Irritable bowel syndrome

In medicine (gastroenterology), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or spastic colon is a group of functional bowel disorders which are fairly common and make up 20?50% of visits to gastroenterologists. There are three forms, dependant on which symptom predominates: diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C) and IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A).

Placebo works even without deception

Placebos work — even without deception – For most of us, the “placebo effect” is synonymous with the power of positive thinking; it works because you believe you’re taking a real drug. But a new study rattles this assumption.

New criteria proposed for diagnosing fibromyalgia

New criteria proposed for diagnosing fibromyalgia — New criteria include common symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep and cognitive difficulties – The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is proposing a new set of diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia that includes common symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive problems, as well as pain.

Abuse in childhood may lead to migraine

Abuse in childhood linked to migraine and other pain disorders – Findings suggest abuse is a risk factor for chronic headache – Researchers from the American Headache Society’s Women’s Issues Section Research Consortium found that incidence of childhood maltreatment, especially emotional abuse and neglect, are prevalent in migraine patients.

Fiber, antispasmodics and peppermint oil to treat IBS

Soluble fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil are more effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. – Fibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil are all effective therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and should become first-line treatments, according to a study on bmj.com.

FDA should take steps to challenge bogus immunity claims

The US nonprofit nutrition watchdog urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on that and other deceptive ?structure/function? claims increasingly appearing on food labels. – US Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) urges FDA to crack down on food frauds saying that Kraft, General Mills, Dole, & others ripping off consumers with bogus immunity claims.

Travelers’ diarrhea vaccine skin patch for travelers

A new skin patch may help protect travelers from a common vacation spoiler: traveler’s diarrhea. UT School of Public Health researchers discover significant efficacy of travelers’ diarrhea vaccine. – Researchers at The University of Texas School of Public Health have found that patients given a travelers’ diarrhea vaccine were significantly less likely to suffer from clinically significant diarrhea than those who received placebo, according to a study published in this week’s edition of The Lancet.