Posts Tagged ‘Digestion’
Vomiting
Thursday, July 9th, 2009Q: I caught the vomiting bug a few weeks ago and although I’m back to normal, I’ve noticed that my stomach is extremely sensitive to food and drink. How can I strengthen my digestion?
A: The Norovirus is a highly infectious stomach bug that is most likely to appear during the winter months. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramping. The illness is short-lived and normally resolves over 24 hours. However, people with Norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery and some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery.
The virus cannot be treated with antibiotics as antibiotics do not affect viruses, only bacteria.
The herb Scutellaria shuts down the replication process in viruses. This herb helps control vomiting, a common complication of viral infections. When taken with Licorice, which also possesses anti-viral properties acts to help sooth the digestive tract. Black Walnut also possesses anti-viral properties and may be taken with the other herbs.
Ginger tea, Chamomile, Sage and Rosemary tea can also be very soothing if taken every 15 minutes and help minimise dehydration.
Homoeopathic remedies: 6C potency taken 3 x daily: Ipecacuanha for persistent nausea & vomiting, not relieved by vomiting, Nux vomica for nausea after eating with retching & vomiting, Carbo vegetabalis for nausea and vomiting with belching and bloating, Arsen album for nausea and diarrhoea from food poisoning with chilliness.
Digestive enzymes are also helpful for promoting better digestion and Glutamine helps sooth irritated stomach and gut often caused by the vomiting.
For further information on nausea or vomiting please visit the ICIM Medics on www.icimmedics.com or tel. 045 844 819.
Whats all the Fuss about Enzymes?
Monday, December 22nd, 2008
Q : I’ve heard digestives enzymes are great to take over the party season. But what do they do and where can you get them?
A : Digestive Enzymes assist the body in the chemical breakdown of food. The human body makes approximately 22 different enzymes. Different enzymes with different functions are produced in particular areas of the digestive tract from the mouth, to the stomach to the small intestine.
When our body does not produce enough enzymes ‘incomplete digestion’ can occur. This can contribute to many ailments including flatulence, bloating, belching, food allergies, nausea, bad breath, bowel problems and stomach disorders.
Our bodies make the digestive enzymes and substances:
The Mouth is the first stage of the digestive process. It is where the enzyme amylase is produced and breaks starch (carbohydrates) into smaller sugars.
The stomach digests protein and aids mineral absorption. Gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) along with pepsin break protein down into amino acids. A deficiency can lead to malabsorption and symptoms such as bloating, belching, flatulence, nausea, a sense of fullness immediately after meals, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, food allergies, anaemia (Folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron will not be absorbed if there is too little acid), undigested food in stool, chronic intestinal infections, abnormal flora and weak, peeling and cracked fingernails.
The small intestine receives secretions from the pancreas, liver and gallbladder. This is important for the absorption of minerals, vitamins, protein and carbohydrates.
Rushing your meals or over-indulgence during the Festive season can place a considerable load on our digestive systems, so supplementing with digestive enzymes can help reduce this burden !
However, you must NEVER take digestive enzymes that contain hydrochloric acid and pepsin if you suffer from stomach ulcers, helicobacter pylori stomach infection or suffer from too much stomach acid.
It is rather difficult to determine one’s stomach acid levels without invasive procedures but a golden rule is STOP if you feel heartburn or gastric reflux after taking digestive enzymes. Another substitute is to take plant based enzymes (although weaker) Bromelain and Papain extract naturally assist the body’s digestive processes.
Check your local healthstore out for your Festive supply of enzymes, click here to see ICIM Medics supply or for further information on digestion contact the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine on 045 844 819
