New research published in the obstetrics and gynecological journal BJOG shows that giving women sugarless chewing gum after cesarean section seemed to help them recover normal bowel function and shorten their time in the hospital. After abdominal surgeries intestinal function often become sluggish and may require a few days to return to normal. However, researchers say that chewing gum may help because the act of chewing sets off a nervous system response and release of digestive hormones which stimulate bowel activity. The cost and time savings should not be underestimated, especially in countries with limited health care resources. [via MSNBC]
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Tags: abdominal, bowel, c-section, cesarean section, Gastrointestinal, Pregnancy, surgery
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
September 4th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I am a final year student in school of Nursing in Nigeria. I want to agree with the above subject because it is practical. Anytime I did not have appetite to eat food, I always chew gum and after few minutes, I will be hungry. This indicates that the response of the nervous system was caused by chewing of gum and this in a way stimulate the activity in the bowel.
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:42 am
am i agreement with chewing gum aids in qick recovery of the bowel inflamation it is very pratical even in our daily activity chewing gum stimulate hunger.