The Prune: A Remarkable Natural Digestive Aid
One of the first line treatments advised by physicians for constipation may have no pharmaceuticals at all. Rather, he or she will suggest that a patient go on a fiber-intensive diet, supplementing regular foods with psyllium or other sources of fiber. Some natural sources may also be suitable depending on whether they contain enough fiber.
A good number of people will also have come across manufactured products such as Metamucil. Metamucil is made by Procter and Gamble, and has high psyllium fiber in crushed form that can be taken with water. One question one might ask is whether there are natural high sources of fiber? The answer is yes. A prime example is the prune. But more interestingly, the prune contains another ingredient that has excellent laxative properties.
A prune is actually a dried plum and has been part of human diets for thousands of years. The earliest evidence for drying plums comes from California and France. Then as now, plums were plucked and then dehydrated in hot air at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a little less than a day. After dehydration treatment, dried plums can be turned into juice, puree or other products.
The chemical composition of a prune is actually quite complicated which is what makes it an ideal food that acts as a natural laxative. Even though we can analyze its chemical composition, our understanding of how each chemical acts in relieving constipation is somewhat unclear.
What we do know is that prunes contain high dietary fiber, around 6% by weight. The processed juices tend to have little or no fiber because of filtering, but juices still have a natural laxative effect. This is possible due to its high sorbitol content. Sorbitol is a long polymeric sugar. The weight content of sorbitol is almost 15% on average.
Moreover, people who eat prunes find that it's a source of high energy because it has both simple and complex sugars such as glucose, fructose, sorbitol and fibers. These sugars don't act directly as natural laxatives, but ensure that the natural laxative action is accompanied by nutrition.
There are many other compounds in prunes that we don't fully understand but believe to be of benefit to health. For example, phenolic compounds might synergize with the natural laxative action. Potassium in prunes and prune juice are hypothesized to be good for heart health. Prunes seem certainly like a wonder food.
Although there's no need to prepare the prunes in a special way before eating, a commercial food preparer in the United Kingdom stumbled upon a home recipe for treating constipation that involves blending prunes with other fruits and vegetables. The recipe, known by the name Beverley-Travis, has become famous and even studied for its efficacy in improving digestive health.
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Senna: A Plant-based Natural Laxative
In late 2002, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration decided to restrict the sale of aloe and cascara products which were being marketed for laxative purposes. After this, senna became the sole surviving class of herbal laxatives being sold on large scale in the U.S. The plant has its origins in the East African region and Middle East, but can also be found in more temperate locations.
The name senna has an interesting background, stemming from the Semitic languages such as Arabic and Hebrew, which is suggested by the geographical origins of the plant. The active agent is a compound that is known as an anthraquinone. In broader terms, anthraquinones are found in other substances that have purgative or laxative effects which stimulate the gastrointestinal tract.
As one might guess, the application of the senna herb as a constipation treatment goes back hundreds or even thousands of years. Senna was used in its raw, unprocessed form, without the benefit of modern methods in purification of the active compounds. Today it can be found in semi-processed form like tea leaves, or in more processed forms like capsules.
Though it's thought of as an herbal treatment, a prospective consumer should be aware of the history and quality of the producing company. Natural laxatives can be dangerous even if they are natural. Prospective consumers should consult with organizations who monitor the quality of such companies to ensure that they have not had serious breaches of business ethics or been embroiled in disputes of quality. Allergic reactions are rare but should be kept in mind.
For additional safety, all buyers of senna should be well-informed of the warnings related to taking the senna herb. Medical and scientific studies have indicated that those who have a history of problems with heart disease, and those with hypertensive tendencies may react poorly to senna. The bottom line is that anyone who wants to try a new kind of laxative treatment, whether its natural or not, should ask for information from his personal physician.
In times of antiquity, senna was likely to be ingested while in herbal or leaf form. Some people will find this to be the most pleasing way of taking senna. In response to such demand, manufacturers have made a tea form of the senna laxative. However, sophisticated formulations such as capsules and tablets can be more nutritious if they are fortified with minerals like calcium.
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Why You May Want To Think About Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery In Mexico
A simple, safe, and quick version of weight loss surgery is mini gastric bypass surgery. This type of surgery is decades-old and is thus tried-and-true.
With mini gastric bypass, or (MGB), patients have their stomachs separated into two separate pouches. One pouch becomes the new, much smaller stomach; the other is unused. This type of surgery reconstructs the stomach and intestines in a manner different from other forms of surgery.
What is weight loss surgery? If you do not already know, "stomach stapling" is when the stomach and intestines are re-configured to promote weight loss. The stomach is made smaller so that the person who has had the surgery does not feel the need to eat as much. This invariably leads to the loss of pounds and pounds of fat.
Before thinking about MGB, you should know if you are eligible for it or not. Only people with BMIs (body mass indexes) of 35 or more are allowed to have the surgery. Otherwise, if you are severely obese and do not take measures to lose weight, health problems may result.
Going to Mexico for this operation may be a great idea. There are many doctors there who have professional skills comparable to American doctors. The surgery equipment and procedures can also be very high-quality. Sometimes getting surgery in Mexico may even lead to a greater quality of care than in America. Most importantly, the procedure costs about half the price.
You can find many programs in Mexico that have great pre- and post-surgery treatment. In addition, some medical centers focus on patients from outside the country, meaning that it is easy to find a surgeon who speaks English. Getting surgery in Mexico allows you to find great care for less cash, as long as you research surgeons beforehand.
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Various Classes of Treatments for Constipation
(Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only, and does not endorse or support any of the products mentioned. Moreover, readers should always seek the support of a qualified physician in making health-related choices. The author is a layman and certainly not a doctor and is only providing research obtained from other sources.)
Numerous statistical figures have quoted that the impact of constipation to be as low as 2% to as high as 30%. A large recent 2006 survey conducted by the famous pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim pinpoints the number to be at 12% worldwide. Even at 2% though, most people would agree that constipation seems to be a problem afflicting a broad segment of the population.
The uncertainty of survey results stems partly from the fact that defining constipation is difficult. For example, asked what a normal frequency for passage of stool is, the average person might reply anywhere from every day to every three days. Furthermore, many will complain about other types of symptoms associated with constipation, such as hard feces, or very slow expulsion when sitting on the toilet seat. Such variations confound the interpretation of statistics, giving rise to numbers as low as 2% and as high as 30%.
The causes of constipation are also numerous. Certain poorly understood but well-defined chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome can lead to constipation. As there is no treatment for the underlying condition, alleviation of symptoms is the only therapeutic route. Physiological and anatomical defects can also give rise to constipation. These include muscle or nerve damage from or sports-related injuries. Finally, a very broad class of patients have no identifiable cause: these patients have what is termed idiopathic constipation.
Often first line therapy for people diagnosed with chronic idiopathic constipation is introduction of high fiber into diet. Recent studies show that fiber and fluids are effective in only a small fraction of patients. Because of the ease and accessibility of high fiber treatment, it is quite popular with physicians and patients. Response is expected within two weeks, at which time both parties may decide whether the diagnosis and therapy were successful.
Beyond fiber laxatives, there are some natural supplements that are well-known: lubricant laxatives (mineral and castor oils) and herbal remedies (senna) are two examples. Remember, the safety of a natural remedy is never guaranteed. A case in point concerns aloe vera and cascara, which were used as natural constipation treatments. In 2002, the FDA banned their marketing and manufacturing exactly for safety reasons.
There are also a number of prescription-only constipation medications available. Some of these act as laxatives, whereas others are special compounds that modulate the functional properties of the gastrointestinal tract. In recent times, exciting therapies such as biofeedback have also risen to prominence. Expect treatments for constipation to advanced greatly in the next few years.
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Why Have A Mini Gastric Bypass?
People who are overweight or obese and have tried many different methods in order to lose weight often turn to gastric bypass surgery. A new adaption of this style of surgery has been perfected recently and is known as the mini gastric bypass. This surgery is fast and effective and also allows for quick recovery time requiring only an overnight hospital stay.
There are distinct advantages to the mini gastric bypass procedure: first it is not a painful procedure and has a quick recovery time; second, it can be easily reversed if this is required and third it has fast results. When you have had the procedure done your appetite diminishes and it takes less food to make your feel full. It is also considered a very safe procedure.
This type of surgery is generally not covered by health insurance companies and this can make it an expensive exercise. Most people end up having to save up or take out a personal loan in order to finance the procedure in the United States.
In order to avoid astronomical surgery fees, many people are now opting to have their surgery done overseas. A very popular location for medical tourism, and in particular procedures such as the mini gastric bypass, is Cancun in Mexico. You can have highly trained and experienced surgeons do your surgery in other countries for a mere fraction of what you would pay in the United States without compromising the levels of health care that you receive.
In other countries you can find highly trained, qualified and experienced surgeons who will perform your surgery for a small percentage of what it would cost you to have it done in your own country. Many of these foreign surgeons are even members of the American Society for Plastic Surgeons and subscribe to extremely high medical standards of care.
Some of the reasons that surgery is cheaper in other countries are that surgeons, anesthetists and hospitals and clinics tend to charge less abroad. Surgeons' fees make up the bulk of the cost of surgical procedures, but insurance that the surgeon has to pay can be responsible for this too. Overseas the cost of insurance for doctors can be much lower than in the US where people are more likely to sue and drive up the general cost of medical insurance for doctors.
Cosmetic surgery is becoming more affordable for Americans thanks to medical tourism operations to other countries. There are several website based businesses that will organize everything for you from the doctor to the flights. This makes contemplating overseas surgery much more viable as they have contacts with the best doctors, clinics, nurses and other medical staff in these countries.
If you are dissatisfied with your weight and you have tried other weight loss methods that just haven't worked, then you should consider undergoing a mini gastric bypass. Following your procedure you will lose weight quickly and be able to enjoy a healthier and more active lifestyle than the one you currently have. Being overweight brings many associated health problems and risks, you will be doing yourself a grand favor if you undergo the procedure in order to lose weight and improve your overall health.
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What Is The Difference Between Lap Band Surgery And A Gastric Sleeve?
Due to the fast growing rates of obesity in our society, there have been a number of different types of weight loss surgeries developed to help people lose weight and live longer. When deciding which weight loss surgery is best for you, it is important to compare each surgery. Two such weight loss surgeries are laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB), also called lap band surgery or gastric banding, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, (LSG) also called gastric sleeve surgery.
Lap Band Surgery
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding is a type of weight loss surgery that involves inserting an access port under the skin. The access port is attached to a gastric band that has an inflatable balloon. The lap band is attached around the upper part of the stomach which forms a small gastric pouch. The balloon is filled with saline solution. Using the access port, the surgeon will fill the balloon with saline solution. The filled balloon reduces the size of the stomach. The saline can be withdrawn or filled to modify food intake. The patient will feel full with smaller amounts of food. is the only reversible weight loss surgery. The entire procedure takes about an hour and is performed as an outpatient procedure. There is very little scarring. Lap band is a minimally invasive weight loss procedure.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG)
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG), gastric sleeve surgery, is a procedure that is normally performed on patients who are too obese to have an other types of weight loss procedures or who do not meet the criteria to have lap band surgery. Gastric sleeve surgery is performed on people so they can reach a safe weight to have a more invasive surgery. The surgeon makes small incisions and inserts a viewing tube that is equipped with a laparoscope (small camera) to see inside the incisions in order to remove part of the stomach. The remaining tube-shaped stomach is closed with staples. It is normally followed by a gastric bypass after the patient has lost a considerable amount of weight.
The second surgery normally takes place within 12 to 18 months after the gastric sleeve surgery. A gastric sleeve decreases the size of the stomach by removing 60% to 80% of the stomach. After removal, there is just a thin tube that is remaining. The portion of stomach along the greater curvature is the part that is removed and contains the portion that produces Ghrelin which is the hormone that stimulates hunger. The result is reduced hunger and it limits the amount of food that can be eaten. With a gastric sleeve, there are few food intolerances and a low risk of malnutrition.
When choosing a weight loss surgery, it is important to make sure that you are well informed. It is essential that you do your research and consult with a weight loss surgeon to determine if you are a candidate and if you have any specific health issues. By being informed about your weight loss surgery options, you will know that the choice you make will be the best choice for your situation.
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Get To Know The Advantages Of Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery
Being overweight is one of the greatest threats to health in the modern world and as such overweight people select any method which they think will help them loose considerable weight. In addition to the age old methods of exercise and diet control, numerous weight loss surgeries have also helped millions of people in loosing weight.
Mini gastric bypass surgery is basically a generic medical term used to refer to various similar kinds of operations that can result in weight loss. However, there are still numerous people who might feel skeptical about loosing weight through surgery.
They are justified in being anxious as no matter how big or small, every surgery has some associated risks and might lead to severe side-effects. So, before people who are advised to go for a mini gastric bypass surgery to loose weight, are eager to become familiar about how the procedure can prove beneficial for them.
Although, many people still are able to loose maximum weight through diet control and regular exercising, there might be patients for whom mini gastric bypass surgery is the best and the only option. Such patients generally include people who are excessively overweight and for whom the risks of undergoing the surgery are rather quite inconsequential as compared to the risks to their health caused by their extra weight.
People, choose to loose weight through a surgical procedure are usually suffering from ailments which have deteriorated due to their excessive body weight and hence cannot use exercise or dieting as a means of loosing the extra fat.
This procedure mainly involves portioning the stomach into two parts, with the smaller part being placed at the top. Thus the mini gastric bypass surgery ensures that the patient eats less while not feeling starved.
Mini gastric bypass surgery partitions the stomach into two parts, placing the smaller part at the top. This ensures that the patient eats less even without feeling unfulfilled or starved. This also enables the patient to follow a healthy diet routine of taking tiny meals more frequently rather than taking only a few large meals after long gaps. Thus it can easily be said that the procedure helps people loose much of the unnecessary body weight by significantly changing their eating habits.
Moreover, mini bypass gastric surgery is definitely less invasive as it is generally carried out with the help of a laparoscope. This means that the patient does not have to get a large incision in the abdomen, which in turn means reducing the risk of large surgery marks on the body or even getting hernia.
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Become Aware of the Cost Of Lap Band Surgery
One of the most common problems faced by a majority of the world population is being overweight. This one cause gives rise to numerous ailments that can become fatal. But with the advances in medical science, now people have found various ways of reducing weight. Lap band surgery is just one of them, but people are still apprehensive about it. The main cause for this is that people are still unaware about the exact process and cost of lap band surgery.
Not many people are aware that now various insurance companies offer to cover the cost of lap band surgery undertaken by their clients. However, this option is not suitable for people who do not have any insurance or their insurance company does not cover the surgery. Such people are more eager to know at least the estimated cost of lap band surgery for weight loss.
In the modern world, people have become extremely health conscious, besides which medical science has developed new techniques of weight loss. This has brought down the cost of lap band surgery tremendously. Now, the procedure that was initially quite high priced and out of the reach of common people, has become affordable for one and all. The increased competition in the field of weight loss procedures, as well as the popularity of the procedure has also helped in reducing the cost of lap band surgery.
Now, the cost of lap band surgery can come to anywhere between $12,000 to $27,000 or even more and generally includes the expenses of the lap band surgeon, expenses of the operating room, tests etc. However, it might not necessarily include the expenses incurred on the follow- up care of the patient.
The above mentioned amount is not a small one, but given the fact that many clinics nowadays, help their patients by financing their surgeries, makes things a bit easier. And moreover, there are other institutions that provide financing facility for such surgeries. So people can also get the cost of lap band surgery financed from these sources if they fulfill certain criteria.
However, people forget to take into account the other expenses associated with the surgery that they would have to bear while getting the procedure performed overseas, including travel expenses, expenses on accommodation, food etc. These expenses bring the cost of lap band surgery in foreign lands almost at par with what the costs people would have to bear in their home country.
But the fact is that numerous people are opting for lap band surgery as a means of loosing weight. People do not hesitate from bearing the high cost of lap band surgery if it ensures a healthier and better life for them.
And with some research and financial assistance, it is possible to find a good clinic where the procedure is performed efficiently without causing much financial distress to the patients.
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