Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease. Even though it generally affects the lungs and lymph glands, but it may also cause problems in other organs. Granulomas or abnormal nodules or masses form in different organs. Such nodules contain inflamed tissues. Granulomas could be dangerous as they alter the normal structure of the organs, which may result in change of the function of them.

Symptoms

The symptoms that Sarcoidosis produce may be different depending on the organ it's affecting. In general, dry cough, breathing shortness and fatigue are some of the common symptoms of Sarcoidosis. Other symptoms that may appear in case of Sarcoidosis are

• Painful and swollen joints
• Reddish bumps or patches on the skin
• Nasal stiffness
• Hoarse voice
• Red and teary eyes or blurred vision
• Enlarged and tender lymph glands that appear in the armpits, neck, and groin
• Abnormal or missed heart beats (arrhythmias)
• Inflammation of the covering of the heart (pericarditis),
• Heart failure
• Pain in the hands, feet, or other areas because of formation of cysts in bones
• Kidney stone formation
• Enlarged lymph glands in the chest and around the lungs
• Enlarged liver
• Nervous system problems that include meningitis, hearing loss, seizures etc.
• Psychiatric disorders that include depression, dementia, psychosis

These symptoms may appear suddenly and subside after a short duration. Sometimes, even after the organs are affected, outward symptoms may not appear at all. Some other patients may show symptoms that appear slowly but stay for a long duration.

Causes

Doctors still don't know the exact cause of sarcoidosis. It is found to be an autoimmune disease that results in abnormal immune response. Researchers are still studying how sarcoidosis spreads from one area to another.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of sarcoidosis is tricky because the symptoms and the results of the laboratory tests may also appear in other medical conditions. So the doctor will need your medical history and will have to carefully diagnose see if you are suffering from sarcoidosis.

Some of the main diagnostic tools used for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis are –

Chest x-ray

It is used for finding out swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) or cloudiness (pulmonary infiltrates) in the patient.

CT scan

CT scan is used to get a more detailed look at the lungs and lymph nodes of the patient.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a method of inspecting the bronchial tubes. It also allows extraction of a small tissue sample (biopsy) to find if there is any granulomas formation in the organs. It also helps to find out any type of infection. In this method, a small tube is sent through the trachea (windpipe) which goes to the bronchial tubes (airways) of the lungs.

Pulmonary function (breathing) tests

This is a test done to check the working condition of the lungs.

Treatment

At present no cure is available for sarcoidosis. It takes some time to get better from the attack. Many of the patients who suffer from sarcoidosis show only mild symptoms and do not need any treatment. Treatment can be used to reduce the symptoms and to ensure the correct working of the affected organs.

Treatment of sarcoidosis can be divided into two categories

1. treatment for maintaining good health practices
2. drug treatment

Good health practices necessary for the patients include

• Having regular checkups with the doctor
• Eating a well-balanced diet and including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Drinking 8 -10,  glasses of water every day
• Sleeping for six to eight hours of sleep every night
• Exercising regularly and maintaining the ideal weight
• Quitting smoking

Medicine treatments are necessary for offering relief from the symptoms and for reduction of inflammation of the tissues affected.

The lack of sleep can result in weight gain

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is a foe to dieters and those who are serious about losing weight. If you think that skipping long hours of sleep at night is good for you, think again. Insomnia is linked to various health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and other psychological disturbances, but it is more closely associated with obesity and weight gain. If you have an insomnia and been trying your best to spend more time at the gym to get physically fit to lose weight, or you are very serious about dieting to lose the extra pound, insomnia can get in the way of attaining your goal. This article will provide you some helpful insights linking insomnia to obesity or weight gain.

Hormonal link between insomnia and weight gain

Hormones are believed to cause weight gain among individuals with insomnia. The researchers from UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior revealed that they identified two hormones as responsible for causing weight gain among individuals with insomnia. These hormones are ghrelin and leptin, which are known in regulating the energy balance in the body, as well as responsible for our cravings and hunger.

The stomach secretes ghrelin into the body system. It is known to be a peptide that can stimulate the appetite and its level usually increases before meal time. The fat cells, on the other hand, secrete leptin, which is responsible for signaling the hypothalamus regarding the storage of fats in the body. When there is an increased leptin levels in the body, it increases the body's energy expenditures while a low-level will cause a person to feel hungry.

The significance of these hormones in insomnia is that the lack of sleep can result in the dysregulation in the activities of these hormones that can increase the chance of gaining weight among the insomniacs. An increased level of ghrelin and a low-level of leptin induces a person to eat more. A sleep deprived person usually has a slow metabolism and as a result of this condition, one tends to gain more weight.

Other reasons why insomnia can cause weight gain

There are many areas of possibilities that link insomnia to weight gain. According to a study by the University of Chicago, whenever a person is deprived of sleep, the body becomes incapable of regulating the appetite which makes a person crave to eat more. Common food choices are those high in carbohydrates and fats which contribute to the weight gain of a person with insomnia.

Individuals who lack sufficient sleep at night tends to lose their energy during day time. They commonly feel fatigued and restless and usually finds exercise difficult to do. Moreover, with less exercise and more cravings, it can contribute to the faster storage of fats to the body because sleep deprivation also affects the body's basal metabolic rate, making it harder to burn out our calorie intake. The lack of sleep can also cause the body to increase more stress hormones called cortisol that can accelerate the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates with the resulting effect of increasing the appetite.

Generally, hormonal imbalances can result in sleep deprivation which consequently triggers the body's coping mechanism of releasing hormones that can stimulate the appetite, making one feel hungry and increase cravings even when one is already full. The more we lose sleep or deprive ourselves from getting enough sleep on a regular basis, this can cause havoc on the body's metabolic hormones that tend to slow down the fat burning ability of the body.

The growth hormone is also believed to decrease in amount among persons who lack sleep. The body needs the growth hormone to regulate the body's fat and muscle content. With the decreased amount of growth hormones in the body, there is the risk of losing muscles with an increased fat deposits in the body.

What to do and not to do in order to avoid weight gain and insomnia

There can be unpleasant consequences whenever insomnia and weight gain occur together. Not only can sleep deprivation increases your risk of developing health disorders, weight gain can also contribute or doubles the risk of the development of heart disease and diabetes. Here are the things that you should do and should not do in order to prevent the negative effects of insomnia and weight gain.

What to do:

• Get an exercise regularly. This will help condition the body to feel more relaxed and helps you to get a better sleep at night.
• Consume healthy food sources like vegetables and fruits.
• Explore before bedtime activities that tend to make you feel relaxed, making it easier to fall asleep. Common effective activities that you can pursue include listening to the music, a warm bath or reading a book.
• Make your room a place conducive for sleeping. Use dim lights and adjust the air conditioning in your room at a comfortable level.

What not to do:

• Avoid eating heavy meals few minutes before going to bed. Do not eat protein rich foods a few minutes before sleeping because it can give the body a surge of energy to make it active, making it more difficult to sleep.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and drinks with caffeine content.
• Don't take a nap during the day.
• Do not force your body to sleep. It will only make you feel more agitated. Do the above-mentioned before bedtime activities instead to feel more relaxed and calm until you feel sleepy.

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Nasal polyps

Nasal polyps teardrop like growth seen in the nose.  It may also appear in the sinuses. These are common and noncancerous growths. Nasal polyps are mostly located at the place where sinuses meet the nasal cavity.

These are generally associated with asthma and allergies. Small nasal polyps may not show any symptoms and also may not require any treatment, but if they enlarge, they can block the sinuses and result in other complications.  Too much accumulation of mucus in the sinuses due to blocking of drainage can cause other infections in the nose and throat.

Nasal polyps easily respond to medicines and surgery. They are not painful.

Symptoms of nasal polyps

There are some common symptoms of nasal polyps, which include-

• Nasal  conjuration
• Nasal obstruction
• Running nose
• Sneezing
• Facial pain
• Loss of smell
• Loss of taste
• Not able to smell (hyposmia)
• Itching around the eyes

People who suffer from nasal polyps mostly have running nose, postnasal drip and sneezing.  Lots of them also complain about reduced smelling capacity.  Many of the patients also suffer from asthmatic symptoms.  In some cases, they may also develop a reaction to yellow dyes and allergy to aspirin. That's why, anyone suffering from allergy to yellow dyes, or aspirin should immediately see a doctor to find out if he is suffering from nasal polyps.  In such people, that allergic reaction may be very risky and may threaten their lives.

Treatment for nasal polyps

Before treating nasal polyps, the doctor will diagnose it using a nasal endoscope. Nasal endoscope offers a magnified view of the nose and sinuses.  In some cases, you may need to undergo some additional tests, including biopsy to find out if the nasal polyps are cancerous.

The first line treatment that the doctors use against nasal polyps is a nasal spray or a natural corticosteroid spray. This spray can shrink or eliminate the existing nasal polyps. Your doctor may also prescribe oral corticosteroids like prednisone for one week for treatment of the condition.

Nasal polyps is a problematic medical condition as it often reoccur. Such reoccurrence mostly happens when the underlying allergy, irritation or infection is fully eliminated. In that case, you may have to continue using the corticosteroid spray for prevention of reoccurrence of nasal polyps.

For controlling the allergies, your doctor may also prescribe some antihistamines. For controlling the underlying infection, the doctor may first prescribe antibiotics before starting the corticosteroid therapy.

Surgical treatments

Sometimes, surgical treatments become necessary for treating the nasal polyps.  If the nasal polyps become very large and obstructive, then the sprays prescribed by the doctor may not work.  In that case, you will have to go for surgical treatment.

Surgical treatments for nasal polyps are performed using a small nasal telescope.  In the surgical procedure, nasal polyps are reduced.  The surgeries are normal surgeries and the patient can go home on the same day when the surgery was done.

Most patient who undergo surgical treatment for nasal polyps find significant improvement but it may not be true in case of patients who suffer from asthma and nasal polyps.  The surgery may also be not very effective in case of people who have aspirin sensitivity, asthma and nasal polyps.  However, with the improvement in the treatment of nasal polyps may help the doctors manage the condition of such patients with medicines for controlling asthma and to reduce the breathing difficulty.

If you see me of the symptoms of nasal polyps, it is better to go to a doctor rather than suffering it in the hope that it will automatically go away.

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Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis causes the most commonly seen heel pain. It is more common in middle-aged people. It may happen in case of young people who stand a lot.  It is also seen in case of soldiers and athletes.

Plantar fascia is a ligament that joins the toes with your heel bone and is necessary for the support of the arch of the foot. If for any reason, it is stretched, then it may cause swelling, irritation or inflammation.  In such a condition, your heel will hurt while walking or standing.

Causes of plantar fasciitis

The exact causes of plantar fasciitis are not yet known.  Most likely the condition appears when there are repeated small tears in the plantar fascia. If it is stretched by walking or any other activity, the condition may develop.

Some of the important causes of plantar fasciitis

• Abnormal rolling and twisting of foot
• Tight calf muscles
• High arches
• Tight tendons
• Walking or standing for a long time on irregular and hard surfaces
• Overweight
• Age
• Wearing shoes without  the right cushion
• Injury to the foot

Symptoms

The classic symptom that you will see in case of plantar fasciitis is heel pain while taking the first steps after you wake up in the morning.  You may also have heel pain after sitting for a long duration.  There are some other symptoms of plantar fasciitis, which may appear in people suffering from the conditions

• Pain and stiffness of the feet in the morning or after sitting for some time, which gets better after you take a few steps, but the pain gets worse with the progress of the day.
• Pain  in the heel after you stand for long duration
• Pain that gets  worse when you climb stairs
• Pain after you stand on your toes
• Pain when you start exercising, but goes away while exercising and returns when you exercise is completed.

Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis

Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is done by the doctor by asking the patient about the symptoms.  The doctor may also need to know about the past health of the patient.  A physical exam of the feet may be necessary in which the doctor asks the patient to stand and walk.

Sometimes an x-ray may be necessary to find out stress fracture, other ankle bone problem or bone cyst.  The doctor may advise an x-ray to see if there is a heel spur present. In some rare cases, the doctor may advise MRI, vascular testing, bone scans and blood tests for finding out the flow of blood in the foot.

Treatment

The main objectives of treatment of the condition are-

• Relieving pain and inflammation in the heel
• Healing of  any small tears present in the plantar fascia
• To help you continue with your normal daily activities
• Improving flexibility and strength
• Correcting the foot problems that lead to plantar fasciitis

Initial treatment

There are several methods that you can try to get relief from the heel pain.

• If possible, eliminate the daily activities that causes heel pain.  If eliminating is not possible, you can at least limit those activities.
• Avoid walking or running on hard surfaces.
• For relieving the pain and reducing the inflammation, use ice on your heel.
• You can use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin etc.), naproxen (Aleve etc.), or aspirin to get relief from the pain.  These medicines are available in both cream and pill forms.
• Use shoe inserts in your shoes to get a good cushion for your heel.
• Wearing shoes that have the right arch support and good shock absorption capacity.
• Do a little bit of exercise “ try toe stretches, towel stretches and calf stretches in the morning and several times during the day.

If the condition gets worse, then you need to talk to your doctor again.  He may suggest corticosteroid shots if nonsurgical treatment is not helping you. Even the shots can relieve the pain you have in the heels, the relief will be short-term.  Only 5 people out of 100 need surgery in plantar fasciitis.
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ventricular arrhythmia in the heart

Brugada syndrome is a form of a heart disorder consisting of the manifestation of an irregular rhythm of the heartbeat. The disruption of the normal heart rhythms is caused by the uncoordinated electrical activities that are taking place from the chambers of the heart called the ventricles. The abnormal rhythms in the ventricles are called ventricular arrhythmia. Brugada syndrome can become a life threatening disease because cardiac arrest and eventually death may occur. What makes the condition more dangerous is its being asymptomatic, which makes the victims unaware they have the condition. While the disease can be serious, it is highly preventable by avoiding common triggers of the condition such as certain medications and preventive implants like the implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Who are susceptible to Brugada Syndrome?

About 5 out of 10,000 people are at risk of the condition. Asians are known to be more at risk, especially the Japanese and those living in the Southeast Asian nations. Men are 10 times more susceptible to the disease than women and this is attributed to the testosterone levels that makes men more at risk of Brugada syndrome. The condition usually occurs during the adulthood, but it can rarely affect children and infants too. Sudden death accounts to the fatality of the disease which typically affects those at the age of 40 and older. Babies who died due to sudden infant death syndrome are believed to have Brugada syndrome which was not diagnosed.

Characteristics and features of Brugada syndrome

The classic feature of Brugada syndrome is sudden death. The ventricular arrhythmia occurs while the person is asleep and it accounts for most unexplained deaths. It is often associated with unexpected cardiac arrest in young adults while sleeping, which is a condition called sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome. Continuous research further confirmed that the sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome and the Brugada syndrome are the same disease.

Genetic links in Brugada syndrome

Genetic link involving the SCN5A gene is strong with Nrugada syndrome. Genetic mutation is found to be present among one third of the population affected by the disease. The mutation causes an abnormality in the activities of the sodium channel which is critically involved in maintaining normal heart rhythms. Consequential abnormalities in the sodium channels alter the amount of sodium flow to the heart cells, which interrupts the normal rhythm of the heart. To a certain extent, the heart eventually stops beating because of ventricular arrest.

Some medications are also believed to cause similar results which genetically occur with the abnormal genetic mutations. Drugs prescribed for angina among individuals with a heart disease can result in acquiring Brugada syndrome. This form of non-genetic Brugada syndrome is often induced by drugs that are taken for treating arrhythmia, high blood pressure and depression.

Warning signs of Brugada Syndrome

There are warning symptoms that may indicate that you have a Brugada syndrome. The common signs and symptoms of the disease include the following:

• Nightmares and thrashing at night
• Abnormal pattern of electrocardiogram (called type 1 Brugada ECG pattern)
• Fever that usually worsens the clinical symptoms
• Cardiac arrest
• Syncope or fainting
• Elevated ST segment in leads V1-V3
• Atrial fibrillation
• Palpitations

The common reason why the Brugada syndrome is often under diagnosed is due to its asymptomatic feature. The symptoms may appear to take the form of other diseases, but it usually does not manifest any symptoms at all. The only accurate way of diagnosing the disease is through ECG.

Getting diagnosed for Brugada Syndrome

Detecting Brugada syndrome is difficult through physical examination. A thorough physical assessment to the patient will give normal results. A more thorough examination is needed in order to detect the disease and an ECG test will give provide a more accurate diagnosis. Whenever you experience palpitations and other signs of an irregular heartbeat, make sure to see your doctor immediately. Most individuals who experience fainting, cardiac arrhythmia or palpitations are quick to conclude that such may be a sign of a heart disease. However, Brugada syndrome is a deadlier disease than a heart disease that usually results in a sudden death. You can prevent this from happening unexpectedly by being mindful about your symptoms and report it to your doctor right away.

Treatment and management of Brugada Syndrome

There is currently no pharmacologic treatment for Brugada Syndrome. No medication has yet been discovered to cure and treat ventricular arrhythmias to prevent a sudden death. The only promising treatment and management of the disease is the automatic implantable defibrillator or ICD which is effective in preventing abnormal rhythms of the heart chambers. Individuals with at least two risk factors of Brugada syndrome are good candidates for the implantation of the ICD. It is usually prescribed for individuals with a genetic history of the disease and those already with heart disease.

Life saving response to Brugada syndrome

Because sudden death occurs with the disease, it is important to know how to respond in case someone has a ventricular arrhythmia attack. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs and the person may lose consciousness and experience a sudden loss of breathing. Without immediate medical attention, this can become fatal and may lead to death. Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be a life saving response whenever a sudden cardiac arrest occurs. Giving the person with an external shock using an automatic external defibrillator can also help the victim survive.

Quality vision decline with age

A declining vision is often associated with age. While there is a truth to this claim, most eye experts believe that getting a good eyesight is now possible as people begin to age with the proper precaution and eye care. Most of the time, whenever people start experiencing the symptoms of tiredness of the eyes and other visual problems, it is easy to surmise that it is because of the ill fate of our age that results in a declining vision. An understanding about how our vision works and how aging contributes to the process of a declining vision will provide us a better insight on how we can preserve a good eye sight or at least delay the effects of aging that prevents us from enjoying quality eyesight as we age.

Visual changes with aging

Visual changes naturally occur as a person ages. Significant visual changes take place every ten years and there are things that you can do in order to preserve or at least delay its deterioration when this happens.

1.       Visual changes in the 20's and 30's

As we reach the age between 20 and 30, eye problems may begin to surface. They are managed with an eyeglass prescription or contact lens to correct your visual changes. At this age, you can still prevent the progression of visual problems and prevention is the key in preserving the quality of your eyesight. Frequent visits to your optometrist will help you preserve the health of your eye. A regular eye examination will help detect potential problems that may arise and it may be prevented with proper medication. You should also protect your eyes against harmful radicals like smoke and UV rays which are common culprits in the development of macular degeneration. Because at this age, individuals are career oriented and are likely to be exposed to work hazards that are harmful to the eyes like prolonged exposure to the computer that can result in eyestrain and other eye problems. Wear protective glasses that will help avoid straining the eyes too much when doing certain activities that keep the eye active.

2.       Visual changes in the 40's

Upon reaching the age of 40, visual changes naturally occur. Preventive measures against a declining vision may , however, delay the onset of visual decline upon reaching the age of 40. Presbyopia usually takes place at this age, which is a condition of losing the ability to focus owing to the hardening of the eye lenses. Reading at this age becomes harder. You can reduce the impact of presbyopia at this age by adjusting the distance between the eye and the reading material in order to compensate for a better vision. You should also ask the help of an eye doctor to obtain proper corrective glasses to reduce the burden on your eyes when reading and to generally improve your vision.

3.       Visual changes in the 50's

By the time you reach the age of 50, common eye diseases may start to surface like cataracts,  glaucoma and macular degeneration. You will need the help of an optometrist in order to provide you corrective glasses that will help improve your eyesight. Macular degeneration is not treatable but it can be prevented by taking vitamins and healthy eating habits. Eating foods rich in lutein and antioxidants can prevent the disease from occurring with age.

4.        Visual changes in the 60's

It is in this age that cataracts are very common because it is a normal aging process occurring in the eyes. Cataracts produces protein molecules that can grow in clumps, blocking vision and prevents the light from coming through. In certain cases, cataracts may require surgery, especially when it produces significant block on the vision. A yearly check up of cataracts is necessary which is also beneficial in getting a regular eye examination for other eye diseases.

Structural changes in the eye with aging

Aging can cause subtle changes in the eye structures which also contribute to the visual changes occurring with age.

• The pupil size becomes smaller with age because of the weakness of the eye muscles. These muscles are responsible for controlling the size of the pupils and its reaction to the light. With aging, these eye muscles weaken, making the eyes to become less responsive to light.
• Retinal sensitivity decreases with aging,  which results in color visual problems.
• Reduced production of tears by the lacrimal glands occurs with aging. As a result, dry eye becomes common which can produce the symptoms of burning, and stinging and other discomforts that are associated with a dry eye. This condition becomes more common among women who are in their menopausal age. Artificial tears can help relieve the discomforts of dry eyes.
• Vitreous detachment takes place with aging which is a harmless eye condition that involves the detachment of the gel-like vitreous liquefying in the eyes that produce spots and floaters in the vision.
• Decreasing visual fields are also common with aging, which results in the loss of peripheral vision.

Common eye diseases occurring with age

There are different eye diseases that occur with age. Some of these are serious effects of aging while other eye problems are manageable and easily managed with corrective eye glasses.

• Macular degeneration

This can be a serious eye disease occurring with age. Macular degeneration is a common cause of blindness among the older population and individuals in their 60's are highly susceptible to macular degeneration.

• Diabetic retinopathy

Individuals in their 40's are likely to become susceptible to diabetic retinopathy. This eye condition affects about 30% of diabetics, although many have the condition without getting a proper diagnosis.

• Glaucoma

The risk of getting glaucoma is about 1% upon reaching the age of 40 and it increases with age.

• Presbyopia

The condition makes focusing on an object more difficult because of the hardening of the eye lenses. It is a common eye disease among individuals in their 40's but can be managed with corrective eyeglasses and multi-focal contact lenses.

• Cataracts

This is an age related eye disorder that can be treated with surgery or getting treatment using multi-focal lens implants or intraocular lenses to improve vision.

Taking care of your eyes against age related eye diseases

While aging is not a reversible process, there are ways to avoid, delay and prevent common age related eye diseases. The best natural defense against getting a poor eyesight and developing visual problems is to eat a healthy diet, such as eating foods that are rich in lutein. Wise lifestyle choices will also delay the common eye diseases. Take care of your eyes and do not abuse its use. Using protective glasses when using the computer for long hours can help eye muscle strains that can accelerate the occurrence of age related eye disorders.

A regular visit to your doctor will also be a prudent step in taking care of your eyes. Make sure to make an appointment with your optometrist or ophthalmologist annually to keep your eyes healthy. Discuss with your doctor any concerns that you may have concerning your eyes. Early detection of any eye diseases is the key in preventing its progression and an early treatment can prevent some serious effects on your vision as you age.

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Baking soda is natural remedy for heartburn

The symptoms of a heartburn can produce discomfort and sometimes an alarming consideration that you may be having a heart attack. Some people have mistaken heartburn as a sign of a heart attack because it mimics the burning and painful sensation that is felt in the chest. A heartburn, however, has nothing to do with any heart ailment. It is a symptom caused by the reflux of the acid in the stomach, hence, it is also called as an acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux.

Common symptoms of heartburn

People may experience heartburn sometime in their life and this can produce symptoms that are quite uncomfortable. For many, heartburn is considered as a form of acid indigestion that produce a burning sensation from the stomach that goes up to the esophagus or the throat area. Aside from this classic burning pain symptom, heartburn can also manifest the following symptoms and conditions:

• Dyspepsia is a condition that produces uncomfortable stomach discomfort like burping, the feeling of fullness in the stomach, bloating, nausea after eating, and discomfort along the upper abdominal area with pain.
• Regurgitation produces the feeling of an acid going up from the stomach towards the throat. When this occurs, a bitter or sour taste is felt and may be accompanied with a wet burp or vomiting a small amount of food.

Complications of heartburn

Bleeding is a common complication of heartburn that is more serious and left untreated. The production of acid from the stomach can cause the thinning of the esophageal linings that may result in bleeding. When the esophagus is seriously damaged by the acid produced in the stomach, the esophagus may become narrowed causing strictures along the airway. As a result, dysphagia takes place which is a condition that makes swallowing difficult with the sensation that food is stuck in the throat. Cancer of the esophagus, a condition called Barret's esophagus may also result as a complication of heartburn.

The natural solutions for heartburn

Minor heartburns may be treated with natural home remedies. You can try these natural solutions to get natural relief from your heartburn.

1.       Chewing gum

A sugar free gum is known to be effective in reducing or preventing the symptoms of heartburn. The salivary flow rate is stimulated when eating a chewing gum and this has an effect on the acid in the stomach that becomes easily washed away.

2.       Herbs

Although there are just few researches about herbs as a natural remedy for heartburn, a product called Iberogast has a promising effect in reducing heartburn. It is composed of nine herbs that are known to have a health benefit to the stomach. These nine different herbs are lemon balm, licorice, peppermint, Angelica, Clown's mustard, Caraway, Greater celandine and  milk thistle. Among the other benefits of these herbs are relief from nausea, stomach cramping and pain.

3.       Baking soda

Baking soda is a base sodium bicarbonate thus it helps to neutralize the stomach acid production. Mixing a 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water can help soothe the stomach. This is recommended only when you experience seldom bouts of heartburn. However, precaution should be taken when your heartburn is frequent because it is high in salt content and may result in nausea and swelling when frequently used in treating your heartburn.

4.       Slippery elm

This is a kind of herb that is popular in treating different illnesses for many centuries already. As a treatment for heartburn, slippery elm helps to thicken the stomach's mucous lining, thereby, preventing it against the acid production by acting as a protective barrier. It forms a protective coating that protects the stomach and is usually taken as a mixture with a glass of water and two tablespoons at bedtime and after taking a meal.

5.       Aloe Vera

While this plant is more popular in treating burns, aloe vera produces the same soothing effect on burns as in the stomach. It is effective in reducing the inflammation taking place in the stomach because of the irritation caused by the acid production.

6.       Licorice

Licorice has natural properties that help in healing the stomach lining. It tames the acid production in the stomach and reduces the extent of injury in the stomach tissues. However, it can produce a high blood pressure as a side effect, thus it should be taken less frequently when treating heartburn.

7.       Almonds

The high oil content in almonds helps in neutralizing the stomach acid. Eating about 20 almonds will be sufficient in reducing the discomfort of the heartburn symptoms within half an hour of eating them.

8.       Apples

Apples have properties that help to reduce the burning sensation of a heartburn. It also helps calm down the acid production in the stomach. The acid neutralizing property of apples takes effect within 5 minutes, which effect is faster when eating Braeburn or Gala apples. Taking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in one half cup of water or an apple juice can produce a calming effect to the stomach with significant digestive relief.

9.       Buttermilk

Drinking half a cup of buttermilk can also help relieve the stomach discomfort due to a heartburn. However, the effect may not be as quick as the other natural heartburn solutions. Including soy products and fermented milk can help prevent acid reflux from occurring.

10.   Garlic

Raw garlic is effective in relieving heartburn symptoms, although some often associate it from the occurrence of the condition. It contains antibiotics that can kill pathological organisms that can also contribute to the discomfort felt because of heartburn.

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A healthy vision is important, especially as we age. It is common to see people who are experiencing visual problems even at a younger age. You can become susceptible to eye disorders and visual problems if you are unable to take care of your eyes. Doing regular eye exercises can help prevent your risks of having a visual problem and it can help improve your vision while reducing the need of wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Common eye problems

Common eye problems involve refractive errors that can result in farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. Farsighted individuals have shorter eyeballs which makes it difficult to focus the vision on near objects. Nearsighted individuals, on the other hand, have eyeballs that are too long, making it harder to focus on far objects. Astigmatism can cause a blurry vision because the natural shape of the eye lenses becomes irregular, thereby causing the light entering the eye to split. When the eye lenses are hardened, it is often difficult to focus at multiple distances. This is a condition called presbyopia where the eye lenses lose its natural elasticity.

The benefits of eye exercises

Exercising the eyes will help the eye muscles to retain its flexibility and strength. This enables the eye to focus better and becomes more efficient in its movement. Eye exercises can work out the eye muscles that control the movement of the eye's lenses which helps you attain better visual focus and sight even at multiple distances.

Eye exercises that promote a healthy eye condition and visual condition

While visual problems caused by diseases cannot be prevented by eye exercises alone, regular eye exercises can help optimize the quality of your vision and can help keep the eye muscles healthy. You can do these eye exercises every morning, while you are relaxing or even in between eye activities such as reading.

1. Warm your eyes by rubbing the palms of your hands together until they feel warm. Gently place your palms over your closed eyes. Make sure not to press on the eyeballs and your hands should not cover your nose. Keep the fingers together tightly to prevent seeing through it the light. Focus on the blackness and start breathing slowly. Visualize a relaxing scene that you are watching from a distance. Remove the hands from the eye after three minutes and repeat the process several times.
2. Improve your eye focus. Hold a pen or a stick at arm's length. Look at the object and focus your vision on it. Slowly bring the object close to your eyes and keep it at least 6 inches away from the nose. Retain your focus on the object and slowly move back the object away again while keeping an eye contact with it. Repeat the eye exercise 10 times.
3. Close the eyes tightly and focus on the pitch black. Hold it for 5 seconds and then open the eyes. Repeat again many times.
4. Exercise the eye muscles by doing some eye rolling movements such as up and down, left and right. Move the eyeballs in a circle 10 times clockwise and then counterclockwise.
5. Rub the temple with your knuckles, moving it in a circular motion 20 times clockwise and 20 times in counterclockwise. You can also extend the massaging movements about the eyebrows on the forehead and gently just below the eyes and on the bridge of the nose.
6. Relax the eye by applying either warm or cold compress. It is best to apply them alternately to produce a more calming effect on the eye muscles. Soak the towel in warm or cold water, then press it lightly on the face, especially on closed eyes, eyebrows and cheeks.
7. Take a nap and allow the eyes to rest for a while.

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Burning Sensation in the heartburn

Heartburn can produce discomfort in the stomach because of the acid reflux from the stomach to the esophagus. Almost everyone will experience heartburn sometime in their life and this can be an occasional occurrence or may become a recurrent condition. Heartburn produces the feeling of discomfort in the stomach and the chest, usually with a burning sensation and pain. Occasionally, one may experience the feeling of vomiting with small amount of foods going back from the stomach to the esophagus with a bitter taste. Heartburn may also cause stomach bloating and gastric problems.

Food triggers are common sources of the occurrence of heartburn. That is why it is important to be mindful about what foods can cause your symptoms in order to avoid them in the future. Taking a medication can help relieve the symptoms of heartburn, however, eating foods that can trigger the symptoms will make the condition a recurrent condition.

Foods that are good for heartburn

1.       Orange

There is a conflicting belief that oranges can trigger heartburn symptoms while others consider it as a good remedy in cutting down acid reflux. It contains both ascorbic and acetic acids that can offer relief to various gastric problems.

2.       Papaya

The proteolytic enzyme papain in papaya is good for digestion. Freshly cut papaya, papaya juice and dried papaya will provide a good effect on the digestive system which helps prevent the acid reflux from taking place.

3.       Yoghurt

Yoghurt is rich in calcium content and it helps soothe the discomfort produced by heartburn. It also enhances the function of the digestive system in the body. Raw yoghurt with sugar or buttermilk makes a good food source for heartburn relief.

4.       Apples

The high content of phytochemicals in apples like quercertin, epicatechin, procyanin and carbohydrates are good sources for heartburn relief regimen, especially in curing the discomfort felt in the upper abdominal area.

5.       Aloe vera juice

Aloe vera juice is rich in vitamins A, B1,, B2, B3, C and E. It has a killing properties that can destroy helicobacter pylori, which can be responsible in triggering the acid production in the body. It also has an anti-inflammatory properties that relieves heartburn.

6.       Licorice

The high fiber content in licorice makes it an effective food in curing heartburn. It also helps prevent the gastric acid production caused by cholesterol buildup and re-absorption.

7.       Bananas

The natural antacid content in bananas can provide significant relief from heartburn symptoms. It can help clean the stomach and the digestive tract naturally and helps relieve constipation.

8.       Milk

Raw milk is effective in providing instant relief to heartburn. Adding honey to a milk can provide you a drink that is high in calcium content that will not only taste tasty but it also gives relief to stomach inflammation.

9.       Seafoods

Seafoods are rich in taurine, which is effective in reducing the production of gastric acid in the stomach. Taurine in your food diet will be good for the digestive system and can help reduce the risks of increased acid production that can result to heartburn.

10.   Lemon

Lemon contains acetic acid that is good in neutralizing heartburn and enhances the digestive process in the body. It also prevents stomach bloating and helps get rid of gas that can add to the discomfort of a heartburn symptom.

Foods to avoid that can trigger heartburns

Lifestyle changes and proper food selections can help you avoid the discomforts caused by heartburn symptoms. While you already know some of the best foods that are good for heartburn, you should also identify which foods to avoid as they can trigger your heartburn symptoms. This includes the following:

• Fatty foods
• Fried and oily foods
• Chocolate
• Mint products
• Tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato juice
• Pepper
• Mustard
• Carbonated drink
• Caffeinated drinks
• Grapefruit
• Citrus fruits
• Citrus drinks
• Spicy foods

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