Constipation

Embarrassing, yes, but most of us have suffered from constipation at one time or another. While constipation is not recognised as a serious disorder, people who are constipated often feel bloated, uncomfortable and even sluggish. Chronic constipation can also be compounded by hemorrhoids that form due to straining.

To understand constipation, it is important to understand how our digestive system works: When we eat, food is ground up in our mouth and stomach so it can be digested. This liquified food passes into the intestines where nutrients are extracted. It then moves on to the colon, where water is removed, allowing the stool to form. If there isn’t enough water at this extraction point the stool can become hard and difficult to pass, leaving you constipated.

There are a number of reasons why people get constipated. These most commonly include not eating enough dietary fibre, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise and plain old stress. Other causes can include ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, food allergies that can cause the colon to contract, many prescription drugs (especially codeine) and certain neurological disorders. Constipation can also be brought on by an abuse of laxatives that over time can damage the nerve cells in the colon and interfere with its ability to work properly.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to relieve constipation naturally.
* Drink plenty of water: especially if you are taking supplemental fibre, pharmaceutical drugs or large amounts of protein (protein takes more water to digest).

* Dietary fibre holds water and help to keep the stool soft, while adds bulk help to move the stool through the colon, so consume a diet including significant amounts of both soluable and unsoluable fibre eg of lots of vegetables, whole grains, psyllium and fruits etc.

* Try eating a few prunes or drinking some prune juice. In addition to adding fibre, prunes have a mild laxative effect.

* Avoid sugar and other processed foods.

* Allergies can also be the cause of your constipation, so at your next Kinesthetic Chiropractic session be checked out for underlying issues or talk to your Naturopath & Nutritionist about an elimination diet.

* An abdominal massage or Chiropractic treatment can include colon stimulation, which may help.

* Begin a regular exercise program to help promote normal bowel movements: meditate, do yoga, go for a walk. Do things that will allow you to reduce your stress levels and relax as digestion works better when you’re relaxed.

* Take a good probiotic to help promote a healthy environment within the gut.

* Peppermint has a long history of helping relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Enjoy an uplifting cup of Peppermint herbal tea after meals.


Edited by Joanne Terrans 11/2009
Initial resource from Dr R Louise, PhD. Naturopathic Physician & Author at www.soulhealer.com

Hearing Aids

My part-time work, outside of massage, is in admin working for an audiologist, someone who tests, analyses and advises on your hearing. Mostly we see folk who have concerns about their hearing, need hearing tests for work, or who already have a deterioration in their hearing and, for the most part, hearing aids are the answer.

Unfortunately no technology to date is going to match the natural precision and sensitivity of the human auditory system, however hearing aids can be of immense benefit to those with hearing loss and help improve quality of life.

It is important therefore that hearing aid users develop appropriate expectations in relation to what their aids can and cannot do for them and in this regard an audiologist is the best contact. However, here's some general information:

* Hearing aids cannot restore one's hearing to normal;

* New aids will most likely require a period of adjustment & acclimatisation before maximum benefit can be achieved - patience is required as this my take weeks or a couple of months;

* The annoyance of background noise is a perennial one, particularly for first time hearing aid users who probably haven't been hearing much background noise since the onset of their hearing loss. There is, however, new technology with digital signal processing that differentiates between speech and noise, reduces amplification of noise and improves speech intelligibility. This technology is usually included in aids with directional microphones, which reduces noise from the side/back. Being directional however means the aid wearer needs to face the talker so that the microphones are facing the correct direction - bending the head down or to the side effectively moves the mic from the most advantageous position.

Also some general servicing hints I've picked up during my time with the audiologist:

* Whistling in BTE (behind the ear) aids is commonly caused by a split in the tube that links the mould in the ear and the unit behind the ear. A quick "retube" by your aid supplier will fix this;

* Whistling can also be caused when the aid is not sat fully inside the ear. This can be caused by wax deep inside the ear and a trip to the GP to clear any wax may fix the problem;

* If you have had ear surgery or a significant infection in the ear your ear canal shape may have changed affecting the fit and a new mould may be required;

* The aids can be affected by moisture, so using drying crystals occassionally or letting them sit in a dry sunny spot can help alleviate this;

* Intermittent cutting out of volume can be the battery contact - check for dust or foreign objects in the battery well.

For pensioners in Australia, you may be eligible for free hearing assessment and, if required, aids through the Office of Hearing Services, part of the Department of Health (Federal). Visit: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-hear-applic.htm


Resources:
ListenUp Issue 22 from siemens.com.au/hearing

C Whitfeld at milliAmp Hearing (Newtown, also visiting Kogarah, Randwick, Taree & Armidale). Phone 02 9565 2521