Gastroesophageal reflux diseases , or GERD, affects about 10 million people in the United States, yet the cause and an unexpected increase in its prevalence over the last three decades remains unexplainable. Now, researchers have discovered that GERD is associated with global alteration of the microbiome in the esophagus. The findings, reported in the August 1, 2009 issue of Gastroenterology, may provide for the foundation for further study of the condition as a microecological disease with new treatment possibilities.
More...Link Between Pain In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients And Depression/Inflammation
Article Date: 05 Aug 2009
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. More than 1.3 million adults in the U.S. suffer from RA with 75% of those afflicted being women. Patients with RA experience pain, stiffness, swelling, and deterioration of joints. Severe chronic pain accompanied by progressive joint destruction, disability, and disfigurement is known to increase the risk of experiencing emotional disturbances, with RA patients twice as likely to be depressed as people in the general population. Emotional wellness for persons with RA plays a critical role in disease course and disability.
More...ER Physician Tells You How To Avoid A Lightning Strike And What To Do If One Occurs
Article Date: 06 Aug 2009
An estimated 200 people die each year in the U.S. after being struck by lightning. An extremely brief but intense hit delivers more than 10 million volts and is fatal in about 30 percent of cases. Recent lightning strikes in Newark resulted in one death and three injuries.
More...Treating High Systolic Blood Pressure In Non-Diabetic Patients Could Be Beneficial
Article Date: 14 Aug 2009
Treatment to lower high systolic blood pressure in non-diabetic patients is associated with a reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a thickening of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure and rhythm problems. Thus, a lowering of systolic blood pressure targets from the currently recommended 140 mm/Hg or less to below 130 mm Hg should be the treatment goal in low-risk patients with high blood pressure, concludes an Article published in this week's edition of The Lancet.
More...More Fruits And Veggies, Less Salt Prevent Kidney Stones From Forming
Article Date: 15 Aug 2009
Researchers have found another reason to eat well: a healthy diet helps prevent kidney stones. Loading up on fruits, vegetables, nuts, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains, while limiting salt, red and processed meats, and sweetened beverages is an effective way to ward off kidney stones, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). Because kidney stones are linked to higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, increased body weight, and other risk factors for heart disease, the findings have considerable health implications.
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