HEALTHBEAT
THE DAILY DISPATCH
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2010
9
Too much acid is the culprit in most cases of heartburn Heartburn is a very common and troublesome symptom. Nearly everyone suffers from it occasionally. It is almost always caused by just one thing — too much acid backing up from the stomach into the esophagus. The pain is usually a burning sensation in the lower chest region. Heartburn is usually not related to ulcers, although the two may occur together because they are both caused by excess acid and both can be made worse by using alcohol and
tobacco. Hiatal hernias are often blamed for heartburn symptoms, although they do not contribute to it as much as doctors used to think. Heartburn can usually be treated quite well through a number of appropriate steps. One important step is losing weight, which will decrease the pressure on the stomach when a person lies down. It is also important not to lie down after meals and not to eat or drink before going to bed. Food and acid will easily be forced from a full stomach
up into the esophagus. It is also very helpful to elevate the head of the bed about four to six inches on blocks of wood. As with all acid-related problems, alcohol and tobacco should be avoided. They increase the acid secretion by the stomach, as well as relax the sphincter at the top of the stomach allowing acid to reflux more easily. Any foods that worsen the pain should also be avoided. Chocolate, mints, and spicy or greasy foods are common offenders. There are many extremely
effective non-prescription medicines, such as omeprazole, that reduce the amount of acid secreted by the stomach. Antacids can be used in addition to neutralize any remaining acid. See your doctor for an exam and a prescription if these conservative measures do not work. Talk to your physician if you have signs of heartburn. To find a physician in this area, call Maria Parham Medical Center at (252) 436-1800 or visit www.mariaparham. com for listings.
RSV — the bad respiratory virus Each winter, one of the most troublesome respiratory viruses of childhood makes the rounds. Most older children tolerate the respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) well and just suffer the symptoms of a cough, sore throat, runny nose and fever. For some children, however, the virus can be very serious. These are usually children who are between the ages of two and five months. They are old enough that they have lost the immunity they received from their mothers and too young to tolerate such a harsh virus. Children who
have lung, heart or immune problems are also at greater risk of complications from RSV. One of the other problems with this virus is that it may take two or three infections before a child develops good immunity to it. The virus is spread by coughing and close contact, such as touching hands. The virus is so common that most children have had the infection by three years of age. After this age, RSV infections are seldom a problem. The virus causes a great deal of irritation to the lining of the
Offering treatment and care for those who suffer from kidney/renal related ailments as well as hypertension. Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30-12:00 Please call for an appointment
(252) 436-1080 568 Ruin Creek Rd. Suite 006 Henderson, NC
airways and lungs. Increased mucus and sloughed cells cause the tiny airways to plug up. This plugging slows the air that is leaving the lungs, so the lungs become overexpanded in a way similar to emphysema. In the more severe cases, the airways become completely plugged up and the airways collapse. Treatment is usually aimed at reducing the symptoms and making sure a child is getting adequate oxygen. Infants often need to be hospitalized for RSV infections. A steroid syrup or shot is commonly
Ihab Zaggout, MD Board Certified in Nephrology & Internal Medicine
A Department of
used and can decrease the symptoms. In severe cases, an antiviral antibiotic can be used, but its usefulness is still being studied. Talk to your pediatrician of family physician to learn more about RSV infections.
Heartburn can usually be treated quite well by adjusting eating and sleep habits.