DIGESTIVE DISORDERS!

Acid reflux, hiatal hernias, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s
Disease, ulcers and diarrhea are just a few of the many digestive disorders that affect over 1 million Irish people each year, and generate millions in revenue for pharmaceutical companies.

Digestive disorders are conditions that disrupt the normal, healthy function of the gastrointestinal system and the digestive tract. These conditions can be caused by, amongst other things, poor dietary habits, caffeine and nicotine consumption, certain medications, food allergies, or infections.

Naturally, the range of symptoms and the severity of digestive disorders varies widely. Some of these conditions can manifest as mild indigestion and some can be so severe as to cause muscle and joint inflammation, fever, dehydration, and anemia. While there are a tremendous number of over-the-counter and prescription medications that one can obtain to help with digestive disorders, many of them can have negative side effects.


Quite simply the digestive system is composed of the following:
• The mouth, which begins the digestive process
• The oesophagus, which carries food from the mouth to the stomach,
• The stomach in turn expands, mixes food with digestive fluids, and empties into the small intestine.
• The small and large intestines then dissolve and digest the food until the nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal walls with any surplus material being excreted.

Other organs that assist in the digestive process, by secreting enzymes that help break down and digest food, include the tongue, the salivary glands, pancreas, liver and the gall bladder.

In essence, the digestive system performs two vital roles in the body; it breaks down food into absorbable nutrients and it protects the body by getting rid of harmful substances.

So other than potentially harmful medication what other more natural solutions are there?

Well first, it is important to establish what actually controls the digestive process. The single most important system in the body is the nervous system. The nervous system as we all know controls all the tissues, cells and organs in the body, including the digestive system. For your body to function at its optimum your nervous system needs to be working at its optimum, otherwise problems can and will arise. The nervous system is protected by your spine, which is made up of several blocks of bone. Due to various forms of stress e.g. falls, posture, lifting etc these spinal bones can be twisted out of alignment leading to nerve irritation and distorted nerve communication. This garbles the communication between your brain and your body and causes interference with the control and regulation of your body’s functions.

Therefore, interference with any of the nerves in the body that control any part of the digestive system can result in digestive problems. It is worth noting that one of the major symptoms resulting from a neck injury includes digestive disorders resulting from physical trauma to the spine1. Therefore, any program to help eliminate digestive problems must include an examination and evaluation of the function of a person’s spine and nervous system by a properly qualified chiropractor (http://www.chiropractic.ie/). In two independent studies2, patients with ulcer conditions were placed on the same diet, but different treatment plans. The patients undergoing Chiropractic care showed considerably faster relief than did those undergoing traditional medical treatment. A study carried out by the National Health Service in Denmark in 1999 showed that Chiropractic was more effective in treating children with infantile colic than those treated with the drug Diamethcone3.

Furthermore, break through research in 1976 by Hans Selye, M.D.,4 documented that during periods of prolonged stress, the nervous system can cause the over- secretion of an adrenal hormone called ACTH, which inhibits digestive function, and increases the risk of gastric ulcers. A more recent study in 2001, done at a major hospital in Sweden, found that stress-related conditions directly contributed to gastrointestinal symptoms5. Another 2001 study done at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio 6 came to similar conclusions as Dr. Selye, which found when a person is under stress, the body diverts blood flow away from the digestive system resulting in indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, incontinence, or colon spasms. Stress also increases acid production6, which can aggravate ulcers and contribute to acid reflux.

Reducing stress is obviously good advice. However unfortunately, stress is a part of our lives that we cannot avoid so instead, we must learn to cope with stress better and aside from keeping our spines free of misalignments with chiropractic care other simple advice includes getting regular exercise. We all need at least 30 minutes exercise per day. We also need adequate sleep, at least 7 ½ hours per night! Diet is also hugely important6! We need a diet full of fiber from fresh fruit and vegetables and free of additives, and preservatives. We should also avoid those substances that cause stress to our systems7 e.g. sugar, nicotine, alcohol and caffeine. According to a 2000 article in the Journal of Integrative Medicine8, certain herbs and supplements can assist the digestive system with restoring normal function including Aloe vera, licorice, ginger, and the herb peonae. These herbs are apparently effective in relieving gas and acid reflux. Another 2000 article9 found the following nutrients useful in the relief of Irritable Bowel Syndrome namely vitamin B complex, omega 3 essential fatty acids, probiotics, selenium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin C, folic acid, and bioflavanoids.

Therefore, in conclusion a natural approach to handling digestive problems should include addressing physical stress on the nervous system, as well as exercise, sleep, diet and nutrition.



References:
1 “Long-Term Consequences of Whiplash: Allergy; Breathing, Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders; Hypertension and Low Back Pain”, A. Croft, DC, MS, FACO, FACFE Director, Spine Institute of San Diego, San Diego, California, 2000.
2The International Journal of Chiropractic, Vol. 8 No. 3, 1997; In Touch
Newsletter, November 2000, Vol. 4 No. 11; Journal of Manipulative and
Physiological Therapeutics, June 1994.
3Wiberg JMM, Nordsteen N. The short term effect of spinal manipulation in
the treatment of infantile colic: A randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded
observer. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy, 1999; 22:517-522.
Parents, June 2000, p.72.
4“The Stress of Life”, Hans Selye, M.D., McGraw Hill 1996, pp. 259-264. 1. ACTH: A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland stimulating the adrenal cortex.
5 Digestion, 2001; 63:108-115 “Food related gastrointestinal symptoms in the Irritable Bowel Syndromes”, Department of Internal Medicine, Sections of Gastroenterology and Hepetology and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, and Asthma and Allergy Centre, Sahigranake University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden.
6 Coping with Chronic Heartburn, Elain F. Shimberg, 2001. Tarun Mullick, M.D., gastroenterologist - The Cleveland Clinic, Ohio; Lady’s Home Journal, November 2001.
7 The Internist, Vol. 5, No. 2, June 1998; Regional Medical Center, www.rmccares.org.
8 International Journal of Integrative Medicine, Vol. 2, No. 5, Sept/Oct 2000.
9 The American Journal of Natural Medicine, July/Aug 1997.

Scoliosis Facts and Your Health

Diagnosis of scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine) occurs relatively infrequently in the general population, and the frequency of diagnosis unfortunately depends largely upon the presence of symptoms and the magnitude of the curve which you will see are usually late stage indicators of scoliosis. The occurrence is largely underreported due to the general lack of appropriate evaluation and understanding of the condition. Most curves can be corrected or at the very least stabilized if they are detected before they become too severe.

Generally, curvatures less than 30 degrees will stop progressing after the child is skeletally mature. However, with greater curvatures, the curvature may progress at about 1 degree per year in adults. In either case, detecting scoliosis of any degree and monitoring without appropriate care and rehabilitation can lead to lifelong adverse health affects, including but not limited to progression of the scoliosis curvature, degenerative spinal disease, immune suppression, respiratory deficiency, cardiac abnormalities, digestive problems, acute/chronic pain syndromes, endocrine abnormalities, reproductive difficulties, bowel and bladder issues, and in severe cases, early death.

Early detection, and more importantly correction, is very important to prevent the primary curve from causing the development of secondary and even tertiary curves. Generally, the longer the condition has to develop without proper intervention, the greater the chances of progression and the development of other health related conditions. If scoliosis is neglected, the curves may progress dramatically, creating significant physical deformity and even cardiopulmonary problems with especially severe curves. Most usually the occurrence goes unnoticed due to the absence of symptoms or pain, so proper early detection is essential.

Who gets scoliosis?
Scoliosis is accurately diagnosed in a small percentage of the population, approximately 2 percent. However, scoliosis runs in families. If, someone in your family has been diagnosed with scoliosis, the likelihood that you will develop scoliosis increases approximately 20 percent. If anyone in your family has curvature of the spine, you should be examined for scoliosis.

· Children - It usually develops in middle or late childhood, before puberty, and is diagnosed more frequently in girls than boys. Though scoliosis can occur in children with no symptoms of pain or deformity, it is very important to have accurate assessment done regularly as your child develops from childhood and adolescence to puberty. Most scoliosis is found in otherwise healthy youngsters.
· Adults - Scoliosis usually develops during childhood, but it also can occur in adults. Adult scoliosis may represent the progression of a condition that actually began in childhood, and was not diagnosed or treated while the person was still growing. What might have started out as a slight or moderate curve has progressed in the absence of treatment.

As more and more people reach old age in Ireland, the incidence of scoliosis and kyphosis (forward curvature of the spine – can lead to “dowagers hump”) is expected to increase. If allowed to progress, in severe cases adult scoliosis can lead to the same conditions and health problems described above.

The importance of early detection - tips for parents

“Idiopathic scoliosis can go unnoticed in a child because it is rarely painful in the formative years, therefore parents should watch for the following "tip-offs" to scoliosis beginning when their child is about 8 years of age:
· uneven shoulders
· prominent shoulder blade or shoulder blades
· uneven waist
· elevated hips
· leaning to one side” (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Any one of these signs warrants an examination by the family chiropractor.

If you would like more information about scoliosis or would like a full spinal and nervous system evaluation, call our office at 025 27436.

Pack It Light And Wear It Right

It is a shocking statistic but by the end of their teens, 50% of Irish children will have suffered at least one episode of severe low back pain. Worse still, out of these children, 25% will continue to have problems in to their adult lives. Yet we could dramatically reduce these staggering statistics by simply following some simple advice, and making our children aware of their spines. One major contributory cause is the backpack and the incidence of backpack related injuries has increased by 330% since 1996!

So when choosing or buying a backpack follow these simple tips:

a) Make sure the backpack has wide and well-padded shoulder straps. This is to prevent the delicate nerves and blood vessels in your neck/shoulder area from being compressed and damaged.
b) Ensure that there is a Waist strap. This is so important as the waist strap decreases the amount of weight from the shoulders by about 50 -70%. Therefore, it distributes the weight on to the pelvis.
c) The backpack should have several compartments and pockets to keep the weight more evenly distributed
d) It should be made out of a firm material that prevents sag and keeps the load close to the spine.
e) Finally make sure it is the correct size! Measure the distance from your shoulder line (where the straps sit) to a line perpendicular to your belly button and add 2 inches. The width should be approximately the distance between the shoulder lines i.e. the distance between where your straps should be.



So now, you have a proper backpack how should you pack and carry it?

a) The backpack should be loaded evenly and tightly
b) Pack the backpack with the heaviest items closest to your spine
c) Pack the backpack on a table or counter that is close to waist level, to avoid lifting a full backpack from the floor.
d) Most importantly make sure that you do not have too much weight. The maximum recommended weight for a backpack is no more than 15% of your body weight

This final point is so important as carrying too much weight can cause spinal distortion and twist the spine out of alignment leading to nerve damage and pain. Over time, an overloaded backpack can also cause a person to lean forward, reducing their balance and thus making it easier for them to fall. It can also cause rounding of the shoulders and it can contribute to what we call a scoliosis. This is where the spinal distortion becomes permanent and causes your spine to grow crooked.

So finally, how should you lift a backpack?
a) Lift with your knees bent and use your leg muscles
b) Lift the pack smoothly
c) Avoid flinging your backpack over your shoulder.
d) And always, always carry the backpack on both shoulders

One final point concerns the use of a wheelie bag or roller bag instead of a backpack. Unfortunately, wheelie bags are neither a good nor a viable solution at all. An empty roller bag can weigh up to 80% more than an empty backpack. Factor in that there is a tendency to add more things to a roller bag, it can end up weighing 50 pounds or more and pulling it involves twisting the spine! So keep using the backpacks but pack it light and wear it right!

For more information please contact us at the Kilworth Chiropractic Clinic on 025 27436.