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Monday, June 28, 2010

Behavior of ADHD Kids in the Classroom


In general, a child having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder does not live life, the way that a normal child usually does. The way they think and the thoughts that go in their mind are irrelevant to the situation around them. This, in turn, results in disruptive situations and circumstances for the people around them. The effects of such behavior are largely felt in the classrooms.

A traditional classroom atmosphere usually comprises silence, which is broken only by the teacher's voice and seldom due to the response given by the students for the questions proposed by their teacher. However, the presence of an ADHD child in such a classroom definitely changes the usual environment. There is very high probability of the child disturbing the learning of the other children in the class.

Classification the Behavioral Symptoms

The behavior of ADHD children are classified into two major groups according to the type of their behavior. They are...
  • Hyperactivity symptoms
  • Inattention symptoms
The child showing hyperactive symptoms can be found to be very much disturbing in the classrooms. The general symptoms of such children are excess of talking, disturbing the neighboring children physically, running or playing inside the classroom etc. These children generally have the tendency of not sitting in the places that they ought to be. To be precise, they are very restless.

The child showing Inattention symptoms are harmless to others though their activities do not contribute to their personal development. The major symptom is the child's inability to pay attention to the teachers completely. This leads to poor performance in the academics due to the lack of concentration and careless mistakes done by the child. Inattentive children have a poor memory and easily get distracted by other things around them.

Though the behavior are classified into two, most of the children suffering from the disorder exhibit the symptoms of both the types.

Effects and Behavior

The children exhibit many symptoms as stated above. But the effects of the disorder are aplenty. Some of them are...
  • Difficulty in establishing friendships with the fellow classmates
  • Difficulty in communicating with the teachers
  • Loss of the child's self-esteem
  • Becoming over sensitive
  • Exhibiting short tempers
  • Ignoring necessary rules
  • Disturbing or hurting others deliberately
Most of the above-mentioned extreme behavior are exhibited as a result of Conduct Disorder which occurs due to the extreme effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The aggravation of the disorder may result in even more disruptive effects like involvement in theft, disturbing others physically beyond the extent, destruction of others' properties etc.

Points and Tips to Consider

The teachers can make use of certain tips to deal with the children. Some of them are as follows.
  • Improving the communication with the affected child in private can remove the fear in them to face the teachers in class.
  • Improving communication with the child while in the classroom can help remove the fear in them to face their fellow class members.
  • Reciting short stories to gather attention of the child and using the name of the class children as a part of the subject being taken in the class gets hold of the child's attention. More convincing will be the usage of the affected child's name in such instances.
  • Provide special attention for the child inside the classroom. Move beside him and help him to move along with you during the progress of the lesson.
  • Allot small sessions during the class hours to develop communication and interaction between the children.
  • Reduce the workload of the affected children by reducing the assignments.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Anxiety and Missed Period


Stress and anxiety are very similar problems that deal with being unglued and not in control of one's emotions, while it reflects over time on our health. We don't realize how important it is to slow down and relax our senses, because the overload from all that stress and anxiety can shutdown our vital functions one at a time. Skipping one's period is a common dilemma among women, since there are many factors that lead up to one missing out on her time of the month. Sometimes women don't get their period at all in a month because of an underlying issue with their bodies.

Anxiety and a missed period is a problem that a lot of women face, what with life being so stressful and chaotic. Be it at work, at home, making it to appointments or running errands, our bodies and minds are in a constant state of panic and tension it hampers our systems in the long haul. Without knowing it, our eating habits are disrupted, digestion is not effectively processed and skipping meals becomes an all too familiar habit. Anxiety can take over our bodies to such an extent that the effects of it are noticeable over time, especially when put through a very emotionally and mentally distraught time.

Understanding the Effects of Anxiety On Menstruation

Stress can most definitely delay one's period. Like anxiety, it can trigger the body to switch to a mode that doesn't allow it to follow its regular course of action. This is turn causes a change in the sequence in events, where in this case it is a woman's period. A hormone in the body known as the Gn RH or gonadotropin-releasing hormone, controls the workings of a woman's ovulation time. It brings on her time of the month when it is sufficiently present, where stress decreases the hormone count, thus making a woman miss out on her period on the scheduled day. Relaxation is key here, and needs to be habituated since women tend to get caught up in a whirlwind of events and duties, putting their health away on a forgotten shelf.

What Causes a Missed Period?

Missing your period doesn't always have to be because of anxiety and bodily stress, where your situation could amount to an entirely different case scenario all together. Seek medical help if this problem tends to repeat itself, so that you know for a fact that it has nothing to do with a bigger matter. Being sure about things like this would put you at a lesser risk of suffering from anything severe. The following causes can also be areas where concern should be directed.
  • Emotional and mental stress
  • Asherman's syndrome
  • Drug abuse
  • Excess body weight, or extremely low weight
  • Strenuous exercises
  • Traveling
  • Hormone imbalances when changed can alter one's menstrual cycle
  • Falling ill
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Birth control pills
  • Eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia
  • Menopause
  • Imperforate hymen
  • Breast feeding
Missing out on your period can seem like a tense situation, but you need to be able to calm down and take it easy for a while. If anxiety has been taking over your life, and if you've been missing your period as a result, you have to be able to relax yourself at least a week before you're scheduled to get your period. That way you slow down your entire system that has been on overdrive for weeks now, and concentrate more on getting your cycle back on track. Consult a doctor if this happens too often, and get help on ways of how to keep your period coming when it should. Have a safe tomorrow.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers in Women


Stomach ulcers are defined as sores that develop on the inner wall of the lower esophagus, stomach and duodenum. While, esophageal ulcers are rare, those of the stomach and duodenum are quite common. Ulcers that develop on the inner walls of the stomach are called gastric ulcers, whereas those on the duodenal wall are called duodenal ulcers. It has been noted that duodenal ulcers are the most common form of stomach ulcers (otherwise known as peptic ulcers). It is believed that duodenal ulcers are more commonly seen in men, as compared to women, who are said to have a higher risk of developing gastric ulcers. But now these observations are rubbished on the ground that both genders are equally prone to stomach ulcers, including both duodenal, gastric and esophageal ones.

Stomach Ulcer Causes

So, both men and women are equally prone to stomach ulcers. Then, what are the causes for them to develop this condition? Earlier, it was thought that regular intake of spicy food and other factors like stress play a vital role in causing ulcers. But now, the most common cause for stomach ulcers is found to be helicobacter pylori infection.

The inner surfaces of the stomach and the duodenum are protected with a mucosal lining. This lining protects these inner walls from the strong digestive juices. Hence, there is a balance between the production of acids and the amount of mucus required by the protective lining. This balance can be disturbed by various factors and if such imbalance causes damage to the protective lining, ulcers may develop. It is these factors that are the actual causes of stomach ulcers in women and men. The following are some of the common causes for stomach ulcers.
  • As mentioned above, helicobacter pylori infection has been identified as the primary cause for stomach ulcers. These bacteria can bore through the protective lining and establish colonies on the walls of the stomach and duodenum. They secrete urease that neutralizes hydrochloric acid. This triggers production of excess acid that leads to erosion of the protective lining, thereby causing ulcers.
  • Stomach ulcers in women can also be caused by regular use of certain drugs like NSAIDs. These drugs are found to disturb the natural balance between acid production and mucus producing mechanisms. This leads to erosion of the protective layer and ulcers. Even the blood flow to the stomach and duodenum can be disturbed by these drugs, thereby preventing chances of repair of the damaged cells.
  • The above said are the most common causes of stomach ulcers. But, there are certain other factors that may contribute to the formation of these ulcers. Such factors include stress, regular smoking, excess alcohol consumption, food allergies, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies and diet that lacks fiber. In some rare cases, stomach ulcers (especially gastric ones) may be due to cancer too.
Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

Abdominal pain is the most common ulcer symptom in women as well as men. The pain may be gnawing, sharp and episodic in nature. In case of duodenal ulcers, the pain is said to be experienced three to four hours after the meal, but gastric ulcer pain usually develops right after the meal. Other symptoms include, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, belching and weakness. Stomach ulcer symptoms may also vary with the severity of the condition. In case of bleeding ulcers, the affected person may vomit like coffee grounds or may have tarry stool. Severe ulcers may also cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, decreased urine output and even shock. The treatment for stomach ulcers is decided as per the cause, severity of the condition, age and health condition of the patient. Nowadays, medication is sufficient for getting rid of this condition. They include drugs like antibiotics (in case of bacterial infection), acid suppressants and proton pump inhibitors. Some of the bleeding ulcers may require endotherapy. In some rare cases, where all other modes of treatment fail, surgery is done. Even perforated ulcers may require surgery. Surgery may include vagotomy (severance of vagus nerve to reduce acid production) antrectomy (removal of the lower part of the stomach) or pyloroplasty (widening the passage from the stomach to the small intestine).

So, causes of stomach ulcers in women and men are similar and they are equally prone to developing this condition. Some lifestyle changes may help you to prevent this condition. This includes adopting a high fiber diet and a good exercise regimen, drinking at least eight glasses of water a day, avoid smoking and excess alcohol consumption and resorting to some stress relief techniques. But, if you develop symptoms of stomach ulcers, get it diagnosed and treated at the earliest, so as to avoid complications.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Gastric Ulcer Pain


Gastric ulcers are a round or oval sore, where the stomach lining or the lining of the duodenum has been destroyed by the acids in the stomach and the digestive juices. More often than not it is seen, that what people call stomach ulcers are actually duodenal ulcers. These ulcers are located in the duodenum, which is the first part of the intestine. These ulcers are known as duodenal ulcers, whereas the ulcers located in the stomach are known as gastric ulcers, while the ulcers located in the esophagus are called esophageal ulcers. One of the prominent symptom of gastric ulcer is burning sensation in the stomach. More often than not, the symptoms are similar to varied digestive conditions.

Causes of Gastric Ulcer

Previously the causes of gastric ulcer injury were said to be lifestyle factors. But, latest research has proved, that stomach acids, namely hydrochloric acid and pepsin are the factors, which contribute to the formation of gastric ulcers. Acid and stomach juices burn the lining of the digestive tract. This happens, when the stomach produces too much of acid, which in turn burns the digestive tract. However, the role of lifestyle factors like stress or eating food with high acid content cannot be neglected. Many times, it is seen, that although ulcers may not be caused by lifestyle factors, they often aggravate the condition. At the same time, infections are also one of the stomach ulcer causes. It is the bacterial infection, which is widely responsible for the infections. Along with all the above mentioned causes, excessive use of anti-inflammatory medicines can also give rise to gastric ulcers. These medicines damage the stomach lining, which causes ulcer. There are certain medicines for arthritis as well, which may also cause the said problem.

Symptoms

Indigestion and heartburn in the middle of the upper abdomen is a stomach ulcer symptom and sign. Due to indigestion, the person may burp, belch or hiccup very frequently. In some cases, the person may also suffer from choking sensation, due to a bout of indigestion. Many times, it is seen, that this symptom is often confused with gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Nausea accompanied by loss of appetite is a gastric ulcer symptom. A lot of people suffer from pain or discomfort in the abdomen. The pain in some cases can be burning, gnawing or aching. The pain is oftentimes located beneath the rib cage on the left side of the body, which may eventually also spread to the back. A lot of times, this pain can be very similar to hunger pangs. A lot of people, who suffer from gastric ulcer feel better after eating something, hence, they try to eat more often, which leads to weight gain. On the other hand, there are some people, who suffer from stomach ulcer pain, either about two to three hours after their meals or at night on an empty stomach.

Other signs of stomach ulcer include headache, dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness, etc. In some severe cases of gastric ulcer, there may be a scar tissue, which obstructs the passage of food in the digestive tract, due to which the person may vomit frequently or may feel full even after eating a small quantity of food. On the other hand, there are people, who complain of bloating sensation after eating.

A person is said to be suffering from bleeding stomach ulcer, when the person vomits blood or passes stools, which contain dark red blood or are tar black in color is a severe symptom of gastric ulcer. These are potentially serious symptoms, hence the patient may want to schedule an appointment with a doctor as the earliest.

Treating Gastric Ulcer

The measures to be taken for relief from gastric ulcer pain, depend on the causes of the problem. Antacids may be taken to treat the condition, however they provide only temporary relief.
  • Consumption of cold milk, ice creams, etc. help in bringing stomach ulcer relief.
  • If the ulcer is caused by bacteria, then measures will have to be taken to get rid of bacteria, causing the problem. Antibiotics are used in combination with other medicines to get rid of bacteria.
  • If stomach ulcer is caused by the stomach acids, then drugs which inhibit the production of stomach acid are prescribed. These drugs also promote healing of peptic ulcers.
  • More often than not, patients are asked to have a bland diet and keep away from spicy, fatty or acidic foods, which helps in the healing process and also reduce the production of stomach acids.
  • Keeping the irritants like alcohol, nicotine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. at bay is an important part of stomach ulcer treatment.
  • Following gastric ulcer diet will help in treating the condition faster.
  • Stomach ulcer remedies also include sufficient amount of rest.
It is important to note, that gastric ulcer pain often has a tendency to come back. Therefore, it is important, that one follows the doctor's instructions and take all the prescribed medicines on time as directed.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Using Salt Water to Induce Vomiting


Vomiting weakens the body and causes dehydration which can be quite dangerous. It is automatically done by the body to clear itself of harmful and toxic substances. But sometimes when we ingest some harmful substances which could be poisonous, the body may take time to get it out through vomiting or it is unable to do so. Under such a situation, it becomes very necessary to get those things out of our body as soon as possible. The best thing to do at this stage is to induce vomiting. Using salt water to induce vomiting is one of the simplest and the oldest methods to get rid of the unwanted and harmful substances. So, let's find out in the following paragraphs, the method and the benefits of inducing vomiting through salt water.

How to Induce Vomiting Using Salt Water

Inducing vomiting is as easy as you think. It is quite dangerous and should be performed only when it is very necessary. Before performing any of the methods to induce vomiting try to consult a medical professional to avoid complications. You can use the following method if you or any of your loved ones have ingested any substance which can be toxic or poisonous, or if the person is likely to have food poisoning.
  • Take about one glass of tap water and warm it. Do not make it too hot as you have to drink it in one go.
  • Now put 4 tablespoons of table salt into the water and stir it till it gets completely dissolved. You can also add small amount of mustard oil in it.
  • Drink it in one go. Try to drink the entire glass of water.
  • After the drinking the salt water, drink 4 to 5 glass of plain water.
  • By this time you may be able to get the vomiting sensation or may be you will vomit just after having the glass of salt water. But if you have not vomited yet then just wait for sometime and be prepared as you will vomit anytime. You can also stick your finger in your throat and get your gag reflex to vomit.
Things to Remember

Though salt water to induce vomiting is effective and a very good way to get rid of the toxins, following are some of the points which you need to keep in mind while using this method. Have a look.
  • Vomiting can be very dangerous as it can affect your internal organs, tear or damage your esophagus and cause you dehydration. Hence, induce vomiting only in severe cases when you don't have any other option.
  • Call the doctor immediately for emergency support.
  • Excess salt can be dangerous for health, hence when you take salt water, avoid taking it in excess as it can harm the internal organs. If you are reducing the amount of water then reduce the amount of salt too.
  • Do not give the solution if the person is sleepy, incoherent or intoxicated as it may even cause death. Take advice of the doctor in such cases.
  • When you feel like vomiting, bend down so that the vomit does not enter the lungs and cause complications.
  • Once you vomit, have 1 glass of cool water so as to soothe the esophagus and stomach. It will also save you from dehydration.
This is just an emergency first aid, hence consult a doctor immediately and get completely rid of the toxic substance from your body. If you observe other symptoms like nausea then you may have a serious problem. Do not ignore these symptoms as they can be life-threatening also. There are many other methods to induce vomiting like use of ipecac, copper sulfate, hydrogen peroxide, warm mustard water, etc. But it's better to get advice from your doctor and then use any of the methods.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Duodenal Ulcer Symptoms


Duodenal ulcer is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacteria acts by causing the rupture of the inner lining of the stomach and the digestive tract. As we know, our stomach produces hydrochloric acid, that helps in digestion of food and destruction of bacteria. This acid is corrosive in nature and so some cells on the internal lining of the stomach and duodenum generate a natural mucus barrier to protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Our body naturally maintains a balance between this digestive acid and the mucus defense barrier. However, a person may develop duodenal ulcers if there is any kind of alteration in this balance, i.e. excessive acid generation or less production of mucus barrier by the duodenum, which may eventually damage the lining of the stomach or duodenum.

Causes of Duodenal Ulcer
Although research shows that 80 to 90% of cases of duodenal ulcer in humans is primarily due to bacterial infections, there are various other factors that may lead to different symptoms. Smoking, excessive caffeine intake, drinking alcohol, stress, etc., are some common causes that may stimulate acid secretion in the stomach, and increase the risk of developing ulcers. Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium, make the stomach vulnerable to the harmful effects of hydrochloric acid.

Symptoms of Duodenal Ulcer
Though each individual may experience different symptoms, the following are the most common symptoms. The patient may usually suffer duodenal ulcer symptoms between or immediately after meals, when hungry or during the early hours of morning. The pain or discomfort due to duodenal ulcer may last for few minutes to several hours.
  • Gnawing or burning of the stomach
  • Severe abdominal pain, especially between the breastbone and the navel
  • Heartburn, especially after meals
  • Excessive bloating, belching of the stomach
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Excessive fatigue and weakness
  • Tarry bowel movements
  • Bleeding ulcers, though very rare, mainly occur due to perforation of the intestinal wall, or an obstruction preventing the passage of food
Diagnosis of Duodenal Ulcer
For diagnosing a duodenal ulcer, the doctor may review the patient's symptoms, medical history and conduct tests like an upper GI radiograph, in which the patient swallows liquid barium to locate the ulcer on the radiograph. The patient may also have to undergo blood and stool tests to determine the presence of H. pylori bacteria. In some cases, the doctor may perform an endoscopy to view the upper digestive tract, or a biopsy in which a piece of tissue is taken and sent for lab testing.

Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer
The treatment mainly depends on the cause and severity of the disease. The doctor may prescribe medications like H2-blockers and acid pump inhibitors to reduce the amount of acid generated by the stomach. Antibiotics or mucosal protective agents like antacids, sucralfate, etc., can be used to form a protective barrier over the site of the ulcer. However, if these medications are not effective enough to subside the duodenal ulcer, the patient may have to undergo a surgery, or the ulcer may even transgress into duodenal cancer.

However, along with these treatments, one of the most effective ways to cure is to bring healthy changes in our lifestyle. The patient should quit smoking, drinking alcohol, caffeine and chewing or smoking tobacco products as these things may ignite duodenal ulcer symptoms. Eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient rest can surely help overcome and prevent the risks of developing duodenal ulcer.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Ulcer Diet List


Sometimes, due to specific reasons, the lining inside the stomach gets eroded or abraded. This condition is known as ulcer and is one of the painful conditions experienced by people of all age groups. Various factors like eating extremely spicy foods, smoking, consuming alcohol, etc. can cause ulcer. Peptic or stomach ulcers in children are due to a bacterial infection caused by H. pylori or use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

Ulcers can be of different types like stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, esophageal ulcer, etc. Treatment of ulcers includes use of medications like antacids, acid blockers and PP inhibitors. At the same time, it is also essential to follow a diet to reduce the acid production in the body and prevent further damage.

Ulcer Diet

There are certain foods which tend to aggravate the acid production in the body and cause more discomfort. It is very difficult to treat and cure ulcer if a person continues consuming these foods. Therefore, these foods need to be avoided from the body as soon as possible. On the other hand, there are several foods in the ulcer diet list that are safe to consume as they do not lead to acid production in the body.

Type of Foods Foods to Avoid Foods Safe to Consume
Vegetables Tomatoes, cabbage, sprouts, turnips, peppers, cucumber, broccoli, onions, cauliflower, rutabaga, sauerkraut Green leafy vegetables, legumes, all fresh vegetables
Fruits Citrus fruits, lemons, oranges, berries, nuts and seeds All the rest of fruits
Dairy Whole milk, butter, cream, cheese, margarine Low fat milk, butter, soy, tofu
Meat / Poultry Fried and seasoned meat, chicken and fish, corned beef, frankfurter sausages Lean meat, fish, skinless poultry, eggs
Grains Breads, pastries, cakes, biscuits, refined flour products Whole wheat bread and pasta, rice cakes, waffles
Beverages Coffee, tea, soda, fruit juice Herbal tea, clear homemade soup
Others Animal fat, vegetable oil, mayonnaise, ketchup, peanut butter, vinegar, mustard oil, chili sauce, pepper, garlic, chili powder, pickles Olive oil, low-fat dressing, honey

Ulcer Diet Recommendations

If you are looking for an easy diet for ulcers, then note that all fried, processed and canned foods need to be completely avoided in the peptic ulcer diet. Most of the canned and processed foods contain higher amounts of salts, preservatives and vinegar that can aggravate ulcer and hence, they need to be cut down from the diet. Similarly, chocolates, candies and mint also worsen stomach ulcers and hence, one should avoid having these foods. When suffering from ulcers, it is advisable to go for home cooked and light food that are recommended in the above mentioned list. The following are some recommendations that one need to follow along with the diet.
  • It is essential to have freshly cooked food, preferably cooked at home.
  • You should have smaller meals and eat food slowly. Having 4-5 small meals after a gap of 2-3 hours helps in proper digestion.
  • You should have dinner 2-3 hours prior to bedtime. It is not advisable to lie down immediately after having meals.
  • Spicy, acidic and fried foods should be totally avoided for getting rid of ulcers as soon as possible. Spices, oil, dressing, salts and sugar should also be used in moderation in the peptic ulcer disease diet.
If you follow the ulcer diet regularly for the prescribed period, you can surely recover from the disease completely. Lastly, you should note that even after recovering from the disease, you should not go back to your original diet, but, rather follow this diet to prevent ulcer from recurring. This diet should be followed only after consulting the doctor. Take care!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Alcohol and Stomach Ulcers


I was researching this topic and came across various forums and blogs wherein people are associating their stomach ulcers or the symptoms of stomach ulcers with alcohol. I mean on every other page you will come across queries wherein people are confused if they are suffering from stomach ulcers because of their alcohol consumption, or diet! Well, the answer is, neither alcohol, nor diet is the main CAUSE of stomach ulcers. What exactly are stomach ulcers? Stomach ulcers are nothing else but peptic ulcers that occur within the stomach lining. They are also known as Gastric ulcers. These ulcers form a sore within the stomach wall and eats away the inner lining of the stomach causing bleeding and lesion as well. The main cause of the development of stomach ulcer is a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, which accounts for 80% of the cases of stomach ulcers. The rest 20% of the causes include intake of certain medications including aspirin, ibuprofen, and medications used to treat osteoarthritis. But then, what does alcohol has to do with stomach ulcers? Is it all right to consume alcohol if it doesn't cause gastric ulcers? Well, all these questions will be answered in the following section.

Relationship Between Drinking Alcohol and Stomach Ulcers

Well, let's think of it this way. Obesity doesn't cause heart attack, but when you are suffering from a heart condition, you are strictly asked to manage your weight. Why? Because being overweight can trigger a heart attack and not cause it! Similarly, alcohol may not be the causing agent of stomach ulcers but it can definitely make the existing condition worse. Consumption of alcohol increases the production of acid in the stomach which eventually leads to further erosion of the stomach lining, causing the ulcer to bleed and making the condition all the more severe in nature. This explains as to why do doctors suggest patients with peptic ulcers to refrain from alcohol. However, the question still remains, why do people experience symptoms of stomach ulcer after drinking alcohol? The most common symptom is abdominal pain, which can also be accompanied by heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Well, the reason behind this could be the level of acid that increases in the body when you consume alcohol. Apart from that, the abdominal pain can also signify problems with the liver and pancreas, which can be a sign of the adverse effects of alcohol on your health. You would be interested to know that there was a study done based on animal testing. It stated that only 190+ proof alcohols have the tendency to cause ulcers in the stomach. However, it is not possible for a human to consume 190 or higher proof alcohol because it would end up burning the skin of the mouth while consuming it. We cannot consume more than 150+ proof alcohol, which cannot cause stomach ulcers on its own.

So what do we conclude about the stomach ulcer-alcohol relationship? I am sure after reading the last five lines of the previous paragraph, you would be very relaxed and happy about the fact that you can "continue" drinking alcohol now, right? Well, no you can't! The bottom line is that alcohol is not the main cause of stomach ulcer, but if you have been experiencing some prominent stomach ulcer symptoms, then alcohol will worsen the condition. It is like, 'salt doesn't burn the skin, but if you already have burns on your skin, then a contact with salt will flare up the burning sensation'. Alcohol also tends makes the stomach all the more acidic, which isn't good if you have ulcers in your stomach, because it will work as a fuel adding to the fire. Therefore, as soon as you understand that alcohol is affecting or flaring up the pain caused by stomach ulcers, stop consuming it in order to prevent further irritation and complications. If the pain or discomfort persists, then get in touch with your healthcare specialist as soon as possible.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Anxiety Symptoms in Women


In today's fast-paced and stressful life, both men and women tend to suffer from anxiety. Women are more prone to it as they have to juggle a lot of things, while balancing both work and home simultaneously. This can cause a lot of stress and tension to a woman. Prolonged stress and worry can sometimes cause anxiety in women. There are a lot of other causes, which produce these symptoms. Let's understand the causes first, before moving on to the symptoms and the cures.

Causes
When facing difficult circumstances in personal or professional life, a woman might feel stressed and anxious. Anxiety in women could also be a result of certain hormonal changes that take place in the body due to menses, childbirth or menopause. Sometimes, excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol or taking drugs could lead to anxiety too. A woman might be sensitive to certain foods, such as wheat or sugar. Consumption of these can lead to anxiety. It could also be due to certain chemical imbalances in the body. The brain releases a substance called serotonin, which helps in regulating the moods and emotions, thus keeping a person calm and relaxed. If the brain does not provide adequate amount of serotonin, the body goes through a chemical imbalance, thereby causing these symptoms.

Common Symptoms
Anxiety symptoms in men are similar to those in women. Here are some common depression and anxiety symptoms in women.

Physical
  • Increase in heartbeat and heart palpitations
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest discomfort and pain
  • Abdominal pain and indigestion
  • Increased perspiration
  • Shivering or trembling
  • Numbness in certain body parts
  • Dizziness, headaches or light-headed feeling
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling excessively cold, resulting in cold hand and feet and body chills.
  • Muscle pain
  • Increased blood pressure
  • General fatigue
  • Increase or decrease in appetite
  • Insomnia or disturbed sleep
Psychological
  • The woman may develop negative feelings and constantly feel that something untoward is going to happen.
  • Anxiety triggers a fear of impending death in the sufferers.
  • The woman may feel a sense of detachment towards oneself and the world.
  • The woman may experience constant worry and tension, and is not able to concentrate on anything.
  • The woman might become extremely aggressive.
  • There might be a personality change in the woman and she might become socially inactive.
Treatment
Overcome this problem naturally by consuming herbs, such as passionflower, kava kava, valerian and lemon balm, as they soothe the nerves and cure insomnia. These herbal remedies have a calming effect on the body and help in providing relief from tension. Certain meditation techniques, such as breathing exercises and Pranayama, have proven effective in alleviating the symptoms. Reiki, practiced under a trained practitioner, can also help in minimizing the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms and chest pain or if the symptoms have worsened, it is recommended that you undertake cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by consulting a psychiatrist. CBT will help identify the reason behind your feelings of stress and the psychotherapist will suggest remedies accordingly. CBT is a systematic approach to solve problems related to dysfunctional emotions and behavior. So psychotherapy sessions can be helpful. In case of an emergency, you may use antianxiety drugs or anti depressant to minimize the symptoms, but only after consulting a physician.

Symptoms of the different types of anxiety, such as social anxiety and separation anxiety, can be controlled or minimized by following the above-mentioned treatment. Having a positive attitude, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising everyday, along with a regular treatment, go a long way in relieving the anxiety symptoms in women.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Proper Diet for Abs


In order to lose weight from your belly, you have to make a routine of exercising daily. Along with exercises, taking a proper diet is extremely essential too. A healthy abs diet ensures that your body is energized to carry out the various exercises that you need to perform to lose belly fat. In addition to that, it aids in fat burning too.

Breakfast is Mandatory
Your breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day. Never skip your breakfast as it provides you with energy to keep going the whole day. Moreover, you must have seen that whenever you do not eat in the morning, you tend to eat whatever you can lay your hands on during the day. So, to avoid overeating and to keep yourself energized, eat a calcium and protein rich breakfast such as cereals with milk, a boiled egg and perhaps a glass of juice.

Say No to Junk
It is recommended that you take a healthy diet for great abs. So, give up on processed foods, oily stuff, junk food especially burgers and pizzas, as these all add unnecessary layers of fat on the belly.

Lots of Veggies and Fruits
Best diet for abs is that which comprises lots of fruits and vegetables. So make sure to include fiber rich foods such as apples, bananas, prunes, grapefruits, raspberries, oranges, almonds, green peas, avocados, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots and sweet corn in your diet plan.

Food with Complex Carbohydrates
Although many diets recommend to virtually give up on carbohydrates, yet it is not what you should aim for. However, what you should do is to only take foods which have complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal, green leafy vegetables, legumes, brown rice, brown bread and whole wheat pasta. Researches have shown that complex carbohydrates are processed very easily by the body and they in fact help in burning fat from all over the body!

Low Fat Dairy Products
Proper diet for men as well as women should include low-fat dairy products like yogurt and milk as researches show that dairy foods, especially low-fat milk, is one of the shocking foods that burn belly fat.

White Meat and Fish
High protein foods such as chicken and turkey are a must have in any good diet for abs. High protein foods improve upon the body's metabolism, thus leading to lesser weight gain. Eating fish such as salmon and tuna is recommended for men as these contain the omega 3 essential fatty acids which are needed to keep the heart in good shape. Various nuts and seeds such as almonds and flax-seed are rich in such healthy fats too, so should be taken everyday.

A Gallon of Water
Besides eating the right food, make sure to drink enough water to keep your body hydrated. Ideally, two liters of water everyday are suggested for women and men. However, if you are heavily into exercising and body building, drink a gallon. Water helps in better digestion and elimination of fats from the body.

As mentioned above, complement this diet with some effective cardiovascular exercises as well as abdominal exercises. If you are able to stick to this diet and a regular exercise regimen, there are no two ways that soon you will experience fat loss from your entire body, including your stomach, thus revealing those much coveted abs!