All posts tagged: stomach

Baltimore Catholic parish closures a ‘punch in the stomach’ with long-term impact

Baltimore Catholic parish closures a ‘punch in the stomach’ with long-term impact

Published by Sam

BALTIMORE (RNS) — Patrice Ellerbe, a 65-year-old parishioner at St. Veronica, had come to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on April 30 for a public forum on the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s proposed plan for closing about two-thirds of parishes in the city. She knew the bad news already: Two weeks before, the archdiocese had announced that her 79-year-old Black Catholic parish was among those proposed to close. “It felt like a punch in the stomach,” she said, a feeling the more than 1,000 Catholics gathered at the cathedral to give their feedback seemingly shared. As the plan was read out, the high arched ceilings of the nave began to echo with boos. The closures, in the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese, are part of a nationwide trend of restructuring in response to falling Mass attendance and priest shortages. In explaining the need to close Baltimore parishes, the archdiocese has focused on the first reason, pointing to weekend Mass attendance that has fallen below 8,000 in a city that used to have 250,000 active Catholics. At …

Swallowable sensor unfurls in stomach to monitor gut health

Swallowable sensor unfurls in stomach to monitor gut health

Published by skeptic

This sensor could travel into the stomach to help diagnose gastrointestinal conditions Prostock-studio/Shutterstock A swallowable sensor can unfurl in the stomach, non-invasively recording nervous system signals to decipher a person’s digestion and gut health. The pill-size capsule contains a long, skinny sensor that expands to align with the stomach’s inside wall. In an experiment with pigs, the device accurately measured the electrical activity of stomach cells that control smooth muscle contractions to digest food. Ultimately, this device could help diagnose gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroparesis, or paralysis of the stomach, and chronic indigestion. “We have tools that are pretty good to measure our heart, but we don’t have great tools to measure the gastrointestinal tract,” says Giovanni Traverso at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He compares the innovation to an electrocardiogram, which tracks the heart’s electrical activity. No electrocardiogram equivalent exists for the gut, so doctors must implant electrodes via surgery or endoscopically insert electrodes through the body opening of a sedated patient, says Adam Gierlach, also at MIT and part of the research team. …

Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers in 2024

Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers in 2024

Published by skeptic

$1,099 at Nectar Nectar Memory Foam mattress Best memory foam mattress for stomach sleepers $317 at Walmart Allswell mattress Best mattress for stomach sleepers under $500 Show more (2 items) If you’re like me, lying on your stomach for at least part of the night is the only way to get some sleep. Stomach sleepers often rely on this position to get rest, even though it can trigger back or neck pain. This means that it’s important to have a bed that helps reduce the pain instead of contributing to it.  The best mattress for stomach sleepers usually has extra firmness to offer back support while also being soft enough that it doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping on a rock. I’ve been researching mattresses for years and have tested over 150 of them. Rather than scour the internet, you can keep scrolling to check out my favorite picks for the best mattress for stomach sleepers.  What’s the best mattress for stomach sleepers? Jonathan Gomez/CNET When considering the best type of mattress for stomach sleepers, we primarily considered the …

5 Tiny Signs Your Gut Is Really Unhealthy

5 Tiny Signs Your Gut Is Really Unhealthy

Published by skeptic

Gut health is paramount to living a healthy life. If your body is not digesting the food properly, you cannot perform at your best. Sometimes, there are minor changes to fix the gut; sometimes, it’s too late; only your physician can fix it. I highly suggest seeing your physician if you have any of the following signs. You can improve your gut health by following 10000 steps a day or drinking 3 liters of water each day. Here is the perfect quote to sum up the importance of the gut: “If there’s one thing to know about the human body; it’s this: the human body has a ringmaster. This ringmaster controls your digestion, your immunity, your brain, your weight, your health, and even your happiness. This ringmaster is the gut.” — Nancy Mure Processed and high-sugar foods are harmful to your gut health. It has long-term effects on our immune system, weight, hormone imbalance, mental health, and even cancer. We are highly focused on making more money for a better life and as a result, we …

British tourists warned as grim stomach bugs sweep Spain | World | News

British tourists warned as grim stomach bugs sweep Spain | World | News

Published by skeptic

Stomach bugs are sweeping through a Spanish seaside province adored by British tourists, a doctor has warned. The city of Malaga and the surrounding province, visited by millions of UK nationals every year, have seen a rise in the number of people being affected by these viruses over the past few weeks. The increase in cases is normal at this time of the year as the heat arrives, according to paediatrician Pedro J. Navarro. However, the pace at which these bugs are passed on can be slowed by taking a few simple precautions, the president of the College of Physicians of Malaga added. Thoroughly washing hands multiple times a day, and especially after using the bathroom, helps lower the chances of transmission. Similarly, cleaning spaces shared by multiple people at home, work and in other environments where people coexist is necessary to help stave off these stomach bugs. The expert told La Opinion de Malaga: “The problem with viruses is that they are very contagious and when someone in the family has an intestinal virus, …

Major link discovered between common stomach bacteria and Alzheimer’s Disease

Major link discovered between common stomach bacteria and Alzheimer’s Disease

Published by skeptic

Recent research has shed light on a potential link between a common stomach bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, affects approximately 40 million people worldwide, with projections suggesting a significant increase in the coming decades. Despite the immense impact of this devastating disease, effective treatment options have remained elusive. However, recent research has shed light on a potential link between a common stomach bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery, made by a team of researchers at McGill University, opens doors for further investigation into the role of infections in Alzheimer’s development and the possibility of preventive strategies. The Helicobacter pylori Connection H. pylori, a bacterium found in the stomachs of approximately two-thirds of the world’s population, has long been associated with various gastrointestinal issues, including indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer. However, recent studies have raised concerns about its potential involvement in Alzheimer’s disease. The groundbreaking research, published …

Important connection between stomach bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease discovered

Important connection between stomach bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease discovered

Published by skeptic

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, affects approximately 40 million people worldwide. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, affects approximately 40 million people worldwide, with projections suggesting a significant increase in the coming decades. Despite the immense impact of this devastating disease, effective treatment options have remained elusive. However, recent research has shed light on a potential link between a common stomach bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This discovery, made by a team of researchers at McGill University, opens doors for further investigation into the role of infections in Alzheimer’s development and the possibility of preventive strategies. The Helicobacter pylori Connection H. pylori, a bacterium found in the stomachs of approximately two-thirds of the world’s population, has long been associated with various gastrointestinal issues, including indigestion, gastritis, ulcers, and even stomach cancer. However, recent studies have raised concerns about its potential involvement in Alzheimer’s disease. The groundbreaking research, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, …

Singer-Songwriter Toby Keith Dies After Battling Stomach Cancer

Singer-Songwriter Toby Keith Dies After Battling Stomach Cancer

Published by skeptic

“Beer For My Horses” singer-songwriter Toby Keith has died. He was 62. Keith, who was battling stomach cancer, passed peacefully on Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer’s website. “He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the statement said. He was diagnosed in 2022. Sometimes a polarizing figure in country music, the 6-foot-4 singer broke out in the country boom years of the 1990s, crafting an identity around his macho, pro-American swagger and writing songs that fans loved to hear. Over his career he publicly clashed with other celebrities and journalists and often pushed back against record executives who wanted to smooth his rough edges. He was known for his overt patriotism on post 9/11 songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” and boisterous barroom tunes like “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup.” He had a powerful booming voice, a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and range that carried love songs as well as drinking songs. Among his 20 No. 1 Billboard hits were …

Toby Keith dies: Country music star battled stomach cancer

Toby Keith dies: Country music star battled stomach cancer

Published by skeptic

NORMAN, Okla. —  Toby Keith, a hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who both riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans, has died. He was 62. The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer-songwriter, who was battling stomach cancer, died peacefully Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer’s website. “He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the statement said. He was diagnosed in 2022. The 6-foot-4 singer broke out in the country boom years of the 1990s, writing songs that fans loved to hear. Over his career, he publicly clashed with other celebrities and journalists and often pushed back against record executives who wanted to smooth his rough edges. He was known for his overt patriotism on post-9/11 songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and boisterous barroom tunes like “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup.” He had a powerful booming voice, a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and a range that carried love songs as well as drinking songs. Among his 20 No. …

A majority of Americans have stomach problems, so why can’t we quit spicy food?

A majority of Americans have stomach problems, so why can’t we quit spicy food?

Published by skeptic

In other “How is everyody doing?” news this month, beverage brand Truly Hard Seltzer announced an “ultra-limited edition” Hot Wing Sauce flavored edition of their product. “Truly has you covered with their weirdest, wildest, ‘who’s ready for some damn football’ -est flavor to date,” Give Them Beer announced at the time. And this is where I admit, yeah, I’m out. Call me a wimp. Call me vanilla. My gastrointestinal tract and I can bear your scorn. I am someone who finds plain seltzer, all by itself, too aggressive. You want to dare to me to add alcohol? And hot sauce? My head would never leave the toilet. The fact that Truly Hard’s hot wing flavor sold out instantly makes it clear there’s a public demand for “weird, wild” products. In perhaps not unrelated news, our stomachs are killing us. A 2018 study of over 71,000 individuals in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that “61% reported having had ≥1 GI symptom in the past week. The most commonly reported symptoms were heartburn/reflux (30.9%), abdominal pain (24.8%), …