Wednesday February 15, 2012
Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) has caused havoc in the lives of many women, and in the lives of those close to them. You might have already figured out that PMS can also affect your digestive tract and make diarrhea worse during your period. Complicating the matter for women with IBD is the possibility that medications that could bring some relief, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), could cause more digestive problems. The good news is that there are plenty of home remedies that you can use to combat the symptoms of PMS -- and most of them could be beneficial for your overall health too.
More about PMS and IBD:
Monday February 13, 2012
Some people look forward to Valentine's Day. Others dread it. Whether you're single or involved, most people have an opinion -- love it or hate it -- about Valentine's Day. It doesn't matter which camp you fall in, if you have IBD, the day can be a tricky one for you. But don't let your IBD spoil your fun. Use these ideas to plan a Valentine's Day you will enjoy.
More about love and sex with IBD:
Photo © Maggie Smith
Friday February 10, 2012
People who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may also experience other digestive problems. This is especially true of Crohn's disease, which can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Heartburn is a common problem, and so it's not unheard of for someone with IBD to also have heartburn. Many people who have heartburn also take medication to treat it, and a common class of drugs used to treat heartburn is proton pump inhibitors. Commonly prescribed proton pump inhibitors include Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium), Prevacid (lansoprazole), and Prilosec (omeprazole).
Recently proton pump inhibitors have been associated with a risk of infection. C difficile is a type of bacteria that normally colonizes the colon, but if there's too much if it, it can cause symptoms such as diarrhea. Diarrhea, of course, is also a symptom of IBD.
If you are taking a proton pump inhibitor and are also experiencing diarrhea that is not resolving, you should speak to your physician about it. At this time, the FDA is working with pharmaceutical companies to change the patient information included with proton pump inhibitors, and it is recommended that patients use the lowest dose of these drugs for as short a time as possible.
C difficile is easily spread, so if you are diagnosed with this infection, care must be taken to prevent spreading it to others. Careful hand washing and properly disinfecting surfaces is important to preventing contamination.
More about C difficile infection:
Source:
Food And Drug Administration. "Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) - Drug Safety Communication: Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) Can be Associated With Stomach Acid Drugs." FDA.gov 8 Feb 2012.
Photo © CDC
Wednesday February 8, 2012
About.com is hosting monthly Blog Carnivals on issues surrounding health and wellness, and everyone is invited! What's a blog carnival? A blog carnival is an opportunity for bloggers to write about a common topic, with the lead blogger connecting all the different pieces together in one single blog post. Anyone can participate in a blog carnival, because the idea is for every participant to bring their own voice and opinion to the conversation. This month, I will be hosting the blog carnival: "Chronic Illness in Kids & Teens."
When we think of chronic illness, we think of older people. But the truth is, chronic illness affects children as well. Illness is more complicated in children -- kids are still growing, and many treatments are not tested extensively in children. Schools may not be capable, or willing, to help children with chronic illness receive the care and attention they need. Because of these confounding factors, children may wind up being treated like little adults, which does not serve them.
I'm extending an invitation to you to write about how children are affected by chronic illness: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), thyroid disease, cancer, migraines, arthritis -- the list goes on and on. Join the carnival by submitting a blog post to me by February 25, and I ask that you add a link back when my blog is published on March 1.
If you're looking for inspiration, here are a few ideas:
- Drug side effects: How do the medications normally used in adults adversely affect children and teens?
- Surgery: Children are amazingly resilient, but surgery is an extremely frightening prospect for them. How can their fears be eased?
- Anxiety and depression: What are the most effective ways to deal with mental disorders in children? How to ensure they can grow up to become productive adults?
- Growth: How does a chronic illness affect a child's growth pattern? What can be done to minimize the effect that illness has on a child's growth?
- Fertility: Could an illness, or tests or treatment affect the future fertility of a child?
- Working with physicians: How can you find the right pediatric specialist for your child? Should they see a doctor that works primarily with adults?
- Socialization: How does a child's illness affect their relationship to their peers?
Illness affects children in unique ways, and this is why I've decided to host this blog carnival. I'm looking for your perspective on this topic. Make sure to follow the Health Channel blog carnival rules and send me your blog post link by email at ibdcrohns.guide@about.com. Come back on March 1 for my posting that includes the submissions from all the bloggers who participate. Let the blogging begin!
Helpful Information
Blog carnival posts and links are not reviewed by About.com's Medical Review Board.
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