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Bulk Laxatives Information

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:45:26 +0000

Today, I wrap up my series on the various types of laxatives to treat constipation with an overview of bulk laxatives. Bulk laxatives use the power of fiber to relieve constipation and are generally available over the counter. Find out all you need to know about the safety and effectiveness of bulk laxatives here:

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Lotronex: A Restricted Medication for IBS-D

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:20:02 +0000

Considering the high prevalence of diarrhea-predominant IBS, it seems like an absolute crime that conventional medicine has so little to offer in the way of treatment. The only medication that currently has FDA approval for the treatment of IBS-D is Lotronex. Unfortunately, like many things IBS, the Lotronex path has been a bumpy one. This article takes a comprehensive look at Lotronex, including the restrictions on its use:

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May 2013 Digestive Health Round-Up

Wed, 22 May 2013 01:35:18 +0000

This month almost got by me, but I didn't forget the round-up! Here is this month's hand-picking of some wonderful articles published by my fellow Digestive Health Guides here at About.com. Enjoy!

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Life with IBD vs. IBS

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:27:35 +0000

My colleague, Amber Tresca, About.com Guide to Inflammatory Bowel Disease, has written an excellent account as to what it is really like to live with IBD:

A Day In The Life Of A Person With IBD

I highly recommend that you read Amber's piece. Although there are some significant differences between IBS and IBD, in many ways, particularly in many of the day to day living ways, the two disorders have a lot in common. Her work might inspire you to write your own essay about what a "day in the life of a person with IBS" is like. I would then encourage you to be really brave and to share that essay with some of the key people in your life. It might help them to have a better perspective on what it is like to be you.

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Stimulant Laxatives for Constipation

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:46:37 +0000

Stimulant laxatives used to have a very bad rep. Stimulant laxatives were seen as a risky form of treatment for constipation due to fears that they could be habit-forming and cause permanent damage to your intestines. Unfortunately, this blacklisting knocked out one of the few options for easing acute constipation. It now seems as if the doom-sayers did not necessarily get it right. My newest article provides an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the safety of stimulant laxatives:

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Ancient, But Helpful, Digestive Wisdom

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:37:45 +0000

Remember those old laundry detergent commercials that said, "ancient Chinese secret?" That phrase has been stuck in my head since I came across this treasure of an article that I think all of you should read:

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Dealing with IBS in Children

Tue, 14 May 2013 02:01:01 +0000

When my older son was quite young, he was simultaneously diagnosed with a cardiac and a neurological problem. With a newborn in the house, I was quite overwhelmed with all of the doctor appointments and the medication schedule. The worst part, though, was having to see him in pain as he dealt with too many medical procedures. I used to think, "I am not good at this!" Looking back, of course, I was good at it - I stayed calm and was soothing to him, I was just a mess on the inside.

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Mother's Day: Be Good to Your Stomach and Go Work In Your Garden

Sun, 12 May 2013 03:43:05 +0000

Here in the Northeast where I live, Mother's Day has this magical significance of being the time where it is safe to plant summer flowers and vegetables outdoors. It must have something to do with being sufficiently beyond the time of the last expected frost. Wherever you live, did you know that there might be some benefits to your digestive health if you go out and get your hands dirty? I kid you not! You can read more about it here:

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Osmotic Laxatives for Constipation

Fri, 10 May 2013 03:54:11 +0000

I have to admit it is tough to think of a lead-in for an article on osmotic laxatives. The one thought that I have is that I am always glad to hear that there are products available that relieve suffering. As I researched the literature on osmotic laxatives, I was doubly happy to see that the options available are generally safe and effective. Here is what I found out:

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Great Movie: "Hungry for Change"

Wed, 08 May 2013 03:26:10 +0000

You may or may not know that I live with what sometimes seems like a bunch of cavemen - a husband and two very large, growing like weeds, late adolescent aged boys. On a recent quiet (you can read "pathetic" Friday night), my husband asked if we had a movie to watch. I said I had only a nutrition movie that had been recommended to me. My husband and the one son who was home said they would take a pass and went to the mall. They arrived home as I was watching the last twenty minutes of the film, "Hungry for Change" and instantly, their eyes were glued to the screen. Then, miracle upon miracle, they watched the movie from the beginning after I went to bed!

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