What Causes Dyspepsia?
Patients with dyspepsia can be divided into two major groups: those who have identifiable causes for their symptoms and those who, upon testing, have no abnormalities that can be detected. Some of the identifiable causes include: 1) peptic ulcer disease (an ulcer or hole in the stomach or duodenum), which makes up about 15 to 25 percent of cases, 2) malignancy, which is extremely rare, occurring in only about one to two percent of patients, 3) unsuspected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs in as many as 15 percent of patients (dyspepsia is an unusual manifestation of reflux disease and these patients generally get heartburn instead), 4) drug-induced dyspepsia (a multitude of medications can cause abdominal pain especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin). Patients without an identifiable cause for their dyspepsia are labeled as having non-ulcer dyspepsia or functional dyspepsia. This category accounts for the majority of patients who have dyspepsia (at least 60 percent). read more »
Dyspepsia is literally translated as “bad digestion” and commonly known as indigestion. It is important to note that it is an extremely common symptom complex and not a disease state. It affects as much as one-fourth of the United States adult population and is responsible for a significant proportion of primary care visits by patients. It has many possible causes, some of which are easily diagnosed and others that may be difficult to define. read more »
Initially after this injury, patients do have some degree of pain. This typically resolves gradually over the first six weeks, and by three months patients are pain-free. I agree with your physician that an anti-inflammatory agent is reasonable. read more »
Q.Two weeks ago my husband suffered a rupture of the biceps tendon. The doctor prescribed naproxen, but my husband stopped taking it because of stomach problems. read more »
Unit 2: So Many Diets, So Little Success
One-third of all Americans are obese, yet we spend millions on weight-loss programs, diet pills and diet foods. Obviously, weight management is a complex issue, because people are not little robots that follow perfect little diets. Genetics determine our body shape and metabolism, we have different food preferences, we move more or less than others, and we don’t respond well to being hungry or deprived of favorite foods. read more »
Did your college freshman come home with the proverbial “freshman 15″? Is your brilliant student complaining about how all her clothes don’t fit? Does she now proclaim that she is just going to eat one meal a day and crash diet her weight off? read more »
When I was a child, my friendships followed a rhythm, a predictable pattern. Every weekday afternoon I hurried home, shed my Catholic school uniform, threw on my patch-pocket jeans and careened out of the house to meet my neighborhood at one of our secret, kids-only places. read more »
Speaking more deliberately, not necessarily more loudly, helps. When I make a call, and a receptionist answers,
“Acmegidgetscomp’nyhowc’nId’recyercall,” it doesn’t bother me a bit to say, “I’m hearing impaired. Could you back off and take another run at
that, only more slowly?” read more »
Twenty-eight million people in the United States have an invisible disability. Some of those who have it are not themselves aware of it.
Most of us are happy to make concessions for those who are blind, those who have lost limbs, even those with speech impairment. Many of us are patient with others who are mentally retarded. But the least recognized and most ubiquitous impairment of all is loss of hearing. Those who have it receive the least consideration. read more »
Recent research has repeatedly praised the benefits of exercise for older adults, demonstrating howit can help slow the signs of aging and helppeople look and feel healthier and younger. read more »