Beth brings a unique combination of sharp business expertise and women's health insight to her leadership of the organization. Beth has worked in the health care industry for more than 25 years helping to define and drive public education programs on a broad range of women's health issues. She launched and has expanded the HealthyWomen.org brand. As a result of her leadership, HealthyWomen was recognized as one of the top 100 women's health web sites by Forbes for three consecutive years, and was recognized by Oprah magazine as one of the top women's health web sites. HealthyWomen now connects to millions of women across the country through its wide program distribution and innovative use of technology.
Beth is responsible for the business development and strategic positioning of HealthyWomen. She creates partnerships with key health care professionals and consumer groups to provide strategic, engaging and informative award-winning programs. She serves as the organization's chief spokesperson, regularly participating in corporate, non-profit, community and media events. She also is a practicing nurse in maternal child health at Riverview Medical Center- Hackensack Meridian Health, in Red Bank, NJ.
In addition to her nursing degree, Beth holds degrees in political science, business and public administration from Marymount University.
To stay sane, she loves to run and compete in road races. She enjoys skiing and sailing with her husband and young son, and welcoming new babies into the world.
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Salix Pharmaceuticals sponsored this post. However, all opinions are my own.
Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a condition that affects more than 16 million Americans and is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits—namely diarrhea.
Living with IBS-D can be frustrating for many, as its symptoms greatly interfere with daily activities. Though the condition cannot be prevented, many patients find they can manage their symptoms by identifying and avoiding their triggers.
When speaking to patients who express IBS-D symptoms, it is important to educate them on the possibility that their gastrointestinal tract may be more sensitive or reactive to both dietary and environmental stimuli, like stress.
In addition to dietary and environmental stimuli, some healthcare professionals believe that a bacterial imbalance in the gut may be linked to IBS-D symptoms. I had the opportunity to learn more about this topic from Dr. Mark Pimentel at an event sponsored by Salix Pharmaceuticals, which I was paid to attend. Dr. Pimentel, a leading gastroenterologist and paid spokesperson for Salix Pharmaceuticals, discussed how food poisoning can be a trigger for this bacterial imbalance in the gut.
According to a review published in the WorldJournal of Gastroenterology, the composition and diversity of gut flora may be critical to understanding IBS. The findings suggest that rebalancing bacteria in the gut can play a key role in managing IBS symptoms.
When evaluating patients with mild symptoms – meaning, their symptoms do not seem to interfere with daily activities – a healthcare provider may begin by recommending dietary and lifestyle changes. Keeping a food journal can help determine which foods seem to trigger distress. Some patients' symptoms are triggered by caffeine, milk, alcohol, carbonated beverages, raw fruits, and cruciferous vegetables; however, others may tolerate some or all of these without displaying symptoms.
Depending on the patient's primary complaints, a healthcare provider may also consider recommending fiber supplements, laxatives, antidiarrheal and cholinergic medications, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (often used as antidepressants), and pain medication. In patients where bacterial imbalance of the gut is a possible cause of IBS-D symptoms, the use of other treatment options that alter the microbiota in the gut may be appropriate.
If a patient's symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea, consider the possibility of microbial imbalance in the gut as a possible underlying cause, to help recommend the appropriate treatment.
