GI News and Tips

  Natural Solutions for GI Issues

Health providers have used acupuncture and herbal medicine to treat GI diseases for more than 1,000 years. Lifestyle changes, diet, stress management, and medication also are common recommendations for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). According to the American College of Gastroenterology, as many as 15 million Americans suffer from GERD. It is one of the most common complaints I see in my practice. In the late ‘80s, medication known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) offered a new option to suppress stomach acid production for more than 24 hours. The use of PPIs is now quite common. However, it is important that we don’t overlook natural solutions, or herbal remedies, that may also make a difference. Click here to read the entire article.

  Generic Drugs: Safe, Effective, FDA-Approved

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), almost half of all prescriptions today are filled with generic drugs. The number grows each year as more brand name drugs are approved as generics. As the use of generic drugs increases, the FDA reports that generic drugs are just as safe and effective as the brand name version. Using generic drugs may save you money, too. Click here to read the entire article.

  Diet Pills: What You Should Know

“Melt those pounds away while you sleep! Eat as much as you want and still burn fat! Lose 30 pounds in 30 days! No diet, no exercise!” Sound familiar? According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), companies hoping to capi¬talize on American’s expanding waistlines have circulated these exaggerated claims for years. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) reports that Americans spend nearly $40 billion each year on weight loss products and programs that often do not work. According to the NEDA, diet “scams” are a big business in the U.S.
Click here to read the rest of this article.

  Hepatitis A Outbreak in Los Angeles - December 2005

Los Angeles County health officials identified lettuce as the likely source for a hepatitis A outbreak in Los Angeles County and urged residents to thoroughly wash the vegetable before eating it.

Outbreaks are hard to track, because the disease has a two- to eight-week incubation period. Infected people start showing symptoms after a month.

Symptoms include fever, chills, aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dark urine and jaundice. Most infected people recover with medical attention.

  The Gastric Pacer

The Gastric Pacer is a new method primarily used to treat morbid obesity. In a recent study of the Gastric Pacer's effectiveness, obese people who were outfitted with the device for a year lost, on average, 18% of their total body weight.

Designed by an Italian doctor in the 1990s, the Gastric Pacer is a battery-powered device the size of a cigarette lighter that is surgically implanted under the skin of the abdomen. It is similar to a heart pacemaker. The pacer sends electronic impulses to the smooth muscles of the stomach, causing a stoppage of the natural movement of food from the stomach to the small bowel (called peristalsis). This makes the patient feel "full" with lowered food intake. Click here to read the entire story.

  The Worst Time of Day to Drink a Soda

Thirsty in the hours before bedtime? Drink milk, water, or juice. Don't reach for a soda pop. According to a new study from the University of Arizona in Tucson, soft drink consumption in the evening has been linked to troublesome acid reflux at night.

This is no ordinary heartburn, which afflicts nearly half the U.S. population at least once a month. Acid reflux at night typically has more complications, including narrowing of the esophagus and even cancerous changes of the esophagus. "That's a big price to pay for a can of Coke," lead researcher Dr. Ronnie Fass, a professor of medicine at the University of Arizona, Tucson. In addition, the team found a link between the use of benzodiazepine sleeping aids such as Ativan, Valium, or Xanax and nighttime heartburn, as well as a higher body mass index, snoring, daytime sleepiness, asthma, insomnia, and high blood pressure.

Heartburn, which typically strikes after meals, is a burning sensation behind the chest bone. When it rises up to the throat, it's acid reflux.

  Prescription Drugs

A lot has been in the news recently about prescription drugs—how doctors utilize the samples they get from pharmaceutical companies, the difference between generic and brand names, and whether prescriptions should be covered by health plans. Click here to read entire article.

  Colostrum: Life’s First Food

Colostrum is Nature’s own miracle. Colostrum is one of the first natural supplements on the market that is backed by 20 years of solid and extensive research conducted by the traditional medical establishment. Studies have shown that colostrum can powerfully boost the immune system, accelerate healing of all types of injuries, burn fat and build lean muscle mass, increase vitality and stamina and create an anti-aging effect. Click here to read entire article.