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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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.