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.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Choosing The Right Organic Mattress

By Liliana Token

The bedroom is one of the places where a person spends the most time. Imagine coming home to sleep on a comfortable, relaxing organic mattress. Some people actually prefer sleeping the floor but I can't understand it personally.

About 1/3 of a persons life is spent sleeping in bed. A mattress is definitely a good investment. Organic mattresses currently promote health and well being as well. The main benefit are the natural ingredients of the mattress.

Some of the natural materials include organic wool, organic cotton and natural lateex. These materials all have varying levels of firmness. Organic mattresses can be of two types: innerspring or rubber. With both types, synthetic and chemical ingredients are avoided.

Not only are mattresses ecofriendly, they are also very beneficial to a person's health. Many chemicals in traditional mattresses used to make it fire retardent may give off invisible fumes. These fumes are really harmful to humans and can cause long term problems.

Another selling point of organic mattresses is that they are long lasting. Up to twenty to twenty-five years of normal wear and tear. They are so comfortable that they can help reduce back pain and regulate the heart rate.

Organic mattresses are also dust mite resistent and allergen free. This is a huge boon for people with asthma and other breathing problems because the mattress doesn't carry any of the things that will aggravate the asthma.

When purchasing an organic mattress, there are several things to consider. One of those things is your body type. There are skinny body frames and bigger body frames. For bigger bodies, you want to get a mattress that has extra padding and comfort.

Organic mattresses are such a good investment for the price range they are at now. There really isn't a price that you can put on your own health. You have to try it to believe it.

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What Do Omega 3 Fatty Acids Have To Do With Fetal Development?

By Peter Bertonich

There is a fat called DHA that is found right throughout our bodies. It is called an essential fatty acid, and it is essential in fetal brain development as well as other aspects of fetal development.

And it is also found in breast milk.

A developing fetus or baby cannot produce enough DHA in it's own body, so it gets it's supply from it's mother. Before birth they get it from the placenta, and after birth they get it from her breast milk. And for this reason a pregnant or nursing woman is losing some of her supply of DHA every day.

For this reason experts recommend an Omega 3 supplement to mothers to be and breast feeding mothers. Both to supplement the DHA that baby is getting, and to maintain their own supplies. There are other supplements also recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers, like folic acid, but Omega 3 fats high in DHA are now on the list.

This is important for several aspects of fetal development, such as brain and eye development and more.

There are several recommendations for the amount of DHA to be taken each day, recommendations vary around 200 to 300 mg per day. And we are unlikely to get enough DHA, or omega 3 acids, through our diet.

Fish oil is the major, though not the only, source of DHA. Omega 3 fats found in fish are high in DHA. However there are some experts that are suggesting that moms do not take fish oil supplements high in DHA.

The fish at the high end of the food chain contain the most Omega 3 fats and so would be the obvious choice for a supply of DHA, but some experts believe that these fish are contaminated with some pollutants found in the sea like PCBs and mercury, and that mothers shouldn't be exposed to these.

And certainly there are fish oil supplements that can contain higher levels of heavy metals and other sea borne contaminants.

There is in fact a number of different international standards relating to acceptable levels of contamination. But it's better to have no contamination, and luckily there is one company that seeks to achieve this. This company manufactures their omega 3 supplements a standard way higher than any of the international standards. This is good news for moms and soon to be moms, and for any of us, as we should all be taking Omega 3 fish oils supplements for our health.

It is now quite clear that pregnant and nursing mothers ought to all be taking Omega 3 fish oils supplements, both for their own health and the health of their babies and infants.

Fortunately there are now clean Omega 3 fish oil supplements available that eliminate the need to worry about chemical contamination. Visit my website to find out where to source these.

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The Best Natural Supplement

By Raji Jones

Researchers have shown that natural anti oxidants are very powerful to tackle cancer and even Diabetes Type1. Resveratrol is the natural extract of red wine and grapes. According to a recent study in Europe and America it has been revealed that resveratrol is a phytolexin produced by the plants when under attack by bacteria and fungi. Resveratrol is one of the most influential chemical components which can tackle the aging of the skin cells. Resveratrol has a long history. it was firstly discovered in the roots of Japanese Knotweed. Europeans have lately showed their interest in adapting resveratrol as an integral part of their daily diet.

Resveratrol is treated as the best red wine extract as it also has a brilliant impact on the aging process of the body. It can easily slow down the aging of the skin cells thus making it a point that there are no wrinkles or fine laugh marks on the facial skin.

The research has focused on resveratrol's ability to improve certain sensitivities in human beings to insulin. This in turn may lead to better treatments for type 2 diabetes, in the case where human cells become less sensitive to insulin. The collaborative American- Chinese study has shown that resveratrol activates an enzyme called SIRT1. The SIRT1 then suppresses a molecule known as PTP1B that normally decreases insulin activity. Thus proving it to be one of the very rare anti oxidants that is exemplary in suppressing diabetes.

Various researches have shown that resveratrol is the best anti oxidant to tackle cancer especially pancreatic cancer. It a very efficient way to tackle obesity as it works as a calorie restriction mechanism. Resveratrol supplement can regulate the hypothalamus as a way to reduce diet induced obesity.

Resveratrol supplements are the most convenient option in the market as it ensures that there is no overdose of this product as it may then cause dizziness and mild headaches.

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Essential Tips To How Essential Oils In Aromatherapy

By Marie Wood

At the point where you are looking to use aromatherapy and learn the different types of oils available, you will recognise that doing so is a good way to relax and unwind, and will help you rejuvenate your own body. Also, you will see that this process can be fun and interesting, and that it can be an interesting way to start a romantic evening with that person you love. You are probably new to aromatherapy and this short guide will help you see what aromatherapy is all about and how it can help you in your daily life. By reading through this basic aromatherapy guide, you will see that the practice of aromatherapy and using essential oils is straight forward as long as you fully understand the different things.

Firstly, you will need to learn the different guidelines when looking to purchase quality essential oils. You should not confuse these true aromatherapy essential oils with a number of perfumed and fragrance oils which are currently on the market. You will find that all too often that vendors try to pass off these types of oils which have a combination of fragrance and chemicals. You will discover that true pure essential oils actually come from the essence of the plant and they provide individuals with therapeutic benefits. Also, you will see that fragrance oils can smell nice for some time but will not provide you with any psychological or physical benefits.

When you are first getting started with aromatherapy it is a good idea to look for a good comprehensive aromatherapy book or even take an aromatherapy course as a way of learning as much as you can.

It isn't difficult to get started with learning the different parts of aromatherapy or indeed understanding the different essential oils which are available to and their combinations to make maximum impact. When you read an aromatherapy guide you will learn to appreciate the different guidelines in the use of essential oils and how you can combine these for the most benefit.

Some of the best essential oils to get started with include lavender and chamomile; which can help you to relax, unwind and get a good night's sleep. If you're looking for something to uplift and energize you consider essential oils such as orange and grapefruit.

Be aware that essential oils should not be used in an undiluted form for physical application. Undiluted is fine for inhalation or steam inhalation as well as freshening a room or your laundry, but if you intend to use your oils for an aromatherapy bath or massage they must be combined with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil.

And, finally, you should consider it important to learn how to keep and store your essential oils. A good aromatherapy guide will have a section that talks through the way to store your essential oils and should instruct you to store them in dark glass bottle such as cobalt blue or amber. The purpose of these bottles is to keep the oil cool and you should then store them in a dark area. Also, having a wooden box to store and carry them in is a good idea as you can take them with you wherever you go.

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Antidepressant Bipolar Medication For Treating Bipolar Symptoms Of Depression

By Ken P Doyle

Where do they go when people are depressed? This bipolar symptom of depression is a crippling disease and if left not treated over time can get worse and in the process claim lives. Medication can help people with the disease and get out of their depression because science and medical research has proven that.

The Mind

This is a question most people are asking when they try and deal with depression in bipolar is; where does all this begin?. The brain which is responsible for looking after our basic motor skills, such as walking, handling things, is also responsible in the way we feel (emotions).

Bipolar Depression

In one sentence, it is the outside world that acts as a catalyst for the brain to think the way it acts and so are the emotions. People who are not bipolar get depressed after hearing bad news, looking at an event or tasting something awful. But, even when there is nothing to be depressed about, people with bipolar disorder symptoms often get depressed. Their mood can change from increased energy (extreme happiness) down to low energy level (depression).

Bipolar Depression

The person with bipolar symptoms, in a depressive mood, will experience long durations of sadness, feelings of being pessimistic, hopelessness, empty moods and feelings of guilt. They also experience worthlessness, loss of interest in activities that are considered to be pleasurable such as sex, sleeping too much or none at all, feelings of irritability and thoughts of death or suicide. When in this depressed state, they can think about committing suicide and can eventually take their own lives.

Bipolar Disorder: Treatments and Medications

There are two main focuses of treatment; psychotherapy (non medicinal) and medication (prescribed drugs) for this mental illness. It is a serious disease that should be treated with careful management and as soon as the bipolar signs and symptoms appear.

Psychotherapy

Useful especially for those going through mood changes this type of therapy helps them control their emotions better. But, in extreme cases where psychotherapy is not enough, bipolar medication is prescribed for this bipolar symptom to normalize the mood swings.

How can drugs help depression?

Special chemicals called neurotransmitters such as "serotonin" and "norepinephrine," are used by the different parts of the brain to exchange information. It is widely believed that the increase level of these chemicals are linked to the depressive mood in people although it has not been proven that low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine cause depression in bipolar. Antidepressants drugs are prescribed to lift up these brain chemicals.

Common Antidepressants

The two most common groups of drugs in the market today are:

(SSRI) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Increases the brain's serotonin level , and when this chemical is increased the mood improves.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) MAOI's are very effective in fighting depression.

Final Warning

The risk of overdose for some of these drugs can be lethal and if it says avoid certain food or alcohol, please adhere to the strict warning. So all bipolar medication must be used strictly as prescribed by physicians or your doctor. Look after your life it is both important and precious.

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