Bleeding Ulcer Risks

The gastrointestinal tract consists of all the organs that are responsible for the input and output of the food that we eat, the energy that we produce and the waste material that we excrete out of our body. So, the gastrointestinal tract begins from our mouth from which we eat, followed by the esophagus, the stomach, the intestines (both large and small) and the rectum. Bleeding ulcers usually tend to occur in these organs, each with a different terminology based on the organ they have started to occur on. For example, bleeding ulcers on the esophagus are known as esophageal ulcers, the ulcers on the stomach are known as gastric ulcers and the ulcers on the small intestine are known as duodenal ulcers. These ulcers emerge as peptic ulcers, which seem like open sores inside the GI tract and can convert into bleeding ulcers if left untreated or if exposed to certain elements that can prove to be dangerous under this condition. You will be surprised to know that almost 95 million people in the United States suffer from some or the other form of digestive problem. As far as bleeding ulcers are concerned, they usually tend to go unnoticed as most of the time, they may become asymptomatic. If you too have been suffering from digestive problems, with or without any symptoms of bleeding peptic ulcers, then you need to be aware of the risks and triggering factors of bleeding ulcers.

Factors that Can Increase the Risk of Bleeding Ulcers

Not all peptic ulcers can lead to bleeding. But then, if you have peptic ulcers (or even if you don't), there are certain risk factors that can actually put you under more risk of developing bleeding ulcers. The point to be noted is that when it comes to bleeding ulcers, they are difficult to identify as you cannot see any external bleeding in a visible manner. A bleeding ulcer in your body causes internal bleeding which may go unnoticed for a long time! The most common symptoms would include bloody stool, blood vomit, severe pain in the abdomen, weight loss and weakness. Have a look at the factors that can put you under the risk zone.

Physical or Emotional Stress
Stress is the reason for almost all the possible health issues one suffers from... including bleeding ulcers! Though it is not the sole reason behind their occurrence, it is definitely a very significant triggering factor for the same. There can be different type of stress that you might undergo. It could be a physical injury or it can be an emotional factor which can cause the ulcers to bleed, or even trigger the formation of ulcers.

Using Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
NSAIDs are one of the main reason for bleeding ulcers in humans. The continuous use of these drugs actually causes severe irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach and can cause bleeding ulcers. If you are on these drugs for a long time, you need to speak to your doctor about the same and try going for some alternate therapy so that you can exclude yourself out of the 'red zone' for developing bleeding ulcers.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Another most common reason for bleeding ulcer is the infection caused by the Helicobacter Pylori, or the H. pylori bacterium. Now the point to be noted here is that this bacterium is usually present in the stomach lining, however, it is not always that this causes ulcers in people, but yes, it does increase the risk factor. There are many antibiotics that can fight against this bacterium and can cure the ulcers.

Smoking and Alcohol
You are also under the risk of developing bleeding peptic ulcers if you are a regular consumer of alcohol and smoking. Apart from the damage that smoking and alcohol as it is do on the human body and mind, another risk that they put you under is the transmission of the H.pylori bacterium, which can be spread by sharing same cigarettes, utensils, and kissing. Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining by increasing the amount of acid which can cause the ulcer to bleed or trigger its formation.

Eating Too Spicy Food
Eating a lot of heavy and spicy food is also known to develop ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract as it irritates the lining due to excessive spice. So if you have been dealing with digestive problems, then it is a must to avoid eating heavy and spicy meals.

Make sure that you live a healthy and active lifestyle which doesn't involve smoking, drinking, eating spicy food and taking a lot of stress. Also make sure that you don't consume a lot of NSAIDs as well and get in touch with your healthcare specialist in case of any health concern related to the same as untreated bleeding ulcers can lead to serious complications which may prove to be fatal if immediate hospitalization and blood transfusion is not done. So, take care and have a safe tomorrow.

Test Anxiety Symptoms

A little anxiety often goes a long way in motivating us to perform better. It gives us the much-needed push to go beyond our capacity and prove ourselves in anything we do. For instance, before a simple test, all of us are prone to getting nervous before we go out and give any kind of performance. However, for some, this anxiety goes to a whole new level, where it reaches such an extent that it affects performance. This is what is known as test anxiety, that is recognizable by some very specific symptoms. Young children are most affected by this condition; but why does this happen? Nervousness is common, but why do children get excessively anxious before a test or an exam? This may be due to the following reasons:

• The Pressure to Perform by Parents: If you find yourself to be one of those parents who is constantly pressurizing their children to do well by comparing them with others, it is likely that your child may take this negatively and develop test anxiety.
• The Fear of Failure: With the pressure to perform also comes the expectation of parents which children fear they may let down. This fear reaches such an extent that it wrecks their thinking and affects their performance in a test.
• The Inability to Prepare: Procrastination or the inability to prepare well before an exam can be another reason why your child may be breaking into cold sweats before a test. This usually happens because of the fear of the test.

These are some of the prime reasons why children are likely to experience test anxiety. Moreover, in some cases, a bad experience during a test or poor performance on a test in the past for which they were severely reprimanded can result in a negative association to tests, and show up by way of some symptoms that have been discussed below.

What are the Symptoms of Test Anxiety?

Test anxiety shows itself by way of physical and psychological symptoms. These have been enlisted here:

• Unusual Aches and Pains: Some children are known to develop pains and aches in different parts of the body just before a test. For instance, a stomach ache or a pain in the arm or leg is usually spoken of by a student. However, if a medical check is done on such students, no physical symptom or cause for the pain is evident. This shows that the fear in them is so deep that they unconsciously manifest a reason not to give the test.
• Panic Attacks: Severe test anxiety in some cases may result in panic attacks. This in turn may exhibit symptoms such as palpitations, heavy sweating, clammy hands, shortness of breath, an increase in heartbeat, and even nausea and vomiting.
• Changes in Appetite: Children may also experience changes in appetite due to test anxiety. While some may eat a lot due to the nervousness, others may not be able to stand the sight of food, and may end up vomiting if forced to eat.
• Insomnia: Children who fear tests so much are likely to suffer from insomnia a few days before the test. They may be unable to sleep the nights leading to the day of the test, and this results in confusion and loss of concentration because of the physical and mental fatigue.
• Loss of Focus: Test anxiety reaches an extent where it begins to affect the clarity of thought needed to perform well in a test. The presence of mind, focus, and concentration are all lost because of the fear that has overcome the student.
• Feelings of Desolation: Children who find themselves in such situations tend to feel desolate and helpless. They find themselves trapped in a web that they can't seem to get out of. This further results in anger and guilt because of the inability to perform.
• Low Self-Image: The anger, guilt, and helplessness causes a child to feel inefficient and incompetent. This in turn affects her/his self image, which can be both a symptom and an effect of test anxiety.

As you can see, one symptom leads to another and then becomes a vicious circle that continues until a thorough effort is made to break it. This requires not only personal effort, but continual support from parents and peers. Since someone who has test anxiety has a low self-image, the support is needed to encourage a positive perception of the self and develop faith in the fact that they are as good as anyone else. Speaking to teachers in school and charting out an organized long-term study plan together can also go a long way in overcoming test anxiety. Finally, parents need to make an effort to stop pressurizing their children into performing, as well as comparing them with the neighbor's children. Being good in studies is not the only key to success. Focus on your child and her/his talent. Some children are not cut out for straight A's in every subject. Their interests lie elsewhere. Believe in them and allow them the freedom to be who they want to be. These stressful situations will never arise then.

What Does 'Butterflies in the Stomach' Mean

Whenever you see your crush walking down the path and striding towards you, there is that familiar feeling of butterflies in the stomach...Whenever you are about to give a speech in front of the entire class, there they go again, the butterflies. And when the cue to have you on stage for the next song is announced, who else accompanies you up there but the butterflies in the stomach?

What's your age? 15? 39? 52? 78?...No matter what it is, haven't you all had that butterflies flooding your stomach feeling at one time or the other? I'm sure you have. Have you ever thought about why you get butterflies in your stomach? Or have you simply accepted it as another natural phenomenon of our body? How boring you are. Aren't you even a little bit curious about what happens? Cause yeah, there aren't actually butterflies in there. Then why is this term, 'Butterflies in the stomach' used so frequently? Guess what, I found out about it and so will you if you read this article. Ready? Here we go...

Meaning
This is a term that is synonymous with the fluttering or tickling (hence, butterflies) feelings of nervous excitement or anxiety. It is usually caused when you are about to be in a situation where you are likely to be judged. That is why when you are up on stage, performing in front of so many people, standing up there, where people can see you and will be evaluating and examining you, you are overtaken by the feeling of butterflies in your stomach or being nervous.

Similarly, when you see a crush pass by, your senses are suddenly heightened and you want them to see you at your best - so the nervous feeling takes over.

Causes
Physiologically speaking, this feeling is the body's way of dealing with danger. It has got to do with the body's fight or flight response to certain situations. Some say that it is caused by the release of a type of adrenaline called epinephrine, which results in the pulling away of blood from the stomach area and sending it to the muscles. This results in a temporary shut down of the stomach. Some people believe that it leads to a better performance because you are forced to be alert. Similarly, the nervous excitement and feeling of constant butterflies in stomach, that one experiences in love, is also brought about by the mood altering endorphins that are released into the body.

Cures
When the butterflies in your stomach get serious, it is time to make them flutter away! (Bad joke, I know.) But getting to the point - How? You just adopt a few anxiety cures. Simple.

• Breathe. Clear everything else from your mind and simply breathe deeply. Instant relief.
• Learn to relax by doing meditation or yoga or taking nature walks. It helps to calm you down.
• Have a go-to places which provide relaxation. It could be anything from the smell of a particular soap or a favorite song. Keep it handy when you have an important event that you know will cause nervousness and tension.
• Have some herbs like chamomile, lemon balm or some herbal tea to keep the fear at bay and help you calm down.

Here's a great number by the Olsen twins on butterflies in your stomach. Quite fitting, I would say...

Butterflies in Your Stomach
When you got butterflies in your stomach
And a desert in your mouth
Your bod is signifying
It wants a way out
Cause you're scared that you might mess up
Afraid that you might goof
So when you're feeling nervous,
Here is what you got to do

Chorus
Just breath a little deeper
Sip a little water
Know that you'll be great
Everybody's gonna love ya
Especially if you smile
When you step out on that stage
Ohh yeah! Ohh yeah! Ohh yeah! Ohh yeah!

Wow! I can't help it. I still have butterflies in my stomach
You know, it could be worse
Yeah, you could have a caterpillar up your nose
Ok, ok, ok
What did a dancer do when she hurt her foot?
She called a toe-truck

Now there's something that you must know
Since you've done this all before
Every fear is gonna leave you
When you step on that dance floor
Cause you're doing what you love most
And practiced for four years
And if you're dancing from your heart,
Then you will leave them all in tears, so...(Chorus)

Pretty interesting concept, isn't it? So then, technically speaking, there is nothing wrong with your health when you get that fluttery feeling in the stomach. It's just the body's way of telling you that there could be a possibility of danger, of which you should be aware. If you ask me, it's a useful little concept that helps you be well-prepared for what is to follow sufficiently well.

Why is Diet Important if You have Gout?

Gout is a condition characterized by inflammation of the joints, usually the big toe. It is a form of arthritis and hence, its symptoms are similar to those of arthritis. Gout is caused due to improper uric acid metabolism in the body. People suffering from gout experience sudden and severe attacks of gout which are marked by inflammation, redness and tenderness in joints and at the base of the big toe. Following a diet can significantly help in treatment and prevention of gout. Let us take a look at it in detail.

Diet for Gout

Before taking a look at the foods safe to consume, and those to be avoided, if suffering from gout, let us first find out the relation between one's diet and gout. As mentioned above, gout is caused due to abnormal metabolism of uric acid. The condition occurs when uric acid builds up in the body. This can happen either due to excess formation of uric acid in the body or due to malfunctioning of the kidneys. Uric acid is formed by the breaking down of purines in the body. Hence, excess formation of uric acid is caused when high amount of foods containing purines are consumed by the person. The excess uric acid in the body gets converted into crystallized form and gets accumulated around the joints, leading to gout. Foods obtained from animal sources are high in purines and hence, people consuming these foods are at a higher risk of gout. Secondly, consuming excess amounts of alcohol is also one of the reasons for causing gout in people. People suffering from obesity, or having high levels of fat, or cholesterol, in their body are also susceptible to gout. Therefore, we see that gout is caused due to the food one eats and hence, following a proper diet is essential to treat and prevent gout. Let us take a look at the foods to be avoided and foods safe to consume in the gout diet.

Foods Safe to Consume

• Fruits, green vegetables, nuts, seeds
• Pasta, flax seeds, cereals, cornflakes, white bread
• Low fat dairy products
• Cherries and strawberries
• Coffee, tea, fruit juices, soft drinks

These foods are extremely safe to eat when suffering from gout as they do not affect the uric acid level in the body. In fact, certain foods like cherries and strawberries are believed to lower the increased uric acid level in the body and hence, people must consume moderate amounts of cherries every day. On the other hand, certain foods like asparagus, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach, legumes, freshwater fish, whole wheat products and eggs should be consumed in moderate or very little amounts. Now let us know what are the foods to avoid in the diet for gout.

Foods to Avoid

• Organ meats, red meat, game meat, meat extract
• Sardines, herring, clams, mackerel, crab, scallops, mussels, cod
• Gravies, salad dressing, consomme
• Whole milk, cream
• Yeast, cakes, pastries, donuts
• Alcohol

As obesity and having high levels of cholesterol are one of the risk factors for gout, it is essential to have a diet low in cholesterol and fat. Maintaining a proper weight and having healthy foods can help prevent gout. Therefore, one should avoid eating foods with high amount of fat; and also avoid meat and alcohol in the diet to prevent gout.

Following a proper gout diet can help in treatment and prevention of this condition. Based on this food list, you can look for recipes on the Internet and follow the diet regularly, to get rid of the inflammation and discomfort. Take care!

Meditation Techniques for Anxiety

Anxiety, nervousness, stress, etc., are all byproducts of living life in the fast lane. In case you happen to be someone who's fascinated by numbers and statistics, here's one for you - more than sixty percent of the world's population is affected by anxiety in some way or the other. Anxiety is something that must be dealt with at an early stage or else, it can manifest into something really serious and potentially dangerous such as panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, etc. So how to overcome anxiety? Well, meditation is a very popular and widely practiced method of overcoming anxiety. This is because it is not only extremely easy to implement, but also very effective in terms of producing desired results. On that note, here are some meditation techniques for anxiety cure.

Breathing Exercises and Techniques
Certain breathing exercises and Pranayama techniques work wonders in relieving anxiety and calming all anxiety symptoms. The best and simplest breathing exercise that you can perform is 'deep breathing'. Although it is an oft-repeated word, sadly, it happens to be one of the least understood of concepts. When told to practice deep breathing, what most people do, is try to puff up their chests with as much oxygen as they can. That is not the right way to go about it. Deep breathing involves making use of your abdomen, NOT your chest. When you breathe in deeply, you should literally feel your abdomen swelling up with air, and then going back to its original position upon exhaling. Practice this for a mere 5 minutes whenever you feel anxious or stressed out. The best thing about it is that you can practice this exercise anywhere and at any time of the day. Just close your eyes, block your mind from all outer distractions and concentrate on your breathing. Feel the purity of oxygen entering your body as you inhale, and all the anxiousness and negativity leaving your body in the form of carbon dioxide as you exhale.

Additionally, here are some Pranayama techniques that you could make use of:

• Anulom Vilom
• Kapalbhati
• Bhasrika Pranayama
• Sheetali Pranayama
• Nadi Shodhan
• Bhramari Pranayama

Yoga
Yoga offers tremendous benefits in both, relieving anxiety as well as relaxing the mind and body. Here are a few yoga exercises and yoga poses which, when performed in the right manner, help in experiencing total relaxation.

• Surya Namaskara or sun salutation exercise
• Vajrasana or thunder pose
• Sarvangasana or shoulder stand
• Ushtrasana or camel pose
• Matsyasana or fish pose
• Halasana or plow pose
• Yoga Nidra or yogic sleep

Mind Control and Visualization
Being able to control and quiet the mind is another meditation technique for controlling and lessening anxiety. Sit in a cool, silent and peaceful place. Close your eyes and gradually clear your mind of all thoughts (especially the negative ones). Try and feel the resulting stillness within your mind and body. Visualize yourself as being in a state of serenity. Many people also make use of prayers and other forms of spirituality to achieve this. These mind control and visualization techniques can be very powerful in relieving you of stress and anxiety.

In addition to the aforementioned, here are some other ways of dealing with anxiety:

• Aromatherapy
• Tai Chi
• Herbal Remedies
• Massage Therapy
• Reiki
• Swimming
• Prescription Medicines (to be used strictly under medical supervision only)

This was a short overview of effective meditation techniques that you can take into consideration in order to achieve relief quickly. These techniques are extremely beneficial for people of all age, as they frame a healthy lifestyle. Take care!

Foods to Avoid while on Gout Diet

Gout is one of the painful forms of arthritis which leads to inflammation in joints, especially in the big toe of the foot. This condition develops due to abnormal metabolism of uric acid in the body. The excess uric acid gets accumulated in the joints which leads to pain and inflammation. The exact cause of gout is unknown, however, there are several factors that are believed to trigger off this condition; the most common being improper diet that is rich in meat and consumption of alcohol.

Foods to Avoid in Gout Diet

As mentioned above, gout is caused due to deposition of the excess uric acid in the body. This occurs as the kidneys either due to excess formation of uric acid in the body or due to malfunctioning of the kidneys. This uric acid gets stored in crystallized forms in the joints resulting in gout. The excess uric acid is formed when the body breaks down purines. Purines are found in varying levels in a variety of foodstuff and it is essential to avoid foods high in purines in order to treat and prevent gout. All kinds of meat, especially red meat and organ meat, contain high amounts of purines and hence, should be avoided. Secondly, foods having higher fat content can also contribute in increasing the uric acid in the body and trigger off gout, therefore, they should be avoided.

• Beef
• Bacon
• Chicken
• Goose
• Pork
• Pepperoni
• Salami
• Sausage
• Scallops
• Turkey
• Veal
• Herring
• Sardines
• Cod
• Crab
• Clams
• Mackerel
• Salmon
• Trout
• Haddock
• Scallops
• Mussels
• Cakes
• Donuts
• Pastries
• Whole milk
• Cream
• Gravies
• Salad dressing
• Consomm
• Yeast
• Alcohol

All foods made from white flour are also harmful for a person suffering from gout. It is advisable to go for whole wheat or whole grain products and brown rice. Secondly, foods like hotdogs, sweet breads, meatloaf, etc., should be excluded from the diet. One should note that obesity is one of the common gout triggers and hence, it is essential to avoid foods that lead to weight or fat gain in the body.

Foods Safe to Eat

There are several foods that are safe to eat as they do not trigger off gout. The following is a list of foods to eat when suffering from gout.

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Cereals
• Rice
• Pasta
• Low fat dairy products
• Vitamin C foods
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Flax seeds
• Tuna

These are the foods that can be eaten safely and included in your anti gout diet. On a happier note, chocolates and sweet fruits like strawberries and raspberries can also be eaten as they do not worsen gout. On the other hand, all the low-fat dairy products, tofu, etc. can be safely consumed. It is essential to follow the diet for quick treatment and recovery of the condition. It is also recommended to consult the doctor before making any major dietary changes.

Lastly, note that excluding high purine containing foods, alcohol and maintaining your weight under control can help in quick treatment of gout. Take care!

Peptic Ulcer Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

The Peptic Ulcer Disease (ulcus pepticum), occurs in the form of a depression in any area of the digestive tract of the stomach or the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) or the esophageal tract. 'Peptic' is derived from 'pepsin' which is a protein-breaking stomach enzyme. Peptic ulcer is caused, when the digestive juices of these organs which are acidic in nature erode the digestive tract, creating a depression in the tract. A peptic ulcer occurring in the stomach is known as a 'gastric ulcer' or stomach ulcer, the one occurring in the duodenum is known as a 'duodenal ulcer', while the one associated with the esophagus is known as a 'esophageal ulcer'.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer, also known as dyspepsia, are severe burning pain and discomfort in the abdominal area, nausea, vomiting food or vomiting blood, belching, etc. In case of a gastric ulcer, the pain is usually experienced shortly after meals while in case of duodenal ulcer, the pain is experienced between meals or when on an empty stomach. The pain usually subsides with food intake or intake of antacids. Other symptoms include a considerable loss in appetite resulting in weight loss, weakness and fatigue, bloating of the abdomen, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, black or tarry stools accompanied by bleeding, etc. These symptoms vary from person to person in their intensity and frequency. So it is always advisable to visit a doctor for the precise diagnosis of the disease. Different methods of diagnosis like gastroscopy, endoscopy, blood and stool tests are conducted and the patients family and medical history is also taken into consideration.

Causes

Helicobacter pylori: Most ulcers are caused due to an infection by the H.pylori (Helicobacter pylori) bacteria found in the lining of the stomach which are capable of destroying the duodenum and stomach tissues when combined with the acidic digestive juices.

Other causes: An ulcer can occur when compounds like prostaglandins, which provide protection against ulceration are rendered useless by acid and pepsin. They also damage the mucus lining, the cells on the surface of the stomach and bicarbonates that help regulate the digestive juices.

Another major cause is the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, etc. These drugs hamper the ability of the stomach and the duodenum to shield themselves from acid and pepsin which leads to ulceration. Other causes include, excessive consumption of substances like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Nicotine increases the concentration of acids in the stomach whereas alcohol can harm the mucus lining of the stomach. Consumption of spicy food is also considered to be a cause of peptic ulceration and it also aggravates the symptoms.

Treatment
Treatment for this disease is administered with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. In case of an advanced stage of the disease, a surgery is adopted as the treatment method. Medications, for the treatment of this disease, is prescribed as a combination of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor, which suppresses the acids and at times antacids are also administered. Antacids like pantoprazole and esomeprazole, etc. are prescribed. These drugs eliminate the bacterial infection and the healing process takes place gradually. Patients are advised to bring about lifestyle changes like incorporating a balanced diet instead of unhealthy, spicy and acidic foods and to quit smoking and alcohol consumption.

Peptic ulcer disease can be cured completely and relapses can be avoided by taking the adequate measures under the advise of a doctor and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.