Gastro Intestinal Disorders

As the main gateway into our body, the gastric system, which includes 26ft (8m) of intestine, is susceptible to a range of problems.  All of them share the common symptoms of nausea, stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea.

When there is an infection in the stomach, it is known generally as gastro-enteritis.  This can range from a mild tummy upset, caused by bacteria in contaminated food, to full-blown dysentery.  Similar effects can be produced by poisonous foods, large amounts of alcohol, aspirins, or laxatives.

Bacteria can also cause a sudden flare-up of inflammation of the lining of the intestines.  In severe cases the bowel can be perforated and need emergency treatment.  When the inflammation is chronic it is called either ulcerative colitis, which affects only the large intestine, or Crohn’s disease, which can affect the whole gut.  The cause of both of them is unknown, although various sorts of infection may be involved.  Both conditions run in families and are more common among Jewish people and in Western societies.  Symptoms include an almost constant urge to go to the toilet, blood in your stools, cramps after eating in the case of Crohn’s, and pain on the left side in the case of colitis.  Ulcerative colitis is also associated with skin rashes, arthritis and, in long-term sufferers, cancer.

Crohn’s can affect a person at any age, although the peak periods are adolescence and early adulthood, and after the age of 60.  In the young the most common site of inflammation is the ileum (part of the small intestine), which causes spasms of pain in the abdomen, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, anaemia and weight loss.  In the elderly, Crohn’s is more commonly found in the rectum and is the cause of rectal bleeding.  In both age groups the condition may also affect the anus, resulting in chronic abscesses, deep fissures (cracks) and fistulas (abnormal passageways).  It may also attack the colon, causing bloody diarrhoea, and in rare cases the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine).

The additional distress and discomfort of forming a fistula occurs in about 30 percent of cases.  This can be internal (between the loops of the intestine) or external (between the intestine and the skin of the abdomen, or around the anus); often following an operation or the rupture of an abscess, and this may cause leakage of faeces to the skin.  Thankfully, abscesses form in only 20 percent of cases.

Further complications to look out for may include inflammation of parts of the eye, severe arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of the spine), and skin disorders.

One of the most common forms of gastric problem is irritable bowel syndrome (I.B.S.), also known as spastic colon.  Patients have the usual gastric symptoms – pain, gas, diarrhoea or constipation and indigestion – but it is different from Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis although the cause is also unknown.  I.B.S. is a disturbance of involuntary muscle movement in the large intestine, but there is no structural abnormality of the colon so the patient need not experience weight loss or malnourishment.  I.B.S. seems to be linked with stress, is more common in women and often starts in early adult life.  Some 10-20 percent of adults suffer from I.B.S. and although symptoms may subside and even disappear for periods of time, the syndrome is usually recurrent throughout the patient’s life.

I.B.S. sufferers sometimes find temporary relief from pain on passing a bowel movement or wind, but are often left with a sense that they have been unable to empty the bowels completely.  Additional effects may include heartburn, back pain, faintness, a tendency to tire easily, agitation, reduced appetite, and palpitations.

THE ORTHODOX APPROACH

Diagnosis for most gastric conditions involves blood, urine, and stool tests, as well as x-rays taken after barium, which outlines the intestines, has been swallowed.  For closer examination colonoscopies are inserted via the rectum.  If symptoms suggest Crohn’s disease, a physical examination may reveal tender abdominal swellings, which may be due to a thickening of the intestinal walls. In this instance a blood test revealing protein deficiency, anaemia or evidence of inflammation is another aid to diagnosis.

Where there is a definite infection antibiotics will be used, plus rest and replacement of lost fluid, vitamins and minerals.  Acute cases of colitis may also respond to antibiotics.  Treatment for chronic ones begins with Sulphasalazine – a compound that includes aspirin; if that fails steroids are used.  The last resort is surgery to remove the colon.

A high-flyer diet is generally suggested.  Sufferers from I.B.S. may be recommended to eat bulk forming agents such as bran or methylcellulose.  Short courses of anti diarrheal drugs such as loperamide may be given for persistent diarrhoea, as well as antispasmodics to relieve muscular spasm.  However it is usually the case that these treatments relieve the symptoms of I.B.S. rather than cure the disorder.

Acute attacks of Crohn’s disease may require admission to hospital for a blood transfusion, intravenous feeding, and intravenous administration of corticosteroid drugs.  In extreme cases a surgical operation may be necessary to remove damaged portions of the intestine, to deal with an abscess, obstruction or perforation (rupture), or in cases of severe bleeding.

Stress and emotional problems are recognized as a factor in many gastric problems, so some physicians may suggest psychological help as well.

THE HALE APPROACH

Any abdominal pains that are severe or persistent must be reviewed by your physician.  Many complementary therapies are far more effective than orthodox medicine in the treatment of a number of abdominal complaints, but it is important to differentiate between an appendix that is about to burst and an irritable bowel syndrome.  You should follow through with any advice given by an orthodox practitioner until a complementary practitioner can come forward with a better treatment.  As always, if you are intending to stop orthodox therapy, ensure that you physician is in agreement, or at least aware.

Gastro-intestinal disorders of one kind or another affect a large proportion of the population and complementary medicine can play an important role in treating them.  The Hale Clinic would firstly suggest looking at your nutritional and possible allergic responses to food, which could be aggravating the condition.  Homeopathy, acupuncture, and Ayurveda will also address nutritional aspects, as well as giving other specific treatments.  In addition, colonic irrigation can be very helpful with certain gastro-intestinal disorders, though not for stomach ulcers.

We would also strongly advise a training in the Buteyko breathing method – this will give the patient an effective self-care tool that they can use in the case of nutritional gastro-intestinal disorders.

If the patient is known to be suffering from Crohn’s disease, we would specifically recommend a treatment of biological medicine, moving on to homeopathy, acupuncture, or Ayurveda once the diet has been stabilized.

Although the above treatments will have a beneficial effect on a patient’s stress levels and emotional state generally, the mind and emotions do have an important influence on the well-being of the stomach.  Hypnosis can therefore play an important role in treating gastro-intestinal problems.  For example, may people would see irritable bowel syndrome as an illness with clearly defined physical symptoms, but a recent research program showed a clear improvement with hypnosis.

There are a whole range of supportive self-care programs for gastro-intestinal disorders.  Many people are unaware of the importance of the full-spectrum light in the absorption of food, but light therapy can be a very beneficial aid to the digestive process.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH GUT IMBALANCES:

• Undesirable changes in bowel movements
• Signs of malabsorption such as floating, bulky, foul smelling stools
• Belching, bloating, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, cramping
• Blood or mucus in stool, tarry stool, stool colour changes
• Anal itching
• Halitosis, food allergies and intolerances
• Auto-immune illness, immuno-deficiencies
• Symptoms of chronic infections
• Skin conditions such as acne or eczema
• Attention difficulties, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviour
• Poor concentration, brain fog, confusion, behavioural changes
• Anxiety, depression
• Arthritis, joint pain, rheumatoid diseases, osteoarthritis
• Asthma, hay fever
• PMS symptoms, menstrual problems
• Weight gain or loss
• Endocrine or neurological imbalances
• Fungal infections
• Glucose intolerance, slow metabolism, hypoglycaemia
• Cholesterol and triglyceride imbalances
• Anaemia, vitamin or mineral deficiencies

The intestines have the highest concentration of nerve cells in the body, besides the brain. This Enteric Nervous System (ENS) contains between 70 and 85% of the body’s immune cells. It is a so called data processing centre which handles complicated pathways of neurons, neuromodulators and neurotransmitters. There is constant communication between the brain and the gut particularly through nerve cells using serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is also very important for mood regulation. 1000 – 2000 nerve fibres connect both brains and enable the two to talk. When one gets upset, the other one does too.

In the past, many gut diseases were classified as psychosomatic. We now know that this is not the case. There is an element of the brain controlling the gut, but there is also an organic and physiological basis for the functional changes of the little brain.

We treat patients with:

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• IBS in relation with Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain
• Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis
• Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis
• Dysbiosis
• Candida / Fungal Infections
• Pancreatitis
• Liver Problems
• Leaky Gut Syndrome

NATUROPATHY

Many of the gastric diseases, especially irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease are linked with a typical Western diet – refined foods, etc. – and with food allergies.  It also seems that a bran-rich diet, offered as conventional treatment, can make colitis worse.  In one study 45 percent of patients put on a placebo treatment went into remission, as opposed to only 20 percent of those who had been given steroids.  Many Crohn’s sufferers discover for themselves that certain foodstuffs aggravate their condition and a naturopathic consultation would be an extension of this discovery, giving advice on foods to avoid and recommending herbs, vitamins, minerals, and a diet that will alleviate symptoms, and possibly cure the illness completely.

The nutritional approach takes account of factors generally ignored by conventional medicine: for instance the bacterial flora of the intestines, disturbed in both colitis and Crohn’s. All patients also have difficulty absorbing enough nutrition and may need up to a 25 percent increase in protein intake.  Certain drugs commonly used to treat colitis and Crohn’s may make the loss of minerals and nutrients worse.

Some patients may be put temporarily on an elemental diet which contains all necessary nutrients and protein in a pre-digested form.  An alternative approach is to use IgG4 and IgE testing (analysis of the immune system’s reaction to various substances) to look for food allergies and remove them from the diet.  It is best to avoid carrageenin – produced from red seaweed and used in the food industry as a thickener in such products as ice cream and milk chocolate – which has been found on occasion to produce colitis when the gut flora has been disturbed.  Meat must also be cut out because the biochemical processes it triggers are linked with increased inflammation.  Fish oils do not have this effect.

I.B.S. sufferers are usually recommended a whole food (but bran-free) diet to maintain regular bowel action.  Potential irritants such as alcohol, coffee, and strong spices should be avoided, as should grain-related foods such as breads and cereals, and Grade A proteins such as meat.  If a laxative is required, use a natural, gentle one such as linseed to restore regularity.  More about naturopathy...

HOMEOPATHY

Treatment is given to strengthen the constitution generally and then there are specific remedies for particular symptoms.  For instance:

•           Pain suddenly stops and starts as if the abdomen is squeezed by a hand, face red and hot, abdomen tender and sensitive – Belladonna.

•           Cutting pain causes the person to double up and cry out, abdomen distended with wind, attack may follow angry outburst – Camomilla.

•           Pains so violent that the person cries out, relieved by warmth, friction and pressure on the abdomen – Magnesium phos.

•           Scanty, odourless brown stools which seem to burn skin around the anus, especially after cold drinks, ice creams, popsicles or over-ripe fruit, small sips of hot drink are soothing – Arsenicum.

•           Copious and offensive stools the colour of pea soup and the consistency of batter, with a lot of wind and colic, urgency early in morning, empty feeling afterwards – Podophyllum.

Homeopathy has had some success in treating Crohn’s disease, and in the case of I.B.S. one practitioner reports more than 80 percent improvement in symptoms in some patients and general improvement in most others.  This is usually achieved in three or four consultations, although long-standing cases may require three-to-six monthly follow-ups. More about homeopathy...

ACUPUNCTURE

Many sufferers have found acupuncture helpful in the relief of symptoms of Crohn’s disease.  Treatment would concentrate on the stomach and large intestine meridians, to improve digestion and remove any blockages that were causing imbalance.

A combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal treatment is reported to have improved some cases a good deal and brought total relief to others.  In order to see good results, you should expect to attend six to eight sessions and to follow advice on dietary changes. More about acupuncture...

AYURVEDA

The digestion and diet lie at the heart of the Ayurvedic system, so it is a very useful approach for any gastric problems such as nausea, pain, vomiting, accumulation of gases, and colic.  Herbal remedies may be prescribed depending on individual needs.  Also commonly used is panchakarma – various methods of detoxifying the body.

According to the Indian system medicine, irritable bowel syndrome is cause by gas and fermentation of food, which are governed by the mind.  A combination of Ayurvedic and Marma therapies aim to stop the production of gas and fermentation, and also to balance the mind.

Crohn’s disease, known as Grahani in Indian medicine, is the result of an imbalance in the vata of the gastro-intestinal tract.  Vata, which is one of the three basic life forces or doshas in the body, is likened to the wind (constantly on the move) and controls the nervous system.  One Ayurvedic physician calculates that a course of treatment – which would include panchakarma and dietary recommendations tailored to the patient’s individual needs – will take anywhere fro three months to a year, or even longer.  Monthly consultations are essential, but improvement and in some cases total relief of the problem can be expected. More about ayurveda...

COLONIC HYDROTHERAPY

The gentle flushing of the colon with warm, salty water can bring great relief from the symptoms of I.B.S.  As one practitioner explains, “Colonics takes away the muscle spasm and removes the wind, mucus and bloating.  A good flush out gives the colon a chance to clear itself and the correct mucosal lining is re-established”.

Requirements vary from individual to individual, but three treatments at three-weekly intervals would be about average and you could expect some improvement after the first session.  “People sometimes have quite strong reactions”, warns the therapist, “because they are detoxifying at quite a deep level.  Sometimes they feel tired or get a headache.  Others feel euphoric and light-headed”.  In cases of indigestion there may be a back-up of bile which can be relieved with irrigation. This treatment should always be combined with supplements to strengthen the liver and the gall bladder. Colonics are not relevant to stomach ulcers.  More about colonic...

HYPNOTHERAPY

The stomach is an area very much associated with feelings – “I can’t stomach it” is how people describe something they can’t bear.   So if there is no obvious organic cause for a gastric complaint, a hypnotherapist would look at the effects emotions could be having, especially with reference to the way the patients feel about themselves.  People with stomach problems are often generous but they are also anxious about the way they are seen by others.  They expect high standards and when they don’t achieve them their anger can be turned inwards.  Hypnotherapy can help to unravel these feelings.  Particularly in cases of I.B.S., once the reason for a problem, distressing though it may be, is found and diagnosed, the illness is likely to disappear.  “You can introduce suggestion and visualization to help control and manage the physical symptoms themselves”, explains one hypnotherapist who is also a psychotherapist.  “I believe I.B.S. can be treated successfully and I have seen people at the very least helped enormously so that their lives can be better managed”.  If the patient is enthusiastic and keen to be helped, results can be achieved in three or four sessions.

“Hypnotherapy is a short-term treatment.  We are trying to investigate the subconscious mind and suggest ways in which it might like to behave in the future”.

Once the illness has been brought under control, the hypnotherapist may well teach a client how to carry out self-hypnosis, so that they can reinforce the results of their treatment at home. More about hypnotherapy...

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENTS

Maya Abdominal Massage

A non-invasive massage technique that specialises in treating gynaecological and digestive conditions.  It improves organ function by relieving congestion, enhancing blood supply; increasing lymphatic drainage and aiding nerve supply to the pelvic and reproductive organs. Further Details

Healing

Indigestion can be cleared up relatively quickly, says one healer.  You need to clear the blockage that is preventing the right amount of acid from being produced and generally relax the stomach.

Shiatsu

This Japanese pressure-point massage works by stimulating and balancing the body’s energy flow.  In treating I.B.S. a therapist concentrates on the meridians relating to the colon and other relevant parts of the gastro-intestinal system, thereby relaxing intestinal spasm and stimulating elimination.

Chi Kung

Some of the many exercises can be taught to patients to show them how to channel energy to the affected area.  Once learned, this is an ideal therapy for use at home.

Reflexology

The area linked to the stomach is to be found on the arch of the left foot just below the ball of the foot.  A much smaller area in the same place on the right foot affects the duodenum.  A key area for the intestines is the one that controls the area where the small intestine empties into the large colon.  This is found on the little toe side of the right foot, just before the heel.

Light Therapy

We need light for processing food, so the stomach is exposed to full-spectrum light while the patient lies on a couch.  This can be done once a week or once a month depending on need.  In serious cases it can also be done at home under supervision.

Remedial Yoga

People with gastric problems are often very stressed, feeling tension, anxiety, and worry.  These feelings increase the flow of acid in the stomach and may cause problems there.  Stress also increases tension in the abdomen, which reduces circulation.  Yoga, as well as being generally relaxing, can deeply relax muscles in this area and increase blood supply.

The pelvic area is also where unresolved emotions are held and yoga can concentrate on these areas to relax on the mind, body and spirit, as well as bringing emotions to the surface in order to free them.  This is particularly effective in dealing with the root causes of I.B.S.

SELF-CARE

Indian Medicine

Pressure points: Bring your hands together as if you were praying and look at the little fingers; if one is shorter than the other, massage the back of the neck on that side of the body.  The acupressure point known as “stomach 36” is four fingers width’ width below the knee.  Press for 30 seconds on each side of the bone there on both legs.  It should feel tender.  You can also massage both sides of the thumb on the lower joint.

Diet: Avoid drinking liquids while eating a meal.

Aromatherapy

When used at home, the therapeutic effects of essential oils can be garnered in several ways: by adding a few drops to the bath, by inhalation, compresses or self-massage.

Orange, more usually used for insomnia in children, is surprisingly helpful for treating indigestion.  It is warming, cheering and a confidence builder.  Peppermint is the traditional remedy for digestive upsets, colic, diarrhoea, indigestion, vomiting, and stomach pain.  Thyme is a good digestive stimulant and an intestinal antiseptic.

For I.B.S. commonly used oils include basil, fennel, lavender, and lemon grass.