Treating Cervical Ligaments With Prolotherapy Published Research From Caring Medical
Prolotherapy is an injection technique that stimulates the repair of unstable, torn or damaged ligaments. When the cervical ligaments are unstable, they allow for excessive movement of the vertebrae, which can stress tendons, atrophy muscles, pinch on nerves, such as the vagus nerve, and cause other symptoms associated with cervical instability including problems of digestion among others.
In 2014, we published a comprehensive review of the problems related to weakened damaged cervical neck ligaments in The Open Orthopaedics Journal. We are honored that this research has been used in at least 6 other medical research papers by different authors exploring our treatments and findings and cited, according to Google Scholar, in more than 40 articles.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Constipation
Constipation can be an uncomfortable problem. In severe cases, constipation can be painful or even life-threatening. Because normal bowel frequency can vary greatly from person to person, many people may not be entirely sure whether or not they are constipated.
Constipation is a medical condition in which bowel movements become less frequent than normal, and/or difficult to produce. While clinically defined as not producing bowel movements for three days or longer, if a person’s regular bowel schedule is two or three times a day, that person might be constipated if he or she hasn’t produced a single bowel movement after only one day.
Patients may be constipated if they are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain and bloating. Constipated patients may feel tightness in their abdomen, or a sharp, cramping pain deep in their gut. They may also feel full all the timeas if they’ve just eaten a large mealeven when they haven’t eaten for several hours. Patients may also feel gassy, but passing gas does not relieve discomfort.
Small stools followed by a feeling of not emptying the bowels. Constipation may cause people to produce only tiny bowel movements. These tiny bowel movements are often followed by frequent and continued urges to “go,” but constipated patients may find they are unable to produce another bowel movement despite the constant urges.
You Arent Supposed To Have Nausea Before A Bowel Movement This Is Not Normal
Though the fecal contents may be causing mechanical pressure resulting in the biting pain of having to go really bad, there still should not be any nausea with it.
Nausea is a very nonspecific symptom which may or may not be indicative of an abnormality with the gastrointestinal tract, says Dr. Neil Sengupta, MD, a general gastroenterologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago, and GI Research Foundation Scholars Award Recipient.
If the nausea is associated with abdominal cramping or pain, and if these symptoms are relieved after a bowel movement, this may be consistent with irritable bowel syndrome.
This is particularly true if there is a significant alteration in bowel movements.
- In IBS, sometimes there is just diarrhea for most bowel movements.
- In other patients its a problem of primarily constipation.
- Others suffer from diarrhea alternating with constipation.
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Can Acid Reflux Cause Dizziness
Dizziness and acid reflux are rarely associated with each other. However, personal accounts show that acid reflux, specifically GERD can also lead to dizziness in patients. This dizziness is often characterized as lightheadedness, weakness, and a temporarily blurry vision.
Dizziness and Acid Reflux: Is There a Link?
While dizziness is not often listed as a common symptom of acid reflux, a study suggests that there is a link between peripheral vertigo and acid reflux.
Scientists suggest that patients who experience dizziness alongside their acid reflux may be due to gastric acids irritating the ear, which could lead to ear infections.
The study reported that 77.6% of patients with peripheral vertigo were also diagnosed with acid reflux compared to 26% of patients without reflux symptoms.
Although further studies are required to finalize the findings, the researchers suggest that reflux contents such as Hydrochloric acid and pepsin could get into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube and affect the ear directly. This can cause tinnitus or a perceived ringing of the ears.
Another way acid reflux could cause dizziness is through bacterial infection. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori can travel further up the esophagus through reflux contents and reach the upper respiratory tract. This could cause scarred ear drum , leading to dizziness.
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What Are The Causes Of Obstipation
Many underlying conditions, medications, and even structural abnormalities of the intestines can cause obstipation. Examples of conditions that can cause obstipation include:
- abnormalities in the intestine, such as intussusception or when the intestines twist
- severe scarring after prior surgeries
- taking certain medications, especially opioid pain medications, such as morphine or hydrocodone other medicines that can slow intestinal movement include iron supplements, calcium channel blockers, antipsychotics, clonidine, and diuretics
- chronic constipation related to an underlying condition, such as Hirschsprungs disease
Obstipation is a serious condition that can potentially worsen. Regardless of the cause, its important to seek treatment if you think you have the condition.
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Be Mindful Of Your Digestive Health
Constipation may be an occasional inconvenience, but it can also indicate overarching concerns about your gastrointestinal health, dietary habits, and your level of regular physical activity. If you have chronic constipation or even just regularly occurring constipation, it might be time to speak with a gastroenterologist like the board-certified physicians at Cary Gastro. Contact us today to request an appointment.
Constipation Symptoms And Signs
You are likely be constipated if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Fewer bowel movements than normal
- Pain and straining when passing stools
- Stomach pain
- Lack of exercise
- Some medicines, especially pain killers
- Some people with neurological problems such as Parkinsons disease or Multiple Sclerosis are prone to constipation
- Surgery around the anus can sometimes be a cause of constipation mainly due to pain when emptying the bowel afterwards
- Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome , Colitis and Crohns Disease
- Ignoring the urge to open the bowels
- There is a strong connection between emotional feelings and how the gut works. Feeling upset can make your bowel slow down or speed up.
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How Gut Health Affects Silent Reflux
Research shows that your gut health, specifically your microbiome health, may relate to reflux symptoms. One systematic review showed that probiotics seemed to improve the symptoms of GERD, including heartburn, regurgitation, abdominal pain, and gas .
A meta-analysis also found that H. pylori, a bacterium that can infect the stomach and cause ulcers, is present in about half of LPR patients . However, some research shows that H. pylori can actually protect against developing acid reflux or esophageal cancer .
We can tentatively suggest that working to reduce H. pylori and any other gut pathogens as well as supporting the beneficial bacteria in the microbiome with probiotic therapy may help improve LPR or silent reflux symptoms.
Side Effects Of Constipation
Most people think of the common symptoms of constipation: hard to pass stool with occasional cramping, bloating, flatulence, or abdominal pain. Yet constipation can also lead to additional side effects and symptoms that we dont often associate with it.
Fatigue: Some research suggests that fatigue can occur due to the effects of a decrease in the absorption of nutrients on gut microflora. It may also be that stool sitting in the colon longer causes greater fermentation that in turn leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. The common theme is that constipation seems to cause fatigue because fewer nutrients are being converted into cellular energy.
Nausea: Most people dont associate nausea with fatigue, but it can actually be a fairly normal side effect. Nausea and vomiting are possible either because of an intestinal obstruction or a condition like irritable bowel syndrome. Nausea can also be a side effect of medications that are used to treat constipation.
Weight Gain: New research related to the gut microbiome suggests that chronic constipation may cause otherwise unexplained weight gain. Gut flora have been increasingly identified in a whole host of health problems, and hormonal imbalances that can come about when stool chronically sits in the colon for too long may in fact contribute to the buildup of fat deposits.
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Bile Reflux Into The Stomach
Bile and food mix in the duodenum and enter your small intestine. The pyloric valve, a heavy ring of muscle located at the outlet of your stomach, usually opens only slightly enough to release about an eighth of an ounce or less of liquefied food at a time, but not enough to allow digestive juices to reflux into the stomach.
In cases of bile reflux, the valve doesnt close properly, and bile washes back into the stomach. This can lead to inflammation of the stomach lining .
Unexplained Weight Loss Loss Of Appetite And Feeling Weak
Losing weight, losing your appetite or feeling weak are all possible signs of colon or rectal cancer along with many other unrelated conditions. In patients with colon or rectal cancer, these symptoms are usually related. Persistent diarrhea can cause weight loss. Stomach pain and nausea can reduce your appetite so that you dont consume enough food to maintain your weight. All these issues, as well as anemia, can lead to weakness.
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Bowel Cramps With Constipation
Food poisoning or gastroenteritis are probably the most common digestive causes of acute abdominal cramps. It is particularly common among children and infants. Here a virus, bacteria, protozoa or toxins secreted by these organisms irritate and inflame the gut. This can extend from the stomach all the way down to the colon. The symptoms may start hours to days after consuming a food contaminated with these microbes/toxins, or after contracting the infection through other modes of transmission.
A fever is not always present. Nausea is usually intense but vomiting does not always occur in these conditions. Diarrhea is usually present in all cases and can be profuse and watery. Bowel cramping typically starts from the onset of the first symptoms, like vomiting, right till diarrhea stops. Most cases resolve within a few days even without treatment. However, it is important to ensure adequate bed rest, balanced nutrition and plenty of fluid intake. Dehydration is a major complication that can be deadly if severe and left untreated.
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When Should You See A Doctor For Constipation
Everyone has unique bowel habits. Some people have a bowel movement a few times a day, and some go only a few times a week. So, its important to know whats normal for you. If you notice a change that persists despite measures to correct it, make an appointment to see your doctor.
As a general guideline, you should call your doctor or seek prompt medical care for the following:
- You have been unable to move your bowels for 3 to 5 days, even using home remedies.
- You have constipation with nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain or bloating.
- You have blood in your stool.
In most cases, constipation is not an emergency. But it can be a sign of a serious underlying problem, some of which can have potentially life-threatening complications. Examples include and bowel obstruction. or go to your nearest emergency room for constipation along with potentially serious symptoms including:
- Black, bright bloody, or tar-like stool
- , fainting, loss of consciousness, or
- Difficulty breathing or other breathing problems
- over 101°F
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Rigid abdomen or severe abdominal
- Severe rectal bleeding or or coffee ground-like material
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
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Reflux And Stress Anxiety Depression
It seems quite likely that experiencing chest pain and other symptoms after eating can increase our stress level. According to a study from 2018:
This cross-sectional study revealed that anxiety and depression levels were significantly higher in subjects with GERD than in controls.
- GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease, the chronic form of acid reflux
- NERD: non-erosive reflux disease, same as GERD, but the esophagus is not damaged
Looks like stress can cause reflux, which might cause more stress and so on
Stool Obstruction Can Constipation Cause Nausea
When a blockage in your colon prevents stool from passing, this is known as bowel obstruction.
Symptoms of bowel obstruction may include abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloating.
In this case, a variety of factors can play a role. Crohns disease causes intestinal inflammation, which can lead to blockage and infections such as diverticulitis.
If you have adhesions in your colon, you may also have a blockage in this case.
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What To Do If Constipation Is Causing Your Nausea
First, you’ll want to know âwhyâ you’re experiencing constipation, and that can be tough to pin down on your own. Just 37 percent of people who have constipation speak to their doctor about it, according to âThe American Journal of Gastroenterologyâ.
But communicating with a health professional can be important: For example, if you have pelvic floor problems, then some of the at-home remedies for constipation mentioned below won’t address the underlying issue at play.
A few places to start for constipation include ramping up fiber and water intake and getting the right amount of sleep. Preliminary research, presented at Digestive Disease Week in 2020, found that rates of constipation were lowest in adults who get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Sleeping less than that increased the risk of constipation by 38 percent, while people who slept for longer had a 61 percent higher risk.
As for fiber, Dr. Abraham suggests increasing the amount you consume by tracking your fiber intake during the day via a calorie-tracking app or program. With tracking, you’ll see what foods you normally eat that are the most fiber-rich â and you can focus on eating more of those foods.
Are You Getting Enough Fiber?
Track your daily nutrients by logging your meals on the MyPlate app. Download now to fine-tune your diet today!
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Burping And Flatulencegood For You Or Just Rude
Occasional burping, or belching, is normal, especially during or after meals. Everyone swallows air throughout the day. If you swallow too much at once, it may create discomfort and cause you to burp, explains William Ravich, MD, a Yale Medicine GI physician and specialist in swallowing disorders and esophageal disease.
We swallow air all the time. Every time you eat something, 50% of what you swallow is food and 50% is air . You also swallow when youre not eating and if you look at your saliva, most of the stuff you might spit out is all bubbles from air, Dr. Ravich says.
But people have different capacities to tolerate swallowed air, Dr. Ravich says. There is a threshold where the air needs to be released, which is what causes you to burp. Some people may reach that threshold quicker. When that threshold is reached, it causes them to belch, he explains.
Gastroenterologist William Ravich, MD, consults with a colleague about a GI case.
Plus, eating too quickly, talking while you eat, chewing gum, and drinking carbonated beverages can all cause you to swallow more air and burp.
But is burping a problem? In some cultures, belching is considered a sign of appreciation. But in Western society, it is often considered rude, Dr. Ravich notes. I think its good to release gas if its causing you discomfort. But if you dont, the gas will also eventually work its way out.
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Why You Might Get Dizzy When You’re Constipated
First, know that constipation isn’t a common cause of dizziness, says Michael D. Brown, MD, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. However, in certain circumstances, it might contribute to it. Here’s what might be going on.
Straining or having a rather large or voluminous bowel movement or a GI bleed, can cause, as Dr. Brown explains, a vagal event. What’s that, exactly?
The overstimulation of your vagus nerve can lead to a drop in your pulse rate, and without enough blood going to your brain, you can get dizzy and faint yep, on the toilet.
Fainting is pretty extreme, but pooping can be a trigger. If this happens to you, it might also be the result of a condition called orthostatic hypotension, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
If you are constipated, you might be spending a little too much time on the toilet trying to make the magic happen, right? And so, if you spend an hour sitting down, only to get up, then you could experience orthostatic hypotension, which is when your blood pressure drops when you stand up.
Blood pools in your legs as you sit, less blood flows to the brain and as a result, you may feel dizzy, have blurred vision or confusion, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Sitting down for long periods of time can also make your legs go numb, Dr. Brown says.
Symptoms: How To Know If Ibs Is Causing Your Stomach Cramps And Gas:
Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by 30048-8/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F rel=nofollow> reference):
- Abdominal pain that occurs at least one day per week in the past 3 months :
- The onset stomach cramps have to be associated with at least 2 of:
- Defecation: defecation may improve your abdominal pain .
- Change in your stool form: the stool becomes harder or softer.
- Change in stool frequency: onset of stomach cramps is associated with diarrhea, constipation or a mix of both.
Although Gas is not in the ROME IV of diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, it is one of the most frequent features of irritable bowel syndrome. Gas and bloating are more common in people of IBS with constipation or mixed type.
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