When we take food into our bodies everything must be broken down into nutrients and vitamins that can be used by our system. The process of digestion starts in our mouth as we chew and the saliva begins to break down the food. Next, it goes into the stomach where an acid is released that further breaks down the food.
This acid is essential to our digestive process and normally the levels of it are carefully controlled by mechanisms in the stomach and proximal intestine. Sometimes, these mechanisms do not work correctly and excess stomach acid is a result. This condition is known as either acidity or APD. There are many things that can result from excess stomach acid. These include, but are not limited to: Heartburn, acid reflux, dyspepsia (a feeling of indigestion or bloating), non-ulcer dyspepsia, duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer or a gastric ulcer. Some of these medical conditions are much worse than others but all of them can really be inconvenient. Ulcers can be life threatening if they are let go for a long time.
There are several herbal and homeopathic solutions to excessive stomach acid. It is essential that you try to keep your stomach acid in check because the problem will only become worse with time. Mentha Piperita is part of the mint family and has been used for centuries to help calm peoples stomachs, cure heartburn and put a stop to indigestion. It is a calmative herb that helps the digestive tract muscles relax and it encourages a steady flow of bile and digestive juices.
Nat. Sulph is a homeopathic tissue salt that helps to keep the body fluids regulated. It is really helpful if you are having a problem with a bitter taste in your mouth after eating and putting a stop to nausea.
There are many habits that you can change to assist you in keeping your stomach acid levels in check. Certain foods are known to cause problems with acid production in the stomach including spicy, salty and foods that are high in acid (such as tomatoes). Make sure that you eat regular and healthy meals. Alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided in order to keep the stomach acid levels regulated and the esophagus healthy.
Stress is also a big cause of excess stomach acid. Try to develop coping mechanisms for the daily stress in your life. Relaxation techniques like Yoga or Meditation can be especially helpful. If you are a weight lifter then make sure that you are really careful because too much pressure on the abdominal area can lead to problems. Try to stick with lighter weights and more reps. Don't overdo it!
Showing posts with label bowel disease.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bowel disease.. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The lymphocytes.
By convention the number is usually translated into number of lymphocytes per 100 intestinal lining cells variously called by their specific name enterocytes or broader name epithelial cell. Since the lymphocytes are between enterocytes or epithelial cells they are termed intraepithelial lymphocytes or IEL’s. When in excess the term is intraepithelial lymphocytosis.
Additional lymphocytes and other infection fighting cells, including mast cells, are stationed at the base of the intestinal villi. These cells are like Army or Marine troops held in reserve that are just waiting to be summoned to the fighting front at the surface of the intestinal villi, whenever the body believes it is being attacked or invaded.
The finding of increased IEL’s, or intraepithelial lymphocytosis, is the EARLIEST microscopic finding of Celiac disease and gluten injury though it is not specific for it. Cow’s milk protein allergy or sensitivity, giardia parasite and H. pylori bacteria, and viral infections can also be a cause. Usually recognizing increased numbers of lymphocytes in the tips of the intestinal villi is easy.
Most pathologist just “eye ball” the tips and subjectively judge whether there are increased numbers. Most state there either is or is not increased lymphocytes in the tips of the villi or intraepithelial lymphocytosis without specifically counting or reporting the numbers.
Special stains are available that highlight these lymphocytes allow them to be seen and counted easily. However, these stains are not done routinely and usually must be specifically requested, especially when minor changes of gluten injury are suspected, for example in someone who has already limited their diet intake of gluten.
For more than thirty years the cut off for abnormal was eight or more lymphocytes per villous tip or >40 IELs per 100 intestinal epithelial cell (enterocytes). In the past couple of years an IEL count of 7 or more villous tip or 20 enterocytes equivalent to 35 IELs/100 epithelial cells became the standard for defining abnormal intraepithelial lymphocytosis.
Additional lymphocytes and other infection fighting cells, including mast cells, are stationed at the base of the intestinal villi. These cells are like Army or Marine troops held in reserve that are just waiting to be summoned to the fighting front at the surface of the intestinal villi, whenever the body believes it is being attacked or invaded.
The finding of increased IEL’s, or intraepithelial lymphocytosis, is the EARLIEST microscopic finding of Celiac disease and gluten injury though it is not specific for it. Cow’s milk protein allergy or sensitivity, giardia parasite and H. pylori bacteria, and viral infections can also be a cause. Usually recognizing increased numbers of lymphocytes in the tips of the intestinal villi is easy.
Most pathologist just “eye ball” the tips and subjectively judge whether there are increased numbers. Most state there either is or is not increased lymphocytes in the tips of the villi or intraepithelial lymphocytosis without specifically counting or reporting the numbers.
Special stains are available that highlight these lymphocytes allow them to be seen and counted easily. However, these stains are not done routinely and usually must be specifically requested, especially when minor changes of gluten injury are suspected, for example in someone who has already limited their diet intake of gluten.
For more than thirty years the cut off for abnormal was eight or more lymphocytes per villous tip or >40 IELs per 100 intestinal epithelial cell (enterocytes). In the past couple of years an IEL count of 7 or more villous tip or 20 enterocytes equivalent to 35 IELs/100 epithelial cells became the standard for defining abnormal intraepithelial lymphocytosis.
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