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 22, 2009

Tips For Using Sunscreen

By Sanjib Sarkar

Sunblock is used by millions to help stop sun burn and skin cancer. However, if you do not have the proper sunscreen, it will not stop sun burn or skin cancer. Using these tips, you can stop sunburn and protect yourself against skin caner.

Tip #1 Use Sun Block With A SPF Of 30 Or Higher

SPF 30 provides protection for most of the day. For example if you get sun burn in 10 minutes, SPF 30 will protect you for 300 minutes. If you use SP 15, you will be protected from the sun for 150 minutes.

Tip #2 Use Sunblock That Offer Broad Spectrum Protection

The sun has both UVA and UVB rays. Broad spectrum sunscreen offers protection from both of these types of rays. UVA rays are present when there is no sun. This ray can lead to skin cancer. UVB is present when there is sun. UVB may cause sun burn and skin cancer if your skin is not covered with sunblock.

Tip #3 Be Sure To Reapply Sun Block Early And Often

Sunscreen is broken down by water. This even happens to waterproof sunblock. Frequently apply sunblock at least one time per hour if you are near or in water. Use the sunscreen daily.

Tip #4 Apply Sunscreen in the shade.

UVA rays are still touching your skin even thought their is no sunlight.

Tip #5 Oxybenzone should not be in your sunscreen.

Oxybenzone is a toxic sunscreen that soaks into the skin which might be a contributing factor to skin cancer. Instead look for sunscreen that contains Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide.

Tip #6 New Sun Screen Should Be Purchased Yearly

Many sunblock do not provide the same level of defense after a year of time. The sunblock loses the amount of sun defense that they once could give.

Tip #7 Get Some Rest At Noon

The proper time to get out of the sun is 12:00PM. The rays from the sun are the much stronger during the 12:00PM to 3:00PM time period.

Tip #8 Sun Glasses, Hats and Tight Shirts Are Needed For Extra Protection

Wear UV sunglasses to protect your eyes, hat to protect your scalp and tight shirt to protect your body from the sun.

Tip #9 Be Extra Careful When Going To The Beach

Sand and water reflect sunlight more intensely. Sunblock needs to be reapplied more often than usual when going to the beach. Sunlight intensity also increases at higher altitudes.

Tip #10 Water Should Be Consumed Frequently

Drinking water frequently improves sun protection and keeps your skin from drying out.

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