Osteoporosis and Men

The US National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) has released a guidelines recommending a bone mineral density xray test for all men aged 70 and older as researches found out that this disease, previously believed to highly afflict women is common in both sexes as they age.

Nearly six percent of men over age 50 will suffer a hip fracture, and 20 to 25 percent of all hip fractures occur in men. There’s a recognition, more so now than in the past, that men are at risk,” says Jay Magaziner, MD, of the University of Maryland medical school, who has long researched hip fractures — osteoporosis’ most feared complication.

New Recommendations

In addition to routine bone check for older men, the new NOF guidelines recommend the following:

• Treat postmenopausal women and men 50 and older who have thinning bones, but are not osteoporotic yet, if they have at least a 20-percent risk of any major fracture in the next decade, or at least a three-percent risk of a hip fracture.

• Check for osteoporosis risk factors in postmenopausal women and men 50 and over, to see who needs a bone density test before their senior year.

• A bone density test is recommended for anyone who has any type of fracture after age 50 or who has conditions associated with bone loss, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

• For adults over 50, prescribe 1,200mg. a day of calcium and 800 to 1,000 IU a day of vitamin D. (Note that this is more vitamin D than the present recommendation.)

• Do regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.

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The Two Most Common Acid Reflux Surgery with Quick Recovery

Did you know that unhealthy eating habits can cause acid reflux? Based on scientific research, anyone, even infants and young children have a tendency to have acid reflux. This disorder is most common in infants and young children but in time, disappears. Acid reflux known also as gastro-esophageal reflux disease can definitely affect adults too. This is a disorder that could happen anytime especially to someone who had just had a large meal with lots of acidic foods or even someone with history of acid reflux, thus, having recurrences of the disorder due to unhealthy eating patterns.

Unhealthy diet and an inappropriate eating schedule can cause acid reflux. As a person consumes a heavy meal, full of acid foods, an abnormality in the stomach can occur like bringing back the food induced to the esophagus and throat. Acid reflux is unexplainable to many because this condition can occur anytime but are most likely to occur after several heavy meals or unhealthy eating habits.

Many people with acid reflux can control their condition by means of medical treatment and even appropriate diet. Some people with a severe condition of acid reflux should consider surgical procedures because for most people, acid reflux surgery is the best solutions for this disorder. There are several surgical procedures that acid reflux patients can choose from. The most effective and safe acid reflux surgeries are Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, also known as Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication and Intraluminal Endoscopic surgery that most patients encounter.

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication, or fundoplication for short, is the most common form of acid reflux surgery. This surgery is performed by tightening the walls of the esophagus in the area next to the stomach then adding pressure to the lower esophageal muscles. When the pressure increased between the stomach and esophagus, this medical procedure prevents the content of the stomach to go upward inside the throat and esophagus. Another method mostly considered by other patients with acid reflux is having the esophageal valve tightened in order to seal the esophagus and prevent gastric acid to enter.

Intraluminal endoscopic acid reflux surgery is another acid reflux surgery that most patients prefer. This surgical procedure has the same procedure as the fundoplication except that it involves a small optical, tubular instrument that is needed to be inserted in the body and at the same time, view the inner parts of the body that needs surgical or biopsy attention thus allowing an actual biopsy or surgery to be performed. This is possible through the so called endoscope. Intraluminal endoscopic acid reflux surgery is quick and has minimal risks for the patients. As such, a post-operatory treatment is not required but allows possibly fast recovery for patients as well.

Because of medical advancement and millions of modern treatments, acid reflux can now be treated. Patients who wish to rid of acid reflux can do so because of the options given to them through possible medications, proper diet or surgery. Likewise, surgery is most recommended to people with chronic acid reflux but is now available to patients with less serious conditions of acid reflux. Henceforth, surgical procedures have been the most common way of getting rid of acid reflux completely and permanently. In mind, patients that are considering surgery will have quick recovery after the surgical procedures and will no longer have acid reflux.

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Acid Reflux in Baby: Keeping Your Baby Protected

Acid reflux, which is also termed as gastroesophageal reflux, is one of the most frequent problems among infants. Babies with acid reflux often suffer from a range of conditions, from a mild degree to a severe one, such as recurrent spitting up, abdominal pain, and night waking.

This discussion would be more comprehensive with the understanding of the physiological or the mechanical aspect of the condition. The body has a band of muscle in a circular structure that is called the lower esophageal sphincter. This muscle detaches the esophagus from the stomach. When food comes into the stomach, it closes so as to prevent the stomach acids and contents from backing up into the esophagus or regurgitating. But in the case of some babies, the lower esophageal sphincter has grown immature. As such, the partially digested food and digestive acids are allowed to be refluxed. This condition causes irritation in the esophagus lining which results to inflammation that is also commonly called as heartburn.

Acid reflux among babies usually develops when they are between two to four weeks old. Doctors usually prescribe medicines that minimize the production of digestive acids. Within six to nine months, the acid reflux starts to naturally subside. At this time period, the babies spend most of their time in an upright position. This is to apply the law of gravity on the food taken in; that is, the food stays down more naturally and reduces possible regurgitation.

The following are helpful pointers on feeding and positioning of babies to lessen acid reflux:

Prepare smaller feedings recurrently. It makes sense to feed your baby more than usual but less than the accustomed. If lesser volume of milk goes into the stomach, the digestion will be faster and there will be fewer amounts of contents available for regurgitation.

Maintain the baby in an upright position after feeding. As discussed earlier, gravity helps to keep the digestive contents down. Position your baby seated in your lap while his head rests on your chest. Keep this position for at least half an hour after feeding.

Breastfeeding helps a lot. Breast milk is well-known to have many advantages over other commercial formula, mainly for babies with acid reflux. Breast milk can be digested faster, which of course lessens spitting up, and it has special enzymes that assists digestion. In addition to that, breast milk does not trigger allergy to babies compared to other milks available in the market. But for those who are formula-feeding, it is advisable to use milk with a hypoallergenic formula as advised by a doctor. Aside from having higher tolerance with sensitive intestines, hypoallergenic milk can also be digested faster by the stomach so as to minimize refluxes.

Set your baby in a comfortable position when asleep. Since when a baby lies flat when sleeping, gravity cannot help in keeping the food down in this set-up. As a result, a baby with acid reflux often has to endure a sore night waking. If a baby can sleep soundly, then there will be no need to call for a change in his habit. But some babies become restless, which can be noted by abdominal pain, acid breath, and wet burps. In this case, it is recommended to elevate the baby’s crib to about 30 degrees. This will be enough to reduce the regurgitation. You may also try to train him to sleep on his left side. It is in this position where the inlet of the stomach is higher than the exit. This will also help to keep the food down.

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Magnifying Acid Reflux: What Filipinos Need to Know with Acid Reflux Disease

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the medical term for “Acid Reflux” is defined as the product of abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus thus, creating a mucosal damage, likewise known as the chronic symptom.

This disease strikes adult primarily, while infants and children can also be affected. Normally spurred by eating certain foods, if not pregnancy, or taking a sleep right after eating a heavy meal, a large number of persons suffer from acid reflux at one time or another.

Heartburn or acid indigestion is another name that refers to acid reflux. Heartburn, the major symptom of Acid Reflux in the esophagus, is described to cause a burning uneasiness at the back of the sternum.

The symptoms may come as coughing, voice transformation, hoarseness, constant ear ache, or sinusitis. The complications brought upon by acid reflux may lead to esophageal ulcers or worse this can lead to esophageal cancer.

However, constant heartburn sensations do not necessarily mean that one has captured GERD already. The risk occurs when heartburn happened more than once a week, this occasion could possibly lead in developing GERD.

The usual cause of GERD is the increase in acidity or gastric acid production in the body, obesity, pregnancy, or tight-fitting apparels, these all can add to the problem. The yeast infections are also thought to be one of the causes of GERD-like symptoms.

An added ironical cause of the GERD is the insufficient production of stomach acid in the body. The explanation says that the valve, the hollow organ with a flap that insure the one-way course of fluid through the organ, once emptied triggers acidity in the intestines. If the valve fails to open, the contents of the stomach will be blended into the esophagus, and then irritation occurs.

Meanwhile, there are already several treatments for GERD today, one of which is the balance and healthy eating habits. Now if proper diet fails to work, one can shift to medication therapy or surgery as suggested by the doctors. Below are the lists of several selections of Acid Reflux treatment:

• Proper Diet: the natural way to cure Acid Reflux is through change in their eating habits. A good number of people affected by GERD found success in following this method. Avoid the food ingredients which can intensify heart burn such as caffeine, soft drinks, and smoking. Avoid eating two hours before sleeping; likewise, avoid lying down after taking meal. These are the regular suggested change in lifestyle.

• Another easy way to treat GERD is to elevate the head of the bed. The pharmacologic therapy, the combination of prevention of food two hours before sleeping and the rise of the head of the bed, there is a great chance for a patient to gain a 95 percent relief. The rise of the head of the bed is suggested to range for only 6 to 8 inches or 20 cm. Using this method the backflow of gastric fluids will be hampered.

• Drug Treatment: Drugs reduce the secretion of the gastric acid, for instance and famotidine and omeprazole lessen the secretion of gastric acid and the Antacids counteract the acid.

• Surgical treatment: the Nissen fundoplication, the standard surgical treatment for Acid Reflux, the medication process will only cover a short period of time. The function of this is to support the sphincter, a spherical bond of muscles that opens and closes to let the food or waste to pass, as well as stop Acid Reflux, and of course restore the hiatal hernia.

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Acne Vulgaris (Pimples) Prevention

Acne vulgaris, commonly known as “pimples”, is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous follicles. It is a common problem among adolescents, but it could occur in adults, too. Adult acne tend to be low-grade and chronic. Aside from its physical effects, it can also bring emotional and psychological effects to a patient.

Acne is preventable, although some patients appear more predisposed to the disease, especially those with hereditary influences and taking some medications that can cause acne. Because it is a common problem, many tend to take it for granted until it worsens. Although, there are numerous acne medications available in the pharmacy, not many of them may prove useful for curing your acne. We have to bear in mind that prevention is always better than cure.

Here are some simple ways to prevent acne:

1. Wash your face regularly but avoid washing too much as it may create more damage to your skin. Washing can help remove excess oils and dead skin cells. Washing twice daily gently is all that is required.

2. Clean your face gently (without scrubbing or hard rubbing) using a gentle cleanser. Avoid using soap as much as possible because it can cause drying and breakouts. Seek a dermatologists advice on some gentle dermatological products for your skin.

3. Wash your face after exercising because sweat can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. Sweat, along with skin oils, can lead to trapped dirts and bacteria on your pores.

4. Don’t squeeze, pop or pick your acne because it might lead to irritation, infection and scarring. We have been hearing these to our parents and it appears that they are right.

5. Avoid using hair gel or spray as much as possible. These formulations contain oil that may worsen your acne. Or if you can’t live without your hair gel or spray, make sure to keep it away from your face.

6. When sleeping, try to make sure your hair isn’t in your face. Hair, according to some studies, is a good oil carrier.

7. Always use clean towels and pillowcases. Dirty towels and pillowcases may harbor bacteria and dirt, which are among the causes of acne.

8. For girls, remove your makeups when going to sleep Makeup can also lead to clogging of your pores and trapping of dirts and bacteria.

9. Avoid stress and get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep for at least 8 hours everyday can boost your immune system. We know that our immune system helps in preventing invasion of foreign materials to our body, which include bacteria.

10. Always seek your dermatologist’s advice when trying out a new skin product. Some products can have comedogenic or acnegenic effects, which means they have tendencies to cause acne.

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