Sunday, March 16, 2008

A Close Call for the Tiger Coach!

Dear Fellow Bloggers,
While this forum has been a wonderful tool discussing economic and historical trends, it seems prudent to discuss another trend...this one is medical.

Like many Americans, I am afflicted with acid-reflux disease. It is a disease which takes place in the upper-G-I tract. The flap which closes the esophagus from the stomach does not always function at full capacity. While acid reflux is an inherited trait, it is compounded by the LOUSY American diet to which we subject.

In my case, scar tissue built up in my lower esophagus which caused scar tissue, and stricture. This can cause additional complications with every day activities such as swallowing food. It is of the utmost importance that ANYONE who feels difficulty swallowing to see their family doctor at once. More than likely, they will refer you to a GI doctor who can run an EDG to determine if there is damage to the esophagus. Left untreated, the results can be deadly.

Friday I had to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on myself to clear the raw broccoli that became lodged in my throat. My wife noted that I was not totally clear and followed up with an additional compression. (This is another reason why EVERYONE should be familiar with CPR as well). DON'T think that it cannot happen to you or a loved one.

For more information on this condition please refer to the following link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease

2 comments:

boom and doom said...

Tiger Coach,

Hope everything is going well and that you are feeling better. Thanks for the good info. Take care and stay well.

B&D

AX said...

Sorry, Bri, didn't realize the T-burg diet almost gotcha! Glad to see you followed through, less spice, more water. Pepcid's OTC now though...