There are several methods of treating IBS, including IBS medication. What is IBS? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the large intestine. Don’t get it confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The symptoms of IBS are: Abdominal pain Bloating Cramping Excess gas Blood in stool Fatigue Depression and anxiety Diarrhea or constipation According…
Typical levothyroxine is made up of synthetic thyroid hormones. Conventional doctors prescribe levothyroxine to most hypothyroidism patients (not hyperthyroidism). However, some types of thyroid hormone medications are better for different people. Common side effects of levothyroxine include fluctuations in weight, mood, appetite, body temperature, tiredness, and menstrual cycle. Some patients experience autoimmune problems when taking…
Vulvodynia is pain around the opening of your vagina that lasts at least 3 months. There is no clear cause for this pain. There may be some swelling, but many people with vulvodynia have a normal-looking vulva. Treatment for vulvodynia may include topical medicines, oral medicines, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. If you are experiencing…
Bladder spasms are when the muscles of your bladder contract or tighten. These spasms often trigger an urge to urinate and a burning sensation when you release urine. Bladder spasms are often used synonymously with “overactive bladder” (OAB). While these are two different conditions, they often happen to be related. Spasms in your bladder may…
Probiotics can effectively treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) unless you also suffer from small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). If you have SIBO, probiotics may worsen your digestive discomfort. If you test negative for SIBO, probiotics are an excellent treatment option for IBS. Probiotics (or “good bacteria”) repopulate the colonies of beneficial bacteria…
Irritable bowel syndrome (also called IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that impacts the large intestine, whose common symptoms include abdominal discomfort, abdominal bloating, and abnormal bowel habits. How do you know you have IBS? Rome criteria dictate that, in order to diagnose IBS, a patient has to exhibit recurring abdominal pain for six or…
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a complex disorder of the digestive system that may have many different root causes, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. The primary diagnostic test for SIBO is a non-invasive hydrogen breath test. SIBO affects millions of people, many of whom are unaware of the disorder. Living with SIBO…
Dietary supplements for thyroid health can address underlying nutrient deficiencies, stress, and hormonal imbalances, all of which can be root causes of a thyroid disorder. Approaching hypothyroidism with supplements, in addition to lifestyle changes, can often help people to avoid the need for medications in the future. We’ll talk about diagnosing the different root causes…
Primary hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by an underactive thyroid. Your thyroid gland produces a lower than average amount of thyroid hormones, like T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). The prevalence might be higher than you expected. 5 out of every 100 adults in the United States have hypothyroidism. Up to 60% are unaware they have…
Your thyroid gland is an essential part of your endocrine system that secretes hormones that regulate metabolism, heart function, digestion, muscles, brain development, and bone health. In this article, we’ll talk about typical thyroid hormone levels, which tests are important, and what to do if you have hypothyroidism. What are thyroid hormones? Thyroid hormones are…