Category Archives: Gastro-intestinal

The Low FODMAP Diet

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(FODMAP=Fermentable Oligo-Di-Monosaccharides and Polyols)

FODMAPs are carbohydrates (sugars) that are found in foods. Not all carbohydrates are considered FODMAPs.

The FODMAPs in the diet are:
• Fructose (fruits, honey, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), etc)
• Lactose (dairy)
• Fructans (wheat, onion, garlic, etc)(fructans are also known as inulin)
• Galactans (beans, lentils, legumes such as soy, etc)
• Polyols (sweeteners containing sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, stone fruits such as avocado, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, etc)

FODMAPs are osmotic (means they pull water into the intestinal tract), may not be digested or absorbed well and could be fermented upon by bacteria in the intestinal tract when eaten in excess.

Symptoms of gas, bloating, cramping and/or diarrhea may occur in those who could be sensitive to the effects of FODMAPs. A low FODMAP diet may help reduce symptoms, which will limit foods high in fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans and polyols.

The low FODMAP diet is often used in those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The diet also has potential use in those with similar symptoms arising from other digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease.

This diet will also limit fiber as some high fiber foods have also high amounts of FODMAPs. (Fiber is a component of complex carbohydrates that the body cannot digest, found in plant based foods such as beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc)

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Gastroesphageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

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file9971339962220Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back (refluxes) into your food pipe (esophagus). The backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD signs and symptoms.

Lifestyle changes may help reduce the frequency of heartburn. Consider trying to:  See more

Gastroparesis

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Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food from the stomach through the digestive tract. Gastroparesis occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged and the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally. Food then moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract.

Dietary Changes

Changing your eating habits can help control gastroparesis. Your doctor or dietitian may prescribe six small meals a day instead of three large ones. If less food enters the stomach each time you eat, it may not become overly full. In more severe cases, a liquid or pureed diet may be prescribed.

The doctor may recommend that you avoid high-fat and high-fiber foods. Fat naturally slows digestion—a problem you do not need if you have gastroparesis—and fiber is difficult to digest. Some high-fiber foods like oranges and broccoli contain material that cannot be digested. Avoid these foods because the indigestible part will remain in the stomach too long and possibly form bezoars.

A dietitian might suggest that you try to:TONY

  • Eat smaller meals more frequently.
  • Eat low-fiber forms of high-fiber foods, such as well-cooked fruits and vegetables rather than raw fruits and vegetables.
  • Choose mostly low-fat foods, but if you can tolerate them, add small servings of fatty foods to your diet.
  • Avoid fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as oranges and broccoli, that are likely to cause bezoars.
  • If liquids are easier for you to ingest, try soups and pureed foods.
  • Drink water throughout each meal.
  • Try gentle exercise after you eat, such as going for a walk.
  • Find other natural remedies that may help.

Implanting an electrical device to control the stomach muscles.

Electrical gastric stimulation uses an electric current to cause stomach contractions. Working much like a heart pacemaker, this stomach pacemaker, consisting of a tiny generator and two electrodes, is placed in a pocket that surgeons create on the stomach’s outer edge. Stomach pacemakers have been shown to improve stomach emptying and reduce nausea and vomiting in some people with gastroparesis.

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Ulcerative Colitis

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Creating an Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan

If you have ulcerative colitis, you probably know which foods trigger your symptoms. The good news is there are ways of eating with ulcerative colitis that allow you to avoid the foods that aggravate your bowel condition. In addition, some new research indicates that specific nutrients in some foods may help decrease GI inflammation. That can make it easier to self-manage your illness.

See video of colonoscopy

Diverticular Disease

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KCWUEN041IMG1Diverticulosis

Most people with diverticulosis do not have any discomfort or symptoms. However, some people may experience crampy pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, bloating, and constipation. Other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers cause similar problems, so the symptoms do not always mean a person has diverticulosis. People with chronic symptoms should visit their doctor or health care provider.

Diverticulitis

The most common symptom of diverticulitis is abdominal pain. The most common sign on examination is tenderness in the lower left side of the abdomen. Usually, the pain is severe and comes on suddenly, but it can also be mild and become worse over several days. The intensity of the pain can fluctuate. A person may experience cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, or a change in bowel habits.

More Information and Diet for Diverticular Disease

Gluten Allergy & Intolerance

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celiac-disease-insights_1Gluten Sensitivity & Intolerance

Individuals who experience distress when eating gluten-containing products and show improvement when following a gluten-free diet may have gluten sensitivity (GS), instead of celiac disease (CD). These individuals are unable to tolerate gluten and develop an adverse reaction when eating gluten. GS has not been well researched, but there is a significant amount of clinical evidence supporting the existence of this condition. In early 2012 GS was classified by an international group of recognized celiac experts as a distinct condition. It is estimated to affect up to ten times more people than CD.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.

Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes

Celiac disease on the rise in the U.S.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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AbdomenpainMany people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find that eating prompts symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea (or, sometimes, alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea), and bloating. Making adjustments to your diet can provide relief.

Limit or eliminate foods that may make diarrhea worse, including caffeine, alcohol, milk products, foods high in sugar, fatty foods, gas-producing foods (such as beans, cabbage, and broccoli), and the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and xylitol (often used in sugarless gum and sugarless candy).

  • To reduce constipation, add fiber to your diet, drink plenty of water, and get regular exercise.
  • Keep a daily diary of what you eat and whether you experience symptoms after eating.
  • Eat slowly and have meals in a quiet, relaxing environment.

More about Irritable Bowel Syndrome