When stressed, tired, or exposed to germs, our immune systems can work overtime trying to keep us from getting sick. Giving it a boost, though, can be as simple as getting the right nutrients and making some simple lifestyle changes. Whether you’re trying to fight off a cold or compensate for stress, boosting your immune system can help to keep you healthy and full of energy.

Regular exercise, sleep, and enough water help your body to function properly. And if your body is functioning properly, your body will more effectively fight off viruses and bacteria. Be sure that you stick to a sleep schedule; sleeping too much or too little can make your body more tired than it needs to be. Exercise helps keep your body strong, as well as all the systems (including the immune system) contained within. And water helps your body evacuate toxins and keeps your body hydrated, a necessary component of good health.

Vitamins and minerals help keep the immune system strong. Powerful antioxidants, like Vitamins A, C, and E ward off free radicals, maintain youth, and strengthen immunity. Zinc and selenium are important minerals that, when used in the right amounts, can increase your immune system’s efficiency. However, bear in mind that some vitamins and minerals can be dangerous in large amounts and actually have the opposite effect on immunity when taken in excessive doses.

Some supplements have proven useful for supporting a healthy immune system. Echinacea is particularly effective when taken for no more than 8 weeks at the recommended dosage. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, which is a symptom of illness, stress, or injury. Digestive enzymes aid the stomach in digesting food — something the immune system must resort to (taking it away from doing other jobs in the body) when the body can’t compensate for foods consumed by producing more digestive enzymes.

Keeping your immune system healthy should be a part of overall good health. Maintaining a balance in your schedule and the right intake of water, vitamins, minerals, and supplements will protect you from everyday colds and flu.

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Zinc is vital for every part of your body and is necessary for a wide variety of functions. The mineral zinc is important for cell growth, a healthy immune system, normal growth development in children and resistance to infection, as well as many other benefits for the body. But men, women and children differ in their needs for zinc and taking too much zinc can have diverse effects on your body. Understanding the power of zinc in your diet can help you work toward a healthier body.

Benefits of Zinc
Zinc is essential for the growth of healthy cells which in turn can help the immune system stay strong. White cells, which are important for fighting off infections, are known to increase when the body has a healthy amount of zinc added to the diet. This helps you get sick less and heal faster when wounded. Zinc is necessary for the proper growth of hair, nails and skin along with the growth of muscle. Zinc is also important for liver function, insulin activity, maintaining the sexual functions for both men and women and in controlling the oil glands. Zinc also works along with important enzymes in the body for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.

It is important for pregnant women to absorb the proper amount of zinc for the healthy development of the fetus and for young children to have zinc for proper growth and sexual development. Men need one-third more zinc in their diet than women do because their semen contains 100 times more zinc than blood so it is necessary for an active, healthy sex life.

Research has found that increasing zinc in the diet has helped with treatment for acne, ulcers, sickle cell anemia, HIV, high cholesterol, herpes, ADHD and rheumatoid arthritis. Many people also find that by taking zinc at the onset of a cold it can decrease the length of the cold by up to fifty percent. While all of these findings have been studied they are yet inconclusive.

Zinc Deficiency
Lack of zinc in the diet over time can result in hair loss, appetite loss, eye and skin lesions, slow growth, fatigue, diarrhea, allergies, low immune system, delayed healing and impotence. Women who are breastfeeding should increase their zinc intake, as directed by their doctor, because it depletes faster in their system due to lactation. Babies over the age of 7 months who are still breastfeeding should eat foods that contain zinc because human milk does not contain enough zinc for their growing needs. Also, vegetarians should increase their intake of zinc because their diet lacks the foods, such as meat and dairy products, that contain adequate amounts of zinc.

Diarrhea causes loss of zinc in the body. People with digestive disorders, such as consistent diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, sprue, or have had recent gastrointestinal surgery may need added zinc in their diet. Check with your doctor before taking zinc supplements.

Sources of Zinc
Zinc can be found in many food sources as well as in supplement form. Some foods that contain zinc are oysters, red meat, poultry, whole grain foods, beans, cashews and pecans, flounder, sole, fortified cereals, milk and yogurt. Oysters have the highest amount of zinc at 6 mg each and red meat runs second at 7.4 mg per every 3 ounces. Unfortunately, up to 80% of zinc can be lost in the cooking process of meats, whole wheat breads, beans, etc., so you may find you need a supplement to get the complete amount of zinc necessary.

If you take a zinc supplement it is important not to go over the recommended allowance unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. The average amount for women is 8 mg per day while men should have 14 mg per day. Taking too much zinc is counterproductive because it can cause nausea, fever, coughing, lowered immune system, cholesterol changes and mineral imbalances. Pregnant women who take too much zinc can cause harm to the fetus.

Zinc is a powerful mineral full of many health benefits. By eating a varied diet that includes zinc your body can benefit from all that zinc has to offer.

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Do you have any honey in your kitchen? Honey undoubtedly tastes very good, yet some people would rather avoid it because of the calorie content. Honey may be intensely sweet, but eating it on a regular basis is actually beneficial to a person’s health. What’s more, honey makes an excellent beauty product for the skin and hair.

Better Health

Why is honey so good for you? Well first of all, honey is considered excellent for immune system health. Honey is packed with antioxidants. It is also an anti-bacterial. Consuming honey each day improves the health of the digestive tract, which is where immunity starts. If you want to improve your immunity, you can do it by starting each day with the same beverage. Simply mix a little honey with the juice from half a lemon in a glass of warm water.

Honey is full of natural carbohydrates, which makes it an excellent source of energy. If you are feeling reluctant about going to the gym, a spoon full of honey may be all you need to give you that extra energy and motivation. Ingesting honey before working out provides the body with extra strength and durability. A teaspoon of honey can help restore your energy levels on those days when you are feeling a bit listless and weary.

Honey has been used for hundreds of years to treat many ailments and health conditions. For example honey can be used to remedy hangovers, sore throats, arthritic pain, yeast infections, insomnia and athletes foot. Honey has also been used to treat wounds, cuts and burns. Honey cannot cure cancer, but ingesting it regularly may help to neutralize cancer-causing carcinogens.

Beauty Applications

You may have noticed that many high-end skin and hair-care products list honey as one of the key ingredients. Honey has been used as a beauty product for thousands of years. The legendary Egyptian beauty Cleopatra, for example, bathed in milk and honey to keep her skin youthful.

You can make your own skin-care products at home using honey as the chief ingredient. Honey is good for the skin for several reasons. For instance, honey holds on to water molecules. This makes it great for adding moisture to dry skin. Honey can help reverse the damage from pollution and the sun because it counteracts free radicals. Honey is also great for getting rid of acne and pimples.

You can moisturize your hair by putting honey on it. Honey helps the hair retain moisture so that it is easier to manage. It is especially beneficial for hair that is dry or damaged. You can make your own hair conditioner using honey and olive oil. Simply apply the mixture to your hair and scalp. Leave the mixture in your hair for twenty minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly.

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Simple Cures for Heartburn, Constipation and Diarrhea

Everybody has occasional stomach upset. A night of heavy drinking or dining on rich food can wreak havoc on even the stoutest of digestive systems. However, if your tummy troubles are more than just occasional, you may need some help to improve your digestion.

Improve Digestion With Dietary Changes
If you frequently suffer from heartburn, adding some apple cider vinegar to your diet can work wonders in easing symptoms. Though it may seem counterproductive to add acid to an already burning stomach, acid reflux is actually a problem with too little acid production, not too much. Taking two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar twenty minutes before a meal will help normalize pH levels and keep acid reflux at bay.

Hidden food allergies and intolerances are a common cause of chronic flatulence, constipation, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, brain fog and learning difficulties. The most common culprit foods are wheat/gluten, dairy, corn, soy, fructose and yeast. Improving digestion begins with eliminating the foods it cannot tolerate.

Remove the foods mentioned above from the diet for one week, and then reintroduce a new eliminated food once per day to test for symptoms. When a problem food is eaten, the symptoms will return and you will know what to eliminate permanently.

Improve Digestion With Probiotics
Probiotics are the live, active cultures found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, brine-cured pickles and sauerkraut. These “friendly bacteria” protect the body from infection and help the digestive system break down food and absorb nutrients.

Though these probiotics are found in certain foods, the amount you’d have to consume to receive optimal benefit is unrealistic. Those with digestive problems such as constipation, chronic diarrhea,celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome benefit from a higher dosage of probiotics found in supplements. Ideally, the probiotic should contain 1-20 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units).

To get the most benefit from a probiotic supplement, choose one that requires refrigeration or is marked as ‘shelf-stable’.

Improve Digestion With Digestive Aids
Digestive aids are supplemental enzymes used to mimic the body’s natural digestive juices. Those who suffer from food allergies, food intolerance, celiac disease and other related disorders often suffer because their digestive systems are unable to properly digest any food, due to the damage culprit foods have done to the intestinal tract.

Improve Digestion With Fiber
Once problem foods have been cut from the diet, the gut has been repopulated with healthy bacteria and digestive aids have been introduced, it is important to focus on the elimination part of the digestive process. Most people are constipated but aren’t aware of it. A person with optimal digestive health should have 2-4 bowel movements per day. Stool should be firm, formed and bulky.

If this doesn’t sound familiar, it is important to add more fiber to the diet. Dark, leafy green vegetables such as turnip, mustard and collard greens are excellent sources of fibre. Other foods like oat bran, beans, sweet peas and dark berries are also good sources of necessary fibre.

Those who need a little extra help might benefit from a fibre supplement such as psyllium whole husks mixed in water after meals. This will help bulk up the stool, flush out toxins and prevent constipation and diarrhea

Be sure to drink plenty of water to keep the fibre moving and prevent further constipation. A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water so urine is a light-coloured yellow.

Improve Digestion With Massage
Massage is ann important but often overlooked tool to improve digestion. Maya abdominal massage is a technique that gets straight to the source of the digestive problem. It incorporates deep tissue massage only in the abdominal area. This massage increases the production of natural digestive enzymes, helps the body relax and encourages peristalsis, the involuntary contractions that move food though the intestines and waste products out of the body.

These five techniques to improve digestion should have you feeling better in no time!

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Everybody gets the occasional upset stomach. However, if chronic digestive distress is interrupting your life, it may be time to get some help. Learn how these seven herbs can help improve your digestive health.

Turmeric
Turmericis a yellow spice often used in curry dishes. Its powerful anti-inflammatory properties make it a good choice for those suffering from leaky gut syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Turmeric increases bile production during digestion and helps the body break down fats, therefore reducing bouts of acid reflux, bloating and gas. Turmeric can be added to your favorite dishes, taken as a tea or used in supplement form. Those on blood-thinners should consult their healthcare provider before using this potent spice.

Gentian Root
Gentian root is what is known as a “bitter”. It helps improve the overall health of the digestive system and stimulates the appetite. It also helps strengthen the lining of the stomach and intestines, making it another good choice for those with leaky gut syndrome. It can be taken in tincture or tea form. It is advisable to consult a healthcare provider if you have gastric or duodenal ulcers.

Peppermint
Peppermint is soothing to the stomach and has been known to ease the cramping associated with dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint can be taken intea, oil or capsule form. Those with hiatal hernia, severe gastrointestinal reflux disease or gallbladder disorders should avoid using peppermint.

Ginger
Ginger has been known to increase stomach muscle contractions and help those with slow digestion process their food faster and with fewer incidents of bloating and gas.Gingeris also a well-known remedy for nausea andirritable bowel syndrome. This herb is most commonly brewedas a tea. Those on blood-thinning medication should consult their healthcare provider before using ginger.

Senna
Senna is most commonly used to treat constipation. This potent herb encourages peristalsis, muscle contractions that move waste matter through and out of the intestines. As senna is a powerful bowel stimulant, it is advisable to start with a low dose of this herb to start to see how it will affect you. Senna should be used sparingly and with caution as repeated use may cause dependency. Those with a serious health problem or who take prescription medications should consult their healthcare provider before using senna. It is commonlybrewed as a tea.

Pau d’Arco
Pau d’Arco is a powerful antifungal herb that acts as a colon, yeast and parasite cleanser. If your digestive problems are related to one of these three conditions,Pau d’Arco may work to help clean out your digestive system. This herb can be taken as a supplement or brewed as a tea. Those with clotting disorders or who are on blood-thinning medication should not take this herb.

Cranberry
Cranberry is useful in flushing out the kidneys and healing the urinary tract. Those who commonly get kidney and urinary tract infections may benefit from adding cranberry to their diet. To get the full benefit of this herb, skip conventional cranberry juice, as it tends to be watered down and laden with sugar. Instead, opt for a cranberry supplement or tea that will pack a more potent punch. Those with severe kidney disease should consult their healthcare provider before using cranberry.

There you have it. Seven herbs you can use to improve your digestive health. It is always important to remember if you are pregnant, nursing or have a serous medical condition to consult a trusted healthcare provider before taking any of these herbs.

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A peptic ulcer can cause pain, discomfort and make eating something dreaded rather than something enjoyed. Learn the signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer and what you can do to treat it naturally.

What is a Peptic Ulcer?

A peptic ulcer is an erosion in the lining of the stomach or duodenum (first part of the small intestine).

What are the Symptoms of a Peptic Ulcer?

Symptoms vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Pain in the stomach within 60 minutes of eating a meal
• Burning or gnawing sensation in areas from abdomen to breastbone
• Worsening of symptoms at night
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

What Causes Them?

Peptic ulcers are most commonly caused by the following:

• Excessive stress
• Prolonged use of NSAID pain relievers
• Overdosing on vitamin C
• Overproduction of acid in the stomach*
• Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori) bacteria infection in the gut

*To find out if an overproduction of stomach acid is contributing to your peptic ulcer, try a simple test: The next time you feel stomach discomfort, swallow one teaspoon undiluted apple cider vinegar. If your symptoms improve, you have too little stomach acid, if symptoms worsen, your body is producing too much. To relieve acidity, mix one teaspoon of baking soda into an eight-ounce glass of room-temperature water and drink.

What Natural Treatments Can I Use?

For immediate relief of stomach discomfort associated with peptic ulcer, try activated charcoal tablets as they will soak up the excess acid. It is important not to use activated charcoal within four hours of taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs as this may interfere with effectiveness.

For long term relief and reversal of peptic ulcers, observe the following guidelines:

Eliminate or Cut Down On:

• Alcoholic Beverages
• Coffee
• Tea
• Soda
• Processed Foods
• Smoking
• Stress

Increase Consumption of:

Whole Foods (organic meat, poultry, wild-caught fish, organic vegetables, fruit, beans, legumes and whole grains)

Also, eat smaller meals more frequently that are easier to digest.

Supplement the diet with omega 3 fatty acid from a bioavailable source such as krill oil.

Herbal Healing

Pau d’Arco – This natural herb is a powerful antifungal, which may help eliminate H. Pylori infection that can cause peptic ulcers.

Turmeric – This yellow Indian spice can help ease inflammation and tighten the lining of the gut.

Ginger – This mild natural herb has been used for centuries to treat a variety of gastric complaints and helps ease the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Marshmallow Root – Rich in mucilage, marshmallow root relieves inflamed mucosal tissue in the gut.

Slippery Elm – This natural herb also contains mucilage and helps to calm and soothe peptic ulcer.

Licorice Root – In a human trial, licorice root improved the symptoms of ninety percent of participants with peptic ulcer.

White Oak Bark – One of the strongest natural astringents, white oak bark helps to strengthen the intestinal lining and fight infection.

Homeopathy

Those who suffer from peptic ulcer may benefit from homeopathy. Homeopathy operates on the principle, ‘like cures like’ and works to treat the whole person by finding the root cause of the problem and ‘fixing’ it.

Two homeopathic remedies that can be used for peptic ulcer are:

Lycopodium – This natural remedy works for those who have an anxious disposition, low self-esteem, insomnia and chronic stomach distress.

Argentum Nitricum – This natural remedy helps those whose gastric symptoms are accompanied by extreme anxiety and paranoia.

Homeopathy is simple yet profound natural medicine. It is best to work with a naturopath first before attempting to diagnose and treat yourself with homeopathic remedies.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you experience sudden sharp pain that won’t go away, vomiting what looks like coffee grounds or bloody stools, make an appointment with a healthcare provider immediately.

If you’re experiencing the discomfort of peptic ulcers, these natural treatments should help provide some relief.

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Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease is basically known as heartburn. It happens when the acids build up in your stomach and travels upwards. Symptoms can range from a slight discomfort under the breastbone to a severe pain. When a person does not know that he is suffering from heartburn, he may think that he is having a heart attack if the pain is bad enough. However, this has nothing to do with heart conditions. Since the burning sensation is located mostly by the breastbone, people tend to think it is the heart.

One symptom of heartburn is acid reflux. This occurs when the gastric acids are regurgitated into the esophagus. This causes temporary or long term damage to the wall that separates the stomach and the esophagus. When you have this condition you may notice pain in swallowing, nausea or a bitter taste in your throat and mouth.

Acid reflux occurs by eating the wrong types of food. For example, spicy foods, such as tacos and greasy foods are the main culprits, as well as drinking caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Also smoking and stress leads to acid reflux as well as taking certain medications. Pregnant women are also victims.

Acid reflux can be avoided if you watch what you eat and do. If you skip greasy and spicy foods altogether, switch to decaffeinated coffee and tea, avoid beverages with alcohol and quit smoking, your symptoms will disappear. However, you may not want to stop eating the foods you like. For example, my husband makes excellent tacos and I like going to McDonalds once in a while. Also, smoking is a hard habit to break. Therefore, there are several steps you can take to reduce the discomforts of acid reflux. The first is not to overeat. It is better to eat more frequent meals that are smaller in size. You also should eat slowly rather than quickly. Wait two hours after eating before you go to sleep. This not only helps you reduce the chance that you will get acid reflux, it will help you lose weight faster if you are trying to shred some extra pounds. Do not sleep flat on your back; use pillows to elevate your head.

There are also many home remedies that will help do wonders. However, if your heartburn pain is so severe that it is unbearable, see your doctor. He can prescribe medications for your pain.

This is a delicious remedy for your annoying acid reflux pain. If you drink tea, put some ginger in it. You can find ginger in the spice section of your local grocery store. Another option is to buy ginger root at a health food store. With the spice, put a teaspoon of it in you tea. If you buy the root, dice it before adding it. You can make the tea ahead of time and keep it in your refrigerator. Just heat a cup in the microwave for forty-five seconds to a minute.

Baking soda is another remedy. Since this is a base it neutralizes the acids in your stomach. Mix a teaspoon in a glass of warm water.

Apple cider vinegar has an acid in it that neutralizes the acids in your stomach. Mix a tablespoon with warm water.

Drink water instead of carbonated beverages. Since you have damaged tissues in your esophagus, sodas and other drinks such as orange juice will not help. In fact, they may even do more damage. Water is good at repairing the damaged tissues. If you need to drink soda, go for ginger ale. As mentioned before, ginger plays wonders with acid reflux.

Chances are you will be the victim of acid reflux at least once in your life. Do not let it control you. When you feel that burning sensation, remember the simple home remedies that can cure it. However, if your pain does not go away or if it is too severe for you to handle, call your doctor. Remember these are remedies for acid reflux, not medical treatment.

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It is a common notion to think that heart disease is the same as coronary artery disease or what is known as the narrowing of the arteries that connect to the heart. In truth, heart disease encompasses a lot of conditions and coronary heart disease is just one type of heart disease.

Heart disease or cardiovascular disease is composed of many conditions that affect the heart including its structure and functions. Some of these conditions include coronary heart disease like heart attacks, heart valve disease, heart muscle disease or cardiomyopathy, abnormal heart rhythms or arrythmias, pericardial disease, vascular disease or blood vessel disease, Marfan syndrome, and aorta disease.

Since 2007, heart disease has been recorded as the leading cause of death in some developed countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and Wales. Of all deaths recorded in the US that year, 25.4% came from heart disease fatalities.

Common Types of Heart Diseases

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease like heart attack results from the hardening of arteries. There is some damage to the arteries because of chronic infection and inflammation. In effect, the body makes use of cholesterol and calcium to try and cover the holes. In some cases, this process fails to stop resulting in excessive build up of calcium and cholesterol in the walls of the artery. Gradually, the arteries become more narrow producing discomfort and chest pain, more commonly known as angina. When the clogging becomes so extreme that blood flow is completely blocked, a heart attack happens.

When a person experiences heart attack, it is crucial that emergency medical treatment is performed as fast as possible. People who feel discomfort in the chest, shortened breaths, or sudden body pains at the back or arm should call for an ambulance immediately. Timely medical treatment can prevent fatalities due to heart attacks.

Arrhythmia / Abnormal Heart Rhythms

The rhythm of the heart is coordinated by the electrical system of the heart. The normal heart rhythm is between 60 and 100 each minute. Disrupting the electrical system that controls the heart rhythm can cause abnormal heart beats. Many arrhythmias are considered benign or mild, but when a serious arrhythmia occurs, it can often result to sudden cardiac death.

Heart Failure

When the heart weakens due to many underlying factors, the heart may soon fail. The heart does not actually stop working. Rather, it does not pump as much blood as it should. This can lead to the retention of salt and water. When this happens, swelling of the heart and shortness of breath may occur, both of which are the main symptoms of heart failure.

Heart failure is a leading health issue tackled by the health sector in the United States. It affects close to 5 million Americans with about 550,000 more diagnosed with the condition each year. Heart failure is the main cause of hospitalization among people aged 65 years and above.

Heart Valve Disease

This disease includes many disorders involving the abnormal function of the valves of the heart. When the regulation of blood flow is unnatural because of the flaps in the heart’s chambers become ineffective, heart conditions may occur such as heart failure.

The valves of the heart are located at each of the exits of the four heart chambers and these valves make sure there is a one-way flow of blood through the heart. Some examples of heart valve disease include aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, and mitral valve insufficiency.

Congenital Heart Disease

This heart disease may be suffered by patients with a genetic birth defect specifically in at least one structure of the heart or its blood vessels. In severe cases, sufferers of congenital heart defects may be required to undergo surgery to try and correct the problem.

This disease affects eight out of 1,000 children around the world. What is alarming is that in some cases, congenital heart disease symptoms are only be noticed during adulthood.

Although the cause of this disease is not known, many doctors and scientists believe heredity plays a role. Another theory is that the fetus is exposed to harmful conditions such as viral infections, drugs, or alcohol during pregnancy.

Cardiomyopathies / Heart Muscle Disease

When the muscles of the heart become enlarged, thick, and stiff, the result can be ineffectiveness in pumping blood which may cause heart disease.

Cardiomyopathies or enlarged heart, result to people having hearts that are abnormal in size and thickened or stiffened. Because of this, the heart cannot pump blood as effectively as it should. Cardiomyopathies can become worse and in many cases leads to abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure.

Pericardial disease / Pericarditis

When the pericardium or the thin membrane surrounding the heart becomes inflamed, heart problems usually follow. This disease is very rare and is mostly caused by an infection.

Vascular Disease

Also known as blood vessel disease, vascular disease affects mainly the blood circulation all over the body. This damages the heart because of decrease in the sufficient amounts of blood.

Myocarditis

Myocarditis is a heart infection occurring when the body is under a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. It can also occur after the infection.

Mafan Syndrome and Aorta Disease

The aorta is the heart’s large artery that supplies blood rich with oxygen for the entire body. Mafan syndrome and aorta disease can cause the aorta to dilate or dissect. When the aorta dissects, it tears and when it dilates, it widens. This results to a higher probability of experiencing life-threatening conditions in the future such as atherosclerosis or the hardening of arteries, genetic conditions such as Marfan Syndrome, high blood pressure, injury, and connective tissue disorders. Connective tissue disorders affect the walls of the blood vessels and include conditions such as scleroderma, polycystic kidney disease, Turner’s syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta.

People suffering from any type of aorta disease should see a team of cardiovascular specialists including trained surgeons.

Other Vascular Diseases

Vascular diseases are those conditions that can affect the body’s circulation of blood. Conditions include artery diseases and ineffective flow of blood to the brain.

The risk of experiencing heart disease rises with age or if there is a family history with the disease. Contributors to heart disease include high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, and diabetes.’

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Do you suffer from nocturnal GERD? Nocturnal GERD is a term used to describe reflux of acid into the esophagus that occurs at night when you lie down in bed. Since you may spend eight hours during the night in a recumbent position which can potentially expose the esophagus to significant amounts of refluxed acid, the health consequences of nocturnal GERD are of concern. Long term exposure to this acid can cause changes in the lining of the esophagus that may increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer. Plus, nocturnal GERD can be right down uncomfortable if left untreated.

What are the symptoms of nocturnal GERD? Sometimes the symptoms are obvious and may include awakening in the night with heartburn symptoms or by a sensation of acid or food material in the back of your throat. Other times symptoms can be as subtle as hoarseness, wheezing, or a recurring cough. The diagnosis can usually be made based on clinical symptoms by your doctor. If symptoms fail to resolve after a trial of treatment, more extensive testing may be needed such as endoscopy.

If you have the symptoms of nocturnal GERD, what can you do to get relief? Although there are prescription medications available, simple lifestyle changes can also provide some relief for your symptoms. If you’re taking medications, these should be reviewed with your doctor since certain meds can make GERD symptoms worse. Once your medications have been cleared with your doctor, it’s time to consider your body weight.

If you’re overweight, this can have a significant impact on your symptoms. Reassessing your diet and starting an exercise program to lose weight can help to improve nocturnal GERD. Diet plays a role in other ways. Certain foods can trigger symptoms including chocolate, onions, coffee, foods that are high in fats, spicy foods, and alcohol. Eliminating these foods can make an enormous difference in the severity of your symptoms. It’s also important to quit smoking since this can worsen GERD symptoms.

Other lifestyle changes which may be helpful in the treatment of nocturnal GERD include elevating the head of your bead and reducing compression on the stomach by wearing loose fitting clothing when you go to bed at night. Another tactic that’s been shown to be effective is to sleep on your left side which alters the distribution of gastric acid in the stomach and can help to prevent reflux at night.

If nocturnal GERD symptoms fail to resolve with lifestyle changes, your doctor may encourage you to use antacids to help neutralize the acidic pH of your stomach. Antacids generally offer only short term symptom relief. He may also prescribe one of several types of medications that can suppress acid formation in the stomach which known as histamine 2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. A natural substance that’s being investigated for control of GERD symptoms is d-limonene.

It’s important that nocturnal GERD symptoms be treated to reduce the risk of future complications and damage to the lining of the esophagus. Be sure to consult with your family doctor if your symptoms fail to resolve with treatment.

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