There are clear and well-publicised problems and health risks that are associated with being obese. Carrying too much weight, can increase the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or a number of other health problems.

Obesity is a problem that rules the day-to-day lives of many people. It’s no easy matter losing weight, and once you’ve lost the weight it is often difficult to keep it off. However with a gastric balloon remarkable results can be achieved within a short space of time. The gastric balloon is a simple way to lose weight and change your relationship with food forever.

The gastric balloon procedure is not an operation, the balloon is inserted via the mouth and oesophagus. The gastric balloon means that you do not have to undergo surgery, which can be risky. Insertion is usually done under sedation and is a quick procedure lasting about ten to fifteen minutes. After a short recovery period from the sedation, you are able to return home. You may experience some nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps for a few days, and you will need to take it easy until your body adjusts to the presence of the balloon, but you can return to normal activities very quickly.

The gastric balloon “floats” in the stomach, giving you a feeling of satiety and fullness. The balloon is designed to partial fill your stomach so that you feel fuller quicker, get less hungry, and more importantly alter your relationship with food. For best results you will need to follow the dietary advice of the dietician, and by also increasing your physical exercise you will notice improvements in your overall fitness and your health.

The gastric balloon is removed after six months. During the six months that the balloon has been in place you will have been able to adjust your eating habits and lifestyle to enable you to maintain a healthy and stable weight.

Constipation

Constipation is when stools become hard and lumpy and can be difficult to pass, or it is a feeling of not being able to empty your bowels completely. It is a very common condition that can affect people of all ages.

Causes of constipation

• Medication
• Bowel disease
• Diet
• Age
• Lifestyle
• Ignoring the natural urge to go
• Pregnancy

Complications of constipation

• Haemorrhoids – by constantly straining to pass stools it can lead to haemorrhoids also known as piles, which form in the lower rectum and anus.
• Faecal impaction – this is when hard, dry stools collect in the rectum and causes an obstruction. This can lead to a number of problems such as faecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, swelling and bleeding of the rectum.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is the passing of watery stools. It can either be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhoea last five to ten days whilst chronic diarrhoea lasts for more than two weeks.

Causes of diarrhoea
Acute diarrhoea is normally caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Chronic diarrhoea can be a sign of a more serious condition such as irritable bowel syndrome or crohns disease.

Complications of diarrhoea

• Dehydration
• Blood in stools
• Vomiting

If these complications occur a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Heartburn
Heartburn also known as GORD (Gastro – oesophageal reflux disease) this occurs when stomach acid goes back into the oesophagus.

Causes of heartburn
The main cause of heartburn is a problem with a muscle called the lower oesophagus sphincter. Often the sphincter becomes weakened and this allows acid to pass from the stomach back into the oesophagus, this inevitably results in heartburn.

Complications of heartburn

• Oesophageal ulcers – these can make swallowing difficult and cause pain and bleeding.
• Oesophageal stricture – this is when scar tissue is formed because of repeated damage to the oesophagus. This can cause narrowing of the oesophagus which could make swallowing painful.

Information provided by Katie Stubbs

Wellbeing and food are closely connected and diet is one powerful way of controlling health and wellbeing.

As life gets more hectic for all of us it is important to take control of our health, instead of letting our health take control of us.
People on restricted diets need to eat as well as those on non-restricted diets.

There is more to life than just being vegetarian or meat eating. People need to have choice of really simple things that are natural and good for you.

Statistics show that just under half of the UK population suffers from food intolerance at some time in their lives. Some diets can be very restrictive, cutting out for example gluten, dairy, meat and pulses. This can make diets difficult to follow.

It is better to seek the advice of a consultant who specialises in food intolerance who can take a detailed history, maybe undertake some investigations but importantly give accurate advice on health problems and dietary intake.

Some people may have food intolerances that they don’t recognise with symptoms such as migraine, bloating and constipation to name just a few. These can all be signs that the body is intolerant to a certain food. Food sensitivities can be a complex subject and you should always ensure you seek help from a medical expert.

At 9.25am on Thursday 29th March 2007 my wonderful son, Oliver, died in my arms. He was just 28 years old and as a young doctor himself, was at the beginning of a fabulous career.

Oliver had been experiencing stomach pains for two years. When he finally went to see his doctor he was told that the pains were symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Despite not being tested for anything more threatening, it seemed a reasonable explanation. He worked long, stressful hours, often without proper meal breaks. With changes to his lifestyle and diet, his symptoms should improve.

“Oliver knew he had two choices”

At that point Oliver knew he had two choices; and a 50 per cent chance of making the wrong choice. He could either accept his diagnosis or he could seek a specialist opinion. Unfortunately, as a doctor himself, he didn’t want to go against another doctor’s judgement. He was also the type of person who didn’t like to make a fuss. For these reasons he chose to accept that the pains were simply symptoms of IBS.

In 2005 however we received devastating news. Oliver had just 13 months to live. His ‘IBS’ was actually bowel cancer - which had spread to his liver and lungs. Despite undergoing chemotherapy treatment, Oliver became very ill. The cancer had not been diagnosed early enough; the damage had been done. All I could do was watch, helplessly, as my vibrant, intelligent son deteriorated before my eyes.

“His ‘IBS’ was actually bowel cancer”

I can’t bring Oliver back or change the past. But I want to urge others who are worried about their IBS-like symptoms to consult Nucleus Healthcare, a unit specialising in gastroenterology. You don’t need a referral from your doctor and you don’t have to be insured. Nucleus Healthcare is also recognised by all major health insurance companies. If Oliver’s stomach pains had been correctly investigated, he would have received the treatment he needed. He would probably still be alive today.

Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease is a condition of the small intestine. It can occur at any age. Coeliac disease is caused by a reaction of the gut to gluten. Gluten is part of certain foods – mainly foods made from wheat, barley and rye. The reaction to gluten causes inflammation in the lining of the gut. This stops the gut from working properly. Various symptoms can develop including abdominal pains, tiredness, weight loss, excess wind, bloating and diarrhoea. Poor absorption of food may cause deficiencies of vitamins, iron and other nutrients. Anaemia due to poor absorption of iron is common.

How is the diagnosis confirmed?

If coeliac disease is suspected, a blood test to detect a certain antibody that occurs in coeliac disease may be advised by your doctor. If it is present the diagnosis of coeliac disease is likely. To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy (small sample) is taken from the inside lining of the gut, this is looked at under a microscope to see if the typical changes of coeliac disease are present. The biopsy is usually taken by a flexible tube (endoscope) which is passed into the small intestine.

What are the treatments for coeliac disease

The main treatment is not to eat any food that contains gluten. The symptoms then usually go within a few weeks. You should get advice from a dietician on dietary requirements. You may also be advised to take some vitamin, calcium and iron supplements at least for the first six months following diagnosis. This is to replace any deficiencies, and to make sure you get enough of these whilst the gut lining is returning to normal.

Further help and information

Coeliac UK, Suites A-D, Octagon Court, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2HS.

Helpline: 0870 4448804 Web: www.coeliac.org.uk

Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of coeliac disiease in adults, Crest (2006).

Guidelines for the management of patients with coeliac disease, British Society of Gastroenterology (2002).