Debby Krzesni is a busy woman. The registered dietitian and STRONG coordinator for Area 1 Agency on Aging travels to senior centers with dining sites in Humboldt and Del Norte counties fielding questions about nutritional health and wellness.

Dehydration is always a topic of conversation. Too many older adults fail to drink enough fluids. Some are not aware that certain health conditions — fever and gastrointestinal illness, for example — increase the risk of dehydration and the need for fluid intake.

”Studies show one in three older adults may not get enough fluid,” Krzesni said. “What they don’t realize is that dehydration can be dangerous and even fatal.”

Fluid helps to carry oxygen and energy to the body and take away waste products.

“without fluids, the body can’t do any of those things. our bodies cannot store fluid, so it must be replaced every day,” she said.

That can be especially challenging for older adults, who often have a decreased thirst sensation.

”they may not even recognize they are thirsty,” Krzesni said.

Below, Krzesni gives some clues to preventing dehydration.

Why is dehydration more common in older adults?

Generally speaking, older adults have less body water than younger adults — 50 percent of their weight is water versus 60 percent for younger adults. also, the thirst sensation isn’t the only thing that declines with age. Kidneys may also function less efficiently.

Changes in physical condition also have an impact. People who have a hard time walking, reaching for a glass or feeding themselves may have a hard time getting to fluids. Then there are the cognitive declines in aging — confusion and deteriorating memory — that can make it hard to stay on top of fluid intake.

What other things affect our ability to stay hydrated?

The environment, medications and physical activity play a role. People perspire more in a hot or humid environment or when they walk, weight lift or garden. sometimes medications, especially diuretics, can result in fluid loss.

Diuretics are used to treat heart failure and hypertension, which are common ailments in older adults. You need to know if your medicines are diuretics as they will make you go to the bathroom with greater frequency. Lasix and Hyzaar, for example, are diuretics. Laxatives are another cause of fluid loss.

What are the signs and symptoms of dehydration?

Dehydration is identified many different ways. Weight loss, increased heart rate and low blood pressure are three symptoms. Decreased skin firmness is another. The skin of a dehydrated person lacks its normal elasticity and sags back into position slowly when pinched up into a fold. Normally, the skin springs back into position.

Other signs are dry mouth and tongue, decreased urination, constipation or fecal impaction, nausea, anorexia, sunken eyeballs and decreased functional ability. In some cases, dehydration can cause weakness, trembling, lethargy or confusion.

Some of these are easily observed. Decreased urination, for example, often results in darker, more concentrated urine that has a strong odor, which can be ammonia-like.

How much fluid does a person need every day?

Contrary to popular lore, it’s not eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Fluid needs are based on a person’s body size and health conditions. A registered dietitian can help you figure out your fluid requirement. It’s better to drink too much than too little.

What are the best sources of fluids?

Milk, juice, coffee, tea and water all count as fluids. keep in mind that caffeinated coffee and tea act like diuretics — they increase the need to go to the bathroom. Milk provides protein, calcium and vitamin D. Juice does not have the same nutritional value as whole fruit, but can add significant calories that may not be needed.

Is there fluid in foods?

Yes. Individuals who eat well can get the equivalent of two to three 8-ounce glasses of water from the fluids found in the foods they eat. Fruits and vegetables have high water content. So do soups, gelatin and pudding. Dry foods — think snack foods, cookies, and cheeses — have low water content. If a person is not eating well, they may need additional fluids to make up for the fluids they are not consuming.

How can you prevent dehydration in an older adult?

Given that we can’t rely on feeling thirsty as we age, a good idea is to establish a habit of drinking favorite fluids at every meal and at set times between them. Build habits early in life that encourage fluid intake without relying on feeling thirst.

Give these suggestions a try:

– Include a beverage with each meal and snack.

– keep fluids handy. A pitcher of water with lemon slice in the refrigerator can be very appealing.

– when sitting to watch a TV show, bring a beverage with you to enjoy.

– when you take your medications, drink more water than you need to swallow them.

– If you have trouble remembering to drink enough, pour a half-gallon of water in a pitcher every morning. Use it for any beverage needs during the day. when it’s empty, you’ve likely had enough fluid.

– Eat the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables each day for essential nutrients and fluids.

– make a healthy soup meal, but look for lower sodium varieties.

– Take a water bottle on outings.

For more information, contact Krzesni at 442-3763, ext. 203 or email .

December 01, 2011 1:36 PM

continued from A1

and can cause fever, headache, and fatigue. if left untreated, the disease can then cause joint problems, cardiac issues, and neurological issues. there is typically a rash that appears at the site of the bite that looks similar to a bulls eye. this disease can be contracted numerous times without your body creating a defense against it due to the fact that it hides in your lymph nodes and can even change their structure.

Lyme disease is not the only disease that can be contracted from a tick. Another disease is called Anaplasmosis. this pathogen invades your white blood cells and causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches and headaches. The other is called Babesiosis, a pathogen that invades your red blood cells and, according to Mr. Dapsis, “blows them up.” this disease causes malaria-like symptoms such as sweats, chills, gastrointestinal distress, respiratory distress, and severe anemia.

The issue that plagues many is how to successfully keep ticks from attacking people and transmitting these diseases. there are several things people can do to help reduce the likelihood of a tick bite, such as using an insect repellant that contains DEET or Permethrin. there are also Permethrin sprays for your clothing, which last for approximately six washes before needing to be reapplied. there is now even Permethrin-treated clothing that can repel ticks for up to 70 washings.

“In terms of protecting yourself, what really has been under-communicated is the potential benefit of repellent treated clothing,” said Larry.

Mr. Dapsis had a pair of these slacks on hand, made by the company Insect Shield, and demonstrated their power. He placed three female deer ticks on the pants and we watched as the ticks appeared to become increasingly more disoriented until they eventually stopped moving altogether. The whole process took approximately 10 minutes. according to Mr. Dapsis, the ticks are doomed if exposed to the chemical infused apparel for more than 60 seconds.

“These pants act like a tick waterslide, the grab on then slide right off. I have been using these pants as well as spraying my boots and socks with Permethrin and have not had a single tick bite all year, and I am out there in the brush looking for them,” Mr. Dapsis said.

According to Mr. Dapsis, there are simple ways to protect one’s yard and pets as well. Homeowners can spray the perimeter of their yards with a repellent that must be used in early spring and again in early summer. Homeowners can purchase the chemical or hire a company to provide this service. The chemical acts as a barrier to help keep ticks away from your property. Homeowners can also mulch the perimeter of their property, which helps keep ticks at bay. other, easier methods include keeping bird feeders away from the home, and staying away from plants that attract white tail deer. Bird feeders attract white footed mice, which are known carriers of ticks. Deer are also carriers of a large number of ticks. according to Larry, a deer can carry as many as 200 to 300 ticks around their ears.

Pet protection is pretty straightforward: simply apply flea and tick medication such as Frontline or Advantix as directed. this has proven to be a successful tick inhibitor, and is all that is necessary to help ensure a pet is protected.

Ticks only feed three times in their two-year life cycle. there are four stages to a tick’s life cycle. They are egg stage, the larva stage, the nymph stage, and the adult stage. a bite from a tick in the larva stage holds no real threat as they have not had the chance to contract anything from biting an infected animal. The nymph stage is the most dangerous, because ticks in this stage typically bite small rodents or birds and contract the diseases from them. once they finish feeding and detach from that animal, they are now infected for life and can transmit that disease to another organism it attaches to.

Mr. Dapsis said 25 percent of nymphs carry at least one of the three main tick-borne diseases, and they transmit these diseases most often due to their small size. a typical nymph is the size of a single poppy seed. Fifty percent of adult ticks carry at least one of the three diseases, but transmission is less likely as they are more readily seen and are removed before anything can be transmitted. Mr. Dapsis said it takes approximately 24 hours to contract a tick-borne disease.

For more information visit Barnstable County’s website capecpdextension.org or call Larry Dapsis at 508-375-6642.

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DEERFIELD, IL and BRIDGEWATER, NJ — (MARKET WIRE) — 11/14/11 — Horizon Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: HZNP) and Sanofi announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. manufacturing site in Laval, Quebec to manufacture DUEXIS?, (ibuprofen/famotidine) a proprietary single-tablet combination of ibuprofen (800 mg) and famotidine (26.6 mg). DUEXIS was approved by the FDA in April 2011. Sanofi will serve as the primary commercial manufacturer for DUEXIS in the United States.

"The approval of the Sanofi Laval manufacturing site provides Horizon with an experienced commercial manufacturer as we move forward with the launch of DUEXIS," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Horizon Pharma. "We look forward to making DUEXIS available in the next few weeks to patients who suffer from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and who may be at risk for upper gastrointestinal ulcers stemming from ibuprofen use."

about DUEXIS DUEXIS, a proprietary single-tablet combination of the NSAID ibuprofen and the histamine H2-receptor antagonist famotidine, is indicated for the relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and to decrease the risk of developing upper gastrointestinal ulcers, which in the clinical trials was defined as a gastric and/or duodenal ulcer, in patients who are taking ibuprofen for those indications. The clinical trials primarily enrolled patients less than 65 years of age without a prior history of gastrointestinal ulcer. Controlled trials do not extend beyond 6 months.

Important safety information

Risk of Serious Cardiovascular and Gastrointestinal Events

See full Prescribing Information for complete boxed warning

Ibuprofen, a component of DUEXIS, may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. Risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk.

DUEXIS is contraindicated for the treatment of perioperative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, a component of DUEXIS, increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse reactions, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. Reactions can occur at any time without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk.

DUEXIS should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria or allergic reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylaxis with NSAIDs has been reported in such patients. DUEXIS is contraindicated for the treatment of perioperative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. DUEXIS is contraindicated in patients in late stages of pregnancy as premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus may occur. DUEXIS should not be administered to patients with a history of hypersensitivity to other H2-receptor antagonists. Cross sensitivity with other H2-receptor antagonists has been observed.

when active and clinically significant bleeding from any source occurs in patients receiving DUEXIS, the treatment should be withdrawn.

NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, which is a component of DUEXIS tablets, can lead to onset of new hypertension or worsening of preexisting hypertension, either of which may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Monitor blood pressure closely during treatment with DUEXIS.

Fluid retention and edema have been observed in some patients taking NSAIDs. DUEXIS should be used with caution in patients with fluid retention or heart failure.

Long-term administration of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, which is a component of DUEXIS tablets, has resulted in renal papillary necrosis and other renal injury. Use DUEXIS with caution in patients at risk (e.g., the elderly; those with renal impairment, heart failure or liver impairment and those taking diuretics or ACE inhibitors).

Hepatic injury ranging from transaminase elevations to liver failure can occur. if clinical signs and symptoms consistent with liver disease develop, if abnormal liver tests persist or worsen or if systemic manifestations occur, DUEXIS should be discontinued immediately.

Anaphylaxis may occur in patients with the aspirin triad or in patients without prior exposure to DUEXIS. if an anaphylactoid reaction occurs, DUEXIS should be discontinued immediately.

Serious skin reactions, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can be fatal, can occur. Discontinue DUEXIS if rash or other signs of local skin reaction occur. Nursing mothers should use DUEXIS with caution, as it is not known if ibuprofen is excreted in human milk, and famotidine is excreted in human milk.

The most common adverse reactions (

It’s a common reaction for you to react when you come across anything different about one’s body. One of these worst case scenarios will probably be right after defecating, you discover that there is blood in the faeces. that may get you nervous and in many cases panic. You may think what the heck is wrong with you and perhaps even believe that you may die.

You as well be the opposite sort of person and when you observe blood in stool, you may easily state that it is certainly hemorrhoids. yet this might not necessarily be correct at all times.first, you must take note of the general color of the fecal material. a more dark tarry or dark red discoloration will reveal issues within the upper gastrointestinal system – the esophagus, tummy and small intestines. this should be a greater problem for you, in this case.

If you see an extremely vivid reddish color the same as that of any fresh wound then, that could imply that the issue is anywhere lower – the anus, ending of the large intestines and also the rectum. In this case, this could reveal hemorrhoids.

These are varicosities that appear round the anus and also the anal sphincter. These types of veins will be more sensitive than normal and will easily break through pressure or perhaps an increase in pressure to that region. All these varicosities are generally due to a slow return of blood circulation from this portion of the body into the heart. These may be inside and outside. Additionally, this exhibits seldom, not right up until the person creates a lot of force in this region.

Constipation tends to make the scenario a whole lot worse with the extreme effort and force one would need to expel it from the body. Pressuring and pressing can crack the condition of the skin or perhaps squeeze the varicosities. at times, the bleeding just simply goes away completely. every time the hemorrhoids break up, commonly the quantity of blood is increased with the mucus present in that spot. the tiny blood that comes out mixes with the mucus providing it a false reading.

Therefore when you observe blood in your stool, do not freak out. See first as well as observe the color and the degree of the blood in stool. then, be sure to consult your doctor for even more findings. In most cases, and hopefully in your own, he can identify hemorrhoids.there are lots of treatments for hemorrhoids, but many will certainly send you on a long way of hurting – view the responses on our blog best-treatment-for-hemorrhoids.com – or find yourself in debilitating surgery. that is certainly not required when you observe a successful formula which is natural and holistic. the truth is you can get rid of your hemorrhoids within just 48 hours and discover ways to keep them out permanently. Find out everything concerning the best treatment for hemorrhoids.

Crohn’s disease is a situation which causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can occur anywhere in the GI tract; but is principal in the lower part of the small intestine, in the ileum. This swelling reaches the lining of the affected organ to cause pain and leads to the common emptying of intestines to lead to diarrhea.

Crohn’s disease is referred by different names depending on the swelling that occurs in different parts of the intestine. Tenderness that is found in the end of the small intestine is referred to as Crohn’s terminal ileitis and Crohn’s entero-coilitis and ileo-colitis are the terms used to describe the irritation of the small intestine and colon. In both cases of Crohn’s disease, a small intestinal barricade, diarrhea and abdominal pain are the common symptoms.

As the symptoms of Crohn’s disease are similar to other intestinal disarrays, they are difficult to diagnose. Fatalities usually have all the layers of the intestine involved in the illness where there may also be healthy bowel found in between the sections of diseased bowel. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, arthritis, skin problems, rectal bleeding fever and sometimes constant bleeding that leads to anemia.

Diarrhea that arises from Crohn’s disease may contain blood, pus or mucus that may go up to 10 or 20 times a day, even at night. This may in turn lead to painful tears or fissures mounting around the anus. The tenderness in the abdomen associated with Crohn’s disease is referred to be cramping or colicky. In such cases, the abdomen becomes sore to the touch, and tends to swell up.

Weight loss is another symptom of Crohn’s disease that is a effect of diarrhea and the loss of appetite a person develops when suffering from Crohn’s disease. another symptom of Crohn’s disease is mouth ulcers, joint pain, tenderness in the eyes and rashes or ulcers that are found on the skin.

A chronic sufferer of Crohn’s disease experiences severe tenderness complications which includes fistula which is an abnormal connection that exists between the bowel and a part near the bowel like the bladder, vagina or loop of bowel. These fistulas can lead to regular infections of the urinary genital tracts.

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Entry Filed under: dog allergy symptoms

 Pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it’s advanced and difficult to treat. In the vast majority of cases, symptoms only develop after pancreatic cancer has grown and begun to spread. What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, and can any symptoms lead to earlier detection?
Because more than 95% of pancreatic cancer is the adenocarcinoma type, we’ll describe those symptoms first, followed by symptoms of rare forms of pancreatic cancer.Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms: Location MattersInitially, pancreatic cancer tends to be silent and painless as it grows. By the time it’s large enough to cause symptoms, pancreatic cancer has generally grown outside the pancreas. at this point, symptoms depend on the cancer’s location within the pancreas:

• Pancreatic cancer in the head of the pancreas tends to cause symptoms such as weight loss, jaundice (yellow skin), and fat in the stool, with or withoutabdominal pain.
• Pancreatic cancer in the body or tail of the pancreas usually causes belly pain and weight loss.

In general, symptoms appear earlier from pancreatic cancers in the head of the pancreas, compared to those in the body and tail.Pancreatic Cancer: Gastrointestinal SymptomsBecause pancreatic cancer grows around important areas of the digestive system, gastrointestinal symptoms often predominate:

• Abdominal pain. More than 80% of people with pancreatic cancer eventually experience some abdominal pain as the tumor grows. Pancreatic cancer can cause a dull ache in the upper belly and back pain. The pain may come and go.
• Bloating. some people with pancreatic cancer have a sense of early fullness with meals (satiety) or an uncomfortable swelling in the abdomen.
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fat in the stool (steatorrhea). as pancreatic cancer reduces the pancreas’ ability to secrete fat-digesting enzymes, more fat ends up in the stool. These fatty stools can be strange-smelling, and float more than normal.
• Pale-colored stools. If the duct draining bile into the intestine is blocked by pancreatic cancer, the stools may lose their brown color and become pale or clay-colored. Urine may become darker.

Pancreatic Cancer: Constitutional (Whole-Body) SymptomsAs it grows and spreads, pancreatic cancer affects the whole body. Constitutional symptoms can include:

• Weight loss
• Malaise
• Loss of appetite
• Elevated blood sugars. some people with pancreatic cancer develop diabetes as the cancer impairs the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin. (However, the vast majority of people with a new diagnosis of diabetes do not have pancreatic cancer.)

Pancreatic Cancer: Skin SymptomsJaundice: as pancreatic cancer blocks the duct that releases bile into the intestine (common bile duct), the ingredients of bile build up in the blood. This turns the skin and the eyes yellow, a condition called jaundice.Itching: People with pancreatic cancer sometimes report itching all over. Blockage of the bile ducts is often responsible.Symptoms from Rare Pancreatic CancersIslet cell tumors, also called neuroendocrine tumors, arise from the cells in the pancreas that make hormones. These may be malignant (cancer) or benign (not cancer). Islet cell tumors are quite rare.Like pancreatic adenocarcinoma, islet cell pancreatic cancer can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. either benign or malignant islet cell tumors can produce excess amounts of hormones. Hormones released by an islet cell tumor can also cause symptoms:

• Insulinomas (excess insulin): sweating, anxiety, lightheadedness, and fainting from low blood sugar.
• Glucagonomas (excess glucagon): diarrhea, excessive thirst or urination, weight loss.
• Gastrinomas (excess gastrin): abdominal pain, nonhealing stomach ulcers, reflux, weight loss.
• Somatostatinomas (excess somatostatin): weight loss, abdominal pain, foul-smelling fatty stools.
• VIPomas (excess vasoactive intestinal peptide): abdominal cramping, watery diarrhea, facial flushing.

Pancreatic Cancer’s Sneaky SymptomsIn a very small number of people with pancreatic cancer, early symptoms might be present that could lead to earlier diagnosis. unfortunately, researchers have been unable to identify any predictable pattern. One study that surveyed 305 people with pancreatic cancer illustrated the challenge:

• About 4% reported having a sudden disgust for preferred tastes (like coffee,smoking, or wine) that preceded other symptoms by more than six months.
• 5% of people had loss of appetite, a feeling of early fullness with meals, or profound weakness, more than six months before more obvious symptoms developed.
• 1% of people had attacks of acute pancreatitis more than six months before their diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.

The rarity of these situations points out the difficulty of using early symptoms to catch pancreatic cancer at a curable stage.That said, symptoms like weight loss, persistent loss of appetite, or light-colored stools should always prompt concern. Consistent or worsening discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are also worrisome. If you feel something’s not right, see your doctor.Symptoms from Rare Pancreatic CancersIslet cell tumors, also called neuroendocrine tumors, arise from the cells in the pancreas that make hormones. These may be malignant (cancer) or benign (not cancer). Islet cell tumors are quite rare.Like pancreatic adenocarcinoma, islet cell pancreatic cancer can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. either benign or malignant islet cell tumors can produce excess amounts of hormones. Hormones released by an islet cell tumor can also cause symptoms:

• Insulinomas (excess insulin): sweating, anxiety, lightheadedness, and fainting from low blood sugar.
• Glucagonomas (excess glucagon): diarrhea, excessive thirst or urination, weight loss.
• Gastrinomas (excess gastrin): abdominal pain, nonhealing stomach ulcers, reflux, weight loss.
• Somatostatinomas (excess somatostatin): weight loss, abdominal pain, foul-smelling fatty stools.
• VIPomas (excess vasoactive intestinal peptide): abdominal cramping, watery diarrhea, facial flushing.

Pancreatic Cancer’s Sneaky SymptomsIn a very small number of people with pancreatic cancer, early symptoms might be present that could lead to earlier diagnosis. unfortunately, researchers have been unable to identify any predictable pattern. One study that surveyed 305 people with pancreatic cancer illustrated the challenge:

• About 4% reported having a sudden disgust for preferred tastes (like coffee,smoking, or wine) that preceded other symptoms by more than six months.
• 5% of people had loss of appetite, a feeling of early fullness with meals, or profound weakness, more than six months before more obvious symptoms developed.
• 1% of people had attacks of acute pancreatitis more than six months before their diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.

The rarity of these situations points out the difficulty of using early symptoms to catch pancreatic cancer at a curable stage.That said, symptoms like weight loss, persistent loss of appetite, or light-colored stools should always prompt concern. Consistent or worsening discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are also worrisome. If you feel something’s not right, see your doctor.Pancreatic Cancer Causes still UnknownPancreatic cancer develops when a cell in the pancreas acquires damage to its DNA that causes it to behave and multiply abnormally. a single cancer cell grows and divides rapidly, becoming a tumor that does not respect normal boundaries in the body. Eventually, cells from the tumor can travel elsewhere in the body (metastasize) through the blood or lymphatic system.No one knows exactly how the process of DNA damage leading to pancreatic cancer happens. Analyzing pancreatic cancers removed by surgery shows certain mutations that occur in nearly all cases, and others that vary between people.Some of these mutations happen randomly. Others occur in response to things we do or experience in the environment. some may be inherited. (What, when, and how each mutation occurs is beyond experts’ current understanding.) when enough mutations accumulate, a cell becomes malignant and a tumor begins to grow.Pancreatic Cancer Risk FactorsNo one understands the underlying causes of pancreatic cancer, but certain risk factors for pancreatic cancer have been identified. These factors are present more often in people who get pancreatic cancer than in people who don’t.There are multiple pancreatic risk factors, although most are only weakly associated with pancreatic cancer. Many people with pancreatic cancer don’t have any one risk factor.About one in 76 people will develop pancreatic cancer. This represents the average risk of pancreatic cancer. People with any of the pancreatic risk factors are at slightly higher risk than the general population:

• Genetics. five percent to 10% of people with pancreatic cancer have an immediate family member who also has pancreatic cancer. Several different genes have been associated with the increased risk, although no “pancreatic cancer gene” has yet been identified.
• Diabetes. People with diabetes are slightly more likely to get pancreatic cancer. There’s some controversy in these cases as to whether diabetes causespancreatic cancer, or if the pancreas starts to malfunction before cancer develops, causing diabetes.
• Smoking. Cigarette smoking is well known to increase the risk for pancreatic cancer. The more a person smokes, the higher the risk of pancreatic cancer. ten years after quitting smoking, the risk returns to about that of someone who never smoked.
• Obesity and inactivity. In a study of 88,000 nurses, those who were obese (body mass index higher than 30) were more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. those who exercised frequently were about half as likely to get pancreatic cancer, compared to those who did not exercise at all.
• Diet. can what we eat cause pancreatic cancer? a diet high in fat and meat (especially smoked or processed meat) has been linked to pancreatic cancer in some studies. Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables decreased pancreatic cancer risk in other studies. still other studies suggest there’s no identifiable link between diet and pancreatic cancer.
• Lycopene and selenium. Studies have shown low levels of these nutrients in some people who developed pancreatic cancer. That’s not proof that low levels cause pancreatic cancer, though. Any diet that includes lean meat and red or yellow vegetables should provide adequate lycopene and selenium.

Eliminating your risk factors for pancreatic cancer won’t reduce your pancreatic cancer risk entirely. but eating a healthy diet, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising frequently will improve overall health, and reduce your risk of other health problems.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye (and countless food products like pasta that contain those grains). STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Celiac disease represents just one extreme of a broad spectrum of gluten intolerance
• People with gluten sensitivity generally have stomachaches, gas, and diarrhea
• But careful, there’s nothing inherently healthier about a gluten-free diet

(Health.com) — Sarah Cooper was a new mom in her mid-20s, busily juggling her family and a career as an electrical engineer, when everything came to a halt.

She lost all her energy. She developed acne. And she began experiencing gastrointestinal problems: bloating, diarrhea, cramping, constipation. her doctors, thinking something must be missing from her diet, put her on various vitamins, none of which helped.

"it was all I could do to go to work," she says.

After years of failed treatments, Cooper’s luck changed. She saw a doctor who suspected she might have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that can appear at any age and is caused by an intolerance to gluten.

A protein found in wheat, barley, and rye (and countless food products — like bread and pasta — that contain those grains), gluten gradually damages the intestines of people with celiac disease, preventing the absorption of vitamins and minerals and setting off a slew of related health problems, which can include fatigue and bad skin.

Health.com: 13 surprising causes of constipation

Cooper tested negative for celiac disease, but the doctor advised her to try a gluten-free diet anyway.

"within a week of eliminating [gluten], I started to feel markedly better," says Cooper, now 36, from Melbourne, Australia. "it wasn’t a gradual feeling better; it was almost a crossing-the-street kind of thing."

That was 10 years ago. The general practitioner who treated Cooper was ahead of his time, as most doctors are only now starting to realize that some people who don’t have celiac disease may benefit from diets free of (or low in) gluten.

In fact, experts now believe that celiac disease represents just one extreme of a broad spectrum of gluten intolerance that includes millions of people like Cooper with less severe — but nevertheless problematic — reactions to the protein.

While celiac disease affects about 1 percent of the U.S. population, experts estimate that as many as 10 percent have a related and poorly understood condition known as non-celiac gluten intolerance (NCGI), or gluten sensitivity.

Gluten-free and well-fed: the sneaky stuff

"this is something that we’re just beginning to get our heads around," says Daniel Leffler, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston. "There is a tight definition of celiac disease, but gluten intolerance has been a moving target."

Health.com: do gluten-free diets take off pounds?

Growing awareness of gluten sensitivity has led some people who struggle with gut problems but have tested negative for celiac disease to take matters into their own hands and try a gluten-free diet, even though it’s an extremely difficult diet to follow.

Sales of gluten-free products increased 16 percent in 2010, according to the Nielsen Company.

"Gluten is fairly indigestable in all people," Leffler says. "There’s probably some kind of gluten intolerance in all of us."

The spectrum of gluten intolerance

Experts now think of gluten intolerance as a spectrum of conditions, with celiac disease on one end and, on the other, what’s been called a "no man’s land" of gluten-related gastrointestinal problems that may or may not overlap.

Leffler estimates, for instance, that half of the approximately 60 million people in the U.S. who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are probably sensitive to gluten. (Gluten allergies, which are similar to other food allergies, also fall on the spectrum but affect only about 0.1 percent of the population.)

Gluten-free and well-fed: when did G-free get all…sexy?

Gluten intolerance of any kind — including celiac disease — is often underdiagnosed (or misdiagnosed) because it manifests itself in many and murky ways that can baffle doctors.

People with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity usually have stomachaches, gas, and diarrhea — as do people with IBS.

Health.com: 10 risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease

Celiac patients can also develop headaches, tingling, fatigue, muscle pain, skin rashes, joint pain, and other symptoms, because the autoimmune attack at the root of the disease gradually erodes the wall of the intestine, leading to poor absorption of iron, folate, and other nutrients that affect everything from energy to brain function.

People with gluten sensitivity sometimes experience these far-reaching symptoms as well, though it’s less clear why.

Gluten intolerance "starts in the intestines as a process, but doesn’t necessarily stay in the intestines. it may affect other organs," says Alessio Fasano, M.D., medical director of the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, in Baltimore.

Celiac disease can be definitively diagnosed using a two-step process: Doctors test the patient’s blood for the presence of intestine-attacking antibodies activated by gluten, and, if those tests come back positive, they order a biopsy (or series of biopsies) to look for intestinal damage, any evidence of which confirms the diagnosis.

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Gluten sensitivity, on the other hand, is a gray area that "lacks any defining medical tests," Leffler says. People who fall into this group exhibit the classic symptoms of celiac disease yet have no detectable intestinal damage, and test negative for certain key antibodies (though in some cases they may have elevated levels of others).

Gluten sensitivity is a kind of "non-diagnosis," in other words — a diagnosis by default for those who don’t have celiac disease but feel better on a gluten-free diet.

A recent study by Fasano and his colleagues offers some clues about what gluten sensitivity is, and how it differs from celiac disease. Although they show no signs of erosion or other damage, the study found, the intestines of gluten-sensitive patients contain proteins that contribute to a harmful immune response, one that resembles — but is distinct from — the process underlying celiac disease.

Blood tests that can diagnose gluten sensitivity by measuring these and other proteins are in the works, but they are still a ways off.

"The reason we don’t have tests yet is mainly because we don’t have a clear definition of [gluten sensitivity]," Fasano explains.

How much gluten is OK?

People with celiac disease must commit to an absolutely gluten-free diet, as eating the protein can, over time, increase a person’s risk of osteoporosis, infertility, and certain cancers, in addition to worsening short-term symptoms.

"You’re going to be on this diet for life, and it has to be extremely strict. even crumbs can turn on the autoimmune process typical of celiac disease," Fasano says. "If you make a mistake with celiac disease, you pay the price on the spot, but there can be a cumulative price, too."

Recommendations for people with gluten sensitivity aren’t as clear-cut. unlike celiac disease, gluten sensitivity hasn’t been linked to intestine damage and long-term health problems, so some experts say that people on the less severe end of the spectrum should feel comfortable eating as much gluten as they can handle without feeling sick.

"some people can be exquisitely sensitive and have to be as strict as people with celiac disease, while others can eat a pizza," Fasano says.

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The impact that gluten can have on those without celiac disease was illustrated by a recent study in Australia.

When gluten-sensitive people were asked to eat bread and muffins every day that, unbeknownst to them, had been laced with gluten, 68 percent saw all their old symptoms come back rapidly, compared with 40 percent in a similar group that ate only gluten-free products.

"People complained that they felt like they were pregnant, had gut pain…and tiredness increased," says the lead researcher, Jessica Biesiekierski, a Ph.D. candidate at Monash University Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Sarah Cooper participated in the study and felt like she had been "hit by a bus" after the first day of gluten snacks. her symptoms got so bad that she had to drop out halfway through the six-week study.

People with gluten sensitivity who don’t respond this way aren’t necessarily in the clear, however. Experts like Marlisa Brown, a registered dietitian in private practice in Long Island, N.Y., and the author of "Gluten-Free, Hassle-Free," worry that gluten could have long-term negative consequences that just haven’t been identified yet.

Even if you feel better, "definitely don’t try to add it back in," she urges. Brown counts herself among the gluten sensitive.

After enduring sinus infections, hair loss, sensitive skin, and fatigue since she was a little girl, and despite a negative celiac-disease test in her 20s (which she thinks may not have been thorough enough), Brown finally cut out gluten in her late 40s.

"I felt better in a week," she says.

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Gluten-free doesn’t equal healthy

If you suspect your body can’t tolerate gluten, the first thing you should do is get tested for celiac disease. If the test comes back negative, try a gluten-free diet for a week to see if you feel better, Leffler says.

Cutting out gluten is the most reliable way to determine if you are, in fact, sensitive to the protein — and if you are sensitive, it’s the only treatment.

However, Leffler stresses that you should get help from a dietitian to make sure that you avoid hidden sources of gluten (like soy sauce and salad dressing), and that you don’t miss out on the vitamins that wheat products provide.

Even though celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Gwyneth Paltrow have reportedly cut out gluten to "detox," there’s nothing inherently healthier about a gluten-free diet.

"it can be very healthy, or it can be junk food," says Dee Sandquist, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

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Some of the many gluten-free products on the market can be unhealthy, Fasano says, because manufacturers add extra sugar and fat to simulate the texture and satisfying fluffiness that gluten imparts.

Another potential pitfall is that gluten-free products are less routinely fortified with iron and vitamins B and D than regular bread products, Sandquist says.

"Vitamins B and D are the ones particularly at risk of being deficient in [gluten-sensitive] people."

If you plan to go gluten free, select more fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, and more naturally gluten-free grains like brown rice, quinoa, and buckwheat, rather than just buying prepackaged products labeled "gluten free," Sandquist says.

She adds, however, that gluten-free products are "evolving" and may become healthier overall as manufacturers develop ways to fortify them.

Copyright Health Magazine 2010

My partner suffers from IBS and cannot eat gluten or dairy products because of it. Also I have noticed he always seems to feel run down and unwell even though he has a relatively easy life with little stress. he suffers badly from mouth ulcers and constantly has a runny nose. A friend of mine who suffers from Crohn's said these are all symptoms of the disease but could it be something else that I am missing?

Hi,
every one is right he should go to the doctors. They will prob have him have a colonoscopy, well they should, to look inside..Some of the symptoms sound like Crohns and some don't, though everyone presents differently.
________________________________

What Are The Symptoms of Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease can cause a variety of symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. The three classic (though not specific) symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are:

Persistent or recurrent diarrhea (possibly with blood, mucus, or pus)

Abdominal pain

Fever
____________________________________

Good luck, I hope it's not Crohns.

Yes. your doctor can.

TAKE HIM TO THE DOCTOR

of course it could along with many other things. they caught mine with a colonoscopy, blood tests and cat scan… i went by the last 10 years thinking i had back problems and problems eating before i was diagnosed last September '06. i was sick all the time but it started with getting real bad sick about once a year which i thought was just a flu even though i was throwing up 1-3 days straight…The term IBD (Crohn's and UC) which are diseases that cause inflammation and much more… IBS is a condition and does cause pain(without inflammation) but it is not as extreme as UC and Crohn's. I thought I had IBS for a while too thinking I just had a lactose intolerance or had problems with gluten. how little did I know?

Get him to a doctor

I have crohns and have for a couple of years officially.. I do not have a problem with wheat gluten that is celiac's
digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases…
My symptoms for crohns were as follows.
explosive Diarreah (pooping out whole meds and mucus was present in stools)
Naseau
gas
severe cramping in lower right quadrant
low grade fever off and on
ehealthmd.com/library/crohnsd…
He will need to have a bunch of test to say for sure if he has crohns disease or not including sbft and colonoscopy and maybe more depending.

only a doctor can diagnose. something that serious should be handled by the doctor.

A zinc supplement cured my chronic mouth ulcers. Avoiding very high roughage foods like muesli helped the bowel problem. but mine was definitely owing to extreme stress.

Actually those s ymptoms are much more close to Celiac Disease than Crohns. IBS is a common misdiagnosis for Celiac (Crohns can be too). Mouth ulcers is a huge sign as well as the stomach problems.
Hopefully these sites will help, blood testing and endoscopies are the way to diagnose Celiac. THe only treatment is the gluten free diet. The good news is that many Celiacs avoid dairy at first but after awhile on the Gluten free diet, they can resume eating dairy.

csaceliacs.org
celiac.com
celiac.org

Hmm, Crohn's is often stress related. Not too shure about the mouth ulcers. it would be stomach pains and diarreah as the two big symptoms. Check out this site for Crohn's info: livingwithcrohnsdisease.blogspot.com

Zacks Equity Research, on Tuesday March 15, 2011, 8:15 am EDT

Given Imaging (NasdaqGS: GIVN – News), a producer of gastrointestinal products and a developer of capsule endoscopy, recently announced that the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) provided updated clearance for its PillCam SB video capsule, including a clearance to encourage its usage for checking lesions that may indicate Crohn’s disease.

The PillCam SB capsule has been marketed since 2001 for visualization of the small bowel mucosa. It can be employed as a tool for detecting abnormalities in the small bowel of adults and children above 2 years of age. The latest labeling is an outcome of the sizeable body of clinical information backing the use of PillCam capsule endoscopy for visualization of lesions arising from a number of indications, including Iron Deficiency Anemia, Crohn’s disease and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Crohn’s disease, which is a chronic condition, leads to inflammation of the lining of the wall of the small intestine. It is accompanied by symptoms such as stomach ache, diarrhea, loss of weight and bleeding of the rectum. Approximately one-half of the cases of Crohn’s disease are detected in the final portion of the small intestine. It is estimated that the condition afflicts half a million Americans.

there is no cure for the disease whose cause is largely unknown; but according to a popular theory, the immune system reacts to a bacterium or virus that causes the inflammation.              

Iron Deficiency Anemia is a frequently occurring form of anemia where the victim is short of sufficient healthy red blood cells. The body’s capability to carry oxygen is impacted by the shortage of iron in the blood thereby causing weakness, tiredness, lightheadedness and irritability. Occult gastrointestinal bleeding is marked by bleeding from the digestive tract. The source of bleeding is often unknown and there are many potential causes.

The PillCam capsules are small video cameras that are ingested by patients. The PillCam SB video capsule, which is frequently used for small bowel evaluation, weighs under 4 grams. The second generation PillCam SB 2 includes an imaging device and source of light. It is capable of transmitting two images every second to generate over 50,000 images during a procedure.     

given Imaging promotes gastrointestinal visualization by manufacturing patient-friendly tools based on its PillCam Platform. The PillCam Colon, which is an investigational device, is intended to visualize the colon. other capsule products from the company include Agile patency capsule, to establish intestinal patency, and Bravo, which is the only commercially available, catheter-free, wireless, 48-hour pH test, for pH testing to measure gastroesophageal reflux disease.

given Imaging took over Sierra Scientific Instruments in April 2010. The company is headquartered in Yoqneam, Israel with operations in different regions of the globe. given Imaging faces competition from other existing know how for detecting gastrointestinal disorders. its main competitors include General Electric Healthcare Systems, a unit of General Electric co. (NYSE: GE – News), Siemens Medical Solutions, a division of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI – News), and Philips Medical Systems ltd, a unit of Philips (NYSE: PHG – News). 

SIEMENS a G (SI): Read the full Research Report

KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRN (PHG): Read the full Research Report

GENERAL ELECTRIC CO (GE): Read the full Research Report

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