completely clearing the bowels through a lengthy period of a liquid diet which may exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Women's Condition
The Mayo Clinic reports that over 50% of IBS patients are women. It is not known why women are more prone to IBS than men. The typical IBS patient is not only female, but has a relative with IBS and is under 35 years of age. Again, it is unknown why younger women are more susceptible to IBS than older women. There are some theories that younger women may be subject to greater stress than older women or that older women may have learned greater stress management skills than their younger counterparts. It is also unknown just how much of a role genetics plays in developing IBS.

Another theory is that hormones such as estrogen and progesterone may play a large role in IBS. The NIDDK reports that women with IBS often have attacks just before or during their periods. But this does not explain why men are diagnosed with IBS. Both men and women report IBS attacks at times when they are under severe stress. Perhaps the female sex hormones weaken a woman's digestive system when she menstruates. The NIDDK notes that many IBS patients of both sexes also have a depressive illness or an anxiety disorder. There is still much that needs to be learned about why women suffer from IBS more than men. But one thing is clear - IBS is treatable in a majority of cases.

Treatment
Treatment for IBS involves dietary changes and learning how to manage stress. IBS patients have more frequent attacks if they consume large meals, so IBS patients are encouraged to eat small, frequent meals every day rather than two or three large meals. The Mayo Clinic notes that a majority of IBS patients regularly are afflicted after consuming certain foods. The IBS patient is encouraged to keep a food journal of all food and beverages consumed to determine which foods trigger attacks, and thus avoid or drastically reduce such foods or beverages.

Prescription medications have also been used to help ease IBS symptoms but are in no way considered a cure. Some drugs such as laxatives are only to be used short-term because the body becomes reliant upon laxatives to push the stool through the colon to be eliminated through the rectum. If the body becomes dependent upon laxatives, the digestive muscles are not used and they atrophy. Other medications such as muscle-relaxants may cause bladder incontinence or excessive flatulence. The Mayo Clinic reports that anti-depressants and antibiotics are prescribed off-label for IBS.

The Dangers of Self-Medication
Many patients with IBS postpone visits to the doctor for treatment. It is unknown how many try to self-medicate, but IBS symptoms can cause sufficient anxiety that a patient will quite literally try anything in an effort to gain relief from their symptoms. Medications can include over the counter laxatives or alcoholic beverages. The alcohol acts as both a painkiller and a muscle relaxant. But long term use not only leads to addiction but also a worsening of symptoms. If the patient also has an illness such as depression, then alcohol will act to worsen symptoms or counteract antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications.

Conclusion
Irritable bowel syndrome is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Treatment and advice should be sought as soon as the illness presents itself. Patients can be helped to learn to live with IBS and to reduce the impact that the illness has on their daily lives.

The digestive system, like all other body organs, is susceptible to various diseases too. Depending on what you eat and how you eat it and also when you eat, your dietary habits do determine what diseases affect your digestive system.

Did you know that farting is considered a sign of a healthy digestive system.

Digestion starts in the mouth. With the aid of saliva, the teeth break down the food into smaller portions. As the saliva moistens the food, it digests starch into maltose. After digestion in the mouth, the food is rolled into little balls and pushed down the throat through a process called peristalsis, into the stomach.

In the stomach, the food is mixed with gastric juice. Together with the hydrochloric acid, these digestive juices further breakdown the food into absorbable substance. After about three or four hours of digestion, the absorbable substances leave the stomach for the duodenum.

In the duodenum, the rest of the substances that had not been digested or fully digested in the stomach are then further converted into absorbable elements. After the duodenum, the digested substances leave for the intestines where absorption does take place.

Nearly all the digested food is absorbed in the small intestines. With substances such as mineral salts, water, cellulose and vegetable?fibre?which are not?absorbed?here, they are passed on to the large intestines where they are absorbed into the blood. What is not absorbed is then passed out of the body through the anus.

There are many diseases and health conditions that affect the digestive system. Many of these diseases are lifestyle related illnesses, and thus are common among people. They include indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, colitis, flatulence and Crohn's disease. Here is a brief description of these diseases, their causes and their symptoms.

Mouth sores. These are painful ulcerations that are white and red. These are cold sores that can be caused by allergic reactions, deficiencies, a weak immune system or a viral infection.

Bad breath. Have you met a person with a foul smell from the mouth? This?condition?is known as halitosis and it is caused by poor digestive, constipation, oral hygiene, alcohol and other substance consumption.

Dental carries and gingivitis. This is the inflammation of the gums and the teeth. Both are caused by oral bacteria and sugar intake. Gingivitis leads to peridontitis, which is the loss of teeth.

Indigestion. This is painful digestion characterized by flatulence, discomfort and acidity. Medical studies illustrate that it can be an early symptom of a serious illness such as ulcers. Its causes are usually organic, a result of unhealthy diets that compromise the digestive process.

Gastritis. This is the inflammation of the gastric mucus. It is caused by reaction of the mucus linings to certain types of foods and fluids, consumption of alcohol and other substances such as drugs and tobacco.

Flatulence. This is where you have excess intestinal gas. This is usually as a result of its production by intestinal bacteria.

Ulcers. This is the inflammation of the stomachs linings. This condition can be fatal if not treated and effectively managed. ??It is caused by excess stomach acid and is aggravated by intake of spices, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, drugs and stress.

Constipation. This is a condition where food does travel too slowly in the intestines. It does produce toxins which are then absorbed into the blood resulting into autointoxication of the body. It can be caused by substances such as drugs, alcohol and lack of adequate physical activity.

Diarrhoea. This is where the food does travel too fast in the intestines. This condition renders absorption inadequate since the mineral salts and water are not absorbed into the blood stream.

Ulcerative colitis. This is the inflammation of the colon. It is characterized by loose?faeces?which sometimes can be accompanied by blood.? It is caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods and medication such as antibiotics.

Crohn's disease. This is the inflammation of both the small and large intestines. Those who are highly at risk of this disease are those who are regular consumers of junk and fast foods.

It is a natural instinct in animals to eat, at least per day. Eating is essential anyway, we need food for survival. To benefit from the food you eat, the body has to digest and then absorb the nutrients into your blood and to all your cells.?Do you eat to live or do you live to eat??You must be familiar too with the phrase "you are what you eat".

Take a look at all the causes of these diseases. It is common that, the dietary choices you make influence a lot on the development of these diseases. To avoid these digestive system illnesses, give your digestive system time to rest. Eating even if you are not hungry or just because it is the hour of serving, only overwhelms your digestive system.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals, but exhibits significant symptoms affecting almost any body organ in immunocompromised patients. In addition, an infected mother can pass on this infection to her unborn child, resulting in significant congenital abnormalities.

The Ayurvedic treatment of CMV infection is aimed at controlling the symptoms and treating the basic viral infection. Medicines which have an anti-viral activity and which improve the immune status of the body are used to treat the CMV infection. Medicines like Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) are used as anti-viral medicines.

The choice of medicines is made according to the organ or system predominantly affected with the infection. Medicines like Shatavari (Asperagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Samudrashosh (Argyreia speciosa), Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant are used to improve the immune status of the body.

In addition, other medicines are given to treat the symptoms of the affected organ or body-system. Laxmi-Narayan-Ras, Chandrakala-Ras and Sutshekhar-Ras are used to treat fever of unknown origin. Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma and Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa) are used to treat pneumonia. Arogya-Vardhini, Shankh-Vati, Bhunimbadi-Qadha and Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) are used to treat hepatitis.

Panchamrut-Parpati, Kutaj-Ghan-Vati and Bilva-Avelaha are used to treat colitis. Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki, Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) are used to treat encephalitis and myelitis. Saptamrut-Loh, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Triphala (Three fruits), Shatavari and Tulsi are used to treat uveitis and retinitis. Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras and Kaishor-Guggulu are used to treat neuropathy. Post-infection fatigue can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Abhrak-Bhasma and Suvarna-Bhasma.

As a part of TORCH infections, CMV can cause congenital abnormalities in the new born. In order to prevent this, mothers-to-be can be given Ayurvedic herbal medicines like Bhumiamalaki, Yashtimadhuk, Manjishtha, Saariva and Haridra. These medicines reduce the risk of frequent abortions and also prevent congenital abnormalities in the child.

The prognosis for patients with CMV infection usually depends upon the underlying disease. Since most affected individuals are immunocompromised, they should be under the regular care and supervision of an infectious diseases specialist.

People that suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis cannot describe what it feels like to suffer everyday from it. They can only say that it is like having a stomach flu that never goes away. The pain of is occurs randomly or is triggered by eating the wrong food or even stress. There is no wonder why discovering and treating it early is so important.

These two digestive conditions are incurable chronic diseases that affect your intestinal tract and are often grouped together as inflammatory bowel diseases since they share similar symptoms. They both cause abdominal pain and frequent diarrhea as well as swelling and sores along the tissue that lines your intestines. Crohn's disease attacks the digestive tract, from the mouth to the rectum; while ulcerative colitis usually normally is found only the outermost layer of the colon.

Here are a few ways you can learn how to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease and begin treatment immediately.

• A sigmoidoscopy test lets your doctor correctly diagnose ulcerative colitis through examining the rectum and left colon from taking detailed pictures. This procedure is done with inserting an endoscope, a tube with a camera on end, into your rectum. If you have any questions about your colon's health, expect to have one this performed.



• A colonoscopy is used by your doctor uses an endoscope to look at the rectum and entire large bowel while the patient is under sedation. They are routinely used to diagnose bowel issues such as Crohn's disease or IBS. Ask your doctor to perform one on you. This way they can have a complete picture of your rectum and in turn your colon's health. There are even times when tissue samples are taken for further examination. as well.



• After you doctor is finished with your colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, he will get a copy of the pictures he took with the endoscope and use them to make a diagnosis. For example, with Crohn's disease, a doctor must find random patches of deep ulcers or looks for an even amount of inflammation in the colon that bleeds with contact to identify ulcerative colitis.



• If your doctor took a tissue sample, then they should look at it under a microscope for inflammatory cells called granulomas. This procedure helps better diagnose Crohn's disease and other health conditions.



• Another procedure your doctor may recommend you to undergo is a magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It is a variation of magnetic resonance imaging, also called an MRI, to help determine which of the two diseases you are suffering from. This helps to properly diagnose Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.



• Finally as a final precaution, ask your doctor to examine your small intestine for Crohn's disease with an upper barium X-ray. In this procedure, you have to drink a barium shake in order for the X-ray pictures taken and the images to properly show any potential issues.

If your doctor wants to put you on antibiotics or antifungals, for either a gut or secondary infection, there are several natural alternatives you can consider. These include: Garlic, Olive Leaf Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract and Wild Oregano Oil. All of these substances also have varying levels of anti-viral, anti-yeast, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic activity. Of these, Wild Oregano Oil and Olive Leaf Extract are the most potent and powerful. The only drawback to Wild Oregano Oil is that it feels very 'hot' (chili pepper hot) for about 2-3 minutes after you take it orally, therefore, it can be difficult to use with young children.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is also quite potent, but I don't recommend you use it if you have any tendency towards diarrhea as it will exacerbate your condition. It is also extremely bitter and so may be quite difficult to get children to take. If you have no problems with loose stool or diarrhea, then you can take 10-15 drops in 5 ounces of filtered or spring water 3x/day, on an empty stomach for best results - but it still works okay when taken with food. For kids under age 10, take 6 drops in 5 ounces of filtered or spring water 3x/day. To maximize antibiotic therapy, also take Olive Leaf Extract at the same time. And remember to follow with probiotics during and/or at the end of treatment.

Garlic may also cause diarrhea and/or bloating in susceptible individuals, the only way is to try it and see. However, I would only use it on mild bacterial infections. For robust infections I don't think it would be strong enough as "it exerts an antibacterial effect estimated to be equivalent to 1% of that of penicillin" (Prescription for Nutritional Healingby Phyllis Balch and James Balch, MD, pg. 71). Garlic is also quite effective against yeast, fungus and viral infections. Therefore, it's excellent to consume garlic daily in your food. For therapeutic use, I recommend you use Kyolic from Wakunaga of America in either capsule or oil form - it is one of the most potent garlic products on the market and it is also odorless.

Olive Leaf Extract is probably the most palatable of the remedies listed here. You can get it in powder (capsule) or liquid form. For children the powder can be mixed with applesauce or mashed banana and can also be mixed with an herbal salve and used as a poultice on topical infections. Dr Morton Walker, who wrote the book Nature's Antibiotic: Olive Leaf Extract, writes:

"Seagate Olive Leaf Extract offers a 450 mg capsule recommended to be taken preventively in a dosage of one or two to four capsules daily. For treatment of a microbial illness, the better dosage would be four to eight capsules daily for one week, but the daily dose must be spread out throughout the day. When the illness comes under control or disappears, the dosage may be reduced once again to one, two, three, or four capsules per day." ("Medical Journalist Report of Innovative Biologics" Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, #214, May 2001).

In the same article, Dr. Walker also relates the story of a female patient infected with three different mycoplasma organisms, she suffered from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and IBS. She took 2 pills (of Seagate brand Olive Leaf Extract), 3 times a day (following meals) for three and a half months and then her lab reports came back completely clear of infection. She reported her condition as "excellent" and also that she was completely cured of IBS. Dr. Walker recommends you only use Seagate brand since it is a cold-extracted formulation of the whole leaf (not just an oleuropein extract) and therefore more effective than anything else he's tried.

Olive Leaf is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiyeast. It is more palatable than Wild Oregano Oil and so is a good natural antimicrobial to use for children. Again, remember that anything that is an effective antibacterial needs to be followed with probiotics. If you're taking it long-term, I would also supplement simultaneously with probiotics.

Wild Oregano Oil is the antimicrobial that I've had the most experience with. I can confidently state that it is the most effective antimicrobial I've ever seen for topical or acute infections. It is also very effective for chronic infections such as Candida albicans (yeast), mycobacteria (bacteria/fungal hybrid), and mycoplasmas (prokaryote bacteria). Wild Oregano Oil also has a fairly large amount of data regarding its ability to kill pathogenic bacteria in the food industry in incredibly minute doses.

If you dilute Wild Oregano Oil with extra olive oil (7:1 dilution) it is easier to use with children, or directly on sensitive mucous membranes. To avoid the "hot" feeling when taking it orally: Take a sip of water and hold it in your mouth, tip your head back and drop the pre-measured dose of Wild Oregano directly into the mouthful of water at the back of your throat. Swallow and then chase it with lots more water immediately.

Wild Oregano Oil (Origanum vulgare) is an anti-inflammatory in addition to being an extremely potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, (anti-everything!) agent. It is extracted from a particular species of oregano that grows wild in rocky regions of the Mediterranean and it has only been used in North America for about 15 years. As such, it is a relatively 'new' herbal medicine in the U.S. and not many physicians are even fluent in its uses and amazing efficacy. I expect it will gain momentum quickly in the coming years and like all really effective herbal medicines the FDA will probably try to ban it before too long!

Most of the scientific research on Wild Oregano Oil is currently coming from the Applied Microbiology field in the area of food preservation. Microbiologists have found that Wild Oregano Oil is so powerful that even minute amounts of it can kill common food-borne pathogens responsible for a lot of the food poisoning incidents with processed food.

To give you just one example, scientists in The Netherlands found that Carvacrol (one of the active ingredients of Wild Oregano) at a dilution of only.25 mM led to cell death of the bacterial soil organism Bacillus cereus, "a spore-forming food-borne pathogen often associated with food products such as meat, vegetables, soup, rice, milk and other dairy products. Between 1 and 20% of the total number of outbreaks of food infection in the world is cased by B. cereus."

The scientists summarized their results by saying, "From this study, it could be concluded that carvacrol interacts with the membranes of B. cereusby changing its permeability for cations like H+ and K+. The dissipation of ion gradients leads to impairment of essential processes in the cell and finally to cell death." ("Mechanisms of Action of Carvacrol on the Food-Borne Pathogen Bacillus cereus" by A. Ultee, E.P.W. Kets, E.J. Smid, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Oct. 1999).

What this means for the layperson, is that even very small amounts of the phenolic compounds within Wild Oregano Oil (such as Carvacrol and Thymol) can disintegrate the cell walls of pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms, resulting in their death.

For Wild Oregano Oil to be effective, it must be high in naturally occurring Carvacrol (ideally 75% or more) - not just have extra Carvacrol added in later. Effective, good quality Wild Oregano Oil should also be low in Thymol. Thymol is a naturally occurring compound in Oregano Oil that must be present as it works synergistically with Carvacrol. But, too much is hard on the liver, so check that levels do not exceed 5% maximum. Remember to always dilute pure (undiluted, essential) Oregano Oil in a carrier oil before using internally or externally, or it can cause tissue damage. Most commercial brands have already been diluted with olive oil, so you don't need to dilute them further before using. Joy Of The Mountains and NAHS are my favorite brands for potency and purity.

Whichever substance you decide to use to address infection and prevent drug antibiotic use, remember that these are very powerful compounds and you must use them intelligently. Also, remember to always follow usage with a potent probiotic, to maintain a beneficial gut flora.