The entrance to our stomach has a little door or valve that is known as the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. This tiny little door, or more correctly muscle, open when you are swallowing food and closes as soon as the food goes through it. When your LES does not close all of the way, acid from the stomach that digests your food creeps up into your esophagus and into your throat. When this happens you experience burning in your throat, chest discomfort, painful burping. constant hiccups, nausea, bloody vomiting and/or stools, and bloating. It can quickly become a serious condition and is uncomfortable and persistent nonetheless. However, there are some simple things you can do to help treat and prevent the following symptoms of acid reflux disease: 1. H2 blocker medication There are medications that your doctor may prescribe to you or can be found over the counter known as H2 blockers. examples of H2 blockers would be medications like Pepcid AC, Axid AR, and Zantac. These are not as fast acting as antacids are, but they do provide more relief in the long run and can take away your symptoms for much longer. 2. Neutralizing antacids Mylanta, Tums, and Rolaids are all great examples of antacids that give you quick relief at the moment but do no actual healing in your esophagus.

There are quite a few conditions out there that regularly affect the skin. Eczema and atopic dermatitis are just a couple of prominent examples. They’re actually two distinctive names for the same disorder. Eczema or atopic dermatitis refers to swelling of the skin. If you stare at your skin and realize that it has taken on a crimson appearance, eczema could be responsible. The condition is also characterized by unpleasant effects such as inflammation, discoloration, persistent itchiness, dryness and even blisters. If you find yourself compelled to scratch your skin all of the time, then you may want to learn more about eczema or atopic dermatitis. The positive news is that there are several treatment options on hand for sufferers, including: 1. Topical creams Topical creams can often do wonders for people who suffer from eczema. It can be helpful to get your hands on creams that can handle incessant itchiness. It can be helpful to secure creams that can fix the condition of the skin in general. Doctors frequently suggest that their patients employ corticosteroid ointments and creams. Patients are in many cases instructed to put these formulas on once they hydrate their skin thoroughly using lotion. It’s crucial for patients to pay cautious attention to their doctors’ words with regard to corticosteroids.

Diabetic neuropathy refers to a type of nerve damage in patients with diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy typically occurs in cases of untreated or unmanaged type I or type II diabetes when glucose (or blood sugar) levels are so excessively high that they begin to cause permanent damage to nerves, most often causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities, such as the legs and feet, or hands and fingers. However, depending on what type of diabetic neuropathy, the patient may experience mobility issues, cardiovascular damage (i.e., blood vessels), digestive system ailments, and urinary tract issues. Diabetic neuropathy is considered a prevalent complications among diabetic patients who: Have had diabetes for a long time. Are older in age, 60-years or older. Who don’t manage their diabetes or blood sugars properly. The four main types of diabetic neuropathy may be prevented or delayed by monitoring and controlling blood sugar, as well as with the adoption of a healthy diet and regular exercise. They include: 1. Proximal neuropathy Proximal neuropathy, also referred to as radiculoplexus neuropathy, is the rarest form of diabetic neuropathy and also the debilitating. It typically begins on one side of the body, doing damage to the nerves of the leg, thigh, hip, and buttock on one side, and then gradually affecting the same areas on the other side of the body.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria, or NTM, are made up of almost 200 different naturally-occurring organism species found in natural sources, such as the soil and water. While most don’t pose any threat to human health, these bacteria may cause issues in certain individuals prone to specific risk factors (i.e., lowered immunity). NTM develops as an infection of the lungs, infiltrating the airways and causing disease and inflammation to take root in the respiratory system and within the tissues of the lungs. Symptoms of NTM may include: Wheezing Mild fever Sudden weight loss Chronic cough Night sweats Unexplained fatigue Breathing issues Coughing blood Shortness of breath While many patients can get over NTM on their own, in severe cases, patients may be treated with a 12-month dose of antibiotics. NTM left untreated may lead to a lingering and progressive infection that destroys the lung tissues, and leads to worsening disease and even death. Common causes, or risk factors for NTM include: 1. Environmental exposure Long-term exposure to certain toxic elements (i.e., soil, water from pools and hot tubs) within the environment can open susceptibility to infections, like NTM. 2. Compromised immunity Weakened immunity due to an unrelated yet chronic condition may increase the risk of NTM lung infection (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s disease, HIV/AIDs, or those taking prednisone).

Amyloidosis is characterized as the gradual collection of abnormal protein produced by the bone marrow, which responds differently based on the organ or tissue it builds up around (i.e., heart, nervous system, kidney, liver, spleen, etc.). This protein is referred to as amyloid, which is where the condition gets its name. Treating amyloidosis is best in the earliest stages, as there is no cure, however, if left untreated it may lead to symptoms of joint pain, skin color changes, constipation, anemia, numbness in legs and feet, breathlessness, and tongue swelling, and at its worst, complete organ failure.  As mentioned, patients will respond quite differently to amyloidosis based on the area in which the amyloid protein builds up. Risk factors for amyloidosis will also differ depending on the type of amyloidosis present, such as: 1. Primary amyloidosis Primary amyloidosis, which is also commonly called immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis, effects the most patients with symptoms that strike areas such as the skin, heart, nerves, kidneys, and the liver when abnormal amyloid antibodies are produced by the bone marrow and the body cannot break them down.  2. Dialysis-related amyloidosis Dialysis-related amyloidosis strikes long term dialysis patients and is usually closely monitored in patients undergoing long term kidney dialysis.