Director, Emergency Services, Bikur Cholim Hospital
Many people can eat what they please (how I envy them).
Others are unable to do so, due to gassy feelings, heartburn
or pain. First and foremost, remember that all these signs
can be a heart problem, so this must be looked into first.
Once we know it is not that, one must consider ulcer problems
or Heliobacter Pylori. The former is a sore in the acid
environment of the stomach which takes time to heal. There
are new medications that reduce this acidity called proton
pump inhibitors. Make sure you get this medication if you
have this problem.
People get ulcers from smoking, drinking, and stress, or for
no reason at all. H. Pylori is a bacteria that unlike other
bacteria can live quite well in the very acidic environment
of the stomach. It can cause heartburn and pain as well as
ulcers. Treatment is a long course of antibiotics. Ulcers are
diagnosed by looking in the stomach through a long thin
telescope (there is some sedation given). Heliobacter Pylori
is diagnosed through a breath test.
If it is none of them, it can be due to slow gastric emptying
time — most seen in diabetics and easily treated with
Pramin. GERD is another cause. This is where some stomach
contents and the acid are regurgitated into the esophagus
(food pipe) which is ill-prepared for such an assault. There
are medications for this but some other things will help.
Take smaller meals, and avoid fatty foods that take their
time to digest. Do not eat before going to sleep. Adopt the
Israeli custom of eating the big meal in the middle of the
day. Lose weight and sleep in a propped up position.
To change the subject: the New England Journal did
find that Vitamin D Calcium supplements help older women, but
only marginally. Fosalan (fosamax) is the way to go, but the
Kupot won't tell you that because it is expensive. Calcium
needs to be combined with exercise and taken lifelong
(preferably through food and not pill). Osteoporosis is a
terrible disease, so change your lifestyle now. Write me in
care of the Yated.
A message from GlaxoSmithKline, sponsor of this
column. Avodart can help men who have enlarged prostates
and cannot empty their bladders. It is a strong medicine that
can return men to a normal lifestyle. Glaxo's research can
make the difference in people's lives.
