In general cases, diarrhea can last anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks (short-termed) and is not a serious condition. But you should be watchful if it is more painful, and lasts longer than 2 weeks, in that case you should see your physician for an expert advice.

What happens in the Colon?
As a part of digestion, liquid content (amount of water) in the food is needed to be at higher level for its smoother digestion. Food first enters into stomach and travels to small intestine and then large intestine, during this journey most of the nutrients are absorbed by these parts.

At the end of digestion process, when the food reaches colon, body finishes absorbing almost all the possible nutrients. Colon absorbs the excess amount of water from the stool that is then pushed towards the rectum, and stored until it is thrown out of the body.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

• Loose/watery stools
• At times there can be abdominal pain associated with diarrhea
• Nausea
• Sometimes stool contains blood
• Fever

Causes of diarrhea
As already mentioned above, diarrhea can be normal (short-termed) to severe. General causes of diarrhea are:

• Bacterial & Viral Infection: This is considered as one of the main causes of diarrhea. Bacterial & viral infection caused via various means such as consumption of contaminated food or drinking water cause diarrhea. This is common mainly in developing countries where separation of drinking and sewage water is a big problem. Diarrhea caused by few types of bacteria can also kill the patient if no proper medication is made available. Bacteria like E-coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, lamblia etc. and virus like Rota-virus; herpes etc. are few names in the list.
  The other reason of diarrhea is through infection, in case if the patient is suffering from other diseases, especially diseases which are related to intestinal infection. Diarrhea is experienced by patients who are suffering from serious diseases like AIDS, dysentery, Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, cholera, bowel cancer, Ischemic bowel disease, some cases of appendicitis etc.
• Body’s negative response to some elements: If your body shows negative response to some food material, then consuming it might cause you problems like diarrhea. One of the examples is consumption of milk. It has been witnessed that digestive systems of many people cannot process and digest lactose and other elements available in milk leading to diarrhea. The best advise to those people would be to avoid consumption of any such thing.
• Laxatives & other chemicals: Laxatives like magnesium (Epsom salt), phenolphthalein, cascara etc. that are used in day to day lives and also some chemicals which are part of our food, can cause diarrhea in some people.
• Medicines: Certain type of medicines (including antibiotics and other drugs) cause diarrhea in patients. You should be very careful while using any new drug. If you witness a sudden problem with your bowel habits after you have started the medication that your physician suggested you, then you should stop taking medicines and contact your physician at the earliest.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause diarrhea in patients. Generally excessive alcohol consumption causes chronic diarrhea, in which the body’s ability to absorb ample amount of water gets affected.

Diarrhea can be classified in following two types:

• Acute Diarrhea: Type of diarrhea that lasts for less than 3-4 weeks. This type of diarrhea is generally cured with normal treatment and does not need any intensive medication.
• Chronic Diarrhea: Sometimes, diarrhea lasts really long and can extend from few months to a couple of years. This type of diarrhea is mainly caused due to some type of infection. In this type of diarrhea, the patient does not experience significant/intensive illness. Poor digestion (i.e. mal-absorption) of food, serious diseases like inflammatory bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, bowel cancer, prolonged alcohol consumption and effect of abnormalities are few other causes of chronic diarrhea.

Treatments for diarrhea
It is very important that the patient should consult a physician as soon as possible and should avoid taking any of the medicine that is not prescribed by physician. The treatment for diarrhea depends on the condition of the patient and cause of diarrhea (symptomatic treatment).

• Most common and effective treatment available for the general type of diarrhea is to provide patient with drinks containing electrolytes. This can also be considered as oral re-hydration therapy
• Patients are suggested to stay away from food and drugs that can cause increase in intensity of diarrhea. Physicians suggest following a healthy diet in portions in whole day. Milk, alcohol, certain type of antibiotics etc. substances which increases the problem should be avoided.
• The patient should religiously follow medication prescribed by physician.

Article By: Nilesh Parekh

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Rather than a one-off colon cleanse you may find more benefit from making colon cleansing a natural part of your day-to-day routine to stop the build up of toxins and improve digestive health. A colon cleanse should be completely natural and doesn’t need to involve time off work or expensive supplements to be effective. Concentrate on slow, lasting improvements rather than the short-term ‘fix’ promised by many colon cleansing products.

Start by making some small changes to your diet. It’s really important when colon cleansing to drink 8-10 glasses of filtered or bottled water everyday and cut out caffeine and soft drinks completely (if you are a heavy coffee drinker it maybe better to gradually reduce the number of cups you drink a day until you can stop without any problems). Drink herbal teas (such as nettle, fennel and peppermint ) instead, not only do herbal tea hydrate the body they also provide 'detox' benefits as well.

It is also vital to increase the amount of dietary fiber in your diet. Dietary fiber comes from fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. There are essentially two types of fiber – insoluble fiber and soluble fiber and it is important to have both sorts in your diet. Essentially fiber helps the colon by absorbing toxins and impacted matter from the colon as well as providing bulk to help to colon remove waste material effectively and quickly. Research shows that up to 75% of North Americans have a diet lacking in fiber and this has been shown to be a major cause of colon problems. Psyllium Husks can be taken to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Psyllium Husks contain high levels of both soluble and insoluble fiber and are easily digested by the body.

Consume lots of healthy fresh fruit and vegetables and reduce the amount of white processed foods (such as bread, white pasta and white rice) you eat.
Ensure you get regular exercise as exercise encourages the organs to be active and kick starts the body to increase the rate at which toxins are expelled.

Start the day with a glass of warm water. Cold water first thing in the morning wakes your body up with a shock but warm water goes straight to the intestines and bowel and encourages a regular morning bowel movement.
If you have been experiencing digestive health problems for a while, have been unwell or have a poor diet you may want to consider taking a herbal supplement to aid the cleansing process.

If these small changes are made to your lifestyle not only will the health of your digestive system improve but you will have more energy, get fewer illnesses and become happier.

Article By: Thomas White
Tom White is the owner of Budding Health. Budding Health are the UK, Australian and US distributors for Fiberblend and other natural colon cleansing, digestion and nutrition supplements from AIM International. Barleylife contains all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals of young barley leaves.

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The symptoms generally isn’t too difficult to recognize, though they can easily be confused with other digestive problems. For example, a pooch that strains when having a bowel movement (or that produces a stool covered in blood or mucus) may actually be suffering from an infection rather than constipation. Biological causes for this behavior can be salmonella, E. Coli, parasites, bacteria, or a virus. Feeding your dog spicy or fatty foods, changing its diet, and stress can also cause symptoms to appear. Even if one of these other factors is at work, your dog can actually become constipated at the same time, as a completely separate issue! True constipation for a dog is generally characterized by the presence of hard, dry stools or inability to relieve itself properly [...]

Read the full article at Colon Cleansing and Constipation Resource Center

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You can detoxify your body either naturally with the help of detox fruit juices, oils, organic fresh fruits and raw veggies and soups, or you can take the help of detox pills, drugs, supplements etc which can often result in unpleasant adverse reactions.

It is best to stick to a safe detox diet. So what are the components of a safe detox diet? It consist mainly of organic or farm fresh fruits and vegetables of all kinds, fruit and vegetable juices or green smoothies, which are fast becoming a top favorite for detox. You can add gluten free grains and pulses as well if you like. Some even include meat but you will have more energy for detox if you rest your digestive system.

Avoid withdrawal symptoms

If your existing diet is full of coffee, alcohol, processed and junk food then you will undoubtedly feel sick and very weak if you change your diet too suddenly. A safe detox diet will take you gradually through the changes so you should not suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Some detox regimes put you through a juice fast for 7 days. If you are very toxic then you will most likely get a lot of detox symptoms. You really don’t have to go through this if you follow a safe detox. It’s far better to treat your body gently and maybe start with a 1 or 2 day juice fast at your first attempt. Wen you are more experienced and less toxic you can try longer periods of juice fasting or juice "feasting" which does not leave you hungry or short of energy.

Alkalize with lemon juice

One of the safest and most popular detox diets calls for a cleansing lemon and oil drink first thing in the morning. Lemon juice has multiple benefits – it acts as an all round cleanser of the body, it can boost circulation by thinning the blood, it can strengthen the kidneys and the liver. It also helps in boosting the body’s immune system by stimulating the white blood cells.

When your diet consists mostly of red meat and processed foods your body may become acidic, giving rise to free radicals. A lemon detox drink can help keep the body alkaline.

Support your detox system

Beware of detox diets that starve you. You will find them hard to stick to, leave you lacking in nutrients and make you feel ill. A safe detox will contain foods and supplements designed to support your detox system. Researchers have discovered what it is in fruit and vegetables and other foods that help push the detox system. Believe it or not you can eat tasty food and still detox.

By: Sandy Halliday
To find out more about detox get my FREE DETOX REPORT from The Detox Specialist
Sandy Halliday is a nutritionist, health expert and author of a new detox ebook The Definitive Detox Diet

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IBS is not fatal. It will not also develop into a fatal disease. However, its symptoms interfere in one’s life. For example, constipation and diarrhea are so recurrent that they can get in the way even when you have important meetings or appointments. Other symptoms can hurt, too.

However, you don’t have to suffer from IBS for the rest of your life. There are medications that can ease the symptoms of this disorder, while there are natural cures to relieve or make them subside.

IBS can be treated naturally. Here are some ways.

1. It is very important that you consult your doctor or your dietitian before you try experimenting with various IBS treatments. This way you will find out whether the treatment fits you or not. If you are considering changing your diet still try to get the advice of your doctor. Avoid self-medication because it is dangerous.

2. Peppermint was found out to lower symptoms of IBS. However, always bear in mind that different people different reactions to treatment methods.

3. Undergoing a change in your diet may also help in controlling IBS symptoms. Products like milk, meat and cheese take so much time to break down and often increase IBS symptoms. So avoid eating them.

4. Relax your mind. Stress was also found out to cause IBS flare-ups. If you are one of those IBS patients that is experiencing too much stress then it’s high time that you try having a hypnosis session. This is because hypnosis was found out to lessen stress. Another stress relieving method is acupuncture.

5. Gas is another symptom that brings much pain for most IBS patients. Avoiding food that bring you this problem also helps in avoiding IBS flare-ups. Avoid cabbage, some beans, broccoli and other foods that worsen IBS symptoms.

IBS patients must remember that as of this writing, there is no known cure that will fight or treat IBS per se. That means if you should seek relief for it, be sure to cure the symptoms you have. For example, if you have IBS with diarrhea, seek medications or cures that can relieve diarrhea. Don’t be fooled by scams or medicines that promise you will be relieved of IBS itself since it is composed of various symptoms.

Also, these symptoms may be subsided but can come back later. They can be worse than before. This means you should always prevent the symptoms of IBS by following the right diet for IBS, among other things. A diet for IBS patients is important since IBS is related with the food one eats everyday.

Article By: Juana Cruz

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However, constipation is not an ailment on its own. It is the symptom of the food and water not properly passing through the colon. The colon absorbs too much water, making the stool to be dry. This causes the muscles have difficulty in compacting and getting rid of the feces.

Firstly, a diet with enough fiber helps the body form soft, bulky stool. High-fiber foods include beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots. For people prone to constipation, limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods, is also important.

Licorice
Licorice is a safe laxative that can also be used in conjunction with other herbal laxatives to increase their effectiveness. Licorice acts by increasing intestinal responsiveness and relieving the spasms that result in cramping.

Guava (but is must have the seeds) because of their roughness is a great way of getting relief from constipation. Also eating bran cereal not just for adults but for children as well is another way of safeguarding against constipation. A more natural way for the elderly to deal with constipation is to drink milk that has either extra sugar or honey in it.

Mangoes and Bananas
Mangoes and bananas are also high in fiber. Eat a mango after dinner and a banana or two during the day. Steer well clear of unripe fruits though, as they can cause constipation.

Honey and Vinegar
Vinegar and honey are natural laxatives for many people. Mix a teaspoon of honey and apple cider vinegar with warm water each night after dinner.

Dieting
The easiest natural constipation remedies start with your diet. Make sure you include plenty of fiber in your diet. Choose wholegrain bread, and wholewheat pasta, and brown rice. Eat lots of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid pre-packaged cakes, pastries, biscuits etc. Some foods are gentle natural aids to get things started. Try foods like figs, prunes, stewed rhubarb and apricot.

Fruits
Apples are one of best fruits to eat because they provide alkaline mineral for you body. What these minerals do is neutralize acids that are created during illness, anxiety, anger, exercising, breathing pollution, and improper eating. Body acid is a major reason we get deadly diseases as we age and minerals help to keep acids neutralized.

Aloe
Another natural remedy for constipation is Aloe. This herb that works so good on your outsides can also help your insides too! Aloe and its cousins buckthorn, frangula and senna have natural laxative chemicals and can be very powerful constipation cures It is recommended you take any of these herbs with caution and not for extended periods of time.

Probiotics
Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes - take these nutrients during meals and also between meals to get probiotics into the colon.

Flaxseed
Use 2 tablespoons of raw flaxseeds and add them to your salad. You can ground them up and mix them into salads, soups after they have cooled off, and into health smoothies.

Article By: Michael William

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A good colon cleansing experience should first begin with the proper mental attitude. You have to get your head in the game before you go on a cleanse. You can do this by preparing thoughtfully and thoroughly.

In phase one you should strive to educate yourself as to the when's and hows of colon cleansing. On this site you can find multiple articles all designed to educate you as to what to expect and how to go about carrying out a good colon cleansing. Some even have colon cleansing diet recipes available for FREE.

While in phase one you should contact your doctor and inform them of your desire to go on a cleanse. You should be very upfront with them because stopping any medications that are not essential or necessary takes the knowledge of a doctor. You should stop using vitamins, minerals, coffee or caffeinated products, or products that contain high levels of sugar to. Some people even advocate discontinuing dairy products also. You will have to experiment and try things out both ways to find out what works best for you.

If you listen to your body during the colon cleansing experience it will tell you exactly what it likes and dislikes. Just strive to be very aware of its signals.

Exercise and meditation is not necessary during the cleansing period but it does wonders for me. I often will do something that is not extremely challenging like yoga or brisk walks. We have a treadmill so it is no problem to just get up and go. You don't need to have access to this equipment in fact. If you want to walk but the weather is adverse like a cold Michigan winter, just go to a mall and walk around there. Many public places like malls do permit "walkers" to use the mall for this purpose.

Now that we've got some of the phase one work done. You'll need to decide on if you want to purchase a store bought colon cleanse product or not. There and advantages and disadvantages to everything. Convenience is the top most advantage that I like about buying a store bought preparation. But don't think that you have to do that. You can use colon cleansing home remedies that will work just as well as the store bought brand. What many of you do not know is that you probably have the ingredients in your kitchen cupboards but you just didn't know it.

As a final step for your grocery list in phase one you should stock up on water and fruits, vegetables and fruit juices. You really need to make an extra effort to be hydrated during phase two the actual cleansing process.

If you take these steps as mentioned above you cannot help but have a positive and rewarding colon cleansing experience.

Article by: Jan
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There are several main kinds of laxatives using different methods to get the same result -- remove blockages in the intestine and colon. Each type of laxative contains different risks for the user. The three main kinds of laxatives are osmotic, bulk forming, and stimulant types of laxatives.

In this article, we are going to review the potential dangers of each type of laxative and show you a much more healthy alternative to relieving constipation.

Osmotic laxatives -- this type of laxative takes your body's fluids and draws them into the intestines through osmosis. By adding more fluid to your intestine it causes more bulk in your stool and basically turns your stool into diarrhea so that it is easier to pass out of your body. The problem with osmotic laxatives is that it can really cause severe dehydration and a lot of cramping and bloating. This is also a slow acting laxative and it can sometimes take several days to work.

Bulk forming laxatives -- these types of laxatives use highly absorbent fiber usually to increase the contents of the school in your colon, and this causes the bowels to force out the increased matter and expel it. You've probably heard that fiber is good for your colon and it often is. However using bulk forming laxatives can actually hurt you because they have the potential to clog your bowels and stop you up even worse. If you choose to use bulk forming laxatives you need to drink a lot of water, otherwise the bulk forming laxative can be like concrete in your colon and make your constipation worse. Psyllium is a common ingredient in bulk forming laxatives however there have been reports of serious allergic reactions following the ingestion of psyllium, so watch out.

Stimulant laxatives -- these are some of the worst types of unhealthy laxatives. The ingredients often contain toxic and harsh chemicals that cause your intestinal walls to spasm and contract and this will give you severe cramping. These are actually some of the most popular laxatives as they work very quickly. You may have heard of some of these stimulant laxatives: senna, cascara sagrada, Dulcolax, and Ex-Lax.

It is important to be aware of the potential threats to your health when using laxative products.

Constipation is one of the first signs of toxic build up in your colon and it is a warning sign not to be taken lightly. Masking the predicament by downing laxatives does not deal with the root of the problem.

Laxatives don't really attack the source of your constipation however, a healthy natural colon cleanse will.

If you want true lasting relief from constipation you will want to do a gentle colon cleanse (not a laxative) for better and more healthy results.
My favorite overnight gentle colon cleanse is an oxygen based colon cleanse that is safe and natural.

Visit our colon cleansing resource site at www.OxyPowderReviews.com.

Article Source

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After losing her husband, Jay Monahan, to colon cancer in 1998, Katie Couric became determined to share her newfound knowledge about this deadly disease. Her decision to become an advocate for colon cancer awareness and prevention seemed logical - over 6.3 million people watch the Today Show every day.

What should people know about colon cancer?

The most important thing for people to know about colon cancer, is that it has a 90 percent cure rate if detected in time. Women are affected just as often as men are. It is also important to know that no family history of the disease is no guarantee. Family history could start with you.

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon. Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers. About 112,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer annually, and about 41,000 new cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they'll likely vary, depending on the cancer's size and location in your large intestine.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
• Abdominal pain with a bowel movement
• A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Blood in your stool may be a sign of cancer, but it can also indicate other conditions. Bright red blood you notice on bathroom tissue more commonly comes from hemorrhoids or minor tears (fissures) in your anus, for example. In addition, certain foods, such as beets or red licorice, can turn your stools red. Iron supplements and some anti-diarrheal medications may make stools black. Still, it's best to have any sign of blood or change in your stools checked promptly by your doctor because it can be a sign of something more serious.

When to consult a doctor

If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, see your doctor as soon as possible. Keep in mind that colorectal cancer can occur in younger as well as older people. If you're at high risk, don't wait until symptoms appear. See your doctor for regular screenings.

Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.

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Colon cleansing can be done in three ways.

The first option is to do the manual type. This is done in a session where water is pumped through the colon of the patient to be drained later. This will help the body get rid of the fecal matters that the body has no use of.

The second option is to do it in a more wholesome manner. This is through the herbal and natural method. This process requires a change in the diet and lifestyle of the individual. You have to change your food intake.

The third option is for you to do the oxygen-based colon cleansing. This is the more popular option among people. This method shall allow the body to dissolve the waste in the colon in a chemical process.

Colon cleansing generally involves the detoxification of the body's system. There are many herbal and alternative methods for colon cleansing.

Enema detoxification is a very popular way of detoxifying the body. It is a natural way that helps you in cleansing your colon. In this method, organic and a fully caffeinated brew of coffee is used. The detoxification can be done in the convenience of one's home.

Saunas and spas are another effective colon cleansing method. They have been in existence for centuries and are perhaps the oldest methods of detoxification. The heat generated within the body in saunas or spas causes the body to sweat intensely. During this process several toxins are eliminated from the body.

There are many benefits that can be gained from proper colon cleansing and these can include the following:

1. Regain mental sharpness and think more clearly. Toxins and the lack of proper nutrition impair our mental capacity. We need a digestive system that is working well to enable us to absorb the nutrients that we need to nourish our nerve cells.

2. Lose weight and/or control weight more effectively. A properly functioning digestive system is at the basis of weight loss and control. Without effective metabolism of food and the absorption of nutrients the body is actually starving - no matter how much food is eaten and the body fights to keep its fats stores.

3. Prevent, eliminate or reduce arthritis and related conditions. Toxins that are deposited in joints are the base cause of many forms of arthritis. When the colon is properly cleansed these toxins can be eliminated and with good nutrition the joints can be restored.

4. Overcome constipation and improve bowel disorders. Proper bowel cleansing can eliminate a whole range of bowel and other digestive system problems.

5. Boost immune function and reduce infection risk. One of the causes of poor immune function is a system that is clogged with toxins. The lymphatic system is prone to congestion when the digestive system isn't working well. Proper colon cleansing will remove the congestion and this alone will boost immunity. The immunity will be given a boost in other ways as well

Article By: beautyandmakeuptips

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