If you suffer from indigestion, you’re not alone. Indigestion accounts for roughly 70% of all gastrointestinal complaints.

Every year Americans spend millions of dollars on medications for dyspepsia, a catchall term for an assortment of upper abdominal symptoms — including pain, bloating, and burping — commonly referred to as indigestion. At any given time, about one fourth of American adults suffer from some degree of indigestion. Indeed, indigestion accounts for 5% of all office visits to primary care doctors and up to 70% of all gastrointestinal complaints. Women are more vulnerable to indigestion than men, but older adults are often spared. The prevalence of indigestion appears to remain stable or even decline with age.

Although effective treatment for indigestion is available, only about one fourth of those with persistent symptoms of indigestion see a doctor for help. About 40% of those who do seek assistance for indigestion are worried that they may have a life-threatening disorder — in particular, stomach or esophageal cancer. In reality, such malignancies are the culprit in fewer than 3% of cases.

Indigestion is far more likely to be caused by one of a host of other, less serious problems. Nevertheless, these conditions should still be treated — sometimes to prevent complications, sometimes simply to relieve discomfort and improve the quality of life. Fortunately, the proper medications — often combined with lifestyle measures — are usually helpful.

Searching for the causes of indigestion

The hallmark of indigestion is persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort in the mid- to upper abdomen. Other symptoms of indigestion include bloating, a premature feeling of fullness after meals (early satiety), and excessive burping. Nausea and heartburn (a burning sensation just under the breastbone that sometimes radiates to the neck) may be present, but recurrent vomiting and nutritional problems are not typical.

Many underlying causes can prompt these symptoms of indigestion. Among the most common are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers. GERD is characterized by upper abdominal pain and heartburn. Stomach ulcers cause periodic episodes of upper abdominal pain that get worse with hunger and improve after eating or taking antacids. Nighttime pain is often so severe that sufferers waken frequently.

Dismotility disorders, such as esophageal spasms or weak esophageal contractions (achalasia), are another possibility. These neurologic problems are characterized by peristaltic impairment, malfunction of the involuntary muscle contractions that push food down the esophagus into the stomach. Symptoms include generalized upper abdominal pain that is usually aggravated by food and accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating, early satiety, loss of appetite, nausea, retching, and occasionally vomiting. Finally, indigestion is a potential side effect of many medications. Among the more likely culprits are aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), certain antibiotics, theophylline, digitalis, corticosteroids, iron, niacin, chemotherapy drugs, and certain narcotics. No matter what the cause of indigestion, stress and other psychological factors can clearly trigger or worsen symptoms.

When to see a doctor for indigestion

Antacids and histamine (H2) blockers are the two most effective over-the-counter medications for indigestion. But they are appropriate only for occasional episodes. Antacids such as calcium carbonate (Tums and others) and magnesium salts (Mylanta and others) neutralize stomach acid, which can cause inflammation in the stomach and the esophagus, resulting in abdominal discomfort or heartburn. Antacids are intended for quick symptom relief.

H2 blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), and ranitidine (Zantac) suppress the production of stomach acids so that irritated tissues have a chance to heal. When these medications are effective, there is no reason to see a doctor. But recurrent or persistent symptoms require medical attention. Be specific about your symptoms. Describe the location and quality of the pain. Explain whether it is sharp or dull, concentrated or diffuse, burning or stabbing. Note whether you feel better after eating or when you are hungry; if over-the-counter medications help; if you feel very full after eating a small meal; and if you are plagued by bloating, nausea, or burping. Diagnostic studies include endoscopy (direct examination of the esophagus using a flexible, illuminated tube), certain imaging studies, blood work, and testing for Helicobacter pylori (the bacterium responsible for most stomach ulcers).

Therapeutic options for indigestion

Proper treatment of indigestion usually brings significant relief and prevents complications, such as Barrett’s esophagus (cellular changes due to persistant irritation that may lead to cancer) from GERD, and perforation of the stomach wall from stomach ulcers. If either of these disorders is suspected, a trial of therapy may be recommended based on symptoms alone. Prescription-strength H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (a potent type of acid suppressor) such as omeprazole (Prilosec) are useful for GERD. Also essential are lifestyle measures — such as not eating near bedtime (because lying down encourages partially digested food and stomach acid to flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus) and avoiding caffeinated and alcoholic beverages (which may irritate the stomach and esophageal lining).

If symptoms persist despite GERD treatment, a stomach ulcer is often suspected. H. pylori causes about 90% of all stomach ulcers; NSAID use is responsible for most of the remainder. If H. pylori is thought to be the cause, antibiotic therapy can cure it. However, many people harbor H. pylori, and yet this is not the cause of their indigestion symptoms. In such cases, antibiotic therapy is not helpful. If NSAIDs or other medications are implicated, it is necessary to stop using the offending drug. Other alternatives, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) for short-term, over-the-counter pain relief, are usually available — but consult your doctor before adjusting any prescription medications.

When the cause of indigestion is elusive

In at least 25% of cases, no underlying cause of indigestion can be found. Yet, certain abnormalities are prevalent in these patients. In about one third, solids leave the stomach more slowly than normal, a condition called impaired gastric emptying. In some, the amount of food the stomach can comfortably hold may be limited, a condition called postprandial accommodation impairment. Finally, the stomach may be unusually sensitive to stimulation, a condition called gastric hypersensitivity. Exactly what causes these abnormalities, how they contribute to dyspepsia, and whether or how they should be treated is unknown.

When symptoms persist and the known causes of indigestion have been ruled out, the lifestyle measures used for GERD are sometimes effective. Some people find that keeping a diary of symptoms, foods, and emotions helps them identify and control factors that trigger symptoms of indigestion. If symptoms continue, antianxiety medications, dismotility drugs, or antidepressants (especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may be helpful.

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. You may visit and read more post about health on Health Guide. Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plant foods. Although fiber isn’t an essential nutrient, a high-fiber diet keeps your digestive system running smoothly, cancer free, and can help you lose weight and may lower your risk of heart disease. The two types of dietary fiber, soluble and insoluble, both contribute to health in different ways.

Soluble fiber such as pectins and gums dissolve in fluids in the large intestine and forms a gel. A diet high in soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol levels because it binds intestinal bile acids that contain fat and cholesterol, which are removed in the stools instead of being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Soluble fiber also reduces the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems by helping to regulate both constipation and diarrhea, and slows the absorption of simple sugars, which helps control the rise in blood sugar after eating.

Soluble fiber can also feed friendly bacteria which help keep the pH in the intestines in balance as well as digest foods and manufacture b vitamins which are important for the body.  Good sources of soluble fiber include legumes (beans), oats, barley, fruit (apples, for example) and psyllium seed (used to make Metamucil and similar products).

The new recommendations from the Institute of Medicine state that women age 50 and younger eat at least 25 to 35 grams of total fiber per day, and men in the same age group at least 30 to 40 grams of total fiber per day. Women over age 50 should eat a minimum of 25 grams per day, and men over 50 should eat a minimum of 30 grams per day to maintain good intestinal health.

Other sources of insoluble fiber are whole grains and beans are perhaps the most often overlooked terrific sources of fiber. Fruits and vegetables are also great choices when trying to increase your fiber fill. Keep in mind that animal foods, for the most part, are devoid of any fiber.

Fiber is only found in whole foods that come from plant sources. There is “no fiber” in meat or fat. Man made and processed foods have less fiber.  To get some ideas for good high-fiber foods, go to your grocery store and look at the labels for highest fiber count before purchasing processed foods.

For those who find it impossible to get the recommended fiber from the foods they eat, there are alternatives.{Fibers in both insoluble and soluble forms are also available in powder, tablet or capsule}.  Those looking for fiber supplements should stop into their local or internet health food store and shop around for the fiber supplement that best fits their daily needs.

* Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. Fiber is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.

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Most people fail realize that water is extremely essential to their weight loss program. In fact even if you are not trying to lose weight; you should still be drinking at least eight glasses per day.

Our bodies can not live without water; as a matter of fact we can go longer without eating than we can without air and water. So why is water so important and how does water weight loss determine whether I will actually lose weight? Well our bodies are composed of about 60-70% of water.

Without drinking the proper amounts of water; our bodies will not be able to digest the foods and rid of the waste in our bodies. All the foods that we eat consume some sort of toxins and just by drinking the proper amounts of water; out bodies will help flush those toxins out of our bodies.

Not to mention that when we drink water before we sit down to eat our meals; then we have less of a chance of overeating and gaining excess weight.

It helps our bodies regulate temperature and helps keep us cool when we are hot. If you fail to drink the proper amount of water you can compromise the evaporation process that your body goes through and this will put your kidneys under unnecessary stress.

Regardless of what you choose to believe the truth is that losing weight and drinking water go hand in hand. If you really want to lose weight; then it is time to begin drinking the proper amounts of water and leaving the soft drinks and other sugar drinks at home.

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Nutrients are based on 100 grams

•    Calories: 407.14 kcal
•    Protein: 25 grams
•    Carbohydrates: 0 grams
•    Fibre: 0 grams
•    Fat Saturated: 21.43 grams
•    Fat Mono unsaturated: 9.28 grams
•    Fat Polyunsaturated: 1.07 grams
•    Calcium: 728.57 milligrams
•    Phosphorus: 517.86 milligrams
•    Sodium: 625 milligrams
•    Potassium: 100 milligrams
•    Zinc: 3.21 milligrams
•    Iron: 0.71 milligrams
•    Magnesium: 28.57 milligrams
•    Vitamin A: 278.57 micrograms
•    Vitamin B1: 0.036 milligrams
•    Vitamin B2: 0.39 milligrams
•    Vitamin B3: 0 milligram
•    Vitamin B6: 0.071 milligrams
•    Vitamin C: 0 milligrams
•    Vitamin E: 0.357 micrograms
•    Folate (folic acid): 17.86 micrograms

(A low carb food that will still add on the pounds to your body – Beeble)

Why is salt added?

During the making of Cheddar, the curds are cut into blocks while still soft and only just beginning to set. These blocks are regularly cut and turned so that the moisture drains out. The blocks are then cut up again or ‘milled’. This breaks up the curd again and it is at this point that the cheese is salted, the milling also ensuring that the salt is distributed evenly through the curd. Apart from seasoning the cheese, the salt also has the effect of reducing and then stopping the further production of lactic acid, which is what gives Cheddar its characteristic taste – so salt helps to control the flavour and also it is important as a preservative. Taste is also affected by the age of Cheddar: the older the cheese, the stronger the taste. The recommended daily limit for salt is 0.2 oz or 6 grammes, so bear that in mind when you are eating cheddar cheese. Check the label, for example, the Cheddar cheese I have in my fridge has 0.50 grammes of salt per 30 gramme serving.

A high fat cheese, but plenty of good things too

You will know if you have read the introductory post on cheeses that Cheddar, a hard cheese, is one of the cheeses that is high in fat so you should limit your weekly intake to just 4 oz (120 grammes). But don’t forget its benefits: calcium – strong bones and teeth, protein – for growth and repair, iron – for production of red blood cells, zinc – for the immune system and potassium which helps to protect the body against strokes and high blood pressure (obviously trying to combat all the fat in the cheese – Beeble).

What’s special about Cheddar?

Cheddar is one of the cheeses that has been demonstrated to help reduce tooth decay and it also contains little or no lactose for those who are lactose intolerant and cannot drink milk – so they can get those important nutrients from Cheddar cheese instead.

Summary

With the high salt levels and saturated fats you must have your cheese in moderation as is the case with most foods. The nutritional values we have given you are from an average Cheddar. You may consider swapping your standard Cheddar for a low sodium and low fat alternative which are readily available from your local store. These alternatives reduce the harmful qualities whilst still giving you a lot of the benefits. However in my opinion they also sacrifice the most important part of cheese and that is the taste. I would always rather have my cheese in moderation than sacrifice that great taste.

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However, if you are watching your weight and cholesterol levels or you just want to eat healthily, then you will have to be careful not to have too much of some cheeses with a high fat and salt content.

So What is the Fat Content of Cheese?

Cheeses vary in their fat content and here is some information from a guide produced by the British Cardiac Patients Association that divides cheeses into categories according to their fat content:

Low Fat Cheeses – can be eaten freely

These include: Cottage Cheese, Quark, reduced fat Cottage Cheese and reduced fat Edam and Ricotta.

Medium Fat Cheeses – eat up to 6 oz (180g) a week

These include: Brie, Camembert, Cheese Spread, Danish Blue, Edam, Emmenthal, Feta, Goats’ Milk Soft Cheese, Medium Fat Soft Cheese, Mozzarella, Processed Cheese, reduced fat Cheddar and Cheshire Cheese, Smoked Processed Cheese and Soya cheese.

High Fat Cheeses – eat up to 4 oz (120g) a week

These include: Caerphilly, Wensleydale, Cheddar, Cheshire, Cream Cheese, Derby, Double Gloucester, Full Fat Soft Cheese, Gouda, Gruyere, Lancashire, Leicester, Lymeswold, Mascapone, Parmesan, Red Windsor, Roquefort, Stilton and Vegetarian Cheese.

…And don’t tell me, your favourite cheeses, like mine, are all in the High Fat section! Never mind, it’s not that we can’t eat them at all, is it? We shall just have to eat less of the high fat cheeses and more of the low fat ones.

And What is the Salt Content of Cheese?

Salt is an important part of the cheese making process and also helps to preserve its freshness. However we need to make sure we don’t have too much salt in our diets – the recommended daily amount for adults is 6 grammes (0.2 oz), for children between 4 – 6 years no more than 3 grammes (0.1 oz) and older children no more than 4.6 grammes (0.16 oz).

Salt or Sodium?

The salt content on the labelling of some cheeses is sometimes referred to as sodium and is shown as the sodium content in grammes or milligrams per 100 grammes of cheese. A sodium content of one gramme per 100 grammes of cheese (1%) would be equivalent to a salt content of 2.5% (to convert sodium to salt, multiply by 2.5).

So What is the Salt Content of Cheeses?

Your best guidance is of course to check the labels. But the following will give you a rough idea of the salt content in some cheeses:

Cheeses high in salt: Danish Blue, Processed Slices of Cheese, Feta, Roquefort, Gouda and Edam

Cheeses quite high in salt: Cheddar, Parmesan, Stilton, Red Leicester, Brie, Double Gloucester, Cheshire/Wensleydale/Lancashire.

Cheeses low in salt: Cottage Cheese, fromage frais and Philadelphia Cheese Spread.

Enjoy!

Do continue to enjoy your different cheeses, but just be aware that some contain more fat and salt than others, so eat those in moderation.

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If you are a single mom and have a story of your own…a tale of challenges that you are facing to bring up your baby, then here is a platform for you. And you won’t mind sharing your experiences with the world together with be making some big money as well…so here is the platform for you.

The editor of the bestselling ‘Cup of Comfort,’Adams Media, is looking out for some real life stories that act an inspiration piece for the readers, to be published in an anthology about single mothers. The grand prize is $ 500.00, and mom writers will receive $ 100.00 for any other story published in the book.

[Source:ilovemybaby] 

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Tomorrow’s state budget would be targeting the health arena especially the depressed teenagers who are at the verge of committing suicide. The Bracks Government is injecting an extra $70 million into mental health programs.

It has been postulated that Treasurer John Brumby would declare financial support for 95 psychiatric beds all over the state. It would also include assistance for the emergency departments in dealing with mentally unstable patients.

With the Government under fire from the State Opposition for not doing enough to tackle the mental health crisis, particularly among high-risk teenagers, Mr. Brumby will also allocate an extra $10 million for the expansion across Melbourne of the Youth Early Psychosis Program.

Funds would be invested to set up new services through Bayside Health, Austin Health, St Vincent’s Health and Melbourne Health’s northern area mental health service, with about 400 sixteen to 25-year-olds expected to be treated annually.

About $7 million will be spent upgrading computers and other equipment at community-based mental health centers.

The Age revealed on Saturday that a multimillion-dollar program to rebuild or refurbish hundreds of government schools across the state in the next four years will be the centerpiece of Mr Brumby’s seventh budget.

[Source:ilovemybaby] 

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According to the scientists — pregnant women should stay away from the hot sun rays, mostly during the first trimester of their pregnancy. A new study has reported that the pregnant women are very sensitive to high temperatures.

The study is conducted by the researchers from the University of Bristol. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have raised this warning on the basis of this new study.

In this recent study, the scientists discovered that if pregnant women are exposed to high temperatures during initial stages of their pregnancy, than it could lead to low birth weight of the baby.

The researchers have raised the warning that as babies grow fast during the first trimester, and pregnant females are very sensitive to high temperatures, and so if they stay out in the sun light this could be harmful for them and make them feel unwell.

Females during the initial stages of their pregnancy period in the summer season should take care of their health and they should also be aware about the risk of temperature rise on their health during pregnancy. Pregnant females should try to stay in the home and avoid sun rays between 10am and 4pm.

Pregnant females always try to wear loose cloths, drink lot water, fresh fruit juices and eat healthy balanced diet in required amount and thus by doing all these they can keep themselves fit.

Pregnant mothers should not stay in sun, always wear loose cloths, avoid dehydration and eat good healthy fresh foods and always do some light exercises so that there is no affect on the body temperature and also it doesn’t put exertion on them.

[Source:to be mom] 

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A new study done by University of Florida has revealed that being in a relation alone can solve your problem of differing sexual attitudes. The research that appeared in Sex Roles substantiate that men usually are more anxious about sex than women. However, when we undergo through a relation the sexual attitudes tend to equalize. It also helps in overcoming traditional sexual behaviors that we grow up following.

Paul Perrin of UF(University of Florida) said:

Men experience a lot of pressure in our society to have sex with a number of different partners, the opposite of what women experience as kind of the gatekeepers of sexuality. [In a relationship] the pressure on men to have sex is not as strong and the pressure on women to not have sex goes away. People in romantic relationships give more importance to their own feelings and their partners’ than they do to social expectations bout sexual behavior.

Perrin explains:

The difference found in the study was that men find sex more pleasurable and gratifying then women. “Though not as frequently talked about, gender roles also restrict men to a narrow range of acceptable sexual behavior in the sense that others deem him immature and unmasculine if he doesn’t have frequent sex.

However, men also find sex more “personally costly” due to the reasons like unwanted pregnancies, STD’s because they indulge in more risky sexual activities.

Women, who might be as much interested in sex, however, cease from it due to the fear of breaking the so-called moral conducts of society. They rather believe in finding the right person and moment to have sex. As per Perrin the biggest connotation of this study is that “we aren’t slave to the gender roles that society imposes on us but have a lot more freedom, especially sexually.”

[Source:body of wealth] 

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Antiretrovirals are there to fight HIV virus, but what about the psychological virus, still lurking in our society and usually finding an outlet in the form of discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients.

Stoking this debate further a similar incident came to fore in the southern Indian state of Kerala in which five HIV-positive children who were yanked away from their school last year after being tested HIV positive, have still not been able to get readmission, thanks to the society where lies stark difference between action and contemplation and AIDS is still considered as someone else’s problem.

People grappling with HIV/AIDS are already shattered physically as well as mentally and such discriminating attitude adds to their woes, turning their lives into a nightmare. However, story doesn’t end here, as not only common people but also the very section of society that has been entrusted with the task of showing these patients a new ray of hope through medical treatment has sometimes been found adopting quite a discriminating attitude towards these people. For instance, in the US alone Twenty-six percent of these patients reported experiencing at least one of four types of perceived discrimination since becoming infected. In the same way cases of similar cases of HIV-discrimination has come to fore from around the globe, which confirms the fact that the no doubt, we are trying hard to curb the march of HIV virus but the virus called, HIV-discrimination is still holding up its head valiantly. Remarking on similar discrimination being meted out to people in the US with HIV/AIDS Lee Badgett, Williams Institute research director says:

While the United States has made great advances during the past decade in treating HIV-disease …, we lag behind in eradicating HIV-discrimination.

This is right that fight against HIV/AIDS is already grappling with some radical challenges like-

• Hunger: The Major Obstacle in the Fight Against AIDS!

• Poverty and Illiteracy: Two Main Causes Blowing Air over the Burning HIV/AIDS Pyre

However, saying that the challenge of HIV-discrimination is more severe than the challenge of HIV/AIDS itself won’t be wrong, therefore, aim should be not only at curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS but also at crippling the ghost of HIV-discrimination and for that it is quite important to arm the people of this world psychology because the ghost of HIV-discrimination comes out when people fail to fight the stigma, myths and misperceptions associated with HIV/AIDS.

[Source: battling aids] 

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