Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, or heartburn, can be debilitating and difficult to treat, often requiring frequent medication and even occasional surgery. However, in a recent study (Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017 Nov 2. ) researchers discovered a simple technique, called belly breathing - also known as diaphramatic breathing (DBT - familiar to Yoga practitioners) was effective in reducing belching and reflux symptoms in over 60% of patients. A refreshing finding in these days of "lets find a drug".
In DBT, one hand is placed on the upper chest and one hand on the abdomen just below the rib cage at the bottom of the sternum. Patients are initially instructed to take a deep inspiratory breath to demonstrate chest wall movement, but then to take breaths by only moving the abdomen, while keeping the chest motionless. The goal is to keep the hand on the chest almost still, while the hand on the abdomen rises and falls with the diaphragmatic breath.
Nausea and Alcohol Prep Pads
Zofran, or Ondansetron is a very effective anti-nausea medication, used extensively in cancer chemotherapy. It is also quite useful (at least for me) in preventing symptoms of motion sickness. I always travel with it now! But what if you don't have it available?
In a recent study in the ER, . Ann Emerg Med 2018 Feb 17, it was found the the isopropyl alcohol in prep pads (for example when the technician cleans your arm before drawing blood) was as effective, when inhaled, as Zofran. Patients were allowed to sniff the prep pad as needed. The effectiveness was equal to Zofran.
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