| How to manage reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common digestive disorders. It is a condition where stomach acid refluxes upward into the esophagus. Usually, the acid in your stomach is retained by a muscular valve at the end of the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter. The LES is supposed to remain closed, except when swallowing. If it opens at other times, stomach acid can flow upward (reflux) into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Typical symptoms include an uncomfortable feeling of burning, warmth, heat or pain just behind the breastbone, which is commonly referred to as heartburn. Other symptoms can include nausea, increased belching, regurgitation of food and even chronic cough. Occasional heartburn does not necessarily mean you have reflux disease. In GERD, the symptoms last longer and occur more often.
Study Demonstrates Long-Term Durability of Plicator Procedure
Patients treated for gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) using the endoscopic Plicator procedure show long-term benefits in reducing reflux disease symptoms with no need for long-term prescription antacids, according to a study led by doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). .
BB&T shows 42% drop in income
BB&T Corp. took four after-tax charges in the fourth quarter, which contributed to a 42 percent decline in net income to $251 million, the bank reported yesterday. Diluted earnings were 46 cents a share, compared with 78 cents in the fourth quarter of 2005. The largest of the four charges was the $139 million that BB&T added to its tax reserves related to what it called "leveraged lease transactions." Excluding the after-tax charges, BB&T had profit of $449 million, up 5 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2005. Diluted earnings were 82 cents, which beat by 3 cents the average forecast of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. The decline in net income after the charges did not deter investors, particularly since BB&T announced the need for most of the charges during the quarter.
Survey Finds Number One Food Super Bowl Fans Are Burning to Eat on ...
CINCINNATI, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A new survey of Super Bowl fans finds that the most-wanted foods for game-day may also be the ones most likely avoided -- all due to heartburn. Eighty-percent of frequent heartburn sufferers surveyed said that food is a must have at a Super Bowl party, and that the top three favorites on game day were pizza, nachos and potato chips. Many also said that they already avoid spicy (66%), greasy (57%) and tomato- based foods (39%) -- meaning that the best-loved snacks could also be left on the buffet. Furthermore, heartburn sufferers said the one food they would love to be able to eat on Super Bowl Sunday, without worrying about heartburn, would be pizza, followed closely by hot wings and chili. Now, Jeanne Benedict, entertaining expert from the DIY network has joined forces with Prilosec OTC, the number one selling OTC heartburn medicine to help frequent heartburn-suffering fans have a chance at being heartburn-free up to and through Super Bowl.
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