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- $Unique_ID{BRK00880}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What is "Successful Women's Ulcer"?}
- $Subject{successful woman ulcer Digestive intestine intestines SWU irritable
- bowel disease syndrome burning stabbing abdominal pain abdomen nausea diarrhea
- constipation indigestion intestinal spasm high fiber diet stress management
- meditation biofeedback reading meticulous overachievers gastroenterologist ibs
- ibd}
- $Volume{I-12}
- $Log{
- Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome*0008401.scf
- Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome*0008402.scf
- Controlling Irritable Bowel Syndrome*0008403.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What is "Successful Women's Ulcer"?
-
-
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-
- QUESTION: I've had flare-ups of severe abdominal cramps. After a series of
- tests and x-rays, my gastroenterologist told me I have something which he
- called a "successful women's ulcer." He put me on a high fiber diet but would
- prescribe no medication. Have you ever heard of such a thing?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Yes. The so-called "successful women's ulcer" (SWU) is actually very
- common, but it is really a misnomer, because it is not actually an ulcer. The
- condition could more correctly be called irritable bowel disease. SWU may
- occur in up to 25% of working women at some time, especially in women who are
- meticulous and overachievers. The symptoms of SWU are a burning or stabbing
- pain in the abdomen, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion. The
- symptoms are the result of intestinal spasm caused by stress. Irritable bowel
- disease is best treated with a high fiber diet and stress management programs.
- High fiber foods, such as unprocessed cereals, breads and beans create more
- bulk in the digestive tract. The added bulk prevents the painful intestinal
- spasm, because it keeps the muscles from fully contracting. In addition to
- the high fiber diet, your doctor might have suggested some stress management
- techniques, such as meditation, biofeedback, and reading. Learning to fully
- relax is really the key to ridding yourself of this problem.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-