PERCY VERE

There are times when you may experience a burning and painful discomfort just behind the breastbone. This burning sensation that you are experiencing is commonly called heartburn, and most people tend to suffer from frequent heartburn.

Heartburn doesn’t have anything to do with your heart. Rather heartburn is what occurs when digested food juices go back into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube like structure that connects the throat to your stomach.

When the digested food juices go back into the esophagus it is called reflux. The stomach has a high amount of acid within it to help breakdown the various foods that we eat. There is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES that normally separates the esophagus from the stomach. It is when the LES fails to work correctly or when it relaxes frequently at the wrong moment that we experience frequent heartburn.

Doctors can easily miss heartburn as the correct diagnosis, and frequently do, heart attack being the more common diagnosis. It’s easy to see why really. The chest pain, the burning sensation just behind your breastbone, shortness of breath, blurry vision, all these can be symptoms of either a heart attack, or heartburn.

There are certain triggers in our lifestyles and eating habits that cause heartburn. The triggers vary from person to person, and from lifestyles and dietary habits. However there are some common factors.

They include the following. Eating foods such as citrus fruits and drinks, chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes or tomato-based products and fatty or spicy foods. Drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, and sodas that have caffeine substances in them. Also drinking carbonated fizzy drinks and alcoholic beverages can relax the LES.

Heartburn has varying degrees to it. There is episodic heartburn which is generally experienced. There is the more serious GERD disease. Then there is frequent heartburn. This is the type of heartburn that occurs two or more days a week. Frequent heartburn affects people who may be using medication for heartburn symptoms at least two or more days of the week.

For sufferers of frequent heartburn there is at the moment only one type of relief. This is the proton pump inhibitor or the PPI as it is also known as. PPIs are powerful inhibitors of stomach acid production. They virtually shut down the acid pumps in the cells of the stomach. As this is where stomach the acid is produced, the PPIs eliminate the excess amounts of acid leaving only enough acid for the normal digestion of food.

Prilosec medication is the only over the counter medication that you can get for frequent heartburn. Prilosec is specifically indicated for frequent heartburn usage, and can provide 24-hour relief from the symptoms of frequent heartburn. You will only need to take one pill daily as medical directions state for 14 days.

For frequent heartburn sufferers a complete change in their lifestyles and eating habits may not be enough. Should there be an increase in the pain then having a medical diagnosis may be helpful in correcting your frequent heartburn pain. Stop procrastinating, and delaying, go to your doctor today and get yourself relief from your heartburn.

Dtm
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Osteoarthritis is perhaps the fastest growing form of arthritis in the United States. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one third of all adult Americans have x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis. Last year over 7 million visits to the doctor were osteoarthritis related which is second to cardiovascular disease in America. As we age this number is going to increase unless we take steps to stop arthritis. Over the years researchers have developed medications to help relieve pain but none have actually addressed the underlying cause of joint destruction. In this article we will take a look at the characteristics of osteoarthritis and the current treatments available. Also, we will look at natural alternatives that can help improve quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is a disorder that involves certain bones and joints in the body. A joint is where two bones are connected and made up of cartilage which is surrounded by muscles and tendons. Some joints have a limited range of motion such as a rib in the rib cage and others have a much wider range of movement like hips, knees, elbows, wrists, and thumbs. The wider ranges of motion joints are called synovial joints. (1) Synovial joints have a unique structure. The bones that are connected to synovial joints are cover in a tough fibrous tissue call cartilage. This tough cartilage tissue between the bones is called the joint capsule. The joint capsule has an inner cavity which is lined with an inner membrane called the synovial membrane. With in this membrane there is fluid called synovial fluid which is a thick, slippery fluid that fills the small places in between and around the two bones connecting. The fluid is filled with a substance that lubricates the joints and eases movement. (1,2)

This joint cartilage serves two purposes. First, it allows for a smooth surface to bear heavy weight and ease joint movement when in motion. Secondly, the joint cartilage absorbs shock and distributes the forces and mechanical stresses out to the bones connected to the joint.

Joint function is under continual mechanical stress while in motion and the joints ability to resist the stress reflects its health. If the mechanical stress becomes to much for the joint, some physical changes occur in the joint cartilage covering the bones. (1,2)

Cartilage is tough and some what elastic in nature comprised of water, collagen and complex proteins called proteoglycans. (3) When osteoarthritis has been diagnosed in a patient, the cartilage has started to weaken and become frayed. Over time the cartilage breaks down exposing the two bones of the joint. When two bones rub together all sorts of damage can happen. Bits of bone and cartilage break off and float around in the joint space. When the joint is bent, one usually experiences a gritty grinding feeling which is painful. Over time tiny bone spurs can grow into the cartilage and surrounding tissue causing a great deal of pain and decrease range of motion in the joint. As the arthritis progresses, the pain and discomfort will increase creating sleepless nights and miserable days.

Even though the exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known, researchers do know that it is not age related. Researchers have observed the disease having the same destructive changes in younger patients diagnosed which haven’t been observed in older individuals who don’t have the disease. (2,4,5) Researchers have observed that certain conditions do seem to trigger the disease or make it worse.

Families who have frequent occurrences of osteoarthritis tend to lean on the idea that it could be a genetic factor. Osteoarthritis of the hands is often seen as genetic. (2) People who are extremely active or have physically demanding jobs have a higher occurrence of developing osteoarthritis. Also, individuals who have certain bone disorders are prone to osteoarthritis as well. Individuals who are over weight are at risk. Because of the excess pounds, these individuals usually develop osteoarthritis in the knees and feet. Over weight individuals usually have denser bones which do not absorb as much shock as thinner bones might causing more damage to joint cartilage.

Currently there is no sure way to prevent osteoarthritis, but slowing the progression may help with some lifestyle changes. The arthritis foundation suggests individuals who are prone to osteoarthritis should maintain a healthy weight and loose weight if needed. They also suggest that these individuals should exercise on a regular basis as a preventative measure. (4) Consumption of Calcium and other vitamins such as vitamin A, C, D, and E can help as well. (6-8)

Treatment of osteoarthritis is usually focused around reducing or relieving the pain an individual experiences and maintain or improve the movement so to reduce any permanent disability. (2) Your Medical practitioner normally prescribes a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen which is only effective in pain management. Sadly these NSAIDs have side effects which can be serious. NSAID induced gastrointestinal complications cause more than 100,000 hospitalizations and nearly 16,500 deaths each year in the United States. Long term use of NSAIDs can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestinal tract which product heartburn and abdominal pain. NSAIDs can interfere with blood clotting and even cause kidney damage. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is some times prescribed for pain relief, but acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation and have the same side effects as NSAIDs plus in large doses can cause liver damage. (9)

Newer medications released to the public are called COX-2 inhibitors which provide pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects with out the side effects of other NSAIDs. (11,12) In some cases, COX-2 inhibitors can cause stomach damage and bleeding. (13,14) All of these medications may help with the pain but does nothing to slow down or stop the osteoarthritis. This medication has no effect on the disease itself. (10)

After reviewing all the side effects from the medications available, some believe that Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate are better for osteoarthritis because Glucosamine and Chondroitin actually improve synovial joint health without any life threatening side effects. (3)

Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate work so well as treatment for osteoarthritis that even physicians routinely recommend it. Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate are naturally occurring compounds found in human joints. (15,16) When consumed in the right combination can actually reverse the damage in joints affected by osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is a natural substance found in synovial fluid and is the basic building block of proteoglycans, one of the compounds in synovial cartilage. Europeans have been using Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate for more than 10 years to help ease joint pain. Only in the past few years have researchers from American and Europe worked together to figure out how this works. Researchers discovered that Glucosamine sulfate reduces synovial joint inflammation which explains why people feel better after taking the supplement.

Scientific studies have discovered that Glucosamine sulfate can help stimulate cartilage cell growth, inhibit proteoglycans breakdown, and rebuild the damage done by osteoarthritis. (17,18) Glucosamine Sulfate not only helps your feel better but also repairs the damage that’s all ready done. The only Glucosamine used in all the studies was Glucosamine sulfate. When the body digests Glucosamine sulfate the sulfate separates and forms a ion salt called a sulfate ion. This sulfate ion is critical for the body to synthesize proteoglycans. (17)

Researchers believe that Chondroitin sulfate works in a similar way to Glucosamine sulfate and should be consumed along with Glucosamine sulfate. Several studies investigated the action of Chondroitin sulfate and determined for best results one should take them both together. However, if your health care practitioner suggests taking only one or the other it is best that you follow your practitioners advice.

Other vitamins and minerals are beneficial to individuals suffering from osteoarthritis. Suck as, folic acid and B12 may increase joint mobility and vitamins A, C, D, and E may prevent the progression of the disease as well as prevent osteoarthritis all together. (8,19,20) Several clinical studies used the herb Boswellia serrata which help with swelling and yielded good results as well. Cayenne or capsaicin ointment can help elevate the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Cayenne pepper depletes the nerves of a neurotransmitter called substance P. This substance P transmits pain messages to the brain, so cayenne is very effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain.

Along with supplements, exercise is an important to help keeps joints mobile and healthy. For those suffering from osteoarthritis, water aerobics might be an option because it is low impact and gives one the ability to flex their joints with out applying much weight on the joints.

It is easy for those who don’t feel well to self diagnose. If you suspect that you have a joint health issue, get evaluated by a licensed health care provider before taking any steps to get better on your own. Some of these same symptoms can be related to other illnesses which require different treatment. Only a health care provider can be certain one has osteoarthritis. With proper exercise and supplements one can reduce the constant stiffness and pain associated with osteoarthritis and this can lead to a healthier pain free life. All the supplements mentioned can be found at your local or internet health food store.

References:

1. Siedel HM, Ball JW, Dains JE, Benedict GW. Classification of joints. In: Mosby’s Guide to Physical Examination. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, 1999: 695.

2. Bancroft DA, Pigg JS. Osteoarthritis syndromes. In: Porth CM. Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 1998: 1133-1138.

3. McCarty MF. Enhanced synovial production of hyaluronic acid may explain rapid clinical response to high-dose glucosamine in osteoarthritis. Medical Hypotheses 1998;50,507-510.

4. Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis. Available at: www .arthritis .org/answers/diseasecenter/oa. Accessed June 26, 2001.

5. National Institutes of Health. Osteoarthritis. Available at: www .nih .gov/niams/healthinfo/osteoarthritis /osteohandout_breaks.html. Accessed July 3, 2001.

6. Tiku ML, Shah R, Allison GT. Evidence linking chondrocyte lipid peroxidation to cartilage matrix protein degradation. Possible role in cartilage aging and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. J Biol Chem. 2000;275:20069-20076.

7. Sowers M, Lachance L. Vitamins and arthritis. The roles of vitamins A, C, D, and E. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1999;25:315-332.

8. McAlindon TE, Jacques P, Zhang Y, et al. Do antioxidant micronutrients protect against the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis? Arthritis Rheum. 1996;39:648-656.

9. Graumlich JF. Preventing gastrointestinal complications of NSAIDs. Risk factors, recent advances, and latest strategies. Postgrad Med 2001 May;109(5):117-20, 123-8. Complete article available online at: www .postgradmed .com/issues/2001/05_01/graumlich.htm.

10. Lehne RA. Acetaminophen. In: Pharmacology for Nursing Care. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders; 1998: 705-706.

11. Ballinger A, Smith G. COX-2 inhibitors vs. NSAIDs in gastrointestinal damage and prevention. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2001;2:31-40.

12. Goldstein JL, Correa P, Zhao WW, et al. Reduced incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers with celecoxib, a novel cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, compared to naproxen in patients with arthritis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96:1019-1027.

13. Colville-Nash PR, Gilroy DW. Potential adverse effects of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition: evidence from animal models of inflammation. BioDrugs. 2001;15:1-9.

14. Laudanno OM, Cesolari JA, Esnarriaga J, et al. Gastrointestinal damage induced by celcecoxib and rofecoxib in rats. Dig Dis Sci. 2001;46:779-784.

15. Uebelhart D, Thonar EJ, Zhang J, Williams JM. Protective effect of exogenous chondrotin 4,6-sulfate in the acute degradation of articular cartilage in the rabbit. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1998;6:6-13.

16. Leeb BF, Schweitzer H, Montag K, Smolen JS. A meta-analysis of chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol. 2000;27:205-211.

17. Deal CL, Moskowitz RW. Nutraceuticals as therapeutic agents in osteoarthritis. The role of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and collagen hydrolysate. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1999 May;25(2): 379-95.

18. Glucosamine sulfate. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4:193-195.

19. Adebowale AO, Cox DS, Liang Z, et al. Analysis of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate content in marketed products and the Caco-2 permeability of chondroitin sulfate raw materials. JAMA. 2000;3:37-44.

20. Crolle G. D’Este E. Glucosamine sulphate for the management of arthrosis: a controlled clinical investigation. Curr Med Res Opin. 1980;7:104-109.

Darrell Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/protect-your-joints-and-reduce-arthritis-with-glucosamine-chondroitin-sulfate-115541.html

Although acid reflux is not a life threatening condition, the pain that this brings can be unbearable sometimes. So to relief the pain is very important in this condition, maybe as important as getting it treated.

Furthermore, it is also believed that this is a lifelong condition, so reliving one’ s pain can be very important. But if you want to do this, make sure to do it the proper way. Taking too much medication can sometimes hurt more than do any good. What you should do is talk to a specialist and explore your options.

Also an important thing when suffering from acid reflux is to maintain a balance when your helath is concerned. If you take too much medication to relief you from the pain that acid reflux can give you, other parts of your body can be harmed. So make sure you discuss all this with your doctor, because the right chemical balance in your body is essential.

Many doctors do not encourage their patients to take pills for acid reflux relief. The reason this happens is because all that these drugs do is reduce the quantity of acid produced by your stomach. You may think this is a good thing, because then you suffer from less pain and you can also cure acid reflux. Wrong! The stomach acid is very important in digestion. This component breaks down the food we eat into smaller pieces giving us all the nutrients and vitamins we need. If you level of acid is low, than you may have serious problems.

The most used substance in acid reflux problems is the antacid. This helps remove all the unnecessary acids in your stomach, therefor making you avoid acid rfelux. Well, as good as it sound on paper, it is not so great in practice. What this substance actually does is reduce acid reflux, not cure it. Even more it can also make it difficult for your stomach to digest some types of foods or different amounts of what you eat. It can go as far as not allowing your body to proper asimilate iron or even vitamin B.

In theory and even in some cases this substance works. But there are more things wrong with it than you might think. It can actually reduce your stomach’ s ability to fight eny infection that may happen in that part of your body. It weakens the stomach walls, leading to even more problems than you had before. This is the reason way you should consult a doctor and together find the best treatment for you.

For more resources about acid reflux or especially about /www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-surgery.htm”>acid reflux surgery please click this link http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-surgery.htm

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/tips-and-tricks-about-acid-reflux-101349.html

Those who suffer from acid reflux and are looking for some acid reflux relief may experience more than complications other than bile reflux. Some acid reflux sufferers experience spasms in their esophagus. Your esophagus connects your throat to your stomach and is structured like a long tube. A healthy esophagus moves food to the stomach through a series of synchronized muscle contractions. Esophageal spasms upset this natural process creating many unpleasant symptoms.

What is an esophageal spasm?

Esophageal spasms occur when the muscle contractions within the esophagus lack coordination and prevent food from properly moving through your esophagus to the stomach. Esophageal spasms affect the muscles that are situated within the walls of the lower esophagus. They can occur in the following two ways:

1. Diffuse spasms – This is when food traveling to the stomach is slowed due to irregular or simultaneous contraction of the esophageal muscles.

2. Nutcracker esophagus – This is when food progresses normally to the stomach, but the muscle contractions are abnormally strong and painful.

Researchers are not exactly sure what causes esophageal spasms, but one theory is that extremely cold, hot or spicy food can trigger a spasm. Another theory is that GERD or heartburn, which causes irritation and inflammation in the esophagus, can trigger a spasm. Whatever the real reason, one fact remains – People who are prone to acid reflux and have GERD are more prone to esophageal spasms, and the chances of developing this condition increases as they age.

The following are some symptoms of this condition that you should be aware of:

- Chest pain that is usually intense and is often mistaken for heart pain. This is the most common symptom.
- Pain when swallowing
- Trouble swallowing
- Feeling something is stuck in the throat
- Regurgitating food
- Heartburn

How are esophageal spasms diagnosed?

This condition can be hard to diagnose due to the fact that its symptoms closely resemble other disorders such as GERD. Nevertheless, should your doctor expect that you suffer from esophageal spasms; the condition may be diagnosed through -

- Barium esophagram – This is the most common test for people who suffer from trouble swallowing. The Barium esophagram utilizes X-rays to examine the esophagus and is the best test for detecting esophageal spasms.

- Esophageal CT scan – This is a test that uses computerized tomography (CT) scans to create and capture cross-sectional sliced images of the inside of the body. The test may reveal that the esophageal muscles have abnormal thickness which could mean esophageal spasms.

- Esophageal manometry test – This test involves the insertion of a thin tube into the esophagus via the mouth or nose. The purpose is to measure how effective the esophageal muscles are during the swallowing process.

Is there treatment for esophageal spasms?

Yes. The following are some suggested treatments:

- Manage underlying conditions – If you are prone to heartburn or suffer from GERD, manage these conditions to reduce your chance of spasms.

- Lifestyle changes – Change your eating habits such as avoid eating certain foods including those that are spicy or acidic, and avoid lying down directly after eating meals. Lifestyle change is also the best way to prevent esophageal spasms from occurring.

- Biofeedback – This is an alternative therapy that teaches you to use your mind to control your body. Electrical sensors help you recognize the way your body responds to psychological stress so you can control it.

- Medication – Muscle relaxants including nitrates or calcium channel blockers are often prescribed to reduce the severity of muscle contractions. Tricyclic antidepressants may also be recommended to help relieve pain.

- Surgery – This treatment is extremely rare but sometimes is the only option in serious cases. Myotmy may be performed to help weaken muscle contractions, or an esophagectomy (the removal of the esophagus) may be needed.

Kathryn Whittaker
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-link-between-esophageal-spasms-and-acid-reflux-111088.html

Learning how to treat acid reflux or GERD (Esophageal Reflux Disease) as it is sometimes referred to, can be a long and complicated process with different people telling you different things.

One of the first things that you should do when suffering from this rather painful condition is to visit your Doctor who will be able to inform you of the ways in which you can treat the problem.

Generally, a doctor will prescribe three types of medication to treat the acid reflux and these could be H2 blockers, promotility agents or proton pump inhibitors. Most of these will need to be prescribed by a doctor and you should inspect to make regular visits back to the healthcare professional to make sure that they are working for you and also that there are no adverse side effects that you are experiencing.

Starting with the H2 blockers and learning how to treat acid reflux in this way, it is safe to say that they work in the same way as the proton pump inhibitors and this is by blocking certain histamines that are well known to cause the acid reflux.

Generally, gastric acids are the reason behind this acid reflux and the transportation of it from the stomach, where it belongs, up the oesophagus and causing a pain that is generally described as heart burn.

Mild cases of this are generally treated by H2 blockers and some of the most well known brands that you may have heard of are Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet which are available world wide. These can normally be obtained from a pharmacy without the need of a prescription.

Promility agents are generally given to those that have a digestive system that is functioning rather sluggishly and the agents themselves are used to help the transportation of the gastrointestinal content to the stomach and intestines.

When you look at learning how to treat acid reflux with these agents you will find out that the stomach will often produce less of an acid reflux when it is empty, so when the digestive system is moving slowly, there are more contents in the stomach to cause more acid.

If you are looking at how to treat acid reflux by the way of proton pump inhibitors, some of the most common names that you may associate with this problem is Prevacid, Protonix and Aciphex.

These will be prescribed to patients who has a stomach that is producing far too much acid and thus being the reason behind acid reflux. These drugs will often lessen the amount of acid that is produced and therefore treating the acid reflux.

If you are looking at how to treat acid reflux, either because you are suffering from the condition or you know someone that is, visiting the doctor is one of the best things that you can do, not only to find out more about the condition but also to find a way to treat it.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and acid reflux treatment. Discover how you can have instant heartburn relief using proven and effective home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.refluxremoval.com

Alvin Hopkinson
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If you think about how many prescription and over-the-counter heartburn medicines there are, you’d guess that everybody in American suffering from heartburn.

It is true. A Gallup Organization national survey discovered more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms every day. But, there is good news orange peel extract can work to relieve heartburn pain safely and effectively and without side effects. Many people tell about its great success in their lives.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is the pain caused by the splashing up of fluids from the stomach into the esophagus. The stomach has a special lining to protect itself from the hydrochloric acid, the esophagus does not. At the bottom of the esophagus there is a circular muscle called lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES opens to soon stomach acid travels from the stomach into the esophagus, this is what causes the burning pain.

What is the difference between heartburn and ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are sores usually caused by a bacterial infection or overuse of aspirin in the stomach. A stomach ulcer and heartburn are in the same family. They have mostly the same symptoms and treatments, and could eventually be a serious problem if left untreated.

What’s the difference between heartburn and GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease’s (GERD) symptom is continual heartburn throughout an entire week. GERD can be a very serious disease because the hydrochloric acid can wear away the esophagus lining and develop scar tissue. Scar tissue causes problems with trying to swallow. GERD also can help cause asthma, pneumonia, hoarseness, chronic cough, and the erosion of teeth. Recently, doctors have found that GERD can be the cause for cancer of the larynx and pharynx.

What causes heartburn?

There are many causes for heartburn. The esophagus has an important function to allow humans to swallow. When we swallow, small muscle fibers contract creating a movement called peristalsis. The slowing down of esophageal peristalsis happens with age and heartburn can develop.

Overeating can also cause heartburn, because the food has overfilled the stomach which allows acid to come up. The acids can also cause heartburn when bending over, lying down, or lifting heavy objects.

Foods can cause the discomfort of heartburn. Foods and beverages such as: chocolate, tomatoes, raw onions, citrus fruits, garlic vinegar, black pepper, citrus juices, caffeine, carbon, and alcohol. Smokers are also more prone to heartburn because it relaxes the LES which opens to let the acid out.

Who else is prone to developing heartburn?

There are three major types of people who are more apt to having heartburn. People who are overweight get heartburn because their fat adds pressure to the abdomen. Also pregnant women get heartburn because of their pressure on the abdomen from the baby. Doctors also say that a woman’s changing hormones can cause the muscle valve to relax. An overwhelming 25% of women have heartburn during their pregnancy.

Heartburn is also known to show up in people with hiatal hernias because in this condition, the stomach slides above the diaphragm, a thin muscle that keeps the stomach away from the chest. Food and the acid are now able to flow back into the esophagus, which causes heartburn.

What side effects do many heartburn medications have?

No medications can cure heartburn, but they can relieve the pain for a period of time. Some medications are known to impede some vitamins and calcium absorption, as well as interfere with digestion and stomach secretions.

Heartburn medications work for some people most of the time, but for some they lack a consistent relief. This allows for many people to switch brands to find the one that will work the best for their body.

Antacids use substances to neutralize stomach acid, but now the hydrochloric acid can not do its vital functions, like digesting food, inhibiting bacterial growth, and absorbing vitamins and nutrients. Also, when the acid is neutralized, our body reacts by creating even more, which would cause even greater heartburn. This cycle is known as “acid rebound.”

Antacids also have many side effects. Food poisoning is more apt to happening because bacteria can survive longer with the antacids.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) restrain the acid from creating. Actually, it practically shuts down the stomach’s ability to produce acid.

The most common heartburn medications, such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid are actually supposed to be used short-time, but people are using them as a long-term medication. Using the orange peel extract is a safe alternative because it has no side effects.

How does orange peel extract work?

Orange peel extract is being researched and there are several possibilities as to how it stops heartburn. Some believe that it helps food move through the stomach, forbidding food to stay in the esophagus for a long period of time. This minimizes the chance for heartburn. It can also work as a surfactant, which reduces the surface tension of a liquid and would decrease the potential for the hydrochloric acid to splash.

How much orange peel extract should I take?

It is recommended that 1,000 mg be taken every other day, which was used in the scientific studies. Look for a product with 98.5% purity of d-limonene, found in the orange peel extract.

How does orange peel extract cure heartburn?

Almost 90% of the participants in the studies said that their heartburn was happening less after two weeks and about one-third said that they had a resolution of the heartburn after about two days. Even better, participants said that although they stopped take the orange peel extract, two weeks after they hadn’t felt heartburn. On a scale of 1-10 (10= mild and 1= severe), the study participants had an average rating of 7.8 and two weeks after the end of taking the orange peel extract they stopped having any heartburn. Seldom, some people felt heartburn after eating the foods that they previously avoided, but a single orange peel extract pill solved the problem.

Is orange peel extract safe?

It is an all-natural product, which makes it safe for many people. You should always follow the directions on the bottle.

You shouldn’t take it if you are pregnant or nursing or if you have an ulcer. Ulcers will create a burning irritating sensation. Children shouldn’t be given the orange peel extract because it has not been tested on them yet. Orange peel extract has been used in cancer studies for many years, and scientists haven’t found any adverse effects.

Does orange peel extract affect cancer?

Research has discovered that orange peel extract has prevented cancer activity by inhibiting the way cancer cells divide and grow. Some cancers that the orange peel extract has prevented are breast, skin, liver, lung, pancreatic, colon, and stomach cancers, in laboratory studies.

One study had 32 cancer patients take the orange peel extract, and no toxicity was observed. Blood analysis revealed that the orange peel extract was absorbed in to their bodies very well. More research is needed on orange peel extract and cancer.

Some important last notes

Frequent heartburn could mean a more serious condition and if this is you, you should consult a professional health physician.

Conclusion

Heartburn can be very serious. It happens to millions of Americans who spend billions of dollars on medications. Orange peel extract is an inexpensive and safe way to relieve heartburn pain. Orange Peel Extract can be found at any health food store.

Darrell Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/natural-supplements-like-orange-peel-extract-can-help-fight-heartburn-91394.html

Stomach problems, such as acid reflux, can make a person absolutely miserable. There can make your days long and your sleepless nights even longer.  There has been a few days where the stomach gas will not stop and the stomach pain just moves around where it wants.  There are a lot of prescription medications – tagament – available today for such conditions but many people prefer to avoid taking too many pills.  Natural acid reflux remedies provide welcomed relief for many sufferers and the side effects are usually none.

Acid reflux disease can cause inflammation in the esophagus. This irritation is caused by acid and stomach contents moving from the stomach up into the esophagus. Many people recognize this stomach symptom as acid reflux or heartburn. This uncomfortable and some time painful symptom has many of us running to drug stores looking for acid reflux remedies.

I was not interested in finding acid reflux remedies myself because I had never experienced heartburn until last week. My first thought when I felt the burning was that something was stuck in my chest and I couldn’t work it out. The sensation was one that I would equate with chocking deep in the chest.

After that brief experience with heartburn I decided that I had better check out some natural acid reflux remedies.  My husband complains of heartburn on a daily basis. I had never really understood what he was feeling until I experienced heartburn.

I can’t get my husband to take an aspirin let alone prescription medication. Mediations that were used in the past as acid reflux remedies had very bad consequences. The drug Propulsid , Cisapride, that was used for the stomach ailment was taken off of the market after many people died from the medication.  It was found to cause dangerous heart irregularities.  The FDA put out a warning concerning this side effect to doctors and other practitioners.

My husband isn’t really excited about taking medication of any sort and the track record for medications for this stomach problem is poor. We decided that natural acid reflux remedies would be the best approaches to his discomfort. If there is a natural way to take care of a problem that is the way to go.

We found that drinking a lot of filtered water each day helps to elevate the symptoms associated with the stomach problem. Water helps to balance the pH in your stomach which neutralizes the acids. This is the easiest of the acid reflux remedies to follow.  But, do not drink water during meal time since this will weaken your stomach acid and cause incomplete digestion.

One other acid reflux remedy is digestive enzymes.  These enzymes will help you completely digest your food.  Undigested food causes gases and toxic waste to form creating an imbalance in your stomach, which then leads to acid reflux or heartburn.

Other acid reflux remedies include fresh garlic. This came as a huge surprise to both of us. You would think that garlic would disrupt the natural balance in your stomach but it does the opposite. Just adding water, garlic, and digestive enzymes to my husband’s diet proved to be effective acid reflux remedies.

Rudy Silva

A gastric ulcer occurs when there has been a break in the protective lining of the stomach which leads to further erosion of both the lining of the stomach and the intestines. Such erosion will result in a raw, open and painful sore occurring in the stomach lining.

Gastric Ulcers are caused when there is an imbalance between the amount of stomach acid the body is secreting and an enzyme called Pepsin and the natural defenses of the stomach lining (known as mucosal). There is a spiral shaped bacteria living in the acid environment of the stomach (Heliobacter Pylori Bacterium) which can also cause gastric ulcers. Whilst both obesity and smoking along with the excessive use of anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin) will also increase the risk of someone developing gastric ulcers.

There are certain warning signs that you should look for to know if you have a gastric ulcer or not.

One of the primary symptoms felt by someone with a gastric ulcer is a gnawing or burning pain in the upper middle stomach or just below the breastbone which will last from 30 minutes to sometimes over 3 hours. Unfortunately a large number of people mistake this kind of pain for heartburn because it is so similar, whilst others just mistake it as hunger pains.

For some people the pain caused by a gastric ulcer will wake them up during the night and for others it may come on immediately after they have eaten or meal or it may occur some 2 to 3 hours later on. For some patients the pain caused by the ulcer can be relieved by food or milk, whilst others will avoid eating as they often associate the pain they feel with eating.

Although the pain of a duodenal ulcer can often be relieved by food, for those suffering from gastric ulcers the pain is usually increased after they have had food. For some patients they have found that a delay in eating will only cause the pain from a gastric ulcer to be more severe and certainly from research carried out it is more likely that these people are suffering a duodenal ulcer rather than a gastric one.

As previously mentioned along with the pain the other signs and symptoms of a gastric ulcer will include weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss, pain relief after drinking milk, eating food or taking antacids, tiredness as well as the abdomen becoming bloated. However, if your ulcer begins to bleed you may notice that your stools have become tarry and foul smelling and you may also begin to vomit blood.

Yet there are some signs and symptoms which are relating to gastric ulcers that people sometimes confuse as heartburn instead, and these are indigestion or feeling hungry. But there are such signs and symptoms as the pain that may be felt after eating which make it easier to diagnose if some has a gastric ulcer or not.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-warning-signs-of-a-gastric-ulcer-85307.html

Anyone who suffers from acid reflux disease knows the pain of having his or her stomach and throat slowly eaten away by the stomach acids that are produced from the foods that he or she eats.

Stomach disorders can cause the worst kind of pain. It is also one of the most treatable.

Left untreated, Acid reflux disease can damage the esophagus to the point that surgery is needed to correct the problem.

Acid reflux disease can strike anyone at any age. Although it is not common, Stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease can occur in children. For some families, the children can even be born with it. Zantac is the medicine that doctors prescribe most for children.

In past decades, there has been little relief for those afflicted with acid reflux disease. There have been treatments to ease the pain of acid reflux but, until now, there hasn’t been anything available to reduce the acid.

Zantac was introduced to the market in 1981 and is the oldest acid reflux medication on the market today.

Over the past two decades, Zantac has been improved and is still the leader in the treatment of acid reflux disease. It is available by both prescription and over the counter. It comes in different forms such as tablets, effervescent tablets, syrup an effervescent granules. This ensures that there is a Zantac that everyone can take. It is recommended that Zantac be stored in a place other than the bathroom as the moisture may affect it.

Zantac actually reduces the amount of acid that the stomach produces. It is important to take Zantac as it is prescribed or as the package direction indicates.

Doctors prescribe Zantac over other medications for acid reflux disease because there are few side affects such as diarrhea or dizziness. These side affects are rare and very infrequent.

It is crucial that you tell your doctor all of the medication you are taking, including vitamins and dietary supplements, herbal products or anti coagulants. Combining any of these medications may have contraindications. There could also be complications if Zantac is taken by pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Zantac was created as a short-term medication and should not be used for more than four consecutive weeks at a time. Most people see significant results within that period of time.

Taking Zantac, along with lifestyle changes such as modifying your diet will assist those who suffer from acid reflux disease.

Zantac has been the medicine that physicians have been choosing for more than two decades. It has relieved the symptoms of those afflicted with acid reflux disease and other stomach related issues.

It has changed with the times and has surpassed others in its family.

Disclaimer: If you need more information about Zantac, talk to your doctor or a qualified professional.

Heather Colman
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/taking-zantac-to-reduce-the-amount-of-acid-your-stomach-produces-69438.html

I thought I would be taking forty ibuprofen a week until my stomach couldn’t take it anymore and then I would have to switch to something else for the rest of my life. After having a job where I have walked for at least six hours, six days a week for twenty years my knees were done for. I had torn my patellar tendon, had surgery for that and of course they scraped that knee as long as they were in there. My kneecap on one knee is one third worn off being bone on bone. I had done floor exercises first thing in the morning to loosen my back before I could get going for more than twenty years, this was just that way it was. At least I hadn’t had knee replacement or back surgery yet, but that was a sure thing for the future.

I am sure most of you can identify with that and more, we have tried everything with little or no results. When we get together with friends to catch up, the topic turns to complaints of our health issues! We can’t help it because it hurts, we hurt, and we think about it all the time. Plus, we don’t want to be outdone by our friends pains, so we elaborate!

You aren’t alone! Almost half of all U.S. adults and nearly two-thirds of obese adults will develop painful osteoarthritis of the knee by age 85, a study based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests. The study also found that a person’s lifetime risk rose as their body mass index or BMI increased, with the greatest risk found in those whose weight was normal at age 18 but were overweight or obese at 45 or older.

Knee pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many causes. However, after many years of being told, “well, you will just have to live with it as long as you can stand it, then there is knee replacement”. NOT TRUE !! At least for me and it can very probably be the same for you. My knees feel like they did when I was twenty five!

For more free information on how you can very possibly find relief with just good nutrition, food, please check out my website and lets get you feeling better, walking better, working better, with a lot less and hopefully no knee pain!

Testimony from a friend: “I am a 60 year old woman and had both hips replaced at 50 and have been walking to put off knee replacement as long as possible. Doug mentioned what had helped him and I started taking this simple nutrition three weeks ago. I couldn’t bend my knee enough to lift it up onto a curb, I was taking pain meds everyday and wow! I haven’t had my big pain med since the day I started and today I can lift my leg and bend my knee ninety degrees without pain. This is amazing, It worked for me, and very quickly. I had nothing to lose and gained a great deal. I am so thankful.”

Doug Sandquist