Did Kurt Cobain suffer with irritable bowel syndrome before his death?

Last month saw the 20^th anniversary of Nirvana singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain’s death from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

However, fans who participated in tributes at his home city of Seattle, US, claim the grunge icon may still be alive today if doctors had properly diagnosed and treated the stomach problems that had blighted him in the years leading up to his untimely death, and a source of clear distress for Cobain – evident in his published journals.

One theory being suggested is that the blonde rocker was suffering with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – an umbrella term that spans several gastrointestinal disorders, but many of which involve similar symptoms such as stomach cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.
Other IBS symptoms people may experience include: loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, backache, headache, belching, quickly feeling full after you have eaten food, heartburn, and bladder problems due to an associated irritable bladder.

Although IBS unfortunately does not have an absolute cure, there are a number of over-the-counter and prescription-only treatment options that can ease symptoms for some sufferers and these include: Mebeverine, Buscopan IBS Relief and Colpermin.

Overall, IBS diagnoses and treatments are much more advanced in the present day compared to back in 1994 when Cobain died. His suicide was estimated to have occurred on 5 April 1994 after an electrician had found him slumped in the greenhouse at his cabin by Lake Washington on 8 April.

Toxicological tests concluded he had a massive amount of heroin in his system when he died, and many people are speculating if Cobain had been given a proper diagnosis and received effective treatment for his debilitating stomach ailment, he may not have been driven to that tragic end at the age of just 27.


By choosing to end his life at that age, Cobain joined the “27 Club”; members of the music industry who had passed away at the tender age. In addition to Cobain, this group now includes: Jimi Hendrix, Janis ­Joplin, ­Rolling Stone Brian Jones, Jim ­Morrison of the Doors and Amy Winehouse.

A TV interview recorded only months before Cobain’s death is now attracting renewed interest. In the interview Cobain angrily hits out at the doctors he says have failed him “during six years of being in constant pain”.

Cobain adds: “They never figured out what it was. Most gastro-intestinal doctors don’t know anything about stomach diseases. They just have PhDs, get paid a lot of money for ­pretending and prescribing drugs. It’s a total scam.”

Los ­Angeles-based Dr Morris Mesler, who has treated countless famous faces, is one of the many who believes Cobain was suffering with IBS and even pointed to study that connected IBS-associated pain with an increased risk of suicide.

Dr Mesler said: “While IBS is a grab-bag term that covers a multitude of symptoms and conditions, there is a great deal we can do today that we couldn’t do then.

“Tests could have established if he had a genetic condition such as coeliac ­disease. Or it could have been something much more simple like lactose or gluten intolerance that we just weren’t really aware of 20 years ago.

“Endoscopies are also much more advanced, so we can actually see what’s going on in the stomach much more clearly now. I believe we could have established pretty quickly if he was ­suffering from something physical, organic or even psychiatric.

“It might merely have been a ­question of slightly altering his diet.”

What is IBS? Symptoms of the gut disorder and two surprising causes…

You may not have heard, but irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is on the rise. Over 10% of the population are currently battling with IBS and this percentage could get much higher in the long-term as more and more people are being diagnosed with stress – one main trigger of IBS. Not to mention that the nation’s dietary choices are generally still quite poor.

Other factors that can lead to IBS can include a combination of a number of issues such as: inflammation of your bowel – for example following an infection such as gastroenteritis, your genetic make-up – family members may have also had IBS, becoming more sensitive to pain from your gut and psychological problems such as stress or depression.

Although IBS unfortunately does not have an absolute cure, there are a number of over-the-counter treatment options that can ease symptoms for some sufferers and these include: Mebeverine, Buscopan IBS Relief and Colpermin.

Not sure if you might have IBS? You should always see your GP for a formal diagnosis and discuss how to go forward with the condition, but there are a common group of symptoms that people usually experience. Not everybody suffers all the same symptoms, some are varying in their severity, whilst different food, drink, or other factors can trigger symptoms off.

A prominent sign you have IBS is a recurring and discomforting pain in your abdomen – often in the lower area on the left side. Mild to severe stomach cramps is another common symptom which may subside with bowel movements. Sufferers may find their pain and symptoms flare-up after eating. For instance, some wheat or dairy are particularly bad culprits in this respect. Alternatively, some find their symptoms may be more severe in the evenings and women’s pain is often associated with their menstrual cycle. Moreover, a bloated, swollen abdomen is a frequent sign of IBS in women.

Be aware for changes in bowel habits – faeces may vary in its consistency, switching between frustrating bouts of constipation and diarrhoea, or you could find you are only able to pass small amounts of mucus. Other times, some people find they have a sudden need to empty their bowels or this process may even feel strained and following this, you might feel you have not fully emptied them.

Other IBS symptoms that may also occur are: loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, backache, headache, belching, quickly feeling full after you have eaten food, heartburn, and bladder problems due to an associated irritable bladder.

This week American cardiothoracic surgeon and TV personality Dr Mehmet Oz offered some IBS advice for the millions and millions of people around the world who have the troublesome gut disorder.

He says: “If you get frequent cramping, bloating, constipation and even diarrhoea when you are stressed out, then it may be a sign of IBS — irritable bowel syndrome. One in five of us has it, and you are four times more likely to get it if you are a woman. Today, discover the surprising things that may be causing your IBS and what you can do to wipe it out of your system for good.”

According to critically acclaimed Dr Oz, IBS may flare-up from just two things that a lot of us probably consume on a daily basis. On his show, ‘The Dr Oz Show’, he explained to viewers that stress may not always be responsible IBS; but it could get a helping hand and worsened by some of the things in your diet. In particularly, two culprit triggers that can cause an irritable bowel are artificial sweeteners and chocolate.

Dr. Oz says that when we consume a lot of fizzy drinks and candy to try and manage stress or to boost energy levels, it can create an imbalance in our body which triggers a development of IBS. Understandably, Dr Oz’s advice is to reduce the amount of drinks you consume with these artificial sweeteners and cut down on the amount of chocolate you eat.

If that wasn’t good enough reason to cut down on fizzy drinks, it has been shown that just drinking as little as one fizzy drink each day can raise your risk of developing diabetes by 22%.

Do you have the stomach for a fight? How to combat IBS…

At Medical Specialists Pharmacy we deal with tens of thousands of patients each and every year, many of whom are suffering with a varying range of health problems such as: male impotence, acne, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), obesity, asthma etc.

Therefore, in addition to the huge number of different prescription medications we provide such as Viagra (for male impotence), Aknemycin Plus (for acne), Valtrex (for STIs), Xenical (for weight loss) and Ventolin Evohaler (for asthma), we like to provide all our new and existing patients with knowledge and information.

This knowledge and information can be about reasons/possible causes behind their particular ailment, tips and advice on how best to manage their condition, discussing some common myths that are rife (especially across the internet) in regards to a certain condition, and what foods are good or bad for a health problem.

Just some of the informative articles we have published in the previous year include 6 foods for stronger erections, debunking some of the common myths about erectile dysfunction, the best foods for great skin and the common culprits for acne, the best foods for healthy hair and information about important and often ignored key factors in how to lose weight.

Today, Medical Specialists put the digestive system into the spotlight, focusing on the common digestive disorder irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). So common in fact, that there are believed to be a staggering 12 million sufferers of IBS just within Britain alone – and around twice as common in women than men.

Some of the usual symptoms for sufferers include highly discomforting stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea or constipation, or sometimes even bouts of both. Exact reasons for the development of IBS in those who suffer with it are still unknown, but it is believed to be one or a combination of factors like bacterial gastroenteritis – an infection of the stomach and intestines, genetics – i.e. it may run in families, psychological factors such as stress or depression, or food sensitivity – i.e. symptoms are induced by consuming foods high in carbohydrates, foods high in fat, spicy foods, alcohol, fizzy drinks and caffeinated drinks.

We hope the majority of the 12 million people who have IBS in Britain are aware of effective treatments available to them such as Mebeverine, Colpermin and Buscopan IBS Relief, but also that there are a number of steps to be taken to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms rearing their ugly head.

There has never been a ‘one size fits all’ rule in regards to diet for people with IBS. Certain diets might lessen the symptoms for one person, but be relatively ineffective for somebody else. Many find it beneficial to maintain a food diary for a period of around two to four weeks in order to pinpoint the particular food or drink that are causing or worsening symptoms. You should always seek the advice of your GP before making drastic changes to your diet as advice could differ with different symptoms.

However, people with IBS are commonly recommended to alter the intake of fibre in their diet. There are two types of fibre; soluble fibre – which the body is able to digest, and insoluble fibre – which the body is unable to digest.

Soluble fibre is contained in:

. Flaxseeds.
. Barley.
. Rye.
. Oatmeal.
. Fruit, such as apples, bananas, pears and strawberries.
. Vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumber and potatoes.
. Golden linseeds.

Insoluble fibre is contained in:

. Brown rice.
. Wholegrain bread.
. Wholemeal pasta.
. Wholegrain cereals.
. Wholewheat flour.
. Popcorn.
. Lentils.
. Beans.

Those who suffer with IBS and often episodes of diarrhoea may find it helpful to reduce the amount of insoluble fibre in their diet and avoid the skin, pith and pips from fruit and vegetables, whilst people who suffer from IBS with constipation can usually find benefits by increasing the soluble fibre in their diet and drinking more water.

There are also numerous other dietary and lifestyle choices you can take which may prove successful at easing your symptoms. These include:

. Have regular meals, evenly spaced out, making sure not to go long periods without eating and pace yourself whilst eating.
. Try to drink around eight cups of fluid each day – preferably water. Limit drinks containing caffeine as well as alcoholic drinks.
. If you can’t bear to give up tea and coffee, restrict your intake to three cups each day at the very most.
. Restrict fruit intake to three portions each day.
. Those suffering with diarrhoea should avoid artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol. This is contained in some sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, and certain diabetic and slimming products.
. Vigorous exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes each day, at least three times a week, is beneficial to most IBS sufferers. Discuss with your GP which exercise is most suited for you.
. If stress, depression, or anxiety is the main cause of your IBS symptoms, relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or meditation may help, in addition to more physically-involved activities such as pilates or yoga.

If you are one of the 12 million people around Britain who have IBS, or one of the millions of others around the world who are also suffering, you do not have to live in misery or let your symptoms majorly affect your day-to-day activities. We have previously discussed IBS at work, and why not browse around the ‘Stomach and Bowel’ area of the Medical Specialists website.  We offer an ever-growing range of effective medications for IBS such as the previously mentioned Mebeverine, Colpermin and Buscopan IBS Relief, plus you can find treatments such as Lansoprazole and Omeprazole for acid reflux.

The Bill’s Ben Richards on ignoring the symptoms of his bowel cancer

British stage and television actor Ben Richards has spoken of his shock at being diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 39 years of age despite no family history of the disease and him having a healthy diet.

Bowel cancer is more common in the over-65s with 72% of diagnoses occurring in this age group. Obesity, alcohol, smoking and a diet high in red or processed meats are also other risk factors for developing what is the now the third most common type of cancer in the UK.

Ben, now 41, appeared in the ITV drama Footballers’ Wives back in 2004, playing the role of Bruno Milligan. He has since appeared in other television shows such as Holby City and The Bill, however has now returned to theatre work which he had been involved in prior to finding fame on TV.

Young and slender Ben has never struggled with his weight and the diagnosis stunned him after he chose to ignore the symptoms he was experiencing, stating he was a ‘typical man’ and was reluctant to speak to his doctor about ‘that part’ of his body. The actor had noticed his bowel movements had altered and there was a small amount of blood in his stools. Ben assumed it was internal piles and the change in bowel movements was because he had just finished travelling around India. Never for a moment did he consider he was suffering from anything as potentially-deadly as bowel cancer.

Ben, who has recently become ambassador for Bowel Cancer UK, says: “I was just a total bloke about the situation.  Like most men I didn’t want to even think about going to a doctor and it wasn’t until my then wife Helen nagged me that I eventually saw my GP.”

In January 2012, Ben finally decided to seek help and visited his GP, who subsequently urged Ben to immediately see a specialist upon hearing his symptoms.

By luck, Ben was able to schedule an appointment to see a private doctor on the very same day and was then booked in for a colonoscopy. This is where a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached (a colonoscope) is used to investigate the entire bowel.

Just one week later, Ben underwent his tests at the Harpenden Spire Private Hospital. Scans revealed a 6cm tumour in his bowel and he was given the news straight away that he had cancer.

He says: “I couldn’t quite compute what the doctor had told me. It was terrifying and cancer had always been something that happened to other people, not me. I had no family history of the disease either, so it never occurred to me that symptoms I had mistaken for IBS and piles could be something so serious. Surgeons were forced to remove almost half my bowel which was incredibly painful. The whole combination of treatments was a shock to the system and to be honest I felt awful.”

His recovery involved gruelling six-week cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After experiencing a few small complications along the way, Ben has fully recovered and currently in his fourth month of remission.

Although he describes feeling ‘better than ever’, he has learned valuable lessons and is now more careful in regards to his health. “I have always eaten healthily but now I’m extra careful. I don’t eat red meat and wheat and I’ve given up beer entirely – much as I miss it – because I just don’t want to take the risk of the cancer returning.”

As Ben highlighted, bowel cancer can be difficult to determine, with symptoms similar to less life-threatening conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. If you experience unusual symptoms for longer than a few weeks, it is recommended you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Ben made a full recovery with a relatively earlier diagnosis, but persistent ignoring of symptoms can prove fatal.

Symptoms include: Blood in your faeces, the appearance of mucus in the faeces, inexplicable weight loss, persistent abdominal pain lasting longer than two weeks, severe constipation or diarrhoea lasting longer than two weeks and tiredness as a result of becoming anaemic from microscopic bleeding from the bowel.

If you have any of these symptoms, Medical Specialists Pharmacy advises that you see your GP immediately. In addition to the colonoscopy mentioned earlier, another test your GP may refer you to, is the ‘faecal occult bloods’ (FOBs) test. Here, many samples of your faeces are scanned for any possible microscopic amounts of blood lost from a tumour. If a diagnosis is made, a ‘Dukes’ staging’ is given to the cancer to determine how it is likely to progress or conclude which is the best course of treatment to go for the patient.

Male bowel cancer rates have soared by almost 30% in 35 years

A study conducted by Cancer Research UK suggests that male bowel cancer rates have soared by over a quarter in the past 35 years, with just a 6% increase for women in the same period according to the charity.

New figures have emerged as we begin bowel cancer awareness month, and have coincided with the launch of a new campaign by the Bobby Moore Fund called ‘Make Bobby Proud’. The Fund is a partnership with Cancer Research UK that first began back in 1993 by Stephanie Moore MBE, the widow of the 1966 World Cup winning England captain Bobby Moore, and has raised an incredible £18.8 million since its inception.

The England legend tragically passed away in 1993 after a hard fought battle against the disease. Not only helping to raise funds for advanced research into bowel cancer, the Fund also looks to raise awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 44 people in the UK each day.

The new research shows that cases of bowel cancer in men have risen from 45 per 100,000 in 1975-77 to 58 per 100,000 in 2008-10 – representing an increase of 29%.

However, during the same time frame for women, there was a lower incidence of the disease with 35 per 100,000 increasing to 37 per 100,000.

Biggest increases of bowel cancer were seen in people aged in their 60s and 70s, with approximately 23,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.

There is some positive news however; it appears that bowel cancer survival rates are improving with evidence suggesting that half of all patients living for at least a decade after their diagnosis.

Professor Matthew Seymour, from the University of Leeds, who is director of the National Cancer Research Network, said: “We know the risk of bowel cancer increases as we get older and, since we’re all living longer, it’s no surprise to see that the number of people getting the disease is rising. But when we look at these figures and take people’s age into account, we still see that the risk of bowel cancer has gone up in men in the last 35 years. It’s important to find out what’s behind the rise and what we can do about it. The good news is that, thanks to research, we have seen huge improvements in bowel cancer survival over the last 40 years. It’s this research that’s led to better drugs to treat the disease, improved surgical techniques, the use of more radiotherapy and the introduction of bowel screening to spot the disease earlier, when it is most effectively treated.”

Mrs Moore added: “It’s good to see that despite the rise in incidence, bowel cancer survival is improving. However, it’s vital we continue to fund research to fight this disease as these new statistics show. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, after lung cancer. Finding a way to beat bowel cancer has been my goal for the past two decades and my hope is that by increasing awareness and helping to fund Cancer Research UK’s vital research, many more lives can be saved from this terrible disease in the future.”

Bowel cancer is also sometimes referred to as rectal, colorectal or colon cancer, depending on where the cancer begins. It is the third most common type of cancer within England and in 2009 alone, it was reported there were 41,142 new cases of bowel cancer. Of these new cases, 18,431 were diagnosed in women and 22,711 cases were diagnosed in men. It is uncommon for those under the age of 40 to develop the cancer, with around 85% of new cases being diagnosed in people over the age of 65.

Factors that increase the risk of bowel cancer include: having an inactive lifestyle, smoking, heavy alcohol intake (over 4 units a day) and obesity. In addition, others at risk are those with a high intake of processed foods, red meat, low-fibre foods and high-fat foods.

The cancer can be sometimes difficult to ascertain and the symptoms are sometimes similar to other less life-threatening conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you experience symptoms for longer than a few weeks, it is recommended you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms include: Blood in your faeces, the appearance of mucus in the faeces, inexplicable weight loss, persistent abdominal pain lasting longer than two weeks, severe constipation or diarrhoea lasting longer than two weeks and tiredness as a result of becoming anaemic from microscopic bleeding from the bowel.

If you have any of these symptoms, Medical Specialists Pharmacy advise that you visit your GP immediately. Your GP may want to check for bowel cancer by conducting a rectal examination to check for any abnormal changes at the lower end of the bowel. Another test your GP may want to refer you to is one called ‘faecal occult bloods’ (FOBs). Here, many samples of your faeces are scanned for any possible microscopic amounts of blood lost from a tumour. If a diagnosis is made, a ‘Dukes’ staging’ is given to the cancer to determine how it is likely to progress or conclude which is the best course of treatment to go for the patient.

Scientists claim red wine may help to prevent bowel cancer

Two glasses of red wine per day may help to prevent the growth of cancerous tumours in the bowel according to researchers at Leicester University, whose findings will be presented by Professor Karen Brown to over 100 experts from around the world at a conference taking place at the university today.

The key to this cancer-prevention is held in a compound contained within the skin of grapes called ‘resveratrol’; which is also found in various other sources such as peanuts and berries. Resveratrol has garnered much attention over the years for its apparent anti-aging and disease-combating benefits and but this study represents the first genuine scientific evidence that resveratrol helps to prevents cancer.

Past research has indicated that the compound can also reduce the risk of heart disease by stopping the oxidation of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, making it a lot harder for platelets to stick together and form the clots that may result in a heart attack. If that wasn’t enough, resveratrol is known prevent insulin resistance. This process occurs after insulin levels are sufficiently high over a sustained period of time to cause the body’s own sensitivity to the hormone to be reduced. Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes and can be caused by obesity, stress, pregnancy and because of the ‘metabolic syndrome’.

The researchers at Leicester University administered a daily dose of 5mg (the equivalent of two glasses of red wine) to mice, and to their amazement they discovered it halved the growth of bowel tumours.

Professor Brown, from the university’s cancer biomarkers and prevention group, commented on the study findings and said: “What has been amazing for us is to find that, in laboratory mice, a low dose of resveratrol, the equivalent of a big glass of red wine, was more effective than a larger dose in preventing tumours developing. However, we have also found it is most effective with a high-fat diet, and not a standard diet. We now need to do more work on how the chemical actually works in the body and how it works in human cells. It might be that it works differently in different people.”

John Mathers, Professor of Human Nutrition at Newcastle University, who was not part of the study, offered his views on the findings, saying: “There has been a lot of research carried out on resveratrol which has been tested using a variety of model organisms from yeast to mice. It has worked in some models but not in others. It is very difficult to translate model systems to humans which require a large amount of subjects to be convincing and it is very expensive. Resveratrol has a molecular and protective mechanism which helps cells to deal with damaged protein, such as ageing and cancer. It would be very nice to see this latest evidence, anything that can reduce cancer risk using a dietary molecule is potentially interesting.”

The next challenge for the researchers will be to conduct further laboratory tests in addition to a year-long clinical trial monitoring the effects of resveratrol being taken by patients most at risk of developing cancer.

Some clinical trials have shown that the compound is able to get to the prostate and bowel tissue, however further tests are required to determine what, if any, reaction occurs on patients and if it there are any interactions with other medications. In the trials, scientists will also decide appropriate doses of resveratrol when given in a tablet form.

Bowel cancer may also be known as rectal, colorectal or colon cancer, depending on where the cancer starts. In England it is the third most common type of cancer and in 2009 alone, it was reported there were 41,142 new cases of bowel cancer. Of these new cases, 18,431 cases were diagnosed in women and 22,711 cases were diagnosed in men. It is uncommon for those under the age of 40 to develop the cancer, with around 85% of new cases being diagnosed in people over the age of 65.

Factors that increase the risk of bowel cancer include: having an inactive lifestyle, smoking, heavy alcohol intake (over 4 units a day) and obesity. In addition, others at risk are those with a high intake of processed foods, red meat, low-fibre foods and high-fat foods.

Symptoms can be difficult to spot as they may be similar to less life-threatening conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you experience them for longer than a few weeks, it is recommended you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Symptoms include: Blood in your faeces, the appearance of mucus in the faeces, inexplicable weight loss, persistent abdominal pain lasting longer than two weeks, severe constipation or diarrhoea lasting longer than two weeks and tiredness as a result of becoming anaemic from microscopic bleeding from the bowel.

If you have any of these symptoms and they are causing you concern, Medical Specialists Pharmacy advise that you visit your GP immediately. Your GP may want to check for bowel cancer by conducting a rectal examination to check for any abnormal changes at the lower end of the bowel. Another test your GP may want to refer you to is one called ‘faecal occult bloods’ (FOBs). Here, many samples of your faeces are scanned for any possible microscopic amounts of blood lost from a tumour. If a diagnosis is made, a ‘Dukes’ staging’ is given to the cancer to determine how it is likely to progress or conclude which is the best course of treatment to go for the patient.

If you are suffering with other stomach and bowel problems such as the previously mentioned irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or heartburn and indigestion, or acid reflux, why not visit the ‘stomach and bowel’ area of the Medical Specialists website. We have a huge range of products for these conditions, including the revolutionary new Symprove drink, as featured in the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, as well as HELLO! magazine. Symprove is helping millions in the fight against IBS and the delicious 500ml mango and passion fruit flavoured version is available from the Medical Specialists chemist shop for the low price of £19.93.

Disregarding digestive problems may lead to anaemia and osteoporosis

Are you one of the 12 million Brits who are suffering with the common traits of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Bloating, trapped wind and diarrhoea are a few of the digestive complaints associated with IBS. However, if you do not believe you have IBS or have not been formally diagnosed with the gut condition, you should still not ignore these digestive problems that could be occurring on a regular basis as they may be a warning sign that something more serious is wrong.

The concern has emanated as a result of a study carried out by a2 Milk UK, a company who have released a specialised kind of milk across supermarkets such as Morrison’s and major Tesco stores in the UK. Normal cow’s milk contains various types of proteins and one of these is called ‘caseins’. The main types of the beta-casein fraction are a2 and a1, and the a1 protein has been linked to various symptoms similar to what a person would suffer with IBS. The a2 Milk however is extracted from certain British dairy cows, unique in the fact that they simply produce milk comprising of just the a2 protein.

The a2 Milk UK survey found that an incredible 84% of women will experience some degree of digestive pain or discomfort after they consume a particular food. Of this total, 46% claimed they simply self-medicated for short term relief from symptoms and 35% said they do nothing at all about their problems.

Amongst the reasons for deciding to take no action about gut complaints, women said they felt embarrassment about going to visit their doctor to discuss the issues they were experiencing, and others said that they felt the symptoms were not severe enough to seek help and treatment from a GP.
Unfortunately, choosing to neglect these symptoms over a period of time could prove damaging for someone’s health in the long term and result in the digestive system becoming inflamed.  The inflammation means that there could be difficulty for the digestive system to successfully take in nutrients from other foods, not just the problematic ones.

GMTV’s ‘Health Editor’ Dr Hilary Jones, reflected on the findings of the survey and he said: “When people’s bodies are not digesting crucial nutrients found in many foods – as is the case with symptoms such as diarrhoea and bloating – the risk of certain illnesses dramatically increases. While it may be tempting to self-medicate or hope the problem will go away, sufferers are not getting to the root of the problem.”

Dr Jones was interested in the fact that 28% of the women who were polled said that discomfort occurred after eating dairy. He added: “This issue is particularly key with dairy and milk intolerance as there are a range of reactions that people can have to milk. It’s not as simple as lactose intolerant or not. All too often people soldier on or cut milk out entirely when there are alternative options available. If in any doubt, talk to your GP – we aren’t scary I promise!”

Melanie Bibby, a2 Milk UK’s Nutrition Manager, added her opinions on the tricky subject of digestive discomfort. She said: “You really shouldn’t be getting any digestive discomfort after eating. But people think that it’s just the norm, especially if it’s been not quite right for a long time – they forget that it’s not how it should be. She advises that sufferers should monitor their problems from the use of a food diary, and also use a process of ‘trial and error’ with suspect foods. She continues: “But it’s very difficult to work out what you’re intolerant to. Many people have a problem with dairy but it’s hard to tell if you’re reacting to the lactose or to the milk proteins. Most people are intolerant to a particular protein found in milk called a1. Or you can react to the lactose. If it’s the lactose, switching to soya milk can help but if it’s the a1 protein, it won’t make any difference as soya contains similar proteins. A2 milk is normal milk, but it comes from dairy cows that naturally don’t produce the a1 protein; instead their milk contains a2, which is much better tolerated. I want people to know that there might be an alternative to cutting out dairy for them, because of course that can mean you miss out on very important nutrients too.”

Stomach troubles are a common complaint amongst Brits, including former Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon who recently spoke out on her own struggles.

If you do have IBS, why not browse around the ‘stomach and bowel’ area of the Medical Specialists website.  We offer an ever-growing range of effective medications such as Mebeverine and Buscopan IBS relief. In addition, the medication Lansoprazole can help with acid reflux problems that cause heartburn and complications with swallowing. All of these medicines are available right now at low prices, in addition to the new wonder treatment for IBS – Symprove. If you have not heard about the miracle that is Symprove then you need to get clued up about it immediately! We have even ran two separate features on this highly effective probiotic drink and now offer the 500ml mango and passion fruit flavour of Symprove, which can be purchased today from the Medical Specialists chemist shop, priced just £19.93.

Ex-Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon speaks on her 13-year fight with IBS

If you are suffering from the pain and discomfort caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you are not alone. All across the the UK, there are 12 million more people who are being caused misery by the inconvenient and sometimes distressing stomach condition. The most commonly experienced symptoms for sufferers include stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea or constipation, or sometimes even alternating bouts of both to varying severity. Every case of IBS can be different, but all cases are certainly bothersome for the person who has it and Medical Specialists Pharmacy is doing everything possible to help the millions who are suffering.

This is why we recently introduced the revolutionary non-dairy, gluten-free probiotic ‘Symprove’; a scientific revelation of a drink that contains billions of live bacteria than get to work immediately upon entering the body and are not destroyed during the digestion process like other probiotics.
Perhaps somebody could come forth and recommend Symprove to the former Blue Peter presenter and Dancing on Ice contestant Zoe Salmon. The 32-year old TV star has this week spoke of her agonising 13-year battle against IBS, documenting her struggles over the years and what foods she now has to avoid in order to prevent a possible outbreak of symptoms.

She says: “I was 19 and working as a shop assistant when I had my first attack and started to feel really unwell. My vision started to go blurry and I felt as if I was going to faint. My heart started to beat quickly and my whole body began to shake. Then I broke out in a sweat and I was hit by this awful wave of nausea. The pain was so severe it literally took my breath away. Since then I’ve had increasingly severe symptoms, including stomach cramps, headaches, nausea and sickness every six months or so. One area that is always uncomfortable is my stomach, which feels bloated nearly every day. I actually look pregnant because my belly hangs over my jeans. It made me feel self-conscious in front of boyfriends. I went to see my GP and was told it sounded like I could be allergic to monosodium glutamate. I was referred to a consultant gastroenterologist and they said it sounded like I had a wheat and sugar intolerance. To hear that was terrible because I have such a sweet tooth. But it made sense as my first attack at work had come after I’d had a sugary drink and chocolate. So the consultant told me to cut sugar out of my diet and to stop eating wheat. Now that I’ve cut them out, I feel better. I avoid the culprit foods, such as bread, pasta, white rice, crackers, biscuits and alcohol, so eat lots of fish, chicken and vegetables. I am not saying I am the healthiest person. I still like my takeaways, and my sweet tooth will never really go.”

Dr Ray Shidrawi, a gastroenterologist at The Wellington Hospital in North London, heard about Zoe’s comments and gave his thoughts on her struggles. He says over a fifth of us have experienced IBS at one time or another. He commented: “Zoe is not alone in suffering from IBS. In fact it is a very common condition. Classic symptoms include bloating, ­constipation or diarrhoea or alternating instances of both. Invariably, we find IBS is stress-related and stress therapy is an important part of the treatment. But first we need to exclude other conditions including infections, so we often ask for a blood test and a sigmoidoscopy, which is a minimally invasive examination using a thin tube attached to a small camera and light that is ­inserted into the rectum to examine the bowel. Essentially, a person with IBS has a bowel but it is more sensitive than usual. The priority is to regulate the bowel and not get bunged up. So initially that means a balance of dietary changes to introduce more fibre and it will often mean using laxatives, too. We often find that IBS sufferers have an ­undertone of depression, so often a psychologist can help a patient enormously. We can also use some drugs to help modulate the gut but this is a last resort.”

Zoe Salmon is not the only celebrity though who is suffering from IBS, or has suffered with it at some point. There are many other people in the spotlight who have also had the common symptoms of IBS, and shows celebrities are just like the rest of us and not ‘superhuman’. They include:

. Tyra Banks (U.S. model and talk show host)

Tyra Banks surprised her audience back in 2006 when she revealed to her guest Janet Jackson that she has IBS, admitting she is ‘very gassy’.

. Jenny McCarthy (U.S. model and actress)

Jim Carrey’s former girlfriend Jenny McCarthy brazenly admitted to suffering with ‘chronic diarrhoea’ and various other IBS symptoms within her autobiography Jen-X: Jenny McCarthy’s Open Book.

. John F. Kennedy (Former U.S. president)

A 2002 review of the former President’s medical records, found an interesting revelation; it appeared he had suffered with bowel complaints and suspected IBS. Kennedy was prescribed antidiarrheal drugs to provide relief, as well as being administered testosterone to help his weight and strength.

. Camille Grammer (Former wife of actor Kelsey Grammer)

The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills star is often vocal about her battle with IBS, first developing the stomach condition in 1997. Whilst still married to Kelsey, she explained about her problems, saying: “I am always fearful that my IBS symptoms will return at any moment, so I always have to know where the nearest restroom is. I’m afraid that eating will result in stomach pain. Travelling is difficult. And IBS often makes even a simple evening out with my husband, to enjoy a concert or movie, seem impossible.”

The fact there are famous faces who have spoken out on their gut problems shows that these kinds of issues are indeed very common and certainly nothing to be ashamed about. If you are experiencing any kind of stomach complaint, it is vital you consult your GP immediately, who will then ask you detailed questions and refer you for further scans if necessary.

If it is IBS you have, then this can be treated with a wide range of effective medications such as Mebeverine and Buscopan IBS relief. In addition, the medication Lansoprazole can help with acid reflux problems that cause heartburn and complications with swallowing. All of these medicines are available at low prices from the ‘Stomach and Bowel’ section of the Medical Specialists Pharmacy website in addition to the new wonder treatment for IBS – Symprove. The 500ml mango and passion fruit flavour of Symprove can be purchased today without a prescription from Medical Specialists, priced just £19.93.

Radical new Symprove drink could help millions win the fight against IBS

Today we at Medical Specialists Pharmacy are thoroughly delighted to offer a brand new, revolutionary treatment option for the estimated 12 million people in the UK who are caused misery by the painful and inconvenient stomach condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some of the most common symptoms for sufferers include highly discomforting stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea or constipation, or sometimes even bouts of both.

The IBS treatment in question is a non-dairy, gluten-free probiotic food supplement produced by Symprove Ltd, named simply ‘Symprove’. Those with sharp memories will recall that we first mentioned about this fantastic IBS treatment way back in May. In fact, its effectiveness at combating the common stomach and bowel complaint is so exceptional that even national media has picked up on Symprove, subsequently being featured in newspapers such as the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, as well as HELLO! magazine.

Therefore the opportunity to offer our patients this brilliant solution to help with IBS was one we could not refuse, and proudly working together with Symprove Ltd, we now have the delicious 500ml mango and passion fruit flavoured version in stock and available from the Medical Specialists chemist shop for the low price of £19.93.

So, what exactly is Symprove you may wonder, and how does it work? Well, it is a water-based barley drink that is taken once daily – ideally prior to breakfast. With every batch produced being independently tested to ensure the highest standard of quality, each 50ml serving contains approximately 10 billion live bacteria.

However, here is where it gets interesting; Symprove’s 4 species of live bacterial cultures (L. rhamnosus, planatarum, acidophilus and E. faeciumbacteria), are fully alive and activated from the moment Symprove is swallowed. What sets Symprove apart is the fact that unlike other everyday probiotic products, the probiotics within Symprove manage to reach the gut and get to work in a mere 20 minutes without triggering the digestion process.  This may sound strange and something you would expect and want to happen. However with other probiotics, digestion results in stomach acid and bile salts being released in order to break down food. The stomach acid means that probiotic bacteria struggle to survive in this environment and any that do, will be ineffective inside the gut.

Symprove is successful at travelling straight through the stomach without triggering digestion, meaning its probiotics are able to reach the gut and then establish a more healthy balance of  ‘normal bacteria’. It is the existence of ‘bad’ pathogenic bacteria that initially causes digestive and other problems. Symprove’s revolutionary method of fighting the symptoms of IBS means that the bacteria are not freeze-dried like many other products out there. Basically with its ‘Unique Delivery System’, the bacteria are ready to start working from the moment they pass your lips!

At Medical Specialists we fully understand that IBS can be a deeply distressing condition to live with, especially when trying to manage it whilst at your job. Many underestimate the psychological impact that IBS can have from trying to cope with the pain and discomfort. It is even thought that three out of every four people who suffer from it, will have at least one bout of depression, with half experiencing some varying degree of anxiety. You should not let it control your quality of life though, and with appropriate treatment you can live a normal and happy life. In addition to Symprove, there are other available options to help with the symptoms of IBS such as Buscopan IBS relief, Imodium and Mebeverine. All are available from the stomach and bowel area of the Medical Specialists website.

Gutted with IBS at work? Don’t be…

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition of the digestive system that nearly all of us will have heard of in conversation. In fact, there is a probably good chance that you know somebody who is suffering from it. The symptoms include bloating, stomach cramps, constipation and diarrhoea. Unfortunately for the 12 million Brits affected by IBS, the symptoms usually strike intermittently, sometimes at the most inconvenient of times and can massively impact the day to day lives for sufferers.

One of major these impacts is the workplace. For somebody who is lucky enough to be blessed with a healthy-working digestive system, it may be difficult to fully appreciate the stress than can be caused by IBS or empathise with that work colleague who had to rush home because of a flare-up of their symptoms.

If the average person awakes in the morning to severe pain in their stomach, they can simply ring in sick to their employer and just return to work after a few days when the problems have begun to subside and they are feeling better. Imagine though having to wake up every single day to chronic abdominal cramps and unpredictable bowel movements, and this is before you have even arrived to work!

Even the commute to work would be stressful enough, panicking about if or when the symptoms could hit you again and your precise proximity to the closest toilet. Simply put: calling in sick each day is not a viable option. With Brits feeling the full force of the recession, many of us are forcing ourselves into work regardless of illness and this applies to those with IBS too. There are bills to be paid, mortgages hanging over us, and statutory sick pay just will not suffice.

In an ideal world for anybody who has IBS, they would be permitted to have their own private workspace and interminable access to their own luxurious bathroom area, without interruptions from others. As this isn’t always feasible, suffering with IBS in the workplace can create huge amounts of stress for those with the condition, which in itself can worsen symptoms as stress is one of the primary causes for IBS. If you are also stuck in a job you dislike or have a boss who is unsympathetic to your situation, this is not going to help matters either.

There are a wide range of problems and situations that could present themselves to IBS sufferers in regards to the workplace.  In severe cases, it is not uncommon for some people to experience three to five bowel movements before they have even left the house, often leaving them running late for work. On top of this, if you happen to work in a quiet office, the last thing you want to hear is a gurgling sound being emitted from your stomach due to the circulation of trapped wind. 

Having to try and cope with dealing with an unpredictable bowel can leave many people miserable at work. As any good Manager will be aware of; an unhappy employee will ultimately result in an unproductive employee. Moreover, trying to concentrate on a work task can seem an impossible mission when you need to get up to go to the toilet and then being required to quietly sit through meetings or presentations can be torturous.

Statistics to have been released into the public domain in recent years go a huge way in demonstrating how underestimated the seriousness is of IBS in the workplace, the demographic of sufferers and the financial burden it can place on the NHS and society in general.

It is estimated that certain complicated IBS tests at hospitals can drain the NHS of £3,000 for each examination, and it’s not always a foregone conclusion that doctors can get to the root of the problems or offer adequate treatment. It would appear than men are getting off lightly, with women accounting for 70% of the 5,000 IBS-related hospital admissions during 2011 in England. In total, women aged between 40 and 44 comprised of these 5,000 visits. Along with back pain, symptoms connected to IBS are among the most common reasons for time off work and it is costing employers and the NHS millions each year.

What can be done though? If you are suffering from IBS, you can make many small changes today that can have major benefits to coping in the workplace and prevent it from interfering with your job. One of the most important things you should immediately try to do at work is speak to your employer. They will probably be sympathetic if you explain your predicament to them and may be even able to provide a workspace slightly away from colleagues if flatulence is an issue, and also make sure you are seated nearby to the toilet facilities.

As mentioned previously, stress is one of the main causes for triggering IBS symptoms, and it should be minimised as much as possible. If workload is organised properly in an efficient manner, you will have a much better chance of meeting deadlines and not feeling overwhelmed. Another issue we touched upon earlier is dreaded long meetings or presentations. Do not feel afraid of speaking to your manager about this issue and then could even slightly alter your job role so that you are not required to attend them.

In regards to limiting your symptoms, try to maintain a regular schedule. Keep your body on an even keel by aiming for regular sleeping and eating patterns. Sticking to timed, small, low-fat meals can avoid unnecessary upset to your stomach. Pinpoint what foods may be causing your symptoms to flare-up or if you are unsure of the culprits, speak to your doctor and they can refer you to a dietician who may be able to identify the problem foods. Other things you can do include restricting tea and coffee to three cups a day as the caffeine may be problematic in some people, restrict your intake of fizzy drinks and aim to drink at least eight cups of water each day.

For the millions of IBS sufferers around the UK, we hope this guidance will provide you with more knowledge on how you can tackle your symptoms in the workplace. Nobody has to suffer in silence and by speaking out to those around you and sharing information, you can go on to enjoy work again and stop IBS from overcoming you.

Poor food labels blamed for stomach cancer caused by high salt intake

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has spoken out about the issue of salt content in foods, calling for all companies to label their products more clearly. This is in response to the increasing number of stomach cancer cases that have been linked to a high consumption of salt. High levels of salt are particularly prominent in popular foods such as bread, bacon, cheese, breakfast cereals, crisps and soup.

The recommended daily salt intake for adults is 6g, which is approximately around one full teaspoon. This figure is obviously less for children and babies, and the following are the general guidelines for salt intake depending on age:

. 1 to 3 years: 2g salt a day (0.8g sodium).
. 4 to 6 years: 3g salt a day (1.2g sodium).
. 7 to 10 years: 5g salt a day (2g sodium).
. 11 years and over: 6g salt a day (2.4g sodium).

The WCRF say that if adults strictly kept to this 6g limit, then this could help to reduce the 6,000 new cases of stomach cancer each year in the UK by 14% (around 800). Kate Mendoza, health of health information at the charity, says, “Stomach cancer is difficult to treat successfully because most cases are not caught until the disease is well-established. This places even greater emphasis on making lifestyle choices to prevent the disease occurring in the first place – such as cutting down on salt intake and eating more fruit and vegetables.”

She further continued, “Because around three-quarters of the salt we consume is already in processed food when we buy it, WCRF would like to see traffic light labelling on the front of food and drink packaging to give clear guidance on the levels of salt as well as sugar, fat and saturated fat. Standardised labelling among retailers and manufacturers – rather than the different voluntary systems currently in place – would help consumers make better informed and healthy choices.”

As Kate Mendoza explained, the difficult aspect of dealing with stomach cancer is that it is not usually diagnosed until the disease is at an advanced stage. Medical Specialists Pharmacy advises that you visit your doctor immediately for a check-up if you suffer from any of the following early symptoms of stomach cancer:

. Heartburn.
. Persistent indigestion.
. A bloated feeling after eating.
. Trapped wind and incessant burping.
. Feeling full very soon after beginning to eat.
. Difficulty in swallowing.

As you can see, many of the early-stage symptoms of stomach cancer are quite similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is why it is vital to see your GP who will ask you detailed questions, and refer you for further scans if necessary. If it is IBS you have, then this can be treated with a wide range of effective medications such as Mebeverine and Buscopan IBS relief. In addition, there is also the medication Lansoprazole which can help with acid reflux problems that cause heartburn and complications with swallowing. All aforementioned medicines are available at low prices from the Stomach and Bowel section of the Medical Specialists Pharmacy website.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common long-term digestive conditions in the world. It can develop at any age but the most sufferers will first start to develop symptoms between the ages of 15 and 40. It is estimated there are a staggering 12 million people in the UK alone who are suffering from the stomach condition. Most GPs, on a general rule of thumb, will first operate on the ‘ABC’ of symptoms for diagnosis. This includes abdominal cramps, bloating and change in bowel movements (such as constipation, diarrhoea or even both). After this, your GP will probably further ask you about things such how often you typically need to go to the toilet or what can make your symptoms better or worse.

For those under the age of 50 and experience the usual typical symptoms it is very unlikely you will be referred to a hospital for further tests, this would only happen in severe cases whereby your GP may think you have a possible serious underlying condition. It is thought that IBS can be caused by many different reasons, but certain factors are known to worsen the symptoms. These include:

. Food and drink intolerances. The most common culprits include wheat, dairy, caffeinated beverages and chocolate.

. Stress or anxiety issues. Problems at work, a family bereavement, relationship difficulties, etc. will probably make your IBS symptoms worse. Some people keep a stress/anxiety diary to monitor their feelings and prepare for when elevated stress might be imminent.

. Certain drugs are known to trigger symptoms. These include antibiotics, anti-depressants and anything which may contain sorbitol such as cough syrup.

With all that in mind, you may be pleased to know that doctors are now claiming that the probiotic drink ‘Symprove’ is highly effective at relieving bloating and stomach pain in IBS sufferers. Symprove is currently able to be purchased online and from within certain stores of Tesco. The recommended daily dose of the drink equates to £2 per day, which you could save by cutting down on things such as cups of coffee, sausage butties and anything else which can trigger IBS.

In a study sponsored by King’s College Hospital in London, 186 people with moderate to severe IBS and aged between 18 and 65 were analyzed. For a testing period of 12 weeks, Symprove was given to two thirds of the subjects and the rest were given a placebo instead. Results suggested that the probiotic drink was effective in aiding constipation and diarrhoea and by the end of the study a lot of people commented that they were feeling less stomach pain and discomfort, and this continued even a month after the completion of the trial.

Professor Ingvar Bjarnason, who led the study, commented, “The Symprove trial is a real breakthrough for IBS sufferers.” At Medical Specialists Pharmacy, we are currently analysing the massive range of products for IBS sufferers with a view to expanding our evergrowing span of medications and chemist shop items, and we hope to offer effective solutions very soon, so keep checking our website regularly for more updates. Lansoprazole is just one of the IBS products which will soon be available to new and existing patients. In the meantime, feel free to browse around our website for help with other such common problems like male and female hair loss, impotence, help with quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol and much more.