Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Health Tips for July 10

Health Tip: Got GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when a muscle at the end of the esophagus does not close properly, allowing irritating stomach contents to leak back into the esophagus. Symptoms include heartburn and acid indigestion.

If you have these symptoms more than twice a week, it may be GERD.

Medication can help tame GERD, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these additional suggestions to control symptoms:

* Avoid foods that may cause heartburn, like fatty, spicy or acidic foods.
* Eat small meals.
* Avoid eating right before bedtime.
* Wear loose-fitting clothing.
* Maintain a healthy body weight.

Health Tip: Caring for a Callus

A callus is an area of thickened skin that has formed because of excess pressure over an extended period. The skin may be tinted yellow or gray, and may feel like a tough bump. Calluses can occur on the hands, fingers, feet and toes.

To treat a callus and help the skin heal faster, the Nemours Foundation recommends soaking the area in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Then, gently scrub the callus with a pumice stone to help remove the dead skin.

You can wear gloves to keep hand calluses from getting worse, the foundation says. For calluses on your feet, protective shoe pads can help relieve pressure on the area, so the callus can heal.

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