Month: August 2024

One of the biggest trends we’re seeing in the wellness world today is hydrogen water, which is very similar to alkaline water that had its own fifteen minutes of fame a few years ago. The difference? Hydrogen water is definitely here to stay. It’s more than a health buzzword; it’s the key to unlocking a healthy gut microbiome. With more Americans than ever suffering from gut disorders like IBS and leaky gut, or even just bloating, let’s take a deep dive into why hydrogen water is the MVP of gut microbiota.

First, What Is Hydrogen Water? 

Hydrogen water is essentially exactly what we all understand water to be, but with hydrogen gas (H2) added to it. This enhancement is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, which means you get all the benefits of hydrogen water without unpleasant additions – it’s like drinking out of the tap without the risk of chemicals or fluoride. 

Understanding the Function of the Stomach

Your stomach is a critical organ in your body’s digestive system, which is mainly responsible for the mechanical and chemical breakdown of everything you consume. The stomach, located between the esophagus and the small intestine, is something you likely never give much thought to – unless you have chronic gut issues. 

When food enters the stomach, it immediately begins mixing with gastric juices, which are composed of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. It’s here that the stomach and its acids kill bacteria and other potentially harmful pathogens that could have been consumed with your food. Once the initial phases of digestion are completed, the food moves further down to your small intestine where digestion will continue (and nutrient absorption happens too). 

How Hydrogen Water Helps Stomach Health 

Chances are, you’ve only dabbled with hydrogen for your health by pouring hydrogen peroxide in your ears or on wounds, but by consuming hydrogen water, molecular hydrogen enters your body and goes to work as a powerhouse antioxidant to fight off free radicals. Free radicals are the cause of oxidative stress which not only damages your DNA, but increases inflammation – the root of most health issues. 

With molecular hydrogen in your body, there are countless positive effects for virtually every part of the body, but especially your stomach. Studies suggest that molecular hydrogen reduces tissue damage and restores blood flow. This is critical when it comes to conditions of the stomach. 

Main Stomach Benefits 

The benefits of hydrogen water consumption are many when it comes to the stomach, but there are three areas where the most benefits are seen:

• Promoting Healthy Gut Microbiome: Studies have shown that hydrogen can influence gut microbiota composition, which promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the stomach and boosts gut health. A health gut microbiota is essential for proper digestive function and indirectly benefits the stomach by improving digestion as well as nutrient absorption. 

• Beating Gastritis: Gastritis is a condition where inflammation in the stomach lining is either acute or chronic. The anti-inflammatory properties of hydrogen water mentioned above help reduce the inflammation that’s associated with gastritis which can provide much-need relief from debilitating symptoms. 

• Reducing Discomfort: While some people deal with symptoms like indigestion, mild abdominal pain and bloating from time to time, others suffer chronically. Hydrogen water is able to alleviate these symptoms due to its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress within the gastrointestinal tract. 

How to Get Hydrogen Water

If incorporating hydrogen water into your daily routine seems intimidating, don’t let it be! There are easy ways to integrate this miraculous water into your lifestyle. You can get a water ionization machine or buy hydrogen water online and in some health food stores. There are even tablets you can add to create hydrogen water at home or on the go. The truth is, drinking hydrogen water is just as easy as drinking from the tap but with all the added benefits for your stomach and overall health!

What Are You Waiting For? 

Whether you suffer from chronic issues with your gut or occasional, the benefits of hydrogen water are so vast, why not invest in a water ionization machine to start living your best life and feeling your best too? For improving your stomach health, hydrogen water is a no-brainer. Its antioxidant properties boost your stomach’s functions, hydration levels and so much more. 

A cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a type of medical implant device. It tracks and treats an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It sends an electric current through your heart when needed. The ICD is smaller than a cell phone. It has two main parts: a pulse generator and a lead (wire). The pulse generator monitors your heartbeat. It is like a small computer that runs on a battery. The lead goes from the pulse generator to the inside of your heart. It sends signals and electric currents between your heart and the pulse generator. Some people need multiple leads with their ICD.

Path to improved well being

Your doctor may recommend an ICD to treat your irregular heartbeat. There are many different types of arrhythmias. Treatment depends on what kind you have. An ICD is one form of treatment. You may need an ICD if you have or are at high risk of a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Examples include ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Having a previous heart attack, heart disease, or cardiac arrest are other reasons you may need an ICD.

Ventricular tachycardia is when the bottom chambers of your heart (the ventricles) beat too fast. When this happens, your heart has a hard time pumping blood. As a result, your body and brain don’t get enough blood. This is life threatening.

Ventricular fibrillation is when the bottom chambers of your heart (the ventricles) beat too fast and unevenly. The heart flutters, and little or no blood is pumped to your body and brain. Someone who has this type of arrhythmia is at risk of passing out. Treatment is required within minutes in order to prevent death.

How is an ICD implanted?

A doctor or surgeon implants an ICD during minor surgery. The pulse generator is placed under your collarbone on the left or right side of your chest, or in your abdomen (stomach area). It can go in a “pocket” under your skin or in a muscle. The doctor inserts one end of the lead (wire) into a vein that goes to your heart. They move the wire through the vein until it reaches the heart. The other end of the wire gets attached to the pulse generator. Once it is implanted, the doctor programs and tests the ICD to treat your heart rhythm problem. The process requires a short hospital stay.

How does an ICD work?

The ICD’s job is to quickly recognize and stop problems. It does this by keeping track of your heart rhythm at all times. If your heartbeat becomes irregular, the ICD delivers the treatment. Your doctor can program the ICD to do several things.

• Pacing: For mild ventricular tachycardia, the ICD can deliver several pacing signals in a row. These signals cause your heart to return to a normal rhythm.
• Cardioversion: This is used if pacing doesn’t work. Cardioversion sends a mild shock to your heart to stop the fast heartbeat.
• Defibrillation: For ventricular fibrillation, the ICD sends a stronger shock. This can stop the fast rhythm and help the heartbeat go back to normal.
• Pacemaker: The ICD can detect when your heart beats too slow. It can act like a pacemaker and bring your heart rate up to normal.

What does treatment with an ICD feel like?

When the ICD delivers pacing or acts as a pacemaker, you may not feel anything. This is because little energy is used. Some people feel fluttering in their chest. However, there is no pain or discomfort. Cardioversion is stronger. It can feel like a thump in your chest.

Defibrillation is the strongest. Most people say it feels like being kicked in the chest. It often happens all of a sudden. It lasts less than a second. It can make you upset or anxious afterward. However, it’s important to remember that it probably saved your life.

Things to consider

An ICD does not cure an arrhythmia or heart disease. It manages your condition(s) and helps prevent cardiac arrest and death. In addition to ICD, your doctor may prescribe medicine. Follow all instructions and tell your doctor what other medicines you take. Ask your doctor for an ICD wallet ID card. It is important that you carry this at all times. You will need this when you travel and in case of an emergency.

How will an ICD affect my lifestyle?

After you get an ICD, you will need to limit activity. This allows your body to adjust and heal properly. You can slowly go back to your regular lifestyle. Ask your doctor when it is safe to drive a car again. It will vary based on your condition and the local laws. You can expect to be back to normal after a month.

You need to stay away from machines that could interfere with your ICD. Do not work near strong magnetic or electrical fields. The ICD is safe around most home power tools and electric appliances, including microwave ovens. However, make sure that all electric items are properly grounded and in good repair. Your doctor can help you understand what to avoid when you have an ICD. Machines, devices, or procedures that may cause interference include:

• Security metal detectors
• Magnets
• Power-generating equipment
• Some power tools and electronic devices
• Electric fences and transformer boxes
• Electronic mattresses or pillows
• Anti-theft systems
• Cell phones
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Therapeutic radiation
• Electrolysis (electric hair removal)

When to see a doctor

Your doctor should test your ICD at regular checkups. Its generator battery can last 5 to 7 years. It can be replaced in outpatient surgery.

Getting an ICD may cause new emotions or depression. Talk to your family and a doctor if this happens to you. The doctor can recommend counseling or a support group.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Once I have an ICD will I always need it?
• How do I care for my wound after ICD surgery?
• How long after getting an ICD can I return to my normal activities?
• Can I drive?
• Can I have sex?
• Can I play video games and use electronics?
• Will I know when a shock is coming?
• How do I know if my ICD is working or not?

Resources

National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Path to Improved Health

There are many ways to prevent occupational exposure to HIV. To start, health care workers should treat all body fluids the same way. You should assume they are infected and take precautions:

• Use protective covering, such as gloves and goggles. You always should do this when dealing with blood and body fluids.
• Wash your hands and other skin areas right after contact with blood and body fluids.
• Be careful when handling and disposing of needles and sharp instruments.
• Use available safety devices to prevent needle stick injuries.
• Be aware of your employer’s post-exposure processes.

If an exposure does occur, follow these basic steps:

• For a skin puncture, induce bleeding at the wound site. Do this by applying gentle pressure around the wound as you wash the area with soap and water.
• For a skin or mucous splash, rinse the area well with water.
• Get the infected person’s information. This includes name, address, phone number, and HIV status. If they are a patient, get their doctor’s contact information.
• Notify your supervisor and coworkers. If your place of work has other procedures in place, follow those (incident reporting, etc.).
• Seek immediate medical care. Go to your employee health unit, emergency department, or personal doctor.

Once you are with medical professionals, they will assess the exposure. If you have a skin puncture or cut, you may also need a tetanus toxoid booster. The following are some questions a doctor may ask about the exposure.

For a skin puncture:

• Is it shallow or deep?
• If caused by a needle, what gauge was it? Was the needle solid (suturing) or hollow?
• If caused by an instrument, what was it?
• Was there blood or bloody material on the surface of the object?
• Was the object in prior contact with the infected person’s body fluids?
• If blood was injected in you, how much?
• Were you wearing protective covering?

For a skin or mucous splash:

• What type of body fluid were you exposed to, and how much?
• On what part of your body were you exposed?
• What size area was the contact?
• What was the length of contact time?
• Was there a break in your skin?
• Was there a rash, bite, or open wound?
• Were you wearing protective covering?

About the infected person (source):

• Is the source HIV negative or positive? They could be infected but not know yet. One in seven people living with HIV are unaware.
• Has the source had possible exposure to HIV through sex with multiple and/or anonymous partners, condomless sex, anal sex where both partners have a penis, or use of recreational drugs, injection drugs, or methamphetamines?

About yourself:

• Have you been exposed to HIV before? If so, when and how? What were the results?
• Are you sexually active?
• What kind of relationship are you in?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have any health conditions?
• What medicines are you taking?
• Are you allergic to anything?
• Do you agree to HIV testing? Do you agree to document the incident?

You and your doctor will decide on the best form of exposure treatment. Your doctor may have you take medicine to reduce your risk of getting HIV. He or she might also prescribe other medicines to protect against hepatitis or other infections. You’ll likely need blood work to check your liver, kidney, and bone marrow function.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV is a treatment to suppress the virus and prevent infection after exposure. PEP should be taken within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV, so it is important to seek treatment quickly. Prophylaxis medicines can have some side effects. Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common, including nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain or discomfort.

Until HIV infection is ruled out, you should refrain from blood or organ donation and only engage in low- or no-risk sexual activity, including the use of barrier methods like condoms. If you are breastfeeding, you should switch to feeding your baby formula.

What is depression?

When doctors talk about depression, they mean the medical illness called major depression. Someone who has major depression has symptoms nearly every day, all day, for 2 weeks or longer. These symptoms can include:

• Feeling sad or numb
• Crying easily or for no reason
• Feeling slowed down
• Feeling restless and irritable
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Trouble remembering, focusing, or making decisions
• Headaches, backaches, or digestive problems
• Unplanned weight loss or gain
• Sleeping too much or having problems sleeping
• Feeling tired all the time
• No interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy, including sex
• Thoughts about death or suicide

There is a minor form of depression that causes less severe symptoms. Both have the same causes and treatment. An older person who has depression may feel confused or have trouble understanding simple requests.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by damage to brain cells. This can happen because of a tumor, head injury, stroke or disease. Alzheimer’s disease makes it hard for people to remember, learn, and communicate. These changes eventually make it hard for people to care for themselves. It may also cause changes in mood and personality.

Depression is very common among people who have Alzheimer’s disease. In many cases, they become depressed when they realize that their memory and ability to function are getting worse. Together, depression and Alzheimer’s disease can cause other symptoms. They may not want to go places or see people anymore. Their outlook and quality of life can suffer.

Path to improved health

From the outside looking in, it may be difficult to know if your family member is depressed. You can look for some of the typical signs of depression. Your loved one may become angry and agitated or lost and confused. They may refuse help with personal care, such as getting dressed or taking medicines.

Alzheimer’s disease and depression have many symptoms that are alike. It can be hard to tell the difference between them. If you think that depression is a problem for your loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease, talk to their doctor.

Things to consider

There are many things you can do to help someone who has Alzheimer’s disease and depression:

• Create a pleasant environment. Include people and things that they are familiar with. This can brighten their spirit and help soothe any fear or anxiety.
• Set realistic expectations of what they can do. Help them with tasks they can’t do alone. Do not expect so much that they become frustrated or upset.
• Let them help with simple, enjoyable tasks. These could be preparing meals, gardening, or doing crafts.
• Avoid loud noises, crowded places, or overstimulation. This may cause them to become anxious or act out.
• Be positive. Frequent praise will help them—and you—feel better.

As the caregiver of a person who has Alzheimer’s disease, you must also take care of yourself. If you become too tired and frustrated, you will be less able to help. Ask for help from family, friends, and local community organizations. Respite care may be available from your local senior citizens’ group or a social services agency. This is short-term care that is given to a patient to provide relief for the caregiver. Look for or ask your doctor about caregiver support groups.

Other people who are dealing with the same problems may have good ideas on how to cope. Adult day care centers may be helpful. They can give your family member a consistent environment and a chance to socialize. Most senior living facilities have programs specific for people who have Alzheimer’s disease.

When to see the doctor

Contact your doctor if you recognize Alzheimer’s disease and/or depression symptoms in yourself or a loved one. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that adults be screened for depression.

The doctor may prescribe medicine to treat some symptoms. Antidepressant medicines can be helpful. These medicines help improve emotional and mental symptoms. They also can help with eating and/or sleeping problems. Antidepressant medicines are not habit-forming.

Questions to ask your doctor

• Do depression and Alzheimer’s disease run in families? Am I at risk?
• What types of medicines treat depression and Alzheimer’s disease? Are there any side effects?
• Will depression go away?
• Are there any lifestyle changes that help improve the symptoms?
• Can you recommend a support group for people who have these conditions and their caregivers?

Resources

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Eldercare Locator

Things to consider

There are many reasons your child may not want to use the bathroom for a bowel movement. They may be scared of being alone in the bathroom. They may be scared of the toilet. Some children just don’t want to stop playing to go to the bathroom.

If bowel movements have been painful in the past, your child may “hold” their stools when they have the urge to pass one. They do this to avoid the pain. This can lead to constipation. Constipation may occur if:

• Your child is not eating enough high-fiber foods, drinking enough water, or getting enough exercise.
• Your child has an illness that causes them to have a fever and not to eat much. This problem can remain even after the illness goes away.

In many children, the cause for constipation cannot be found.

Children who have constipation may have soft or liquid stools leak from the anus (the opening to the rectum). This is caused by a mass of stool stuck in the lower bowel. This happens because the amount of stool can become so large that it leaks out of the anus, causing soiling. These stools have a very bad smell.

Symptoms of constipation include:

• Extreme straining during a bowel movement
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Crankiness
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite between bowel movements
• Wetting during the day or night
• Extreme reluctance to use the toilet

If your child doesn’t have a bowel movement for 3 or 4 days in a row, call your doctor. They may want to remove the stool that has collected in the lower bowel. Your doctor can do this in the office by giving your child an enema or a suppository. This is medicine that is inserted into the anus. Your doctor also may have you give your child laxatives to remove the stool.

After the stool has been removed, it is important to be sure that your child can have bowel movements easily. Easy bowel movements will help prevent another large collection of stool. Treatment may include changing your child’s diet to include more fluids and fiber-rich foods, having your child sit on the toilet several times a day, and giving your child daily laxatives to help soften the stools.