Hong Kong — (SBWIRE) — 02/27/2012 — a person’s ears can detect a very wide wide range of sounds. From the beautiful notes produced by an orchestra to the loud roars of a jet engine.But for millions of people around the globe, their ears not only interpret sounds, they also produce them. these noises, which include buzzing, humming, whistling and ringing in ears, are caused by a condition called tinnitus.Although tinnitus is not a fatal condition, the symptoms caused by it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life in a very negative way. it can interrupt a person’s sleep, concentration, judgment, family relationships and employment, and can lead to depression and anxiety.In fact according to credible estimates, between 10 and 12 million Americans suffer enough from tinnitus to seek medical attention, and more than 200 million people are severely affected by the condition worldwide.In an effort to help educate the millions of people across the globe suffering from this condition, Tinnitus Magazine recently launched their official website TinnitusMagazine.com. the website features the latest information about the array of tinnitus symptoms and causes, and discusses a multitude of natural tinnitus treatment options and tinnitus remedies.Tinnitus can be caused by a range of things, including earwax build-up, an infection in the ear, hearing loss with age, loud noise exposure, changes to bones in the ear, various foods and medicines, and more.And for the large number of sufferers, the tinnitus symptoms they exhibit cannot only be annoying, but can also interfere with their ability to lead a normal, happy life.In an effort to help provide readers with some tinnitus relief, TinnitusMagazine.com presents a collection of effective, easy-to-follow treatment options.according to Neil Hendry, Editor of Tinnitus Magazine, the magazine aims to give readers up-to-date information about the most effective tinnitus remedies and discusses the availability of a natural tinnitus cure.“You don’t need to be told that tinnitus is a serious condition that can impair the quality of your life as well as those around you,” states Hendry. “We understand you want a solution, and you want one fast. Our goal is to give you the most reliable, proven tinnitus treatment options available on the market and give you hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”For more information, visit TinnitusMagazine.comAbout Tinnitus MagazineFounded in 2011 and headquartered in Hong Kong, Tinnitus Magazine provides the very latest information concerning tinnitus symptoms, tinnitus causes and tinnitus treatment to their readers. More information can be found on their website.

Question: You recently wrote about a woman who was angry that her body couldn’t do what it used to do. As the younger wife of an 82-year-old man, I can understand her anger. In my husband’s case there is an accompanying depression that was not relieved by a brief attempt at taking antidepressants, which caused a multitude of side effects. how are older people expected to deal with anger and depression? Are there support groups or counseling for them? how do they reach a level of acceptance? Thank you.

- T.R.

Dear T.R.:

You’ve raised an important issue.

Let’s start with the subject of anger. In our younger years, we may have become angry when someone cut us off on the freeway or got a raise when we didn’t. In later life, reasons for anger may be different. often it’s when our bodies betray us and don’t permit us to do what we want to do – in the same ways we have always done it.

It’s easy to get angry.

The aging process is not always idyllic. Late life events such as an inability to participate in once-cherished activities or suffering from chronic debilitating diseases can take a heavy toll on an older person’s emotional well-being – to say the least.

Failing eyesight, health loss and other physical changes can cause sadness, anxiety, loneliness, withdrawal and apathy.

Yet anger is a normal emotion; excessive anger is not.

A more serious outcome of personal loss is chronic depression that can have alarming physical effects on older adults. we know the mortality rate for older men and women suffering from depression and loneliness is higher than for those reporting satisfaction with their lives.

Note that depression is not part of the normal aging process although, according to the nonprofit group Mental Health America, more than half of older Americans think it is. that is one reason it is ignored.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), signs of depression are more varied among older adults than among the younger population.

Symptoms can appear as increased tiredness and being grumpy or irritable. Depression also can be manifested as confusion or attention problems that resemble symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other brain disorders.

The NIA further reports that for most people, depression will get better with treatment: “You do no need to suffer.”

The first step is to get help. In general, men are more reluctant then women to seek professional services.

If you have not already done this, begin with your family doctor. The NIA suggests that a physician should check to determine if the depression is caused by a health issue such as hypothyroidism, a vitamin B-12 deficiency or a medication.

Next, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Doctors who are specially trained to treat depression in older adults are called geriatric psychiatrists.

Antidepressant drugs can help, and yes, there are side effects for some drugs for some people. if one drug creates a problem, it may be worthwhile to try another. It can take up to 12 weeks before it feels like an antidepressant is working.

Physical exercise, to the extent possible, and good nutrition, also play a role.

How to reach a level of acceptance is difficult. One approach is to emphasize what is working well and capitalizing on that. In a deep depression, however, it’s hard to even think about that. but as one feels better, that approach has a good chance to work.

The late Natalie Kaufman, who was legally blind due to macular degeneration and had limited mobility, used her ears, voice and soul extremely well. She listened to NPR, the news, classical music and books on tape. Additionally, each Friday morning she telephoned those facing losses and problems to wish them a good Sabbath.

Kaufman welcomed many people of all ages into her home, especially for her birthday parties.

This is just one example of making the best of what you have.

Support groups can be helpful both for you and your husband. Contact Beach Cities Health District at 310-374-3426, Ext. 155.

For a mental health professional, contact Bridges Psychiatric Services of Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, at 310-514-5359. Bridges has a list of geriatric psychiatrists who evaluate and treat older adults with depression or other emotional difficulties.

T.R., best wishes in finding some relief for your husband.

Remember the message from the National Institute on Aging – one need not suffer. There are resources available in our community to make life better – even good.

Helen Dennis is a specialist in aging, with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Send her your questions and concerns in care of the Daily Breeze, 21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503, or e-mail to helendenn@aol.com.

In the first double blind randomized placebo-controlled study of gluten and symptoms in people without celiac disease, researchers from Australia have confirmed that gluten is a trigger of digestive symptoms and fatigue. They concede that “non-celiac gluten intolerance” may exist.

The researchers challenged and re-challenged people with IBS in whom celiac disease had been excluded whose symptoms were controlled on a gluten-free diet. these individuals were randomized to gluten-free diet with daily supplements of muffins and bread with a standard amount of gluten added or not added. both the patients and the investigators were blinded to whether they were getting gluten containing muffins or bread and taste tests were done confirming that the two forms were indistinguishable. Symptoms were tracked by analogue scale. Patients were significantly worse within one week of gluten ingestion and had significantly worse bloating, abdominal pain, altered bowel pattern and fatigue.

In an editorial following this article in the March 2011 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr. Elena Verdu, MD, PhD., states “…gluten may be one of a multitude of triggers of low-grade inflammation and/or gut dysfunction in IBS” and “Gluten sensitivity could be raised as a possible cause of functional symptoms in patients with a positive anti-gliadin antibodies, and gluten restriction advised as a therapeutic trial.”

There is accumulating evidence that IBS does in fact involve low-grade inflammation and immune activation. Mast cells have been implicated for several years but only recently has there been studies showing increased activated mast cells present in the duodenum, ileum and/or colon of individuals with IBS symptoms. the trigger in these individuals is believed to be some type of immune stimulating event such as an intestinal infection (hence the post-infectious form of IBS) or proteins in the gut such as foods and/or microbes that are sensed by the body as being foreign attackers. The role of microbes is getting a lot of scientific and research attention whereas food proteins as a cause of IBS, has generally been doubted by US scientists or ignored until just recently.

Quoting research findings of Wahnshaffe et al, Dr. Verdu points out the presence of genetic markers for celiac disease predicted responsiveness to a gluten-free diet in people with IBS. This is consistent with my clinical research findings of positive responsiveness to a glutenfree diet in individuals with at risk genetics (HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8) without proven celiac disease, though many had positive AGA tests.

Furthermore, my data indicates a higher prevalence of these genetics in individuals with increased mast cells in their intestinal lining, that is so-called mastocytic enterocolitis (MCE) or as I prefer mastocytic inflammatory bowel disease (MIBD).  MCE or MIBD is gaining attention as an inflammatory process in some people with IBS. Treating such with medications and a gluten-free diet has resulted in very favorable response in most the patients I have diagnosed and treated.

The role of mast cells and gluten in IBS is something I will continue to explore as I have now accumulated almost 400 patients with MIBD, many of whom have had celiac genetic testing and tried a gluten-free diet. Stay tuned for more information on mast cells in gastrointestinal disease.

Selected References:

Gluten Causes Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Subjects Without Celiac Disease: A Double Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Biesiekierski, J. et al. Am J Gastro 2011;106:5080514.

Can Gluten Contribute to Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Verdu, E. Am J Gastro 2011;106516-518.

Mast Cells in Gastrointestinal Disease. Ramsay D., et al. Gastro and Hepatol 2010;6(12):772-777.

Mastocytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( MIBD ) : Increased Prevalence of Celiac – Related HLA DQ Genetics, CBir1 and Antigliadin Antibodies Associated with Response to Gluten Free Diet. Lewey, S. Am J Gastroenterol 2009; 104:S431-S484

—————————-Author Information: Dr. Scot Lewey, Colorado Springs, CO, USAScot M. Lewey, DO, FACG, FASGE, FACP, FACOI, FAAP, FACOPClinical Associate Professor of MedicineRocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineGastroenterology Associates of Colorado Springs

The Food Doc, LLC, PO Box 51460, Colorado Springs, CO 80949, USA

Tags: Chronic fatigue, Gluten, Gluten free, IBS, Research, Symptoms

Just like what happens other than extreme pain?

you could collapse

Low blood pressure, increased heart rate, and a multitude of other signd aand symptoms, depending on the type of trauma.

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that sits on theright side of our bodies just beneath the liver. its primaryfunction is to store and secrete bile. Bile is a yellow-brownfluid produced by the liver, which helps us digest fats. Ourliver produces up to three cups of bile a day. our gallbladdercan store up to a cup of bile as it awaits a fatty meal.

When we eat, our gallbladder contracts and pushes bile into thesmall intestines where it helps with the digestion of fats. Bileis made up of water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, proteins andbilirubin. Under certain conditions, substances in the bile,especially the cholesterol or bile pigment (bilirubin) canharden into stones ‘ gallstones. Gallstones can be as small as agrain of sand or as large as a golf ball. We can develop onelarge stone or a multitude of smaller ones.

Many people with gallstones have no symptoms at all. others gothrough life relatively symptom free, experiencing minorsymptoms such as abdominal bloating, intolerance to fatty foods,belching, intestinal gas and indigestion. for others, howeverthey may suffer what is called a gallstone ‘attack’. Gallstoneattacks often follow a fatty meal. Symptoms of an attack includesteady, sever pain in the upper abdomen that can last from 30minutes to several hours. Sufferers may also experience pain inthe back between the shoulder blades or under the rightshoulder. A gallstone attack is often accompanied by nausea orvomiting. If symptoms such as sweating, chills, a fever or ayellowish color to the skin or whites of the eyes occur, it isimportant to seek medical assistance.

There are a number of factors that increase your risk of havinggallstones. those at a higher risk include women, especiallywomen who are pregnant, on hormone therapy or taking birthcontrol pills, people over 60 years of age, Native and MexicanAmericans, overweight individuals and individuals who fast or goon crash diets and lose a lot of weight quickly.

It is important to recognize that if the gallbladder is loadedwith stones, there is very little room to store bile and fatdigestion may become impaired. in turn, the unused bile can backup into the liver causing liver congestion. If this is the case,it is important to evaluate your liver’s health prior tocleansing on your gallbladder.

Recommendations for Wellness

The traditional treatment for gallstones is to have yourgallbladder removed. There are, however, a number of things youcan do to reduce your risk of producing gallstones orexperiencing a gallstone attack.

Reduce your consumption of saturated fats typically found in redmeat and pork, while increasing the amount of fresh fruits andvegetables you consume.

Start a diet and exercise program, but avoid crash dieting whichcan increase your risk of gallstones. both diet and exercise canhelp you reduce your risk of producing gallstones.

If you are taking birth control pills or are on hormonereplacement therapy, speak with your doctor regarding your riskof forming stones or have them check your gallbladder for thepresence of gallstones regularly.

Studies indicate that coffee increase the flow of bile and mayhelp to decrease the risk of gallstones. If you decide to add alittle coffee to your health plan for this reason, make sure youonly consume organically grown coffee beans.

Supplement with vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed by the body toconvert cholesterol to bile acids in the body.

Lecithin has been shown to help break down and transport fatmolecules and may help dissolve gallstones. Studies indicatethat it is helpful in protecting us from gallstone formation.

Safflowers can be used to thin body fluids as well as aid in thedigestion of oils.

Nature’s Sunshine Gall Bladder Formula can be used to helpstimulate circulation, improve liver function & aid in theproduction of digestive fluids.

Do a gallbladder flush. during a gallbladder flush, 1-2 cups ofolive oil are consumed to simulate the gallbladder intoreleasing bile. this increased demand on the gallbladder torelease bile works to push the stones out.

If you think your liver is congested, or if you have been havingminor symptoms of gallstones for a long period of time, it isimportant to support and cleanse your liver for a period of timebefore doing a gallbladder flush. Try taking herbs such as milkthistle, dandelion or a liver cleanse formula.

About the author:Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. is a Naturopathic Physician but it is herunique gift as a medical intuitive and clairvoyant thatilluminates and enlivens her work. Author of the newly releasedbook ‘Avoiding the Cosmic 2×4′, Dr. Louise can be reached atsoulhealer.com or by call 972-475-3393.

Author: Dr. Rita Louise