Home remedies for heartburn and acidity

 

Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in your chest or throat that occurs due to the regurgitation of stomach acid into your esophagus. 

Although this may indicate a hazardous underlying condition like GERD and hiatus hernia; most of the times it occurs due to improper food consumption and lifestyle habits. However, the good news is that with a little change in your daily habits and some simple natural home remedies; you can easily combat this condition and avoid the uncomfortable burning sensation. Below information may bring you a list of some home-remedies right from your own kitchen to give you instant relief.

Add spice to your life: These traditional spices have been used in Indian society for a long time to provide instant relief from acidity and indigestion. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom and ginger help inhibit the occurrence of heartburn due to the presence of volatile oils. These oils reportedly increase the flow of gastric juices in the stomach. Besides this, they also have carminative and anti-spasmodic properties that provide relief from heartburn associated with flatulence.

Right after-meal body posture: There is a close association between body postures and acidity, particularly before going to bed. If you frequently experience heartburns during the night or while asleep, it is advisable to put gravity to work for you. Always place your head at a higher level than the rest of your body while sleeping.

Frequent apple consumption: An easy and effective way to neutralize the acidic stomach contents is by eating apples; either fresh or in the form of desserts. You can also prepare this simple remedy of apple honey where you peel and slice a number of fresh apples and simmer with a little water for 3-4 hours. As the mixture gets thick and brown, place it inside the refrigerator and have a few spoons whenever you feel the need. Apart from apples, a mixture of honey and cinnamon can also be used as an effective heartburn treatment remedy.

Home-made antacids: Instead of opting for prescription and over-the-counter drugs, you can also prepare your own home-antacid with a few simple ingredients. In half glass of water, add half teaspoon of baking soda and use as an instant remedy. However, avoid this if you experience any kind of nausea, gas, stomach cramps or distention.

Avoid smoking: Avoid any kind of nicotine products like cigarettes if you are experiencing frequent heartburns and acidity. This is primarily due to the fact that nicotine affects and irritates the valve between the stomach and esophagus leading to heartburns. Moreover, these products also weaken a person's nervous system. Ultimately, this leads to improper functioning of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestine.

The right drink: To avoid these conditions, it is important to slow down on soda, alcohol and caffeine containing beverages. Recent researches have indicated that the oils contained in caffeinated products may play a role in heartburn. Besides this, alcohol consumption makes the condition worse as it increases the production of stomach acids. Moreover, it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter to allow the stomach contents to reflux back into the esophagus.

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Ways to tackle Low blood pressure..

Low blood pressure or also known as hypotension is a condition in which the pressure of the blood pumping through the arteries is abnormally low. People with a reading of around 90/60 or less are commonly regarded as having low blood pressure.

In fact, it affects a large number of people worldwide. Very often people don't realize they are suffering from it and often dismiss it as an one-off case of feeling dizzy or ill. It could be a sign of a serious issue with the heart, endocrine or even signal neurological disorders. Severe low blood pressure can block oxygen and vital nutrients from flowing to the brain and hence shouldn't be taken lightly.

v  Increase water and salt intake - When the water and salt content of your body is reduced, it may lead to low blood pressure. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Water helps increase the volume of your blood, and having more blood in your arteries will increase your blood pressure.  People who are diagnosed with hypotension are usually advised to increase the salt intake in their food. However, too much of salt is not good for the health, so it should not exceed certain limit.

v  Avoid alcohol drink - Alcohol is dehydrating which can cause low blood pressure, even if you drink in moderation.

v  Eat small frequent meals - To help prevent postprandial hypotension (low blood pressure after meals), eat in small portions several times a day and lying down after eating, or sitting still for a while may also help.

v  Follow a healthy diet - Get all the nutrients you need for good health by focusing on a variety of foods, including fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limit high-carb foods such as rice, potatoes, bread and pasta.

v  Have Beetroot - The juice of raw beetroot is one of the best remedies for low blood pressure. You should drink a cup of beetroot juice twice a day to treat hypotension. Substantial improvement will be seen within a week.

v  Wear support stockings - Support stockings or also called compression stockings are a tight elastic socks or stockings. They provide extra pressure to the feet, legs, and stomach, which will help stimulate circulation and increase blood pressure.

v  Stand up gradually - Before getting out of bed in the morning, try some physical movements first to increase your heart rate and the flow of blood around your body. For example, stretching in bed before you get up, or crossing and uncrossing your legs if you are seated and about to stand.

The symptoms of low blood pressure usually can be treated by making these small changes to your lifestyle. However, if the symptoms are not treatable and progress over time, then you must talk to your doctor, they will establish the underlying cause of your hypotension in order to determine the best treatment for you.

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Skin care in Winter

Winter is just not about warm clothes or fireside reading. It is time to battle the cold winds that hampers your body. A little care will keep the wintry troubles at bay.

Your skin texture depends not only on external treatments, but also on the intake. A proper nutritious intake helps in rejuvenating the skin from within. Fruits and vegetables in your daily diet release a lot of water to your system. Primrose syrup and olive oil in your diet also aids in softening your skin.

v  Moisturize More: Moisturizers and cold creams are a must in the winters. You may have found a moisturizer that works just fine in spring and summer. But as weather conditions change, so, too, should your skin care routine. Apply some good cold cream on your face before going to bed. Moisten your skin with a good moisturizer or a creamy hand and body lotion.

v  Slather on the Sunscreen: Sunscreen isn't just for summertime. Winter sun - combined with snow glare - can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they're exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time. Even if you're not hitting the slopes, you still need the protection of a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. 

v  Avoid Wet Gloves and Socks: Wet socks and gloves can irritate your skin and cause itching, cracking, sores, or even a flare-up of eczema.

v  Hydrate for Your Health: Drinking water helps your skin stay young looking. In fact, it's a myth. Water plays an important role in keeping your skin alive. A good amount of water helps in retaining the moisture of your skin as well keeping skin disorders at bay.

v  Grease Up Your Feet: Painful, cracked heels are a common skin condition, especially in winter. They are often caused by dry skin. Some minty foot lotions are lovely in the hot summer months, but during the winter, your feet need stronger stuff. Try finding lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine instead. And use exfoliants to get the dead skin off periodically; that helps any moisturizers you use to sink in faster and deeper.

v  Use Super-Fatted Soap: If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Clearing away dead skin cells lets a moisturizer better penetrate dry skin. The same products that keep your face looking fresh in the spring and summer may cause skin problems during winter. Choose a gentle, super-fatted, fragrance-free soap bar or liquid for cleansing. Super-fatted means the soap is loaded with oils.

v  Ban Superhot Baths: Sure, soaking in a burning-hot bath feels great after frolicking out in the cold. But the intense heat of a hot shower or bath actually breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can lead to a loss of moisture. A shower can add water to your skin -- as long as you keep it short and sweet. Long, hot showers can actually draw water from your skin

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Pain free future ahead!

Pain in the lower back or low back pain is a common concern, affecting most of the people at some point in lifetime. Strain in the lumbar muscle is one of the most common causes of back pain especially in the lower back. Often, back pain is actually a symptom of something that you can control, like your activity level or the way you sit in your chair at work. Though there are other causes as well, most cases of back pain can be resolved

 Reasons:

·         Obese people experience back pain frequently. The pain is felt in the neck and lower back. Weight loss can help in reducing this type of back pain.

·         Sleeping Posture: The position and surface on which one sleeps may cause back pain, such as hard surfaces and mattresses. The soft surface tends to put strain on the spine. Some positional changes can reduce this type of back pain.

·         Injury to the back may happen from an accident or a torn rotator calf in the shoulder. During accidents the body receives large amount of energy or shock within a small period that damages the muscles, tendons and ligaments.

·         Faulty postures and poor body mechanics will cause lower back pain and be at least partially attributed to these faults.

Do’s:

·         Have a break at regular intervals and do stretching exercises like neck rolls, chin tucks, cupping head in hands behind the head and extension exercises.

·         Back pain can be caused by sitting in an improper position for a prolonged period of time. Maintaining a good and straight posture, using ergonomically designed chairs. 

·         Standing: keeping one foot forward of the other, with knees slightly bent, takes the pressure off your low back.

·         Avoid taking pain or anti-inflammatory medication when in pain from using a computer. This will serve to mask the symptoms but can lead to serious injury or permanent nerve damage in the long term.

·         Yoga and meditation is considered to be beneficial not only in back pain but also improves your posture and plays a vital role in a treatment for back pain.

·         Heat therapy: Apply heat to your aching back by using a hot compress, a dry or moist heating pad, or hydrotherapy (hot bath). Heat therapy can help decrease muscle spasms, relax tense muscles, relieve pain, and can increase range of motion.

·         The best position for relief when your back hurts is to lie on your back on the floor with pillows under your knees, with your hips and knees bent and your feet on a chair or just with your hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off your back.

  

Don’ts: 

·         Do not slouch in front of the computer or lie in bed and work on a laptop.

·         Do not ignore back twinges and back pain, hoping that the problem will resolve itself.

·         Do not sit on one leg or sit with legs crossed as this causes additional strain to the back.

·         Do not perch a laptop on the lap and stare down at the screen - this places extra strain on the neck, spine and arms.

·         If you are a smoker, quitting smoking can benefit your health in many different ways and will reduce your risk of future back pain.

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Healthy way for a healthy mind!

Choosing healthy food is important for your physical and mental health. Improve your mood naturally with more nutritious food choices. Food choices affect your mood, ability to concentrate and energy level. There has been more research to show how food does affect your mental health.

The psychological relationship between people and food is significant. For example, when people have tea or coffee, they may also socialize with friends, which may result in positive feelings. Such interactions are important to account for when considering how mood and food are connected.

A Quick Guide to a healthy, balanced diet:
 
·         Exercise: The healing effect of exercise on the mind is truly astonishing. Regular exercise can reduce stress, increase self-esteem and improve your mood. Exercise for 30 minutes three to five days a week to significantly decrease symptoms of depression.

·         Drink more water: Drinking more water can mollify several health maladies and depression is no exception. Dehydration has been linked to anger, fatigue and confusion. Cut your body weight in half; that is how many ounces of water you should drink each day. (Example: Someone who is 200 pounds should drink 100 ounces of water a day.) Not only will this help your mind feel balanced, it will do wonders for your physical health.

·         Regular meals: Missing meals, especially breakfast, leads to low blood sugar and this causes low mood, irritability and fatigue. If you feel hungry between meals you may need to include a healthy snack eg. fruit, nuts and cereals.

·         Refined foods: East fewer high sugar foods and more wholegrain cereals, nuts, beans, lentils, fruit and vegetables. Sugary foods are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. This may cause an initial ‘high’ or surge of energy that soon wears off as the body increases its insulin production, leaving you feeling tired and low. Wholegrain cereals, pulses, fruit and vegetables are more filling and, because the sugar in these food is absorbed more slowly, don’t cause mood swings.

·         Protein in your diet: Include protein at every meal to ensure a continuous supply of the amino acid tryptophan to the brain. You can ensure your brain gets a regular supply of tryptophan by including at least one good sized portion of protein at each meal ie. meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, nuts, beans, lentils (dhal), or a meat substitute such as textured vegetable protein or mycoprotein.

·         Weight: Both excessive weight loss or weight gain can make your mood worse and should be avoided. Weight loss and lack of good nutrition will deprive the brain of glucose and the other nutrients that control mood.

·         Healthy Fats: Unsaturated fats provide the fatty acids essential for brain function, a healthy heart, a strong immune system, and supple skin. Good sources of unsaturated fats include fish, nuts, olives, olive and corn oils, and avocados. An average adult should consume 5 to 7 teaspoons of unsaturated fats per day.

·         Good sleep: Your mind and body will feel better if you sleep well. Your body needs time every day to rest and heal. For adults, 7-9 hours of sleep is essential in a day. If your sleep is frequently interrupted or cut short, you're not getting quality sleep which might disturb your mental well being.

·         Reduce caffeine: If you’re a coffee junkie, you may not realize the effects caffeine has on your body system. However, you can reduce your stress levels and improve your mental performance throughout the day if you gradually wean yourself off of large amounts of caffeine.

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Start Your Day with a tablespoon of Honey

HONEY, a most assimilable carbohydrate compound, is a very much acceptable, practical and most effective aliment to create and replace energy. It has long been used as a health aid. Honey by nature is a antibacterial and antimicrobial. Hydrogen Peroxide is naturally produced by the enzymes contained in honey. This makes honey good for medicinal purposes.

Sweetener:
Sugar can be substituted with honey in many food and drinks. Honey contains about 69% glucose and fructose enabling it to be used as a sweetener.

Energy Source:
It contains about 64 calories per tablespoon. Hence honey is also used by many as a source of energy. On the other hand, one tablespoon of sugar will give you about 15 calories. Further the carbohydrates in the honey can be easily converted into glucose by even the most sensitive stomachs. Hence it is very easy to digest honey.

Weight Loss: Though honey has more calories than sugar, honey when consumed with warm water helps in digesting the fat stored in your body. Similarly honey and lemon juice and honey and cinnamon help in reducing weight.

Energy booster: Honey is an excellent ergogenic aid and helps in boosting the performance of athletes. Honey facilitates in maintaining blood sugar levels, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration after a workout. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy.

Source of Vitamins and Minerals: Honey contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. The type of vitamins and minerals and their quantity depends on the type of flowers used for apiculture. Commonly, honey contains Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties: Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and hence it can be used as a natural antiseptic.

Antioxidants: Amongst the many health benefits of honey, what is most impressive– it can be a powerful immune system booster. It contains nutraceuticals, which are effective in removing free radicals from our body. Honey’s antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve digestive system and help you stay healthy and fight disease.

Skin Care with Milk and Honey: Milk and honey are often served together as both these ingredients help in getting a smooth soothing skin. Hence consuming milk and honeydaily in the morning is a common practice in many countries.

Honey in Wound Management: It speeds up the healing process by stimulating wound tissues and also helps in initiating the healing process in dormant wounds. Honey also helps in promoting moist wound healing.
Supports blood formation: Honey provides an important part of the energy needed by the body for blood formation. In addition, it helps in cleansing the blood. It has some positive effects in regulating and facilitating blood circulation.

Good Remedy: For stomach ulcers, gastritis, dyspepsia and sore throats, 1-2 teaspoons on an empty stomach (½ hour before meals), 1-4 times a day to assist in healing and provide pain relief.

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