How to Cure GERDs
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Heartburn, named for the burning feeling experienced near the heart, actually to do with the heart. Its cause is stomach acid that has moved up into the esophagus. This happens when the valve located between the stomach and the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, thereby creating the burning sensation in the chest or throat associated with heart burn.
Much attention has been focused on helping heartburn patients and many theories as to the root of heartburn have been put forth. The most likely perpetrator to activate heartburn is typically considered to be specific foods or beverages, although which food triggers the problem can be different for each individual sufferer. On average, approximately 10 percent of the total population and up to 25 percent of the pregnant population, experiences heartburn on any given day.
Frequent, recurring heartburn is referred to as acid reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Stomach acid was intended to remain in the stomach to aid in digestion. The lining of the esophagus is not able to withstand stomach acid, causing as many as ten to fifteen percent of diagnosed GERD victims more extensive however, and may even include such things as asthma, hoarseness, chronic cough, laryngitis or even non-cardiac chest pain.
Still the effects of heartburn may not be quite as blush. Only about seven percent of those diagnosed with GERD suffer bouts of heartburn every day and need treatment daily. About 30 to 40 percent of the remaining acid reflux disease patients suffer from heartburn only about once a month. This second group really does not need daily treatments for acid reflux disease but should instead use them on an as-needed basis, thus saving themselves the expense of daily treatment regimen of taking medicine every day.
The typical prescribed for heartburn and GERD sufferers includes some old stand-bys like over the counter antacids and newer medications including H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Other self-help treatments are still used by many including taking an antacid or other medication prior to eating a meal suspected to be a heartburn initiator, thus heading off heartburn before it has time to even begin. Raising the head of the bed to prevent stomach acid from moving up the esophagus appears to help some heartburn patients, as does simply eating smaller meals and reducing weight to relieve pressure on the stomach and esophagus.
An old reliable treatment, however, may still be the easiest at relieving heartburn and when taken on a regular schedule may even be helpful in curing the damage that stomach acid may have inflicted on the esophagus. That treatment, particularly good for pregnant heartburn sufferers, is simply consuming milk every day. Easy to come by and fairly cheap, easy to use, a great source of calcium for your bones and pleasant to drink, consuming milk could be the best advice for many of the heartburn sufferers out there.
Learn more about chronic illness remedies at www.ChronicIllnessCures.com
Acid Reflux - What It Is
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Acid Reflux is something we tend to hear about quite a bit these days. And yet, many people still aren’t clear about what this condition really is. For instance, did you know that acid reflux is often mistaken for heart burn? Did you know that children and infants suffer from it as well? The best way to treat this condition is to know exactly what it is.
GERD
Acid Reflux is the common name for the condition known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. This occurs when there is a problem between the stomach and esophagus. When you eat, the food travels down your esophagus and enters the stomach, which is then closed off by something known as the esophageal sphincter. Normally, the foods, liquids and stomach acids stay in the stomach- but for a person with acid reflux, the stomach contents will re-enter the esophagus.
While the stomach is specially designed to deal with the acids that are produced during digestion, the esophagus is not. As a result, this ‘reflux’ can cause a burning sensation along the chest, throat and sometimes, the back of the mouth. It is this burning sensation that often leads people to mistakenly believe that they have heartburn.
What’s The Difference?
So how can you tell if you’ve got acid reflux or heartburn? Firstly, acid reflux will usually appear more than twice a week. It will also be accompanied by other symptoms like chest pains, dry cough and bad breath. You will also have a feeling that something is stuck in your throat and you may experience hoarseness when you awaken in the morning. Other symptoms include a sensation of being choked and difficulty in swallowing.
While these are the most common symptoms, it’s best to see a doctor to get professional diagnosis. Most patients will have to take acid-suppressive therapy in order to diagnose the condition. In some cases, additional tests such as an upper endoscopy, barium x-rays, Esophageal Manometry or an Esophageal PH Monitor Examination may also be prescribed.
If this condition is not treated quickly, it could lead to complications in the esophagus and stomach. Dealing with Acid Reflux quickly will put your health back on track and make life a lot more enjoyable for you.
Best Natural Remedy For Cold Sores
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With cold and flu season not too far away, for some of us it is also cold sore season! Are you one of those people who suffers from cold sores during this time? They are aggravating and downright ugly! If you’re like me, you get sick to your stomach when you feel it coming, because you know you have at least two weeks before it will be gone. The following article gives some helpful tips and advice to help speed up the healing process:
Cold sores also called fever blisters. Cold sores are caused by a viral infection that attacks the skin and nervous system. They are sometimes confused with impetigo, which usually develops between the nose and upper lip. Fluid that weeps from impetigo is cloudy and honey-colored. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and they’re contagious. Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 are two strains of the Herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, which cause infections in humans. HSV establishes latency, during which the virus is present in the cell bodies of nerves which innervate the area of original outbreak. During reactivation, virus is produced in the cell and transported outwardly via the nerve cell’s axon to the skin.
Looking for a good home remedy for cold sores? While you will hear about all types and kinds of a home remedy for cold sores, there are a few that have been shown to work. For anyone who has suffered with a cold sore you know how painful it can be. And since they will typically last from 10-14 days, finding relief becomes a priority. Give one of these tips a try the next time you, or someone you know, develops a cold sore.
Aloe Vera - This home remedy for cold sores will work if you your cold sore does blister on you. Take a leaf from an aloe vera plant and rub the liquid from it onto your cold sore blister. It may sound strange, but it gives results. Do this a few times a day and at night. Within a day or two your cold sore will be gone. I know people who will grow aloe plants in their home just for this very reason.
Tea Tree Oil - Many people say this is the best home remedy for cold sores. This is a drink that contains tea tree oil, herbal sage, and violet. These ingredients are mixed together with a couple sage leaves and ginger powder, and put in with a cup of boiling water. Drink this 2-3 times a day and within a couple of days your cold sore will be gone.
Coconut Oil - Take 100ml of coconut oil, 2ml of dettol, and 3ml or carbolic acid and mix them together. Apply twice daily directly on your cold sore. Some people say this formula also works on boils and mosquito bites.
Other Home Remedy For Cold Sores - Witch hazel, spirit of camphor and lemon balm extract are said to work.
There are also some foods that you do not want to eat when experiencing a cold sore. These foods will only make the problem worse. Avoid eating chocolate, oatmeal, seeds, peas, nuts, and any wheat products. Why? Because arginine is in these foods and they are a cold sores friend. Other salty foods, and even coffee can cause a cold sore to linger.
The next time you feel a cold sore coming on, give one of these tips a try and see if it doesn’t give you the relief you’re looking for. Finally, a good home remedy for cold sores. You can find much more information on medication for cold sores at www.fastcoldsorestreatment.com
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