Dr. Phil Hariram's Health Blog

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Hoarseness is a change in voice quality.
Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks needs proper evaluation. A possible cause of hoarseness is GERD. Reflux from the stomach can track up into the larynx and pharynx. And when this happens the larynx can become inflamed and subsequently hoarseness can develop.
One patient came to see me [...]

Obesity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. The Body Mass Index (BMI) measures your weight in relation to your height and is the benchmark that dictates whether you are obese.
A person with a BMI of over 30 is obese and anyone with a BMI of over 40 is very obese. You should aim to [...]

Some individuals are at an increased risk of developing acid reflux. You can break this up into three groups.
The first group is the individuals who cannot alter their circumstances. In some people the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not function properly. Normally the LES is tightly shut and opens only to allow passage of [...]

Who gets heartburn? Does acid reflux fit a certain profile? Is there a picture in your mind of what a person with GERD looks like? Is reflux associated with specific environmental facts?
The National Heartburn Alliance decided to get some answers. They carried out a nationwide survey on heartburn/acid reflux. In this survey they asked [...]

The moment you tell your doctor you have difficulty in swallowing, the alarm bells ring. You will be fast tracked to the specialist for investigations and adequate treatment.
Dysphagia that develops after acid reflux results from persistent assault on the esophageal lining. Inflammation and ulceration results in scarring that narrows the lumen of the esophagus.
It [...]

The main feature of GERD is chest pain. This pain is easy to recognise if it is just heartburn. GERD, however, can produce a deep pain that radiates into the back or side. This pain is not easy to differentiate from pain of cardiac origin.
In heart pain (angina pectoris), the pain is a tightness across [...]

Pain from acid reflux in the elderly can often present as chest pain and can be easily be confused with pain of cardiac origin. The typical heartburn is more common in the younger age group.
Acid reflux is the most likely cause of non cardiac chest pains in the elderly but at the time the patient [...]

The elderly are more prone to acid reflux and tend to have more problems with reflux than younger adults.
As we age the amount of saliva production decreases. Saliva is an antacid in its own right. Reduced saliva means reflux from the stomach could stay longer in the esophagus and potentially cause more harm. In [...]

Herbs are considered natural remedies and can be bought over the counter. The impression is that because they are just herbs, they are safe. This is not always the case.
During pregnancy you have to be very careful. Some herbs can cause miscarriage, raise your blood pressure or affect your baby. My opinion is that [...]

Yoga is a combination of exercises that relaxes the body and help digestion. The breathing exercises and various techniques employed relax muscles and reduce stress. Yoga experts suggest that during meals you eat slowly and chew properly to promote good digestion. In between bites you should take a deep breath.
Do not practice yoga soon [...]