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) Gut wrenching
Of all the symptoms identified, indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, bloating and passing gas were among the most prevalent (of nine categories used in the test, gastrointestinal symptoms were second only to emotional health concerns among both men and women).People tend to assume these problems are just part of the aging process, or maybe the result of last night's spicy meal. But that's a mistake, says Dr. Elaine Chin, co-founder and chief medical officer at Scienta Health. “Your gastric system is your input. It's the first line of bringing nutrients into your body," which is critical to the immune system, she says. “When the conveyor belt is screwed up, that's where other problems start." It's not just a quality of life issue. An upset stomach can be a red flag for anything from poor diet to a heart attack. More>>
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) Former Walkerton woman follows strict diet to control IBS
I ended up having acid reflux and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)," said Seidle, 25, who now lives in the neighbouring community of Hanover.I still have IBS and I will probably have it forever. I can't eat anything hot or too much citrus. I can't have much pop anymore. It's just funny how certain things send certain people off," she said in a telephone interview Thursday.
Her story could soon be a familiar one to victims of an E. coli outbreak linked to a Harvey's restaurant in North Bay.
People should be reassured, over time the symptoms will dissolve," said Dr. Bill Clark, lead investigator in the new Walkerton Health Study.
The seven-year study of thousands of people in Walkerton, which was devastated in May 2000 by an E. coli outbreak due to contaminated water, looked at renal disease, diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome. More>>
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) LifeCoach: Our experts answer questions
A: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Gerd) or acid reflux disease occurs when the valve which separates the stomach and the tube leading into it (the oesophagus), does not close properly and allows acid from the stomach to back up into the oesophagus causing the burning sensation known as heartburn. Avoid trigger foods such as spicy meals, high fat or acidic foods (such as citrus fruits and tomatoes), caffeine and chocolate. Alcohol and excessive amounts of vitamin C from supplements can also stimulate gastric acid secretion, making symptoms worse, as do fizzy drinks. Also avoid large meals, especially at bedtime: don’t lie down for an hour after meals and try not to eat or drink for two to three hours before going to bed. It is better to have smaller meals throughout the day and to eat slowly. More>> - (
) Singer-actor hits a career peak as Valli
Woe to the Frankie who suffers from acid reflux, Spector says. "You have to hit the outskirts of your vocal range," he says, holding his upper gut. That means no caffeine, unless he sneaks in some chocolate. He drinks gallons of water. This is in fact Spector's second time on Broadway, although he is quick to discount his two years as Gavroche in Les Miserables, which ended at age 11. It's also his second show-business career. He started out as a child wonder, the youngest of Chuck and Beth Spector's four offspring. "He could talk at a really young age, and he'd be in the back of the car, singing the commercials," Beth Spector says. "I'm thinking, 'How can he remember these things? He's only 2.' " The Spectors took him to Russell Faith, the singing coach who in the 1970s trained another local wunderkind, Annie star Andrea McArdle. More>>