A Look at the Different Acid Reflux Symptoms

By Acid Reflux Info

Acid reflux symptoms vary in degrees of discomfort, from person to person, and within different age groups. The most common and persistent symptom is a burning sensation centered in the middle of the chest and/or throat, brought on by stomach acid that churns up onto the lining of the esophagus. This is due to the relaxing of the esophageal sphincter (valve), which remains open when it should be closed. Acid reflux also leads to one of the most unpleasant symptoms known as regurgitation of acid into the mouth, often due to overeating, or bending down after a meal.

People who suffer from acid reflux disease, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, exhibit symptoms that are chronic, persistent, and have a debilitating effect on their daily lifestyle. Though heartburn is the most common of the acid reflux disease symptoms, other signs may also manifest themselves. These symptoms include wheezing, coarseness in the throat, breathing problems, acid regurgitation, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry coughing, interrupted sleep, tightness in the throat, and halitosis (bad breath).

The risks for acid reflux disease increase, as most potential health problems, with age. Children also suffer from this disease, with symptoms that range from recurring coughing, vomiting, and breathing problems.

Don’t be confused by the term heartburn. Many believe that acid reflux symptoms affect the heart or mistakenly diagnose heartburn as a heart related problem. When in reality, the heart in not effected by acid reflux. The reason for the confusion lies in the fact that the heart is located near the pain center, when, actually, the esophagus is positioned behind the heart. One more thing to keep in mind is that acid reflux does not normally flare up during or beginning physical exertion, like many heart problems do. Again, always consult a physician on treatment options whether you experience signs of acid reflux or possible heart related problems.

Acid Reflux Info provides comprehensive information on the cause, symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid reflux. Acid Reflux Info is the sister site of Pain Relief Web.

Author: Roger Jirves

According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions, including maintenance of normal muscle and nerve function, strong bones and steady heart rhythm. It is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Now, according to an important new a research study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, researchers found that rats supplemented with Magnesium, their levels of communication between brain cells was activated. Lab rats were fed the equivalent of a human dose of 400 milligrams of Magnesium a day.

The result, was that the mineral increased the activity of receptors that control
learning and memory. Specifically, it enhanced the activity at the synapse, the gap between two neurons, or brain cells.

The results were most impressive in female rats. Women typically have lower Magnesium levels than men. This deficiency condition may play a critical role in why women are at greater risk for Alzheimer’s.

Unfortunately, levels of Magnesium in the American diet has declined since the Industrial Revolution. Federal studies in nursing homes indicate that virtually all residents have Magnesium deficiency.

The typically high fat content of the modern diet prevents Magnesium from being absorbed. Magnesium is present in
small amounts in many foods, one reason a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended.

To assure essential Magnesium intake, daily supplementation is also recommended.

Roger Jirves is an authorized dealer of the Vitamin Power line natural nutrition-science products comprehensive, reliable quality Vitamins Minerals, Herbs Weight loss products and more

Author: Sophie Lee

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition, but in some ways it is still a mystery. There are many different theories about what causes the syndrome, and different doctors will give you different reasons for your illness - anything from stress to bad bacteria to food intolerance. And once you have been diagnosed, there is no set form of treatment - instead, sufferers tend to try two or three supplements or therapies to find a combination that works for them.

IBS is clearly a complicated issue, so here is a basic overview of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

The symptoms

Although the symptoms of IBS vary from person to person, there are several symptoms which are typical of the illness. The most common symptom is either recurring diarrhea or recurring constipation (although some patients also have alternating diarrhea and constipation).

Additional symptoms can include stomach pain (sometimes relieved by a bowel movement), bloating, nausea and a lot of gas. These symptoms generally go away for a short time before returning again, as IBS can work in cycles. Sufferers may experience a few weeks or even a few months of good health before the symptoms come back.

Sufferers sometimes find that their symptoms begin after a bout of food poisoning or an operation. Others date their symptoms back to a very stressful period in their lives, and some patients can see no clear reason for why their symptoms began.

The diagnosis

There is no set test for IBS, and it is often called a diagnosis of ‘exclusion’. This means that a doctor may rule out other bowel and stomach complaints such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease before giving you a diagnosis of IBS.

Sometimes patients are given a colonoscopy, where a tiny camera is inserted into the intestines to look for abnormalities. In an IBS sufferer the colonoscopy won’t detect any physical signs of disease - IBS is often called a ‘functional’ disorder, because it seems to be caused by an alteration in the way the body functions rather than an identifiable cause such as inflammation.

However, this does not mean it is any less real than, say, inflammatory bowel disease, it just means that doctors haven’t come up with a proper test for it yet!

It is very important that you receive a diagnosis of IBS from a medical professional rather than self-diagnosing, as bowel symptoms can be present in many other health conditions.

The treatment

The first stage of treatment may involve any medications your doctor has given you to try. This could be an anti-spasmodic, which will relax the muscles in the gut walls, or perhaps a low dose of an anti-depressant, which can help to reduce the pain.

You may also be given one of the new drugs specifically developed for IBS - Lotronex for diarrhea sufferers and Zelnorm for constipation sufferers.

If the drugs do not help you then you could try using a fiber supplement such as Citrucel to add bulk to your stool - this can be helpful for both diarrhea and constipation. Also, there are other supplements such as Caltrate Plus which may be useful (Caltrate Plus contains calcium carbonate which can reduce diarrhea).

It may also be worth looking at your diet. A nutritionist can advise on ways to identify any particular food ‘triggers’ which may be setting off your symptoms, and also on whether you might have a food intolerance to something like gluten or lactose.

Finally, there are several alternative therapies which can be effective for IBS. Hypnotherapy has proved very effective, and a special form called gut-directed hypnotherapy has been developed just for digestive problems. Acupuncture may also be worth looking into.

Sophie Lee has had IBS for more than 15 years. She runs Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment http://www.irritable-bowel-syndrome.ws where you can read descriptions and reviews of the treatments available for IBS, from drugs to alternative therapy.

Author: Dr. Wei

Whether you’re a weekend athlete, or a gardener that overdid it, or a person with arthritis, there’s hope for you. According to Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director of the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland, "Shoulder problems are one of the most common afflictions of modern times. Fortunately, there are many ways of helping people feel better."

The shoulder is the largest, most complex, and most mobile joint in the body

Four muscles and their tendons (ropes attached to the top of the humerus), collectively known as the rotator cuff allow the shoulder to move as it does. The rotator cuff also plays a role in stabilizing the arm bone to the shoulder blade.

Shoulder pain doesn’t always come from the shoulder!

Examples include pain referred from arthritis of the neck, diseases of the chest such as pneumonia and diseases of the abdomen like gall bladder problems can cause pain to be referred to the shoulder. Even ectopic pregnancies have caused shoulder pain!!!
Finally, heart conditions can cause referred pain to the shoulder, particularly on the left side. A specialist’s physical exam is important. Dr. Wei relates this story. "I saw a patient who had shoulder pain. The pupil of the eye on the same side of the shoulder was enlarged. That set off alarm bells so I got a chest x-ray. He tuned out to have a lung cancer. This combination is called Horner’s syndrome."

Most causes of true shoulder pain fall into 3 categories

- tendonitis/bursitis- With repetitive motion, the bursae (small fluid-filled sacs) surrounding the shoulder joint can become inflamed. This condition is called bursitis.

- injury/instability- Keeping your arms extended above your head; chronic compression , ie. forcing the shoulder into its socket; muscle imbalance- if one of the muscles is extra weak, that can cause the rotator cuff to function poorly.

- arthritis- Usually a function of aging.

Patient tips:

- Try to limit the number of overhead reaches.

- If you’re wheelchair-bound, tuck your arms a bit closer to your body as you push.

- Avoid repetitive motion.

- Work on rotator cuff strengthening. Range-of-motion exercises are important!

- Use correct posture!
One tip that might help if you have chronic shoulder pain and have a "frozen shoulder" is to use a broomstick for stretching and range-of-motion exercises.

Oral anti-inflammatory medicines are sometimes, but not always, helpful. Patients may require a steroid injection. For people who don’t respond to medicines, injections, and physical therapy, another option is surgery. Any type of surgery should be done by a skilled shoulder surgeon. "The shoulder is the most complex joint so make sure whoever works on your shoulder is an expert with shoulders," advises Dr. Wei.
Dr. Wei (pronounced "way") is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians.
For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to:
http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

Author: Gary Cordingley

Dizzy Dean, the great baseball pitcher of the 1930s-1940s, once quipped, “The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing.”

That is as good an analogy as any in describing what often happens to patients with the symptom of dizziness. They see a doctor, get an MRI scan (the x-ray of the 21st century) and nothing is found.

To extend the baseball theme, patients sometimes complete a triple-play-going from family doctor to ear specialist to neurologist. And when all is said and done, none of the doctors is willing to own the symptom. Each says it’s the other doctors’ problem!

So where does that leave the patient? Probably out of a lot of bucks and getting more frustrated by the minute!

But, upon close analysis of the symptom, a case of dizziness can give up its secrets. It turns out that the word “dizziness” gets used to describe a variety of experiences, and those different experiences can themselves result from a number of underlying causes.

So the way one gets to first base is to sort through the patterns and narrow down the list of possibilities. In analyzing the symptom of dizziness, sometimes a multiple-choice approach works best. Most people can select one of the following three descriptions as most resembling their symptom:

#1. A sense of motion, perhaps spinning, rotating or even just drifting in space. It doesn’t matter if the person feels they are spinning or that the room around them is spinning: both mis-perceptions have the same significance. These perceptions are known as “vertigo.”

#2. A feeling of unsteadiness or imbalance in the body more than in the head.

#3. A feeling of light-headedness, wooziness, giddiness, or even verging on losing consciousness.

That the term “dizzy” can sometimes have still other connotations is illustrated by Mr. Dean’s own nickname. He probably didn’t get it because of attacks of imbalance. In fact, the pitcher supplied his own explanation with another of his famous quips: “The good Lord was good to me. He gave me a strong body, a good right arm, and a weak mind.”

Let’s focus on the more usual three patterns.

Distinguishing among these patterns helps separate the cases involving the head’s balance (vestibular) system from those that don’t. In short, pattern #1 (vertigo) is most likely to involve a disturbance in the balance system, while pattern #3 (light-headedness) is least likely. Instead, light-headedness or wooziness can be due to a momentary drop in blood pressure (for example, when standing up too quickly) or due to the same factors that produce outright fainting. Pattern #2 (bodily imbalance) is somewhere in-between-sometimes caused by a disturbed balance system and sometimes due to something else.

The vestibular system consists of the left and right inner ears, certain pathways within the brainstem (junction between the upper brain and the spinal cord) and the nerves that connect the inner ears to the brainstem. A problem in any of these components can lead to the symptom of vertigo. But the kinds of problems that can disturb the brainstem-like stroke, tumor or multiple sclerosis-are quite different and usually more serious than most the conditions that disturb the inner ears or their associated nerves.

So once the pattern of vertigo (mis-perception of movement) has been distinguished from the other kinds of dizziness, there is still more figuring to do-is the problem in the brain (central pattern) or in the inner ears and their connecting nerves (peripheral pattern)?

Luckily, central and peripheral vertigos can usually be distinguished from each other based on the clinical history and physical exam. The key is in looking for any symptom or physical abnormality that can’t be blamed on the vestibular system.

How about nausea, vomiting, unsteadiness, walking into walls, blurred vision or even jumping vision? A malfunctioning vestibular system could easily account for them all. But double vision, slurred speech, weakness or numbness on one side of the body? No way. These symptoms would have to be generated outside of the balance system, and imply that other pathways in the brainstem are damaged.

Where does the MRI scan fit in? The MRI is good at seeing areas of abnormal growth or damage within the brainstem, as from tumors, strokes or multiple sclerosis. It can also see tumors that arise from the nerves connecting the brainstem to the inner ears. But that’s about all it can see that is at all related to the symptom of vertigo.

However, there are far more cases of peripheral vestibular disease than of central (brain-based) disease causing vertigo, so that’s why most MRI scans turn out negative. In short, the MRI is normal, but the patient isn’t.

So what can cause peripheral vestibular disease? The causes are varied, but are more usually annoying than life-threatening. The most explosive form of peripheral vestibular disease is vestibular neuronitis or “inner ear attack.” The typical story for this condition is that the person awakes with violent spinning, nausea and inability to walk a straight line. This condition is at its worst on the first day, gradually improving over subsequent days and weeks.

Another peripheral vestibular condition is Meniere’s disease in which recurrent bouts of vertigo occur in conjunction with deafness and “roaring” tinnitus, or ringing in the ear. This is due to high fluid pressure within the inner ear which is also wired for hearing.

Yet another peripheral vestibular disease involves a stone (otolith) rattling around within the canals of an inner ear. This variety can sometimes be fixed by “vestibular repositioning” in which the patient’s head is put through a series of abrupt position-changes designed to make the otolith stick in one place.

Medications can also be useful in diminishing the symptom of vertigo. The most widely used drug is meclizine (brand name Antivert) which is related to the antihistamines and helps simmer down an overactive inner ear. A second drug used in the same way is scopolamine, usually delivered via a patch on the skin (Transderm Scop). Finally, diazepam (Valium) can also be used a “vestibular suppressant” though is usually the last choice owing to its possibility of becoming habit-forming.

And how about those other forms of dizziness that involve lightheadedness, wooziness or giddiness? As a baseball player might say, “That’s a whole other ball game.”

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher. For more health-related articles, see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com

Author: James Cottrill

You’ve been getting headaches. Finally, you find some medications that are making a difference. You’re headaches are almost all gone - but wait - they’re coming back! They’re getting worse! The painkillers aren’t doing the job they used to do. What’s going on?

You may be a victim of “rebound headache”. Rebound headache is a common problem. It happens when you start trying to fight off headaches, and they start fighting back. What’s often happening in rebound headache is that the very drugs that used to solve the problem are actually making things worse. If you start taking the drugs on a regular basis, your body actually gets used to the medication and starts to crave it when it’s not there. Then the headaches get worse, so you take more drugs. The cycle goes on.

If you’re suffering from a mild headache almost every day, you may have rebound headache. If you’re taking pain relievers every 2-3 days, that’s a sign that you’re caught in the cycle. You may find that 3-4 hours after taking the drugs the headache gets even worse, or you may start waking up with headache.

How can you avoid getting caught in this trap?

The Mayo Clinic reports that the pills most likely to cause rebound headache are drugs with a combination of ingredients, such as drugs that include combinations of caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen, and migraine drugs like ergotamines and triptans (eg Imitrex). If you’re taking a lot of painkillers, see your doctor and try to treat the problem. There may be newer and better treatments available.

Also, be sure you have at least two days that are drug-free between every day when you’re taking painkillers. Some doctors suggest that you take no more than 10 doses a month. If you’re taking much more than that, see a good doctor and look for other solutions.

But what if you’re already dealing with rebound headache?

Though it may be hard to believe, you may actually be better off with no drugs at all. Many doctors suggest going cold turkey. You may need medical help to be able to get out of the cycle. The sooner you can get that help the better.

You can try cutting down over a couple of months. Be sure to keep track of exactly what you’re taking. First, go a day without drugs, then two days between every day with drugs. You’ll likely notice an increase in headaches at first, but keep at it! Things will get much better.

If things aren’t better after a few weeks, or you’re having trouble cutting down, see a doctor right away. Make sure there isn’t another damaging problem causing the headaches. It’s not worth the suffering - there is lots of help available if you ask for it!

Rebound headache can be painful and debilitating. Don’t let it control your life. This article is for your information, but should never replace a trip to the doctor. If you have any kind of new headache, or if things are getting worse, you could experience permanent problems if you don’t seek help.

Things can get better! Many people before you have gotten out of the cycle and have seen their headaches diminish and even vanish. All the best in your fight to be headache free!

James Cottrill is a headache sufferer and health writer at http://www.Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com. He lives with his wife and two children in the shadow of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. For more on rebound headache, visit http://www.Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com/rebound

It is terrible to discover oneself in a close chat with someone and become unexpectedly conscious that the one they are talking to has awful smelling breath. It can almost make someone experience disgusting to keep on the conversation and it is almost impossible not to make a facial expression that communicates repugnance.

The putrid odor elicits almost involuntary responses. This is a very hard situation to deal with and many people want to just get away from the unpleasant odor as quickly as possible. Bad breath is especially nasty for others to deal with but it is essential that is dealt with on all levels both personally and as a friend, family member or colleague of a person with the problem.

Individual Responsibility

So what can be done about bad breath? First of all, each and every individual has a duty to take good care of their teeth and perform good oral hygiene that will help avoid bad breath. It is a common politeness to make sure that others do not have to bear with a person’s indolence and lack of personal care. People who know that they have a trouble with stinking breath should be aware of the fact and take care of the problem to the best of their capability. If they can not handle the problem on their own they should seek professional help of the dentist and doctor.

Tell Others

When a person is faced with talking or dealing with another person who has bad breath it is important to deal with the situation rather than avoid it. Sometimes a person has a medical problem that causes them to have bad breath and they are totally unconscious of the smell in their mouth or the medical problem. By telling someone they have bad breath one can be saving another person’s life. Even though this may be a complicated dialogue to start it is important.

One simple way to address the situation is to offer the person a piece of gum or a mint and softly tell them that they may need to see a physician to find out what their problem is. Or a person can bring up the issue of bad breath and talk about its gravity and then offer the mint or gum. This should help most people recognize they have a problem. Some people will require a very direct declaration telling them they have bad breath and need to do something about it. All though this is a tough thing to do it is something that needs to be done.

Author: Dr. Wei

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder - a disorder in which your body attacks its own tissues because it thinks they are foreign. It prevents your body’s
exocrine (moisture-producing) gland from producing enough moisture for different areas of your body. This leads to chronic and lifetime dryness. Sjogren’s syndrome affects many areas of your body. In addition to the mouth and eyes, other affected areas include the skin, vagina, respiratory tract (lungs), and gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines).

Even the pancreas and sweat glands may be affected.

People at risk include:

? Females who constitute about 90 per cent of patients

? People over the age of 40 years

? Those who have other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma

? People on medications for allergies, high blood pressure, and depression

? People who have undergone radiation therapy

? Patients who have had bone marrow transplant

A common symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome is dryness that losts a long time. Dryness may lead to other serious medical conditions including:

? Eyes (corneal ulceration, serious infections)

? Mouth (increased incidence of cavities, bronchitis, pneumonia)

Rarely, in patients who have serious autoimmune Sjogren’s problems, the kidneys may be affected. A small percentage of patients will develop lymphoma.

The symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome are sometimes hard to recognize because they take a long time to develop and may look like signs of other medical conditions.

Evaluation by an experience rheumatologist is recommended.

Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a
board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis
and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

Auhor: Ryan Fyfe

Addictions come in many forms. It’s important to recognize the signs of addictions in order to seek out help before the problem becomes to large.

Some different types of Addictions are:
Caffeine addiction, nicotine addiction, drug addiction, Alcohol addictions, and gambling addictions.

Like mentioned above it’s very important to recognize the symptoms of addictions in order to be able to recognize and treat an addiction before it becomes to serious. There are several different symptoms, some vary on type of addiction, and others are age and gender specific. Here is a look at some of the most common symptoms: