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Digestive Health Month
We’ll Help You Find Relief
Proper gastrointestinal (GI) tract function is critical for your body to obtain nutrients. A balanced diet is most important to reduce problems, but some ailments can be treated with medication.
Heartburn or Acid Indigestion
This occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing burning discomfort in your chest, sometimes with a bitter or sour acid taste in your throat.
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease(GERD)*
If you have frequent heartburn (two or more times a week), you may have GERD. Look for these symptoms:
- Excessive belching
- Chest pain
- Chronic cough
- Sore throat
- Loss of voice with hoarseness or
- Frequent throat clearing
Antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors may help decrease heartburn and treat infrequent GERD. Discuss symptoms, allergies, and other medical conditions with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best treatment.
Frequent GERD Is Serious
Left untreated, GERD can lead to severe complications, including esophageal cancer. Consult your doctor immediately if you:
- Have difficulty swallowing or feel food is trapped in your esophagus
- Vomit blood or have black, tar-like stools
- Have chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Feel like acid is in your windpipe, with shortness of breath, coughing, or hoarseness
Prevent heartburn
Chocolate, coffee, peppermint candy, citrus, tomato juice, and greasy or spicy foods aggravate heartburn as do smoking, alcohol, and being overweight. For relief at night, raise the head of your bed 4–8 inches with a wooden block or foam wedge pad, wear loose-fitting clothes, and don’t eat 2–3 hours before bedtime.
CONSTIPATION
Normal bowel movement frequency varies from two a week to three times a day. Constipation—infrequent or strained bowel movements, or abnormally hard stools—may be caused by certain medications, low-fiber diet, and physical inactivity. Use laxatives per your doctor’s instructions. Drink plenty of fluids if you use fiber supplements.
Prevent Constipation
- Eat fiber-rich foods
- Drink plenty of water
- Exercise regularly
DIARRHEA
Often caused by infections, certain medications, and food allergies, diarrhea typically resolves itself in a few days. Drink plenty of electrolyte-rich fluids to prevent life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, especially in infants and young children. Talk to your pharmacist to see if non-prescription medication is right for you.
GI Problem? See Your Doctor.
He or she may schedule a medical diagnostic procedure called an endoscopy that uses a video camera to visually inspect your esophagus and stomach. The more you know, the better you can feel.
*These statements have not been evaluated or provided by Novartis Consumer Health Inc. Prevacid®24HR and Benefiber should be used as directed and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent Gastro-Esophageal Refl ux Disease (GERD).
References: Mayo Clinic, Merck, American College of Gastroenterology
GERD
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec09/ch121/ch121d.html
http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gerd/word.asp
Diarrhea and Constipation
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/laxatives/HQ00088
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/constipation/DS00063
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diarrhea/DS00292
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Try These Products to Help You Feel Better
CULTURELLE
Culturelle Probiotic Natural Health and Wellness all-natural dietary supplement with Lactobacillus GG:
- Boosts your immune system*
- Improves digestive health*
- Restores the natural balance of good bacteria in your digestive tract*
Culturelle Probiotic Digestive Health all-natural dietary supplement with dairy-free Lactobacillus GG:
- Reduces occasional stomach and bowel discomfort*
- Helps prevent uncomfortable bloating*
- Helps with occasional diarrhea*
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
ALKA-SELTZER® & PHILLIPS' COLON HEALTH®
Alka-Seltzer®
Alka-Seltzer can provide fast relief for your stomach and head from acid indigestion, sour stomach, heartburn, body aches & pains, and headache.
Phillips' Colon Heath®
One daily capsule of Phillips’™ Colon Health, a probiotic supplement, can help:
- Promote overall digestive health and a healthy immune system:*
- Support a healthy colon and helps with occasional constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
PREVACID®24HR & BENEFIBER®
Clinically proven to treat frequent heartburn. When you’ve had it with heartburn, Prevacid®24HR (lansoprazole delayed release capsules 15 mg/acid reducer) is available over-the-counter.
- May take 1–4 days for full effect, although some people get complete relief of symptoms within 24 hours.
- Prevents acid causing frequent heartburn pain for a full 24 hours.
Benefiber® makes taking fiber easier. A 100% natural fiber that you can mix with almost anything, Benefiber®:
- Is taste-free, grit-free, and will never thicken.
- Won’t alter the taste or texture of foods or non-carbonated beverages.
- Try it in your coffee, juice, yogurt, or anything you cook or bake.
Also available in stick packs, chewables and caplets.
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