Period poops are often extreme due to the release of prostaglandins (a type of fatty acid) that happens when you shed your uterine lining. These prostaglandins relax the smooth muscle tissues in your uterus, which causes both menstrual cramps and diarrhea, constipation, and/or very smelly bowel movements. Period cramps and mood swings are usually the…
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An increasing number of people are seeking natural remedies for anxiety treatment. Anxiety is a common issue worldwide — more than 18% of adults are affected each year in the United States alone. Many factors can lead to anxiety, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Experiencing some anxiety is a part of life, but when it…
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Many people who experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can avoid certain dietary triggers, such as gluten, dairy, and caffeine, to prevent IBS symptoms. Symptoms of IBS include: Conventional science says there is no cure for IBS. They may prescribe IBS medication that mask symptoms without treating the root cause. Our holistic health coaches argue that…
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Struggle with constipation? Dr. Rafatjah discusses functional constipation in children and adults, including causes, treatment plans, and long-term outlook.
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A SIBO test is a non-invasive hydrogen breath test. It’s the primary diagnostic test for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a complex disorder of the digestive system. SIBO is linked to multiple causes, making diagnosing and treating it difficult. SIBO affects millions of people, many are unaware of the disorder. Living with the side effects…
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Calcitonin is a thyroid hormone that helps maintain calcium homeostasis. That means it regulates your blood calcium levels. Abnormal calcitonin levels may have no direct negative side effects, but may indicate an underlying condition that needs to be addressed, such as hypothyroidism or thyroid cancer. Salmon calcitonin may be used as a treatment for bone…
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Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are both severe thyroid disorders. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, whereas in hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid produces too much hormone. About 1% of American adults experience hyperthyroidism, while approximately 5% of American adults experience hypothyroidism. More than half of thyroid disease patients may not know they have a…
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Hypothyroidism is an endocrine condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough T3 (triiodothyronine) and/or T4 (thyroxine). It’s also known as underactive thyroid. Thyroid disease in pregnancy is uncommon (3-5 occurrences per every 1,000 pregnancies). Even if you didn’t deal with diagnosed thyroid issues before conception, it’s possible to develop maternal hypothyroidism. 2-3% of…
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Bananas are generally nutritious but can have different effects on people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) depending on their ripeness and a person’s food triggers. IBS is a disorder of the gut that can cause constipation, diarrhea, or a mix of both (among other uncomfortable symptoms). In IBS-D, trigger foods (like ripe bananas) can cause…
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Having a healthy sex life is a high priority for many. That said, low sexual desire (or low libido) can be cause for concern. A lack of sexual interest can be attributed to a myriad of factors ranging from hormone changes to low self-esteem. New life stages, such as pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause, can cause…
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