Hypnotherapy has been used to help folks quit smoking and lose weight, and now the alternative therapy is gaining ground as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes diarrhea or constipation. A prominent British gastroenterologist has found hynotherapy improved symptoms in nine out of 10 patients. After auditing the first 100 of his IBS Read more

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's teaching us about digestive issues. In last week’s column, I answered a great question from a reader who was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by her physician. I addressed her question regarding Candida infection of the gastrointestinal system but felt that a separate column on IBS was warranted, given its common prevalence and media Read more

A healthy gut is a happy gut. To keep your intestinal tract in optimal working order, it needs lots of "good" bacteria — no, that is not an oxymoron! There are only three types of basic bacteria in our digestive systems, so boosting the "friendly bacteria" with probiotics can help balance the pH of the intestinal tract, creating a less desirable environment for pathogenic bacteria (the bad Read more

Ever since my naturopath introduced me to the wonderful world of castor oil packs, I've been hooked. Castor oil's healing properties go way back to ancient Egypt, where it was regularly taken orally as a laxative (which is now known to be toxic). Today, Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, and naturopathy recommend castor oil packs because of their ability to promote healing and to reduce Read more

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions. DrSugar, I have been trying to get back on track with my exercise routine after those dangerous two months of parties, but I notice that each month when my period comes around, it seems impossible to get past the cravings and fatigue. What causes this and what can I do to get around it? — Crazy Cravings The symptoms Read more

DrSugar is in the house! Today she's explaining the confusing condition fibromyalgia. I am taking a break from answering your questions to discuss a medical condition that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years, both in the medical field and the public arena: fibromyalgia, a well-publicized but often misunderstood medical condition that affects two to four percent of the population. To Read more

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions. Dear DrSugar, I am wondering why my digestion goes haywire during my menstrual period. I always keep my diet clean and exercise daily but I can't seem to combat the gas, diarrhea, constipation and constant gurgly noises coming from my gut! What could this be and how can I stop it? — Too Much Fun Below the Belt Oh, what Read more

Dear Fit, I'm not embarrassed to admit that I'm an extremely gassy person. I know it's a natural bodily function, even though I seem to do it more than the average person, but now I have an embarrassing problem. I used to work from home, so it didn't matter if I let my gas pass, but I just got a new job where I work in a big office. All our desks are in one big room, so there's absolutely no Read more

DrSugar is in the house, and she's answering your health-related questions. Dear DrSugar, I have been experiencing severe stomach pains for about four months, as well as other lesser symptoms like fatigue and skin breakouts. So far, my doctor is leaning toward the all-encompassing diagnosis of IBS, which obviously can only be "managed" (so far unsuccessfully) with lifestyle changes. I have tried Read more