Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Summer 2018

1 2 3 Is it Alzheimer’s disease? Who hasn’t occasionally forgotten someone’s birthday or an easy word for something we always use? Hand me that thingamabob, please. And as we get older, some things may slip our minds a little more. Minor memory lapses that happen from time to time are normal as we age. But more serious memory or thinking problems may signal the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease. Talk to your doctor if you (or a loved one) are: ●  ● Having trouble remembering things recently learned. ●  ● Losing things a lot (or putting them in strange places) and then not being able to find them. ●  ● Having trouble holding a conversation—for instance, because you can’t come up with the right words, finish sentences or call objects by their proper name. ●  ● Having trouble handling money or balancing a checkbook. ●  ● Making poor decisions, like giving away money to a telemarketer. ●  ● Repeating questions over and over. ●  ● Forgetting important dates, events—even the time of year. ●  ● Taking longer to perform everyday tasks. ●  ● Being confused about where you are or how you got there. ●  ● Having mood or personality changes, like being suspicious of other people or feeling depressed. If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, starting treatment early may allow you or a loved one to keep up with daily activities for some time. Sources: Alzheimer’s Association; National Institute on Aging 3 things to know about heartburn Heartburn. Almost everybody gets it from time to time. But as common and annoying as it is, here are three key things you might not know about it. What it is (and isn’t). Despite its name, heartburn doesn’t affect your heart. Rather, it’s a burning feeling just below your breast- bone that might spread to your neck or throat. Heartburn usually happens after eating a big meal or while lying down. And it can last for a few minutes—or a few hours. What causes it. Normally, when food or liquid enters your stomach, a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus closes off the esophagus. If this band— the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—does not close tightly, food or stomach acid can back up into the esophagus.The stomach contents can irritate the esopha- gus and bring on heartburn. It’s usually not clear why the LES doesn’t close properly. But extra pressure on your abdomen if you’re overweight or pregnant can play a role, as can smoking. How to head it off. Often, some fairly simple steps can help keep heartburn from happening. Among them: ●  ● Steer clear of foods and drinks that frequently trigger heartburn. For example, culprits like alcohol, coffee (regular and decaffeinated), citrus fruits, tomato products, and fatty or spicy foods. ●  ● Shed some pounds if you’re overweight. ●  ● Stop smoking if you light up, and avoid secondhand smoke. ●  ● Don’t overeat, and don’t lie down for three hours after meals. If heartburn does get the best of you, several kinds of over-the- counter medicines can ease that burning sensation. But if you have heartburn twice a week or more, be sure to see your doctor. Frequent heartburn needs medi- cal attention. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Institutes of Health Minor memory lapses that happen from time to time are normal as we age. Wellness Summer 2018 7