In addition to writing for Health Central I also work with the Pediatric Adolescent gastroesophageal Reflux Association (PAGER), first as a volunteer and then as the Volunteer Services Coordinator. In total I have spent almost 10 years helping families negotiate the "reflux roller coaster". During this time one of the many things that... Read more
Many of us know that our prescription medications may have side effects and those things are generally tracked or discussed with our physician, but what about the over the counter medications? According to Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, women who use NSAIDs are at up to a twofold increased risk in... Read more
While you may have heard that cruciferous vegetables have cancer fighting properties you may not know that cruciferous vegetables may be key in keeping your gut healthy too.
According to an article in the journal Cell these vegetables have compounds that turn on a receptor which activates specialized immune cells in the GI tract. When... Read more
There has been a lot of new research lately that further points to an increase in clots for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). One Swedish study noted that patients hospitalized with an autoimmune disease appeared to be at a 6 fold increase of PE (Pulmonary Embolism) in the first year after and a 50% increase two to five years... Read more
According to along term study done in Norway the incidence of acid reflux has increased by 50% in the last ten years (1). The study authors showed that the use of anti-reflux medication as well as pregnancy did not account for these new numbers. It was proposed that the increase in obesity may be to blame for these new numbers.... Read more