it's also a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
There's soooo much new information about how the digestive/lymphatic/auto-immune systems all work together and how to maintain a balance among them. So many of the modern illnesses seem to be caused by an imbalance among these systems -- reflux, adrenal exhaustion, thyroid problems, chronic fatigue, etc. etc. As has been pointed out elsewhere, we Americans generally like to find a drug to cure (mask?) the symptoms. But in order to be _well_ and get rid of the underlying condition, probably the thing to do is to change our diets. It's difficult, it's challenging, but it can also be liberating and exciting (exploring new foods, etc.)

Just a quick update. I've had to wear a heart monitor for 4 weeks (2 weeks longer than necessary because the first one didn't record) and I got the test results back this week.

I'm normal.

Okay, don't everyone laugh at once.

But, my results were normal, so no silly heart problems to worry about. Just a couple of leaky valves and some arrythymia.

Vicki, glad to hear that your results were good. What are they going to do with the leaky valves, if anything.

chickadee

nothing medically. I just have to have an ultrasound every year to take a look at them.

Whew...I'm glad I read this.

I have strained on the potty, and I know that it was a strain on my system.

I eat high fiber cereal and bread and that has helped me tremendously. I think one thing that alot of us don't do is drink alot of water. I know I don't, even though I try to remember to do so.

Thanks for the info!

My problem is I take a lot of medications that cause constipation. I take 2 kinds of fiber support and a stool softener. Plus I eat prunes on occasion. And, I drink more than 8 glasses of water a day. And I'm still constipated.

I ended up in the hospital when this happened to me and it was serious. Now every day I take one ALOE VERA capsule with breakfast and at dinner I take a FENUGREEK and an ALOE VERA capsule and have never suffered constipation again and I know I don't drink enough water. I also eat Flax on cereal or desert but not often enough. It is the Aloe Vera and Fenugreek keeping me regular. There is a sale right now at Puritan Pride. The Aloe is #5101, you get 100 for $9.95 and you also get 2 more bottles for FREE. Thats 300 for $9.95.....
The Fenugreek is #6020, you get 100 for $8.99 and also get 2 more bottles free. Thats 300 for $8.99......
The number to call is 800/645-1030...
I have used them for years and their quality can't be beat...They'll send you a catalog with thousands of items for sale.

Vicki,
Perhaps you should go to a health food store and ask for some of the products that replace the normal flora in your intestinal tract. Be sure to get the live cultures which are kept refridgerated.
Foreign research (not supported by pharmaceutical companies) is showing the importance of maintaining the normal flora of the intestinal tract. Anti-biotics disrupt it and result in overgrowth of fungus, yeast, and other normally present micro-organisms. In excess those micro-organisms produce toxins which can affect every body system.

Live culture yogurt, buttermilk and other products are also helpful, but the health food stor products might also be worth a try.
smile

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies. I appreciate your input. I'm going to try as much as I can because it sure isn't any fun being constipated all the time. But, if you ask my mother, she'd say I was full of Sh** anyway.

Its not only not fun, but it is extremely unhealthy...the live flora is very imnportant to intestinal health and the Aloe and Fengreek will keep the mass soft enough to be eliminated easily and often enough to keep you "whistle clean." It is something you may have to take for life, I have to. When I test it and stop for a couple days, BAM, constipated again.