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Monday, September 09, 2002
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By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (September 5, 2002)—Taking fiber supplements containing psyllium husk or gum arabic may help improve bowel incontinence in older adults, according to a study in Nursing Research (2001;50:203–13).
Studies show that more than 1% of adults suffer from some bowel incontinence, which is defined as an involuntary leakage of stool contents. The risk of developing this problem increases with age, sedentary lifestyle, decreased mental capacity, or the presence of certain co-existing medical conditions. The use of fiber as a treatment for incontinence is an effective, safe approach that is virtually free of adverse effects and is also inexpensive, which may be an important factor for senior citizens living on a fixed budget.
In this study, 42 adults with at least weekly bouts of incontinent stools received 7 grams per day of psyllium, 25 grams per day of gum arabic, or a placebo for one month. The fiber supplements or placebo were mixed into fruit juice and taken with morning and evening meals. Participants were given a daily questionnaire to monitor their bowel patterns.
Those taking psyllium or gum arabic had a significantly lower proportion of incontinent stools, compared with those taking a placebo (17% and 18%, respectively, compared with 50%). No difference in frequency of bowel movements was observed between the three groups. Both the psyllium and gum arabic treatments were well tolerated.
Dietary fiber is a food component that does not break down in the stomach or intestines and therefore does not get absorbed into the body. In addition to improving fecal incontinence, fiber has other positive effects on gastrointestinal health. Studies have shown that taking 7 to 10 grams per day of psyllium may help relieve constipation. Other studies have suggested psyllium can help reduce blood sugar in diabetics. Consuming adequate amounts of fiber may also help prevent the development of peptic ulcers and diverticular disease of the colon. Psyllium may also help lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (“bad”) cholesterol levels.
Individuals with diabetes or chronic constipation should consult a physician before taking fiber supplements to determine whether it is an appropriate treatment and what amounts to take. It is important to drink plenty of water when taking a fiber supplement, in order to prevent the fiber from binding up in the intestines.
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10:33:59 AM 
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By Matt Brignall, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (September 5, 2002)—A moderate amount of exercise can benefit people with the disabling musculoskeletal disorder fibromyalgia, according to a clinical trial published in the British Medical Journal (2002;325:185–8).
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition marked by chronic fatigue and generalized musculoskeletal pain. The diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia are complicated, and include pain in a high percentage of specified points, fatigue, sleep disturbance, digestive difficulty, and sensitivity to environmental chemicals. About 1% of the adult population suffers from fibromyalgia, with the highest incidence occurring in women of menopausal age. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, and no conventional treatment is thought to be widely effective.
In this study, a group of women and men with fibromyalgia attended an hour-long exercise class twice per week over a period of 12 weeks, where they rode an exercise bicycle and walked on a treadmill. The duration of exercise was gradually increased from 12 to 50 minutes per session. Another group of people with fibromyalgia participated in an hour-long class on relaxation and stretching twice weekly over the same time period. The people in the exercise group were nearly twice as likely (35% compared with 18% in the relaxation group) to report a significant amount of pain reduction after the 12-week program. A year after the exercise class ended, 66% of the participants no longer met the criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis, compared with 45% in the relaxation group.
As the causes and treatments for fibromyalgia have been elusive, some physicians think fibromyalgia may have a psychological origin. Perhaps because of this, antidepressants are among the most common medications used to treat fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia often report frustration in their dealings with medical practitioners.
This new clinical trial is the best designed of several recent reports about the risks and benefits of exercise in people with fibromyalgia. The results of the previous studies have been overwhelmingly positive, showing improvement in overall symptoms without pain exacerbation.
Doctors have been often been reticent about recommending exercise for people suffering from fibromyalgia, for fear of exacerbating symptoms. Surveys have shown that people with fibromyalgia avoid exercise for this reason as well.
This trial, as well as others published previously, points out the importance of gradually building up exercise tolerance over a period of time. People with fibromyalgia should only undertake an exercise program under medical supervision.
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10:33:31 AM
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By Alan R. Gaby, MD
Healthnotes Newswire (September 5, 2002)—The combination of arginine (an amino acid) and yohimbine (a constituent of the herbal remedy yohimbe) is an effective natural alternative to Viagra®, according to a new study in European Urology (2002;41:608–13). While both arginine and yohimbine have been studied separately and shown to improve erectile function with long-term use, this is the first study demonstrating that one-time administration prior to intercourse is effective.
In the new study, 45 men with an average age of 57 years who had erectile dysfunction (also known as impotence) received three separate treatments for two weeks each, in random order: (1) 3.25 grams of arginine plus 6 mg of yohimbine, (2) yohimbine alone, and (3) placebo. The treatments were taken orally on an empty stomach, one to two hours before intended sexual intercourse. The combination treatment was found to be significantly more effective than the placebo at improving erectile function. Yohimbine alone was also more effective than the placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. Combination treatment was considered successful by 40% of the participants, compared with 28.9% with yohimbine alone and 17.8% with placebo.
Men with initially mild or moderate impairment of erectile function had a better response to treatment than did men with more severe difficulty. No serious side effects were reported. The authors of the study concluded that “on demand” administration of the combination of arginine and yohimbine is effective for men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
Viagra®, a widely used and heavily advertised prescription drug, has been shown to be effective for erectile dysfunction. However, this drug costs approximately $10 per dose, in contrast to approximately 80 cents for the combination of arginine and yohimbine. In addition, Viagra® has been linked with side effects such as headache, flushing, and possibly even heart attacks and sudden death. While many of the severe side effects occurred in heart patients during or following sexual activity, some followed the use of Viagra® without sexual activity. Arginine, on the other hand, is relatively free of side effects. Yohimbine can occasionally cause fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or other side effects with long-term use; however, none of these side effects occurred in the new study with one-time administration.
Arginine is available in health food stores without a prescription, but yohimbine can be obtained only with a doctor's prescription. Although the herb yohimbe is sold in health food stores, it contains much less yohimbine than the amount used in the new study.
Men with erectile dysfunction should be evaluated and treated by a doctor because this condition is sometimes associated with medical conditions such as hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
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10:33:05 AM
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Abraham Lincoln. "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."
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9:59:40 AM
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Tech support people like me spend our days on the phone with customers. Many like to chat while waiting for their computers to reboot. One man told me he'd been a long-haul truck driver.
I'd love to drive a big rig," I said, "but I'd worry about falling asleep at the wheel."
"Here's a tip to stay awake," he offered. "Put a $100 bill in your left hand and hold it out the window."
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9:50:45 AM
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Mark Twain. "Why not go out on a limb--that's where all the fruit is!"
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9:43:22 AM
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Don't worry. Moses was once a basket case.
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9:42:53 AM
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© Copyright
2002
Rick@Leaders.net.
Last update:
11/18/2002; 10:52:54 PM.
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