Bones of the pelvis with pelvic floor highlighted in yellow

When our muscles are healthy and strong, they work silently, allowing us to function without thinking about it. Our pelvic floor muscles are no different; for a more in-depth look at pelvic floor function and anatomy, click here. Until recently, we believed it was normal to have leakage (also known as incontinence) after childbirth or…

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man and woman having to hold the urge to pee

Continence is defined as the ability to hold in and let out urine under voluntary control. This requires a properly working central nervous system, lower urinary tract, and pelvic floor. To learn more about pelvic floor anatomy, click here. Incontinence is when one or more of these systems are not functioning properly, leading to involuntary…

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3d skeleton with back pain with pelvic floor highlighted

Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions; up to 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. There are many causes of low back pain, and most respond well to conventional treatment including orthopedic physiotherapy, chiropractic, and/or massage. In many cases low back pain arises…

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bottle of medications that have fallen over, with text bubble saying acid blockers aren't meant for long term use

I often see patients who have been taking acid blockers long term, not realizing they were only meant and designed for short term use. This article will shed light on the evidence that acid blockers must not be used long term. What Are Acid Blockers? Acid blockers work by reducing stomach acid production. Acid is…

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male model with hole showing stomach underneath the skin with text bubble saying acid reflux isn't from too much stomach acid

Many patients suffering from GERD or acid reflux are on acid blocking medications. When I tell them their symptoms aren’t necessarily due to overproduction of acid, they look surprised. Acid blockers help with the symptoms, but in most cases, it doesn’t address the underlying issue; in all cases, they must not be used long term.…

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skeleton model with gastrointestinal organs and a text bubble saying how does leaky gut start?

Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, describes the loss of intestinal barrier function where things leak through that shouldn’t. Our intestinal tract is complex – it’s responsible for the digestion and absorption of the nutrients we consume, but it’s also exposed to food antigens, commensal bacteria, pathogens and toxins [1]. We have a specialized barrier to…

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man holding his chest with a pile of medications, indicating he needs the medications for acid reflux

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a common ailment with various causative factors. In some cases, it’s worthwhile investigating whether long term use of acid blockers could be the cause. What is SIBO? As the name implies, SIBO is a condition characterized by overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Ordinarily, the large intestine houses…

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Cartoon of digestive tract with bacteria and doctor, on yellow background for the topic of SIBO

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth is a common finding in people experiencing problematic gastrointestinal symptoms. Many common conditions and diseases are associated with SIBO, so this concept is important to understand. Normal Gut Bacteria Ordinarily, most bacteria are in the large intestine, housing billions of bacteria per millilitre of bowel content. On the other hand, the…

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Several red pills forming a large X shape on a black table to illustrate the dangers of using acid blockers long term

Patients taking acid blocking medications may experience adverse effects if those medications are taken long term. The medications are not recommended for long term use. This article will discuss the specific negative consequences of having deficient or no stomach acid. What Are Acid Blockers? Acid blockers aim to reduce the stomach’s production of hydrochloric acid…

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