Tips for Stress free life > Expert Zone > Alternative Health
Alternative Health Tips by experts
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Tips for Stress free life > Expert Zone > Alternative Health Alternative Health Tips by experts |
|
|
|
|
Healing Heartburn Holistically
Everyone at some point in time has experienced some form of heartburn. Often, what we notice is a bitter, sour or acid taste in our mouths. At times, we may feel as if partially digested foods or liquids are moving from our stomach back towards our mouth. Sometimes we may also experience chest pain that increases when we lay down. Each of these is an indication of heartburn. Before we move on, however it is important to note that heartburn is only an indicator of a potentially larger digestive disorder called acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux is neither a serious disorder nor life threatening. This is especially true for those who only experience it occasionally. There are nonetheless millions of Americans that encounter the discomfort associated with acid reflux monthly, weekly and for some daily. But what causes acid reflux? Well, when we eat, food moves from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach for further digestion. At the end of the esophagus there is a circular band of muscles that relax and allow food and liquids to pass into the stomach. It then tightens and prevents foods and stomach juices from traveling back up into the esophagus. If, however, food or digestive juices escape the stomach and travel back up the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining, this is when many people experience heartburn. For some, acid reflux is due to a mechanical disorder where the sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus becomes weak or doesn't close correctly. This can cause them to experience acid reflux when lying down as well as when standing up. In addition to mechanical issues that can cause the sphincter muscle to relax, alcohol, smoking, prescription medications and certain foods such as chocolate, onions, spicy foods and mints can also lessen the gripping power of this muscle. Other reasons people experience acid reflux includes eating large meals. A large meal increases the pressure on the stomach. This pressure can cause stomach contents to literally be pushed out of the stomach and back into the esophagus. In addition, lying down right after a large meal increases your chances of experiencing acid reflux because digestive juices can more easily move in the wrong direction. Pregnancy and obesity can also increase abdominal pressure and increase your risk of experiencing acid reflux as well. Other digestive disorders such as a peptic ulcer or insufficient digestive enzymes in the stomach can also cause stomach acid to build up and back up into your esophagus. In addition to heartburn, individuals with acid reflux can experience difficulty swallowing, a persistent sore throat or feeling a lump in the throat, coughing or wheezing. In more severe cases, the individual may regurgitate blood or notice that their stool is black, which can indicate that it contains partially digested blood. Recommendations for Wellness Eat a number of smaller, more frequent meals instead of one or two large meals daily. Avoid lying down right after eating. Give your body a couple of hours to digest the food you've just eaten. If you experience acid reflux at night, elevate your head or the head of your bed 4-6 inches. If you are overweight, begin a diet and exercise program to help you shed a few pounds. Take a good look at what you are eating. If you are consuming chocolate, alcohol, fried or fatty foods, foods flavored with peppermint or spearmints or acidic beverages such as certain juices, coffee, tea and carbonated beverages, they may be contributing to your acid reflux and should be avoided. If you are taking prescription medications or suffer from a peptic ulcer, discuss your concerns with to your doctor to help you rule them out as the true cause of your acid reflux. Reduce your stress level. Sing, dance, meditate, practice deep breathing or do yoga to help your body relax. This will help to reduce the pressure on your stomach. Carminatives such as chamomile, fennel, ginger, peppermint and sage can work to sooth stomach muscles, increase the secretions of digestive juices as well as promote bile flow. Similarly, digestive bitters improve digestion through enhanced secretion of digestive juices Soothing herbs such as aloe vera, marshmallow and slippery elm have traditionally been use to combat the irritation often associated with heartburn. If you feel as if the foods you are consuming are not being digested properly, try taking digestive enzymes before each meal to help break down foods in the stomach and improve digestion. Food enzymes come in many forms. There are broad spectrum food enzymes that can help to digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats. There are also specialized enzymes that help digest specific types of foods such as fats, proteins and milk. About The Author © Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2004. All rights reserved. Dr. Rita Louise, PhD is a Naturopathic Physician and a 20-year veteran in the Human Potential Field, and it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive that enlivens her work. Author of the books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The Power Within: A Psychic Healing Primer", Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. a can help you identify what is really going on and provide you with straightforward guidance and advice. She can be reached by calling 972-475-3393 or visiting her website at http://www.soulhealer.com; rita@soulhealer.com
MORE RESOURCES: See the complete list of Articles on Alternative Health here Have a look at Best Selling Books on Alternative Health
See also : Other articles on
Depression,
Grief Loss,
Happiness,
Humor,
Inspirational,
Motivation,
Latest info on : Alternative Health
Alternative - Google News Why not be an expert yourself ? If you can write on
any of the above topic, you are welcome to submit your Submit
your article here |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Water: The Best Medication Ever Created! How much water do you drink every day? The majority of people do not drink enough!In 1995 Dr. F. Fight Cancer With Broccoli Sprouts Mom was right to insist on us eating our vegetables. Sheknew they built health and gave us the minerals we need. Top 3 Reasons Why You Suffer From Pain In The Back Of The Knee Pain behind the knee is something many of us have or might experience if we play sports that involve bending at the knees, running, tennis, or any activity that puts strain on the area.Here are some things you need to keep in mind if you ever experience such pain behind the knee:1. Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part II) A hot cup of tea might be just the thing to soothe a sore throat, warm the body, or relax with after a stress-filled day. But tea is more than just a comfort drink. Thyroid Dysfunction, its Symtoms & Treatment Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland situated under the pituitary gland does not produce the required amount of thyroid hormone. This hormone is necessary for proper functioning of the cells of our body and assist in metabolism. The Many Advantages of Herbal Medicine Nowadays is the era of everything that is herbal and natural. Millions of "all natural," "all herbal" health and dietary supplements are swamping the markets today. Guide To Some Common Herbs That Heal Herbs have long been an acceptable way to fight common ailments and while they should not take the place of medical advice, can be a great supplement to your current medical care. There are many common herbs that have healing properties which you may not even know about. Oral Chelation - What Can It Do For You? (Part 2) Intravenous chelation therapy was more popular than oral chelation initially. It involved the injection of EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) that is an effective and widely studied chelating agent. Amazing Artemesias Artemis - Goddess of the herbalist - gives her name to a genus of marvelously aromatic, safely psychedelic, highly medicinal, dazzlingly decorative, and more-or-less edible plants in the Asteraceae family. I love Artemis, and I love her plants. Parasites: The Missing Diagnosis? Parasites, commonly thought of as only affecting those in developing countries, actually affect 1 in 6 people in North America and are the most common disease condition in the world. For many chronic conditions this can be the missing diagnosis. How to Avoid Potentially Harmful Chemicals in Your Area Rugs and Other Home Furnishings You purchase a beautiful area rug. You know just where it will go within your home. What Happens During a Pain Relief Visualization Session A visualization session is an hour-long conversation with your subconscious about what visualization statements you may be able to use to help relieve your pain. Here's how the session works. Working with an Intuitive Counselor: Opening the Door to Yourself "Oh, I've had a psychic reading before. They read some cards and wanted to know when my birthday was and then told me I'd meet a man in the next 6 months, but I never did. Pediatric CI Therapy - An Interview with Dr. Stephanie C. DeLuca As each day passes, medical research communities strive to find alternative means of evaluating and treating specific conditions. One of those communities is comprised of a professional and highly educated team of PhDs at Alabama University at Birmingham, located in Birmingham, AL. Our New Years Resolution - Get Rid of The Toxins in our Lives It is hard to believe, almost unthinkable. Everyday we are exposed to so many toxins in our lives. Alternative Medicine Alternative Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines to restore and maintain health. Dating back to 420 B. The Universal Calibration Lattice® - Your Own Personal Connection to the Universal Energy Source Now is an incredible time to be on Earth. All of us in our divine wisdom agreed to be here doing the journey of human at this most auspicious time in the annals of humankind. Some Smells Cause Headache Did you know that some smells cause headache?Its true, the intoxicating or stupefying fragrances of some perfumes and room fresheners are some of the odors, that if you inhale them long enough, you will find that these smells cause headache. This need not be something that you have used on your own body. Contact Lenses Explained And Compared To Glasess Many people over the past ten years have changed from glasses to contact lenses but are they really worth it? This is a question that you need to answer for yourself. Many people change to contacts as they find them less expensive to purchase and certainly less expensive to replace. Medical Massage What is MEDICAL MASSAGE? Medical Massage is sometimes defined as medically necessary massage, which is usually prescribed by a physician. Medical massage is generally practiced in relation to a specific goal focused on improving health of patients.
|
|
You are here |
|
| Alternative Health Home | All articles on Alternative Health- complete list | |
|
| Main Home | Meditation Corner | |
|
|
| Recommend us | |
|
[About
us] [Contact] [Privacy
Policy]
Copyright 2006, Meditation
is Easy.com, All
rights reserved
