Medication stool softeners docusate sodium and docusate calcium, help relieve your bowel constipation. Each medication softens your stool creating easier evacuation from your rectum. Both stool softeners should not be used long term. By adding...
Both T3 and T4 are hormones produced by the thyroid gland that help the body’s metabolic function. When a person suffers from hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or has had his thyroid gland removed, he needs synthetic...
The different organs of the body each have their own energetic signatures, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM. This means that particular habits and emotions negatively affect each organ. Spleen qi suffers if you worry,...
Having some amount of excess gas that results in flatulence is normal. A typical adult passes gas as much as 15 times per day, releasing one to three pints of gas. If you are passing significantly more gas than average or are experiencing symptoms...
A low-residue diet includes restrictions on certain foods that increase bowel activity, such as dietary fiber and other undigested materials. It is typically recommended one to two days before your colonoscopy. A low-residue diet does not provide...
Flax seed products, such as flax powder, are derived from the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). Consumers take flax supplements for their various potential health benefits. This includes a reduced risk of heart disease, according to the Pennington...
People who suffer from hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and the absence of a thyroid gland must take thyroid replacement hormones. T3, also called Cytomel, or by its generic name, Liothyronine Sodium, is one of the two primary thyroid...
Progesterone is a hormone that helps maintain the uterine lining in preparation for a pregnancy. Birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy and pills to regulate menstrual cycles often contain a synthetic form of progesterone. Taking...
Detoxification serves several different purposes, according to naturopathic doctor Sara Thyr. Generally, it helps rid your body of toxins, but it may also be used to treat a specific condition, such as autoimmune disorders, fatigue, headache, PMS...
A colon cleanse is a short-term, restrictive diet plan that promotes frequent bowel movements. Proponents of colon cleansing claim it flushes the digestive system, eliminating dangerous toxins that cause ill health. Many natural colon cleanse...
More than 65 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure, or hypertension. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends a diet rich in vegetables to help regulate blood pressure. Timely dietary and lifestyle changes can...
The smoker trying to quit smoking experiences withdrawal symptoms in the first days of living cigarette-free. The main reason he goes through withdrawal is due to the addictiveness of nicotine, which is a major component in tobacco. Before the...
Tobacco contains a multitude of harmful chemicals, including substances associated with cancer and other diseases. Nicotine is the chemical that keeps people smoking, chewing or sniffing tobacco. Because of its effects on the brain, nicotine is...
Before a colonoscopy procedure, your doctor may recommend a low-residue diet. A low-residue diet limits the amount of fiber and other foods that increase bowel activity. This diet should only be performed under the supervision of your health-care...
The human body is built to detoxify itself. But high levels of toxins in the environment and food, plus a diet rich in refined carbohydrates, saturated fats and junk food, are some of the reasons natural health practitioners advocate internal...
Cereal is a healthy food choice for breakfast, snacks, or late-night cravings. Wholegrain cereals are superior to their refined, processed counterparts and should be selected at the supermarket for their increased health benefits. Wholegrain...
Flax seed is the byproduct of a flowering plant, and is highly regarded as a health food for its dense nutritional value. Its outer shell is tough, so it must be processed in order to be easily consumed, but this must be done carefully. Any...
Bladderwrack is a brown seaweed found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is also known by several other names, including sea wrack, black tang, bladder fucus, sea kelp and Fucus vesiculosus, which is its scientific name. In some cultures,...
Spinal cord injuries below T12 affect your lower back, anal sphincter muscle and may damage your defecation reflux. Such injuries can range from mild to severe. Exercise, a good mental outlook and activity play important roles in recovering from a...
Although the foods you eat don't cause irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, limiting certain foods in your diet may help you manage symptoms if you have this chronic, functional gastrointestinal condition. High-fat foods can trigger abdominal cramps,...
Chances are you tend to worry about the levels of toxins in the fruits you eat more than whether they contain seeds or not. In fact, you might view seedlessness in fruits as a benefit. Seeds can be hard to chew, bitter in taste or accidentally...
It's quite unusual for babies to imbibe or digest caffeine. Few health professionals would advise outright feeding your baby a caffeinated drink. Babies only need milk and some water for the most part. However, your drinking caffeine and passing...
Fructose is a naturally occurring sugar found in many fruits. Food manufacturers commonly add fructose, usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, to a variety of products to enhance sweetness. The capacity of the small intestine to absorb...
The frequency of bowel movements varies considerably from one person to another and depends on a variety of factors, including your activity level, overall health and medications. Infrequent bowel movements of three or fewer per week, accompanied...
Constipation in children is a common condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is nearly always temporary and may be caused by dietary changes, premature potty training or insufficient physical activity. Transient constipation is rarely a...
Low-carbohydrate diets have been around in one form or another since the 1970s, when Dr. Robert Atkins first published "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution," a book on what is probably the best known low-carb diet. Constipation, however, is a fairly common...
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive tract. Symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, ulcers, reduced appetite and weight loss. Severity of symptoms ranges from mild to severe and...
Physical exercise helps keep your whole body, including the digestive system, in working order. You breathe more deeply, your heart beats faster and your blood carries oxygen to power every organ of your body. These organs include your stomach and...
Bowel cleansing is just another name for colon cleansing, which is the process of cleansing the large intestines of toxins, parasites and other pollutants. It's done with either the ingestion of supplements or the administration of fluids. Both...