Medslant Acid Reflux Newsletter

Grab Your Sneakers And Improve Your Brain.

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal reports on a study presented in the November Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. Arthur Kramer, a professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana and colleagues discovered that older people who take up aerobic exercise show improved cognitive function after a few months.

Our brains start to age in our 40s making it take longer to make judgments, grasp information, and multitask. But now, scientists say this decline may not be inevitable. As little as three hours a week of fairly brisk walking (3mph) can lead to increased brain function. And it is not just Prof. Kramer who is discovering this. Different studies are providing evidence that one can increase cognitive capacity with exercise.

Well meaning friends and friends of friends have been filling my mailbox with multiple versions of the "How To Save Your Life During a Heart Attack" message. No doubt you are receiving this message too. The messages range from a simple story to really good animated graphics. All the messages start the same - you are driving home alone after a long, stressful work day; you suddenly experience severe chest pain radiating into your arm. Although you are only several miles from the nearest hospital you don't know if you will make it. The solution - deep coughs interspersed with deep breaths. The explanation - deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and deep coughs squeeze the heart and keep blood circulating.

This method of CPR is called Cough CPR and the message credits the Rochester General Hospital with providing this helpful information; but, Rochester General denies promoting this method.

The American Heart Association neither endorses nor teaches this method of CPR. They do say that Cough CPR can be successfully used by a physician or nurse in a monitored hospital setting for patients with a witnessed arrest.

I also checked with a physician who had the same comments as the American Heart Association. The best advice seems to be to call 911 and/or get yourself to an emergency room.

In checking out this rumor, I did find a fun, and, I think, useful website, www.hoax-slayer.com. Of course, I'm not guaranteeing its validity, but it was fun to poke around the site.

Holiday eating and acid reflux aren't a wonderful combination but you can still enjoy special foods and control your reflux. Many of our customers report that chewing gum really does help. And, research supports this. It seems that there is something created in the saliva when you chew gum that helps to neutralize acid. Also, try not to lie down right after eating or drinking. And, remember moderation. Experts tell us that if you don't overload your stomach with food and drink, there is less chance of acid spilling out and causing a problem.

Thanks to all of you who have made our new canvas travel bag a success. Lots of you have let us know that it makes traveling with your MedSlant easier.

Please keep the phone calls and emails coming to 1.800.346.1850. I love hearing from you.

We at MedSlant wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with good health, happiness, and peace.



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