Something to look into if IBS isn't improving...

[Guest guest]

I saw a clip on Discovery Health about this & looked it up...

-

Independent Study Uncovers New Syndrome

- Millions of Chronic Diarrhea Patients Offered the

Potential for a More Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment - SUMMIT, N.J.,

Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A study published in this month's issue of the American

Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that millions of Americans believed to be

afflicted with chronic diarrhea (CD) as a result of an intestinal disorder may

in fact be suffering from gallbladder dysfunction. Furthermore, this research

is considered by many prominent gastroenterologists to be the first recognition

of a new syndrome that links CD to gallbladder dysfunction. Referred to as

the Habba Syndrome, the groundbreaking research described by Saad F. Habba,

M.D., attending gastroenterologist at Atlantic Health System's Overlook

Hospital in Summit, N.J., establishes a relationship between gallbladder

dysfunction and chronic diarrhea. This independent study included 19 patients

with varying degrees of CD (four to 10 bowel

movements daily for at least three months) who consistently failed to improve

on several traditional therapies, such as antispasmodic drugs and lactose-free

diets. These patients routinely experienced quality-of-life issues ranging from

social embarrassment to debilitation. Dr. Habba observed that his patients

presented CD symptoms that mimicked those found in some individuals who have

had their gallbladders removed. In particular, they experienced CD only after

meals and rarely at night unless they ate a heavy, late-night meal. After

conducting a series of diagnostic tests and therapeutic trials, Dr. Habba was

able to rule out the possibility of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other

intestinal disorders. Specifically, he was able to confirm his theory of CD

caused by a dysfunctional gallbladder as demonstrated by specific tests

indicating abnormal contractions of the gallbladder. He then prescribed low

doses of cholestyramine, a

cholesterol-lowering drug often used by gastroenterologists to treat CD

resulting from gallbladder removal. Each patient in the study experienced

almost immediate relief from their chronic diarrhea following this treatment.

" Rising accounts of CD treatment failure have led me to believe that the

gallbladder dysfunction demonstrated in my study may be a widespread

condition, " said Dr. Habba. " Chronic diarrhea results from a variety of causes

and all possibilities should be explored before making a treatment decision. "

Dr. Habba's independent study helps to create a clearer distinction between CD

that results from gallbladder dysfunction and a variety of intestinal

abnormalities. In particular, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal

condition experienced by an estimated 35 million people in the U.S. and is a

common cause of CD. Patients with this syndrome rarely experience the

localized pain associated with IBS. In addition, these patients

respond to bile acid binding agents (such as cholestyramine) rather than the

antispasmodic drugs that typically control the intestinal contractions

associated with IBS. " This is an important clinical syndrome for all

physicians who encounter CD patients to be aware of, because it is easily

treatable and its early recognition may prevent many unnecessary diagnostic

investigations, " said Warren Finkelstein, M.D., New Jersey Governor of the

American College of Gastroenterology. " Dr. Habba's findings of abnormal

gallbladder function in his series of patients with chronic diarrhea is of

significant interest. " The Habba Syndrome has the potential to provide a

large number of patients with a more focused approach to their condition.

" This marks an important milestone in the area of digestive diseases, " said

Carrol Leevy, M.D., distinguished professor and scientific director of the

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Liver Center.

" This work brings into focus a therapeutic category that has gone virtually

undocumented in the scientific literature and opens the doors to future

research initiatives on the origin of the problem. " Dr. Saad Habba has

devoted the past 22 years to gastroenterology. He is a member of the

gastroenterology department at Atlantic Health System's Overlook Hospital and

has extensive national and international experience in teaching, lecturing and

conducting research. Prior to joining Overlook Hospital, Dr. Habba served as

the director of gastrointestinal endoscopy at University of Medicine and

Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark. He received his

medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, and

completed his residency and fellowship in gastroenterology at St. ce's

Hospital in Dublin and at UMDNJ. He is extensively published in several

domestic and international peer-reviewed journals and has co-authored a

chapter in Conn's Current Therapy, a textbook of medicine. He has the

distinction of holding the U.S. patent for proprietary methodology on

regeneration of the liver. For more information about the Habba Syndrome or

to interview Dr. Habba, contact Janina Scheytt, Public Relations Manager,

Atlantic Health System, at or janina.scheytt@...; or Glenn

Silver, MCS Public Relations, at . Also, please visit Atlantic's

website at http://www.AtlanticHealth.org. Atlantic Health System, one of

the largest health care systems in New Jersey, includes town Memorial

Hospital, Overlook Hospital in Summit, Mountainside Hospital in Montclair/Glen

Ridge, The General Hospital Center at Passaic, and affiliates Newton Memorial

Hospital and Bayonne Hospital. Atlantic hospitals serve nearly five million

people in 11 counties in northern and central New Jersey, have a combined total

of 1,662 beds and provide a wide array of health

care services. Three of Atlantic's hospitals offer graduate medical education

programs with a variety of specialties.

pecan post wrote: >

> Hi Nyomi,

>

I think that starting the goat yogurt would be a great idea!

Start out with 1/8 of a teaspoon, drip it and follow the directions

on our website.

Mimi

>

>