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.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Many Benefits of Massage

By William Sanders

People of all walks of life are getting themselves a therapeutic massage more often now than a decade ago. A number of reasons will be briefly discussed in this article.

Therapeutic massage is valuable in a number of ways and those who have taken themselves to massage centers can attest to this.

One, it assists in recuperation or healing process. It is inevitable for anyone exposed to strenuous exercise or activity to not feel tired and overly stressed. However, fast and efficient recovery may come to the rescue in the form of therapeutic massage. Such a recovery can include improved blood and lymph circulation, muscle relaxation and overall relaxation. Consequently, these lead to extraction of waste products and improved cell nutrition, stabilization of tissues, neutralization of trigger points, and faster healing of injuries which can result to relief from soreness and stiffness, enhanced flexibility, and reduced likelihood of future injury.

Two, it triggers the relaxation response. Over-training which is often associated with irritability, apathy, loss of appetite, insomnia and many more often occurs during heavy exercise or workout. However, therapeutic massage could thwart over-training because it stimulates relaxation. It relaxes tense muscles.

Three, it is a form of stress relief. Massage does help balance the effects of stress in our lives, reduce anxiety level and tension headaches, normalize blocked energy flow, improve the functioning of the immune system and restore a calm mind and feeling of well-being. What could be more rewarding then than a stress-free life or a stress-free day.

While the aforementioned benefits are quite obvious, studies have found out that massage is much more beneficial in treating depression, anxiety and many more emotional issues rather than the physical issues or those associated with physical pain.

We ought to consider that we need to take the initiative of maintaining a sound body and a sound mind. There is so much benefit in indulging yourself into a regular massage. The cost is worth it. Start feeling good in mind and body today by treating yourself to a relaxing massage! After all, our over-all health and well-being lie in our hands.

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