To Your Health November 2006.pub (Read-Only)

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Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is a burning
sensation in the chest, sometimes accompanied by
acid backup in the throat, nausea, belching,
bloating, and other unpleasant symptoms. Fatty,
fried, and spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, peppermint,
and chocolate can bring on heartburn in some
people, though various studies incriminate
different foods and beverages.
In heartburn, the sphincter (ring muscle) in the
lower esophagus at the entrance to the stomach
relaxes, allowing digestive juices and sometimes
bits of food to move back into the esophagus and
throat. Simple heartburn usually goes away on its
own, or with the help of an occasional antacid.
But if it becomes frequent or chronic, it may be
classified as gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), a more serious problem.
GERD can interrupt your sleep, leaving you tired
during the day. It can also cause laryngitis,
hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and chronic
cough. Indeed, more than half of those with
GERD have these symptoms without
realizing they are having reflux, which makes
the condition hard to diagnose. Its thought that 25% of all cases of unexplained asthma are
actually the result of GERDthe acid causes
spasms in the airway. Sinusitis, dental erosion,
and esophageal damage can also result from
long-term GERD.
For simple, occasional heartburn, try some of
the tips in Avoiding The Burn, as well as
over-the-counter (OTC) antacids. Sometimes
these measures are enough to prevent
heartburn.
Best Advice: If you have chronic heartburn,
or even if you just have persistent
unexplained symptoms such as poor
sleep, laryngitis, hoarseness, or difficulty
swallowing, see a doctor. If it turns out you
have GERD, theres a great deal that can be
done to relieve your
symptoms, including a
variety of very
effective prescription
medications.UC
Berkeley Wellness
Letter, September
2006. Heartburn and GERD S I M P S O N U N I V E R S I T Y H E A L T H C E N T E R N E W S L E T T E R To Your Health N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 6 AVOIDING THE BURN: Lose weight. Extra pounds can bring
on heartburn or
make it worse. Dont eat within 3 hours of bedtime. Avoid large meals.
Avoid whatever foods you think
are causing the
heartburn. Dont drink milk to ease the
heartburn. It may
feel soothing at
first, but can
promote acid
production later. Elevate the head of your bed. Put
wooden blocks
under the
headboard to
raise it by at least
four to six inches.
A foam wedge can
also help. Cut back on fluids with meals. Chew gum after meals. This
stimulates saliva
production, a
good buffer to
stomach acid. Do not wear tight
pants or belts;
they put pressure
on the stomach . LAS VEGAS, Oct. 24College students with pierced nipples, bellybuttons, and other body parts are
risking hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections when they share their jewelry, reported Julie Hollberg, M.D.
of the Center for Digestive Care in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at the American College of Gastroenterology
(ACG meeting).
More than half of college students surveyed (55%) had at least one piercing in a body area other than
their ears. Of these, about 60% reported that they share their body-piercing jewelry with friends, Dr.
Hollbergs study found.
The first documented case of HCV transmission via body-piercing jewelry was published last November
in Pediatrics. It involved a belly button ring shared by two 18 year- old girls.
Trading earrings, also a common practice, is not likely to spread HCV because ear tissue is largely
composed of cartilage, Dr. Hollberg said. But swapping jewelry from areas of the body . . .which bleed
more from piercing and dont heal as well, is riskier, she said.
To learn more about other HCV risk factors read the entire article at this link: http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ACG/tb/4351 Students Risk Hepatitis C by Sharing Body-Piercing Jewelry

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