Health and Diet Blog

Ann Monahan asked:




Oh the pain of Constant Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease! 

If you are a sufferer of Constant Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease you know the nasty symptoms that come with these conditions.   Like most people I have suffered from this condition over the years and wanted to try some natural remedies to get relief. 

So what is Heartburn and Acid Reflux and why do I have it?   

It is a common digestive condition experienced by thousands of people.  The symptoms results from acidic contents of the stomach flowing back into the esophagus.  Some people experience hoarseness in the throat and a sour taste in the mouth and nose.  More commonly there is a feeling of burning in the chest which can last for hours. 

Constant heartburn and acid reflux pain can also be caused by lifestyle habits which may include weight gain, smoking, alcohol consumption, eating fatty or fast foods, eating too quickly, eating heavy meals, eating just before going to bed, and eating foods high in acidity. 

Common food triggers include:  coffee, caffeinated and carbonated beverages, mint products including mint tea, citrus fruit, chocolate, tomato products and fatty foods. 

What can I do about it? 

For the majority of occasional heartburn sufferers making a few changes will greatly improve their condition and reduce painful symptoms.  Food triggers may be different from person to person.  If you really want to pinpoint the specific items that cause your pain, you should try totally eliminating potential trigger products to see if your Heartburn is caused by one or more food items.  You can also keep a daily diary of the foods you eat and when heartburn does occur, evaluate the foods you have eaten and take steps to reduce or eliminate those items. 

To find out if smoking or consuming alcohol are your triggers, just making a reduction in the amount you consume and see if you experience relief.  You do not necessarily have to eliminate all the things you enjoy; just reducing the amounts can help.  

What else should I do? 

Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing weight, starting a light exercise program such as regular walking, eating smaller meals and slowing down when you eat have been know to help people with their symptoms.    

Additional helpful hints include – wearing looser fitting clothing, not eating too close to bedtime and raising the head of your bed about 2-3 inches with a block under the legs. 

Generally speaking, a healthier lifestyle will make a big difference in how you feel. Be sure to check with your doctor when undertaking any lifestyle changes, especially a new exercise program.  Also keep in mind that there are other gastro esophageal reflux diseases which unlike occasional heartburn can be more serious and should be evaluated by your doctor.

Drake Levoux asked:


Below is a review for a book by acid reflux and heartburn expert Jeff Martin. Want to know if it’s for you? Keep reading!

Don’t you just hate taking a nice, delicious sip of orange juice, only to feel heartburn or acid reflux later? You’re not alone, and so many of the medications out right now not only fix the problem that happens at the time (not permanently) but come with the possibility of side-effects that can just make the condition worse. A program called Heartburn No More by Jeff Martin, a certified nutritionist, medical researcher, and health consult, plans to make this problem go away with his methods to get rid of acid reflux once and for all. On paper, this sounds like a great acid reflux cure that can save you money and discomfort, but can it really live up to all the hype? Let’s see.

Upon going to this products website, you will see a good amount of promises from the writer of this product, but I’ll just go over the promises that are the most appealing to me. The first promise is that this product can act as an acid reflux cure and end your acid reflux permanently. This is true and in fact, that’s the main idea of this entire product. It works to make sure your symptoms are gone and that you can live more comfortably without it using money saving tips and remedies in five straight-forward steps. It might even go over some reasons why you’ve had no luck getting rid of acid reflux before.

Click Here to go to Acid Reflux expert Jeff Martin’s website and check it out yourself!

Want to know more about it? Keep reading!



Another very important promise is that it will eliminate your risk of cancer, high blood pressure, or Alzheimer’s that you get as side effects from regular medications. This is also true. Heartburn No More is around 150 pages long and acid reflux isn’t the only thing that can be cured by following the steps you’ll find inside. The remedies you’ll find in Heartburn No More are either more natural or a lot cheaper than the conventional medications, which will in the long run cure you of acid reflux and more.

The last benefit that I’ll go over is that this will help you experience increased mental clarity, enthusiasm, and vitality. This is true, not only will the remedies help your acid reflux, but it will also help other problems such as constant chest pressure and pain or burping.

This book does contain some absolutely VITAL tips, such as the top 10 foods to avoid, top 10 anti-acid reflux foods, the cardinal sin of acid reflux sufferers that they THINK is curing it, but is actually making it harder for their body to fight against acid reflux, and more.

I will say that that this product is not claiming to be a quick way to end acid reflux. While it will cure your acid reflux permanently, you’ll have to commit to these 5 steps. Heartburn No More won’t heal you overnight.

Use this product if you are looking for alternative methods to ending your acid reflux disease, as it is a nicely written, comprehensive guide to ending acid reflux without the risk of side-effects you get from drugs. At r.ecommended.com, this product was able to receive a very healthy 4.03/5 score. Even more than that though is that the product is in the top 5% and that only .37% of people have asked for a refund for any reason. I recommend it if you are looking for a better guide to a more natural and rewarding acid reflux cure. For more information Click Here!

Shanat Kuphur asked:




IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is characterized by abdominal pain. Other symptoms include cramping, gas, diarrhea, constipation or bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome affects the colon or the large bowel. Irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease but a functional disorder. Irritable bowel syndrome means that the bowel is not functionally properly or correctly. The cause of Irritable bowel syndrome is still a mystery; doctors are not able to give a proper answer for the cause of Irritable bowel syndrome. Those affected have sensitive nerves and muscles in their bowel, i.e., muscles that contract too much when eating. Such contractions cause diarrhea and cramping after a meal or during meal. The reason for cramping or pain is that the nerves may react while the bowel is stretching. Irritable bowel syndrome is very painful but not dangerous for other organs or does not lead to more health problems.

Chronic diarrhea or constipation, mucus, which is in white color in your stool, swollen abdomen or an uneasy feeling in your stomach are symptoms. Women with Irritable bowel syndrome suffer more symptoms during their menstrual periods.

Doctor may find that you have Irritable bowel syndrome due to its symptoms. The most specific of Irritable bowel syndrome is a Rome criterion that is widely used for diagnosis of Irritable bowel syndrome. The best ways to diagnosis is undergoing medical tests after every six months. The medical tests you need to undergo for Irritable Bowel Syndrome are Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series and Colonoscopy. In lower gastrointestinal (GI) series, x-rays are you to diagnose the problem. Where as in colonoscopy the doctor inserts a long thin tube with a camera into your colon. Doctors can view inside the colon with the help of the camera on the screen.

Treatment means a proper diet, taking medicines on time, taking less stress. Diet for Irritable bowel syndrome do not include fatty foods, French fries is the enemy. Ice cream, cheese, chocolate, alcohol, soft drinks, coffee are allies making Irritable bowel syndrome worse. Your diet must be according to the food pyramid. Apples and peaches are favorable to Irritable bowel syndrome. Vegetables like broccoli and cabbage are also good. Intake of cereals and beans like kidney beans and lima beans help to take care of Irritable bowel syndrome. Doctors suggest taking fibre pills or drinking water with high-fiber powder. Eating small meals for Irritable bowel syndrome is helpful. Medicines suggested by doctors should be taken on time for Irritable bowel syndrome. Keeping you busy with less stressful work like your hobbies help Irritable bowel syndrome to be away from you to some extent.

The method of hypnosis is also used for the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome. You don’t need to make special accommodations in your busy schedule to fit in hypnosis sessions, so there’s no question of taking medical leaves. You can begin hypnosis to treat IBS right at home. You simply need to download hypnosis for IBS and listen to your MP3. This will help you relax and transcend., you will reach a new level of peace and concentration where stress and the irritable present condition do not bother you.

Darrell Miller asked:




Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized as abdominal pain and discomfort, gas and bloating, loose and frequent bowel movements, or constipation. Naturopaths for years have observed beneficial effects of acidophilus on IBS. Now there are clinical controlled studies to back up what the naturopaths have been saying for years. Acidophilus can boost intestinal flora (probiotics) and stabilize the intestines helping people get relief from IBS.

You may be wondering what is a probiotic? The term probiotic comes from ‘pro’, which means ‘for’, and ‘bios’, which means ‘life’. So probiotic means ‘for life’. Probiotic is a term used to describe nutritional supplements that contain live bacteria. Almost every brand of supplements out there has its own form of probiotic supplement.

Two of the most abundant and best known probiotics in the intestines are Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus. These probiotics adhere to the intestinal walls and multiply helping keep our bodies healthy. Probiotics help keep fungus and yeast cells at bay. Probiotics help keep your stool soft, well formed, and aids in bowel movements. Probiotics can manufacture B vitamins and vitamin K; they also make lactase the enzyme that digests milk, and dairy products like cheese. Probiotics can help prevent cholesterol from entering the blood stream which means it can lower your total blood level cholesterol. Probiotics can bring balance to the immune system. Probiotics can also reduce dental cavities, aid in weight loss, make our bones strong and healthy, help control acne and help prevent illness such as cancer and autism. They help prevent Gastro intestinal (GI) infections in children who attend day care and elderly who live in a nursing home. In fact, almost 70 percent of the body’s immune system is actually located inside the GI tract. (1)

It’s clear that probiotics are essential for proper intestinal health and over all health of the body. These probiotics will grow and multiple in the intestines all your life. It’s easy for the probiotic balance to change and stop multiplying; it’s as simple as getting the flue or traveling to a distant land or if one develops an infection and needs antibiotics. Antibiotics can devastate the probiotic colony in the intestines. The colony of probiotics can easily be overwhelmed so daily supplementation is something everybody should consider for optimal health.

One double blind, placebo controlled study tested over 350 women with IBS. They consumed 1 billion Bifidobacterium each day for four weeks. The women consuming the probiotic experienced a significant reduction in symptoms of IBS. Higher and lower doses were also tried with little added benefit. (2) Another study conducted administered 450 billion cells daily for eight weeks. This study combined Bifidobacterium, lactobacillus and streptococcus blend of probiotics. Patients reported significant improvement in bowel control and less abdominal pain and bloating after 8 weeks. (3)

Choosing the right probiotic is very important. At a minimum, look for a probiotic that is enteric coated. Stomach acid will destroy these live bacteria and enteric coated capsules can help preserve these beneficial bacteria for where they are needed, the intestinal tract.

Probiotics are very vulnerable to the elements. Probiotics are anaerobic organisms so oxygen can kill them. Sunlight or artificial light can kill probiotics; they love the dark and thrive in the lightlessness of the intestines. Make sure you keep your bottle sealed because probiotics do not like moisture either.

You man be thinking why should I buy a probiotic supplement when I can just eat yogurt? This is a good question! Take a look at your yogurt label or better yet look at what’s not on the label. No matter how many lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were present at the time of manufacturing, there’s no telling how many bacteria is left at the time you eat the yogurt, there is no probiotic potency guarantee. Look for a guarantee with x amount of probiotics on the label per serving. When you eat yogurt there is nothing protecting the probiotics from harsh stomach acids so the amounts that actually make it down to the intestinal tract is very little.

Almost all health problems experienced today are related in some way to the process of digestion. Keep your digestive tract as healthy as possible by taking a high quality probiotic that are viable and robust, that has a guarantee of potency and that is enteric coated. Make sure you take it daily for optimal health.

References:

1. Porth CM. Principles of digestion. In: Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 2002:136-145.

2. Whorwell PJ, et al. Efficiency of an encapsulated probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol, 2006; 101(7): 1581-90.

3. Kim HJ, et al. A randomized controlled trial of probiotic, VSL#3, on guy transit and symptoms in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003; 17(7) 895-904.

Keith George asked:




Heartburn is a common symptom caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. It is also identified as one of the causes of asthma and chronic cough. Even though heartburn is common, it is rarely life threatening. It is an unpleasant burning sensation under the breastbone that usually occurs after a meal. But a recent Gallup poll concluded that nighttime heartburn is also quite common. Although the pain of heartburn is felt in the chest, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart.

My heartburn is caused by a backup of stomach acid into my esophagus. Heartburn is a recognized medical condition – or at least some types of it are. If heartburn is a continual or severe problem, it’s a good idea to see your doctor. Clinical studies add further support to the concept that functional heartburn is not just a misdiagnosed GERD but rather a distinct entity. It is quite common, and an occasional episode is generally nothing to worry about. You may not know that chronic heartburn is linked to esophageal cancer and you may be surprised to learn that a major cause of heartburn is smoking.

Occasional acid indigestion symptoms or heartburn is common in most people. These symptoms can sometimes last up to 2 hours or longer. Wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms are appearing in adulthood. While these are the main symptoms of heartburn not all GERD symptoms will be the same and the disease may be present even without apparent symptoms.

Listen in as doctors explain the symptoms of heartburn, when you can safely self-medicate, and what warning signs require medical evaluation. An estimated 7 percent to 10 percent of the adult population in the United States experience symptoms of GERD every day. One should consult a physician for persistent symptoms. The burning and pressure symptoms of heartburn can last for several hours and are often worsen after eating. Remember that if you experience the symptoms you are not alone. The symptoms of heartburn are very common and in most cases, over the counter treatments and lifestyle changes are sufficient for providing relief.

Home treatment, such as lifestyle changes and nonprescription medicines, may be all that is needed to treat mild to moderate heartburn. Zanprol Tablets are a short course of 2 to 4 weeks of treatment that can stop recurrent heartburn for weeks at a time. New minimally invasive treatment for reflux stops heartburn. Natural herbal indigestion remedy and acid reflux treatment for natural acid reflux gives relief. The two most commonly used drugs for treatment of heartburn are H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). NEXIUM is for the treatment of frequent and persistent heartburn symptoms. But, prevention and treatment of heartburn starts with lifestyle changes.

However, heartburn is a medical condition with biological causes and it is an unpleasant burning sensation under the breastbone. It is also much more than an annoyance and you should treat it. Fortunately, it is usually very simple to treat and even to avoid. It is a more common problem in todays world and although it is not a condition itself – it is a symptom and a pain in the butt, especially at night when it can keep you from sleeping.