Medical Health

What’s Wrong with the Doctors?

Five years ago my doctor phoned and told me that my blood work was abnormal. She told me to go to Emergency at the local hospital, that she was faxing my paperwork ahead of me. Then after I waited four hours in a chair at admissions and then another four hours in a bed in ER, the staff wheeled me to the pre-operative ward, where I received blood transfusions — six units in all — and intravenous prednisone.

I had seen six doctors about the bleeding during the two years leading up to my hospitalization with severe colitis, and I had seen three of those doctors about my symptoms during the two weeks preceding the hospitalization. I had had a colonoscopy about two months prior to that hospitalization and it was after that colonoscopy that I experienced abdominal cramping. Knowing nothing about colitis at that time, I thought the cramps were caused by the air they had pumped into me during the colonoscopy. I did not even know that colitis existed.

The gastroenterologist told me that I had mild inflammation, but I later discovered that he had diagnosed my condition as proctitis. If he had had the presence of mind to inform me of that very specific diagnosis, I would have then known (from my own research on the Internet) that mild proctitis can progress to severe colitis, and (despite the three general doctors I saw during the two weeks preceding my hospitalization two months later) I would have accurately self-diagnosed my rapidly escalating health problem before I became so sick that I ended up with IV tubes full of blood, electrolytes and corticosteroids sticking into my hand and arm.

The good news is that by the time I was well enough to leave the hospital, I had switched to a better (and far more conscientious) gastroenterologist.

See Ulcerative Colitis Advice.

Tags: Cancer, Digestion, health

Ulcerative Colitis, Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, and Fish Oil

In his book The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That’s Destroying Our Health, Dr. Sears tells us about the importance of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, toasted unrefined sesame oil, and extra-virgin olive oil. Now research in Britain indicates that consuming two to three tablespoons of olive oil a day might prevent ulcerative colitis. But this conclusion remains tentative until scientists manage to replicate the results. See http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/638501.html.

Dr. Sears says to consume cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil, preferably relatively expensive brands that have a naturally peppery flavor: President’s Choice Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Tuscany has a peppery finish and seems reasonably priced. Still, you might prefer Dr. Sears’ oils. He sells his own select brand. Google it.

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Tags: diet, Digestion, health, prevention

Autoimmunity, KyoDophilus, Alfalfa, and Zinc

My general doctor says that patients suffering from autoimmune diseases should not take herbs and supplements that boost immunity (since autoimmunity results from overactive immune responses that attack and harm various parts of the patients’ bodies). In other words, when your immune system is already overactive, you are foolish to boost its activity even further. And that is why I am surprised when I see health practitioners (including naturopaths) advise victims of colitis or Crohn’s disease to take alfalfa and Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Alfalfa boosts the immune system and can therefore interfere with immune-suppressive medications, such as mercaptopurine (6-MP) and azathioprine (the Mayo Clinic says flat out that patients should not use azathioprine with alfalfa). And the labels on bottles of Kyo-Dophilus (a probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus) say, “Take KyoDophilus . . . every day to boost immunity.”

In fact a University of California clinical trial using Kyo-Dophilus (”a commercially available dietary supplement often used by individuals with inflammatory bowel disease”) was terminated in 2008 due to low recruitment. In other words, the doctors could not find enough volunteers.

I suspect that colitis patients sometimes find that Kyo-Dophilus provides some relief from the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. Yet they would do better to stay away from milk products and Kyo-Dophilus, since Kyo-Dophilus will not cure their colitis-induced lactose intolerance, and since it will boost their immune response (possibly causing their colitis to flare).

Patients suffering from autoimmune diseases should not take Kyo-Dophilus, alfalfa, zinc, echinacea, ginseng, and shiitake supplements, and they should stay away from COLD-fx, too.

Also see, Ulcerative Colitis Advice

Tags: diet, Digestion, health, prevention

Ulcerative Colitis Advice

On my earlier post Best of the Web: Ulcerative Colitis, I listed a few websites recommended by health professionals. Now I would like to say that I also like the University of Maryland writeup.

Here are the main lifestyle suggestions I found on these websites:

1) Exercise. And note that endurance exercise, such as long-distance running and hiking, can help suppress your overactive immune system.

2) Avoid stress.

3) Avoid milk products, including whey protein. (But make sure to supplement your diet with calcium and vitamin D. Take 1000 mg to 1250 mg of calcium each day, plus vitamin D.)

Egg white protein powder is usually OK (but make sure that it does not contain powdered egg yolks).

4) Don’t eat foods that bother you, period.

5) Stay on a low fat diet.

6) Eat lots of vegetables and fruits.

7) If vegetables and fruits bother you, cook them.

And I would add a few additional pointers:

1) Stay away from most fresh vegetables and fruits. Eat frozen produce. Those fresh, unfrozen vegetables you see in the produce section of your local supermarket/grocery have had plenty of time to grow molds and bacteria, both while on the shelf and while in route to the store. And all those germs and fungi will provoke your immune system. (See A Fish and Vegetable Diet.)

Try to buy products grown in the United States, Europe, and Canada.

2) Avoid all grains. (But you might want to try Quinoa.) Do not eat granola!

3) Do not eat red meat. Eat fish and egg whites. (Do not eat egg yolks!)

4) Do not eat at restaurants.

5) Do not eat processed food (meals, meats, snacks, frozen dinners, cereals, etc.).

6) Fix your own meals. Don’t trust other people to make your meals for you.

7) Take tumeric every day, that is, take it at your own risk. (See Frontier Turmeric Root Ground and New Chapter Tumericforce. But if the New Chapter Tumericforce begins to irritate your digestive system or cause you pain, then discontinue for a month and then start again if you think you can.)

8 ) Take a good, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil every day, that is, take it at your own risk. (I only recommend Nordic Naturals – Ultimate Omega and Ascenta, Nutra Sea HP Fish Oil. Take one to two grams a day and make sure that it does not thin your blood too much: See Colitis, Fish Oil, Chocolate, Tea and Spices.)

9) Get out for a hike or walk every day, or use the treadmill.

10) Do not eat whole nuts and seeds. Eat nut butters and seed butters.

11) Do not take alfalfa or zinc (or supplements that contain alfalfa or zinc). They boost your immune system. You want to stay away from immune-boosting herbs, such as echinacea.

12) Eat the right oils.

13) Read Dr. Sears’ The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That’s Destroying Our Health. He tells you how to balance good proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and shows you that it is important to avoid grains. (But note that some of his suggestions will thin your blood; see Colitis, Fish Oil, Chocolate, Tea and Spices).

14) Get plenty of rest. Do not overwork yourself. Take time off. Relax.

Also see Ulcerative Colitis and Diet, Colitis, Fish Oil, Chocolate, Tea and Spices, Autoimmunity, KyoDophilus, Alfalfa, and Zinc, and Related Posts.

Tags: diet, Digestion, health, prevention