therapies are accordingly tailored to individual cases,
depending on severity and patient history.Prognosis
Prognosis for some digestive diseases is excellent,
for example the infectious diseases that clear up once
the infectious agent is destroyed. Outcomes for most
of the other diseases depends on the severity of com-
plications and the underlying causes.Prevention
A healthy diet can help to prevent some digestive
diseases altogether, such as diverticulitis, and lessen
chances of developing others, such as colitis or alco-
holic cirrhosis. Healthy nutrition is based on eating
foods that meet the Recommended Dietary Allowan-
ces (RDA) of the National Research Council. These
foods should be from the four major food groups:
dairy products, meat and nuts, cereals and grains,
and fruits and vegetables. It is also recommended to
drink eight glasses ofwaterper day to help eliminate
ingested toxins and maintain the pH balance of the
stomach.
Another important prevention area is being careful
about food contamination, directly responsible for all
the digestive infectious diseases. These diseases can be
avoided by simple precautions such as washing fruits
and vegetables, cooking meat thoroughly, drinking
only water from trusted sources, and basic hygiene.Resources
BOOKS
Bellenir, K., ed.Digestive Diseases and Disorders Source-
book.Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2000.
Berkson, D. L., Droby, S.Healthy Digestion the Natural
Way: Preventing and Healing Heartburn, Constipation,
Gas, Diarrhea, Inflammatory Bowel and Gallbladder
Diseases, Ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and More.
New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 2000.
Bonci, L.American Dietetic Association Guide to Better
Digestion.New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 2003.
Dervenis, C. G., Lochs, I.Nutrition in Gastrointestinal and
Liver Diseases.Basel, Switzerland: S. Karger Pub., 2003.
Holford, P.Improve Your Digestion: Optimum Nutrition
Handbook.London, UK: Piatkus Books, 2000.
Lipski, E.Digestive Wellness.New York, NY: McGraw-
Hill, 2004.
Lipski, E.Digestive Wellness for Children.Laguna Beach,
CA: Basic Health Publications, 2006.
Minocha, A.Handbook of Digestive Diseases.Thorofare,
NJ: Slack Incorporated, 2004.
Nichols, T. W., Faass, N.Optimal Digestion : New Strategies
for Achieving Digestive Health.Acton, MA: Quill Press,
1999.Sullivan, R. G.Digestion and Nutrition.Emeryville, CA:
Chelsea House Publications, 2004.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Gastroenterological Association. 930 Del Ray
Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. (301)654-2055.<http://
http://www.gastro.org>.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation. 9500 Euclid Ave. NA31
Cleveland, OH 44195. Department of Patient Educa-
tion and Health Information: 1-800-223-2273).<http://
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/>.
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders Inc. P.O. Box 170864, Milwaukee, WI 53217-- 1-888-964-2001.http://www.iffgd.org.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health. 31
Center Drive, MSC 2560, Bethesda, MD 20892-2560.
1-800-891-5389.http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/
ddiseases/pubs/facts/index.htm.
Monique Laberge, Ph.D.Diuretics and diets
Definition
Diuretics are a group of drugs given to help the
body eliminate excess fluid through the kidneys in
order to treat hypertension(high blood pressure),
kidney and liver disorders, glaucoma, congestive
heart failure (CHF), and idiopathic intracranial
hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), a condition char-
acterized by increased fluid pressure within the blood
vessels supplying the brain.
In addition to prescription diuretics, there are
several types of diuretics available in over-the-counter
formulations or commonplace beverages.Purpose
Diuretics have several purposes in mainstream
clinical medicine:
To lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
To lower fluid pressure inside the eyeball in patients
with glaucoma.
To reduce increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure in
idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
To reduce blood pressure and swelling during surgi-
cal procedures.
To reduce bloating and discomfort associated with
fluid retention in the premenstrual phase of a wom-
an’s monthly cycle.Diuretics and diets