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.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Panic Attacks How To Stop Them

By Clifton Allwood

The fact is that panic attacks frequently happen to anyone with no warning so whenever someone experiences an attack, it is critical that you recognize what what you can do through understanding what exactly a panic attack entails. A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming abhorrence or even anxiety which manifests itself inside a person boasting numerous indications as well as symptoms. Throughout an attack, an individual goes through many symptoms including some of these: elevated pulse rate, chest pain, hyperventilation, upset stomach, muscle tension, trembling sensation, sweating, period of dizziness, temperature variations, numbness, detached feeling, feeling of not being in control and a fear of impending doom.

Seek for emergency medical help because it's critical to look for a health professional especially if a person experiences a panic attack for their initial time. Isolate the root of the symptoms since the signs and symptoms of a attack are like medical conditions i.e. hyperventilation or even shortness of breath could be an indicator of asthma, while pains in the chest, elevated pulse or trembling and sweating can be a heart attack. Consult with the individual and decide if the ailments are caused by other conditions although, if you're unsure, a physical would be a great help.

While waiting for assistance, find the cause of attack. When it's determined that the catalyst of the symptoms is really a panic attack, find the source of this attack and remove the individual from the source however don't assume you know what it is this individual requires. A person who is suffering from the attack may understand exactly what action to take or possesses pills that would move them through this attack, therefore it is good to ask. Don't surprise the sufferer, so be predictable with your moves which also means you must not snatch, handle or restrain. Keep them calm and stay calm yourself - you can achieve this by reassuring the person that everything is going to be fine but do not dismiss his fear by saying "don't worry about it". Take note that the fear is very real to the victim so it dismissing the fear has no effect or can even make the matter worse.

Help the patient to control their breathing since many people breathe heavily throughout a panic attack, though others hold their breath. Employing a deep respiration method is an extremely effective way to purge the symptoms of the attack as well as calm the individual. Guide the person and tell him to breathe in for three slower long seconds, then ask them to hold their breath for three slow counts and then exhale out for about three slow counts. Do this many times till the individual becomes calm but as an alternative you could additionally tell them to exhale into a paper bag. This way, he'll recycle the carbon dioxide which helps correct the blood acid level which had been disturbed by excessive breathing however be cautious when using paper bags as they might cause another terror.

Remain with the individual throughout his ordeal especially if they are experiencing difficulty breathing. Most importantly be, even if they're abrasive or unfriendly towards you, just understand that it's not permanent and should go back to normal when this ordeal is over. Do not forget that for the person, the fears are very tangible so reassure the individual that assistance is forthcoming. Never allow the patient to perform anything that will put his life at risk.

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