A-Z symptom management Articles

Digestive discomfort can be frustrating and disruptive, especially when symptoms affect your ability to enjoy meals and feel at ease throughout the day. Finding ways to support your body and reduce irritation is key to maintaining comfort and long-term wellness. With the right combination of nutrition, lifestyle habits, and targeted support, it's possible to manage symptoms more effectively and improve overall digestive balance.

What is a Hiatal Hernia?

Hiatal hernias are a bulge of stomach tissue that has gone through the diaphragm and sits around the esophagus. It is asymptomatic unless the stomach valve weakens and allows stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. They tend to occur in people over forty and becomes more common as tissues weaken due to aging. It is associated with poor eating habits, food allergies, obesity and the use of estrogen medications.

What Are Common Symptoms of Hiatal Hernias?

Symptoms of a hiatal hernia are noticeable after a meal. Heartburn and belching occur along with a reflux of stomach fluid into the throat. Lying down after a meal makes the symptoms worse. It is important to control this reflux of acid if it is recurrent because the acid can damage the lining of the esophagus, causing a raw sensation in the short term and potentially an ulcer in the long term. In addition to the dietary recommendations in this article, there are supplements that you can use to reduce the irritation this reflux can cause.

What Are The Treatment Options For A Hiatal Hernia?

Conventional Treatments

Conventional treatment of a hiatal hernia involves the symptomatic treatment of heartburn. Prolonged use of antacids can cause mineral imbalances because they contain large amounts of sodium, aluminum, calcium and magnesium. Excess sodium can worsen hypertension, and aluminum has been connected to Alzheimer’s disease. Drugs to suppress acid production are also prescribed. Long-term use of these medicines can damage the stomach lining, leading to tumour formation. Other side effects include impotence or breast enlargement. In some cases, surgery is recommended to repair the hernia.

Natural Supplements

Natural treatment of hiatal hernia includes the use of supplements to improve digestion, to reduce the irritation caused by the reflux of acid, and to enhance the health of the stomach and esophogeal lining. For more information about supplements for each of these applications, please see the therapeutic list below.

Preventative Measures & Tips

To prevent the formation of a hiatal hernia, do not eat large meals late in the day because this puts pressure on the connective tissue. Avoid foods that stay in the stomach for long periods of time, for example, saturated fats, fried foods and oils.

Eat slowly to avoid swallowing excess air. Eat foods that are high in fibre, especially raw foods and whole grains. Regular exercise will strengthen the abdominal muscles.

To keep pain and discomfort to a minimum, be sure to avoid foods and drinks that increase stomach acid. Some of these irritating products are alcohol, coffee, tea, cola, aspirin, ibuprofen, tobacco and spicy food. In addition to these, any food to which you are sensitive should also be avoided. You might need to use an elimination diet to identify food allergens. A simple mantra to remember is to eat light meals, chew thoroughly, and don’t lie down after. Some foods that can help to relieve symptoms are endive, lettuce and artichokes – bitter, leafy greens. These can be eaten raw, like in a salad, or steamed to eat with soothing boiled potatoes. The esophagus will benefit from a nice carrot and cabbage coleslaw with yogurt or kefir. Fresh papaya contains digestive enzymes which will help to accelerate the breakdown of food.

Lie on your left-hand side when you go to sleep or are resting – this will help to keep the stomach below the diaphragm and often prevents heartburn.

Neuropathy damages or irritated nerves, altering sensation and nerve function. This can result in reduced or altered ability to sense or move the body in an area specific to the nerve affected. There are a number of things that can cause neuropathy, and there are also a wide variety of symptoms that can occur depending on the particular nerve or nerve type affected.

Healthcare providers classify neuropathy by the nerves affected and the underlying cause.

What Are The Symptoms of Neuropathy?

There are some signs and symptoms that are common to most types of neuropathy, and these include changes in sensation or movement. Tingling, pain, itching, and loss of sensation are all possible symptoms, and each may occur at different times. Changes in movement can include weakness, heaviness, fatigue, gait abnormalities and cramping or twitching, as well as loss of function. The specific symptoms depend on the location and type of nerve affected.

What Causes of Neuropathy?

Autoimmune conditions, infections, toxins, and vitamin deficiencies can cause systemic neuropathy affecting multiple nerves.

Common infections are: 

• Herpes simplex (Cold Sores)
• Shingles
• Lyme Disease

The most common cause of chemical injury is from the excess sugar of uncontrolled diabetes. See the paragraph on diabetic neuropathy below for more information. 

Other systemic causes are: Autoimmune Diseases, and vitamin deficiencies such as vitamin B12, and vitamin B1. Toxic reactions can be caused by heavy metals, or excess vitamin B6. Common drugs that can cause neuropathy are: antifungals, nitrofurantoin, statins, and certain antibiotics. Be sure to let your healthcare practitioner know if you are taking any of these medications. Local problems are more likely caused by local infection, trauma, improper posture and poor body positioning. In many cases, the underlying cause of neuropathy is unknown, and conventional treatment will often focus on managing the symptoms.

Types of Neuropathy

Neuritis

Neuritis inflames a nerve. Injuries, infections, chemicals, radiation, and vitamin deficiencies can trigger neuritis. The symptoms of this condition can include any of the symptoms listed under peripheral and autonomic neuropathy below.

Mononeuropathy

Mononeuropathy affects a single nerve. Damage, irritation, or muscle imbalances often cause this condition. Temporary cases of this occur all the time, and most of us have accidentally cut off the circulation to a limb (and its nerve) at some point and had a few minutes of “pins and needles” as a result. When certain muscles become too tense or developed, they can actually press the nerve against solid structures like bones and cause a similar effect. The most common chronic form of this type of neuropathy is carpal tunnel. Common effects of this type of neuropathy are loss of sensation, paralysis, weakness and tingling, burning, and pain restricted to the area served by the affected nerve. Muscle imbalances, poor posture, joint degeneration, trauma, and infections commonly cause mononeuropathy. Changing the ergonomics of your every day actions and repeated motions can significantly improve symptoms and prevent surgical intervention. You can ask your healthcare practitioner for more information.

Diabetic Neuropathy

When blood sugar levels are not well regulated, there are periods of time when the blood contains excessive amounts of glucose. Over time, this causes sugar to build up on proteins in the blood, on the linings of the blood vessels, and even on the nerves themselves. This causes damage to the affected tissues, which leads to poor circulation in the extremities and altered pain sensations, such as pain and numbness in the hands and feet. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of injury and the formation of diabetic ulcers. To prevent diabetic neuropathy, it is essential to maintain healthy, balanced blood sugar levels at all times and avoid large fluctuations.

Peripheral Neuropathy (Polyneuropathy)

General neuropathy affects multiple nerves in the peripheral nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord. They consist of two main types, namely motor nerves that send signals to the muscles to allow for movement, and sensory nerves, which allow us to sense touch, vibration, and pain. Peripheral neuropathy is a descriptive (or labelling) diagnosis, meaning that it only functions to describe a grouping of symptoms and does not actually give us any information on the underlying cause. There can be a number of different underlying causes of peripheral neuropathy, and at the moment, this condition is not well understood by the medical community. The most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are a combination of muscle weakness (motor nerves), and loss of sensation (sensory nerves). Some people may also experience tingling, numbness and pain (particularly burning or shooting pain). The location of the symptoms will depend on the particular nerve or nerve group affected.

Autonomic Neuropathy

In rare cases, the autonomic nerves can be affected and can cause problems with a number of involuntary body functions. Symptoms can include: fluctuations in heart rate, blood pressure, and perspiration. Other symptoms of this condition can be varied and may include: loss of bladder control, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, fecal incontinence, diarrhea, constipation, and dizziness on standing.

How Can I Treat Neuropathy?

Treat the Root Cause

The correct treatment method for neuropathy is always directed at the underlying cause as much as possible. Please see above for more information. Removing offending toxins, drugs, and infections is an essential first step in treatment. In general, boosting and regulating the immune response can help prevent autoimmune problems and promote the clearing of any viral or bacterial infections contributing to symptoms. Maintaining appropriate blood glucose control in diabetics and remedying any nutritional deficiencies are also essential.

Conventional Treatment Options

When possible, treat the underlying cause first. Doctors may prescribe tricyclic antidepressants or gabapentin to manage pain and discomfort. Some research suggests medical marijuana may help reduce neuropathy symtpoms, especially pain.

Physical Therapy

In cases of single neuropathies, it is essential to isolate and treat any trauma and to perform physical therapy to promote healthy posture and take pressure off of any nerves compressed by structural problems. Ergonomics for everyday activities is also essential to reduce repetitive strain injuries. Avoid cramped positions and those that can cause unnecessary pressure on your extremities, such as crossing legs and arms for prolonged periods.

Diet and Lifestyle

It is essential to quit smoking entirely. Be sure to maintain a diet filled with fruits and vegetables and maintain a regular exercise program. Staying active helps to prevent muscle loss over time. Be mindful when you are moving if you have loss of sensation, and do a body check each morning and night, paying particular attention to the feet and hands for signs of injury. If injury occurs, be sure to seek immediate medical attention, as loss of proper pain sense can prevent you from knowing how serious an injury is or if an infection has occurred. Massaging your feet and hands, or having others give you a massage, is another great way to stimulate a return of proper sensation and blood flow.

Symptom Management

To treat the numbness, tingling and pain associated with neuropathy, many healthcare practitioners will recommend capsaicin (Cayenne-based) cream. This creates a very warm sensation on the skin initially, but with continued use can block pain signals in the nerves and help reduce pain sensations. Electrical nerve stimulation is also commonly used to treat the symptoms of neuropathy. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machines can help to block pain transmission pathways. Electrostimulation uses adhesive electrodes placed on specific areas of the skin. The device delivers gentle electrical currents at varying frequencies to help reduce pain. Acupuncture has reduced symptoms in up to 75% of peripheral neuropathy cases. Repeated treatments often provide greater benefits over time. Practitioners can combine electrostimulation with acupuncture to enhance results. This combined approach is known as electroacupuncture. Ask your healthcare provider for more information.

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating, degenerative brain condition that results in the death of the cells responsible for the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and acetylcholine. Let's look at the common Parkinson's symptom support, causes and more. 

Understanding Parkinson's Disease

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit nerve signals throughout the brain and body. Low levels of key neurotransmitters reduce involuntary muscle control. They also impair cognitive function. Genetics links strongly to Parkinson's disease. Several factors worsen or trigger Parkinson's symtpoms. These factors are meningitis, poor nutrition, or poisoning from alcohol, carbon monoxide, manganese or heavy metals.

Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

The first sign of Parkinson’s is a slight trembling of the hand that goes away with movement and during sleep. Over time, the trembling eventually affects other parts of the body. Symptoms of fully developed Parkinson’s disease include rigid muscles, trembling, slow movement, shuffling gait, stooped posture, expressionless face, drooling, incoherent speech, poor memory and poor concentration. The progression to this advanced state can take many years.

Parkinson's Disease Symptom Support

Conventional Treatments

Conventional treatment of Parkinson’s disease involves a variety of medications that are aimed at decreasing symptoms. The most commonly used medication is levodopa (L-DOPA), which can have side effects with long-term use. Surgery can destroy the area of the brain that is responsible for the involuntary movement. Sometimes pieces of dopamine-producing animal brain tissue can be implanted into the brain. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Natural Parkinson’s Symptom Support

Nutritional support for Parkinson’s disease usually focuses on improving dopamine levels and enhancing concentration. The brain uses phenlalanine to produce dopamine. Supplementation supports dopamine production pathways. Vitamin B6 enhances this biochemical process. A B-complex supplement may improve results. Velvet bean extract, known as dopabean in North America, contains dopamine precursors. Ayurvedic medicine has used it for centuries. Research shows it may relieve symptoms. It is important to avoid using any dopamine-boosting supplements while taking levodopa or other dopamine-enhancing medication for Parkinson’s disease, as the two may combine to create an excessive effect that can be dangerous. You can instead use Coenzyme Q10, which helps with oxygen and energy production in the brain and won’t interfere with standard Parkinson’s medications. You can also use lecithin or phosphatidyl serine, as both help optimize acetylcholine production.

Detoxification

It's also important to detoxify your body on a regular basis. Using the amino acid NAC can help cleanse heavy metals. You could also consider supporting liver function with the herb milk thistle, as it helps the liver effectively deal with toxins.

Diet and Lifestyle

To protect against developing Parkinson’s disease, be sure to decrease your exposure to heavy metals, alcohol and all other toxins. Use nutritional supplements, eat a diet high in sulphur (garlic, alfalfa, watercress) and antioxidants (fruits and vegetables).

Drink steam-distilled water to help remove toxins from the body. Be sure to take a mineral supplement if you use steam-distilled water. Avoid smoking and processed foods. Avoid artichokes and pomegranates because they contain high levels of manganese.

The most important dietary change is to eat a low protein diet with most of the protein being consumed in the evening. This ensures that neurotransmitter precursors, tyrosine and tryptophan, are available during the night when the brain replenishes its neurotransmitter stores. Most of the diet should consist of enzyme-rich raw foods. The enzymes will optimize nutrient usage. Eat foods high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E to provide antioxidants that protect cells. Fibre increases the body’s ability to absorb dopamine. Fava beans are an excellent source of fibre, and they contain dopamine precursors. Use omega-6 fatty acids found in sunflower and sesame seeds to reduce tremors. Foods high in B6, like bananas, whole grains, fish and oatmeal, raise dopamine levels in the brain. Tyrosine elevates mood and increases alertness. Try to eat foods containing tyrosine, like alfalfa, carrot, lettuce and beet. Exercise and stretching will improve balance and mobility and have been shown to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Be sure to stay active and develop daily exercise habits to help keep Parkinson’s at bay.