| Hidden Symptoms of GERD
Nearly half of all Americans suffer from gastroesphageal reflux disease, with the biggest symptom being heartburn. But there are other symptoms of gerd that may cause misdiagnosis. KPLC's Laila Morcos has more on the disease and what to look for. General Vascular and Thoracic Surgeon Ronald Kober is the answer to many patient's prayers. "At least 40 to 50 percent of Americans suffer from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease," says Dr. Kober. Heartburn is the most common symptom of gerd. But about 20 percent of people with acid reflux have no symptoms of heartburn. "Frequently they're misdiagnosed as having upper respiratory tract infections, asthma and sinusitis," says Dr. Kober, which can be very dangerous. He says, "It can lead to significant complications, ulcerations and internal bleeding.")) Dr.
Killer habits eat black lives
Recent research by the cardiovascular research unit at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital shows that ever more black males are in danger of suffering from heart failure. Karen Sliwa-Hahnle, a professor at the research unit, said the report showed that about 30 percent of patients screened at the hospital during the study were at risk of some form of heart disease. The report also indicated that heart disease no longer affected only older men, but younger ones as well. Sliwa-Hahnle said unhealthy lifestyles made heart failure one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among black South Africans. “The study has proved that. The reason for this seems to be the adoption of a Western diet by South Africans.
Swimming the channels, greased with snake oil
MY TELEVISION has 1914 channels. Not all of them are used: for some reason it jumps from channel 1285 to 1900, but often it's the advertisements that are more interesting than the programs. A visitor from Mars who turned on the television would assume that Americans are bloated, blocked, limp, leaky and twitchy. Americans are apparently suffering from an epidemic of acid reflux disease, clots, growing prostates, erectile dysfunction (or ED, as the advertisements coyly put it) and restless leg syndrome, which I have to admit, I didn't even realise existed until I started watching American television. At the moment, the airwaves are full of ads for men with prostate problems. One shows a man having to leave meetings, baseball games and get up at night to go to the toilet.
People's Pharmacy: Mixing Lipitor, alcohol is risky
Dear People's Pharmacy: My husband is 55 years old, 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. He has been on Lipitor for two years. His LDL (bad cholesterol) is still above 210. He hasn't changed his diet of bacon cheeseburgers, steak, french fries, cookies and ice cream, and has two or three drinks a day because he read that this might help lower cholesterol. I thought alcohol should be limited for someone who is taking Lipitor, but his physician has mentioned neither diet nor alcohol. Can you give him some advice as to a healthy diet and recommended alcohol intake? Answer: Lipitor is a powerful cholesterol-lowering drug but is no substitute for a sensible diet. The manufacturer clearly states that Lipitor is to be used in addition to a low-fat diet, exactly the opposite of your husband's eating habits.
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