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Page 14A - THE CHARLOTTE POST - Thursday, May 19, 1988 Digestive Disturbances May Be Stress Related DURHAM, NC - Our bodies re spond to stress differently. High blood pressure, migraines and cardiovascular disease are three well-known examples. One stress-related ailment often overlooked Is irritable bowel syndrome. Surveys suggest that one-third of the general popula tion experience Its s5unptoms. while few seek medical atten tion. "Many patients live with Irrita ble bowel syndrome as part of their dally existence without re alizing It," said Duke gastroente rologist Michael E. McLeod, M.D., In a newsletter published by Duke University Medical Center. 'The symptoms include nau sea, swallowing difficulties, vo miting, diarrhea, constipation and chest and abdominal pain. In general, the symptoms are In termittent and occur In not only the colon (large Intestine) but the entire gastrointestinal tract - esophagus, small Intestine and the stomach," he says. Irritable bowel syndrome can result from stress ranging from an Immediate change in the en vironment (such as a flat tire or being late for an appointment) to prolonged depression related to some loss or spontaneous de pression that has no obvious cause. For example, a man may attribute a bout of diarrhea and stomach cramps to something he ate for lunch, but an earlier disagreement with the boss may have triggered this not quite un derstood sequence of events In the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike people with type A per sonalities who are thought to be prone to cardiovascular disease, there Is no typical personality profile of people with this disor der, according to McLeod. The intestlncil tract is a hollow tube of muscle, where each mus cle contracts In a sequential fashion to propel food and liquid In an orderly manner, a process known as normal motility. "It appears that at certain times a segment of muscles may con tract simultaneously and cause a spasm akin to a Charlie horse in a leg muscle," McLeod sa}^. The spasm creates pressure that may propel fluid down stream too rapidly and back up the system, resulting In disten sion upstream from the spasm. "A person may have diarrhea, bloating and pain from one area of spasm," he says. A doctor must exclude other gastrointestinal ailments before diagnosing Irritable bowel syn drome, especially if the patient Is over age 40, when malignan cies are more common. Colon and ovarian cancers can pro duce a narrow bowel and cause Expanded! Foods & Nutrition Education Program By Deborah Crandall Exercise Is Important to phys ical fitness. A regular program of exercise and sports offers these advantages: 1. Controlled weight. 2. Improved appearance. 3. Improved stamina. 4. Improves the respiratory system. 5. Improves muscle tone with fewer aches and pains. 6. Lessened tension and fa tigue. If you decide to begin an exer cise program, keep In mind the following Ups: - The earlier you begin, the better off you are. - The inactive person should not begin a vigorous exercise program without seeking the advice of his or her physician. - Two essentials for accom plishing your goals are self- dlsclpllne and regularity. - Exercises can be fun; they can be creative: they can be done alone or with others. Do you know what type exer cises burn off calories by the hour. Here are Just a sample: Bicycling - moderate ...175 calories Dishwashing ...210 calories Reading aloud ..28 calories Singing/loud voice ... 56 calo ries Walking 3 miles per hour ... 140 calories Running ...490 calories The Expanded Food and Nu trition EducaUon Program (EF- NEP) is an Integral part of the Mecklenburg County Agricultu ral Extension Service. The purpose of EFNEP Is to help limited resources families with Improvement of their nu tritional status. If you are Inter ested In the EFNEP program, call Extension Home Econom ics (336-2692) or write us at 700 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202. similar discomfort In the gas trointestinal tract. "Many times symptoms of Irrit able bowel syndrome are blamed on hernia, gallstones and adhesions, and surgery Is performed to correct an abnor mality seen on X-ray," McLeod says. "Patients will have tempo rary improvement for four to six months as a placebo effect." The physical disorder was coinci dental and not the cause of Irrit able bowel syndrome. Patients sometimes undergo several un necessary operations because of recurring symptoms. The most common of these disorders Is Irritable colon syn drome or spastic colon. A pa tient complaining of diarrhea. Increased mucus production, a sensation of Incomplete rectal emptying, hard stool, lower ab dominal cramping and consti pation will be checked for In flammation, polyps, tumors or other abnormalities with proc toscopy, an outpatient proce dure, which enables the doctor to examine the lower Intestine. Stool will be checked for blood, parasites and white cells. X- rays of the colon also may be performed. Because lower gas trointestinal complaints in women may Indicate ovarian malignancies, a doctor wUl rec ommend a pelvic exam. Every five to seven years, patients may have to repeat tests to ensure that a current flare-uo is not In dicative of another problem, McLeod says. (Lactose Intoler ance Inability to digest milk sugar can cause cramps, diar rhea and bloating and also must be excluded.) The esophageal motility disor ders, one area In which irritable bowel syndrome is manifested, are due to muscle spasms that may mimic pain associated with heart disease. 'The pain felt be low the breastbone is described as squeezing or pressing and frequently radiates to the back and neck," he says. Swallowing difficulties also occur. To determine whether the pain Is stress-related or due to In flammation or other disorders, the patient will undergo an en- to time of day and meals -- un like patients with peptic ulcer whose pain has a clear relation to meals, McLeod says. A pa tient may be given a barium X- ray or endoscopy to see if an ul cer is presenh Once the doctor rules out and physical disorders, McLeod says patient education Is the first step in treatment. It's Important for a patient to understand there are real physiological events oc curring. Anxiety and depression amplify as well as produce these s5mptoms. "A person with high blood pressure responds to stress via his vascular system but may be unaware of It. A person with Ir ritable bowel syndrome will ex perience discomfort, which can be identified with a stressful sit uation." McLeod often suggests that a I>atient may want to start a jour nal to record gastrointestinal complaints and to note any cor relating stressful events. This might help a person Identify stress-producing situations and change them. Exercise and relaxation thera py, such as blo-feedback and meditation, help channel ten sion. "The patient needs to un derstand that the disorder will fluctuate depending on an abili ty to control stress In his or her life," he says. The Only Place For Low Prices Quafilv find Friendly Seavice! * Eagle Brand 4 Fl«ischmann’s •JQ ^'^ngl* MiDk Margarine JeliY i6 0z*/%J Chips Borden Singles 12 oz Pringles Potato 6,5-7.5 Oz. 1.49 Cremora Creamer leoz 1.69 Tetlev Tea 24 Ct. 1.39 Ragu Spaghetti Sauce 15.5 Oz. .99 COMPARE & SAVE WITH THESE EVERYDAY LOW PRICES! 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The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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May 19, 1988, edition 1
14
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