Holiday Heartburn

With the last minute of rush of Christmas shopping, the seat-burning traffic jams in the city, and the round of Christmas parties and late night binges, it is not surprising to find many people stressed out from the so-called holidays. One common complaint is heartburn, which, as one patient describes, is “like having a giant fireball struck in your throat.”

This condition is one of the many signs of gastroesophalgeal reflux disease (GERD), a common ailment felt by millions of people daily. In the US alone, it is estimated that over 100 million adults monthly and at least 25 millions daily are afflicted.

“Gastroesophageal reflux” is derive from a Latin term meaning “stomach to esophagus flowing backwards.” The stomach contains many digestive enzymes and acids. If these flow back into the throat and voice box, a person will experience discomforts like chest pains, indigestion, hoarseness, and sore throat, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, and coughing.

How would you know if you’re suffering from GERD, since its symptoms are similar to those of other ailments? Cardiovascular ailments, for one, have similar symptoms as heartburn. Among those who are more liable to develop the symptoms are women in the first trimester of pregnancy, late night eaters, obese people, tea and coffee drinkers, smokers and alcohol drinkers, those with collagen vascular disease, people over 60 and those with stressful lifestyles. Don’t these cover a majority of people?

The general publics are solution antacids and other prescription drugs, which are more in demand this season. In fact, you may have notice a lot of antacid advertisements, but the problem with taking these antacids and prescription drugs is that they do not really cure the ailment. Once you stop taking them, the symptoms persist. Aren’t we advertised to see a doctor when this kind of condition arises?

Even if you do have a variety of antacid brands to choose from, and regardless of what the drug companies may put forward about you’re “need” to stick to your products, hold on to your hard-earned money. Don’t rush toward to your local drugstore to get some. GERD is not a hi-tech disease. It is highly treatable by more conservative, non-drug

methods. According to medical literatures, 90% to 95% of GERD victims have been treated without medication.

A stressful life is experienced by those working in and out of the house. Sometimes, it

is non-stop work from the moment a person opens his eyes to the time he goes back to sleep. Although stress is not a direct cause of acid reflux, it nevertheless contributes to the problem. Acid in the stomach are increased with stress. High-fat foods, late night eating, strong coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol are the grids of a stressful lifestyle.

What is wrong with eating late at night? First of all, you’re fueling up a vehicle (body)

which is about to go to the garage (sleep). This may not be such an accurate analogy because fuel just stays in the vehicle while the body continues its metabolism process even while at sleep. Lying down after eating at night disrupts the body’s normal acid handling mechanism. With the body lying horizontally, the esophagus makes the acid reflux easier to reach the upper throat. Swallowing and saliva production is reduced at night, which further adds to the problem. Hence, the acid reflux is neither swallowed nor neutralized as effectively while sleeping.

To check and treat GERD, stay away from offensive foods and habits. Have a program correcting your dietary habits and adopt an exercise to promote weight loss and reduce stress. You can also tilt your bed to facilitate the pull of gravity so acids won’t reflux to your throat. This done by raising the head of the bed to four to six inches, having a strong support for the legs of the bed, or having firm pillows by your head. Over 90% of those who have done these simple techniques have been effectively treated. Again, if symptoms persist, go see a more aggressive therapy.

Take it easy with the feasting and partying this Christmas. Happy Holidays!!!

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Nature's Warning Signs

No one gets sick overnight. Usually, nature sends her warning signals every time there is a breach of any law. If the person ignores her signals, and continues with his present diets and habits, then nature has no other recourse but deprive the person of his normal functions.
For instance due to a person's bad diet, unclean habits, and other distressful activities, less urination occurs. More toxins accumulate in the body. In the Ayurvedic medicine, the fire of the stomach becomes weak, so there is loss of appetite. The ingested food then cannot properly breakdown, resulting in constipation or loose bowel movement. This, in turn , affects the quantity of impure blood produced. when there is improper oxidation of blood, wastes are not eliminated.
An accumulation of carbon dioxides and toxins slows down the function of a particular organ, thereby reducing its vitality and increasing its fatigue. These accumulated wastes inhibit the flow and penetration of the internal energy and the recharging needed by that organ. This is how diseases flourish around the particular organ, later becoming reflected on the specific areas of the person's palms and soles.
Before looking for or getting some treatment or relief, we must first understand the language of the body. Body signals like belching indicates that the stomach is full. An ache or pain in the certain areas shows congestion of carbon dioxide, water, fire element, air. Runny nose or sneezing means the body is trying to throw out excess water.
Cough signals that the body is feeling cold or congestion has to be cleaed up the throat and the chest.
Itching shows that a greater flow of blood is required around the affected part. Fever indicates the war inside the body, i.e., the white blood cells, our well trained soldiers, battling with germs or pathogenic bacteria.
Loss of appetite reveals that the congestion and constipation, or the body is busy fighting the disease. In such a case, only lukewarm water and fruit juices or buttermilk should be taken instead of further taxing the stomach with food. Pain in the heart or chest pains shows that the heart is longing for total rest. Try to have some bed-rest for 24 to 72 hours.
Understanding the language of the body and paying heed of its warning signals is more vital than just taking in medications to suppress the symptoms. In some cases, the sudden stoppage of fever has oftentimes resulted in some worst disease-even in paralysis.
To obtain a quick relief from the early warning signs of a sick body and to break the vicious cycle of diseases mentioned, health experts advise age-old methods to recharge our inner battery or to make the subtle internal energy or chi circulate properly. One method is pranayam or deep abdominal breathing, where the abdomen expands upon inhalation and contracts upon exhalation. Drink lukewarm water or an electrolyte drink like Gatorade.
Skip a meal or two. Reduce food intake and have more fruits and vegetables juices and buttermilk, thereby allowing the digestive system to rest. Sleep recharges the battery of our body. More valuable than medicine is a good sleep, especially when one feels tired, or when there is pain in more than two or three points in your palms and soles.
One of the vital points check is the solar plexus, or the nabhi chakra, which is located below the sternum.
According to the Ayurvedas, this is the controlling center for all the organs below the diaphragm. There are ways to also confirm if the solar plexus is in the proper condition. In the morning, on an e,pty stomach, when you lie down on a hard surface on your back, press your navel with your finger or thumb. Throbbing sensations like that of the heart is felt. That means that the system is alright.
Another way of checking the condition of the solar plexus is measuring the distance between the right nipple and the navel and the left nipple and the navel. If the distance is equal, then you have no problem, but if the center has shifted upwards or downwards, then you've got a problem. Also, you can lie on your back, keeping yours arms straight on your sides. Keep the legs straight and the toes upright.
The two big toes must be level. If they are not, it indicates a disturbance in the solar plexus.
The center shifts upward or downward when excess weight is lifted, or when there is severe gas trouble. In such cases, the throbbing will not be noticed somewhere around the navel. The upward shifting of the solar plexus leads to constipation, and the downward shifting brings more motions every time there is a pressure. If a person has cancer of the colon, there is chronic constipation and it has been found out that the solar plexus has moved upwards. It is advisable to check the position of the solar plexus before starting a treatment. The solar plexus is like the mains springs of a watch. Unless it is set right, treatment may not give the desired result. Thanks to FLICKER & Marilitz "thoughts".