For years healthcare professionals have been telling patients that corn, nuts and popcorn can increase diverticular complications. A recent study, however, shows that this advice may have been premature and arbitrary.

According to a study in the August 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), corn, nuts and popcorn do not increase diverticular complications. In fact, these items may actually decrease a person’s chances for developing diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis is the occurrence of colon pouches that bulge and become inflamed. One-third of the U.S. population will develop diverticulosis by age 60 and two-thirds will develop it by age 85, according to the article.

That’s a lot of people who have been told not to eat corn, nuts and popcorn.

This situation is reminiscent many health tidbits that have been released to the public over the years. First people are told that a food is bad for a certain condition, then that it’s good for it, and vice versa. There’s no way for the lay person to know for sure, so they must trust what healthcare professionals tell them, until enough studies say otherwise.

The American Medical Association study is a good start though, which means many more Americans might soon have more fun at the movies (popcorn), at Thanksgiving dinner (corn) and at bridge games and the ballpark (peanuts).  

For more information, read “Study: Nuts and Popcorn Not Linked to Diverticulosis” here.

The old maxim has proven true; sometimes the best solutions are the most simple solutions. A good case of this involves a recent study that shows patients who chew gum heal faster from colon surgery than patients who don’t chew gum.

According to the August issue of the Archives of Surgery, “gum chewing may stimulate nerves in the digestive system, triggering the release of hormones and increasing the production of saliva and digestive juices from the pancreas.”

Chewing three sticks of sugarless gum a day may help patients pass gas or have a bowel movement after surgery. Passing gas and having bowel movements are often difficult for patients who have had colon surgery. 

The study researchers analyzed five trials that included 158 patients, some of whom chewed gum for five to 45 minutes three times a day, and some who didn't. The patients who chewed gum passed gas about half a day sooner and had a bowel movement 1.1 days quicker than those who didn't chew gum, according to the study.

Technology constantly improves and so do systems, but this study proves that easy fixes should not be overlooked or underestimated.

To read a related story, click here. 

The response to this year’s EndoNurse MVP contest was absolutely amazing. Nearly a half-million votes were cast this year, more than in any other EndoNurse MVP contest.

Congratulations to the winner, Kathleen Anderson, CBSPD, CST, NA, of the VA Hospital in White River Junction, Vt. She is the 2008 MVP.

Second place goes to Eileen Erwin, RN, CGRN, of InovaMt.VernonHospital, in Alexandria, Va., and the third-place contestant is Patricia DeSouza, RN, BSN, CGRN, of Westchester/Putnam Gastroenterology, in Carmel, NY.

The EndoNurse staff received dozens of enthusiastic calls from supporters of these women, and of other MVP candidates. All these calls made evident how much the MVP contestants mean to their colleagues.

It’s great to know that there are so many endoscopy team members nationwide who care enough to nominate and support each other. That type of warm, supportive attitude must surely translate into the care these professionals give, and that makes for happy patients.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's EndoNurse MVP contest.

Nominations for the 2009 EndoNurse MVP contest will begin in October. And again, congratulations Kathleen Anderson; you won!