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| Sunday, 29 May 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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That bloated feeling
Many people complain of bloating and gassiness in the abdomen, which they attribute to excessive gas or sometimes 'gastric'. In most people intestinal gas causes no symptoms, but some can be quite bothered by it. Some do not even mention it to their physicians for fear of embarrassment. Intestinal gas means different things to different people. There are the common symptoms when there is excessive gas in the abdomen or intestines. * Burping or Belching * Abdominal bloating and distension * Increased flatulence. Intestinal gas can be extremely painful. The abdomen can become painfully distended especially during the latter part of the day. Sometimes bloating can be so severe that clothing becomes tight and may no longer fit. Some people believe that their digestive tract is malfunctioning because they experience excessive gas. Although some fear a serious ailment this is rarely the case. It is important to know that the gas in the intestine is not dangerous. All people have gas in the intestinal tract, although proportions vary from person to person. Studies on young adults have shown that the average person generates 1-2 pints of gas a day. The intestinal gas comes from two sources. * Exogenous or swallowed air. * Endogenous or gas produced by colonic (large intestinal) Bacteria (Bugs) The common causes of exogenous intestinal gas are air swallowing as a nervous habit especially by people with anxiety, over eating, eating too fast, talking while eating, fizzy drinks and ill fitting dentures. Causes of endogenous gas production are bacterial over-growth, food intolerances, constipation, partial bowel obstruction and sometimes as a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. The human intestine cannot digest every thing we eat. Some leftovers pass into the large intestine, (the colon), which is full of bacteria, yeast and fungi. These bugs perform a remarkable task. They take care of the food particles that have not been digested. The colonic bacteria love leftover particles especially unabsorbed carbohydrates (non starch polysaccharides). The processing or fermentation of leftover carbohydrates by the colonic bacteria leads to formation of intestinal gas, which is the major source of the gas in the tummy. Gas is released from the intestinal tract via the mouth by belching or via the rectum as flatus. A normal individual emits flatus about 12-25 times a day. Almost no air is swallowed during sleep, therefore at the beginning of the day there is minimal gas in the intestine but it increases during the latter part of the day. There are no good, easy tests to access complaints of 'gas' by patients. Routine blood tests, X-ray and endoscopy do not help in the diagnosis of complaints of intestinal gas. Attempts can be made to reduce the amount of air swallowed, the major source of intestinal gas, and gas producing foods can also be avoided. Things like ill fitting dentures, gum chewing, chronic pain and anxiety or tension, all can cause increased air swallowing, so each of these should be addressed. Significant symptomatic relief can be achieved by avoiding foods that contain poorly digestible carbohydrates, non-starch polysaccharides and lactose containing foods. Lettuce, cabbage or other cruciferous vegetables, beans, jak, raw or poorly ripen fruits, apple skin, grapes, bran containing foods and wheat flour are very well-known gas producing foods. Usually a rice based diet produce less intestinal gas than diets containg wheat flour, such as bread. Another important source of indigestible carbohydrates is lactose, which is the sugar present in milk. A majority of Asians lack the enzyme lactose, needed by the body to break apart and absorb lactose. Lactose deficiency is particularly common in people with abdominal bloating. Besides these foods, lot of other fruits and vegetables are gas producers. However not every one reacts in the same way to these foods. Eliminating these foods from the diet simply because they produce gas is not recommended. It may be necessary to use medication for a while either to reduce bowel cramps or induce normal propulsion and bowel motility. Stress and anxiety may have to be managed. Intestinal gas is really more of an annoyance than a serious medical problem. However excessive gas accompanied by other symptoms or gas not relieved by dietary changes should be investigated by a doctor. ######## You & your baby Myths and beliefs Many myths and beliefs are connected with pregnancy, especially if you are in an extended family surrounded by grandparents. Here are some common myths: * Vomiting is a very bad sign: This is a very common myth. Vomiting is not a 'very' bad sign but a good sign which says that 'you are pregnant. But incidence of excessive vomiting and vomiting with blood need medical advice. * Travelling will affect the baby: This is a frequently asked question. Travelling short distances are advisable but not long journeys. Going to work is not prohibited. But you must have a comfortable and safe mode of transport. * Travelling on a motorbike is bad: In the first few months of pregnancy it is bad and generally it is not harmful. However, considering the alarming rate of accidents it is better if you can avoid travelling on a motorbike. However, considering your previous records for example, bleeding and miscarriages, your doctor may ask you not to travel by motorbike. In such a situation you have to restrict your travelling, especially long distance travelling. * Sexual intercourse is bad: Having sex is bad during the first few months of pregnancy. Especially those who had complications like bleeding should avoid sexual intercourse. Sex during the later part of the pregnancy is also not advisable to mothers who bleed in lower line placenta. * Working and climbing steps are not good during pregnancy. There is no such prohibition unless you are advised to have bed rest. You can do your normal activities but you should not do any activity that would make you tired. * Bad to eat crabs and prawns: Generally people say that it is not good but there is no proven scientific research to show that these foods are bad. There are many things that you can eat and it's better to avoid food that can cause an allergic reaction. If there is any doubt about any food item it is better to avoid it. * Say no to air travels: Yes, there is some truth in this and generally we do not recommend flying after 3 months, especially long distance travels. * Sleepless nights will impair the growth of the baby: If the mother is restless for a long period of time, this will affect the sleeping times of babies. Regular change will affect the sleeping time table of the baby and they will start sleeping during the day time. Fetus movement will also be reduced and this will upset you. Remember long sleepless nights create problems not only for you but also for your baby. Staying awake the whole night may not be a problem. However, you should remember you need a certain amount of rest during pregnancy. * Sound and light will not affect the baby: This is wrong. Several researches have shown that babies hear sounds and sense lights. Avoiding very noisy places, which are illuminated with bright lights is essential. Pregnant women need very calm and quiet environments. * Alcohol and smoking is injurious to the baby: This is true. But if you have taken a glass of wine accidentally just forget about it. Because that amount is not enough to harm the baby. But if you have been taking an alcoholic substance for a long time it will amount to damage. Therefore you need to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. ############## Holistic Healing : Ayurvedic concepts of positive health Lifestyle issues Health is a choice. We are creating anew our physiology with every action we perform throughout the day. We cannot live a life of health mistakes that create imbalance and then expect our doctor to save us with a 'magic bullet' from his drug armamentarium. Imbalances, symptoms and diseases grow from seed form into gross pathology over many years. They are caused by unhealthy choices made day after day. To remove the problem we just cannot avoid having to address its true cause-lifestyle. Modern medicine now recognises that lifestyle and diet are the key to prevention of disease and can actually reverse many disorders. Studies on osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and mental function are showing in many cases that diet and lifestyle outperform the top drug therapies while creating many side-benefits instead of side-effects. I believe that as modern science continues its investigation over time, it will increasingly find that fundamentals of Ayurvedic daily routine are the true fundamentals for the prevention of disease and restoration of health. Definition of health in Ayurveda Ayurveda has a holistic concept of health. Even WHO speaks of the definition of health as not merely a state of absence of disease or infirmity. The word Swastha (Health) means to be 'established in the self'. The Ayurvedic view of a healthy person can be briefed in a few words as 'One who is one's norm.' That gives the most individualised, personified, customised approach of health and healthy life. Sushritha, the eminent sage of Ayurveda illustrates it as "He whose doshas are in balance, appetite is good, all tissues of the body and all natural urges are functioning properly, and whose mind, body and spirit (self) are cheerful or full of bliss, he is a healthy person". Therefore Ayurveda describes not simply the health but a healthy person. It is very important to realise that individuality of health or personification of health is the basic teaching in Ayurveda. To speak of health is very conceptual and to be healthy is practical. To be healthy, it is essential to esteem the individual uniqueness. Ayurveda describes the health as a state of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. If you analyse and consider the fundamentals of Ayurveda, it becomes very clear that the balance or normalcy of Dosha, Agni (metabolic activities), Dhatu (tissues), Mala (excreta) and harmony of spirit, mind and organs is a prerequisite to be healthy. Ultimately if one has achieved not only the equilibrium of physiological state but also the state of calmness at mental, sensorial and spiritual level, then we can say that the person is really healthy. Ayurveda provides the way to achieve a balanced healthy state. According to Ayurveda, we require health to achieve four objectives - Dharma (virtue/spiritualism), Artha (wealth), Kama (pleasure) and Moksha (liberation). Besides these four, there is no other goal to achieve in one's life. To be able to achieve one or more such goals, health, is a prerequisite. The theory of Tridosha - three bio-energies is very similar to the concepts of immunology and stress. The Ayurvedic approach to Lifestyle (Swasthavritta) teaches us the practical rules of behaviour that prevent Tridosha from being disturbed, because every disturbance in the normal balance of Tridosha, results in an illness. In Ayurveda, primary attention is given to re-establish or balance the Tridosha. "A balanced Tridosha is free of diseases and imbalance means illness". When all the bio-regulatory principles are in an order, that is equilibrium and when it is in disorder that is called imbalance. When bodily functions are at normalcy, it is called the physical harmony and dysfunction is abnormal condition. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Gas in the stomach is a common occurrence and may be caused by anything
from swallowing air to bad eating habits or even constipation. Though
uncomfortable it is however not a serious ailment, Dr. N. M. M. Nawarathne,
Consultant Gastroenterologist, National Hospital, Colombo, explains how
intestinal gas can be controlled with a balanced diet. 
