Q: I am 70 years old, and have been fit and active all of my life. Now, I have “functional dyspepsia” resulting in early satiety, upper GI bloating, and belching, with unwanted 30-pound weight loss over 4 years. I’m also weak, exhausted, and sensitive to gluten and dairy. I would appreciate any suggestions. I especially need help in gaining weight. Thank you!
A: Dyspepsia is a common term that is used to characterize abdominal pain in the upper abdomen and chest. If you have been told you have functional dyspepsia, this indicates that there is no identifiable cause of your abdominal pain, a difficult and frustrating situation for a patient.
What you are describing may be a condition called SIBO, which stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Normally, the small intestine contains relatively few bacteria, as most intestinal bacteria are confined to the large intestine. Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, and bloating after eating due to the overproduction of methane and hydrogen gas. It also interferes with normal digestion and absorption of food and can cause inflammation to the lining of the small intestine.
Situations that promote the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can be low pancreatic enzymes, low hydrochloride acid, or other conditions.
I would recommend getting tested for SIBO. The diagnostic test is a breath test. At the Kaplan Center, when called for, the breath test is ordered for our patients and results are normally ready in 3 weeks. If you test positive, treatment includes supplements specific to SIBO, dietary modifications, probiotics, and in many cases a specific antibiotic for SIBO.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a profoundly stressful event in a person’s life. According to NIH’s National Cancer Institute, there are over 18 million Americans living with – or have survived – some form of cancer. The emotional blow of the diagnosis, combined with the pain and discomfort of the disease and treatment, can impact one’s ability to work, provide financially for dependents, or engage in social and recreational activities. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment can cause unwanted changes in a patient’s physical appearance and self-esteem, undermine his or her ability to relate to loved ones emotionally or sexually, and lead to an increased sense of isolation and depression. Often, the diagnosis and the reality of living with cancer challenge an individual’s spiritual beliefs, their sense of purpose, and their life priorities.
Given the scope of cancer’s effect upon a person’s life, ideally, the treatment should not be focused only on the physical aspects of healing. It is estimated that as many as 65 percent of cancer patients seek complementary therapies to augment the conventional medical care they are receiving. Medical research has demonstrated that interventions such as psychotherapy, relaxation, prayer, meditation, and massage can reduce stress, improve sleep, encourage a sense of optimism, and boost the body’s immune response.
Here are 4 alternative therapies that, when used in conjunction with conventional medical care, can enhance the quality of patients’ lives by helping them to cope more effectively with the effects of cancer and its treatment:
Psychotherapy can help patients find the inner strength they need to cope more positively with their diagnosis. Talking about their feelings with a qualified and caring professional, and receiving ongoing emotional support can help reduce the sense of isolation, anxiety, and hopelessness that cancer patients commonly experience. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy; some patients meet individually with a counselor, others meet in a group setting to discuss common problems and coping strategies.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a relatively new protocol used by some psychotherapists that can facilitate a remarkably swift and permanent healing of negative and distressing thoughts and feelings. It can also alleviate certain types of physical pain that have become “locked into” the memory of a person’s central nervous system.
Guided Imagery is a process where patients use their minds to visualize and sense soothing experiences, like the sight of a favorite place, or the feeling of warm sun on the skin or cool water on the toes. Guided imagery and hypnosis can help channel the power of a person’s own mind to produce real physiological benefits for the body, including boosting the immune response, reducing blood pressure, increasing the sense of well-being, and even decreasing the pain of cancer and cancer treatment.
Mind-Body Stress Reduction Programs help patients learn stress management and meditation techniques. Medical studies show that mind-body meditation can improve a patient’s mood, coping skills, and quality of life. It also can boost a patient’s immune response and help to alleviate disease-and-treatment-related symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain. Meditation programs have proven to be so successful in improving patient outcomes that they have become a reimbursable medical service under many health insurance plans.
Sleep is absolutely essential to good physical and mental health, and most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep EVERY night. Sleep deprivation — caused by insufficient sleep or poor quality of sleep — impairs the body’s immune system, physical reflexes, emotional stability, and cognitive functions, such as memory, decision-making, the capacity to focus one’s attention, and the ability to complete complex creative activities or mathematical calculations. Severe sleep deprivation may lead to weight gain, an increase in muscle, joint, and nerve pain, depression, and even hallucinations. Sleep disorders can also be symptomatic of more serious illness, such as clinical depression and/or heart disease, meaning that it’s essential to talk with your doctor if you are having problems falling, or staying, asleep.
If you or your doctor think that you might have a sleep disorder, the first step in further evaluation is to answer the 8 questions on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. If your score is equal to or higher than 10, the results should be discussed with your doctor. Depending upon your symptoms, your physician may determine that you are a candidate for a sleep study.
Another step is to begin keeping a sleep diary that documents your daily activities, including your sleep activities (i.e. tossing and turning, waking in the middle of the night, sleepwalking, grinding teeth, etc.). Take careful note of the times you actually get good sleep versus the times you don’t. If you’re attempting to heal from an acute injury or a chronic illness, your treatment program will be greatly enhanced by your commitment to proper sleep hygiene.
Commonly-Diagnosed Sleep Problems
There are a large variety of sleep disorders. Some are caused by physical problems, such as an airway obstruction that leads to sleep apnea, or chronic pain or indigestion/reflux sufficient enough to cause insomnia. Sleep problems can also occur as a side effect of taking certain medications or supplements, or because of emotional difficulties including depression, post-traumatic stress disorders and/or anxiety about life situations. In many cases, there can be several factors contributing to the sleep disturbance, including anxiety about the sleep deprivation itself. Some commonly-diagnosed sleep disorders include:
Insomnia: Inability to fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes.
Dyssomnia: Frequent awakenings throughout the night and/or early-morning awakenings.
Restless leg syndrome: When lying in bed, unpleasant “crawling” sensations in the legs that create an irresistible and sleep-disruptive urge to move one’s legs.
Sleepwalking: Walking during sleep or engaging in other activities, like eating, that are normally associated with wakefulness.
Sleep apnea: Obstruction of airway during sleep, causing breathing irregularities that interrupt and interfere with sleep. Sufferers are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Snoring may be a sign or symptom of sleep apnea, so it’s something you should mention to your doctor. (Click here for more info from the National Institutes of Health about sleep apnea.)
There is a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription medications advertised as sleep aids. All of them – including nutritional supplements, Chinese herbs, non-prescription-medications and prescribed-medications – may have side effects or cause drug interactions; for example, long-term use of Benadryl or Tylenol PM may increase your risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Please talk with your doctor before taking any sleep aids.
Alternative Treatments
Calcium (1,500 to 2,000 mg daily, taken after meals – 500 mg per meal – and 500 mg at bedtime). Calcium is a nutritional supplement that helps relax the body’s muscles.
Magnesium (1,000 mg daily). A nutritional supplement that helps to calm the body’s nervous system and relax the muscles.
Cortisol Manager (One tablet daily). Cortisol Manager reduces cortisol levels for all-day stress reduction and restful sleep. It’s safe to use every night.
Valerian (1,000 mg daily). Valerian is an American herb that has been found effective in helping to induce the onset of sleep.
Phosphatidylserine (PS 100; take one to two at bedtime). Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid nutritional supplement that stops hyperactive production of cortisol in the body, allowing unhealthy, elevated cortisol levels to decrease, and consequently, more restful sleep to occur.
Melatonin (1 to 3 mg daily, but consult with your doctor before using, especially if you’re taking an antidepressant). Melatonin is a hormone that helps induce and maintain sleep. It can be useful in helping people recover from jet lag by reorganizing the sleep cycle (assisting the body in adjusting to time-zone changes).
L-Tryptophan (1,000 to 3,000 mg, 30 to 40 minutes before going to bed). L-Tryptophan is a serotonin-precursor, amino-acid nutritional supplement that can help initiate sleep and can be used to reduce chronic pain and depression.
Chinese herbs. These can be very helpful in treating and resolving sleep problems but need to be prescribed by a physician or licensed acupuncturist trained in Chinese herbal medicine.
Acupuncture. Talk with your doctor about the frequency of treatments that might be helpful for you.
Aerobic exercise. Three to four times a week, completed at least three hours prior to bedtime.
Immediate Steps You Can Take to Help Ensure You Get the Rest You Need
Plan your daily schedule to allow seven to nine hours for sleeping every night.
Keep a consistent sleep pattern, even on weekends.
Eliminate caffeine from your diet or reduce your consumption to one cup of coffee or tea, or one soda per day. Caffeine is a stimulant, and it takes six hours or more for your body to metabolize.
After 3 p.m., drink only non-caffeinated beverages.
Take B-vitamins and ginseng in the morning, not before bedtime.
Get regular physical exercise (three to four times a week).
Avoid drinking alcohol near bedtime (although alcohol may cause drowsiness initially, alcohol inhibits sleep continuation).
Make sure sleeping conditions are comfortable (proper temperature and darkness).
Create a bedtime-relaxation routine, which might include:
• Getting ready for and going to bed at the same time each night.
• Taking a hot shower or bath before bed.
• Enjoying a cup of chamomile tea before sleep.
• Reading a book rather than watching TV once in bed. (Instead of having a relaxing effect, watching television before bed actually stimulates the mind.)
• Journaling – as a way of getting problems “off your mind” and onto paper – so they can be dealt with in an orderly way in the future.
Overall, try to remain consistent with your sleep routine – even on weekends and holidays.
Is SIBO Causing Abdominal Pain And Weight Loss?
/in Conditions, Digestive Issues, Inflammation/by Lisa Lilienfield, MDQ: I am 70 years old, and have been fit and active all of my life. Now, I have “functional dyspepsia” resulting in early satiety, upper GI bloating, and belching, with unwanted 30-pound weight loss over 4 years. I’m also weak, exhausted, and sensitive to gluten and dairy. I would appreciate any suggestions. I especially need help in gaining weight. Thank you!
A: Dyspepsia is a common term that is used to characterize abdominal pain in the upper abdomen and chest. If you have been told you have functional dyspepsia, this indicates that there is no identifiable cause of your abdominal pain, a difficult and frustrating situation for a patient.
What you are describing may be a condition called SIBO, which stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Normally, the small intestine contains relatively few bacteria, as most intestinal bacteria are confined to the large intestine. Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, and bloating after eating due to the overproduction of methane and hydrogen gas. It also interferes with normal digestion and absorption of food and can cause inflammation to the lining of the small intestine.
Situations that promote the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can be low pancreatic enzymes, low hydrochloride acid, or other conditions.
I would recommend getting tested for SIBO. The diagnostic test is a breath test. At the Kaplan Center, when called for, the breath test is ordered for our patients and results are normally ready in 3 weeks. If you test positive, treatment includes supplements specific to SIBO, dietary modifications, probiotics, and in many cases a specific antibiotic for SIBO.
I truly hope this is helpful.
– Dr. Lisa Lilienfield
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
Coping With the Emotional Impact of Cancer
/in Mental Health, Wellness/by Jodi Brayton, LCSWReceiving a cancer diagnosis can be a profoundly stressful event in a person’s life. According to NIH’s National Cancer Institute, there are over 18 million Americans living with – or have survived – some form of cancer. The emotional blow of the diagnosis, combined with the pain and discomfort of the disease and treatment, can impact one’s ability to work, provide financially for dependents, or engage in social and recreational activities. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment can cause unwanted changes in a patient’s physical appearance and self-esteem, undermine his or her ability to relate to loved ones emotionally or sexually, and lead to an increased sense of isolation and depression. Often, the diagnosis and the reality of living with cancer challenge an individual’s spiritual beliefs, their sense of purpose, and their life priorities.
Given the scope of cancer’s effect upon a person’s life, ideally, the treatment should not be focused only on the physical aspects of healing. It is estimated that as many as 65 percent of cancer patients seek complementary therapies to augment the conventional medical care they are receiving. Medical research has demonstrated that interventions such as psychotherapy, relaxation, prayer, meditation, and massage can reduce stress, improve sleep, encourage a sense of optimism, and boost the body’s immune response.
Here are 4 alternative therapies that, when used in conjunction with conventional medical care, can enhance the quality of patients’ lives by helping them to cope more effectively with the effects of cancer and its treatment:
Questions? Give Us a Call!
703-532-4892 x2
Psychotherapy can help patients find the inner strength they need to cope more positively with their diagnosis. Talking about their feelings with a qualified and caring professional, and receiving ongoing emotional support can help reduce the sense of isolation, anxiety, and hopelessness that cancer patients commonly experience. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy; some patients meet individually with a counselor, others meet in a group setting to discuss common problems and coping strategies.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a relatively new protocol used by some psychotherapists that can facilitate a remarkably swift and permanent healing of negative and distressing thoughts and feelings. It can also alleviate certain types of physical pain that have become “locked into” the memory of a person’s central nervous system.
Guided Imagery is a process where patients use their minds to visualize and sense soothing experiences, like the sight of a favorite place, or the feeling of warm sun on the skin or cool water on the toes. Guided imagery and hypnosis can help channel the power of a person’s own mind to produce real physiological benefits for the body, including boosting the immune response, reducing blood pressure, increasing the sense of well-being, and even decreasing the pain of cancer and cancer treatment.
Mind-Body Stress Reduction Programs help patients learn stress management and meditation techniques. Medical studies show that mind-body meditation can improve a patient’s mood, coping skills, and quality of life. It also can boost a patient’s immune response and help to alleviate disease-and-treatment-related symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain. Meditation programs have proven to be so successful in improving patient outcomes that they have become a reimbursable medical service under many health insurance plans.
Additional Resources:
Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Guided Meditation
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2
How Sleep Disorders Affect Us and How To Lay Them to Rest
/in Conditions/by Gary Kaplan, DOSleep is absolutely essential to good physical and mental health, and most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep EVERY night. Sleep deprivation — caused by insufficient sleep or poor quality of sleep — impairs the body’s immune system, physical reflexes, emotional stability, and cognitive functions, such as memory, decision-making, the capacity to focus one’s attention, and the ability to complete complex creative activities or mathematical calculations. Severe sleep deprivation may lead to weight gain, an increase in muscle, joint, and nerve pain, depression, and even hallucinations. Sleep disorders can also be symptomatic of more serious illness, such as clinical depression and/or heart disease, meaning that it’s essential to talk with your doctor if you are having problems falling, or staying, asleep.
If you or your doctor think that you might have a sleep disorder, the first step in further evaluation is to answer the 8 questions on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. If your score is equal to or higher than 10, the results should be discussed with your doctor. Depending upon your symptoms, your physician may determine that you are a candidate for a sleep study.
Another step is to begin keeping a sleep diary that documents your daily activities, including your sleep activities (i.e. tossing and turning, waking in the middle of the night, sleepwalking, grinding teeth, etc.). Take careful note of the times you actually get good sleep versus the times you don’t. If you’re attempting to heal from an acute injury or a chronic illness, your treatment program will be greatly enhanced by your commitment to proper sleep hygiene.
Commonly-Diagnosed Sleep Problems
There are a large variety of sleep disorders. Some are caused by physical problems, such as an airway obstruction that leads to sleep apnea, or chronic pain or indigestion/reflux sufficient enough to cause insomnia. Sleep problems can also occur as a side effect of taking certain medications or supplements, or because of emotional difficulties including depression, post-traumatic stress disorders and/or anxiety about life situations. In many cases, there can be several factors contributing to the sleep disturbance, including anxiety about the sleep deprivation itself. Some commonly-diagnosed sleep disorders include:
Questions? Give Us a Call!
703-532-4892 x2
Treatment of Sleep Disorders
There is a wide range of over-the-counter and prescription medications advertised as sleep aids. All of them – including nutritional supplements, Chinese herbs, non-prescription-medications and prescribed-medications – may have side effects or cause drug interactions; for example, long-term use of Benadryl or Tylenol PM may increase your risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Please talk with your doctor before taking any sleep aids.
Alternative Treatments
Immediate Steps You Can Take to Help Ensure You Get the Rest You Need
• Getting ready for and going to bed at the same time each night.
• Taking a hot shower or bath before bed.
• Enjoying a cup of chamomile tea before sleep.
• Reading a book rather than watching TV once in bed. (Instead of having a relaxing effect, watching television before bed actually stimulates the mind.)
• Journaling – as a way of getting problems “off your mind” and onto paper – so they can be dealt with in an orderly way in the future.
Overall, try to remain consistent with your sleep routine – even on weekends and holidays.
Good night!
This article was first seen on US News & World Report.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892 x2