June 2023 Archive — Practical health tips, patient stories, and supplement guides

June brought a mix of clinical insights and personal health stories. You’ll find a deep look at a rare cause of severe acid reflux, simple pregnancy-friendly tips for motion sickness, a first‑hand take on nature therapy for cancer, and two posts about supplements that readers asked about. Each item is short, practical, and written so you can act on it or discuss it with your clinician.

Zollinger‑Ellison Syndrome and GERD

One post explains how Zollinger‑Ellison Syndrome (ZES) can drive severe GERD. ZES is rare but powerful: tumors make excess stomach acid, which damages the esophagus and makes reflux worse. The key takeaway — if standard GERD treatments don’t help or symptoms are unusually severe, ask your doctor about testing for high acid production and possible neuroendocrine tumors. Acid suppression and specialist care are central to managing these cases.

That article also makes a useful point: most GERD is NOT from ZES. Diet, lifestyle, and common reflux causes still explain most cases, so start with the usual measures unless red flags appear.

Pregnancy Motion Sickness & Simple Remedies

Pregnancy can make motion sickness worse. The post shares practical, low‑risk steps: try ginger (candied, tea, or supplements cleared by your OB), sip water regularly, avoid heavy smells and sudden movements, and use acupressure wristbands. Relaxation breathing and short breaks during travel help, too. If nausea is severe, talk to your prenatal provider before taking any medication.

These are easy tactics you can test right away. They won’t fix everything, but they often cut symptoms enough to make travel manageable.

The nature therapy piece is a candid, positive report from a cancer patient who found real mental relief in outdoor time. Short walks, sitting in a garden, and listening to nature reduced anxiety and improved mood. Nature therapy isn’t a medical cure, but it’s a low‑cost, low‑risk tool that improves quality of life during treatment.

Two posts on meds and supplements cover potential benefits and cautions. One describes research suggesting atorvastatin — usually a cholesterol drug — may reduce inflammation in Behçet’s disease. That’s interesting, but it’s not a green light to self‑medicate; discuss this with a specialist.

Finally, wormwood and quillaia supplements made headlines for digestion, immune support, and anti‑inflammatory effects. Both can help some people, but they also carry risks: possible interactions, liver effects, or GI upset. Check quality, stick to recommended doses, and clear them with your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on other meds.

Quick next steps

Read the full posts that match your concern, save the medication and supplement notes for your next clinic visit, and try the simple motion‑sickness fixes if you’re pregnant. If reflux is severe or unusual, ask your provider about further testing for conditions like ZES.

Want links to any specific article from June 2023? Say which topic and I’ll point you to the full post.