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Volume 34, Number 3 December, 2006
PAINS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE
By Dr. Mallika Marshall
Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong, and failure to
address it could lead to serious problems.
• Chest/Shoulder Pain. It could mean that you're having heart problems. Sometimes it's a pain in the chest, sometimes in the left arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw. However, many people who've had heart problems say it's not really a pain, but a pressure or discomfort. Now there are other things that can cause pain in the chest such as acid reflux, inflammation of the chest wall muscles, or inflammation of the lining of the lungs. But the thing we really worry about and want to rule out is a heart attack. So if you develop these symptoms, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease or are over 40, you need to contact your doctor right away or call 911.
• Pain in the mid-back. If you experience pain in your back or between your shoulder blades, it's most likely caused by arthritis. But pain in this area, especially if it's severe or sudden can indicate an aortic dissection in which blood actually gets trapped in a tear of the main artery in the body, the aorta. This can be life-threatening. It more commonly occurs in people with high blood pressure or people with a history of heart disease, so if you're concerned, call your doctor right away.
• Abdominal pain. We all get the occasional bad stomach ache but what we are talking about here is sharp pain that that hurts so much that it takes your breath away. This kind of pain could signal appendicitis or a ruptured appendix which is a very serious condition that needs to be treated right away. Severe abdominal pain could also signal problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or even an ulcer.
• Calf pain. Whenever we hear someone complain of calf pain, we worry about a blood clot or deep venous thrombosis in the leg. These clots affect about 2 million Americans every year and can be life-threatening…if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. People most at risk are those with cancer, pregnant women, people who have had recent leg surgery, bed-ridden patients, and people who have been on long plane flights. So if you have pain in your calf, especially if there's redness and swelling and no recent injury or muscle strain, you need to call your doctor right away.
• Feet or leg pain. Burning in the feet or legs could be a sign that you have peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage. One of the most common causes is diabetes which we all know is a very serious condition. And the sad fact about diabetes is that many people who have it don't even know they do. So a burning sensation in the feet could be the first indication. Other causes of nerve damage could be injury, inflammatory conditions such as Lupus, or vitamin deficiencies. So talk to your doctor.
ANTACIDS USERS BEWARE
By: Elizabeth Smoots, M.D.
Via: Words of Wellness, December 2000
Almost everyone has indigestion occasionally—especially during the holidays when overeating is at an all-time high. It’s probably okay to pop an antacid pill now and then; but many health authorities warn that taking antacids regularly may not be wise. Here’s why. . .
Antacids neutralize stomach acid, which can ease discomfort. And, since ulcers may be caused by excess stomach acid, short-term use of antacids for them may make some sense. But most indigestion comes from faulty digestion, including lack of sufficient digestive juices and stomach acid.
So the solution for chronic heart-burn or indigestion is not continued use of antacids but finding the cause with the help of your care provider.
Besides possibly aggravating your indigestion, popular antacid substances can have adverse effects:
Magnesium hydroxide– diarrhea; reduced absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Aluminum hydroxide—constipation; reduced phosphate levels leading to fatigue, poor appetite and bone loss; the presence of aluminum, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Calcium carbonate— acid rebound (when the antacid wears off, stomach acid suddenly shoots up); constipation; a potential disturbance in the body’s calcium and phosphate levels called milk-alkali syndrome, which may lead to nausea, headache, weakness and kidney problems.
All antacids may reduce absorption of certain medications such as iron, digitalis and tetracycline; always check with your pharmacist. Many antacids contain lots of salt, which can elevate blood pressure.
In addition, calcium carbonate antacids may not be an appropriate calcium source for some people. We need acid to absorb calcium, and since antacids neutralize some of the acid, they potentially reduce calcium absorption.
RAISINS vs COLON CANCER
From an article in the Mesa Tribune, Mail Pouch & So. Nevada Town Karaya
New research sponsored by the California Raisin Marketing Board (CRMB) shows that California Raisins are a good source of
inulin, a naturally occurring fiber-like carbohydrate that helps keep the colon healthy.
When inulin from the raisins ferments in the colon, beneficial bacteria grow, and harmful bacterial growth is limited, explains Julie Jones, Ph.D., licensed nutritionist and college professor of nutrition. Thus,
inulin fermentation creates conditions that promote healthy colon cell growth and that helps prevent growth of abnormal cells that may lead to disease.
A standard 1/4 cup serving of raisins contain 105 grams of
inulin. Recommended daily intake levels of inulin have yet to be established. The amount of
inulin is about 58% of what USDA surveys show the average American eats daily. Only a few other commonly eaten foods, such as onions, garlic and wheat, are known to be good sources of
inulin.
A healthy diet is important in the colon cancer battle and raisins may be an important weapon in the battle.
KIDNEY STONES AND THE ILEOSTOMATE
By: Jill Conwell, RNET, Corpus Christi, TX,
Via: Orange
Kidney stones are fairly common medical problems. They occur in about 5 percent of the population. They are more common in men with a sedentary life-style and in families with a history of kidney stones. The average age of first occurrence is about 40, but they can occur at any age. For ulcerative colitis patients, the incidence of developing kidney stones is about double that of the rest of the population. For ileostomates, the incidence is 20 times greater.
There are two basic types of kidney stones: uric acid and calcium. Both may occur in ileostomates since the underlying cause is dehydration. Uric acid stones are more frequent. One reason for this is the chronic loss of electrolytes, producing acid urine. The stones may vary in size and shape, some being as small as grains of sand, while others entirely fill the renal pelvi
renal pelvis. They also vary in color, texture and composition. Symptoms during the passage of a kidney stone include bleeding due to irritation, cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting and frequent cessation of ileostomy flow. When ileostomy flow stops, distinguishing between an obstruction versus a kidney stone may be difficult since the symptoms are similar.
Treatment of most kidney stones is symptomatic and in most cases the stone passes spontaneously through the urinary tract. Medication for the spasms is usually administered. The urine should be strained in order to collect the stone for analysis. Once the composition of the stone is determined, steps should be taken to prevent recurrence of an attack. The physician will prescribe medication or dietary modifications depending on the type of stone.The best preventative measure is to drink plenty of fluids (8 glasses) every day. If the urine appears to be concentrated, increase fluids and use a sport drink that is rich in electrolytes to replace losses.
A GIFT OF TIME
Via: Hemet-San Jacinto, CA. Chapter
What does your ostomy mean to you? Does it mean a constant nuisance and care, problems, embarrassment,
leakage and resentment: Or….do you relegate it to a significant but minor part of your daily routine and now
enjoy a new lease on life?
What would have happened to you if the surgery hadn’t been done? Did you get to choose
between a box six feet under or a bag on your belly? That doesn’t leave much room for negotiation, does it?
A surgical diversion to create an ostomy or internal pouch is usually done as a life-saving procedure. Some are
temporary solutions to an acute problem and some are permanent diversions. Some are done as cures for whatever ailed you in the first place and some alleviate a lot of worry, pain , misery and medical expenses. All of them buy you a gift of precious, extra time.
For those who have been given that gift of precious extra time, what are you going to do with that precious extra time? Are you going to waste it – now that you have it – or are you going to do something productive or memorable with it? Are you going to crawl into a psychological hole and remain there, feeling sorry for yourself until your time runs out, or are you going to appreciate and live life to the fullest, making good use of the time you have left? THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!!
CARING FOR THE OSTOMY PATIENT
Via: Metro Maryland & So. Nevada Town Karaya
Today’s ostomy care is much simpler than in days past because most patients are using fewer products such as glues and pastes. Today’s disposable pouches have replaced the older rubber ones, which had to be washed and reused, and a greater selection of sizes, shapes, and colors are available. Below is a list of helpful tips:
Always empty the appliance when 1/3 full. The weight of a full appliance will pull the seal loose.
If a pouch needs to be cut to fit, cut 1/8” larger than the stoma. As little skin as possible should be exposed.
A leaking pouch should never be taped. Change the pouch at the first sign of itching or burning skin under the seal. The contents of the pouch will excoriate the skin.
Pouches will not stick to excoriated skin. If the skin is excoriated, treat it immediately.
Consult with your supplier for a protective skin powder, such as ConvaTec’s
Stomahesive powder.
Colostomy irrigation is no longer routine, but a matter of personal choice for your patient.
Ileostomy patients should not be given capsulated medication since the medicine will not stay in the bowel long enough to dissolve the capsule.
CELEBRITY OSTOMATES
Via: Sherman Area Ostoline
My curiosity has always been aroused by the fact that the necessity for ostomy surgery is no respecter of position or lifestyle. Because we know that this surgery is more common than most would believe, there are probably many people in the public eye who are ostomates. Like many of us, they want to keep this information private and we respect this desire.
However, some mention does come to light from time to time and knowing these people have lived active lives of great accomplishment, can serve as an inspiration to all of us. Among those we could mention in the past were: former Vice President Hubert Humphrey and President Dwight Eisenhower.
The late Queen Mother Elizabeth of Great Britain who was over 100 years old
before passing away and the late Moshe Dayan, former Defense Minister of Israel. Rolf Bernischke, ex-kicker for the San Diego Chargers has an ileostomy. So does senior PGA Golfer Al Geiberger. You may never be a queen, king, President of the United States, or a top athlete, but whatever you do, you can see that your ostomy should not keep you from trying.
View other famous IBD patients and ostomates in the
following link:
http://www.ostomy.evansville.net/celebrity.htm
WHY CRANBERRIES PREVENT URINARY INFECTIONS
Via: OAB Bulletin, Dallas, TX
The secret ingredient in cranberries which is pivotal in preventing urinary infections is concentrated tannins in the juice, also known as proanthrocyanidins. In a significant study conducted in Boston and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, cranberry juice was found to be effective in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections and the need for antibiotic treatments.
This has important implications for persons with continent diversions and ostomies for several reasons. Recurrent urinary tract infections can be common with persons who
catheterize frequently. These can be more prominent if proper hand washing and cleaning of the catheters is not performed routinely. Furthermore, a large proportion of women over 65 years of age, a major representation, will experience at least one urinary tract infection each year.
How does this special ingredient in cranberry juice work? The concentrated tannins from cranberry juice prevent
E.Coli bacteria, the main culprit in urinary infections, from adhering to the cells that line the urinary tract. Scientists believe that the substance blocks the growth of the part of the bacteria that is necessary for it to stick to the walls of the bladder and kidney.
What are the implications of this for persons who may be more susceptible to urinary tract infections? Scientists in the Boston study state that the addition of cranberry juice to dietary regimens in circumstances where urinary tract infections have a high incidence would be sensible. In addition, it would probably reduce both the incidence of infections and need for antibiotic treatments and be a useful adjunct to treatment in high risk groups.
FOR ALL OSTOMATES
Do you take better care of your car than of your stoma? Once a year, have your stoma and your management program checked by an ET nurse.
Do not use antibiotics for colds or flu unless a doctor orders it. Antibiotics can change the proper balance of bacteria in the intestines and cause diarrhea.
Fats of all kinds should be kept to a minimum by most ostomates. Fats induce an increased flow of bile into the intestines and make the body wastes more liquid and harder to control. They also tend to produce gas.
Do not apply a double coating of adhesive. A second coat rewets the original coat and results
in an inconsistent adhesive layer with unpredictable results.
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