Is It Heart Burn, Or Acid Reflux?

By William H. Hebda

How do you know if you have Acid Reflux, or just a simple case of heart burn? The best way to really find out may just be to visit your doctor, and if you don't have Acid Reflux take it from me you are fortunate. Having normal heart burn and taking anti acids all the time, and even possibly on a daily basis just to temporarily feel better is not good, and when you actually have Acid Reflux your completely away in another ball park!

Let me begin by suggesting once again if you are not sure if you actually have Acid Reflux or not, but think you may than get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.

Now in my particular situation I do happen to have Acid Reflux, and if I could only turn back the clock I may just change things a bit. Let me explain. Several years ago a job I had required me to work the afternoon shift, and when getting home from work at 9pm in the evening I was then hungry ready to eat right-away, little did I know what a mistake that was. Well of course not long after eating at that hour of the night I was... you guessed it... ready to turn in for the night, and not realizing at the time how bad it was for me to eat, and immediately lay down and go to sleep right after eating. I believe the simple fact of eating, and immediately lying down afterwards started the beginning of all my trouble, and to continue to follow the same routine for several years which developed into some bad times for me, and my stomach.

Let me make this comment that I truly believe most people know it's not a good idea for you to eat and lay down immediately afterwards, but still people seem to do it anyways. I guess people believe nothing will happen to me, I'll be OK. Perhaps in my situation at the time I felt the same. However I do know this that in my case going to sleep immediately after eating for all those years on a continuous basis was not good. I probably began to develop acid reflux sometime during all those years, and with this same schedule later resulted in my terrible stomach symptoms.

What is usually typical when eating the wrong foods or drinking the wrong drinks for a person who may have Acid Reflux is that your stomach just feels awful! Now to name just a few foods that are common not to eat for most people who actually have Acid Reflux are Chocolate, Tomatoes, Ketchup, and Citrus Fruits. But it's important to remember not everyone is the same, so some foods and drinks can differ from person to person, and there can also be many more foods and even drinks, and even sometimes alcohol that you may need to avoid in order not to have the very uncomfortable stomach symptoms from the Acid Reflux.

Once you have Acid Reflux you must control it not only by what you are eating and drinking, but in other ways as well. For example, when you lay down even several hours after you have eaten you may still experience discomfort in your stomach, so when you do lay down you may have to elevate your head, and your upper body much higher than the rest of your body in order to sleep at night without any stomach discomfort.

So remembering what not to eat or drink is very important in how you may feel, and not to lay down right aftereating are both very important. And once again if you do have Acid Reflux and you have stomach symptoms that continue, or if you just believe you may actually have it I suggest you go to a doctor for help, and to determine what treatment you may need if any, and of course to confirm that you really do have Acid Reflux, (and not just normal heart burn). Of course the doctor will tell you more about the conditions, and the foods and drinks you must avoid, as well as any medications you may need to take, plus possible exams, or even tests that you may need to have.

Remember once again if you only have a simple case of heart burn you don't want to develop Acid Reflux! You don't want to let the problem persists, and get worst without any treatment. But don't lose hope now I feel its important to repeat myself regarding certain information that I previously mentioned. First you should know if you have Acid Reflux or not. If so you may be able to control the symptoms by just simply avoiding the foods and drinks that give you those problems. Also be sure to check the ingredients on packages before you purchase them, so by knowing just what to look for that may cause your problems in advance will help you significantly, and to be certain to always avoid these foods and drinks at all costs. And finally to also remember not to lay down after eating which may still be as important as ever for you to feel better each day!

So if you remember to follow these simple steps each and every day like I do you too may continue to feel free of stomach discomfort every day. By controlling your Acid Reflux for life you will feel much better, and life will be much easier for you to cope with each and every passing day!

You may be able to control Acid Reflux by watching what you eat and drink! Having Acid Reflux can become very serious problem if not controlled. So be sure that you get checked by a doctor for the first signs of any problems that may lead to Acid Reflux, and you can live a life in comfort and not discomfort!

General Causes of Constipation

By Jalpa Gajjar Suthar

Being constipated is never a good feeling. With this health condition, people experience some embarrassing and frustrating moments in their routine living. However; at times people are not aware of the fact that they are affected by severe constipation problem.

To be precise what is constipation? It is a known intestinal problem, and at least happens to everyone once in their lifetime. With the condition, the person undergoes an unpleasant feeling of unable to pass the toxic material out of the body. Constipation makes the person feel full, and also the activity of passing the stool is painful.

Nobody as yet has determined the exact cause of constipation. It suddenly appears when you have some changes in your daily life such as flying out of the time zone, stressful work hours, changes in diet and such simple causes. Also, this condition varies from usual to extremes in people depending upon several factors like age, life style, eating habits etc.

Have a glance at the major causes of constipation

Poor Diet: It has showed that one of the major causes is the continuous eating of processed/can/frozen food. Lack of improper nutrition in your daily intake could be the primary cause of constipation. Also; with the timeliness you require to eat is important. Unhealthy eating timings can also lead you to constipation problem.

Life style:How you live is how it shows on your body. The kind of lifestyle you lead is another major cause of having a constipation problem. For instance, people travelling in and out of different time zones could be reason for this ailment.

Less Water Intake: Drinking less amount of water also hurdles your intestinal activities thus; occurrence of constipation is normal. Drinking water doesn't mean to drink 12 glasses of water, but also adding other liquids like juices or some other healthy fluids to your daily routine.

Stress:This is again a vital factor that major role plays in having constipation. Stressful working hours or stressed family life has been proved to be the cause of constipation. However; not all of us know this could be one of the reasons behind appearing constipation.

Surgical Problems: Conditions like surgical procedures or pregnancy can also lead to constipation. After any surgery, there are some hormonal changes experienced especially during and after the pregnancy which makes it difficult for the toxic material to pass, and as a result constipation occurs.

The above mentioned causes are the major ones, but there could be lot of causes of constipation that one discovers eventually. Effective coping is the only solution to this problem. Getting changed your routine, eating habits and mild form of exercises can help to overcome the problem. In severe cases, people are treated with laxatives. Constipation is the symptom of the beginning of the illness or diseases. Thus; being careful with what you are eating and drinking will certainly helpful in eliminating the problem. With the above general understanding, you now know the best on how to treat the constipation. The solution is quite simple, to eat healthy and stay healthy.

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Typical and Atypical Symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

By Rob Turley

Heartburn discomfort may be erroneously recognized as a sign of a heart related health problems or the indicator of a cardiac arrest.

Seek instantaneous therapy if you suffer unanticipated, severe chest pain, or soreness is accompanied by sweating, light-headedness, and queasiness.

Heartburn, typically comprehended as acid indigestion, is considered the common indication of acid reflux. Acid reflux often starts 30-60 moments right after consuming and can effortlessly continue for 2 hours.

Heartburn has positively nothing at all to do with the heart or cardio system, rather your stomach and esophagus. Heartburn indications happening constantly over a significant framework of time must be analyzed by a physician to identify the complication. There are very certain symptomatic examinations your doctor will certainly make use of to identify when your acid reflux can perhaps be something more significant, for instance a symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

If your heartburn is even more than a periodic inconvenience, inform your medical doctor. Left alone, consistent GERD can easily trigger substantial difficulties. Swelling of the esophagus developed by the backed-up tummy acids can easily induce bleeding or abscess, additionally called esophagitis. Scar tissues from this damages can easily narrow the esophagus, making ingesting increasingly hard. Some individuals establish Barrett's esophagus, a condition where cells in the esophageal lining morph int an uncommon kind and color design. Over time, the cells can easily trigger esophageal cancer, which is frequently disastrous.

Not everyone identified with GERD has heartburn.

Featured within the symptoms of GERD is a dry cough. If an individual experiences a chronically non-productive cough that medical professionals can not easily clarify, it can possibly be GERD. This cough is most common at night when an individual rests. This sign of GERD can, at times, be felt in the center of the back. The heartburn area of GERD can easily develop a sore throat from the acid that appears into the throat. A feasible GERD sign is hoarseness. And one more is earache. Yes, think it or not, acid reflux can conveniently impact your ears. Precisely how is this feasible? When heartburn acid backs up into your mouth, it can quickly enter your Eustachian tubes and rest between your throat and ears - and induce an earache.

Hence, the traditional indication of GERD is a soreness in the chest. Less common symptoms of GERD are: distressing eating; steady laryngitis or hoarseness; steady sore throat; consistent cough and sense of a lump in the throat. Another uncommon GERD sign is tooth erosion as stomach acid is quite corrosive, and when it rises to your mouth, it can degrade your teeth by consuming tooth enamel.

Dyspepsia can easily exist within the listing of symptoms of GERD. The Mayo Facility associates dyspepsia as the medical term for indigestion. While most individuals experience some kind of dyspepsia in their lifetimes, consistent indigestion can effortlessly be an indication of a food digestion worry such as GERD. Dyspepsia or indigestion is specified by stomach to chest discomfort, bloating or an overfull feeling after consuming, gas and queasiness after consuming food and/or beverage.

One of the discouraging symptoms is globus. Globus is the feeling that something is stuck in your throat when, in fact, your throat is clear.

The heartburn facet of GERD can quickly produce a sore throat from the acid that turns up into the throat. Sometimes this can result in an even more unusual GERD sign, tooth erosion. Stomach acid is quite corrosive, and when it rises to your mouth, it can easily deteriorate your teeth by consuming tooth enamel.

Helcobacter Pylori: An Overview

By Paul M Choi

Helicobacter pylori is an extremely common infection. It is estimated that up to 50% of population worldwide are infected by this organism. Fortunately, its overall infection rate has been in decline in recent years. Helicobacter pylori is thought to be transmitted by the fecal oral route. As a result, individuals from lesser developed countries with poor hygienic condition are more prone to contract this illness. Not surprisingly, Helicobacter pylori is more common in lesser developed countries.

H. pylori requires acid to survive and proliferate. Not surprisingly, it is found primarily in the human stomach. In fact, it is difficult to find this orgianism outside the human body. Once infected, the organism causes chronic and persistent inflammation in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, pre-malignant conditions of the stomach including intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia, as well as even stomach cancer. Studies have shown that there is up to 6 fold increase in the risk of developing stomach cancer in individuals infected with this organism. Fortunately, treatment of Helicobacter pylori appears to reduce this risk.

There are several methods of diagnosing H. pylori. They include serology, blood test that determines the presence of antibody against this particular organism. This test is, however, limited by the fact that the antibody may persist for years even after the organism is eradicated. Thus, blood test is not accurate in diagnosing an acute ongoing infection by Helicobacter pylori. Other tests for presence of this organism may include urea breath test and stool antigen test. We often recommend an upper endoscopy examination, carefully examining the entire lining of the stomach. At the same time, a small sampling or biopsy can be performed to test for Helicobacter pylori either under the microscope or with a special test called CLO test.

The treatment of H. pylori usually involves three medications called Triple Therapy. They include two antibiotics such as Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin, and a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole that suppresses the production of acid in the stomach. When the treatment is administered for a duration of 2 weeks, one can expect up to 80-90% cure rate from this infection.

H. pylori is an extremely common condition that can cause gastritis (inflammation of stomach), ulcer, and even stomach cancer. It is an infection that needs to be eradicated not only to treat gastritis or ulcer, but as a means to prevent the development of stomach cancer.

Home Remedies for Heartburn 101

By Chris Toddman

Depending on the severity, there are now a host of home remedies for heartburn. Heartburn affects nearly 90% of all people at some points in their lives. For some heartburn is simply a painful nuisance caused by eating foods which are spicy or simply don't agree with them while for others, heartburn is a way of life that happens almost daily. Although the medicinal name itself points to it as being a condition of the heart, in reality heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Instead, heartburn is caused when the esophagus is irritated or damaged, although symptoms of heartburn often mimic those of a heart attack.

When acidity increases and builds up within the stomach which can happen when the muscular valve referred to as the LES does not open frequently enough or opens too much. This valves' job is to open and close sporadically and allow food (and the acids within it) to pass to the stomach where it is digested and later omitted from the body via the bowels or urinal tract. When the LES does not work properly or there is an influx, the acids can build up within or make their way to the esophagus and cause the burning sensation we know as heartburn.

For those who only suffer occasional instances of heartburn, medical professionals will often prescribe a simple over the counter antacid that should be taken prior to eating meals. In cases where heartburn is more habitual, prescription medications such as H2 blockers are necessary, and in the most severe cases surgical treatments may be necessary as chronic heartburn can cause a series of other health detriments. For those with mild cases however, home remedies for heartburn can often do the trick.

Although only recommended for the mildest cases of heartburn or GERD, some research has found that by simply chewing a piece of gum after a meal can help decrease the chance of sustaining heartburn.

Our saliva is pivotal in the digestion process as it breaks down and helps to flush the contents of our stomachs. By chewing gum, we are increasing our saliva flow and it is thought that this helps digestion increase and flushes foods from the stomach more quickly.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has a lot of uses, from taking out stains in garments to whitening teeth. As it turns out, many medical professionals also recommend mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with an 8 ounce glass of water and drinking it after meals as baking soda helps to neutralize the acid in our stomachs. It is however not recommended to use this method too often (and not more than once per day) as ingesting large amounts of baking soda can cause nausea and excessive vomiting.

Licorice

Licorice is a natural remedy for heartburn within the medical community because of its natural ability to heal the inner lining of the stomach when it comes across excess acids. It is usually recommended that licorice pills or tablets are taken instead of actually eating the licorice flavored candy as they have more natural acid fighting agents and because eating a lot of candy can cause other health diseases like diabetes. But in a pinch, chomping on a piece of licorice candy could deter heartburn as well.

Another home remedies for heartburn is aloe which is most commonly used for the treatment of burns and rashes but is also utilized to treat heartburn. The same components within the plant that soothes burns and painful irritation to the outer skins can also do the same for us internally.

Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties that can coat and sooth the esophagus from acidic foods. Drinking a mere half a cup of Aloe Vera juice before a meal will keep the esophagus from getting inflamed and irritated. It is best to try this at home a few times first though, as the juice can cause diarrhea in many people.

Slippery Elm

Slippery Elm is another natural remedy for heartburn that has had much success in the treatment of heartburn. It is a natural plant that and when components are extracted from it, it lines the stomach area with a thick mucus that will keep acids from penetrating the esophagus. This extra lining in the stomach will protect the area from getting inflamed. Usually it is given as a mixture of water and two tablespoons of the herb and drank before meals or right before you retire for the evening.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile teas have natural antacids in them that will neutralize the acids ingested, as well as contributing to better sleep and possibly reducing stress. Drinking a cup before or after meals, and particularly right before bed can often reduce the risk of heartburn and help you to sleep better overall.

Turmeric is a spice that is typically used as flavoring in meals, especially within the Indian cultures. The spice works wonders at stimulating our digestive tracts and speeds up the process in general, which means acidic foods have less time to build up within the stomach and wreck havoc on our esophagus. Using this spice within meals can keep heartburn at bay or if you prefer, it can also be found at health stores in a capsule form. This is definitely some great home remedies for heartburn.

A surefire way to decrease heartburn is also to keep a food journal of all the foods you eat and instances where heartburn is present; then omit or lessen those foods which cause heartburn from your diet. Additionally, any one of these things listed above can be used as natural home remedies for heartburn along with many other available methods that have been studied and researched.

Once a heartburn patient, Chris Toddman is now permanently free from heartburn through a unique and natural holistic method. This unique approach has helped thousands of people to have the same success and it is now your chance to have permanent heartburn relief. For more details, visit http://www.HomeRemediesForHeartburnHQ.com/

How to Keep Heartburn Pain Away at Night

By D Swain

It is definitely no fun waking up at night due to heartburn pain. If it is keeping you from getting a good night's sleep, there are things that you can do. Keep reading to learn about some of them.

Heartburn is mostly caused by what you eat. Certain foods will bring on the pain much quicker than others. Grapefruits, oranges, and other acidic fruits should be avoided. Foods that have peppers or other spices will also increase the risk of you suffering from heartburn.

It isn't just enough for you to avoid certain types of foods in hopes of avoiding nighttime heartburn. You need to pay attention to how much food you consume too, especially right before bed. If you go to bed with a full stomach, then the chances of you experiencing symptoms increases dramatically.

It is best that you don't eat anything for a few hours before lying down. After two hours or so, your digestive system will have done its job well enough for you to sleep in peace hopefully.

Your eating habits during the day may also bring on heartburn pain at night. You may be used to eating three large meals a day, but that's not particularly good when it comes to avoiding heartburn. You should see a decrease in problems if you opt to eat smaller meals at one sitting instead.

Symptoms can be brought on by how you're sleeping too. If you lie down flat using just one pillow, then it will be easier for acid to travel back into your esophagus where it doesn't belong. You can negate this potential problem by using two pillows instead. A special wedge pillow will also do the trick.

Everyone has their favorite sleeping position. Hopefully, yours isn't on your stomach, especially if you frequently have to deal with heartburn pain. Lying this way will put extra pressure on your stomach, which isn't good for anyone looking to avoid this condition. Lying on your back is much better, but lying on your left side is even better.

Being obese increases the risk of developing numerous health problems. Yet another thing that gives obese people problems is heartburn. You may want to lose a bit of weight if you're in this category. The extra fat around your abdominal region will cause you problems if you don't.

It's never a good feeling to experience heartburn. You definitely don't want to deal with it when you're trying to sleep. Hopefully, you won't have to much longer as long as you follow these tips.

There are easy ways to get rid of heartburn pain. You don't even have to use any medications to do so. Download this special report to learn various natural home remedies for heartburn relief.

Beware the Long-Term Effects of Taking Antacids

By D Swain

Taking an antacid or two to get rid of occasional heartburn pain usually poses no problems. As with almost any other type of medication though, you don't want to take them for long periods of time. It says right on the label that it's only meant for short-term use.

There are basically three different types of antacids. They include calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide. Each type causes slightly different effects when taken to combat chronic heartburn pain.

You don't want there to be too little stomach acid. If there is, then your body may not be able to absorb calcium from your food. Since the bones need calcium to maintain density, bone softening is a possibility if you aren't getting enough calcium.

Antacids that contain calcium as the main ingredient help keep this from happening, but also cause a few long-term effects. If you start absorbing too much calcium, it will harm your body in various ways. Hypercalcemia will be the main concern, with renal failure being possible too. Since the kidneys are processing much more calcium, stones may develop.

These long-term effects of taking antacids aren't very likely unless you take them for a very long time. Minor effects happen more often and include constipation, increased urination, and nausea at times. You may also taste an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

The other two types of antacids can cause some of these same side effects of long-term antacid use as well. They present a few other possibilities like weight loss and loss of appetite. Frequent headaches and stomach cramps are also possible if you start using these medications for too long.

When it comes to limiting stomach acid, antacids are virtually nothing when compared to proton pump inhibitors. You definitely don't want to take these more powerful medications for longer periods. Some of the most popular brands of these medications include Prilosec and Prevacid.

Some are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription. When used long-term, you may have issues with loss of appetite, diarrhea, and nausea.

When your digestive system is working properly, you shouldn't have to deal with chronic heartburn pain. If you are dealing with it, then it's best that you consult your doctor to determine exactly what's going on.

It may be something extremely simple that you can change. A change in diet has helped some people stave off chronic heartburn pain. No matter what, you definitely don't want to rely on antacids to deal with the condition, especially after learning about the long-term effects of taking antacids.

Heartburn is no fun to deal with. But, you don't have to rely on medications to get rid of the pain. Check out this special report with home remedies for heartburn today.