Low Potassium Foods List

Hyperkalemia is a severe condition where a person's blood potassium level is more than 7.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). This can be dangerous or even deadly, if not treated immediately. In most cases, inability of the kidneys to filter out excess potassium from the body or an increased production of the mineral in the body, causes hyperkalemia. A diet that is low in potassium is important to manage this condition, especially when the underlying cause is a kidney disease.

Foods Low in Potassium
Almost all foods contain some amount of potassium. A diet to manage hyperkalemia, must include foods that are low in potassium. However, it is more important to monitor the serving size of what you are eating. Eating a large amount of a food that is low in potassium, may actually contribute more potassium than a small serving of a food that is rich in the mineral. So, paying attention to the portion size is the key.

Foods that offer less than 100 mg of potassium per serving, are categorized into low potassium foods. Some common examples of such foods are as follows:

* To print any list, click anywhere on the table containing it.

Low Potassium Fruits

Fruits	Serving size	K (mg)
Pear nectar, canned	1 ounce (28 g)	3.6
Cranberry sauce, sweetened	1 ounce (28 g)	7.3
Peach nectar, canned	1 ounce (28 g)	11.2
Pears, canned, water pack	1 ounce (28 g)	14.8
Applesauce, canned, unsweetened	1 ounce (28 g)	20.7
Blueberries, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	21.6
Cranberry juice, canned, unsweetened	1 ounce (28 g)	21.6
Cranberries, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	23.8
Apples, raw, peeled	1 ounce (28 g)	25.2
Peaches, canned, water pack	1 ounce (28 g)	27.7
Apple juice, canned, unsweetened	1 ounce (28 g)	28.3
Grape juice, canned, unsweetened	1 ounce (28 g)	29.1
Pineapple, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	30.5
Watermelon, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	31.4
Pineapple juice, canned, unsweetened	1 ounce (28 g)	36.4
Grapefruit, raw, pink and red	1 ounce (28 g)	37.8
Lemon, raw, peeled	1 ounce (28 g)	38.6
Raspberries, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	42.3
Strawberries, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	42.8
Plums, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	44.0
Blackberries, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	45.4
Tangerines, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	46.5
Grapes, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	53.5
Sweet cherries, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	62.2
K = Potassium

Low Potassium Vegetables

Vegetables	Serving size	K (mg)
Alfalfa sprouts, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	22.1
Leeks, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	24.4
Collards, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	32.5
Eggplant, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	34.4
Cucumber, raw, peeled	1 ounce (28 g)	38.1
Iceberg lettuce, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	39.5
Cauliflower, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	39.8
Green beans, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	40.9
Onions, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	40.9
Peppers, green, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	49.0
Turnips, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	53.5
Cabbage, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	54.9
Carrots, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	65.8
Corn, yellow, frozen, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	65.2
Zucchini, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	70.8
Celery, raw	1 ounce (28 g)	72.8
Radishes, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	79.8
Mushrooms, cooked, boiled	1 ounce (28 g)	99.7
K = Potassium

Other Low Potassium Foods

Foods	Serving size	K (mg)
Bacon, cooked	1 ounce (28 g)	100
Lean beef, cooked	1 ounce (28 g)	100
Cottage Cheese	1/4 cup	100
Chicken, cooked	1 ounce (28 g)	100
Egg	1	100
Tuna	cup	100
Ham, cooked	1 ounce (28 g)	100
Sausage, cooked	1 ounce (28 g)	100
Turkey, cooked	1 ounce (28 g)	100
Bread	1 ounce (28 g)	35
Bun	1 ounce (28 g)	35
Cereal, cooked	cup	35
Pasta	cup	35
Rice	1/3 cup	35
Coffee	1 cup	80-100
Tea	1 cup	80-100
K = Potassium

Note: Meat, fish and poultry products are generally high potassium foods. So, their consumption in a low potassium diet is allowed but only in limited amounts. Given that, it is advised to limit the consumption of these food types to the serving size mentioned in the list above. Also, avoid salted, spiced, smoked, canned and pickled meat.

Easy Low Potassium Recipes
People with hyperkalemia are advised to limit their daily potassium intake to approximately 2000 mg. Here are some recipes whose potassium content is below this figure.

Grapple Salad
This recipe is as quick as it sounds.

Ingredients:
Apple slices, with skin - cup
Grapes, red, seedless - cup
Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb Blend - 1 tsp.

Direction:
Mix the fruits, sprinkle the Garlic and Herb Blend, and serve.

Lettuce and Cucumber Salad
A healthy, low potassium salad recipe.

Ingredients:
Cucumber, peeled, chopped -
Onion, small, chopped - 2
Iceberg lettuce, chopped - 4 cups
Lemon juice - 2 tsp.
Vinegar - 1 tsp.
Chili powder - tsp.
Salt and pepper to taste

Direction:
Mix the vegetables in a dish. Add vinegar, salt, pepper, chili powder, lemon juice, and mix again before serving.

Strawberry Sandwich
A delicious low potassium sandwich you can make in no time.

Ingredients:
Cream cheese, low fat - 3 tbsp.
Strawberries, sliced - 1 cup
Pita bread, whole wheat - 1 slice
Fresh mint - 1 twig

Direction:
Mash cup of strawberries, and mix them well with cream cheese. Now, cut the pita bread into half. Open the pockets, and evenly fill each half with the mixture. Stuff the remaining berries into the pockets. Warm a pan, and spray it with a nonstick spray. Grill both side of the stuffed breads until golden. Garnish the sandwiches with mint while serving.

The severity of hyperkalemia may vary from person to person. So, it is best to seek a certified nutritionist's advice regarding the serving size of foods you should eat to manage the condition better. Hyperkalemia is a serious medical condition, and given its mild symptoms, it may be difficult to diagnose. Its main symptoms include abnormal pulse, muscle fatigue, nausea, paralysis, and weakness. If you have any of these symptoms, then seek medical help immediately.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a certified nutritionist.

Foods for Six Pack Abs

Many people all over the world today crave to have the perfect body which includes a flat abdomen and six pack abs. If you too wish to build muscles and abs, you need to undertake weight training and strengthening exercise programs. Along with the exercise, following a proper diet is also essential, as it is meaningless to follow exercise routines without preventing the fat build up in the body. Following a diet not only helps in weight loss, but, also helps in building muscles.

Guidelines to Follow Six Pack Abs Diet

Although you must have often heard about the 'super foods' for muscle building, there are no such 'super foods'. In fact, these are ordinary foods which are easily available in the market. You should make the right combination of food and include only healthy foods in your diet. Following are some guidelines you need to follow when planning your diet:

• Your muscle building diet should consist of high protein foods as proteins help in tissue and muscle building.
• Secondly, you should have healthy or complex carbohydrates for gaining energy, and cut down on refined carbohydrates.
• You should eat more of fiber as they help in detoxification of the body. At the same time, fibers are low in calories and hence, can help in filling the stomach quickly.
• It is also essential to drink an adequate amount of water to prevent dehydration.
• Include foods that burn fat like whey protein, cottage cheese, lean proteins, milk, etc. in your daily diet.
• You should avoid eating foods high in fats and cholesterol as they lead to weight and fat gain.
• You should exclude all the unhealthy foods like fried foods, salty and greasy foods, sweets, fast food, preserved food, junk food, high sodium containing food; alcohol, etc.
• Make sure that the food is baked, broiled or boiled; rather than fried and marinated. You should also avoid eating any preserved foods and sauces as they have high contents of sodium which is unhealthy.
• You should have smaller meals at regular intervals throughout the day, rather than going for 2 large meals a day.

Following this diet plan is simple as you just need to eat right and eat in limited amounts. One of the most important things to remember about the muscle building diet plan is that you need not have to starve.

Best Foods to Eat for Six Pack Abs

• Lean meats, lean poultry, egg (whites), fish, seafood
• Fresh fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables, lentils
• Skim milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, low-fat dairy, peanut butter
• Oatmeal, nuts (almonds, walnuts)
• Brown rice, whole grain products
• Extra virgin olive oil, fish oil, garlic
• Green tea, herbal tea

You should plan your meals including the above mentioned foods. Fish, lean meats, nuts, whole grain foods and oatmeal are the top 5 foods for six pack abs. Now, following is a list of foods that are to be avoided in this diet:

• White bread, pasta, potatoes
• Sweets, candy, cakes, desserts
• Fried foods, fries, chips
• Fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils
• Alcohol, foods with trans fatty acids

If you crave carbs, opt for healthy options and consume them only in moderation. It is recommended to consult the doctor or a dietician before subscribing to any diet plan. Lastly, you should remember that a combination of diet and exercise together will help in having the perfect six pack abs. Hence, you should concentrate on both with equal importance. Take care!

What to Eat When You Have an Ulcer

Suffering from stomach ulcers or gastritis can be quite distressing with all the pain, discomfort and food restrictions. An ulcer, also referred to as peptic ulcer, is a sore that is formed in the gastrointestinal tract due to a bacterial infection. The main culprit behind it is the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which attack the inner lining of the digestive tract and cause damage. This leads to the eruption of sores, or ulcers, in the digestive tract lining. Certain medications are also known to cause ulcers, since they erode the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Some doctors believe that stress also is a culprit in aggravating this condition. The food we eat is also responsible for aggravating or reducing the symptoms. Hence a stomach ulcer diet is designed for this condition and includes foods that are ulcer friendly and help in reducing the severity of the ulcers.

Foods to Eat When You Have a Stomach Ulcer

Generally, doctors advice the patient to follow certain diet restrictions to minimize the pain and discomfort caused due to this distressing disorder. Here is a list of what you can eat when you have a stomach ulcer.

• Bagels
• Barley
• Cereals
• Crackers
• Dinner rolls
• English muffins
• French toast
• Low fat pancakes
• Bran flakes
• Oatmeal
• Noodles
• Pasta
• Pita breads
• Waffles
• Whole wheat bread
• Cabbage
• Cabbage juice
• Potatoes, mashed or baked
• Celery
• Kale
• Salad greens
• Apples
• Bananas
• Berries
• Cranberries
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Melons
• Peaches
• Pears
• Plums
• Wood apples
• Milk
• Legumes
• Beans
• Soy products
• Tofu
• Lean meat
• Poultry
• Seafood

Foods to Avoid When You Have a Stomach Ulcer

Being aware of the foods to avoid with ulcers is an added advantage. Not including them will be helpful as these foods can worsen the condition.

• Chocolate and other cocoa products
• Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruit
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Condiments like nutmeg, cinnamon, mustard, cloves etc.
• Garlic, ginger and other spices
• Pickled vegetables
• Junk foods like potato chips, fries and other fried foods
• Peppermint
• Foods that induce bloating and gas like Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, sauerkraut, cauliflower, broccoli etc.

Some Important Pointers Regarding Ulcers

Ulcers can be quite a painful affair, so proper precautions must be exercised so as not to aggravate them. Here are some things that you need to follow if you also have an ulcer complaint.

• Eat small, regular meals instead of having larger meals. Smaller meals can be easily digested, without putting too much strain on the stomach.
• Foods containing flavonoids and probiotics like green teas, yogurt etc have a soothing effect on the ulcer pain. Drinking a glass of cold milk will relieve the burning sensation in the stomach and also reduce heartburn.
• Avoid oily as well as spicy foods, as these may flare up the ulcer, causing more pain and discomfort. Foods containing chilies, chili powder, black and red pepper, etc tend to irritate the inner lining of the stomach and aggravate the condition.
• Caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks are also a strict no-no if you are having a stomach ulcer. These drinks increase the acidity levels in the stomach and also intensity of pain.
• Nicotine can also exacerbate the ulcer and even cause bleeding. So smoking should be completely stopped to avoid this complication.
• Modifying the lifestyle accordingly will prove to be helpful in treating this condition successfully and also prevent the recurrence of ulcers and other digestive system related problems.

These food restrictions will help reduce the intensity of the ulcer and bring down the pain. Apart from food, appropriate medications and routine checkup with a health care provider can provide relief from this health disorder without any serious complications. Take care!

Potassium Chloride Uses

There are some chemical compounds whose uses span nearly every spectrum of science, ranging from plants to humans and physics. One such compound that has myriad uses is potassium chloride. Potassium chloride is a chemical compound which is made of potassium and chlorine together. It actually resembles regular salt, which is basically sodium chloride, in that potassium chloride is odorless, colorless and has minute face centered cubic crystals. There are various potassium chloride uses, which have been enlisted below.

Potassium Chloride Applications

Fertilizers
One of the most common uses is in the manufacture of fertilizers. Potassium chloride is sometimes known as muriate of potash when it is used as a fertilizer. This is one of the main applications of potassium chloride because potassium is needed by plants for their normal growth, however, their potassium intake from the soil is usually very limited. Thus, they need supplementation in the form of fertilizers which contain potassium.

Hypokalemia
One of the main potassium chloride medical uses is in the treatment of hypokalemia, that is, deficiency of potassium in the body. However, this method of treatment is only to be used in those patients who cannot take in potassium by any other means. This is used in patients that have hypokalemia without alkalosis. It's also used to prevent the occurrence of hypokalemia. This medication is usually available in powder form, as the tablet form can be irritating to chew on. There are a few extended release tablets available as well. However, it is always better to opt for high potassium foods instead. This is because supplements are to be used sparingly, as there are quite a few potassium chloride side effects, like arrhythmias and muscle weakness. So, this is to be strictly used under medical supervision. This medication is not to be used in people that are suffering from kidney failure.

Lethal Injections
One of the controversial potassium chloride uses is in making lethal injection preparations. Potassium chloride constitutes one-third of the content of lethal injections, the other constituents being a barbiturate and a paralytic. The potassium chloride directly acts on the heart and leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

Other Uses
There are quite a few more uses. These include:

• In some very rare cases, potassium chloride is used to induce abortion.
• This is used as one of the substitutes for table salt so as to make it sodium free.
• One of the uses in everyday life is its use as a water softener, instead of sodium chloride.
• Potassium chloride was also used as one of the ingredients in fire extinguishers because it was seen to be more effective than sodium bicarbonate. However, once potassium bicarbonate came into the picture, people seemed to prefer using this to potassium chloride.
• One of the chemical applications of potassium chloride is its use as a flux for gas wielding of aluminum, along with other agents like sodium and lithium chloride.
• Due to the tendency of potassium chloride to be a part of exothermic reactions, this compound has also figured in many heat packs.
• Sometimes, potassium chloride also figures in bottled water.
• One of the lesser known uses of potassium chloride is its use in calibration of radiation monitoring equipment.
• Potassium chloride is also used in water when this solution is to be used as an aid in petroleum and natural gas preparation.

This is an extremely useful compound whose uses span medicine, chemistry and physics. However, despite the many potassium chloride benefits, when this compound is being used for the treatment of hypokalemia, it is strictly to be used under medical supervision, because on overdose of this compound could lead to irreversible damage, including cardiac arrest.

What is Potassium Used For?

Potassium is a metallic element that belongs to the group of alkali metals in the periodic table. It is denoted by the letter K. Physically, it is a soft substance with a silvery-white color. Chemically, it is a highly reactive element and readily undergoes oxidation when it comes in contact with air and changes into gray color. It reacts vigorously with water to form hydrogen gas and releases a large amount of energy.

Uses of Potassium and its Compounds

Potassium cannot be kept in free elemental state due to its high reactivity. Hence, we find that the compounds of potassium are being used more commonly. Following are some of the uses of potassium and its compounds:

• Potassium in its vaporous state is used in magnetometers, an instrument meant for measuring the direction and the strength of magnetic fields. It is used in the making of an alloy with sodium called NaK (or "nack"). At room temperature, this alloy is found in the liquid form and are being used as a medium of heat-transfer. It is a good drying agent and helps in the production of moisture-free and air-free solvents.
• Potassium chloride is widely used in making fertilizers. It acts as a raw material in the preparation of potassium metal. It has medicinal values and is used for the treatment of hypokalemia. It can be used as an alternative for table salt by patients of hypertension.
• Potassium permanganate has strong oxidizing properties. Therefore, it is used for removal of iron from water. It is a good disinfectant and is used for the treatment of various fungal infections of the hands and feet. It acts as a reagent in the synthesis process of organic compounds like ascorbic acid, saccharine, etc.
• Potassium hydroxide is often used for the purpose of controlling pH value of acidic substances in several industries. Potassium hydroxide reacts with fats and oils to give soap. It has been used for the preparation of various potassium salts.
• When potassium reacts with elements of the halogen group, then it leads to the formation of halides like potassium chloride, potassium iodide, etc. These ionic salts, when used in photographic emulsion help in making of the photosensitive compound, silver halides.
• Potassium nitrate is commonly known as saltpeter. The most vital use of this chemical compound is as a fertilizer. It is also present in gunpowder.
• Potassium cyanide has the ability to dissolve metals like gold, silver and copper. Hence, it is used in gold mining or during the electroplating process of these metals.
• Potassium chromate has a number of uses. It includes making of inks, dyes, matches, fireworks and also for tanning of leather.
• The common name of potassium carbonate is potash, which is useful in the production of glass and soap.
• Potassium chlorate is used in agriculture as a weedkiller. It is also used in safety matches.
• Potassium nitrate is useful in the glass industry. It aids in making the glass tougher than normal.
• Silvering of mirrors are done with the help of sodium tartrate, also called Rochelle salt.

As seen above, potassium has numerous uses. Reaction of elemental potassium and water gives out so much of heat, that it can ignite the hydrogen gas produced during the reaction. Also, a potassium fire cannot be extinguished with the help of water. There are only some dry chemicals that can be used for putting out the fire. Hence, it is very essential to handle potassium with great care.

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms and Signs

Stomach ulcers is a common medical condition in humans and studies show that more than ten percent of the population suffer from it. Stomach ulcer (otherwise known as peptic ulcer) is a term, which is collectively used to refer to the ulcers of the esophagus (lower part), stomach and duodenum. While ulcers of the stomach are termed gastric ulcers, those of the duodenum and esophagus are called duodenal and esophageal ulcers respectively. The most common among them are duodenal ulcers, and esophageal ulcers are very rare. There are various factors that can cause suchulcers. These include stress, regular use of some medication like NSAIDs, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and helicobacter pylori infection. Studies show that in most cases, bacterial infection or certain medication are among the common stomach ulcer causes.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms may vary from one person to another depending upon various factors, like the location of the ulcer, the causal agent and the health condition of the patient.

Abdominal pain: The most common among stomach ulcer symptoms and signs is abdominal pain, which is often described as sharp, burning and gnawing in nature. Such pain, which is termed as episodic epigastric pain, may occur at any location between the navel and the lower part of the breast bone. In some people, this pain may last for a few hours, whereas others may experience it for a few minutes only. The pain may worsen at night.

• This type of abdominal pain is often associated with consumption of food. In case of gastric ulcers, the pain worsens with consumption of food, whereas pain caused by duodenal ulcers develop when the stomach is empty. In some cases, the pain may disappear for a few days or weeks to return later.
• One of the complications associated with stomach ulcers is severe and unbearable abdominal pain that develops all of a sudden. This is due to the perforation of the stomach, esophageal or duodenal wall by ulcers and this condition can lead to peritonitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the abdominal cavity). Such perforated ulcers require immediate medical attention.

Weight loss/Weight gain: While some people with these ulcers develop loss of appetite and weight loss, others experience weight gain. The latter category includes people with duodenal ulcers as the symptoms of this condition are relieved by consumption of food. The former category includes people with gastric ulcers.

Other Symptoms: Apart from the above said, there are various other stomach ulcer symptoms. They include indigestion, constant discomfort in the stomach, abdominal bloating, burping, heartburn and nausea or vomiting. Severe peptic ulcer symptoms include recurrent sharp pain in the stomach, blood in vomit, bloody or tarry stool, anemia and lightheadedness.

Treatment

Stomach ulcers are diagnosed with endoscopy and X-rays. Helicobacter pylori infection has to be ruled out with blood test, stool test or breath test. While mild to moderate symptoms can be relieved with antacids, severe ones need immediate medical attention. Stomach ulcer treatment is based on the location of the ulcer, causal agent and severity of symptoms. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, the course of treatment is decided.

Usually, medication like antacids are used for treating the condition. Antibiotics (in case of bacterial infection) and acid blockers are also used for this purpose. While bleeding ulcer treatment includes clipping of the area, injection for stopping bleeding or cauterization, perforated ones require immediate surgical treatment.

In short, stomach ulcer symptoms and signs may vary from one person to another. These symptoms may also be mistaken for some other medical conditions, like GERD. So, correct diagnosis is necessary to identify the condition. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is always beneficial to prevent complications.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.

Throwing Up Blood While Pregnant

Pregnancy is a joyful occasion for many women. Women look forward to getting pregnant and give birth to a new life. But, the process of giving birth is not easy and a woman has to experience a lot of unpleasant symptoms. Morning sickness and pregnancy are one of the most common discomforts experienced by a majority of women. This condition does not cause any concern as it is a part of being pregnant. But, if one is throwing up blood while pregnant, it indicates that something's just not right. Let us have a look at the reasons that lead to vomiting blood while pregnant.

Causes of Vomiting Blood During Pregnancy

Vomiting is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. When morning sickness takes on a very severe form, it is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Puking blood in pregnancy is not a good sign. Vomiting and nausea generally occur due to hormonal deficiency and changes in the body. But, vomiting blood especially during the later stages of pregnancy indicates serious health concerns. Let us now have a look at the various causes of vomiting blood during pregnancy.

Starvation and Dehydration
One of the main causes of puking blood while pregnant is starvation and dehydration. It is therefore advised to eat healthy and drink plenty of water. When the body lacks food and fluid, it tends to suffer from vomiting. As there is no food or fluid in the stomach, the body begins to vomit out blood.

Bile Pigments and Blood
When the body runs out of fluids, it begins to vomit bile pigments from the gallbladder along with blood from liver.

Nutritional Deficiency
Deficiency of nutrients causes a pregnant woman to vomit blood in the morning and after eating food.

Weakness
Weakness leads to vomiting blood and also affects the health of the baby. It is, therefore, important to maintain your stamina during pregnancy.

Food Poisoning
If one has consumed something toxic or food that has become stale, it can lead to food poisoning. Therefore, make sure you watch out everything you consume as it may affect the health of the baby.

High Blood Pressure
Some women suffering from high blood pressure during pregnancy tend to vomit blood. It is important to keep hypertension under control to avoid such a situation.

Treatment for Throwing Up Blood during Pregnancy

In severe cases, a pregnant woman is hospitalized to keep under observation. The lady is given oral fluids and a proper diet to improve her health. Most of the cases involving throwing up blood in pregnancy are due to deficiencies in nutrition. One should drink plenty of fruit juices and electrolyte solutions. Take good care of your health as the baby's health depends on you. Speak to your doctor to prescribe you anti-sickness pills. If one cannot hold their food down, then you may be given a suppository that is to be inserted into the rectum. Also, buccal form of the medication may also be prescribed that is to be kept between the upper lip and gum to dissolve. In some cases, the doctor may inject these medications that help you control vomiting and nausea during pregnancy.

Many times eating ginger biscuits or drinking ginger tea also helps control vomiting. Throwing up blood while pregnant is a very rare occurrence. Do not take a chance even if you notice a little bit of blood in your vomit. Speak to your doctor and take advice regarding the matter. Pregnancy is a very delicate issue and needs the best of self care. Do not take stress and eat regularly. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. This was some information related to throwing up blood while pregnant. Take good care of yourself as it will help make your baby healthy and strong.

Is it OK to Make Yourself Throw Up?

It's understandable when you throw up after you eat something that makes you sick, eat too much at a go or taste or smell something foul. The vomiting and the associated reflexes in these cases are mostly natural and take place involuntarily. Also, certain ailments, especially of the digestive tract such as gastritis, can induce vomiting when food travels along the gastrointestinal tract due to sensitivity or irritation of the digestive tract. Medical conditions like brain tumor, increased pressure inside the skull causing compression of the brain and the cerebro-spinal fluid and frequent or intense exposure to ionizing radiations can also lead to a plethora of physical symptoms including nausea and vomiting. Radical hormonal shifts inside the body, such as during pregnancy, can also lead to nausea and vomiting. However, is it OK to make yourself throw up deliberately? Does it harm your body in any way or cause any biological damage if you resort to inducing regurgitation by force? Well, the following segments deal with this issue.

Is Making Yourself Throw Up OK?

It depends on various factors. If you ate something that's making you feel sick then it is probably a good idea to induce vomiting and relieving yourself of the disgusting feeling. If it's a one time thing, then making yourself throw up is kind of OK. In case you have ingested something toxic or poisonous, then it is probably a good idea to make yourself throw up and rid your body of the toxin before going to get medical help for neutralizing the effects of such a toxin. However, if you make it a habit to force yourself to vomit every time you feel queasy or not quite in your elements, that's where the trouble starts brewing from. You see, forcing yourself to vomit causes a lot of strain on your esophagus and upper digestive tract and frequently forcing yourself to throw up can lead to tears in the tissues of your food pipe and throat.

Also, when you regurgitate the contents of your stomach, some of the stomach acids also accompany the semi-digested food. In case you're not aware, the gastric fluid is composed of hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride and sodium chloride and this fluid is extremely corrosive - so much so that a single drop of it on a handkerchief can eat through the fabric and leave behind a gaping hole! Just imagine what damage it can do to the throat, mouth and teeth if the gastric acids come in contact with them every so often! Indeed, bulimics and habitual pukers do experience sensitivity in their teeth as the acid corrodes the enamel on them. Besides damaging your esophagus and straining your throat (as a result of putting unnatural pressure on them to make food travel the wrong direction on a one-way track), frequent vomiting also robs your body of essential electrolytes.

Besides, if you make yourself puke every time you don't feel quite well, your body adapts itself accordingly and gets used to regurgitation so much so that its natural defenses for correcting those off feelings become muted and go into a dormant state. Your body becomes dependent upon regurgitation to feel OK even if its suffering from something as minor as slight acidity or bloating.

How Can You Make Yourself Throw Up?

Although forcing yourself to vomit is a bad idea, if this is something you have to resort to as the last option or if there is absolutely no other alternative available at the moment, here's what you can do to make yourself throw up:-

• Stick your index finger deep inside your throat, touching the back of your throat - this will trigger the gag reflex and make you throw up;
• Take emetic drugs that irritate the epigastrium and make you feel nauseous, leading to contractions of stomach walls and finally induce regurgitation;
• If you suffer from any degree of motion sickness, you can try spinning round faster and faster till you feel dizzy and end up puking;
• Stuff yourself with food and then eat some more till you feel you will burst - then allow yourself to burst by throwing it all up!

While the last two methods are the most unpleasant ways to force yourself to puke, the best and safest way is to take emetics. This way, you don't risk poking your throat tissues with your fingernails (if they happen to be long) and neither is any hard work involved. So, is it right to deliberately induce vomiting? No! Not unless there is no other way to deal with your sick-in-the-stomach feeling! It's better to be careful about what you eat and eat in moderation so that you are not driven by either disgust or guilt to make all that food take a return trip from your stomach and out of your mouth!

Mental Health Perspectives - Part Three

Everyone feels anxiety in their lives. Whether we're nervous about a job interview or worrying about a child's safety, anxiety is a part of life. That fight-or-flight response is what enabled our ancestors to survive and thrive. Unfortunately, today's hectic modern world is much different than the one in which we originally developed. Rather than worrying about having enough food to eat or being attacked by predators we worry about the many intricacies our complex lives have to offer. This can cause, in some individuals, irrational and debilitating anxieties. When this happens, the individual has an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are often known as the common cold of mental illness. They affect millions of people every year. The overwhelming feelings of anxiety and nervousness can cause a person to stop functioning in our world altogether. As a sufferer of generalized anxiety disorder myself, I have seen firsthand how this illness can become more than a normal case of nervousness and turn in to a disability. There are a number of different varieties of anxiety disorders that have been identified by psychologists, each of which is treatable with either therapy or medication.

For this issue of Mental Health Perspectives, we'll focus on two of the most common anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

There is no specific rhyme or reason to the intense feelings of worry that sufferers of generalized anxiety disorder face. This persistent anxiety, while sometimes triggered by certain events or circumstances, is often brought on randomly. This illness can not only cause unrelenting feelings of anxiety but also create physical symptoms such as headaches, heart palpitations, exhaustion, and insomnia. Sufferers can find daily life almost unbearable and can even push the inflicted person to take a leave of absence due to disability from work or school.

Coming from personal experience, this illness causes incredible suffering to those afflicted. I have missed many days of work and school because I was so anxious I couldn't attend. The emotion is overwhelming and one can do nothing but stay home and take a tranquilizing medication in order to calm the anxiety attack. It is a physical feeling that occurs in the chest, almost like someone is gripping onto the heart. It's an illness that I would never wish on even my worst enemy and yet I battle daily in order to control. Recovery from it can be long and arduous, though fortunately it's very treatable.

Panic Disorder

Brief, paralyzing bouts of fear and anxiety are the prominent symptoms of a panic disorder. A panic attack is often described by those who experience them like a heart attack. Shaking, dizziness, disorientation, confusion, and intense fear often accompany this feeling. Sufferers often find these attacks to be highly embarrassing when they occur in a public situation.

Though I have not experienced this illness personally, one of my best friends in high school suffered from terrible panic attacks. The first time it happened to her the pain in her chest was so intense that everyone thought she had suffered a heart attack. Upon being rushed to the emergency room they discovered she'd merely had a panic attack, yet this shows how incredibly strong these attacks can be. They are entirely debilitating for the short period of time during which they occur. They last anywhere from ten minutes to a few hours and leave the sufferer feeling exhausted.

These are just two of the many anxiety disorders that afflict millions of Americans on a yearly basis. Those who believe they may be suffering from either of these disorders should seek immediate medical attention. As I mentioned earlier, both are very treatable. Recovery may be difficult but it is most certainly possible.

Acupuncture for Anxiety

Constant stress at the workplace, among your peers and at home can lead to persistent problems of anxiety. Anxiety is often defined as a persistent state of fear related to an object or situation. Although mild forms of anxiety can affect anyone, there are a large number of people who are now afflicted with chronic anxiety disorders and general anxiety disorders. This overwhelming feelings of depression and anxiety leads not only as a social and mental impairment but can have a negative effect on your health as well.

Acupuncture is known to be an effective remedy for reducing anxiety and stress related disorders in people. Usually used as a safe and effective method of relieving pain by aiding the release of powerful endorphins, acupuncture is known to harmonize and calm the sympathetic nervous system of the body.

How Does Acupuncture Help Anxiety and Stress?
The age-old Chinese oriental medicine has regarded the mind and body connection as an inseparable and a deep one. So while external factors do cause quite a number of problems, the mental and emotional problems were associated with the five Yin organs of the body. When there is an imbalance in the organ, then the emotions such as anger, worry, stress and joy develop over a period of time. Acupuncture for anxiety treatment seeks to address these Yin imbalances in the body and prevent the diseases that may afflict the diseased organs. The acupuncture theory and method seeks to balance both the mental and physical manifestations of this condition returning you to an easy-going life. The needles create a sense of relaxation and calm during the course of the treatment allowing not just the body but also the mind to rest and heal.

How Does Acupuncture Help Anxiety Attacks?
Anxiety attacks are often accompanied by physical health problems such as chest pain, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, stomach ache, nausea and headache. Depending on these health conditions and other manifestation of problems, the acupuncturist can determine the pattern of anxiety that afflicts you and decide on a suitable treatment for it.

Overview of The Treatment
Anxiety treatments using acupuncture use both the body treatments as well as the ear or auricular acupuncture treatments to heal the imbalances of the heart and kidney. The heart is considered a Yang energy source so an over-excitement can create "heat" in the heart. This in turn leads to feelings of insomnia and anxiety. As the heart is considered the fire organ, kidney is the water organ that seeks to cool the excess "fire" in the heart. An imbalance or deficiency in the kidney can lead to the excess heart "fire" disturbing the mind and leading to anxiety attacks. To harmonize the imbalances occurring in the body, acupuncture treatment points include the kidney, heart and the spleen. This allows the positive Yin energy to cool the organs.

To soothe the excessive heat in the heart, the heart points eight and nine are considered the soothing points. In addition to the body acupuncture treatments, auricular points such as the spirit gate can reduce the anxiety.

Acupuncture for Anxiety and Depression
One of the persistent anxiety disorders is depression which can feel more like constant exhaustion and lack of energy. In oriental medicine, depression is the result of "Yu" imbalances in the body. In this case the primary Yin organ is the liver. The heart and the spleen have secondary roles to play in this case. Since liver is the primary source of Qi (energy) as the energy organ in the body, a malfunction can result in low energy levels and other sleep and digestion problems. For allowing the circulation of Qi The Four Gates are targeted.

Acupuncture for anxiety and stress helps in releasing the endorphins and serotonin in the body and improves the blood circulation of the body. It also helps in lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the heart rate.

Gouty Arthritis Diet

Gouty arthritis refers to gout. As the name suggests, gout is a form of arthritis, sadly the most painful one. The difference between gout and other forms of arthritis is that people suffering from gout do not experience climatic or constant pain, they have gout pain attacks. Though it might not sound, but this is a good factor, as there are many things that can help to control the attack that are not possible in other forms of arthritis. One of the ways is the gout diet. Like other medical conditions, diet plays a very important role in gout. There are certain foods that can decrease the possibility of an attack and some foods that can actually elevate the condition. The thing is that, if the levels of uric acid increases in the body, it forms crystals. These crystals make the joints swell and pain. So the culprit is uric acid, which is formed when purines break down. Now purines are present in the body, but we also unknowingly increase them by consuming foods that are high in purines. So the aim of a gout diet is to exclude high purine foods and include low purine foods. There are also foods that can decrease the swelling and pain.

Diet for Gouty Arthritis

Foods that are high in complex carbohydrates should be included in the diet. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains should also be included. On the other hand, foods that are high in calories should be avoided. Foods that contain fats that have more than 30% calories, should be totally avoided. Proteins can be included, but only in very small amounts.

High Vitamin C Foods: High vitamin C foods should be eaten as this vitamin is said to help in getting rid of uric acid and also lower the levels of serum urate. So include fruits like oranges and tangerines, vegetables like potatoes, red bell peppers, kale, etc. in your diet. These foods can be consumed in plenty as they do not cause any side effects and also contains very low calories.

Essential Fatty Acids: Fats are a complete no no, but essential fatty acids should be included as they help to reduce inflammation, and the reduction of inflammation provides instant relief. So include foods that are rich in essential fatty acids like the flaxseeds, nuts, tuna, seeds, etc. One can make really tasty and healthy dishes from these ingredients, so including them in the diet should not be a problem.

Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh fruits should be included in this diet. However, not all fruits can help in reducing the pain or avoiding the attack. Certain foods like cherries and strawberries are a must in an anti gout diet. These fruits not only help to reduce inflammation but also lower the amount of uric acid. Other fruits that are useful for gout are red grapes, pineapple, blueberries, bananas, elderberries, avocados, etc. Also include vegetables like kale, parsley, celery, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, etc.

Gouty Arthritis Diet Plan

Breakfast

• Whole wheat bread sandwich
• Fresh fruit juice, preferably cherry smoothie
• Cornflakes
• Skimmed milk
• Yogurt

Lunch

• Green salad
• Peanut butter with slice of ham in a sandwich
• Fruit salad
• Baked sweet potatoes

Dinner

• Small white fish, preferably baked
• Sauteed vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower
• Plain white rice
• Whole wheat pasta
• Lean meat

Only knowing about the diet is not enough, you need to follow it religiously for its effectiveness. Make it a point to avoid high purine foods, not just at home but even when you are eating outside. As only eating foods good for gout is not enough, if you eat foods that are not appropriate for gout, you are likely to have a gout attack. Some of the foods to avoid are, game foods, hotdogs, red meats, spinach etc.

How to Treat Anxiety in Children

We live in an age where we all are constantly faced with stressful situations. Unfortunately, anxiety, fear and several negative emotions seem to be seeping into the lives of children as well. At times, parents are unable to understand the mental state of their child. Though it might be normal for a child to suffer from anxiety on his first day at school or during examinations, sometimes nervousness, fear and tension start becoming a constant part of a child's life. Such negative emotions start disrupting the child's daily activities. Parents must never make the mistake of dismissing their child's worries as trivial. What might be insignificant to you might be very stressful for your child. If your child's mind seems to be burdened with worries and fear or he/she seems to be suffering from frequent bouts of anxiety attacks, you must step in and try to help your child get rid of such negative thoughts. Scroll down to find out about the circumstances under which a child may suffer from anxiety along with some information on how to treat anxiety in children.

Causes of Anxiety in Kids

If any of the parents are suffering from an anxiety disorder, the child is more likely to suffer from such a medical condition. Generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, separation anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder are some of the conditions that could cause anxiety. Stress could also act as a trigger. Environmental influences also play a great role. If the parents seem to be anxious all the time, the child is more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder. A child suffering from such disorders reacts very strongly to stressful situations. On perceiving any imminent threat or danger, he/she could experience panic attacks. Children suffering from anxiety disorders are more vulnerable to depression. They might experience symptoms such as headaches, difficulty in sleeping, nausea and stomach aches. If your child is exhibiting this kind of behavior, you must try to help your child overcome anxiety naturally.

Ways to Treat Anxiety in Kids

Watching your child worrying constantly is certainly not a good sight. Parents must make sure that their child doesn't miss out on the simple pleasures or the happy moments due to anxiety. It is the duty of the parents to allay their child's fears and anxiety. Since a child might not be able to understand his/her feelings clearly, parents must try to resolve such issues. The first step is to recognize the condition of your child. Some children experience severe anxiety on being separated from parents. They might refuse to go to school. They might want someone to stay with them at bedtime. This condition is known as separation anxiety disorder.

Children suffering from this disorder are always worried that something bad might happen to their parents while they are away and therefore, become clingy. Cognitive behavioral therapy might surely help in treating social anxiety to a great extent. Generally psychotherapists use play-based therapies to treat separation anxiety in children. Cognitive behavioral theory is a form of therapy which aims at shaping the child's thought process and behavioral responses. Literary therapy might be used for treating anxiety in young children. Under literary therapy, pictures and stories are used for invoking better responses and channelizing the child's thoughts in an appropriate manner.

Exercises and relaxation therapies can also help in treating anxiety. Sometimes, psychotherapists might create situations whereby the child is made to confront his/her fears in order to overcome them. Systematic desensitization technique is generally employed to help children overcome their fears. Family therapy is also an important aspect of treatment of anxiety in kids. Parents are informed about ways to handle or treat anxiety attacks in children. In severe cases, antianxiety drugs might be used to treat anxiety disorder.

If your child is suffering from an anxiety disorder, you must consult a psychotherapist for the best anxiety cure. Psychotherapy is a great way to treat anxiety without medication. Antianxiety drugs must only be used if other methods are not helping.

Antianxiety Medication

Antianxiety medication is required only when a person fails to control his anxiety, tension, depression and associated symptoms by natural means. These medications impose a direct effect on the brain and the hormones that control such emotions in an individual. Hence, they should be taken only after being prescribed by a doctor. The pills are also administered when a person undergoes severe anxiety or stress, as side effects of some serious health issues like nervous breakdown, asthma, high blood pressure, cardiac arrest, convulsions, seizure, epilepsy, etc. There are some common groups of medicines that help getting over anxiety symptoms when taken according to the prescribed dosage.

Antianxiety Medication List

It's very difficult to predict which is the best out of all, because the effects vary from person to person. Moreover, the efficacy also depends on the ability of your body to absorb the medicine. The dosage starts only after determining the nature of the disorder from the related symptoms. Antianxiety drugs are also used as anti depression medication when the mode of action of the medicines are similar. The most common groups of antianxiety medication are listed below.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Also known as SSRIs, these elevate the level of serotonin in brain. This chemical is known to induce sleep and reduce anxiety levels in blood. Drugs that act like SSRIs help controlling panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorders and nervous disorders. They are sold in many trade names and are classified under the following chemical names.

• Citalopram
• Sertraline
• Fluoxetine
• Zimelidine
• Indalpine
• Escitalopram
• Dapoxetine
• Fluvoxamine

Benzodiazepines
This is the most common group of drug that provides instant anxiety attack relief. The common drugs that act as Benzodiazepines have trade names Valium, Librium, Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin. These drugs are also administered to a patient suffering from long term anxiety. The groups are

• Lorazepam
• Clonazepam
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Diazepam
• Alprazolam

Barbiturates
Barbiturates control the activity of the Central Nervous System and are mainly used as an effective treatment for anxiety disorder associated with convulsions. They induce sedation in the individual after consumption. They have a stimulating effect on GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors, and boost up secretion of this compound, thereby managing anxiety levels. The trade names are Alurate, Brevital, Luminal, Surital, Phanodorm, Mebaral while the chemical names are:

• Aprobarbital
• Butobarbital
• Methohexital
• Thiopental
• Alphenal
• Cyclobarbital
• Talbutal

Azapirones
Azapirones have a similar mode of action like SSRIs. They act as the anxiolytics and are one of the options for anxiety cures. The drug sold generically is buspirone having the trade name BuSpar. Apart from anxiety, azapirones are also used for treatment of hallucinations, delusions and other forms of psychosis. Such drugs are categorized under antipsychotics. The chemical names of the anxiolytics are

• Ipsapirone
• Buspirone
• Binospirone
• Enilospirone
• Gepirone

Natural Antianxiety Medication
There are certain herbs that have the capacity to show effects similar to that of chemical drugs. Such herbs are administered by ayurvedic doctors for relieving a person from anxiety, depression and stress related disorders. One of the most common natural herbs for anxiety is the passion flower used extensively for the treatment of anxiety disorder. Other herbs that help in treatment of anxiety are:

• Valerian
• Kratom
• Arctic Weed
• Opium Lettuce
• Skullcap
• Brahmi
• Chamomile
• St. John's Wort
• Kanna
• Kava kava
• Ashwagandha
• Lemon balm
• Ginseng
• Bugleweed
• Zizyphi seed
• Catnip herb

Some people experience the side effects immediately after taking the medicines while in others the side effects are evident in the long run. The common antianxiety medication side effects are drowsiness, blurred vision, skin eruptions, increased heartbeat, etc. Women also face menstrual problems while being on such types of drugs. One of the major problems of these medicines are, they cause rapid weight gain. It's important to note that, one should never take anti depressants or anxiolytic drugs without doctors' consent as they might cause reverse effects. Therefore follow your doctors advice for quick recovery.

Anxiety Exercises

Anxiety is a feeling that most of us experience when faced with stressful situations like examinations, interviews, joining a new company, etc. Though feeling anxious during such times is quite common, and actually normal, there are people to whom anxiety comes easily even for insignificant things. There are people who feel anxiety and stress throughout the day without any significant reason. This is not very good because it not only causes hindrances in one's everyday activities, but also can give rise to various physical as well as mental health problems. Moreover, this problem of anxiety is no longer limited to adults, rather more and more children have been diagnosed with this problem. Hence, it is important that people look for ways to cure their problem of anxiety. Apart from the medications that health practitioners give to reduce symptoms of anxiety, there are certain exercises for children as well as adults which will help in reducing their anxiety.

Exercises for Curbing Anxiety

Studies have found that indulging in exercises helps in reducing the feeling of anxiousness that people experience. This is because exercises are said to distract people's focus from their tensions and worries and also helps in relaxing them. So, let us look at some exercises to reduce anxiety and make you feel stress free. Read more on overcome anxiety naturally and natural cures for anxiety.

Aerobic Exercises
Aerobic exercises are the simplest and one of the most effective ways of reducing anxiety. These exercises include walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, etc., which can be done by people of all ages. These exercises help in the muscles of your body to receive sufficient amount of oxygen supply, thus helping you to become relaxed and less anxious. To ensure that you stick to these exercises, it is important that you do something that you thoroughly enjoy. Create an exercise routine for yourself and follow it religiously. You can either stick to one of these exercises or indulge in each of them according to your wish. Such activities will not only aid in relieving your anxiety, but will also make you healthy and fit. Read more on overcome anxiety tips.

Vigorous Exercises
Indulging in vigorous exercises is also a great way of reducing anxiety. If you have been suffering from regular anxiety attacks, taking membership at a local gym may help you. At the gym, you should practice cardiovascular exercises as well as muscle building or weight training exercises. These exercises are said to exhaust your muscles and subsequently the anxiety that you feel. However, these exercises are not advisable for young children, and hence some kind of alternative should be found. Exercises for kids to relieve anxiety can include sports activities like basketball, tennis, football, etc. Encourage your child to enroll in a sports team at his school and it will surely help in reducing his anxiousness. Read more on dealing with anxiety in children.

Relaxation Exercises
Apart from the physical exercises, practicing certain relaxation exercises will also be a good idea. One of the relaxation exercises you can indulge in is meditation. Though many people find it difficult to concentrate properly while meditating, this can be actually done quite easily. Close your eyes and keep on repeating a word or phrase like 'I am feeling good' or 'I am feeling relaxed'. Other than a phrase, another way to meditate will be to focus on your breathing. Though you may not be able to maintain your concentration for the first few times, continuous practice will help you in meditating properly. Just like meditation, yoga is also said to be a great way of reducing anxiety. Yoga consists of lot of exercises which aim to loosen and relax the muscles, thus helping in relieving the stress and tension that the muscle experiences when a person is anxious. Read more on meditation techniques for anxiety and relaxation techniques for anxiety.

Other than meditation and yoga exercises, you can also practice some breathing exercises for anxiety attacks. However, one has to learn the correct way of doing these breathing exercises, otherwise it can lead to some other problem. First lie down in a relaxed position and start taking slow and deep breaths from your abdomen. Do not make the mistake of breathing from your chest as this can increase the feeling of anxiety. Also, while doing these breathing exercises, it is important that you breathe from your nose and not from your mouth because the latter elevates chest breathing. Practicing this everyday will surely help in alleviating your anxiety. Though it may seem that children find it difficult to do these relaxation exercises, with proper guidance from parents or health practitioners, they will surely be able to practice them successfully. Read more on breathing techniques for anxiety.

You may like to know more about:

• Anxiety Attacks Relief
• Coping Skills for Anxiety
• Overcome Anxiety Disorder

One must remember that, mastering exercises like meditation and deep breathing may take time and a lot of hard work. However, when you feel free from the anxiety and tension that you faced earlier, you will surely realize that the new feeling is worth all the effort you have taken.

Ripped Female Abs: Easy Ways to Get Ripped Abs

There is 'No Doubt' about the incredibility of Gwen Stefani's, ripped abs! The singer, fashion designer and a par excellence artist has surely put in lot to get her sleek and svelte figure. There are no free lunches and hence there are no shortcuts to cut loose all the flab. Workouts and strict control on the dietary intake is what it takes to get the 'die for' abdominal muscular built. Making compromises for fitness is acceptable, but with fitness is a complete 'no-no'. Sheer dedication and a commitment is what it take to get the firm stomach you always wanted. If you want to get abs for a particular event or an occasion, now is the time you'd want to start.

Mental Make Up
Do not confuse this with the face make up. It is complete opposite of that. Mental make up means making up your mind. Strengthening and making it ready for the change will go a long way in accomplishing this exercise. They say, thinking of an idea is half the battle won, but now doing the actual will win you the title of a true winner!

Losing Weight
Losing weight is the foremost criteria for getting a flat tummy. Getting rid of all that flab is the first thing on the list. Remove all the junk food items and high in fat content items such as cream, fried items, cakes, sweets, chocolates, milk and rice from your house. Replace it with fresh vegetables, fruits and juices. This will not only reduce the intake of fats, but improve your skin, hair and health as well.

Generosity of Genetics
Once you made the aforementioned changes in your kitchen, sit down and analyze the family medical history. Find out the cases of obesity, anemia, and other health related issues in your family. This will give you a fair view of where your temperament of genes is headed. Some people have a tendency to put on weight, despite eating less. If you are one of those, then you'd have to make a few more sacrifices. But a healthy sacrifice is better than the sacrifice of health.

Enough is Not Enough
Of course, exercising is a must! There are no two ways about it! But, that's not all. Crunches and sit-ups are recommended exercise that must be added to your daily exercise routine. For those of you who feel that doing only abs exercise is not working, there is no reason to quit. Try working out with the exercise ball. Get a workout regime planned from your gym instructor. And the end of it remember, that following the regime religiously is going to fetch you the coveted result.

To put it clearly, getting perfectly toned abs is easy once you build up your will power and maintain it. After all it is true that, if there's a will there's a way!

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

A peptic ulcer is an open sore or lesion that develops in the duodenum or the lining of the stomach. The open sores that form in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers, whereas the ones that develop in the lining of the stomach are called gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers, which are commonly called stomach ulcers, form when a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori damages the mucous layer of the stomach. This causes the lining of the stomach to get exposed and come directly in contact with the stomach acid and pepsin, which is an enzyme that helps to break down proteins in food. Exposure to stomach acid and pepsin can erode the stomach lining, thereby causing ulcers.

The human body has its own mechanism to protect the stomach from the effects of the stomach acid. This mechanism is called gastric mucosal barrier. The epithelial cells of stomach mucosa produce bicarbonate ions that neutralize the gastric juices. Prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances, also stimulate the production of mucus and bicarbonate. Stomach ulcers are likely to develop whenever the gastric mucosal barrier is broken. While infection due to Helicobacter pylori bacteria often causes ulceration, there could be other contributory factors behind the development of ulcers.

Early Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

Since the symptoms of gastric ulcers are very similar to the symptoms of a majority of digestive ailments, there's often a delay in treatment, which in turn, causes the person's condition to deteriorate further. Thus, having a basic understanding of the causes and symptoms of stomach ulcers will help to rule out a misdiagnosis and the subsequent delay in the treatment.

If the symptoms are diagnosed early, this condition can be cured within a short span of time. On the contrary, turning a blind eye to the early symptoms can worsen the situation, and cause a lot of pain and discomfort to the individual. An affected individual is likely to experience the following symptoms:

Dull, aching pain
Burning sensation
Bloating
Belching
Sudden loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Weakness
Sour taste in the mouth
Heartburn
Weight loss

The burning sensation and pain that the affected individual experiences, usually occurs right after a meal. The duration for which the pain is felt could range from minutes to hours.

Complications

At times, symptoms of a serious nature may start surfacing in the later stages due to the extensive damage caused to the stomach lining. These symptoms include:

Excruciating pain in the stomach
Vomiting blood of a dark brown color
Blood in stool

These symptoms could be a sign of complications such as bleeding, perforation, or obstruction of the contents of the stomach by the ulcer. Medical assistance must be sought as soon as the aforementioned symptoms begin to appear. Even at this point of time, the symptoms can be alleviated, provided medical help is sought immediately.

The following tests are usually conducted to diagnose this condition:

Barium swallow
Upper endoscopy
Gastric tissue biopsy
Gastrin test
C14 breath test

Risk Factors

Those who have a family history of stomach ulcers are definitely susceptible, but there are other factors that may put a person at a risk for developing this condition. The risk factors include:

Smoking
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Prolonged use of NSAIDs or corticosteroids
Poor dietary habits
Liver, kidney or lung problems

Treatment

Antibiotics are prescribed when the ulcers form due to an infection by Helicobacter pylori. The dosage will vary, depending on the severity of the infection.

At the same time, the doctor will also prescribe medication to reduce the production of stomach acid so as to ensure speedy recovery. Proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 blockers refers to the class of drugs that decrease the production of stomach acid.

Sucralfate refers to a cytoprotective agent that forms a barrier or coating over the ulcer, thereby speeding up the healing process.

Treatment will continue for two to three weeks. However, it will take a couple of months for the person to get cured completely. In severe cases, when there's bleeding or perforation in the stomach wall, surgery may be recommended.

Precautionary Measures

Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol.

Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Refrain from consuming spicy food. Many people believe that stomach ulcers are caused as a result of eating spicy food, which is not at all true. Spicy food can aggravate an already existing ulcer though.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria could spread due to consumption of contaminated food and water, so take the necessary precautionary measures.

Don't resort to self-medication. If you opt for a wrong drug, you will just end up worsening your condition. While antacids are effective in providing relief from pain by raising the level of pH in the stomach, you need to understand that this relief is temporary. So, don't take antacids unless recommended by a doctor. Do contact your doctor if you have been experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms. Follow the guidelines regarding the frequency and dosage of the drug. This will surely pave the way for a speedy recovery.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.

Potassium Chloride Side-effects

Potassium chloride is an important mineral required by the body for various reasons. It is therefore important for you to maintain an optimum level in the body. In case the potassium chloride level in the body is found to be low, the doctor would prescribe medicines to make it regain the optimal level. However, there are certain side effects which you need to be careful about before starting the medication.

Understanding KCl

Potassium chloride (KCI) is a chemical compound which is made up of potassium and chlorine and is mostly used in the production of fertilizers for plants. In the human body, this natural salt's most important function is to keep the heart beating. A balanced diet, provides the body with sufficient amount of it. Hypokalemia, a common disease caused due to low levels of Potassium in the body, is treated with tablets. This medicine can be taken orally or at times, can also be injected. Kaon CI, Micro-K, K-Dur and Klor-Con are a few major brands which manufacture controlled potassium releasing tablets. Like all medicines, there are a few side effects of potassium chloride tablets as well.

Precautions

Before starting with the medication, one needs to inform his doctor in case of any of the following:

• Any kidney disease or a kidney failure
• Any large tissue injury like a severe burn or cut
• Heart diseases or high blood pressure problems
• A stomach or intestine blockage
• Severe diarrhea or constipation
• Adrenal gland problems like Addison's disease
• Severe dehydration
• Allergies to any medicines or if you are on any medication currently

The doctor may alter the dose a little bit or even ask you to undergo certain tests for safety purposes in case you have any of the above mentioned problems. Although the possibility of potassium chloride side effects cannot be completely eliminated even after the tests, there are chances that the precautionary tests ensures that these medicines cause minimum discomfort.

Side Effects

There is no need to be overly worried as there are chances that one may not even be affected by any of these. In around 80% of cases, it has been observed that the patients do not suffer from any problems. The possible side effects include:

• Pain in the legs
• Weakness of the muscles
• Uneven heartbeat
• Anxiety, confusion or a feeling of dizziness
• Constant diarrhea or pain in the stomach
• Excessive vomiting
• Dark or blackish stools
• Tingling on your hands or feet
• Dizziness and nausea

In case you suffer form any of these problems after taking the tablets, kindly consult a doctor immediately. Of these possible side-effects, mild nausea, gas problems, mild diarrhea and vomiting are less serious and do not require medical attention generally, as they disappear in some time.

Take the medicines as prescribed by the doctor and also read the instructions on the label properly before taking the medicines. Normally, these medicines have to be taken after meals with a glass of water without chewing them. These medicines may react with certain medicines in the body, to form an excess amount of potassium which can also lead to cardiac arrest. That is the reason why one needs to inform the doctor about any ongoing medication before starting the course. The doctor could also advise for periodic tests so as to monitor the effectiveness of these medicines.

These side effects mentioned in this article are not exhaustive. So in case you suffer from any other health abnormalities after taking the medicines, kindly consult your doctor as he knows best.

Nervousness Cure

Stress can be defined as a condition characterized by mental, physical or emotional tension. It is a response to a stimulus, which may be internal or external. Not getting the train or bus on time to commute to work, waiting in line at the supermarket, worrying about not achieving the target at work, etc. can cause one to become stressed. The stimulus for stress is different for different people. Nervousness on the other hand can be defined as the state of mind characterized by distress, apprehension and uneasiness. It is a sense of dread, fear and anxiety. Nervousness can emerge by negative expectations or thoughts and is a condition emanating in response to stress. One may experience anxiety all the time and not understand the reason behind it. Abnormal levels of some neurotransmitters in the brain can conduce to generalized nervousness.

Causes of nervousness can be traced to genetics or even environmental conditions. Children with anxious parents are inclined to be anxious people when they become adults. However, the root cause of nervousness is one's own thinking pattern. The symptoms of nervousness comprise sweaty hands, tense muscles, anxiety attacks, dry mouth, vomiting and irregular heartbeat. Anxiety is a common phenomenon and we all have our share of anxiety bouts. Just before a test or public speaking assignment, we have all kinds of animal species flouncing in our tummies. Nervousness becomes harmful when it begins to take the form of sleep disorders, depression, relationship problems, high blood pressure, etc. Chronically nervous people are likely to suffer from respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, etc.

Remedies for Nervousness

• Some medical professionals say that resorting to medication is the best way to handle chronic nervousness. However, medication often conduces to harmful side effects and even aggravate nervousness. Some of the natural remedies are as follows:
• An effective option for a natural cure for nervousness is exercise. Exercise stimulates the body to release natural mood-boosting and pain killing chemicals called endorphins. Regular exercise conduces to decreased negative emotional reactions, to the situations causing nervousness earlier.
• Taking a one-hour warm bath (the longer the better) accompanied with vigorous rubbing and topping it with a cool bath or spray, helps reduce bouts of nervousness. Gentle massage after the bath is also a very good cure. One should even try adding half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of ginger to lukewarm water, in the bathtub and have a bath. The effects are soothing!
• Getting the body system cleaned out helps bowel movements, thereby, resulting in good health. One can make use of herbal laxatives and cleansers to clear the system.
• Dunk an orange in a pot of boiling water and inhale the vapor or else one can even inhale the fragrance of an orange while peeling it. One can also drink a cup of orange juice with 2 tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of nutmeg added to it.
• Consuming a mixture of two grated onions and two cups of celery is believed to reduce the feeling of restlessness. This combination can be added to salads or in different food dishes and consumed. Having the almond-nutmeg paste at bedtime is also beneficial. Just soak 8-10 almonds in water overnight and peel them in the morning. Prepare a paste by adding some water. Add a pinch of ginger and a teaspoon of nutmeg and have the paste before sleeping. It is an effective cure for nervousness.
• It is also believed that drinking two cups of tea a day with one tablespoon of honey, will bring relief to people with shaking hands and finger control problem.
• Another cure for nervousness is to drink chamomile, catnip, horsetail, peach leaf, hops, spearmint and peppermint tea. Placing a drop of primrose oil on the tongue will also help.
• Smearing rosemary oil on the forehead is also believed to reduce nervousness. One can even prepare a rosemary decoction, by adding dried rosemary to boiling water and allowing it to steep for 15 minutes. Drain it and sip when cool.

Besides the above mentioned cure for nervousness, there are various therapies like meditation, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming for nervousness cure. However, the most effective way to cope with nervousness, is by spending time in prayer. Giving one's burden and anxious thoughts into the Creator's hands and trusting God, is the best way to handle nervousness. Besides, prayer has no side effects!