Illnesses and Conditions

Heartburn

Heartburn. It’s no wonder so many people are confused about it. After all, it has nothing to do with your heart. Heartburn earned its name from the burning sensation it causes in the middle of your chest – a feeling that may also be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in your mouth or throat.

Heartburn is a symptom that results when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus – the long tube that runs from your mouth to your stomach. Normally, when you swallow, an opening to your stomach relaxes to let food or fluid in. Then it closes like a gate, ensuring that your esophagus is a “one-way street.” (In other words, what goes down, stays down.) But if the sphincter around this opening doesn’t work right, it allows stomach acid to back up, which irritates the esophagus and causes heartburn.

Heartburn often happens after a big meal or if you lie down too soon after eating. A wide array of other factors can also make it worse: pregnancy, extra weight, tight clothing, stress, cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, and certain spicy or acidic or fatty foods.  It can bother you for just a few minutes. Or it can last for hours.

If heartburn happens more than twice a week, you may have a chronic condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux. That means the sphincter near your stomach is definitely not doing its job. Your heartburn may be due to a problem such as an inflamed stomach, ulcers, or a hiatal hernia, where a part of your stomach pushes up through a muscle wall into the chest.

Repeated heartburn can lead to an inflamed esophagus, which can cause bleeding or trouble swallowing if it becomes severe.

What can you do about heartburn? Start by making some lifestyle changes. Wait at least two to three hours after eating to lie down. Avoid foods that “turn up the heat.” Put 6-inch blocks under the head of your bed. Lose weight, if you need to. Stop smoking or drinking. These changes can make a big difference.

If heartburn persists, try some over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as antacids, which neutralize stomach acids. Try antacids that contain both magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide. These combination products cancel out side effects of constipation and diarrhea that may result if these ingredients are taken individually.

If OTC medications don’t do the trick, have a talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t wait for more than two weeks. Your doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the stomach and intestines, called a gastroenterologist. You may need prescription medications or tests to further pinpoint the problem.

Medication for heartburn works in a variety of ways: by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes, by reducing the backflow of acid into your esophagus, or by strengthening your sphincter and making your stomach empty faster. Sometimes surgery can achieve a similar result.

Heartburn may have nothing to do with your heart, but remember this: If you’re ever in doubt about a pain in your chest, don’t hesitate to call your doctor. Heart attack is often mistaken for heartburn. And, that’s not a mistake you want to overlook.

Heartburn/Indigestion Symptoms and Over the Counter Medications

 

 

 

Diarrhea

 

Diarrhea is an abnormal increase in the liquid content or frequency of a bowel movement. What is “normal” will vary among the population. Diarrhea constitutes greater than 3 bowel movements per day. Symptoms may include weakness, flatulence, abdominal cramping/pain, fever > 102.2°F, nausea, and vomiting. Diarrhea can be acute, chronic or persistent. Mild to moderate diarrhea (≤ 5 loose stools per day) can be treated with non-prescription and non-drug remedies. Severe diarrhea (6-9 loose stools per day) must be treated by seeking medical attention. However, most diarrheas are self-limiting and will subside in 2 to 3 days.

There are a myriad of reasons that people get diarrhea. Viruses, bacteria, medications, and food can all be potential sources. Many people find that the prevalence of diarrhea is greatest when traveling, known commonly as Traveler’s diarrhea. Traveler’s diarrhea often has an acute onset and is bacterial in origin. Some people find that dairy products cause intestinal discomfort. Lactose intolerance commonly causes diarrhea and there are available therapies for this as well.

 

Is it safe to self-treat or should I seek medical advice?

Most diarrheas are self limiting and should resolve within a couple of days. However, symptomatic treatment may be necessary. There are a number of reasons that people should seek medical treatment and these may include:

 

  • Diabetes or other chronic medical conditions
  • Receiving chemotherapy
  • Severe vomiting and/or dehydration (rapid pulse, low blood pressure)
  • < 6 months old
  • Fever ≥101.3°F
  • Blood, mucous, or pus in stool
  • Passage of ≥ 6 unformed stools in 24 hours
  • Diarrhea lasting ≥ 48 hours
  • Pregnancy

 

What over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options are available?

Initially, management of diarrhea in children and adults should focus on staying hydrated. Symptomatic relief can be achieved by using anti-diarrheal agents in some patients.

Dehydration commonly accompanies diarrhea, due to fluid losses through the stool. It can manifest as tiredness, muscle aches, passing little urine, dry mouth, and irritability. Fluid and electrolyte replacement is the cornerstone of therapy for dehydration. Other treatment modalities may include diet alternation and symptomatic relief with the use of non-prescription anti-diarrheal medications.

Non-Drug Therapies

Diet

• The bowel does NOT need to be “rested” by avoiding foods

• Eat a normal, bland diet

• Avoid potential trigger foods

Fluid/Electrolyte Management

• Preferred treatment for mild to moderate diarrhea

o Pedialyte®

o Enfalyte Solution®

o CeraLyte Products®

o Powerade®

o Avoid colas, ginger ale, apple juice, chicken broth, tea

Over-The-Counter Drug Options

Antidiarrheal Agents

• Imodium® (loperamide)

o Indicated for acute and non-specific diarrhea

• Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)

o Indicated for acute diarrhea, such as Traveler’s diarrhea

Lactose Intolerance Agents

• Lactaid®, Lactase®, or Dairy Ease®

o Indicated for diarrhea due to inability to digest dairy products

What is all the buzz about complementary therapies?

There has been much marketing surrounding products like Culturelle® for a healthy colon. There is little evidence to substantiate safety and efficacy of products like this, other than those containing Lactobacillus.  Products like Culturelle®, Lactinex®, Bacid® are intended to replace gastrointestinal flora, much like yogurt does. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only recognizes these products as dietary supplements. Therefore, they should not be used in place of more appropriate treatment for diarrhea.

If you have any additional questions or need help deciding to self-treat or with products, be sure to ask you local Foster’s pharmacist or contact us at (740) 392-0911.

 

 

 

 

The Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's

Did you know that having diabetes before age 65 more than doubles your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease? A study of nearly 14,000 Swedish twins helped to confirm this link. Given that more than 23 million Americans have diabetes and 57 million more have pre-diabetes, this is a bit of a concern. But the link between these two diseases may be stronger still. In fact, some now think of Alzheimer's as a form of diabetes. They call it type 3 diabetes.

But first, a review. What exactly are diabetes and Alzheimer's?

Diabetes is a chronic disease where your body has high levels of sugar. That's true for one of two main reasons: Your body doesn't make enough of a hormone called insulin (type 1 diabetes). Or, your body doesn't respond well to insulin (type 2 diabetes). Diabetes can cause frequent urination, unusual thirst, and a wide range of other symptoms. It can cause serious – even fatal – complications. People with pre-diabetes also have high glucose levels. But they're not as high as with full-blown diabetes.

Alzheimer's is a common type of dementia that worsens over time. It causes memory loss, confusion, and many other changes. It eventually leads to death. Scientists have long debated about the changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer's. But now they are paying closer attention to the role of insulin. Not only are people at increased risk for Alzheimer's if they have diabetes. But many people with Alzheimer's are also resistant to insulin.

Could low insulin or insulin resistance in the brain be the cause of Alzheimer's in some cases? Lower insulin is linked with mental decline. By helping cells take up energy in the brain, insulin likely plays a key role in the growth and survival of nerve cells and memories. Researchers are now experimenting with inhaled insulin as a treatment for Alzheimer's. It has improved memory in patients with early stages of Alzheimer's but it appears to have limitations.

So, rather than diabetes simply being a cause of brain changes, both diabetes and Alzheimer's may result from similar causes. The idea that one disease can affect many organs is certainly not new. After all, atherosclerosis affects the kidneys, brain and heart. Now, we know that diabetes and Alzheimer's may be a part of the same disease process.

Before you become too discouraged about the threat of all these diseases, though, remember this: Many of the factors that contribute to both Alzheimer's and diabetes (and atherosclerosis, for that matter) are within your control. Weight loss, exercise, stress management, and a healthy diet can help prevent or help keep diabetes in check. And, it's possible these lifestyle changes could play an even bigger role with Alzheimer's than once thought.

For a wealth of information on these diseases, go to www.healthmart.com/. And, don’t forget: If you need any guidance on diabetes management, we are here to help. Or, be sure to ask us if you have questions about your loved one's Alzheimer's medications.

 

Osteoarthritis

 

This Article has moved to our Blog.  You can find it by clicking HERE.

 

 

 

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

 

Have you ever noticed a numbing or tingling sensation in your fingers or hands? Maybe you’ve heard of carpal tunnel syndrome and wondered whether it could be the cause of your discomfort. With such an ominous-sounding name, though, this condition may be a firsthand experience you’re inclined to ignore.

What exactly is carpal tunnel syndrome? First, here’s a brief anatomy lesson. Inside your wrist, are eight carpal tunnel bones that form a tunnel. Running through the tunnel is the large median nerve, as well as bands of connective tissue called tendons. If the carpal tunnel becomes too small or if tendons enlarge, this can put pressure on the median nerve.

This pressure causes symptoms that “speak to the hand” (and fingers)—pain, numbness, burning, or tingling. Symptoms usually develop gradually, often appearing first at night after sleeping with wrists flexed. With time, carpal tunnel syndrome can reduce your muscle strength, making it hard to grasp small objects or do other manual tasks. If not treated, it can lead to permanent nerve or muscle damage.

Along with many other people, you may have been led to believe that carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of long hours at a keyboard. But computers aren’t the culprit. A 2001 Mayo Clinic study found that up to 7 hours daily at a keyboard does not increase the risk of developing this condition. As it turns out, people who work on assembly lines are actually three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than those who work at a computer.

It’s true that repetitive, forceful motions with a bent wrist may contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, but studies don’t confirm they’re the cause. Recent evidence suggests that simply being born with a smaller carpal tunnel makes you more prone to problems with your median nerve.

Other factors that may contribute include regular use of vibrating hand tools, wrist injuries, or underlying medical problems such as arthritis or diabetes. Your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome is also greater if you’re a woman, middle-aged, obese, or a smoker.

If you’re suffering from wrist and hand symptoms, don’t ignore them. Your doctor can do a physical exam and one or more tests to rule out other problems, confirm a diagnosis, and plan treatment.

Treating any underlying disease such as diabetes will be one of the first steps in your treatment plan. Your doctor may also suggest that you take frequent rests at work, apply cool packs, and learn stretching and strengthening hand exercises. And using a neutral hand and wrist position—sometimes with the help of a splint—can take pressure off your median nerve. Some people also find relief from complementary therapies, such as chiropractic, acupuncture, or yoga.

Your doctor may recommend medications to ease pain and swelling. These might include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, diuretics, or corticosteroids. Feel free to ask me any questions you have about them. If your symptoms last longer than six months, your doctor may recommend surgery to enlarge the carpal tunnel.

 

 

 
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