Want Better Digestive Health in 2010? Here are Ten Easy Tips.

By Chris B. Robinson

10. Eat slower. By eating slower, you'll chew your food better, which leads to better digestion. You'll consume fewer calories and you'll enjoy your food more.

9. If you're overweight, you've got to lose the extra pounds this year! If you're not overweight, make sure you maintain a healthy weight this year.

8. Reduce your fast food intake this year. Plan ahead and pack a healthy meal when possible. If you have to eat fast food, most fast food places have "better" choices with fewer calories, less fat, or lower sodium.

7. Drink plenty of high quality filtered water. Do some research on bottled water versus filtered water and decide which is best for you. Do some brief research on BPA and look for BPA Free bottles.

6. Try to increase your intake of organic food. Try to set a goal, maybe 20-25% of your food intake could be organic? Organic food will be worth the extra expense.

5. Reduce and effectively manage your stress levels this year.

4. Exercise regularly this year. Add some weight training in addition to cardio. Walking counts as great exercise.

3. Pay attention to and manage any heartburn triggers such as caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, citrus juice, overeating, certain medications, and bed-time snacks.

2. Learn about and try some digestive enzymes.

1. Probiotics! Research and and try some high quality probiotics. Hundreds of different species of bacteria live inside you, and some of these bacteria are "friendly" and some "unfriendly." Helpful bacteria are often absent from our diet, making it a good idea to include probiotic supplements for intestinal health and immune support. There is simply no single probiotic type or brand that is good for everyone so do some research and try a few different types/brands of probiotics. Personally, I take my probiotics in powder form because I have difficulty swallowing. - 32390

About the Author:

Chris Robinson decided to let others know about his nissen fundoplication experience. Visit Chris B. Robinson's site to read real life personal stories about fundoplication surgery.

Nissen Fundoplication: Increasingly Used for the Treatment of GERD, Right for You?

By Chris B. Robinson

Laparoscopic nissen fundoplication for the treatment of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been increasing in recent years.

GERD patients like myself often debate whether drugs or surgery are the best option for treating this chronic condition. I was in my late twenties when I decided to undergo nissen fundoplication and forego a lifetime of heartburn drugs. However, my fundoplication experience became a living nightmare and made me wonder if drugs or surgery were really my only options.

I experienced difficulty swallowing after my heartburn surgery but post-operative testing did not reveal any major findings. I was told that my reflux was cured and that my swallowing would improve with time and I was released from care. A little over a year after my surgery, I could barely drink liquids or swallow regular foods and I had lost 55 lbs from my pre-surgery weight. I suffered for months and desperately sought answers for my difficulty swallowing.

Finally, I was referred to a center specializing in motility disorders. I discovered that I was not alone in my struggles after heartburn surgery. In some patients, the severity of new problems after surgery range from mild to debilitating and may include bowel dysfunction, gas-bloat syndrome or trouble swallowing.

Four years after my nissen fundoplication surgery, I am doing much better thanks to a combination of conventional and natural health treatment. I still require daily treatment for heartburn even after surgery. I deeply regret not exploring more natural health options beyond drugs and surgery before my decision to undergo nissen fundoplication. It is unfortunate that drugs and surgery are often promoted as the only treatment options available. I know people who have had great success with heartburn surgery. However, my experience has shown me first hand the more disappointing results sometimes associated with surgery. I would urge anyone considering fundoplication surgery to carefully evaluate their treatment options and seek medical advice from at least two or more qualified physicians. - 32390

About the Author:

Looking for information on nissen fundoplication, then visit www.nissenfundoplication.com to find real life personal fundoplication stories.

Dealing With Heartburn Symptoms

By Keira Adams

Heartburn is a medical condition that has an effect on millions of individuals throughout the planet. While it is a very common condition it is not one that folks should just expect to have to suffer with. Heartburn leads to a burning sensation which is noticed in the chest and sometimes all the way up the esophagus and into the back of the throat. Heartburn ranges when it concerns intensity and while some individuals experience simply mild heartburn that goes away quite rapidly, others might get heartburn so severely that they often must lie down for several hours to wait until it goes away.

It's essential for people to be aware of what the symptoms of heartburn are so they will know when they're experiencing this problem. Some people have reported having difficulty swallowing, while others might develop a constant cough or be afflicted with severe chest pain. Anybody dealing with heartburn is going to want to deal with their symptoms as soon as possible. A number of folks don't realize that heartburn is not just uncomfortable, it can lead to permanent damage to the lining of the stomach.

For those who suffer from heartburn the good news is that there are a lot of different treatments that can be utilized for their heartburn symptoms. Tums are among the most popular antacids that are available today and can be used in milder cases of heartburn. These are not going to do much in more serious cases, though, so be prepared to have to keep looking to find another treatment to manage the problem. You have to keep in mind that each remedy is different and what works for one person might not work the same for them.

People who suffer from very intense heartburn or who have been dealing with this situation for some time are going to need to turn to a different treatment, such as non-prescription medications. There are medicines that work to treat heartburn symptoms by lowering the amount of acid that is produced in the stomach. There are a few different medications that are on the market and most are associated with few if any side effects. Medications work well but must only be used for a few months since they can in fact be hazardous if they are taken for too long.

There are some folks who are basically obligated to keep on making use of drugs for the long-term either because their heartburn symptoms are so powerful or due to the fact that they're just not having success with other types of treatment. Heartburn can even be so bad that it sometimes makes people feel as though they're having a heart attack. Talking to a doctor is very important when heartburn symptoms are felt, so you can begin working on finding a treatment. - 32390

About the Author:

Almost everyone suffers from heartburn symptoms at one time or another. Learn more about heartburn remedies and how to recognize, prevent and treat this uncomfortable condition at Heartburn Relief.

Natural Remedies For Heartburn Relief

By Anton Hulk

If you have symptoms of heartburn,then it's necessary to keep check on it.but if you don't want to take any type of drug.You can have some natural remedies to take to help you relief your heartburn.Please pay much attention to your lifestyle and habits.You will find if you take some changes then you can really relief your heartburn symptoms

What cause the heartburn you need to find them out.At the first,you should remember what you eat and if it cause the symptoms.write down the severity of the symptoms,day after day you will see which foods make the acid reflux worse. Try to find one or the other food that makes the symptoms worse in your diet patterns.

Eliminate the foods from the diet that will reduce your symptoms of heartburn. It can be hard to give up on certain foods but the end result will make it easier. You might decide that you don't need to eliminate a food but rather can just reduce its consumption to affect relief from heartburn.

If you find you eat too fast to get your heartburn symptoms worse,then you should try to eat slower to see if this can reduce the heartburn.Also drinking lots of soup or watter to help the food go through fast into the stomach to neutralize some of the acid.

The quantity of food what you eat everyday also affect your symptoms.You need watch what you eat and stop eating before you are full because the overeating is a major reason to cause heartburn.if you don't eat on time,next meal you may overeat.Eat three square meals per day and include up to two snacks per day so you won't allow yourself to get too hungry.

Drinking lots of green tea if possible,green tea can remove body's toxins.Water will also remove bodily toxins.Don't have sugary drinks like soda and juice. This drinks will trigger heartburn and you may feel even worse.

Chewing gum everyday to make more saliva which will neutralize the acid in the stomach and in the esophagus. Chew sugar free gum to avoid getting cavities.

The above are some natural remedies for heartburn,It can certainly help you feel more comfortable. Try to find out what does work and what does not work.Don't forget you are suffering from heartburn.Otherwise you will get your disease more worse.You can certainly return to medications if natural heartburn remedies don't have any use for you. - 32390

About the Author:

Want to find out more about heartburn remedies, then visit Anton Hulk's site on how to choose the best natural heartburn remedies for your needs.

Top Options for Natural Treatment of Heartburn

By Keira Adams

Heartburn is a common, painful occurrence that causes burning in the throat and chest. The symptoms are so similar to a heart attack that many people have rushed to the emergency room when they experience them. The good news is, there are several kinds of medications to help ease the pain from heartburn. There are numerous over-the-counter medications that people use with great success. Another option is to use herbal remedies for heartburn, which are ideal for those who do not want to use a chemical laden product.

Herbal remedies for heartburn are proven to work, and some even say they work much better than their chemical competition. You can find herbal remedies at your pharmacy or nutrition center quite easily if you know what you're looking for.

There are three common herbal supplements people use to ease or eliminate heartburn pain. First off, best known for calming the digestive system is chamomile. In fact, many people like to drink chamomile tea as a soothing drink that helps them sleep. Chamomile contains high amounts of calcium, which is proven to reduce the stomach acids that cause the pain during heartburn.

Ginger is another popular heartburn remedy, and is used for many different types of stomach problems. Ginger quells nausea and inflammation in the stomach, both of which are present in a heartburn episode. Similarly, peppermint is also used as a natural remedy for heartburn because it can help to calm the stomach and reduce the production of acid in the stomach.

Many people choose natural cures for heartburn over pharmaceutical drugs because of the side affects that can occur with taking drugs, especially over long periods of time. Studies are being conducted to show what adverse affects can occur when chemical heartburn medication has been taken on a regular basis. Beyond that, most pharmaceutical drugs do not attend to the source of the heartburn, but merely relieve the symptoms.

Herbal remedies have become a smarter option because of this fact. Most herbal remedies for heartburn cause few side effects, and the body has an easier time taking them. An additional benefit of these herbal remedies is that they minister to other complaints beyond the heartburn, and decrease the overall amount of chemicals being ingested by your body. Many people choose a natural heartburn relief product because they feel that the pharmaceutical drugs are not worth the side effects, especially when they only treat the symptoms and not the cause. - 32390

About the Author:

Millions of people suffer from the pain and discomfort of heartburn. It can be difficult to find the best heartburn remedy to soothe the symptoms and get to the root of the problem. You can learn more at Heartburn Relief.

Sleep Issues and Pregnancy

By Jane Miller

Many women are shocked to experience the many different and uncomfortable side-effects of experiencing pregnancy. A woman's body undergoes many amazing changes when she becomes pregnant and some of those are surprising the first time you experience them. Usually women expect to be uncomfortable by trying to sleep with an expanding belly, but there can be lots of other surprising nighttime issues. Lots of people joke about not sleeping when the child is born, but being pregnant brings its own collection of sleeping challenges.

Charley Horses: Leg muscle cramps may strike at any time during the pregnancy, but they are most common in the third trimester. Changes in nutritional needs, dehydration and the rapid weight gain of becoming pregnant can often be reasons for charley horses. There are many cures for muscle spasms, but be sure to ask your doctor before using them. Many expectant women suffer from these unexpected bedtime calf cramping.

Digestion issues: The stomach and other internal organs are being squeezed together to make room for the expanding baby and that tightness commonly affects the digestive system the most. Pregnant women may not always be able to avoid digestion problems because some drugs designed to alleviate these symptoms are not safe for pregnant women. It's no surprise that many women should have problems with digestion during pregnancy.

Unexpected urination issues: Many expecting women suffer through 1 or more infrequent nighttime bedwetting episodes during their pregnancy. Almost all expecting women experience a growing need to urinate much more often than they are used to. Pressure against the urinary system and increased pressure on the kidneys can cause some women to urinate four to six times a night.

Pregnant women should be forewarned about sleep difficulties by their doctors in advance. Some doctors advise pregnant women to sleep with padding around them for comfort and to lay on their left side to help avoid some of these sleep issues. Different sleep issues will come and go during the length of a pregnancy, and not all women have the same sleep challenges. - 32390

About the Author:

For most women being pregnant is a wonderful time, but it's also important to take good care of your health. Speak regularly with your physician if you have any of the above sleep issues. There is help available for adult bed wetting.

How to Prevent and Treat the Pain of Heartburn

By Keira Adams

Heartburn can be prevented and treated in a variety of ways. In general, treatment can fall into one of three categories. There are lifestyle changes, medications and surgery. Here we look at the lifestyle changes that can be put in place in order to live more comfortably with this digestive disorder, as well as some of the medications that can bring you relief.

Change Your Life

Refrain From Sleeping After Eating: Do not lie down to take a nap or go to bed at night for at least three hours following a meal. Gravity is more likely to work against you and push stomach juices into the esophagus if you are lying in a horizontal position. Remain upright until the digestive process is well underway. A full stomach, sleep and reflux can easily combine to make you feel miserable.

Change Your Eating Habits: The type of foods you eat on a regular basis can play a role in how often you suffer from heartburn and how bad each episode is. In order to have as few problems as possible you need to avoid eating all fried and fatty foods, citrus fruits (and citrus fruit beverages), caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes and tomato products, pepper, peppermint and alcohol. Following is a look at some of the worst offenders when it comes to causing heartburn.

Foods to Avoid

Fatty, Fried Fast Foods: Before you stop in at the drive-thru at McDonald's for a big Mac and an order of French fries perhaps you should think twice. Do you want to pay for this fast meal of greasy food with an uncomfortable heartburn attack? The majority of food that is sold at most fast food chains is not at all beneficial for a person who suffers from heartburn. In particular hamburgers, fried chicken and French fries are the worst choices. If you must eat at a fast food restaurant then opt for a salad or a grilled chicken burger.

Fruit: Fruits contain a high concentration of acid and are therefore not a good bet for a person who has heartburn. The ones with the highest acid content include grapefruits, lemons, cranberries and oranges. In the same way, tomatoes are a fruit and they are not going to do your digestive system anything good in terms of reflux. Avoid eating tomatoes and any tomato products such as tomato sauce or tomato paste.

Chocolate: Chocolate is so yummy but it can cause more problems than it is worth for heartburn sufferers. In fact, chocolate is one of the worst triggers of heartburn. That includes all types of chocolate in any form, be it chocolate cake, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate drinks and chocolate bars. Even a donut with a little bit of chocolate icing can cause problems depending on the severity of your condition.

Medications

Antacids: These can be in the form of pills or liquid, and are easily available without a prescription. There are also over-the-counter foaming agents that do their part to prevent heartburn from occurring by coating the contents of the stomach with a layer of foam. An example of one of these is Gaviscon. This type of medication is okay for occasional use. It is meant only for those who have not sustained any damage to their esophagus due to the heartburn problem.

Proton Pump Inhibitors: This type of medication is available by prescription only. Examples of it include Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Aciphex (rabeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole) and Protonix (pantoprazole). This medication is more effective than antacids because it can relieve practically all of the symptoms associated with heartburn. It is rare for a person suffering from heartburn to not be helped by proton pump inhibitors. In some cases, Prilosec may be able to be purchased in an over-the-counter version known as Prilosec OTC. Please be advised that you should only use proton pump inhibitors under the supervision of a physician. - 32390

About the Author:

Almost everyone gets a bad case of heartburn at one time or another. Some people, however, never seem to be able to get rid of it, and many suffer from chronic heartburn. Learn more about the symptoms, prevention and treatment of this painful condition at Heartburn Relief.