 Nicola Spears was working as an assistant accountant when she first went to her doctor suffering from bloating, cramps and constipation. She said: "I'd been suffering on and off with bloating and other symptoms for several years, but it got to a stage where I'd have to undo my trousers at work in the afternoon because the bloating had become so bad". Then two years ago Nicola, 39, who is married to Paul and has two children Danielle, 16, and Melanie, 13, went to her GP to try to discover just what was wrong with her. After many tests, including gynaecological examinations and a laparoscopy, the doctor still could not say for sure what was wrong with her. Despite this he put Nicola, from Widdrington, Northumberland, on anti-IBS medication. She said: "I was fed up. I was getting depressed and the doctor still wanted to do more tests on me. Every part of my body felt thick and the pain was starting to get quite severe." The tablets were also not having the effect she would have liked: "They eased the condition, but not enough to make me feel any better about myself." Eventually, in January this year, a friend recommended that she visit Mark Costar at the Ki Clinic, an alternative therapy centre in Hexham. Nicola admits: "At first I was sceptical. I couldn't see how it would work where my doctor had failed. But after meeting Mark I was immediately converted. He did some allergy tests and discovered I had a severe allergy to dairy products, as well as a slight wheat intolerance. "He also put me on a detox with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Within six weeks I could feel such an amazing difference - the bloating had completely gone." Not only that, but Nicola lost more than a stone in weight and regained some of her lost energy. She says: "My diet before I met Mark was awful, I lived on convenience foods. Now I eat plenty of fresh foods and avoid those I know I'm allergic to - although I must admit I'm a little bit naughty sometimes!" However, it was not simply changes to her diet which made a difference. Nicola has had colonic irrigation twice, about which she cannot speak highly enough, and Mark also practised kinesiology on her, in which the muscles are tested under certain conditions to gain information from the changes in the muscles. Nicola said: "I thought the idea was a bit daft at first, just feeling your muscles. But because of doing that and interpreting what my body was trying to say, Mark could tell me definitively for the first time that I was suffering from IBS. I was almost starting to think it was in my head or something. "The IBS was having such a negative impact on my life. I had such issues with clothing, which had never been the case before and was starting to buy items in a size or two bigger just to try to deal with the bloating. It had an effect on my work too - I was so negative and starting to get angry at everything. I just had no energy." Since starting her treatment with Mark at the Ki Clinic Nicola's health has seen a massive improvement. She said: "I'd say it's a 100% improvement. I have to watch my diet, but I've got so much more energy and my depression has gone. I'm more active too. before I'd come home from work and just slump on the settee. Now I get out and about and do things. I'd definitely recommend kinesiology .You can find out any intolerance you might have and it's all completely natural so you don't have to worry about chemicals. Don't just leave the problem because it can be made better." For details of the Ki Clinic visit www.thekiclinic.co.uk or call (01434) 608 189. --------------------------------------------------------- Sharon's battle X-Factor judge and rock star wife Sharon Osbourne battled bowel cancer after being diagnosed with the illness in 2002. Sharon, who returned to our TV screens at the weekend on the ITV talent show, had surgery and chemotherapy to tackle the cancer and in 2003 she was given the all-clear. But every year over 17,000 people in the UK are not so lucky and lose their battle with bowel cancer. Husband Ozzy has recently spoken of his fears for Sharon's health and has said he is worried about the chances of the cancer returning. Ozzy Osbourne told one magazine: "She's doing great, but I must confess that I'm still worried about her." Stress at work is so hard to stomach The pressures of modern living are starting to have an impact on the digestive health of the UK. Research by the probiotic experts Yakult revealing that almost one in 10 people suffer from gut trouble because of long-term work-related stress. It was also discovered that in the North East one in 10 people suffer from a condition such as diarrhoea or constipation before a big presentation and a fifth suffer before a job interview. But it's not just at work that people suffer from bowel conditions brought on by stress - the research found, romantically, that over 100,000 people claim to have had tummy trouble before a first date, with the same number of weddings spoiled to some extent by a nervous gut! Those most likely to suffer from stress-related gut disorders include women, office and public sector workers (eg nurses), while those who work outdoors are the least likely to suffer from a stress related disorder. Page 2: Simple steps to improved health | 
Fashion
Gardening