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Gut-directed hypnosis is one of the most effective ways to help relieve all IBS symptoms! Results can last more than 5 years.
Now On Sale for the Holidays!
In this Issue...
Food & Recipes
Ask Heather
Special Events
Rx News & Research
Holiday Sale!
The IBS Cooking Show is on sale!
Learn fast and easy meals and snacks - for kitchen newbies and cooking pros!
Did you miss the latest
IBS newsletter and
Orange Glazed Chicken?
Past issues
are posted here!
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Heather's IBS Newsletter ~ For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
December 13, 2005
Annual Holiday Sale ~ the IBS Self-Hypnosis CD and the IBS Cooking Show DVD!
Hello to everyone -
This week we have one of my favorite hearty winter breakfast recipes ever! I grew up eating Blueberry Brown Sugar Oatmeal nearly every winter morning, and was thrilled to realize as I got older that it was a very IBS-friendly meal. If you have celiac or are otherwise oatmeal-intolerant, feel free to make this recipe with cream of rice cereal instead. It will be equally delicious, nutritious, and easy to digest.
We're continuing our special holiday media sale. The IBS Audio Program 100™ is on sale for $79.95 (a $10.00 savings from the normal price of $89.95), and the IBS Cooking Show, which is full of terrific IBS cooking and grocery shopping advice, tips and tricks, is on sale for $11.95 (20% off the $14.95 list price, for a savings of $3.00).
As always, we also have a wealth of IBS news and research. Enjoy!
Best Wishes,
Heather Van Vorous
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Blueberry Brown Sugar Oatmeal
This oatmeal is fast, delicious, nutritious, and ridiculously easy. You simply throw all the ingredients into a bowl and microwave them until the berries burst, creating a swirl of sweet fruit throughout the hearty grain. Cooking the berries makes their insoluble fiber much easier to digest, and combining them with the soluble fiber of the oatmeal makes this a safe breakfast choice.
Makes 1 Serving*
1/2 cup rolled oatmeal (not instant)
1 tsp. Acacia (optional)
1 scant cup vanilla soy/rice milk
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 cup fresh or unthawed frozen whole blueberries
Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl large enough to prevent boil-over, and stir well. Microwave on high for 2 minutes and stir. Microwave another 1-2 minutes until berries pop and oatmeal is thickened.
*This recipe really needs to be cooked in a microwave, as the stovetop will not give the same results. If you want to make more than one serving, be sure to cook each one in a separate bowl. If you cook a large batch in a single bowl the berries will not burst properly.
For oodles of other delicious recipes, come visit the IBS Recipe Exchange board!
Are you just learning how to eat for IBS? A little intimidated at the thought of special IBS recipes? Not quite sure just what makes these recipes special in the first place? Don't worry! Come see the IBS Diet pages, and find the answers to all your questions.
~ Heather's Tummy Fiber ~
For the Dietary Management of Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea, &, Constipation
Organic Acacia ~ Pure Soluble Fiber
The prebiotic fiber that relieves both diarrhea and constipation!
New Retail Stores Carrying Heather's Tummy Care Products
We're continuing our special rebate offer for people who buy Tummy Care products at their local stores, and we have new store announcements this week as well!
Indiana
Dr. Jerry Zajac
8311 West 101st Avenue
Saint John, IN 46373
219-922-0202
Please call for hours and availability
New York
Solstice Whole Foods and Herbs
8 Mechanic Street
Norwich, NY 13815
607 336 6952
If you don't have a store in your area carrying Tummy Care products yet, please give them this flyer to ask them. 
Functional Bowel Disorders with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
A recent American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology study found a high prevalence of constipation and anorectal pain disorders in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. However, patients with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse have similar rates of constipation compared with those with urinary incontinence. Constipation and its subtypes are not related to the stage of pelvic organ prolapse. It appears that either constipation is not a significant contributor to prolapse, or constipation contributes equally to the development of both urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Go here for more information about this study...
Octreotide May Be Effective for Non-Constipated IBS
Octreotide reduces abdominal complaints and improves stool consistency, suggesting that it may be beneficial in nonconstipated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to findings presented at Digestive Disease Week 2005. The study examined the effect of a slow-release preparation of octreotide (Sandostatine LAR) on rectal sensitivity and symptoms in nonconstipated IBS patients. Previous research determined that acute administration of octreotide inhibits afferent responses to rectal distension and possesses an antihyperalgesic effect in IBS. It was unknown if prolonged octreotide treatment would improve gastrointestinal tract symptoms and reduce visceral sensitivity. This eight-week treatment with octreotide compared with placebo did significantly increase patients' threshold for first sensation. Go here for more information about this study...
Clinical Insights in IBS-Constipation vs. Chronic Constipation
A recent Medscape interview noted the clinician's approach to differentiating between IBS-C and chronic constipation. Chronic constipation and IBS-C are 2 syndromes that share many symptoms. Both conditions are characterized by infrequent bowel movements; a sense of incomplete evacuation; straining to pass stool; and passage of hard, pellet-like stools. However, the severity of bloating and abdominal discomfort differentiates IBS-C from chronic constipation. If a patient describes considerable abdominal discomfort or bloating with their constipation symptoms, then this patient should be diagnosed with IBS-C. Therefore, physicians should ensure that they specifically ask constipated patients about abdominal discomfort in order to differentiate IBS-C from chronic constipation.
Go here for more information about this study...
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs & GI Damage
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used for many years for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and more recently in the case of aspirin, antithrombotic purposes. The use of NSAIDs continues to increase. It has long been known that NSAIDs may have a range of side effects, of which the commonest are gastrointestinal. An article in Postgraduate Medical Journal examined the nature, range, and causation of the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the use of NSAIDs, and to consider how these may be reduced or modified. NSAIDs may also be associated with other adverse effects, although these are much rarer than gastrointestinal problems. NSAIDs may be associated with many gastrointestinal problems, ranging from mild to severe dyspeptic symptoms, the development of gastric or duodenal ulceration, haemorrhage or perforation, and other events which may lead to hospitalisation or death.
Go here for more information about this study...
Looking for more IBS research and news? Check the IBS Research Library!
Shop at Heather's Tummy Store for IBS
HelpForIBS.com
The only store that's just for IBS - so we only carry the very best  The IBS Pregnancy Glossary
"I've heard that pregnancy can make IBS worse. Is this true? What can I do to manage my symptoms safely while I'm pregnant?"
If you're wondering about specific medications, supplements, or other methods of treatment for IBS, and how safe or effective they are for use during pregnancy, come check the new IBS Pregnancy Glossary. Our fantastic message board moderator Linz has compiled a wealth of information on this subject (thanks Linz!)
While research has acknowledged that pregnancy can have a significant impact on IBS, there is no consensus as to what that impact will be. The extreme hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy often trigger GI distress in women who do not even IBS; for those who have a dysfunctional gut to begin with, predicting whether IBS will worsen or improve during pregnancy is hit and miss It's not uncommon for pregnant women to feel that their IBS has completely gone into remission, but the flip side of the coin is that other women may feel that pregnancy makes their IBS worse than it has ever been before. Or, the severity of IBS symptoms may stay the same while the symptoms themselves change - someone who is normally diarrhea-predominant will suddenly find themselves dealing with constipation, or vice versa. Gas and bloating may worsen one month while abdominal cramps disappear, but the next month will see just the opposite happen.
This inconsistency can happen not just within the term of a single pregnancy, but women can also have dramatically different experiences with their IBS from one pregnacy to another. Unfortunately, I don't know of any way for a woman to predict what exactly will happen with each pregnancy of her own, nor have I seen any research that specifically addresses this issue. If you're pregnant or considering a pregnancy, it can be very helpful to start discussing the issue with other women who have already dealt with IBS and pregnancy on the IBS Message Board.
In general, medical studies of IBS during pregnancy recommend conservative treatment, including dietary changes, soluble fiber supplements, exercise (particularly yoga), and biofeedback. I would add gut-directed hypnosis to the list of safe and effective (not to mention enjoyable) means of treating IBS during pregnancy as well.
For a note of reassurance here, remember that pregnancy seems just as likely to affect IBS for the better and not automatically for the worse. Also keep in mind that, to my knowledge, there is no evidence at all that IBS has any effect whatsoever on a woman's ability to conceive and carry a full-term, healthy pregnancy with normal delivery. I don't know of any reason why IBS should compromise your wish to have children - and your own ob/gyn or midwife should be able to address all of your concerns here.
~ Heather
~ Heather's Tummy Tamers ~For the Dietary Management of Abdominal Pain &, Bloating
Peppermint Oil Caps with Fennel and Ginger Are Amazing!
Because our Peppermint Oil Caps have the added benefits of fennel and ginger oils, they are truly unbeatable for preventing abdominal pain, gas, and bloating!
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80 S. Washington St, #304
Seattle, WA 98104 USA
© 2005 Heather Van Vorous, Heather's Tummy Care. All rights reserved.
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