Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
GERD and ACID REFLUX Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Next to constipation and diarrhea, one of the most common concerns that people have is stomach acid. This includes GERD or gastroesophageal re-flux disease. Other common concerns that relate to stomach acid include Peptic ulcers, gastritis, and …
Digestive Health Overview Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Digestive health does not just mean diarrhea or constipation. In fact, while diarrhea or constipation can be a concern by themselves, they are often symptoms of other disorders such as SIBO, IBS, IBD and even diverticulitis. The digestive tract is one …
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 system they are in fact different! It is a lot to cover so let us get into it, shall we?
Irritable Bowel Disease is more destructive than Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable Bowel Disease causes inflammation that can lead to permanent damage to the intestines. It has diagnosed using tests such as colonoscopy. Irritable Bowel Syndrome in contrast for most people does not cause permanent damage to the intestines. It is diagnosed by excluding other causes of your symptoms. Irritable Bowel Disease increases your risk for colon cancer in a way that Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not. Irritable Bowel Disease also is more likely to cause systemic health concerns. (1)
IBD VS. IBS
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), unlike Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) breaks down into two sub-types, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. Ulcerative Colitis involves ulcers and inflammation along the lining of the large intestine and rectum. Crohn’s Disease involves just the inflammation of the digestive tract in the small intestine but can extend to the large intestine. (2)
Symptoms of both forms of IBD include diarrhea, fatigue, blood in the stool as well as abdominal pain and cramping. Both forms of IBD can cause a decrease in hunger as well as weight loss. While Irritable Bowel Syndrome has similar symptoms, there are some differences. For example, in both IBD and IBS there is often cramping, abdominal pain, gas, bloating and diarrhea. However, IBS can also cause constipation or it can cause both diarrhea and constipation. From a holistic perspective, we know that both these conditions are associated with leaky gut syndrome. As mentioned earlier, IBD is also associated with systemic symptoms such as joint pain, not typically seen in IBS. (3)
IBD and IBS are both triggered by similar conditions. While the exact causes for both are not known, there are some triggers. An immune system malfunction is an example of one possible trigger, because of a pathogen. Other triggers include dietary triggers such as food sensitivity. It is well documented that stress can make IBD and IBS worse. It is also well known that if you have one autoimmune disease, there is a propensity to develop other autoimmune issues. Certain medications can increase the risk of both syndromes. (4)
Both IBD and IBS can cause consequences if not properly treated. They can lead to a person being anemic. If the inflammation extends through the intestinal wall, it can lead to things such as fistulas, fissures, and toxic megacolon. IBD can affect other parts of the body including the joints, liver, gallbladder as well as the eyes. (5)
HOW TO HELP SYMPTOMS
For more information on this topic please contact an Invite Health nutritionist for a free consultation about your lifestyle
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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 …
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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