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Symptoms
The most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease is heartburn, or acid indigestion. Heartburn is often described as a painful burning in the chest, neck, or throat. Other symptoms can include:
A mild cough
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease often mimic other ailments, such as ulcers or gastritis, it is important to consult your physician for a diagnosis. In addition to listening carefully to your symptoms, and asking questions, your physician will likely perform imaging and/or lab tests to make a diagnosis. These tests may include a combination of the following:
Upper GI: the patient swallows barium, a thick, chalky fluid, which allows the esophagus and stomach to be examined and evaluated via X-ray.
Upper Endoscopy: a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is guided into a patient’s esophagus, allowing the physician to examine the region.
pH monitoring: the patient wears a small monitor for one or two days, during which time the monitor detects and records levels of acidity in the patient’s esophagus.
Esophageal Manometry: this test allows a physician to look for abnormalities in the way a patient uses their esophageal muscles to swallow.
To gain an accurate diagnosis, it is important that you clearly and carefully describe your symptoms to your physician.
Treatments
Because gastroesophageal reflux disease can be caused by many factors, your physician will likely recommend a combination of the following the successfully reduce your symptoms:
Smoking cessation
Weight loss, if applicable
Consuming less alcohol
Limiting the consumption of certain foods and beverages, such as those containing tomatoes, citrus, alcohol, chocolate, or coffee.
Eating smaller portions
Avoid eating or drinking right before bed.
Your physician may also scrutinize the medications you are taking, as some of them may contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease. He or she may also recommend an over-the-counter antacid to treat your heartburn symptoms.
Helpful Hints
If there is a change in your symptoms, or if they worsen, let your physician know right away.
If you’re unclear about a test, diagnosis, or any part of your treatment plan, please ask your physician. The more you know, the more successful your treatment plan will be!
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Symptoms
The most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease is heartburn, or acid indigestion. Heartburn is often described as a painful burning in the chest, neck, or throat. Other symptoms can include:
A mild cough
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease often mimic other ailments, such as ulcers or gastritis, it is important to consult your physician for a diagnosis. In addition to listening carefully to your symptoms, and asking questions, your physician will likely perform imaging and/or lab tests to make a diagnosis. These tests may include a combination of the following:
Upper GI: the patient swallows barium, a thick, chalky fluid, which allows the esophagus and stomach to be examined and evaluated via X-ray.
Upper Endoscopy: a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is guided into a patient’s esophagus, allowing the physician to examine the region.
pH monitoring: the patient wears a small monitor for one or two days, during which time the monitor detects and records levels of acidity in the patient’s esophagus.
Esophageal Manometry: this test allows a physician to look for abnormalities in the way a patient uses their esophageal muscles to swallow.
To gain an accurate diagnosis, it is important that you clearly and carefully describe your symptoms to your physician.
Treatments
Because gastroesophageal reflux disease can be caused by many factors, your physician will likely recommend a combination of the following the successfully reduce your symptoms:
Smoking cessation
Weight loss, if applicable
Consuming less alcohol
Limiting the consumption of certain foods and beverages, such as those containing tomatoes, citrus, alcohol, chocolate, or coffee.
Eating smaller portions
Avoid eating or drinking right before bed.
Your physician may also scrutinize the medications you are taking, as some of them may contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease. He or she may also recommend an over-the-counter antacid to treat your heartburn symptoms.
Helpful Hints
If there is a change in your symptoms, or if they worsen, let your physician know right away.
If you’re unclear about a test, diagnosis, or any part of your treatment plan, please ask your physician. The more you know, the more successful your treatment plan will be!
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Degenerative Joint Disease, also known as arthritis, affects an estimated 47 million Americans1 across all age and racial groups. The terms “degenerative joint disease” and “arthritis” often refer to one of more than 100 chronic ailments that affect joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Though certain types of degenerative joint disease tend to afflict more mature patients, it is not restricted to the elderly — anyone of any age can be affected.
Symptoms
The symptoms of degenerative joint disease are different for everyone, but most often include a combination of the following:
Continual or recurring pain, stiffness, and/or swelling in a (joint or joints)
Difficulty moving a (joint or joints) in a normal manner
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of degenerative joint disease often mimic other serious ailments, it is important to consult your physician for a diagnosis. In addition to listening carefully to your symptoms, and asking questions, your physician will likely perform imaging and/or lab tests to make a diagnosis. These tests may include a combination of the following:
X-Ray or MRI of the affected joint area(s)
Blood and/or urinalysis
Arthrocentesis or joint aspiration
To gain an accurate diagnosis, it is important that you clearly and carefully describe your symptoms to your physician.
Treatments
Because the type and severity of degenerative joint disease varies widely from one patient to the next, there are a variety of successful treatments for it. For any of them to succeed, the patient and his or her family must be active, dynamic parts of the treatment process. The goal of all arthritis treatments is the same — to relieve pain and restore as much use of the joint(s) as possible.
As part of your individual treatment plan, your physician is likely to recommend a combination of the following:
Specific exercises to moderate swelling and pain in the affected joint(s)
Exercised to restore mobility in the joint(s)
Pain management, including heat or cold therapy, massage, and/or acupuncture
Immobilization of joint(s) to avoid further injury or damage
Assistive and/or support devices
Weight control and/or nutritional counseling
For best results, it is vital that you and your family understand the goals of the recommended treatments. If you have questions, please ask! The key to a successful treatment plan is a well-educated patient.
Helpful Hints
If there is a change in your symptoms, such as increased or unusual pain, please let your physician know right away.
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Inflammation of the middle ear, called otitis media or an “ear infection,” is often related to a pre-occurring sore throat, cold, or respiratory infection. The inflammation causes the eustachian tube (which connects the inner ear to the throat) to malfunction, leading to the painful, irritating build-up of fluid, which can encourage the growth of virus and bacteria and cause acute otitis media. Though ear infections are most common among children (nearly 80% of all children will have at least one before the age of 3), adults can suffer from them, too.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an ear infection are similar for adults and children, and vary from patient to patient. They may include a combination of the following:
Ear pain
Increased ear drainage
Hearing loss
Loss of balance
Fever
Congestion
In infants and small children, who cannot verbalize their pain, some symptoms may manifest as irritability, fatigue, tugging at their ears, difficulty sleeping, and/or a decrease in appetite.
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of an ear infection often mimic other serious ailments, and because small children may have difficulty in explaining their symptoms, it is important to consult your physician for a diagnosis. In addition to listening carefully to your symptoms, or your child’s symptoms, your physician will likely perform tests to make a diagnosis. These tests may include a combination of the following:
Physician examination with an otoscope, allowing the physician to see the outer and inner ear.
Physician examination with a pneumatic otoscope, sending a gentle puff of air into the ear to gauge ear drum movement.
Tympanometry, to test the condition and function of the inner ear.
Hearing test (often recommended for children or adults who have frequent ear infections).
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Gastroenteritis is caused by an inflammation and/or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, namely the stomach and intestines, caused by ingesting tainted water or food-borne bacteria, parasites and viruses. It can also be caused by certain prescription and over-the-counter medications, or by ingesting something with dairy, if the patient is lactose intolerant.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gastroenteritis vary from patient to patient, but can include a combination of the following, in varying degrees of severity:
Fever
Nausea and/or vomiting
Diarrhea
Bloating and pain
Cramping
Tenderness and/or swelling in the abdomen
Dehydration
Diagnosis
Because some of these symptoms may lead to dehydration, especially in infants and the elderly, it is important to seek professional medical attention if the vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours, if there is blood in the stool, or if you suspect the person is becoming dehydrated. In addition to listening carefully to your symptoms, and asking questions about medications, dietary changes, and recent travel, your physician will likely perform imaging and/or lab tests to make a diagnosis. These tests may include a combination of the following:
Stool analysis, to check for parasites or blood
Physical examination of your abdomen
To gain an accurate diagnosis, it is important that you clearly and carefully describe your symptoms to your physician.
Treatments
Depending on the cause of the gastroenteritis, and the severity of it, treatment plans will vary from patient to patient. Because there is such a danger of dehydration, your physician will recommend drinking non-caffeinated, non-dairy liquids, in particular those containing electrolytes.
A treatment plan may include any combination of the following:
Rehydration drinks
Prescription antibiotics, depending on the type of bacteria detected, if any
An over-the-counter emetic, depending on the type of bacteria detected, if any
Gradual return to a solid-foods diet, beginning first with the BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast)
If the gastroenteritis is caused by a food sensitivity or intolerance, or a medication, your physician may recommend a dietary supplement or change, or a different medication
Helpful Hints
Because many cases of gastroenteritis are caused by contact with infectious germs, to avoid infection, wash your hands before and after handling food, and always after using the bathroom or handling a diaper.
If at any time your symptoms worsen, please consult your physician again.
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Pharyngitis is a sore throat, caused by inflammation from bacteria, fungus, virus, parasite and/or cigarette smoke. Most commonly, pharyngitis is caused by a virus or bacteria, which are easily spread from person to person, so most sore throats occur during the cold winter months, because people spend much of their time indoors in close contact with others.
Symptoms
Pharyngitis can manifest itself in a variety of ways from patient to patient, but most often they include a combination of the following:
Irritated, sore, scratchy throat
Difficulty or painful swallowing
Low-grade fever
Redness, drainage and swelling in the throat
Loss or decrease of appetite and/or nausea
Diagnosis
Because pharyngitis has so many causes, it is important to see your physician for a diagnosis, so he or she can recommend a, effective treatment plan. To diagnose the cause of the pharyngitis, your physician may perform a combination of the following examinations and tests:
A physical examination
A throat swab, to check for GABHS (strep throat)
Treatments
Your (or your child’s) treatment plan will vary depending on the cause of the pharyngitis, but will often include a combination of the following:
If the cause of the pharyngitis is GABHS or another bacteria, a round of antibiotics will be prescribed. If the cause is viral, your physician will NOT prescribe antibiotics, since they will not help, and may greatly lessen the effects of antibiotics if they’re required for another infection or illness later.
Acetaminophen, increased fluids and/or throat lozenges, to ease pain and irritation.
If your symptoms worsen, or do not recede after the full course of antibiotics has been used, please consult your physician again.
Helpful Hints
NEVER give a aspirin to a child with a fever, as this may cause Reyes syndrome.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! To avoid getting sick, wash your hands thoroughly and often, and teach your children to do the same.
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Sinusitis is an infection of the sinuses, which can be the after-effect of the common cold, allergies, cigarette smoke, an infected tooth, nasal deformity, or even a foreign object in the nose. Any of these may cause a block in the sinuses in which bacteria may grow, causing the infection.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a sinus infection vary from patient to patient, but can include a combination of the following:
Runny nose, often with yellow or green discharge
Irritation, tickling and/or drainage in the throat
Swelling and/or tenderness around the eyes
Headache
Fever
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of sinusitis can closely mimic other ailments, it’s important to see your physician for an accurate diagnosis. In addition to listening carefully to your symptoms, and asking questions, your physician may perform the following imaging and/or lab tests to make a diagnosis:
Physical examination
Sinus culture
Sinus X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan
To gain an accurate diagnosis, it is important that you clearly and carefully describe your symptoms to your physician.
Treatments
Once your physician has diagnosed a sinus infection, and determined a cause, he or she will recommend a treatment plan to ease symptoms and address the root issue.
Most treatment plans will include a combination of the following, depending on the root cause of the sinusitis:
Antibiotics
Analgesics for pain management (DO NOT give aspirin to a child with a fever, as this may cause Reyes syndrome)
Smoking cessation (for adults) or avoidance of second-hand smoke (for children)
Surgical removal of the adenoids
Endoscopic sinus surgery
A cool mist humidifier to ease nasal irritation
If your sinusitis is recurring and allergy-related, your physician may recommend treatment by an allergist or immunologist once the current infection is gone.
Helpful Hints
Do not take an antihistamine for your sinus infection unless recommended by your physician; if your sinusitis is not allergy-related, an antihistamine will not help.
For any antibiotic therapy to be effective, it must be taken as per the physician’s instructions. If these instructions are unclear, please consult your physician.
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At one time or another, most Americans will suffer from lower back pain. Most often, it can be prevented or treated by the patient, but it can also be a symptom of a more serious, treatable chronic back problem. Lower back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as ageing, arthritis, injury, strain, or simple overuse. Because lower back pain is so common, but so debilitating, self-care and physician care are important.
Symptoms
While symptoms of lower back pain vary from patient to patient, the most common in acute and/or recurring pain and tenderness in the back, sometimes accompanied by numbness or tingling in the legs. The pain can be at a single point, or spread over the entire lower back region.
Diagnosis
If you are experiencing lower back pain that does not lessen after two weeks of self-care, or if the pain worsens and/or spreads, please consult your physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan. To diagnose the cause of your lower back pain, your physician will likely ask you detailed questions about your pain and your physical activities. He or she will also perform a physical exam. Lab and imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs are often NOT performed, since they do not aid in the diagnosis of muscle-related back pain. They will only be performed if your physician suspects an injury, such as a herniated disc or broken bone.
To gain an accurate diagnosis, it is important that you clearly and carefully describe your symptoms to your physician. It’s a good idea to keep a journal of your lower back pain episodes to share with your physician, to help diagnose your back pain as acute, recurring, and/or chronic.
Treatments
Because often lower back pain is causes by overuse or strain of the muscles of the lower back, most often a treatment plan will consist of a combination of the following elements:
Over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medication, taken on a regular schedule
Heating pad on the affected area for 15 minutes every 3 hours
Physical therapy to strengthen the back muscles. Physical therapy may be performed at home, as part of a self-care fitness regimen, or at a physician’s office. The best exercise for strengthening the muscles of the lower back is simple walking.
If your physician diagnoses a lower back injury, he or she may recommend surgery, but very few patients require surgery to address chronic lower back pain.
Helpful Hints
Because lower back pain is often caused by strain and overuse, prevention is key in avoiding further lower back pain incidents. To prevent lower back pain, your physician may recommend the following:
Losing weight, if your weight is an issue
Smoking cessation
Wearing low-heeled, supportive shoes
Using proper lifting technique
Get regular exercise, especially those that will strengthen your core muscles