Information and opinions on health from Laura at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/18015/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/18015/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/18015/index http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/50051/gerd-awareness Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:17:00 -0500 Laura November 23rd to November 29th marks GERD Awareness week for 2008. Typically, awareness weeks or months are used as a means to promote increased education about a specific condition or disease. But for so many people who experience GERD in their daily lives, awareness means much, much more than "education." Awareness is awknowledgement of sleepless nights, endless doctors visits, inconsolable babies, and empowering parents to be their children's... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/50051/gerd-awareness http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/39310/experts Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:08:00 -0400 Laura Did you know you can take our expert posts with you? Introducing AcidRefluxConnection's new widgets, which display each of our expert's posts wherever you want! (FYI: A widget is a small tool that you can put onto your personal blog, facebook page, iGoogle, and more. The widget is a module that displays the important acid reflux information and management tips from our experts to you and others). Get our experts' widgets by clicking on their... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/39310/experts http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/36933/bone-fracture Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:35:00 -0400 Laura A new study released today announced that regular use of Proton Pump Inhibitors increase the risk of bone fractures. This shouldn't come as a surprise. A previous news article released in December of 2006 reported similar findings.   The most recent study, reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), specifically reported an increased risk of hip fracture after 5 years of prolonged exposure to PPIs and increased risk of... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/36933/bone-fracture http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/34559/conversation Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:09:00 -0400 Laura I'm thrilled to share the good news -- today's Washington Post ran a feature story about HealthCentral's and its sister sites' unique approach to helping people with their health needs online. Called "Seeking a Cure, Patients Find a Dose of Conversation Online," the story features interviews from our communities and expert patients!     Check out the Washington Post story here!   This article serves as a true testament to... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/34559/conversation http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/32771/fda-children Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:51:00 -0400 Laura The FDA approved Aciphex for the treatment of GERD in children ages 12 years and older. A Aciphex was only approved for short term use and was already approved for short term use in adults.   For the full story on Aciphex's approval click here.    For more information on Aciphex click here. http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/32771/fda-children http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/32075/noninvasive Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:45:06 -0400 Laura Can you have surgery without the scars? According to an article in yesterday's Washington Post you can!     A new procedure called EsophyX Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) performs gastrointestinal procedures through the mouth rather than incisions in the abdomen. The new technique can reduce recovery time and pain for patients.   Read the full article from the Post here! http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/32075/noninvasive http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/29665/improved-home Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:49:00 -0400 Laura We are excited to announce the launch of a new and improved My Home and Profile! Now you can stay updated with news, articles, the latest questions and answers, and SharePosts from our Experts and community members.   To see the changes, sign in or register right now!   Here's a rundown of the features we've added:   Enhanced My Home area, including:   Your own personalized area at the top of every page: Instantly... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/29665/improved-home http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/25717/question Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:25:31 -0400 Laura HealthCentral is excited to report that Ask a Question has launched! Ask a Question is a separate site area where you can ask and answer fellow users' questions. You can access the new feature on any page through the "Ask a Question" widget and the new "Ask" drop down in the top navigation.    Here's how it works: Ask your question by typing directly into the widget. You'll be prompted to sign in or register before submitting... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/25717/question http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/21112/drug-ads-harm Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:38:00 -0500 Laura USA Today reported that, "Prescription-drug ads prompt nearly one-third of Americans to ask their doctors about an advertised medicine, and 82% of those who ask say their physicians recommended a prescription." This comes from reporter Julie Appleby in a news article about a survey done by the newspaper, the Kaiser Family Foundation (a non-profit health organization) and the Harvard School of Public Health.  To read the full... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/18015/21112/drug-ads-harm