Hello again,

Being a trained nurse with years of experience in the field of allergies, sensitivities and environmental toxins, I can often help to get to the bottom (excuse the pun) of your digestive discomforts.  Prior to your first cleanse, I go through your medical history and symptoms with a free Lifeplan analysis. This helps to identify specific areas of your health and lifestyle which may need support.  Also, I observe what your colon is eliminating through a glass tube during your cleanse, which may help confirm or deny the presence of anything unusual.  Here is a brief summary of common digestive ailments for your information. This is meant as a guide and should not be used to diagnose yourself. If you are anything like me, you could convince yourself that you have all of the following.  However, if you are passing blood through your rectum or have concerns, you should ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Healthy regards,

Angela

Bowel cancer

According to Department of Health statistics, bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer deaths in the UK, killing approximately 16,000 people annually, with approximately 30,000 new cases diagnosed every year.  However, 90% of those diagnosed survive if the disease is caught early enough.  Bowel cancer, which has few, if any, symptoms in the early stages, usually begins with a benign (pre-cancerous) polyp which, if detected sufficiently early, can be removed and the cancer can be prevented.  Approximately 25% of the population already has these polyps before they are fifty. It can take up to ten years for these polyps to become cancerous, so any opportunity to have these polyps removed at an early stage should be taken up. Research shows that screening using faecal occult blood tests can significantly reduce the risk of death from bowel cancer.  The main reason for this is that screening allows bowel cancer to be detected in asymptomatic people at an earlier stage, when the chances of a cure are much greater. 

Ask me about bowel cancer detection kits which test for blood in your stool.

Candida

Candida albicans is a yeast which exists inside of all of us. Usually it presents no problems, but with today's usage of antibiotics, steroids and contraceptive pills, as well as refined sugar in our diet, more people are suffering from Candida overgrowth and its associated health problems.

Under normal conditions your immune system would destroy the yeast, but when things get out of hand, the toxins which the yeast produces disable the immune system and prevent it from doing its work.  Your immune system may eventually become so weak that bacterial and viral infections can wreak havoc on your health.  The systems of your body react to the toxic overload by putting itself on red-alert to anything external that it comes into contact with, e.g. food or chemicals.

I suggest that you also scroll down to read about leaky gut syndrome.

The Candida/Parasite colonic treatments would be the plan to go for.

Constipation

The waste matter held in your colon should be evacuated within 18 to 36 hours—the time it takes food to transit from one end of the digestive system to the other in an average person. After this time, harmful toxins are produced by the putrefying bacteria that work on the waste, producing foul smelling gas. The longer the toxic material sits in your large intestine, the longer it is in contact with the lining of your gut wall, exposing it to dangerous chemicals with harmful long term consequences, such as bowel cancer.

Constipation, or slow transit time, has also been linked to a wide array of conditions that may not be as serious as cancer, but greatly reduce your quality of life.

The chronic constipation treatment plan would be beneficial to you

Dietary causes of bowel problems

Food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities can be a big factor in the dietary causes of bowel problems. Genetic causes may play some part, but a large factor must be the large amount of processed foods containing additives, chemicals, antibiotics and plasticides from food wrapping, which play a large part.  Insufficient fibre, too many white refined foods, and excess sugar in our western diet can also be blamed.  Malabsorption of essential nutrients can cause nutritional deficiencies. 

Cleansing the walls of the colon can help all of the above and so the general Detoxification programme would be beneficial. Also, once your colon is clear, it is possible to help clear out mucoid plaque from the small intestine which inhibits the ability of the digestive system to absorb nutrients and produce the necessary enzymes to digest such food groups as grains and dairy. Its worth a go!  I can help you through the process.

Diverticulitis

As 80% of people with diverticulitis have no symptoms at all, most people discover they have it when they have an acute attack of abdominal pain, or when they go for a test on their colon for other reasons. This is despite the fact that it is a common condition over the age of 50, caused for the most part by constipation and a low fibre diet, and aggravated by obesity, stress and smoking. Straining to pass hard stools causes increased pressure on the colon’s walls, which then develop weak areas or blow outs that produce tiny sacs or diverticuli. Once they develop, they don’t go away.

Symptoms may include cramping and gas, and pain on the left side of the abdomen that is relieved by passing a bowel movement.  Occasionally, the diverticuli bleed, causing bright red blood on the stool, or they block sometimes causing pain and fever. In all of these situations you should consult with your doctor, but symptoms may be helped by treating the causes of excessive gas, bloating or constipation to prevent the build up of pressure in the colon.

I can supply you with a diverticulitis action plan listing foods that would irritate your diverticuli.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder which causes the connective tissue that covers and connects all of our tissues, organs, muscles, and nerves, and holds us together to become more solid and taut. As a result, the muscles and soft tissues are bound in place, and when you move, the muscles can't glide and stretch well enough to accommodate the movement. This causes a pull on the tendons and ligaments that connect the muscles to the bone, causing pain, and the taut bands of tissue also press on nerves and blood vessels, adding to the pain and interfering with circulation and nerve function.

The most distinctive symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain and tenderness in the neck, shoulders, lower back and the back of the head. They are often accompanied by sleep disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic headaches, depression, and memory impairment. The symptoms are usually severe enough to interfere with normal daily activities, and a significant number of sufferers are actually disabled by the condition. The majority of sufferers are women between the ages of 25 and 56.

As a fibromyalgia sufferer myself, I am mostly pain free these days as long as I avoid the triggers to my inflammation. I have regular colonics, and detoxification is an important part of my continuing health plan. I suggest that you also scroll down to read about leaky gut syndrome.

Food Intolerances

True food allergies are quite rare. An allergy means that there is a histamine response by the body. This can be measured by skin prick testing. In the case of allergy, the offending item would need to be avoided.

Most of today’s testing that you see advertised as food allergy testing, isn’t. It is usually food sensitivity testing and the treatment for the two conditions are very different. In the case of food sensitivities I would suggest a short period of detoxification, followed by a four day rotation diet where you have lots of food variety which is not repeated within four days.

Having worked for many years as an allergist using both skin prick and bio-resonance techniques I formed the opinion that some sensitivity testing techniques can be very subjective. Some techniques can also be very useful but it is a bit of a minefield to know which is best for you. During a colonic course, we can work out what would be a good method for you and form a plan of treatment.. I also suggest that you scroll down to read about leaky gut syndrome.

Headaches and migraines

Many patients are predisposed to headaches and migraines. Sufferers may have different triggers that may start a ‘chain reaction’. For example, stressful situations, changes in sleep patterns, environmental changes, hormonal imbalance and, as in most cases, diet related sensitivities or constipation and ‘toxic’ headaches.

I would suggest a Heavy Metal Toxicity test and general detoxification plan. Your free Lifeplan analysis may help to identify imbalance within your body, e.g., to see if hormonal or nervous system imbalance is present.

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

I.B.S is not an illness as such.  It is generally diagnosed when an explanation can’t be found to explain the symptoms. It is a persistent disorder associated with gas, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea alternating with constipation, for which historically no cause has been found.

I.B.S. affects approximately one in five people, many of whom are suffering in silence. It is thought to be due to a nervous disorder, often triggered by a period of anxiety or depression, and was in the past called spastic colon due to the spasmodic uncoordinated movements of the colon. However, the symptoms may well have other causes such as:

•     Poor diet

•     Food intolerances

•     Too much caffeine or alcohol

•     Lack of digestive enzymes

•     An undiagnosed parasite infection following a gastrointestinal infection

•     Overgrowth of yeast following the use of antibiotics or hormonal treatments

•     Too little good bowel bacteria and too many unhealthy bacteria.

A study done at the Gastrointestinal motility programme at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Beverly Hills, California in 2000 found that 78% of people with IBS had bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.

A course of colonics can help us to identify the cause of your IBS. It may be obvious on the first cleanse, visibly through the tube, or it may be a journey that we go through together by detective work

Incontinence (Faecal)

Among people over the age of 65, women more frequently experience bowel incontinence, with 13 out of every 1,000 women reporting loss of bowel control.  The most common cause of bowel incontinence, ironically, is constipation. Constipation causes the muscles of the anus and intestines to stretch and weaken (the anus is the opening through which stool leaves the body). The weakened muscles will prevent the rectum from closing tightly, thus resulting in leakage of stool (the rectum connects to the anus). Weakened intestinal muscles will also slow down the bowels, making it difficult to pass stools and further worsening the constipation.

Other common causes :

•     Diarrhoea, which overwhelms the ability of the body to control passage of stool

•     In women, injury to the anal muscles due to childbirth

•     Stress of an unfamiliar environment

•     Decreased awareness of sensation of bowel fullness

•     Nerve or muscle damage from stroke, trauma or radiation

•     Emotional problems

•     Gynaecological, prostate or rectal surgery

•     Severe haemorrhoids or rectal prolapse

•     Colectomy or bowel surgery

•     Chronic laxative abuse

•     Some prescribed medications

You would be amazed at the number of people that suffer from this embarrassing symptom, but never talk about it

Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky Gut Syndrome is an inability of the gastric lining to keep undigested food or potentially pathogenic organisms from absorbing into the blood stream. Abnormally large spaces develop between the cell walls of the gut, allowing unwanted material to pass through. The gut becomes “leaky” in the sense that bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi and their metabolic by-products, undigested protein, fat and waste, pass through a hyper-permeable, porous or “leaky” intestinal wall and are absorbed into the bloodstream. This leads to a blood antibody reaction involving IgG4 defence cells. The invading proteins form new cells, called ‘Circulating Immune Complexes’ or CIC’s. These cell complexes, neutralized in a healthy person, are responsible for type I and type II delayed food allergies. Individuals with Leaky Gut Syndrome experience a gradual accumulation of these CIC’s, eventually reaching an intolerable level within the circulation. When the system becomes saturated with CIC’s, the blood deposits these cells in soft tissues and joints throughout the body.  Local inflammations occur at the deposit sites of CIC’s, resulting in pain and swelling. The deposit sites often correspond to the eighteen (18) fibromyalgia tender points (16 have external pressure points), in addition to various joints in the body. This is just a part of the far reaching disease we call Leaky Gut Syndrome.

Leaky Gut Syndrome was once a controversial diagnosis in mainstream medicine. Today, knowledge of the processes leading to the condition, and our ability to reverse the harmful effects, make Leaky Gut Syndrome a very treatable and preventable disease. It is hypothesized that Leaky Gut Syndrome may be a precursor to many of the common diseases of lifestyle and exposure affecting man today. By simple prevention and nutritional therapy, Leaky Gut Syndrome can be repaired, greatly enhancing proper digestion. This in turn elevates our immune function and improves the overall health of the patient, regardless of underlying conditions that may exist.

The anti-fungal, ant-parasitic course of treatments would be beneficial to sufferers of leaky gut. This would be followed by a course of treatment to help to rebuild the colon permeability.

Parasites

Filarial worms, Hookworms, Whipworms, Threadworms and Flatworms affect more than 2 billion people around the world causing a long list of afflictions. Parasites are neither sexist nor status minded. They attack all socioeconomic groups, and affect the rich, the poor and the famous alike.  What exactly is a parasite? A parasite is an organism that lives off the host, the host being a human or animal. The parasites live a parallel life inside our bodies, feeding off our own energy, cells and the food we eat. The immediate question that comes to mind when people are informed of this situation is: How can a parasite possibly live in my body and I don't even know it is there? The answer to this is simple. The purpose of a parasite is not to make itself known; it is a ’hide and seek’ expert.  Parasites live everywhere and are commonly transmitted to humans in diverse ways, such as insect bites, walking barefoot, human contact, animal contact, drinking water, eating under-cooked meats and fish, and numerous other ways..

Sickness, disease, and numerous health challenges are the direct result of continued exposure and infestation. By following a treatment programme, it is possible to rid your body of parasites and start to live a much healthier life.

The anti-parasitic treatment plan would be best for you.  If you suspect that this could be a possibility for you, I suggest that you also scroll up to read about leaky gut syndrome

Skin conditions

Your skin actually "breathes" and is an important organ of elimination of waste material. Sometimes, if the colon, liver or kidneys are functioning poorly, the skin will be required to make up the difference. Surface eruptions on the skin of various sorts may occur due to toxins being released. Cleansing and healing the colon diminishes the burden placed upon the skin as well as the other organs of elimination: lungs, liver and kidneys. As elimination is accomplished through the proper channels, the skin will very often clear up.

The general detoxification plan, followed by a course of vitamins and minerals that support skin integrity would be beneficial for you.  Also, it may be a good idea to have a Heavy Metal Urine test.

Weight Management

Although colonic irrigation isn’t a recognized method of weight loss management, we can hold many pounds of toxic waste within our colon. When this is eliminated, obviously a corresponding weight loss will take place. Many patients report that once they start to feel less lethargic and energized, they are more likely to want to choose healthy food options at mealtimes and snack less often.

I lost five stones in weight during 2007 by following a healthy food plan. I also used the Nature’s Sunshine weight management plan and signed up for Nutrichef meals to be delivered to my door to get me off to a good start. You can find details of both on my ‘Links’ page, or I will be happy to share my experience with you during your consultation.

I hope that the above information hasn’t left you feeling overwhelmed. If you have any questions as to whether treatment would benefit you, please eMail me.  Keep in mind though that I can’t diagnose conditions via eMail.

Healthy regards

Angela