Jan 23, 2013

A healthy bowel for healthy living





It must seem like this site is hell bent on matters of a fecal nature but it cannot be helped, especially for Parkinson’s sufferers and those afflicted with a lazy bowel. There is no question that the sooner you address these matters and understand how things works, the better it will be for the one desiring the treatment.  People are different, have different strengths and weaknesses, and chronic constipation can be a real problem if you let it slide. Once you become impacted it becomes really embarrassing as the doctor or carer will have to work on you manually to loosen the stool. 


Research on the internet
There are several products on the market. Check out all treatment sites having to do with a lazy bowel and chronic constipation. The Parkinson’s sites should also reveal helpful treatment as Parkinson’s medicines are known for their Calcium content making for a difficult stool in some cases. I cannot suggest a name but here are three or four of the top treatments, some of which should help you get relief on the same day if you follow instructions carefully.  This writer has Parkinson’s and has found relief with Movicol, a laxative, and Fynbogel, an all-natural product which assists in forming a stool. Fynbogel is NOT a laxative, but helps in stool consistency and formation which gives you a pain-free and push-free stool. For instance, I took a glass of Fynbogel this morning at 7.30 a.m. At 8.00 I was all done with my toilette and ready to start the day.


Regular maintenance of the bowel
We all know how easy this is to neglect. When you are in the throes of stomach cramps and the like you swear that you will eat more veggies, fruit and fiber to assist your digestion, but all too soon you forget and the bowel is neglected. Get yourself a small white board for the kitchen and write down the ingredients you have to buy every day; dark veggies such as broccoli, green beans, spinach and lettuce are particularly good. Have a one-hour walk to the shop or around the park. If it is snowing in your neck of the woods, go on the treadmill. Keep active. Have a favorite fruit or veggie every day. Drink lots of water and keep moist.

Jan 18, 2013

Recovering from a bad round of Parkinson's side effects





It may seem like you may never come out of the fog after a Parkinson’s streak of side effects which can leave you bewildered and confused.  Do not give up. I thought I would never see my laptop again. I write this article not to scare you but to let you know that there is hope EVEN though it might seem grim at the time and feel impossible. There was confusion about medication and for about four days I used a pill I should not have which caused all the trouble. At the same time I was trying to get the hang of Movicol for a bowel movement and after a week it still did not come. I felt ill, confused, out of sorts, gassy, listless, no appetite, lost 10 pounds, and did not know whether I was Arthur or Martha when I woke up. Today is my first day of writing articles after an absence of almost three months.


Getting it right in the toilet

It is not difficult if you follow the instructions precisely. This is what I did after reading lots of material and fully investigating Movicol. I would recommend that you read Movicol literature at least three times before you use it. There are users who have abused it and now do not have a movement unless they use it. Lay out what you need: a plastic sheet to lie on, a box of tissues within reach, and a Fleet enema. Lay on your side on the bed, take off the cover of the nozzle, and insert the nozzle as far up as it will go. Squirt out all the contents of the solution and remain on your side for three minutes and then stand up. You might take a minute or two, but when the churning in your tummy becomes explosive, sit on the toilet and have a bowel movement. Do not get up immediately. You might feel really good at this point, but wait for another few minutes in case there is more. 


Clearing the channel

The next step is very important. You want a clear channel at all times; that is your objective. So after the enema I have something to drink; either just a glass of water, or a glass of orange based husks which give a soft and firm stool. I also stick to the right foods and fruits; sweet melon, pears, blueberries, chicken, Basmati brown rice, dark green veggies such as broccoli and green beans. I have one tea only a day and drink three to four bottles of water. I have also started to nap in the afternoon as I don’t get enough sleep at night. Take things slowly. Live one day at a time. Pull yourself together when it seems almost impossible for you to do so and go and visit a friend or help someone else who is not feeling good and not doing so well. Don’t let depression take root in your mind. Don’t go quiet and indulge in cabin fever.  Do something with your friends or go for a walk. With Parkinson’s you need to stay active.

Jan 10, 2013

Retraining the bowel





There have been a lot of articles written lately about constipation and Parkinson’s and here is yet one more.  As Parkinson’s sufferers we are always on the lookout for breaking news and treatment on how to deal and live with the disease. Constipation is a huge problem for Parkinson’s patients and taking calcium pills as part of your daily medication can make matters worse.  Calcium protects the bones in your body, yes, and we all need calcium, but the price you pay for strong bones can be a hard and taxing one.  This writer found out the painful way after she became impacted and the doctor had to manually use his hand. Drinking lots of water is imperative for a spongy stool. Have lots of fiber.


Here is what happened. The doctor inserted a fleet enema. Minutes later the bowel started to heave and growl, and cramped to the point where you just had to let everything go. You spent some minutes on the toilet and then feeling mighty relieved, washed your hands and returned to your job. You might return to the toilet two or three times before you are done. That is the first part.
 

How to retrain your bowel

Set aside the few items you are going to need and commit yourself to the task or it will all be for nothing. Start the day with a hot porridge breakfast and a cup of caffeinated coffee. Don’t eat too much. Swallow a full tablespoon of laxative. After the enema does its job have a snack of dates or nuts and drink lots of water. The idea is to clear the channel and have a bowel movement every day. Please note that once you do this you will have to do it every day – so be careful with treatment.