3/30/07 MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that Novartis has agreed to discontinue marketing Zelnorm, a drug used for the short-term treatment of women with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and for patients younger than 65 years of age with chronic constipation. (for more information, see item below) Women Twice as Likely as Men to Be Constipated NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 02 About one in four adults say that they have suffered from constipation in the past 3 months, with women nearly twice as likely to report symptoms as men, according to a survey of Canadian adults. About 40% of more than 1100 adults surveyed said they had been constipated at some point in the past year and 27% said they had been constipated in the past 3 months. About 13% of those people experienced constipation as a side effect of medication or a medical condition, according to the report in a recent issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Thirty-four percent of the subjects said they had visited a doctor for their symptoms and about one third reported using laxatives, the report indicates. When the researchers used a strict definition of constipation — classified as experiencing at least two of six symptoms — about 15% to 17% of the subjects had constipation. Regardless of the definition used, women were twice as likely as men to be constipated, the authors note. Women, individuals who recently used antidepressants, and older subjects were more likely to seek help from a doctor, according to the report. "Constipation and related healthcare seeking are common in the Canadian population," Dr. P. Pare from Laval University in Quebec City, Quebec, and colleagues, conclude. Am J Gastroenterol 2001;96:3130-3137. Noise that arises from the digestive tract is not just a fact of life, it is a sign of health. Your doctor may listen over the abdomen with a stethoscope, but it is often easy to hear noises even without one. If you have concerns about your digestive tract or the noises it makes, see your doctor for evaluation, especially if you also have abdominal pain. But don’t assume that whenever your stomach growls, it’s time to eat; doing so may do little to reduce the noise but much to increase your weight. for the complete article: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/EMIHC268/9273/35323/405945.html?d=dmtHMSContent Written by: Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. He has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 20 years at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program. Saturday Evening Post article about Lancet study, 4/82 Opioid-induced Constipation Bowel Movement Frequency & Colorectal Ca Asia Pacific J Clin Nutrition, 6/02 Some tips that may help Kelly S Suggests Miso Am J Gastroenterol, 1/97 Constipation: Diet, Fluid Intake & Exercise Barley Excellent Fiber Source Whole-grain Rye & Wheat: Bowel Health Thanks to www.mapi.com Pediatr Med Chir, 3-4/03 Reflexology in Chronic Constipation (Children) Colon Enemas in Slow-Transit Patients Pediatric Constipation Some Advice for Kids with 'Tummy Trouble' Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol, 8/01 Dis Colon Rectum, 12/99 Colorectal Perforation - Self-Administered LINK to Andrew Saul, MD on CONSTIPATION LINK to site with "doctor recommended flatulence deodorizer (for clothing) Various articles, links, info Clinical Value: Colonic Irrigation w/Continence Disturbances Abstract #8279 ASCO, 2004 LINK: Provides information on constipation and its treatments. Contains over forty articles on constipation and colon cleansing LINK to information, advice, lots of other links LINK to "This free gradual colon cleansing recipe helps constipation and avoids the dangers of enemas and laxatives." LINK to information and method ratings LINK to product site with articles of interest, colon cleanse, detox, diarrhea, etc. Thanks to Medscape Gastroenterolgoy, 4/05 References on Constipation article March 30, 2007 Medwatch Safety LINK to site created by a woman who dealt with candida w/colon cleansing & alternative medicine Abstract P-75 MASCC, 2007 Eur J Clin Nutr, 2007; 61(5): 616-22. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.