We're Not The Only Ones Who Have Digestive Issues . . .

[tex]

It appears that the problem is far more widespread than most people would have ever guessed. A recent survey of 2,000 adults revealed that:

• 73 percent reported GI discomfort may cause feelings of frustration.
• 89 percent reported an improper diet may affect their GI discomfort.
• 19 percent who have a primary care physician have not spoken about GI pain.
• 59 percent believe they may need to adjust their lifestyle to accommodate GI discomfort.

72% of Adults Have Not Sought Physician Help for GI Pain

Is this just a hint of the extent of gluten and other food sensitivities?

Are these people future candidates for IBDs?

Tex

[MBombardier]

I would never have mentioned my diarrhea if the nurse in my pre-colonoscopy appointment had not asked me if I had any symptoms. I could not remember how long the diarrhea had been going on. Looking back, it had been every day for months. That's why the GI did biopsies. I had no idea. I had had an accident six years before, but I had never told anyone about it.

All this is intensely embarrassing for most people. I know I don't realize how easily talking about potty stuff comes to me now compared to other people. My daughter, Lauren, mentioned something obliquely on Facebook a couple of months ago, and was chastised by a couple of people for too much information. We talked about it later, about how it's our life now and it's normal to talk about it. But I understand why people won't even talk to their PCP. It's embarrassing.

[Jonas]

A recent study in Sweden shows that 70% of all adults in the country have had gastric and intestinal disorders in the past year. Among young women aged 18-34 the problem is 77%.
Stress, improper diet and poor eating habits are believed to be the most common reasons.

The impact of gastrointestinal problems:
Avoidance of certain foods: 36%
Refrained from hanging out with friends, etc. 18%
Stayed home from work: 15%

[CathyMe.]

It appears that the problem is far more widespread than most people would have ever guessed. A recent survey of 2,000 adults revealed that:

• 73 percent reported GI discomfort may cause feelings of frustration.
• 89 percent reported an improper diet may affect their GI discomfort.
• 19 percent who have a primary care physician have not spoken about GI pain.
• 59 percent believe they may need to adjust their lifestyle to accommodate GI discomfort.

72% of Adults Have Not Sought Physician Help for GI Pain

Is this just a hint of the extent of gluten and other food sensitivities?

Are these people future candidates for IBDs?

Tex

For me, I had WD for over a year and like you Marliss, I could not recall when it had started as I was so used to it. I finally went to my PCP after returning from a vacation in December exhausted, with encouragment from my husband and due to the increase in explosive D. My main concern at that time though was the fatigue, brain fog, and the difficulty I was having performing my job.

[Zizzle]

I truly believe this western world phenomenon is caused by the slow erosion of our microbiome. Antibiotics, poor diet, too much sanitation, antibiotics in livestock, perhaps GMOs, etc. are slowly reducing the biodiversity of the bacteria that inhabit us, and that's leaving us unable to digest many of the foods we eat, causing inflammation, etc.

[tex]

Zizzle,

FWIW, after my last surgery (which resulted in an ileostomy), I had virtually no residual gut bacteria (and no colon). Since the surgery was done on an emergency basis (with no time to clean out), the remaining part of my small intestine was flooded with antibiotics for days.

Trust me, nothing allows you to check out your gut output like an ileostomy. When I left the hospital, my gut output was absolutely odorless (due to a lack of bacteria), and pretty much free of gas (only air that I swallowed while eating). I never took any probiotics, and it remained that way (odorless) for a period of 6 to 8 weeks (as best I can recall), and then the odor began to return (as the bacteria became re-established). With the return of the bacteria, I had to reduce the amount of fiber and certain carbs in my diet, in order to minimize the gas problem (because with a pouch, an exhaust system is no longer readily available).

During that time when I had no established colonies of gut bacteria, I had absolutely no problem digesting my food (and gaining weight). The claim that gut bacteria are needed for good digestion is a myth, with absolutely no data to substantiate it. The only changes that I could see as the bacteria became established, were that I found it necessary to modify my diet, in order to minimize the generation of gas. IOW, my menu was reduced, not expanded.

IMO, gut bacteria definitely affect digestion (and a lot of other body systems), but their advantages are highly overrated. As far as I can tell, researchers haven't even scratched the surface, when it comes to actually understanding how gut bacteria affect our digestion and most other body systems, so it's difficult to put much faith in their tentative conclusions at this early stage of the game.

Tex

[ldubois7]

Is anyone listening to any of the Gluten Summit?

http://theglutensummit.com/day-5/

It's been very interesting, especially listening to the scientists, and data being quoted. Gluten is something that will never be in my diet again, and shouldn't have been all along!

[tex]

I listened to some the first couple of days, but since then, I haven't had the free time available to listen to them, so I've been recording them. The recordings seem to be much better than the original presentations, from what I've found so far.

Tex

[ldubois7]

I found these speakers interesting...Dr. Marsh, Dr Fasano, Dr. Lipski, Dr. Vojdani, & Tom Malterre.

I'm picking and choosing who I listen to also, due to time restraints.

I'll be interested in hearing what Umberto Vota has to say....The Reality of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity and its Many Manifestations

[Zizzle]

Tex,
Perhaps you (and we) lack butyrate-producing bacteria:

http://www.science20.com/news_articles/ ... tem-124388

[sunny]

I couldn't figure out how to record them... is there a link I missed? I'll go check now....Sunny

[Gabes-Apg]

while ever it is classed as 'IBS' and there are over the counter meds to 'help' with symptoms, big pharma are winning
(so are the GI's with repeat scope procedures)

we wouldn't want the truth that diet/lifestyle etc can minimise/heal the core of the issues......
(cant let the facts get in the way of a multi million dollar industry)

[JFR]

As far as I can tell, researchers haven't even scratched the surface, when it comes to actually understanding how gut bacteria affect our digestion and most other body systems, so it's difficult to put much faith in their tentative conclusions at this early stage of the game.

Tex

That's been my conclusion too. Scientists are no way near even identifying all the bacteria in our systems let alone understanding how they interact and effect health, gut or otherwise.

Jean

[Lesley]

I also couldn't figure out how to record. My concentration, never very good, is pathetic right now. I wish I could pull out one lecture at a time to listen to.

[tex]

I couldn't figure out how to record them... is there a link I missed? I'll go check now....Sunny

No, they don't provide a link, because they don't want anyone to record the interviews. They want to sell them.

DownloadHelper is an Add-on for Firefox, and it's what I use. It makes recording videos or audio presentations a piece of cake.

Tex