Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Surgery for GERD in Kids Doesn't Work
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FRIDAY, Nov. 12 (HealthDayNews) -- A surgical procedure called fundoplication is not an effective treatment for children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), says a study by researchers at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. They found that 60 percent of 198 children with GERD who had fundoplication had recurring GERD symptoms months after the surgery. "Fundoplication is not a long-term solution for children with GERD, whether or not they have medical conditions that predispose them to the disease," study senior author Dr. Hashem El-Serag said in a prepared statement. "This study emphasizes the importance of pre-operative counseling on alternative treatment options for GERD in children, as well as an assessment of the risks and benefits involved," El-Serag said. The study noted that there are a number of drugs available to treat GERD, although most of them provide only short-term relief. The research appears in the current issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Fundoplication involves surgical strengthening of the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. The goal is to reduce the amount of stomach acid that backs up into the esophagus, which can cause coughing, vomiting, and respiratory problems. Fundoplication is the third most common form of major surgery performed on children, according to the statement. More information The Nemours Foundation has more about GERD.
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