WHAT IS GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a disease of the stomach which is caused due to irritation or inflammation of the esophagus.  The cause of this is the backing up of the acid from the stomach.  The main function of the esophagus is to provide a channel for the food that is swallowed by you and this esophageal tube extends from your throat to the stomach.   

In the normal process, there is a ring of muscles at the bottom of the esophagus which is known as lower esophageal sphincter which prevents the backing up of the acid.  When the food is swallowed, this sphincter relaxes to allow to food to pass through, and tightens again after it is passed to prevent the opposite flow of the food.  With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, the sphincter relax more than is needed and allows the stomach content along with the acids to back up which in turn damages the lining of the esophagus. 

This disorder is experienced by most 10% of the adults weekly or daily and it affects not only adults but children too at some stage. 

Causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The most common candidates for GERD may be those who are obese, pregnant, or suffering from diseases such as diabetes, asthma or bronchitis. 

The causes of GERD can be due to a number of factors –

·        Bad habits such as smoking or poor posture (slouching) can be attributed to this disorder. 

·        Also a number of medications which include theophylline, nitrates or antihistamines which are known to be channel blockers can also be a cause of GERD.  Other medications include anticholinergics, beta-blockers or dopamine-active drugs. 

·        Faulty eating habits such as eating large meals or eating just before going to bed are also causes of GERD.   Along with this eating fatty goods or acidic foods such as tomatoes or citrus fruits or consuming spicy foods in large proportions can also be a cause of GERD. 

·        There are certain medical conditions such as discussed above which can be attributed to the cause of GERD. 

·        Hiatal Hernia, a disorder of the stomach protruding above the diaphragm can be a cause of GERD.

Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

The symptoms of this disorder are Heartburn or burning pain in the chest.  This heartburn can be severe after having a meal or simply lying or bending down.  As your physical activity grows, this pain gains severity.  Along with this, there are the usual symptoms such as bitter taste in mouth, a persistent dry cough and a feeling of tightness in the throat along with wheezing.

Prevention of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

·        The best way to prevent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is to avoid foods that trigger off this heartburn. These are the foods mentioned above that include tomatoes, oranges, fatty and fried foods or excessive chocolates and spicy food.

·        Avoiding caffeine and mint foods in your daily diet. 

·        An overall change in your dietary pattern.  Try to eat small and healthy meals.

·        Banning smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.

There are various medications which are prescribed by the doctors for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease which can be taken on a daily basis. An Esophageal Mamometry test is normally conducted to verify the disorder. 

Sleep Disturbances with Old Age - Causes and Treatment

Old Age is a term which we normally take as a frightening aspect of life.  This is due to the fact that old age, along with it, brings about a number of physical and mental problems.  These are due to the physiological changes that take place at old age. There is deterioration in the physical organs as well as cellular activity of the body.

Along with these deteriorations comes a major disorder that is mostly found in elderly persons.  This is the problem of sleeplessness.  Most persons find it difficult to have a normal sleep as age takes over. 

It is absolutely essential to have a proper sleep which can restore the physical and mental well-being of individuals.

It is found that these sleep disturbances are normally due to a number of factors that are linked with ageing process.  The most common factors can be due to physical illness, diseases or side effects of medicines.  A sleep disturbance causes feeling of tiredness and exhaustion in elderly people.  This can bring about very serious effect at their age as it is directly related to leading a confused state of mind as well as difficulty in concentration during daytime. 

Causes of Sleeplessness:

·        Elderly people are more prone to have a disturbed sleep at the slightest noise or disturbances.

·        As discussed above, sleeplessness may be due to the medicines that they take for various disorders which may disrupt the sleeping process.

·        Many elders have the habit of taking naps in the daytime.  This may bring about disturbance in sleep during the night when it is actually needed.

·        Studies have also revealed that most elders have some kind of disorders like cold, cough or severe asthma which tend to prop up while they try to sleep.  These may be due to allergies or sinus problems.  This may cause disturbance in the sleeping process.

·        Also, many elders have disorders related to urinary infections or have to go frequently to the toilet.  This disrupts their sleep which, once disturbed, is very hard to regain.

·        Sleep Apnea is a disorder which is commonly seen in elders.  In this, there is a blockage of the airway as one sleeps.  This causes breathing problems and often awakening in the night gasping for air.  

·        Along with the above, pain can also be another factor for disturbing sleep in elders.  It is normally found that osteoporosis or other bone disorders are quite common in elders.  These may result in pain in joints causing the persons to stay awake during night.

·        Other disorders may be associated with constipation, Parkinson disease, anxiety or depression.

·        Prolonged medications related to sleeping may cause daytime drowsiness resulting in sleeplessness during night.

Treatment for Sleep Disturbance:

The following habits can be adhered to by the elders suffering from Sleep disorders:

·        Make a routine time for going to sleep and awakening in the morning. Follow this routine very precisely.

·        Try taking a hot bath before going off to sleep. Warm water helps in bringing a feeling of drowsiness.

·        Make sure that your room is quite and peaceful and there are no disturbing noises or movements in the room.  A comfortable room is the best option for sleeping.  Switch off all the lights in the room.  Make it dark and cozy.

·        Avoid late night eating or heavy eating before going to bed.  Try out a glass of warm milk before you sleep.

·        Try using eye shades or ear plugs to ward off any noises or lights that can disturb your sleeping process.

·        Avoid taking day time naps as they may be the main cause of this sleeplessness.

·        Avoid alcohol or stimulants such as caffeine or tobacco well before sleeping.

·        Leave your worry and stress before going to bed.  Stop all the thinking process before sleeping.  Stress is also a major cause for sleep disturbance in elders.

·        Lastly, avoid taking sleeping pills or any other sleeping medications as it may be the perfect addiction for you. Try to get your sleep naturally.

These may be some of the best habits for getting that perfect sleep in the night for elders.  Try out these methods and have some sweet dreams.

Home Remedies for Constipation

Constipation is the most common disorder found in most people.   It deals with irregularity in the bowel system which results in production of various toxins giving rise to different diseases and infections.

Constipation is mostly associated with irregular and infrequent bowel conditions.  It has also other symptoms such as loss of appetite, severe to mild headache, giddiness and a coated tongue.  At times constipation also brings about depression, nausea and skin problems relating to pimples.  Acidity, heartburn and constant fullness in abdomen are some other symptoms.  The main causes of constipation are due to irregular and faulty diet and the modern style of living which one follows in the day to day life. 

Most people would go in for medical laxatives to get immediate relief from this disorder.  Medical laxatives are mostly in the form of tablets or capsules which brings about a reaction within a few hours and empties your bowels.  But these laxatives, at times, become a daily ritual for some people who get habituated to these medicines.  At times like this it is always preferable to use natural and home remedies for dealing with constipation.

Natural remedies are harmless to the body as well as are without any side-effects.  Some of these home remedies can be –

·        Take half a cup of dry-fruits  which may include raisins, figs and prunes.  Pour water over them and one teaspoon of olive oil.  Now heat this mixture for a few minutes.  Filter and drink this water.  This is a sure and effective method of getting quick relief from constipation.

·        Similarly, another method is that of soaking Dates and raisins in milk and then heating up this mixture.  Let it cool down and then take this mixture half an hour before sleeping. 

·        Apple is a very good remedy for constipation.  Apple juice can be drunk as and when required.  This works gently on the digestive system and gives you relief.

·        Along with apple, there are certain other fruits which can be used as great remedies against constipation.  These may include pear, guava, Bael fruit, oranges or grapes.  All these fruits help to clean up the bowels and get quick relief from constipation.   

·        Fruits like Papaya and figs are also useful in constipation.  They can be eaten during breakfast or before going to bed.

·        There are certain vegetables such as spinach which is useful for the entire digestive system.  Raw spinach juice mixed with water can cure any type of constipation problems. 

·        A mixture of lime and salt can also be a good home remedy for constipation.  Heat up this mixture in water and drink it to get quick relief.

·        Another remedy is that of mixing up 1 c. Cranberry Juice, 1 c. Orange juice, cinnamon (1/4 tsp) and ginger (1/8^th tsp.) in warm water.  Add lemon to this concoction.

·        Fenugreek seeds soaked overnight in water offer a good solution for the constipation problem.

These are the various home remedies for getting some natural relief from constipation problems.  

Along with these, there are certain habits that you have to follow if you have a continuous constipation problem.  These may include –

·        Eating Fiber Rich Food – Try to eat fruits and vegetable on a daily basis as they offer the most natural form of laxatives. 

·        Avoid refined food – These may include pizzas, cakes, pastas and Burgers. 

·        Chew your food properly.  Along with this see to it that you avoid sugary food. 

·        Avoid foods such as white flour, hard-boiled eggs, food containing preservatives, cakes, cheese and fleshy food.

·        Exercising daily or swimming are good remedies for constipation.  They tone up the muscles and helps in the digestive system.

There are various other techniques for getting relief from constipation.  These may include Enema, Acupressure, Yoga or Naturopathy treatment.  All these methods are applied and have very good success ratio.

Duodenal Switch Surgery - A new way of Losing Weight

Have you heard about the Duodenal Switch Surgery?  It is the surgery which is performed to reduce the intake of food inside the stomach.  In Duodenal switch, surgery is performed to lose the number of calories intake that a stomach absorbs.  This surgery is performed by making use of the small intestine with the system of bypassing.  In short, this surgery is performed to reduce weight.  It is nowadays being undertaken by a number of people and is fast getting popular among the weight conscious people.  It involves two techniques – the restrictive and the malabsorptive technique.

For performing the surgery, a small incision (about half inch) is made around the stomach as well as in the middle of the abdomen.  The duodenum is separated by the small intestine during the procedure but the stomach is still attached to the intestine.  This duodenum is placed to the bottom part of the small intestine instead of going to the second and third intestine segments.  The procedure involves two stages, one is that of reducing the size of the stomach and the second is in relation to drastic changes in the digestive system of the body as a whole.  In short, the stomach is divided vertically and 75% of the stomach is removed.  Only a small tube is left in place of a stomach which is the gastric sleeve.  This overall reduces the stomach capacity to just 100 to 120 milliliters.

The success ratio of Duodenal Switch Surgery is quite positive.  Almost 70 to 75 % of the persons who have undergone this surgery have reported weight loss in a period of 1 to 1 ½ years.  The only medication required is to have mineral and vitamin supplements which are to be taken life-long.  This is due to the fact that the body now has less time to digest the food and absorb the nutrients.  On the other hand there are patients who have not made any progress after undergoing this surgery.  This is mainly due to the fact that these people were not able to digest the food that they eat.

How does it work?

A Duodenal Switch Surgery shortens the amount of time required to absorb and digest the food and nutrients.  Due to this less calories and fats are absorbed by the body leading to weight loss.

Complications in Duodenal Switch Surgery:

There can be certain side effects in the procedure as it involves the gastric sleeve.   There are certain risks involved during this surgery as it is quite aggressive.  A highly obese person is not qualified for this surgery.  Also it can lead so some complications as the intestinal tract has been altered and rerouted.

 

In the short term, complications such as infection, blood clots, bleeding, bowel obstruction or pulmonary embolism may arise.  In rare cases, if the patient is not able to cope up with the complications death may occur. 

In the longer term, there are certain complications that may occur due to this procedure.  It may involve bone weakening or osteoporosis due to ineffective supply of calcium and Vitamin D, injury to the spleen and Nutritional deficiency as nutrients are not being absorbed.  Other complications may be night blindness due to vitamin A deficiency as well as dumping syndrome.

Due to these complications, it is advisable to stay under medical observations once the procedure is performed for a few days.  Also periodic checkup is absolutely essential after the surgery as these long term complications may cause serious deterioration in the body. 

Once performed, this procedure is not reversible completely. As it involves the removal of the stomach, it cannot be replaced.  On the other hand, the intestinal bypass of the duodenal switch can be reversible. 

How to Deal with Asthma during Pregnancy

PREGNANCY is a very important stage.  This is a stage when a woman is emotionally as well as physically very weak.  There are new changes taking place every day inside a woman’s body during pregnancy.  Emotional stress is a part of the pregnant woman and as such one feels tired mentally.  A woman may feel energized at a particular time but may feel tired a few minutes later.  These changes are quite sudden and frequent. 

All these changes make a woman susceptible to many outside environmental factor.  One of the main causes of concern during these times is an Asthma attack.  Many a times, a woman who is prone to allergies or has a previous history of asthma, is the perfect candidate for an asthma attack during pregnancy.   Asthma in pregnancy is a common condition all over the world and for this care and precautions are to be taken to prevent it from causing complexities during pregnancy.

Asthma is a very serious disorder during pregnancy as it affects the overall development of the fetus.  An asthma attack deals with shortage of breath in a woman and this in turn possess great danger to the unborn child as it too gets short supply of oxygen through its mother.  This can lead to some serious disorders and complications. Asthma may lead to such disorders as hypertension and preeclampsia which are very difficult to treat at times of pregnancy.   A more serious and acute asthma attack can, at times, lead to the death of the fetus.

How to deal with Asthma during Pregnancy:

·        If you are an asthmatic person, the first thing after knowing you are pregnant, is to have a discussion with your family physician or health-provider. Take planned steps in order to see to it that your asthma attack does not prove to be a hurdle with your pregnancy.  Plan out your pregnancy with him. Give the doctor a thorough knowledge about your asthmatic history as well as the medications you take.

·       If you are into smoking, stop it the moment you know about your pregnancy.  Smoking has some harmful effects on the unborn child.  Smoking and asthma is the most dangerous potion for a child’s health as well as for the mother’s health. Even passive smoking i.e. standing or speaking to a person who is actually smoking can create problems for the child.  As such quit smoking altogether as well as stay away from smoking partners or friends.

·        A woman who is pregnant should stay away from people who have been infected by cold or flu.  If she is dealing with asthma, then it is safe to get as far away from people who are suffering from viral or chronic cold symptoms.

·     Always stay away from things or articles you are allergic to.  See to it that you do not get near or in contact with these allergic materials.  They may give rise to asthma attack which is very difficult to control during pregnancy.

·     Another trigger for asthma is that of having gastroesophageal reflux (i.e. heartburn).  In this, it is absolutely essential not to lie down immediately after a meal or at times do not eat large meal, but try to eat smaller meals with short frequencies.

·        Try to avoid going out during winter season.  If required to do so, wrap yourself in warm clothing as well as take precautions to cover your nose and face with warm coverings.  

·        Also, see to it that you don’t get emotionally disturbed during the times of pregnancy as this may lead to increase in stress.  Stress results in spate of asthma attack which can be avoided by staying stress-free and enjoying your pregnancy stage.

These are some methods for preventing asthma attack during pregnancy. 

The treatments for asthma during pregnancies are not different from those during the normal course of asthma attack.  Only care has to be taken that the medications prescribed for asthma do not cause any complexities with the pregnancy and its reaction to the fetus. 

Top Ten Home Remedies for Arthritis

Arthritis is a common ailment that is found in most people.  This disorder normally originates after the age of 40 and above.  Arthritis is associated with inflammation of joints.  There are two types of arthritis – Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis normally occurs in old age persons but Rheumatoid arthritis is the severe version of this disease which affects any age group and not only is associated with joint pains but also inflammation in tendons and other tissues of the body. 

Arthritis commonly affects the joints of the wrists, fingers, hips, knees and feet of a person.  Its main symptoms are ache and firmness in the joints.  It develops over a period of several months and takes longer to be treated.

There are various medical treatments that are advisable for patients of Arthritis but along with these, home remedies are a part and parcel of the treatment that can be tried out.  Home remedies for Arthritis makes a difference as they can are mostly harmless and can be an effective cure against the pain associated with this dreaded and exhaustive disease.

·        Cayenne Pepper – This is a home remedy which is used world-wide as a treatment for arthritis.  Cayenne pepper extract can prevent arthritis from spreading to other parts of the body.  It has been proved to be a very effective treatment.

·        Raw Juices of fruits/vegetables – Arthritis deals with joint pain and as such raw juices provides the alkaline that dissolves the gathering of deposits around the joints and tissues.  Green juice, made from any leafy vegetable along with juice made out of carrot/beet or celery can be consumed on a daily basis.  Pineapple juice is also a very good remedy for treatment against arthritis as it contains the enzyme bromelain.  This reduces the swelling and inflammation.

·        Black Sesame Seeds – These seeds have to be soaked in water overnight and taken first thing in the morning.  Sesame seeds are found to be really good for preventing of joint pains.

·        Lime Juice – Lime contains citric acid that is a solvent of uric acid which mainly causes arthritis of certain types.  As such lime juice should be taken regularly for patients of arthritis.

·        Green Gram – Soup of green grams is prepared adding it with garlic cloves.  This soup has to be consumed twice a day.

·        Emu Oil -  Emu oil is also an excellent home remedy for reducing the inflammation and pain caused due to arthritis.  The oil is easily absorbed by the skin and as such acts as a cure for fast relief.

·        Other oils such as coconut oil or mustard oil also are used as massage oils on the affected part and joints.  They help in faster blood circulation thus reducing the stiffness and bringing warmth to the joint.

·        Castor oil – Castor oil has been used for many years as a home remedy for arthritis.  It is mixed with orange juice and consumed every morning.  This concoction should be taken for atleast nine weeks with a gap of six weeks in between. 

·        Garlic – Garlic is said to have anti-inflammatory properties which is very useful for treatment of arthritis.  Garlic taken by consumed raw or can be added to the home recipes and food dishes on a daily basis.

·        Copper – This is an ancient method of Home remedy for arthritis.  Water kept in a copper vessel overnight is drunk the very first thing in the morning.  This water has traces of copper which is a good ingredient for building up the muscles. 

These are the major home remedies for dealing with arthritis.  There are also certain ingredients which help to give relief from the pain and swellings of Arthritis.  These may include Alfalfa Herb or Guggulu Herb, cinnamon powder or Honey.

Along with these home remedies for Arthritis, a patient should always monitor his diet which mostly must contain lots of fruits and vegetables along with raw vegetable juices.  Also, the patient suffering from arthritis should keep his affected parts and body as a whole, warm during winter season.  A hot water bath is recommended at times of pain.  The warm water should be mixed with vinegar or even salt can do.

Thus, it can be said that Arthritis cannot be cured by these Home remedies but they can surely reduce the pain and swellings cause due to arthritis.  They can also prevent the disease from aggravating. 

How to treat Dandruff the Ayurvedic Way

Many a times you feel an itchy feeling in your scalp.  This goes on increasing if you do not treat it in time.  If you scratch the part, you may find dry flakes coming out of the hair and scalp.  These flakes are called dandruff and it is one of the most common of hair disorders that one may find in many persons.  So what is dandruff?  It is a scalp disease  in which dead cells that are present on the scalp comes off after a period of time. This process is quite natural but if there is excessive dandruff infection, than it is a cause for concern as it may lead to other problems relating to facial skin, ears and eyes. 

Ayurveda has some prescribed some really good medicinal herbs to fight against dandruff. 

·        Neem (Azadirachta indica)  is the best remedy for dandruff treatment.  Neem oil is massaged on the scalp for several minutes each day.  On the other hand, Neem leaves can be boiled in hot water and then this mixture is cooled off and then placed on the scalp for around 30 minutes.  Neem has natural properties to prevent dandruff as well as its treatment.

·        Ayurveda has also prescribed Coconut oil as ingredient which can be useful for prevention and treatment of dandruff.  Coconut oil or even castor oil can be massaged on the scalp which reduces the shedding process of the dandruff as well as they make the hair strong as well as healthy.

·        Along with the above mentioned Coconut and Castor oils, Sandalwood oil can also be used for treatment of dandruff.  It has to be mixed with lemon juice and applied to the scalp. 

·        Indian gooseberry has been recommended for dandruff by Ayurveda.  This fruit is the ideal remedy for dandruff and for obtaining a healthy and shiny hair.  It is a natural shampoo and tonic for the hair.  It helps in reducing dandruff in a natural way.  For this the gooseberry curd is fermented for over three to four days and this curd is mixed with lemon juice and massaged to the scalp.

·        Egg is another natural remedy for dandruff problems.  Beat an egg and mix it with a little water.  Apply the lotion to the scalp for around 30 minutes and then wash it off. 

·        Many herbs are used in Ayurveda like Fenugreek seeds, Snake Gourd, Lime and Green Gram powder to fight against dandruff.  Curd is also prescribed.

·        Amla juice and lime juice are mixed and this mixture is applied to the scalp in the night before going to bed.

·        Add more green vegetables and fruits to your diet. A healthy body is the best prevention for dandruff.  Strong tea and coffee should be avoided along with processed foods.

·        Herbal hair pack consisting of henna powder, curd and ritha powder could be applied to the scalp to remove dandruff from the scalp. Keep it for 30 minutes and then wash it off. 

·        Aloe Vera is also very useful for prevention as well as reduction of dandruff and this has to be applied for a few days to remove dandruff.

Lastly it can be said that Ayurvedic treatment of dandruff is the most natural and effective way for treatment against dandruff.  The ingredients used by Ayurveda are natural as well as harmless and can be tried out without any fear of side-effects.  Try out these methods if you really have severe dandruff problems and you will be amazed by the results that you get.