Heartburn or GERD can Kill

Heartburn is a common annoyance. The busy lifestyle, quick meals, fatty or spicy foods all contribute to the occasional need of a chewable pain reliever. The acceptance of heartburn as an inconvenient, but natural, part of the daily grind can blind you to the warning that a severe heartburn symptom can bring.

Heartburn as a Disorder

Heartburn can be a symptom as well as a disorder. Simple heartburn or GERD can be controlled and dealt with. However, heartburn can signal the presence of a much more serious problem. If it’s heartburn, you will have a burning sensation in the chest usually after eating. There may be a spread of the burning to the throat, sometimes accompanied by a bad taste, difficulty in swallowing, belching, coughing, hoarseness and/or wheezing.

It can become worse by lying down or bending over or by eating. Relief can come from an antacid. While the more severe heartburn symptoms may be mistaken for a heart attack, simple heartburn is usually not made worse by exercise. If there is any concern that the pain may signal a heart attack, get help quickly.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Baby Ear Thermometers - Quickest and Most Accurate Temperature Measurement

By Chloe Wells

All babies get ill for time to time and an increase in temperature is nothing unusual. It's the body's natural reaction to help fight off micro-organisms. However, occasionally the body can overreact which leads to dangerous rises in core body temperature which can be very serious. Monitoring your baby's temperature during illness is therefore very important.

Traditional methods (normally the rectal route) are still often used. However, many babies dislike this method and resist. Conventional thermometers are also slow to reach a steady temperature and settle on an accurate reading.

The baby ear thermometer represents a great development. Due to costs it was previously only used by health care professionals who needed a very quick and accurate reading. However, now costs have reduced so significantly they are now readily available to all for home use.

Baby ear thermometers work by quantifying levels of invisible radiation called infra-red. All warm objects give off infra-red radiation including our bodies and by measuring the amounts given off using electrical sensors it is possible to calculate the temperature of the source. And, unlike conventional thermometers the measurement and calculation is virtually instantaneous.

The ear represents one of the optimal sites for measuring body temperature. Inserting a small sensor into the ear causes minimal discomfort and stress. The ear is also not affected by fluctuations in local temperature (such as inside the mouth for instance where recent hot or cold drinks can have a big impact).

Generally speaking baby ear thermometers are very easy to use. You normally just place them in the ear canal, push a button and wait for a second or so for the result to appear on the display. Some of the very best also provide you with feedback while you are using them. For example they will tell you when the thermometer is in the correct place to give a reading and also tell you when an accurate reading has been obtained. Some even warm up the ear piece to avoid discomfort and increase the accuracy of the reading.

Baby ear thermometers are not solely for use on babies. They can in fact often be used in the whole family ranging all the way up to adults.

Although there are many options available to all parents baby ear thermometers represent one of the most practical and cost effective methods of monitoring your baby's body temperature during illness. They are extremely easy to use and the costs now make them an option for all families. They are a great investment which you will use again and again.

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