Digestive Health Archive

Approximately three million Americans have an inflammatory bowel disease. Current therapies for IBD suppress the immune system to reduce inflammation, but some preliminary studies have investigated whether probiotics are beneficial for people with IBD.

While medical knowledge on celiac disease has evolved over the past few decades, there are still aspects that remain poorly understood. Perhaps not surprisingly, misconceptions are widespread among the general public.

The average cough, typically due to a cold or other respiratory virus, lasts three weeks or less. A lingering or chronic cough lasts eight weeks or longer. Most causes of chronic cough aren't serious, such as bronchitis, seasonal allergies, or medication side effects. People should see a doctor if over-the-counter treatments haven't worked or if they experience signs such as breathlessness, wheezing, chest pain, blood in the sputum, weight loss, or fatigue. Before an appointment, people should track their cough and note its patterns to offer clues for diagnosis.

Common causes of persistent or recurrent swallowing difficulty include medication side effects, an inflamed esophagus, an enlarged thyroid, among others. A doctor can conduct several tests to help identify the problem and offer appropriate treatment.

Heartburn usually goes away on its own, but sometimes medication is needed to provide relief. For occasional heartburn, people can use over-the-counter antacids that are magnesium-based, aluminum-based, or calcium-based. If heartburn strikes several times a week or symptoms become more severe, a nonprescription H2 blocker can help. Individuals with persistent heartburn may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and will probably need a proton-pump inhibitor. These are available in over-the-counter and prescription versions.