Originally published October 31 2005
Chewing gum may speed up digestive system's recovery from surgery
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dr. James McCormick, a laparoscopic surgeon at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh, has studied the positive effects of gum chewing on patients who have undergone colon surgery, and his study concludes that "sham feeding" may fool the body into returning to its normal functions.
A new study reveals that patients who chew gum after laparoscopic colon surgery have a shorter hospital stay than those who don't.
Dr. James McCormick, a laparoscopic surgeon at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh and a lead investigator in this study, explains, "something as simple as chewing gum" can speed up recovery time, by fooling the body into thinking that the digestive track is back to normal.
The 'sham' reduces the likelihood of postoperative ileus.
Ileus is a condition where the digestive system remains inactive for a period of time following surgery.
McCormick says, "There are a few scientific theories which attempt to explain why this approach works.
Most prevalent is the concept of 'sham feeding.'
The sooner the body thinks it is normal, the sooner it will act normally and the sooner you get to go home."
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