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Biomedical subjects

L A Giese

Publications and source records attributed to L A Giese.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual health issues in inflammatory bowel disease.

Alterations in sexual health caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may affect quality of life and disease status. IBD usually strikes adolescents or young adults, who are also facing developmental milestones important to sexual health. Issues include growth and development, body image, intimacy and sexual functioning, fertility, and pregnancy. A review of published research regarding these issues, in addition to suggestions for nursing assessment and interventions, is included in this article. Nurses must offer sensitive support and suggestions for coping. Nurses must be aware of the issues influencing sexual health when providing total care to clients with IBD.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A study of alternative health care use for gastrointestinal disorders.

The discomfort and frustration often experienced by patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders may lead many to seek alternative health care (AHC). This study was conducted to describe AHC use by patients with GI disorders in a convenience sample (N = 73) from a tertiary hospital in Florida. AHC was explored within social exchange theory. Measurement instruments included the Alternative Health Care Gastrointestinal Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Alternative Health Care Use Questionnaire, and Alternative Health Care Advantages/Disadvantages Questionnaire. The study indicated that 32 subjects (43%) had used AHC for their GI disorders during the past 2 years. Most frequently used AHC included relaxation therapy, herbs, lifestyle diets, megavitamins, massage, and home remedies. There was a greater use of AHC by young persons (t = 2.39, p = .02) and by those not retired (chi 2 = 4.58, p = .03). AHC was associated with perceived rewards (r = .38, p = .03) and perceived profits (r = .38, p = .03). AHC was not associated with type or duration of GI disorder or other demographic variables. Subjects specifically cited benefits with relaxation therapy, vegetarian diets, spiritual healing, fish oil for inflammatory bowel disease, and use of milk thistle for hepatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complementary healthcare practices.

This column provides a brief overview of the historical use of herbs for hepatobiliary disease. It includes information regarding both the harmful and helpful effects of herbs on the hepatobiliary system. Certainly more research is needed. Studies are currently in progress, many funded by grants from various agencies including the National Institute of Health. Since one-third of patients attending liver clinics are using these potentially helpful or harmful herbs, it is an important issue for gastroenterology nurses, associates, and other health care providers to address. We must increase our knowledge, advocate for safety and research, and discuss the use of herbs in a non-judgmental, informed manner.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Milk thistle and the treatment of hepatitis.

Gastroenterology nurses and associates will find it helpful to be informed about milk thistle (silybum marianum), a popular, safe and promising herb used by patients with liver disease. Silymarin is a derivative from the milk thistle plant with few side effects that has been safely used for centuries to treat liver ailments. Since the 1970s, there has been a reemergence of the marketing and use of silymarin. Research results of some small studies suggest silymarin has hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, and regenerative properties producing a beneficial effect for some types of hepatitis. It is unclear, however, whether silymarin might interfere with the effect of interferon or ribavirin. A well-designed, placebo-controlled study of a larger population is needed. It is certainly encouraging that a large collaborative study is currently underway for milk thistle therapy in hepatitis C. This study is funded by NCCAM, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Research updates are available online at www.nccam.nih.gov and through the NCCAM Clearinghouse at 1-888-644-6226.

Antioxidants↗