Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
IBS and IBD Written by Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND A question I am often asked is, “what is the difference between Irritable Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?” Aren’t they the same? Well not really. While both are digestive conditions involving irritation in our digestive …
SIBO and Diverticulitis Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In this blog I wanted to talk about 2 conditions that may not seem related at 1st glance but are more closely related than you may think! These conditions are diverticulitis and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). In both …
Constipation and Diarrhea
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Every week I get calls asking about how to deal with digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea. In fact, constipation and diarrhea are the 2 most common concerns that people have when it comes to health. But what is constipation? What is diarrhea? Constipation refers to less than 3 bowel movements (BMs) a week. In contrast diarrhea is when there is frequent BMs that usually consist of thin or loose watery stools. From a holistic viewpoint, it is best to have a daily BM. One that is not too loose or too hard.
How do you know if you are suffering from constipation or diarrhea? It may seem obvious but let me break it down for you. Symptoms of constipation include having only a few BMs a week, having a BM every other day as well as straining to have a BM is also considered constipation. Other signs of constipation include gas, bloating, anal itching, bloody stool, stomach pain as well as nausea/vomiting and the stool itself hard/small. What about diarrhea? In addition to causing frequent thin/watery stool, diarrhea can cause stomach bloating stomach/intestinal cramps, nausea, vomiting or a feeling of urgency to have a BM. Long term diarrhea can also cause what is called anal leakage as well as a decrease in the natural “urge” to have a BM or the feeling you get when you are about to have a BM. Diarrhea can cause a painful irritation of the skin to occur.
What can cause constipation or diarrhea to occur? Oftentimes they are a symptom of different underlying systemic conditions. For example, thyroid disorders and pregnancy can affect BMs. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis can also affect our BMs. Even diabetes and Lupus can affect BMs. Medications often cause constipation or diarrhea as a side effect. For example, it is well known that antibiotics can trigger diarrhea. On a serious note, changes in BMs can be a sign of colon cancer. Just like many different medical concerns, constipation and diarrhea can be caused by or exacerbated by stress. An overgrowth of pathogens can also lead to either constipation or diarrhea. These pathogens can include Candida as well as bacteria and parasites. Even food allergies and digestive disorders such as Celiac disease and Lactose intolerance can affect BMs. Disorders of the GI tract such as IBS, Diverticular Disease, Lazy Bowel Syndrome, or structural defects can also affect the frequency of BMs. Other digestive disorders that can affect our BMs include gallbladder disorder. While this is not every cause of constipation or diarrhea it is a list of the most common causes.
When addressing constipation and diarrhea it is especially important to rule out any systemic concerns. The following suggestions are things that have been found to be helpful in combating constipation and even diarrhea.
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Pulled Back Muscles or Muscle Strain Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Experiencing a pulled muscle or muscle strain is probably one of the causes of back pain that almost everyone has heard of. Whether you’ve experienced it yourself or know someone who has experienced it a …
Back Pain – Introduction Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to do a series on a topic that on the surface seems simple BUT in reality, is anything but simple. This topic is back pain. Now I know what you are thinking, but Dr. Claire …
How Certain Foods and Medications Can Impact Dental Health
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In my last blog on dental health, I will be reviewing the foods and medications that can negatively affect our teeth and overall dental health. What can you do if you are on any of these medications that can affect your teeth and dental health? Let us get into it shall we?
To start with just what medications can negatively impact dental health? Any medication that can cause dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay. This also means that they can also increase the risk of gum disease and even cavities. Examples of medications that can lead to dry mouth include antidepressants, antihistamines, and even certain cancer treatments. (1) Other medications that can cause dry mouth include those for overactive bladder. Certain stimulant medications used to help ADHD are also known to cause dry mouth. Additionally pain medications such as opioids can cause dry mouth. In addition to antidepressants, the medications typically used for anxiety, mood stabilization and even antipsychotic meds can all increase the risk of dry mouth. Even certain blood pressure medications can cause dry mouth. Lastly certain medications for Parkinson’s disease, muscle relaxers, nausea medications and even medications used for nerve pain can lead to dry mouth. (2)
Some medications are highly acidic which can damage the tooth enamel. One example would be aspirin. It is always important to take aspirin as directed and not allow it to be near the teeth or gums. In other words, swallow it, do not chew it. Another example of medications that are acidic would be those used for asthma. (1)
Other medications impact our dental health because they allow the growth of pathogens such as bacteria or even yeast. This increases the risk of certain conditions caused by these pathogens. For example, gum disease, dental abscess, cavities and even thrush. As you can guess, antibiotics can cause this side effect. Certain types of cancer treatment can also cause this side effect. (3) Immunosuppressant medications can decrease our ability to fight off any pathogens including those in our mouth. (1)
Certain medications can also cause gum swelling and something called gingival hyperplasia (gum thickening and overgrowth). Certain types of blood pressure meds can cause this. Other medications that can cause this side effect also include epilepsy medications and organ transplant rejection meds. (1)
One potential medication side effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a potentially serious complication of oral bisphosphonates. These medications are typically used for osteoporosis. These types of medications can also cause painful non-healing ulcers in the mouth. (1)
Medications in liquid form usually contain sugar and that added sugar can increase the growth of pathogens like bacteria. (1) Oral contraceptives can also increase the risk of gum disease. (1) Lastly NSAIDS can lead to mucositis and even mouth sores. (4)
While these are not all the possible medications that can affect our dental health, it is the list of those medications that I typically find are the most common. In addition to medications certain foods can negatively impact our teeth. These include sticky candies and sweets. Just a fun fact according to the ADA chocolate washes off the teeth more quickly than other types of candy! Starchy foods such as potato chips can get trapped in your teeth. Carbonated soft drinks are a problem for multiple reasons. For example, they are both full of sugar and acidic. Lastly any food (such as alcohol) that dries out your mouth can lead to dry mouth. (5)
What supplements can you use to help protect your teeth?
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