GERD (Acid Reflux): Causes, Symptoms, and the Best Treatment & Prevention Tips

Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Acid Reflux Disease. Let’s dive in! 

Understanding GERD: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is becoming increasingly common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people in the United States experience GERD symptoms every year. It’s estimated that around 20% of Americans have GERD, with the condition continuing to rise due to lifestyle and dietary habits.

---

What Is GERD?

GERD occurs when the muscle between the stomach and esophagus (called the lower esophageal sphincter) becomes weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.

---

Symptoms and Causes of Acid Reflux in GERD

The most common symptoms of GERD are heartburn and acid regurgitation, often occurring 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating. These symptoms tend to worsen when lying down, bending over, or overeating. Other symptoms include chest pain, chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or a lump-like feeling in the throat.

One of the main reasons for the rise in GERD cases is the increasing rate of obesity. Abdominal pressure increases with obesity, which makes acid reflux more likely.
Dietary habits also play a significant role. High-fat foods, alcohol, smoking, coffee, red wine, citrus juice, chocolate, and peppermint can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to GERD.

Late-night meals or overeating worsen symptoms since lying down after eating promotes acid reflux. With the growing culture of late-night delivery food, many people engage in these habits, increasing GERD prevalence.

---

Diagnosis and Treatment Using Acid-Suppressing Medications

GERD is diagnosed when symptoms improve with the use of acid-suppressing medications, especially proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medications are often used for both treatment and diagnostic purposes.
This is because even when performing an endoscopy, over half of GERD patients show no visible esophageal damage.

For patients with severe or chronic symptoms, additional testing may be needed, such as:

• Esophagography

• Esophageal manometry – measures esophageal muscle contractions using a catheter

• EndoFLIP – assesses lower esophageal pressure

• 24-hour pH monitoring – a thin tube through the nose measures acidity changes in the esophagus and stomach

Treatment mainly involves taking PPIs to reduce stomach acid production. These drugs are highly effective but require proper management, as symptoms often recur when medication is reduced or stopped. That’s why lifestyle changes should accompany medical treatment.

Although PPIs are generally safe, long-term use may carry risks such as osteoporosis, fractures, gastrointestinal infections, dementia, or coronary artery disease. Therefore, they should be used at the lowest effective dose when taken long-term.

---

Managing GERD Through Diet and Lifestyle Habits

To improve GERD symptoms, it’s important to avoid foods that trigger heartburn and reflux and to correct eating habits that increase acid exposure in the esophagus.
Avoid high-fat foods, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and smoking, as these can lower the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. Alcohol, black pepper, and coffee can also aggravate symptoms and should be limited.

Instead, choose foods like lean meats, white fish, shellfish, low-fat dairy, rice, plain bread, noodles, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. These low-fat protein and carbohydrate options are gentle on the digestive system.

Late-night eating and lying down immediately after meals can disrupt esophageal function and delay stomach emptying. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends avoiding sleep within 3 hours after eating.

For those with abdominal obesity, weight loss through proper exercise can help both prevent and relieve GERD.
Other helpful lifestyle adjustments include:

• Using a high pillow when sleeping

• Lying on your left side

• Avoiding exercises that increase abdominal pressure

• Reducing stress through calming routines
  
  

Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖

This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.

Tuberculosis (TB): Symptoms, Causes, Latent Infection, and Treatment Explained

Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Tuberculosis. Let’s dive in!

A deadly infectious disease that still claims many lives: Tuberculosis

According to the Infectious Disease Surveillance Annual Report, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death among infectious diseases in 2020, with 1,356 deaths. Tuberculosis ranks highest among all notifiable infectious diseases and was the 14th leading cause of death overall in Korea. It was followed by COVID-19, with 922 deaths. (Note: The number of COVID-19 deaths has continued to rise since then, so the rankings may differ in more recent data.)
Other infectious diseases with significant mortality included carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) with 226 deaths and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) with 106 deaths.

---

No symptoms? Don’t relax just yet: TB infection and latent tuberculosis infection

Tuberculosis bacteria usually infect the lungs, but they can also affect other organs like the kidneys, bones, or other tissues. TB is transmitted through droplets from an infected person, such as saliva. However, not everyone exposed to TB bacteria develops active tuberculosis. In many cases, the bacteria remain dormant in the body, leading to what's known as latent TB infection.

About 90% of those infected with tuberculosis will remain in a latent infection state. In around half of the cases, symptoms appear within 1–2 years, while the rest may develop TB later in life, especially when the immune system becomes weakened.
For example, if 100 people are infected with TB and enter a latent infection state, around 90 will stay healthy with no symptoms, 5 will develop active TB within 1–2 years, and 5 may develop TB decades later.

---

Early treatment is crucial: TB symptoms, treatment, and precautions

When TB progresses to active tuberculosis, symptoms are usually mild or absent in the early stages—so it’s easy to overlook the infection. However, persistent fatigue, weight loss, or a cough lasting more than two weeks may indicate TB and should prompt a test. Diagnosis is usually confirmed through chest X-rays and sputum (phlegm) tests.

Although tuberculosis causes many deaths in Korea, early diagnosis and treatment mean there’s usually no need to panic. Most cases are treatable with a consistent course of anti-tuberculosis medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. After about two weeks of taking medication, the patient is generally no longer infectious and does not require isolation or hospitalization.

However, people with weakened immune systems—such as those with latent HIV, those taking immunosuppressive drugs, or long-term steroid users—are at a higher risk of developing active TB and must be closely monitored and treated proactively.

Additionally, once a TB infection is confirmed, family members and others in close contact with the patient should also undergo testing. If needed, they should receive treatment promptly to prevent further spread of the disease.

Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖

This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.

Pre-eclampsia: A Dangerous Pregnancy Condition You Should Never Ignore

Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Pre-eclampsia. Let’s dive in!

Pre-eclampsia: What You Need to Know

Symptoms
Blurred vision, reduced urine output, headache, generalized swelling
Related Conditions
Obesity, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, eclampsia

---

What is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, marked by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It is commonly referred to as pregnancy toxemia. In severe cases, it can develop into eclampsia, which involves seizures and convulsions due to high blood pressure. If left untreated, pre-eclampsia can pose serious risks to both the mother and the baby.

---

What Causes Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia can result from problems in early placental development. Normally, special cells called trophoblasts invade the mother's uterus and help establish proper blood flow to the placenta. However, when this process is disrupted, blood supply to the placenta becomes insufficient, leading to vascular damage in both mother and baby.

Several factors can increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, including:

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Genetic predisposition

These factors can harm the mother and the developing fetus by affecting blood vessels and organ function.

---

Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia

Just like many people with high blood pressure show no obvious symptoms, pre-eclampsia often develops without noticeable signs until it becomes severe. This is why regular prenatal checkups are essential to monitor for:

• High blood pressure

• Protein in the urine

If a pregnant person develops these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult a gynecologist immediately.

---

Diagnosis

Pre-eclampsia is usually diagnosed during routine prenatal visits. The following tests are commonly performed:

• Blood pressure checks

• Urine tests for protein

• Blood tests to assess organ function

• Ultrasound to measure the baby’s growth and amniotic fluid levels

• Fetal heart monitoring to check for any abnormalities

These tests help determine the severity of the condition and whether immediate treatment is needed.

---

Treatment

The only definitive treatment for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby. However, if the condition is mild, the healthcare provider may recommend:

• Regular monitoring

• Delayed delivery until the baby has matured enough

In severe cases, early delivery is often necessary to prevent seizures and other complications. Mothers with severe pre-eclampsia are frequently treated with magnesium sulfate to reduce the risk of seizures.

---

Progression and Prognosis

About 15–25% of people with pregnancy-induced hypertension develop proteinuria, which indicates progression to pre-eclampsia. If high blood pressure occurs early in pregnancy or there is a history of miscarriage, the likelihood of developing pre-eclampsia is higher.

On the other hand, if hypertension develops after 36 weeks, the risk of it turning into pre-eclampsia is around 10%. Even if protein is not detected in the urine, symptoms such as:

• Headaches

• Upper abdominal pain

• Low platelet counts
  may still indicate serious issues and should not be ignored.
  

Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖

This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.

Does Retirement Affect Memory? Warning Signs & Smart Ways to Stay Sharp

Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Retirement. Let’s dive in!

Will My Memory Be Okay After Retirement?

Retirement is one of life’s inevitable milestones. Taking time to rest and age comfortably is a well-deserved reward for years of hard work—but it’s also the start of a new chapter in life that many have never experienced before. Once the daily routines of going to work and fulfilling responsibilities disappear, the lack of structure or purpose can sometimes lead to depression, lethargy, and cognitive decline.

---

Why Does Retirement Affect Cognitive Function?
According to The New York Times, researchers from the University of Padua in Italy tracked over 8,000 retirees and found that retirement can have a long-term negative impact on cognitive abilities. Their findings were published in the Journal of Health Economics in 2017. The study revealed that once people retire, their verbal memory (the ability to recall words after a period of time) declines more quickly than when they were still working.

A separate study in the UK also showed that while abstract reasoning didn’t change much after retirement, verbal memory dropped sharply. The Padua team suggested that this decline might be due to the reduced need to handle challenging or complex tasks post-retirement.

---

Emotional Shifts After Retirement

There are also studies showing a link between retirement and depression. A 2022 paper by researchers at the University of Michigan found that when people go from being busy with work to a lifestyle with fewer responsibilities, they may begin to feel worthless, down, or sad—often accompanied by depressive symptoms and memory loss.

These changes tend to be more dramatic in people who held high-level positions before retiring, possibly because their identities were more strongly tied to their jobs. Experts also note that retirees facing poor health, workplace age discrimination, or financial struggles after retirement may be more vulnerable to depression and rapid cognitive decline.

---

Can Retirement Be Happier With Good Preparation?
With the right preparation, retirement can actually be a time for growth rather than decline. The New York Times shared expert advice: “Don’t wait for retirement—plan for it.” Ideally, you should begin building new routines and activities that bring you mental and physical energy at least two years before retiring.

If that’s not possible, plan ahead so you can start right after retirement. Experts say even resting or playing needs to be planned out in advance to make it happen. For example, if you dream of traveling for a year after retiring, you’re more likely to follow through if you book tickets and accommodations before retiring than if you leave it all undecided.

---

Age Well by Staying Social and Finding New Purpose
Finding a new sense of purpose after work ends is also key to a fulfilling retirement. A 2022 study from Florida State University College of Medicine found that retirees with a clear sense of life purpose experienced slower cognitive decline compared to those without. Maintaining social connections is equally important.

According to Professor David Richter of Free University of Berlin, research shows that social contact often declines first, followed by cognitive decline. To prevent depression and cognitive issues caused by social isolation, it’s important to regularly meet and interact with people. The New York Times recommends joining groups where you can engage in meaningful conversations that provide intellectual stimulation.

Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖

This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.

Gallbladder Stones: Symptoms, When to Have Surgery, and What You Must Know

Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Gallbladder Stones. Let’s dive in!

Gallbladder Stones: Is There a Stone in Your Gallbladder?

What Are Gallbladder Stones?
Gallbladder stones are often discovered during abdominal ultrasounds or routine health checkups when there are symptoms like dull pain in the upper right abdomen or upper central abdomen (epigastric area). In general, if the patient has no symptoms, the best approach is to monitor the condition without any immediate treatment.

While patients can wait until symptoms appear before visiting the hospital again, it is recommended to have an ultrasound once a year. However, for elderly patients, the first sign of gallstones can sometimes be something severe, such as gallbladder empyema (pus-filled gallbladder) or gallbladder perforation. That’s why extra caution is needed. Recently, with the advancement of laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, the surgical burden has decreased compared to the past, leading to a broader range of surgical candidates—even among those with asymptomatic gallstones.

---

When Is Surgery Necessary?
Even in asymptomatic cases, surgery may be performed if the gallstone is larger than 3 cm, if the gallbladder wall has become calcified, if a polyp is present along with the stone, or if the gallbladder wall has thickened locally or entirely. These cases are associated with a higher risk of gallbladder cancer. In such situations, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is considered necessary.

---

What If There’s Inflammation Without Stones?

Though the exact causes are not clearly defined, inflammation in the gallbladder without stones can be dangerous due to rapid progression, difficulty in early diagnosis, and risks of gallbladder necrosis or perforation. In these cases, surgery is often required. If a gallbladder polyp is found during ultrasound and it is 10mm or larger, or if the patient is over 55, has accompanying gallstones, or shows symptoms, surgery is recommended. Polyps between 5–10mm without symptoms should be monitored every 6 months, and surgery is needed if they grow. Additionally, conditions such as cholesterolosis or early-stage gallbladder cancer may also require gallbladder removal.

---

What to Know Before Surgery
Determining whether a patient meets the criteria for gallbladder removal is crucial. Important factors include a history of abdominal surgery, the presence of jaundice suggesting the possibility of bile duct stones, whether the patient has pancreatitis, chronic liver disease, blood clotting disorders, or cardiopulmonary dysfunction.

Various imaging tests are performed, such as liver function tests, ultrasound, oral cholecystography, hepatobiliary scans, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). These tests are essential to rule out other bile duct conditions like bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis, bile duct cysts, and bile duct tumors, ensuring the surgery is safe and thorough.

---

What You Must Know
Gallbladder removal surgery can completely cure gallstones. However, symptoms such as pain in the upper right or central abdomen, indigestion, abdominal discomfort, nausea, or vomiting may improve to varying degrees depending on the type of symptoms. It’s also important to note that new symptoms may develop after surgery.

---

Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖

This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.

Is It Safe for Kids to Wear Makeup? What Every Parent Needs to Know

Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Kids to Wear Makeup. Let’s dive in!

Is It Okay for Our Kids to Wear Makeup?

Are You Worried About Your Child Wearing Makeup?

The age at which kids start using cosmetics is getting younger. It's now common to see middle and high school students going to school with makeup on, and even some elementary school children have begun using beauty products. However, children and teenagers are still in their growth phase, and their skin is thinner and more sensitive than adults. So, if they use cosmetics, it’s especially important to carefully check the ingredients and how much they’re using. Teenagers going through puberty are also more prone to oil buildup due to increased hormone production, which means using the wrong cosmetics can lead to skin issues. That’s why extra caution is needed.

For Kids' Cosmetics, Always Check the Ingredient List First!
There are many cosmetic products on the market labeled specifically for infants and children. When these products are manufactured, they must comply with regulations set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which prohibit the use of ingredients that could potentially cause allergies or other health issues. However, some companies are still occasionally found violating these rules, so experts recommend that parents carefully read the labels and instructions when purchasing such products.

For example, cosmetics for infants and children under 13 must not contain certain colorants like Amaranth (Red No. 2) or New Coccine (Red No. 102). Additionally, products for children under the age of 3 must not include salicylic acid—except for wash-off items like shampoo. Ingredients such as butylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, and isopropylparaben should also not be used on areas where diapers touch, unless they are in rinse-off products. If your child’s skin turns red, swells, or becomes itchy after using a cosmetic, it’s best to stop using it immediately and consult a doctor.

How to Beat Afternoon Sleepiness After Lunch: Causes, Diet Tips, and Quick Fixes

Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Drowsiness after lunch. Let’s dive in!

When drowsiness hits after lunch

You start your day full of energy and dive into your work with motivation, but as the afternoon approaches, your body begins to feel sluggish and sleepiness creeps in.

At first, you try to fight it off with willpower, but eventually, you find yourself nodding off without even realizing it. According to the New York Times, feeling drowsy and tired in the afternoon is a normal physiological response. Dr. Steven Justin Thomas, chair of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Association, explained that Spain’s cultural practice of afternoon naps—siestas—is partly due to recognizing that productivity naturally dips during that time of day.

---

Is the Cause Our Biological Clock?

Afternoon drowsiness is believed to be linked to our 24-hour circadian rhythm. This internal clock is influenced by environmental cues.

During daylight, our bodies stay alert, and as it gets darker, the body starts preparing for sleep. However, experts say it's normal for the circadian rhythm to fluctuate slightly. In the afternoon, the neurotransmitters responsible for keeping us alert may become less active, leading to a natural drop in wakefulness.

---

Why Do We Get Sleepier the Longer We Stay Awake?

A stronger reason for afternoon sleepiness than minor circadian fluctuations is something called sleep pressure. The longer we're awake, the stronger our desire to sleep becomes—this is sleep pressure. After a good night’s sleep, we’re like a fully charged battery, but as the day progresses, our energy gets depleted and sleep pressure builds up.

When sleep pressure becomes strong enough to make our eyelids feel heavy, even in broad daylight, the body craves sleep. How long and intensely a person feels this pressure varies. If you didn’t get enough sleep the night before or your bedtime routine is irregular, the sleep pressure can be more intense and last longer. The same applies to those with sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea.

---

Could Diet Be a Factor?

What you eat can also affect how sleepy you feel in the afternoon. Experts say drowsiness can happen no matter what you eat, but meals high in sugar and refined carbs can make you feel even more tired.

When we eat, the digestion process causes our blood sugar to rise, prompting insulin release from the pancreas. If you consume sugar and refined carbs, blood sugar spikes faster, insulin surges, and then blood sugar drops quickly—leading to fatigue. To prevent this, it’s best to avoid refined carbs like white bread or donuts, and instead opt for complex carbs such as whole grains or mixed-grain rice. These digest more slowly and result in a more gradual insulin response.

---

How to Overcome It?
When the afternoon slump hits hard, the most effective remedy—if your environment allows—is to take a short nap. If you can nap, keep it under 20 minutes. This helps you feel refreshed without disrupting nighttime sleep.

If a nap isn’t possible, try handling simple tasks that don’t require intense focus while waiting for the drowsiness to pass. Getting up to stretch or stepping outside for some fresh air can also help shake off the sleepiness.

Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖

This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.