HYPER EXTENDED KNEE




Is this caused by spasticity?

I am suffering from a hyperextended knee. The left leg is so tight and spastic that the hyperextension is so prominent. It has been like this for several years.

Will there be a way to correct it? My left knee is already aching. I use to ambultate with forearm cruthces but have to go back to the walker just to avoid any risk.


(T9 - T11)


1. You might want to look in to getting a knee brace which would inhibit the knee from hyperextension.

This may be even more important since you are a walking para.

Hopefully more people will chime in with other thoughts and ideas.

Mike

2. SCI-Nurse
08-09-2007, 04:19 AM
Unfortunately this is a common problem if you learned to walk by locking your knees passively and were not properly braced. It can cause damage to the knee joint over time, and can be quite painful if you have sensation.

Bracing and PT to learn a safer gait technique can be used to manage this somewhat. NSAIDs are the most common medication used for this type of pain, although TENS can sometimes be helpful as well.

3. skippy13
05-13-2008, 07:37 PM
Hyperextension can cause meniscus damage. Meniscus damage is very painful. It can cause locking of the knee. A lot of damage can be done to the joint if you have blunted sensation. You should try to have it evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon before doing too much with it. Bracing or wrapping with elastic bandage is a good idea until you can get the all clear from a doctor. Im not sure if botox would work on such large muscles. It would take an awful lot of shots.

I sometimes have the same problem with my left knee since that leg is slightly longer than the right. I agree it is very painful. You have to be very careful. I recently hurt my right knee and am now aggravating the left knee by trying to rely on it more. Back to the walker for me.
daveh0

4. daveh0
Can't emphasize enough what everyone has already stated about protecting that joint. The longer you continue to put weight through it while it's hyperextended, the more damage you'll do (possibly severely interfering with your walking progress) and the more pain you'll have to endure.

If not for the spasticity in that leg, are your quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves strong enough to support your weight without locking your knee? If not, a rigid AFO that puts you into dorsi-flexision might be what you need. It will make it impossible for the knee to hyperextend and give that leg the support and stability you need to walk.

If the hyperextension is being caused just by the spasticity and not as a way to compensate for weaker muscles surrounding the joint, a knee brace or wrap may be more appropriate.

Bottom line - work with a good PT and ortho to make sure that knee is getting the support it needs to prevent any further damage and allow you to get back on the crutches.

The PWD is also entitled to at least twenty percent discount
on admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls,
circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture,
leisure and amusement for the exclusive use of enjoyment of persons with disability.

At least twenty percent discount is given to the PWDs for the purchase
of medicines in all drugstores for the exclusive use of the person with disability.

The law also mandates the provision of express lanes for persons with disability
in all commercial and government establishments; in the absence thereof,
priority shall be given to them.

The abovementioned privileges are available only to persons with disability
who are Filipino citizens upon submission of any of the following as proof
of his/her entitlement thereto,
an identification card issued by the city
or municipal mayor
or the barangay captain of the place where the persons with disability
resides;
the passport of the persons with disability concerned;
or transportation discount fare Identification Card (ID) issued by the
National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP).

The PWDs may get registration forms available at the Department of Social Welfare
and Development Offices, the Department of Health Online Registrations or
at the office of the mayor or the barangay captain in their respective areas.

The discount granted may then be claimed by the pertinent establishment
as an allowable deduction from its gross income for income tax purposes
in the same taxable year that such discount is granted. The tax deduction shall
be based on the net cost of the goods sold or services rendered.

Grants of privileges and incentives are inherently a good thing.
They are made even better when taken in conjunction with efforts to integrate
the differently-able brethren into mainstream society by helping them to be self-reliant,
to the extent possible.
Who can argue with the old proverb that wisely asserts "Give a man a fish
and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime." (PIA 8) [top]

- - -


List of cities and provinces issuing IDs for persons with disabilities

February 13, 2009 in Anything Filipino, Deaf Experiences, Discrimination Issues, Laws on Disability
Tags: Luz Cabauatan, Magna Carta for the Disabled Persons, Makati City, Manila, National Capital Region, National Council on Disability Affairs, persons with disabilities, Quezon City, RA 9442

Republic Act 9442
Republic Act 9442 or the amendment of Magna Carta for the Disabled Persons and for Other Purposes (RA 7277) states that a Person with Disability shall be entitled to the following:

* Twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments like hotels, restaurants, etc.;
* 20% discount on admission fees charged by theaters, concert halls, amusements, etc.;
* 20% discount for purchase of medicines in all drugstores;
* 20% discount on medical and dental services;
* 20% discount on fare for domestic air and sea travel;
* 20% discount in public railways, bus, etc.;
* educational assistance through scholarships, books, etc.;
* discounts in special purchases;
* provision of express lanes in all commercial and govt. establishments; and
* additional tax incentives.

However, persons with disabilities cannot avail of these privileges if they don’t present their
special identification cards. According to the law and the Implementing Rules and Regulations,
only the municipal, city and provincial government units are allowed to issue these IDs.

In my pre-employment preparation subject, I assist my deaf students in getting vital documents that they
would be needed before they apply for jobs. Since most of them live in the National Capital Region,
we were also able to visit some government offices of the surrounding cities. To my surprise, out of the seventeen
highly urbanized cities, only six of them issue these IDs!

Special “thank you” goes to Quezon City government most especially to one of their well-loved officials,
Ma’am Luz Cabauatan for assisting us. She said that our students simply show our school’s ID.
That’s already a proof that they are a PWD. No need to submit any other requirements.
Congratulations too to the mayors of cities of Manila, Malabon and Makati.
Their processing procedure is very efficient and fast. Aside from that, Makati City also provides
free all-day entrance to any movie theaters for their PWD constituents.

I received a copy of the list from National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) office.
To my PWD brothers and sisters, here is a list that will guide you in getting your IDs.
Some LGUs require you to present your Barangay Certificate,
ID photos and medical certificate indicating your disability.
They will then give you a form which you can fill up and submit together with the other requirements
I mentioned. As of October 2008, here are the cities and provinces that has issued special IDs:

1. National Capital Region - Manila, Muntinlupa City, Malabon City, Makati City, Pasay City, Quezon City, Valenzuela City
2. Region I - Dagupan City, Candon, Agoo, Aringan, Aringay, San Fernando City
3. Region II - Enrile, Santiago, Kasibu
4. Region III - Gerona, Olongapo City, Bulacan, Tarlac, San Fernando, Palayan City
5. Region IV - Binan, Dasmarinas, Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay City, Cavite, Cuenca, Calapan
6. Region V - None
7. Region VI - Iloilo
8. Region VII - Cebu, Garcia, Talisay City
9. Region VIII - None
10. Region IX - None
11. Region IX - Malaybalay, Gingoog
12. Cordillera Autonomous Region - Baguio City, Ilogan, Atok
13. CARAGA - Bislig, Surigao, Butuan, Tandag City
14. Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao - None

Ito lamang po ang listahan ng mga mabubuting bayan at lungsod na nangangalaga sa kanilang mga nasasakupan
na may kapansanan. Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal sa mga may kapansanan.
(Here is the list of good cities and municipalities that care for their constituents who are disabled.)
If your local government has begun issuing IDs and are not included in the list,
kindly post a comment here so I can add it.

Dun naman po sa mga mayor ng lungsod na wala pa dito sa listahan, mahiya naman kayo!
(For those mayors of cities and municipalities that are not on the list, shame on you!)
This law has already been passed by the Philippine government since April 2007.
Pebrero 2009 na po! Kailan pa kayo susunod sa batas at mangangalaga sa mga taong higit na nangangailangan?
(It’s already February 2009. When will you follow the law and take care of people who need it the most?)

Identification of a Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain Associated with
Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infection

To differentiate between relapse of infection and reinfection of the urinary tract due to Klebsiella pneumoniae, 33 K. pneumoniae isolates collected from 20 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) over 2 years were typed by genomic fingerprinting by repetitive-element PCR. Clinical isolates obtained from the same patients with
recurrent episodes of urinary tract infection (UTI) revealed identical genomic fingerprints indicating relapse of UTI due to K. pneumoniae, despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Seventeen isolates obtained from 8 of the 20 SCI patients shared a common genotype, termed RD6. Among non-SCI patients residing in other nursing
units, the RD6 genotype was found in 5 of 10 patients with K. pneumoniae UTI but in only 1 of 20 patients with K. pneumoniae infection that did not involve the urinary tract, suggesting a strong association of this genotype with UTI. All RD6 isolates exhibited strong adherence (>50 adherent bacteria per cell) to HEp-2 cells, whereas
other K. pneumoniae isolates generally did not adhere to or adhered very weakly to HEp-2 cells (<5 adherent bacteria per cell). Adherence was inhibited either by 4% D-mannose or by anti-type 1 fimbrial rabbit serum. These results suggest that the capacity of K. pneumoniae RD6 isolates to cause UTI may be mediated by its
striking adherence to mammalian cells

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enterobacteriaceae, has become one of the most common causes of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI)(2, 5, 13). Although the incidence of UTI has been reduced by the use of intermittent bladder catheterization, recurrence of UTI continues to be a troublesome problem in many patients.

Recurrence of bacteriuria may indicate either relapse of infection caused by the same bacterial strain which can persist at sites adjacent to the bladder, despite seemingly appropriate antibiotic therapy for UTI, or reinfection with a different bacterial strain (18). The differentiation between relapse of infection and reinfection has significant management implications. Patients with a documented relapse of UTI may need to be investigated for anatomic abnormalities such as renal stone, urethral stricture, and abscess or functional alterations such as
vesicoureteral reflux that may potentially impede complete eradication of the bacteria.

Adherence of K. pneumoniae to mammalian epithelial cells, regarded as a prerequisite for colonization or infection of mammalian tissues (12), is mediated by the adhesins FimH and MrkD that are associated with type 1 and type 3 fimbriae, respectively (4, 8, 16), and by other R-plasmid-encoded adhesins (3). The genes for type 1 fimbriae are conserved among most species of the family Enterobacteriaceae (1), while the
genes for type 3 fimbriae are not (14). Type 1 fimbriae facilitate mannose-sensitive adherence of K. pneumoniae to rat bladder cells (7) and ciliated hamster tracheal cells (6), whereas type 3 fimbriae facilitate adherence to trypsinized human buccal and tracheal cells in a mannose-resistant manner (9). Host receptors for the FimH adhesin of type 1 fimbriae and for the MrkD adhesin of type 3 fimbriae are believed to involve a D-mannosecontaining glycoprotein (10) on epithelial surfaces and type V
collagen of basal membrane (17), respectively. The objectives of this study were to (i) differentiate between a relapse of K. pneumoniae UTI caused by the same bacterial
strain and reinfection with a different bacterial strain by PCRbased DNA fingerprinting of clinical isolates and (ii) study the relationship between the development of UTI and the in vitro adherence of K. pneumoniae to human HEp-2 cells derived from a human laryngeal carcinoma.

My URL already has a picture of me customized.

People with disabilities are given opportune moments to discover talents in the computer. The chance to learn some new tricks will be useful for work or for just personal growth.

Learn tricks in the net given the time you can spare.

Here is the Public And Private List Of Hospitals In Quezon City

AFP Medical Center
V. Luna Rd., Quezon City 1100
Col. Paterno L. Palangda, Commanding Officer
Col. Eliseo A. Arreola, MAC (GSC), Administrator
Tel: 921-1753/426-2701/Fax: 921-1741

Ann-Francis Maternity Hospital
606 Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Rommel Felix, Medical Director
Dr. Victorio C. Felix, Administrator
Tel: 938-9424/936-3256

Bernardino General Hospital Corporation I
680 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome,
Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Emmanuel dela Cruz, Medical Director
Dr. Yolanda Bernardino-Lim, Administrator
Tel: 418-6711/418-6684/Fax: 939-8050

Bonifacio Medical, Dental, & Optical Clinic
225 Roosevelt Ave., Quezon City
Dr. Consorcia C. Bonifacio, Medical Director

Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo Station Hospital
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City
Col. Renato P. Ty, Commanding Officer

Capitol Medical Center
Sct. Magbanua cor. Panay Ave., Quezon City
Dr. Thelma N. Clemente, President
Dr. Edgardo N. Clemente, Medical Director
Tel: 938-7789/938-8882/Fax: 939-7229

Casaul General Hospital, Inc.
L5 Blk.11, Sacred Heart Vill., Lagro, Quezon City
Dr. Romeo B. Casaul, Medical Director
Dr. Ruby L. Casaul, Administrator
Tel: 930-1190

Cruz-Dalida Maternity Hospital
1025 F. Salvador, Jordan Plain, Novaliches,Quezon City
Dr. Rosario Cruz-Dalida, Medical Director /Administrator
Tel: 417-4080/Fax: 936-6135

Delos Santos Medical Center
201 E. Rodriguez Blvd., Quezon City
Dr. Efren V. delos Santos, Medical Director
Mr. Jose R. delos Santos, Administrator
Tel:722-0773/724-4540/Fax: 722-0773
Email: joesan@info.com.ph

Dr. Fe Del Mundo Center Foundations Phils., Inc.
11 Banawe St., Quezon City
Dr. Alendry P. Caviles, Jr., Medical Director
Mr. Edgardo M. Cailo, Administrator
Tel: 712-0845 to 49/Fax: 712-5796
Email: mmedcon2003@yahoo.com

Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital
7 Kamuning Rd., Quezon City
Ms. Ma. Violeta D. Cojuangco, President/ Administrator
Dr. Rainerio S. Abad, Medical Director
Tel: 924-4051 to 61/Fax: 928-5945
Email: jdmh@skyinet.net

Dr. Montano Ramos Hospital
46 Bukidnon St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Dr. Montano G. Ramos, Medical Director
Dr. Caridad R. Ramos, Administrator
Tel: 927-6628/453-1377/Fax: 453-2453
Mobile: (0919) 288-7389

East Avenue Medical Center
East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Dr. Gilberto del Castillo, Chief of Hospital
Tel: 927-9900/928-0611

Fairview General Hospital
Lot 20 Fairview Ave., cor. Mercury St.,
Brgy. Fairview, Capitol District,Quezon City
Dr. Hermogenes D. Jarin, Medical Director
Tel: 939-9689/Fax: 938-4796

Fairview Polymedic Hospital
1041 Quirino Highway, Sta. Monica,
Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Hermogenes D. Jarin, Medical Director
Tel: 939-8764

FEU-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
Regalado Ave., West Fairview, Quezon City 1108
Dr. Reynaldo B. De Vega, Administrator
Tel: 427-0213/938-4881/Fax: 938-4881

Gen. Miguel M. Malvar Medical Foundation
531 Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City
Dr. Potenciano R. Malvar, Medical Director
Tel: 932-7267/932-8867/932-8517

J.P. Sioson General Hospital and Colleges, Inc.
75 Bukidnon St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Dr. Juanito P. Sioson, Medical Director
Dr. Joseph Z. Sioson, Administrator
Tel: 927-1339/927-5643/Fax: 455-4281

Lung Center of the Philippines
Quezon Ave. Ext., Quezon City
Dr. Juanito A. Rubio, Officer-in-Charge
Tel: 927-5643/927-1339/Fax: 455-4281

Mt. Banawe General Hospital
264 E. Rodriguez Blvd., Quezon City
Dr. Marieta R. Siongco, Chief of Hospital
Mr. Reynaldo C. Salazar, Administrator
Tel: 724-0656 to 59/Fax: 721-9139
Email: nch264@yahoo.com

National Kidney & Transplant Institute
East Avenue, Quezon City
Dr. Enrique T. Ona, Chief of Hospital
Ms. Blesilda A. Gutierrez
Tel: 924-0701/Fax: 922-5608/Mobile: (0918) 909-2405
Email:ikeona39@yahoo.com

Neopolitan General Hospital
Lagro, Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Orlando Cabahug, Medical Director
Dr. Mariano T. delos Santos, Administrator
Tel: 936-4575 to 76

New Era General Hospital
Don Mariano Marcos, New Era, Quezon City
Dr. Jesse C. Baylon, Medical Director
Tel: 924-4311 to 27/932-7387/ Fax: 981-1187

Novaliches District Hospital
Quirino Highway, San Bartolome,
Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Eduardo F. Aldana, Chief of Hospital
Dr. Luzviminda S. Kwong, Acting Asst. Director
Tel: 418-5987/418-5970

Novaliches General Hospital
793 Quirino Highway, Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Francisco Tan, Jr., Medical Director
Dr. Francisco Y. Tan, Sr., Administrator
Tel: 936-1817/938-7840/Fax:418-5074
Email: novagenhosp@tri_isys.com

OCW General Hospital
39 Tandang Sora Ave., Brgy. Culiat, Quezon City
Dr. Roger A. Ramones, Medical Director
Tel: 931-3529/Fax: 931-3060

Pascual General Hospital
130 Baesa, Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Concordia M. Pascual, Medical Director
Dr. Ma. Lilybeth P. Naguit, Administrator
Telefax: 362-5862

Philippine Children’s Medical Center
Quezon Ave., Quezon City
Dr. Lilian V. Lee, Chief of Hospital
Tel: 924-6601 to 25/Fax: 924-0840
Email: drlee@hiss.pcmc.org.ph

Philippine Heart Center
East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1110
Dr. Ludgerio D. Torres, Chief of Hospital
Mrs. Zhyma Sanchez, Administrator
Tel: 925-2401 to 50/922-0551/Telefax: 922-0551
Email: director@phc.gov.ph

Philippine Orthopedic Center
M. Clara St. cor. Banawe St., Quezon City
Dr. Jesus D. Duenas, Chief of Hospital
Tel: 712-4602/711-4276 to 80/Fax: 712-4601

PNP General Hospital
EDSA, Camp Crame, Quezon City
Col. Adolfo S. Avenido, Commanding Officer
Tel: 722-6850/ 722-0670

PNP General Hospital Annex
Camp Panopio, P. Tuazon, Quezon City
Supt. Renato J. dela Cruz, Deputy & Executive Officer
Tel: 723-6730

Q.C. St. Agnes General Hospital
241 Roosevelt Avenue, Quezon City
Dr. Marianito Abagon, Medical Director
Tel: 374-2769/374-2772 to 73

Quezon City General Hospital
Seminary Rd., Quezon City
Dr. Edgardo V. Salud, Chief of Hospital
Tel: 455-4801/Fax: 453-0928

Quezon Institute
E. Rodriguez Sr. Blvd., Quezon City 1102
Dr. Felix R. Barrera, Jr., Chief of Hospital
Dr. Carmencita N. Reodica, Administrator
Tel: 781-3761 to 65/781-3755/Fax: 781-3755
Email: ptsi@vasia.com

Quirino Memorial Medical Center
Project 4, Katipunan, Quezon City
Dr. Rosalinda F. Arandia, Chief of Hospital
Ms. Beulilah C. Octavio, Administrator
Tel: 913-4758/437-3660/Fax: 913-4558

San Lorenzo General Hospital
Quirino Highway, Pasong Putik,
Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Eduardo S. Noveloso, Medical Director
Ms. Marcia T. Noveloso, Administrator
Tel: 939-7054/930-2195/Fax: 930-2195
Mobile: (0917) 794-0096

St. Louis Medical Clinic & Hospital
Marianito St., San Bartolome,
Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Matilde Legaspi, Administrator
Tel: 936-1243/936-0302

St. Luke’s Medical Center
279 E. Rodriguez Sr., Blvd., Quezon City
Mr. Jose Ledesma, President & CEO
Dr. Arsenio C. Cantos, Medical Director
Tel: 723-0101/Fax; 724-4227
Email: info@stluke.com.ph

Sta. Lucia General Hospital Corporation
797 Quirino Highway, Sta. Monica,
Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Feliciano P. Legaspi, Medical Director
Dr. Matilde A. Legaspi, Administrator
Tel: 418-5593/418-6733/Fax: 938-4587

Sta. Teresita General Hospital
100 D. Tuazon St., Quezon City
Dr. Raymond Ramirez, Medical Director
Mr. Robert Ramirez, Administrator
Tel: 731-9803/731-7511/743-8770

The University Health Service
J.P.Laurel Ave. cor. Apacible &
Agoncillo St., U.P. Campus, Diliman, Quezon City
Dr. Macria E. Macalinao, Chief of Hospital
Ms. Zenaida DC. Anzures, Administrator
Telefax: 928-3608

U.E.R.M Memorial Medical Center
Aurora Blvd., Sta. Mesa, Quezon City
Dr. Edgrado Corres, Medical Director
Dr. Vicente V. Tanseco, Jr., Administrator
Telefax: 716-1853

United Doctors Medical Center
290 Espana cor. 6th N. Ramirez St., Quezon City
Dr. Delfin Tan, Medical Director
Tel: 712-3640 to 49

Valdez-Padron Hospital
12 Marianito St., Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City
Dr. Cherry V. Padron, Medical Director
Dr. Pedro R. Padron, Administrator
Tel: 419-9339

Veterans Memorial Medical Center
North Ave., Diliman, Quezon City
Dr. Antonio B. Sison, Chief of Hospital
Ms. Dolores M. Geronimo, Administrator
Tel: 927-6426 to 39/Fax: 926-2437
Website: www.vmmc.gov.ph

Villarosa Hospital
11 Salalilla, Project 4, Quezon City 1109
Dr. Romualdo R. Villarosa, Medical Director
Ms. Josephine V. Caluag, Administrator
Tel: 913-9705/421-1281/Fax: 913-9712

World Citi Medical Center
960 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City
Dr. Reynaldo L. Nambayan, Medical Director
Ms. Arlyn Grace V. Guico, Administrator
Tel: 913-8380/Fax: 913-8383

Creating an Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan


If you have ulcerative colitis, you probably know which foods trigger your symptoms. The good news is there are ways of eating with ulcerative colitis that allow you to avoid the foods that aggravate your bowel condition. In addition, some new research indicates that specific nutrients in some foods may help decrease GI inflammation. That can make it easier to self-manage your illness.
What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects the large intestine (the colon) and the rectum. This disease causes inflammation of the colon's inner lining and the rectal wall, which becomes red, swollen, and ulcerated.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include cramping, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Some people with ulcerative colitis suffer with poor appetite, fatigue, and anemia. Other people also have joint pain, redness, swelling, and liver problems.

Research suggests that ulcerative colitis may be an autoimmune disease. That means the body may be attacking its own healthy organs and tissues. Contrary to popular belief, neither stress nor specific foods actually cause ulcerative colitis. Yet, as you may have already found out, both stress and certain foods can aggravate GI symptoms.
How can an ulcerative colitis diet plan help?

It's important to self- manage ulcerative colitis with healthy lifestyle habits and a nutrient-rich diet. Paying attention to your nutrition is especially important with GI diseases because the symptoms of diarrhea and bleeding can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and loss of essential nutrients. That can lead to a host of problems such as fatigue, weakness, and anemia.
What foods are included in an ulcerative colitis diet plan?

Eating with ulcerative colitis should be based on a well-balanced diet that's high in protein, complex carbohydrates, whole grains, and good fats. Such a diet will provide you with energy and keep you well. Your diet may include meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products (if you don't have lactose intolerance); breads and cereals; fruits and vegetables; and margarine and oils.

If you are a vegetarian with ulcerative colitis, dairy products and plant proteins -- such as soy products -- can provide the nutritional elements found in meat, fish, and poultry.
What foods should I avoid in an ulcerative colitis diet plan?

According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of American, diet is not a major factor in the inflammatory process. Some specific foods, however, may affect symptoms of ulcerative colitis and play some role in inflammation.

If you find that certain foods trigger your bowel symptoms, then you may want to avoid these foods to reduce your symptoms and self-manage your illness. For example, some people with ulcerative colitis find that coffee or caffeine exacerbates diarrhea and cramping. Other people complain that raw vegetables or high-fiber foods cause their GI symptoms.

Some people periodically follow a low-residue diet or low-fiber diet, getting about 10-15 grams of fiber a day. That helps reduce the frequency of bowel movements and prolongs intestinal transit time.

Learning to avoid food triggers may give you better control of your disease and allow you greater freedom to enjoy an active life. Despite the fact there is no scientific proof, many people with ulcerative colitis have found that one or more of the following foods can trigger their GI symptoms:

* alcohol
* caffeine
* carbonated beverages
* dairy products, if lactose intolerant
* dried beans, peas, and legumes
* dried fruits, berries, fruits with pulp or seeds
* foods containing sulfur or sulfate
* foods high in fiber, including whole-grain products
* hot sauce, pepper
* meats
* nuts, crunchy nut butters
* popcorn
* products containing sorbitol (sugar-free gum and candies)
* raw vegetables
* refined sugar
* seeds
* spicy foods, sauces

How can I remember the foods that trigger my ulcerative colitis symptoms?

Consider using a food diary that you keep every day. Use a small spiral notebook, and write down all "suspect" foods and beverages that seem to aggravate your ulcerative colitis symptoms. For instance, if you eat a spicy meal and have symptoms afterward, write down "spicy foods" in your food diary, or write down the specific foods that you ate such as "black beans" or "corn" or "spicy salsa." If morning coffee causes abdominal cramping and diarrhea, then list "coffee" in your diary. If alcohol bothers your GI tract, write down "alcoholic beverages."

Being aware of these offending foods and beverages and eliminating them from your diet may help to reduce your GI symptoms. With more control over ulcerative colitis symptoms, you may have more energy. You may also feel more like socializing with friends, exercising, and living a more active life once the fear of cramping or sudden diarrhea is gone.
What else is important with an ulcerative colitis diet?

It's common to lose weight with ulcerative colitis. Many people with ulcerative colitis have nutrient deficiencies when they're first diagnosed. Others develop signs of malnutrition, particularly when they've had severe bouts of diarrhea for weeks to months and lose essential nutrients. In addition, with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, your GI tract cannot always absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat. That leaves you anemic and feeling weak.

People with ulcerative colitis may also have low levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid. This can lead to other health problems. That's why it's important to watch your overall health and see your GI doctor frequently to make sure you stay well. Your doctor will assess your overall health and GI symptoms. Sometimes your doctor may run some lab tests and make diet and lifestyle recommendations, if necessary, as well as check your medications.

Along with eating the right foods for ulcerative colitis, be sure to include adequate nutritional supplements if you're unable to eat a balanced diet. For example, if you must avoid dairy products because of lactose intolerance, then talk to your doctor about getting adequate calcium through other foods such as vegetables, sardines with bones, or soy foods. Or get your calcium through supplementation with over-the-counter calcium tablets. In addition, ask your doctor to recommend a daily multivitamin and folic acid supplement.
What does the latest research show about the link between nutrients and inflammation?

In some trials, researchers studied the benefit of restricting linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid found in foods such as safflower oil, walnuts, olive oil, egg yolks, wheat germ oil, lard, coconut oil, and sesame seed oil. Although everyone needs linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fat, there is some evidence it may play a role in inflammation if too much is ingested.

Other trials have found supplementation with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) helpful to inhibit leukotriene activity. Leukotrienes are chemicals that contribute to inflammation. EPA is an omega-3 fatty acid that's found especially in fish oil. In clinical trials, patients benefited from very high doses of fish oil supplements by taking fish oil capsules. Many, however, found the fish taste offensive.

Some scientific trials reported anti-inflammatory benefits when patients with ulcerative colitis ate probiotic yogurts. Probiotic yogurts are available in most supermarket dairy sections.

Beware: Drugs Can Cause Erections to Drop
by Unknown

Reprinted from Vol. XVII, No. 9 ©1999 DKT International, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. All Rights Reserved. February, 1999

Americans think nothing of going to the drugstore to buy an over-the-counter medication for ailments ranging from colds to back pain. For more serious conditions, their doctors will write a prescription for a pill to ease their symptoms. Since all of these medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the patient feels secure that the medication not only will be effective but also will not cause harm. Most of the time, that's true.

But some drugs have negative side effects - and as many as 400 are known to cause at least occasional problems with sexual desire and function. With approximately 1.5 billion prescriptions written in the United States each year, many millions could find themselves getting better while their sexual fun takes an unwanted holiday. Forewarned is forearmed, so here's some information that may help. First, let's consider Shelton, a 55-year-old man who received a prescription for Tenormin to lower his blood pressure.

"I was on the drug about two weeks when I started having trouble getting an erection," Shelton said. "I didn't know if it was because of my heart condition or what, so I mentioned it to my doctor."

Shelton's doctor explained that Tenormin is a member of a class of drugs known as beta-blockers. These drugs alter the flow of blood through arteries. While this is desirable for someone with a cardiac condition, the drug also inhibits the flow of blood to the penis, thus making it more difficult to gain an erection. Shelton's doctor switched the medication to Capoten, an ACE inhibitor.

While this helped with his erections, it wasn't as successful in lowering his blood pressure. So his cardiologist then prescribed Cardizem, a calcium channel-blocker. That successfully lowered Shelton's blood pressure while not impeding his sexual function.

"I'm glad I mentioned it to my doctor," Shelton said of his problems getting erections. "I was afraid this was something I was just going to have to live with."

Talk To Your Doctor

Physicians and sex therapists agree that communication between patient and doctor is critical because each person reacts differently to a medication. In some cases, the sexual side effects of a drug are discovered during clinical trials and are included on the package insert. With some newer drugs, though, sexual side effects may not reveal themselves until after the drug has been on the market a while. In these cases, it may take some time before this information makes it onto the printed warnings.

Sometimes, the problem isn't with a single medication but rather may be a reaction to two or more medications taken in combination. Here, again, communications with the doctor becomes vital. When it comes to the sexual side effects of medication, "some detective work is needed to determine what is going on," said Bernie Zilbergeld, PhD, author of The New Male Sexuality. "Such work should always be done in conjunction with a physician." Sometimes, evidence may point to a drug side effect when that's not necessarily the case. Zilbergeld writes, "Even if you have an erection problem and are taking a medication known to produce this result in some people, this does not (always) mean the drug is the cause of your erection problem." For example, a man may be anxious about having sex because of the effect he fears such activity might have on an already-troubled heart. In these cases, sex therapy with a qualified professional may be needed to overcome the anxieties. In many cases, though, relief can be achieved by adjusting doses and/or changing medications. Zilbergeld warns: "Under no circumstances should you fiddle with dosages or stop taking them without the consultation of a physician who is knowledgeable about drugs and your medical and sexual situation."

Drugs That Cause Problems

* Blood pressure medications - along with their pharmacological cousins diuretics, such as Hygroton, which are prescribed to increase urine flow - are the most common class of drugs to have negative sexual side effects. Other prescription medications known to inhibit sexual function include:

* Antidepressants, especially those known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including such brand names as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. These work by enhancing the action of seratonin, a brain chemical responsible for regulating mood. While helpful in reducing negative feelings, they also can limit the brain's ability to register pleasure. (Because of these side effects, these drugs are sometimes prescribed to help men prone to premature ejaculation. If used for a long period, however, they can also cause impotence in these men.) Alternative antidepressants that are less likely to impede sexual function include Wellbutrin, Serzone and Remeron.

* Anti-ulcer drugs, such as Tagamet, interfere with testosterone and cause libido and erection difficulties for approximately 2 percent of all men taking the drug. Pepcid and Zantac have similar anti-ulcer and heartburn benefits without the sexual side effects of Tagamet.

* Prostate shrinkers, such as Proscar, not only relax prostate tissue but actually shrink an enlarged gland. But the drugs also lower the level of testosterone, causing erection difficulties in a reported 4 percent of men taking them. Alternative medications include Hytrin, Cardura, and Flomax.

* Much has been written lately about the benefits of Viagra for erectile dysfunction. While it may be useful in treating some cases of drug-induced impotence, it should never be used in conjunction with nitrates. The FDA has received dozens of reports of men who have gotten seriously ill and even died after using Viagra while already taking nitrates. The combination of the two can lower blood pressure to a lethal level. If changes in prescription medications and/or doses don't help, other agents sometimes can offset the negative effect of a needed drug. Supplements of the hormone testosterone can enhance libido as can the natural erection aid yohimbine.

Non-Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs are not the only culprits when it comes to negative sexual side effects. Al, for example, started taking Drixoril, a common over-the-counter antihistamine, for sinus congestion. "I assumed anything I could buy over the counter was safe," Al said. But after a few days on the medication, "I tried and tried and tried and I still couldn't get an erection." That's because antihistamines can constrict arteries and block the flow to erections. Once Al stopped taking the medication, sexual function was quickly regained. Sleeping pills can interfere with deep sleep in which sexually rejuvenating nocturnal erections occur. Sometimes it might help to take a "drug holiday" for a day or two in anticipation of a big date or a romantic weekend getaway. But, again a warning: Do so only after receiving approval from your doctor. When it comes to drugs, it's best to learn all you can about the medication you're taking and to share any difficulties you might be having with your doctor.

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