gastro ./ gastrointestinal function

Menopause And Gastrintestinal Distress
By Cathy Taylor, Thu Dec 8th

Numerous women report that menopause comes along withgastrointestinal distress causing uncomfortable symptoms such asindigestion, flatulence and sudden bloating. Not only are theseannoying and embarrassing, they can also be quite painful.During menopause, gastrointestinal bloating is caused when airfills the abdomen, creating a full feeling. Even though yourstomach remains the same size, your pants probably feel tighterand your waistline just seems to keep expanding. Excessintestinal gas is produced by bacteria in the intestines. Sugarlocated foods often contribute to the growth of this bacterium.

Poor digestion, a lack of lactose - an enzyme that breaks downfood and liquids, can cause gastrointestinal distress as well.Gas distress can also be rampant during menopause due to lack ofestrogen. Medical studies have suggested that a menopausalwoman's diet can be to blame - particularly too many high sugarfoods including fruit, and certain vegetables such ascauliflower, onion and broccoli that create even more bacteriain already inflamed intestines.

Of course your hormones might also be the trigger for bloating.For example, progesterone in the right doses has a calmingeffect, but in too high doses can cause bloating and breasttenderness. A form of estrogen called Estradiol, on the otherhand, is sometimes prescribed as a relief for bloating.

People who eat too much protein at once can cause bloatingbecause the stomach

can't digest it all. Enzymes that helpdigestion such as Beano aid in the consumption of products suchas soy that can have numerous positive effects for menopausalwomen.

Herbs can be used to restore balance in menopause. You need tobe clear on what stage of menopause you are in. Differenthormone levels vary significantly from peri-menopause tomenopause and post-menopause, and of course your doctor needs tohelp you with these decisions.

For bloating as well as headaches and breast tenderness, anherbal tea that provides minerals in a dissolved form can help.Minerals help your body handle waste loads as well as provide agood source of calcium. You can use a combination of raspberry,dandelion, lemon balm, nettles, and green oat straw tea. Drinkone cup of tea per day. Don quai can increase the effectivenessof estrogen released from fat tissue and help soothe menopausaldiscomfort as well.

The information in this article is for educational purposesonly, and is not intended as medical advice.

About the author:Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 yearsexperience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy andplan development, as well as management of communications andpublic relations programs for small business sectors. She can bereached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or byvisiting www.everythingmenopause.com,www.howtoconquermenopause.com orwww.internet-marketing-small-business.com