Tag Archives: Pasadena

Heartburn, Acid reflux…How do I get relief?

A Q&A with Loraine Dailey, M.D.

Q: I’ve heard acid reflux can be serious. Is that true?

A: If you’ve been taking antacids and refraining from eating lots of different foods, but you still have acid reflux- or “heartburn”- you may have what doctors term GERD. GERD stands for GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease. And yes, while the symptoms are annoying, GERD can also be serious and cause long-term damage if left untreated.

Q: What causes GERD?

A: At the entrance to your stomach is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES.) Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. If it doesn’t close all the way, acid in your stomach can move up into the esophagus, irritating the lining. Symptoms can include burning chest pain/heartburn, a sour taste in the mouth, nausea and other pain. If you have symptoms more than twice a week, you should talk with your doctor. We know that untreated GERD can cause damage, such as esophageal bleeding and increase a person’s risk of esophageal cancer. Plus, newer treatments and lifestyle changes can make you feel better fairly quickly.

Q: What are the latest treatments?

A: If the GERD is not serious, the first course of treatment should focus on lifestyle changes. Patients should avoid or reduce foods that trigger symptoms or weaken the LES—common culprits include chocolate, fried or fatty foods, coffee, alcohol and peppermint. Other changes include losing weight, not snacking several hours before bedtime, quitting smoking and evaluating any medications that could make GERD worse. Some people benefit from raising the head of their bed by six inches or sleeping on a wedge to prevent acid from moving up into the esophagus.

For some, treatment may also require medication. We have an effective class of medications called proton pump inhibitors. They are sometimes combined with over the counter medications, such as antacids or foaming agents to coat the stomach. Other drugs, such as H2 blockers, help some people. If medications don’t work, there are surgical options but they are being used much less today. Talk with your doctor if you have persistent heartburn or think you have GERD. Together, you can come up with an effective treatment plan.

Loraine Dailey, M.D.
Dr. Dailey is a Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC partner and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1976 and completed her residency program in Family Practice at University of Maryland Medical Center in 1979. Dr. Dailey is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Treatment for Strains & Sprains

by: José Zarzuela, M.D.

With the great summer weather, more of my patients are hitting the tennis court, biking, running or taking up water sports. But with more- or new- activities can come minor sports-related injuries.

The first-course of treatment I recommend for most minor sprains (twisted or wrenched ligaments) and strains (overstretched muscles or tendons) is the PRICE method:

  • Protect the injured area
  • Rest the affected limb or area
  • Ice or apply a cold pack right after injury
  • Compress lightly with an ace bandage or brace
  • Elevate the injured limb to reduce swelling and speed healing

If you don’t feel improvement in a few days, follow up with your doctor.

Jose Zarzuela, M.D.

Dr. José Zarzuela practices at the MPCP Pasadena office.

Be Kind to Yourself

New research on the mind-body connection

Are you your own worst critic? Do you treat friends and family better than you treat yourself? If you answered “yes” to these questions, you’re not alone. In fact, many of us find it easy to be supportive of others, but we are hard on ourselves for not measuring up in some way.

However, new scientific research is broadening the concept of how important the mind-body connection is to our health. Researchers at Wake Forest University and other institutions are looking at the psychological area of “self-compassion.” The research suggests that actually giving ourselves a break and accepting our imperfections may be the first step to better health. People who score high on tests of self-compassion have less stress and anxiety, and tend to be more optimistic. Data suggests that self-compassion can even influence how much we eat and may help some people lose weight, or stick to an exercise plan over time.

But “cutting ourselves slack” is often thought of as being undisciplined or self-indulgent, right? Researchers counter this much-held thought by saying that a cycle of self-criticism or negativity actually leaves us feeling less motivated to change.

“We don’t understand exactly how optimistic thinking translates to better health, but we see examples of it every day,” says Trang Pham, M.D. of MPCP Pasadena. “We know that thoughts and mood affect brain chemistry and immune function, so this is part of the answer. We also know that people who have a sense of control or optimism recover faster or deal better with disease or injury.”

Doctors aren’t saying to give up the daily practices that go with a healthy lifestyle- eating right, exercise, taking medications if needed – but to try to include positive thinking or self-compassion as much as possible. “Changing habits is hard, and this goes for our thought patterns as well,” says Dr. Pham. “But, as primary care doctors we know that making small changes can have a huge impact on health.”

Try some of the following tips to help influence positive thinking:

  • Monitor negative self-talk. If the thoughts that run through your head during the day are mostly negative, try to switch that around. For example, instead of thinking “I’ve never done this before,” try, “Here’s a chance to learn something new.”
  • Identify small changes. To become more optimistic, identify parts of your life that you typically think negatively about- work, your daily commute, relationships, parenting- and pick one area to approach in a more positive way. Either come up with a better idea to control/improve the situation, or realize that you may just need to change your attitude about it.
  • Surround yourself with positive people. Research shows that our relationships play a key role in our outlook and health, so keep ties with those who are supportive and add some fun to your life.
  • Act positive. Many experts ascribe to the “fake it til you make it” concept of becoming more optimistic. If you actually act happy, or force yourself to smile more often or try to find the humor in a situation, it becomes more natural over time.

With actual practice you can change your self-compassion. You may even improve the lives of those around you in the process!

Trang Pham, M.D.
Dr. Trang Pham, an MPCP partner who practices in our Pasadena office, is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She received her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and completed a residency program in Family Practice at University of Maryland Medical Center.