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.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Have I Got A Drinking Problem - A Frequently Asked Question

By Ed Philips

If you have gotten to the point of questioning whether or not you have a drinking problem you are probably at the point where you actually do. More than that, if the people around you have been commenting on the amount of alcohol you drink then you may want to listen up. You do have a drinking problem if you are at the point where alcohol is negatively affecting your life and you are continuing to drink.

The positive side to having in a drinking problem is that the majority of people can just stop drinking alcohol with self determination. So many people that drink regulary will reach a point that they get into trouble while drunk, and the next day they decide to just wipe the slate clean and to continue on with their lives without consuming alcohol.

Regrettably there are many out there who simply do not have the inner fortitude to follow through and quit cold turkey. If you have decided to quit but find yourself continuing to reach for a drink then the problem becomes one of dependency and even alcohol abuse. Alcoholism is reached when this behavior becomes normal.

If your life has become affected by your drinking habits and you wish to quit but are unsure if you can do it on your own there is help available. You might want to talk with your doctor as withdrawal medications may be necessary as well as guiding you along the right path towards sobriety. If you are looking to join a support group Alcoholics Anonymous is a national group with meetings in nearly every city.

The largest library in the world, the internet, is another option for finding groups that can support you in your efforts to live a life free from the reliance on alcohol. Talking with others who are on the same path as you and who understand what you are going through is important for your success in this battle.

About the Author:

No comments: