Anxiety Medication Side Effects

Anxiety can be described as an uncomfortable mental state where the mind is constantly in a restless and tensed condition for no explainable reason. It gives a lot of uneasy feelings and the person suffering from anxiety fails to enjoy life. There are no well-defined cause of anxiety. Some common anxiety symptoms are depression, chest pain, shortness of breath, heartburn, hallucination, insomnia, nightmares, etc. Along with various forms of therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy, some medicines are also prescribed by the doctors in order to obtain some kind of relief from anxiety. Side effects are due to the chemical imbalance caused by them in the body.

Side Effects of Anxiety Medication

There are various categories of anxiety medications that are often administered for the purpose of anxiety cures. Doctors prescribe one or more of these medicines after studying the symptoms and health condition of the patient. After medication, the patient is monitored by the doctor to check anxiety medication side effects.

Benzodiazepines
This is one of the most popular antianxiety medicines because it starts showing effect very fast. As compared to other anxiety medications, benzodiazepines have fewer side effects. Drowsiness, fatigues, mental slow down and confusion are quite often observed after the intake of this class of medicines. Due to drowsiness, it should not be taken while driving or during operating any heavy machinery. These side effects get aggravated if taken with pain killers, anesthetics, muscle relaxants or alcohol. The main disadvantage of this class of medicines is that the patients tend to get dependent on them and may lead to drug abuse if not checked on time. For this reason, it should not be taken for a long time continuously. If it is required to be used for a long term, then the dosage is controlled by the physician. Use of benzodiazepines should not be stopped suddenly. This is because these medicines when stopped show up certain adverse symptoms referred to as withdrawal symptoms. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, headache, loss of appetite and sleep deprivation. It is not recommended for pregnant women. Therefore, it should be done under medical supervision only who will slowly lower the dose before completely stopping it.

Azapirones
This medicine is considered to be one of the most effective medications for treating anxiety. Many doctors feel that it can be a suitable alternative for benzodiazepines for those who cannot take it due to its adverse effects. It can be given to the elderly as well. It starts showing positive effects quite late, almost after two weeks of taking the medicine. The most common side effects that are seen in patients are weakness, muscle pain, nervousness, excessive sweating, abnormal sensations like numbness and tingling, blurred vision, increase in anger and aggressiveness and so on.

Antidepressants
There are different types of antidepressant medicines that are used for treating anxiety. They are: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressant, etc. These medicines are often given to control the depression associated with anxiety disorder. They act quite slowly as compared to benzodiazepines. They are usually taken before going to bed so the immediate side effects are not quite obvious as they occur during sleep. However, the side effects that become visible after a few days of taking these medicines are as follows:

• Dizziness and headache
• Cardiac side effects like heart palpitation
• Digestive problems like diarrhea, stomach upset and constipation
• Tremors or shakiness while making movements of hands and legs
• Inability to speak properly or speech disorder
• Difficulty in breathing
• Low sexual desire
• Sedation
• Irritability
• Weight gain

Most of the side effects are temporary and usually last for a few weeks only. They may show up all over again if the dosage of the drug is increased. The patient under anxiety medication should consult the doctor as soon as he or she could identify any of the symptoms. In order to keep a check on the side effects, doctors often start the medicines with lowest dosage and increase it slowly with time.

Sea Salt Benefits

Sea salt refers to the unrefined salt that is obtained by evaporating sea water collected in man-made pools near a protected shoreline. In ancient times, it was known as bay salt or solar salt. The major difference between table salt and sea salt is in their mineral composition. Table salt, that is refined by industrial processes, is stripped of most of the minerals that are present in it when it is extracted from natural sources. Due to this reason, table salt is 99.9% sodium chloride as compared to sea salt, which contains only 98% of the compound. The remaining 2% is made of around 80 important minerals like iron, sulfur, and magnesium. It is due to this reason that sea salt tastes a little different from table salt and also has a higher number of benefits as compared to its more refined counterpart.

Health Benefits of Sea Salt

• One of the various health benefits of sea salt is clearing of sinus cavities. It is a strong natural antihistamine. After drinking a glass or two of water, put a little bit of sea salt on the tongue. This provides relief from asthma. It is also useful in clearing lungs of mucus plugs and phlegm.
• It benefits the circulatory system by regulating irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure. If taken in moderate amounts, it has been found to be effective in reducing the incidence of heart diseases and heart attacks.
• The minerals in it are known to be good for skin. Sea salt baths are a popular treatment to cure infections like psoriasis. Dead Sea salt has been found to be specially useful for this infection. Of the many advantages of Dead Sea bath salt is that it cures the symptoms of tendonitis and osteoarthritis.
• Sea salt helps in extracting acidity from the cells of the body, specially from those in the brain. It also helps the kidneys to remove excess acidity from the body and excrete it through urine. It is alkalizing to the body. It helps reduce the risks for certain life-threatening diseases.
• It is also used in the cosmetic industry, mainly a natural exfoliant or scrub. Its high mineral content also finds it a place in the manufacture of skin care products and foundations. The crystals may also be used to make antiperspirants and deodorants.
• It helps maintain proper balance of electrolytes in the body. This strengthens the immune system and increases energy levels in the body. This is specially helpful for athletes.
• It improves transmission of information between nerve cells. It is important for proper functioning of the nerves and helps them in processing information received by brain.
• The various minerals present in it give it a certain flavor that is valued by many chefs. It is often used in French and Thai cuisines. Chefs use it as a crust for baked potatoes.
• If you naturally have wavy hair, sea salt spray would help enhance the beauty of your face by changing your look completely. Enjoy carefree, loose waves with the spray. You can use homemade spray, it is easy to make.
• Sea salt helps regulate sleep. It is a natural hypnotic that acts as a soporific. Drinking a pinch of salt added to warm water before going off to sleep can induce deep sleep.
• As it is a powerful antihistamine, unrefined sea salt prevents muscle cramps. It also helps in improving muscle tone and strength.
• One of its many advantages is that it regulates blood sugar level in the body. Hence, it is specially useful for diabetics.
• Its benefits also include better absorption of food in the body by the intestinal tracts.

It is true that the benefits of sea salt are numerous. This often leads people to sprinkle it generously in their food, causing excess sodium load on the body. This may harm the body instead of benefiting it. In case sea salt is included in the diet, it should not substitute more than half the table salt intake. An important element 'iodine' is added to table salt which ensures proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Sea salt does not provide the required amount of iodine to your body. Folic acid is also present in some brands of table salt as it eliminates the possibility of birth defects in the newborn. Whatever may be the type of salt in your diet, the total sodium consumption should be kept below 2,400 milligrams per day.

ADHD Medications List

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is also referred to as ADD, attention deficit disorder, and comes about due to hereditary reasons, or chemical imbalances in the brain, or can even be the result of traumatic injuries to the head. These behavioral problems come forth in different ways, where children and adults alike show symptoms that are ADHD oriented.

They're fidgety, moody, tend to be restless and can't concentrate on one thing at a time, often being impulsive and forgetful in nature. It is important to notice these problems earlier, to avoid it from getting out of hand, and escalating into something more damaging like ruining family ties and relationships, crippling self esteems and resorting to addictions.

ADHD Medication for Patients

The one non-stimulant medication that has been looked over by the FDA, as appropriate for teens, toddlers and adults, is 'Strattera'. These can immensely help ADHD patients. Those who aren't supposed to use these drugs are those that suffer from high blood pressure, thyroid problems, a history of drug abuse, glaucoma, or any kind of heart disease. It is imperative to get a full examination done on the patient, before deciding whether he / she is suitable to handle the ADHD medication. Also remember that the following can be used for children as well.

• Vyvanse
• Dexedrine
• Ritalin
• Focalin
• Concerta
• Adderall

Be on the look out for possible side effects like increase in anxiety, insomnia, feeling irritable and loss of appetite.

Medication Doses for Children / Adults

Consult your doctor on the appropriate dosage, and do not attempt to do so on your own. You'll find here the different dosages that are available in capsule form, and one that comes as a wearable patch.

Vyvanse
This stimulant is long-lasting, and has active ingredients like lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, and comes in doses of 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg and 60mg capsules.

Ritalin LA
Contains the ingredient methylphenidate, and comes in doses of 10mg, 20mg, 30mg and 40mg capsules. It can be either eaten along with foods in crushed form, or swallowed whole.

Focalin XR
The active ingredient present in these capsules is, dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride, and it comes in doses of 5mg, 10mg, 15mg and 20mg capsules.

Concerta
This is recommended only for those who are over the age of 6. These come in doses of 18mg, 36mg and 72mg capsules.

Adderall XR
Also used for those who are aged 6 and above; this can be used in its normal form of 'Adderall', for those who are aged between the ages of 3-5. The active ingredients in the XR version are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These come in doses of 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg and 30mg capsules. These can be ingested in the same manner as Ritalin LA. Another extra medication suggestion is 'Daytrana', which is a patch, in Ritalin format, that comes in doses of 10mg, 15mg, 20mg and 30mg, and is placed on the hip portion. It is effective for a period of 9 hrs, where one can use it during a time when you think he / she needs it the most.

For ADHD anxiety medication help, you can try antidepressants that are prescribed by doctors, like SSRI, (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or SNRI, (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Medications that have these ingredients in them are, Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac.

Stimulants that Act for a Short While

These stimulants unlike the previous ones mentioned in the medications list are those that act for a short period of time.

• Methylin ER
• Ritalin SR
• Metadate ER
• Dexedrine
• Dextrostat
• Methylin (tablet / oral solution)
• Adderall

With proper ADHD treatment, you can help your child or loved one, benefit in many ways to help calm them, and keep them functioning in a peaceful way without the disorder taking over their mind and emotions. Be sure to consult your doctor on dosage and usage depending on how your body reacts to it. Stay safe.

Antianxiety Medication Side Effects

Anxiety is a mental condition when a person experiences uneasiness, distress and a concern or worry about something. It can also be defined as a state of apprehension or fear of something. Anxiety is a symptom of nearly all psychological and personality disorders and phobias. Anxiety is a common feeling and most of the people experience it at different times of their life. Although anxiety is involuntary, excess of it can lead to disruption of normal life. Hence, people rely on medications to overcome anxiety symptoms.

Antianxiety Medications
As the name suggests, antianxiety medications are used to relieve a person of anxiety symptoms. As mentioned above, anxiety can disrupt the normal functioning of life, and hence, many people opt for medications to reduce anxiety symptoms quickly. These medications help in temporarily relieving of the anxiety symptoms but they do not help in uprooting the underlying cause of anxiety.

Side Effects
Benzodiazepine is the most popular and commonly used antianxiety drug. It is used as a sedative, as a muscle relaxant or for hypnotic effect. This is a very strong drug which can make people fall asleep or uncoordinated even on a lower dosage. One of the most important side effect is addiction to the drug itself. As the person gets temporary relief from anxiety on taking these drugs, there is a high risk of the person being dependent on them. This is known as psychological addiction. Following are the other side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Dizziness
• Impaired thinking
• Slow reflex actions
• Stomach upset
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Crying
• Delirium

Sometimes the overdose of these drugs can make a person look and behave like a drunkard. On the other hand, one may even find a hangover like symptoms after taking these medications. There are also a few paradoxical reactions associated with antianxiety drugs. They include:

• Depression
• Aggression
• Hallucination
• Mania
• Euphoria
• Claustrophobia

Sometimes, one may also see adverse effects on the body or the functions of the body. One should also remember that overdose of any of antianxiety drugs can be fatal. The following are the other severe side effects

• Memory loss
• High blood pressure / Low blood pressure
• Changes in heart rate
• Skin rash
• Anterograde amnesia
• Seizures
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Coma

Antianxiety Medication Safety
It is recommended to have these drugs only in small doses and only on consulting the doctor. They should also be used only in combination of other therapies to cure anxiety. Antianxiety drugs are meant to reduce the symptoms as soon as possible. One should remember that these drugs do NOT cure the cause of anxiety. It is also advisable to take these medications only under the supervision of a doctor and not on your own. Similarly, continuation and discontinuation of these medications should also be based on the doctor's advice, as sometimes one may also experience withdrawal symptoms like increased anxiety, confusion, insomnia, etc., associated with the specified drug. People below 18 years of age, above 60 years of age, pregnant women, alcoholics, etc., are at high risk of suffering from antianxiety medication side effects, and hence are advised against having them.

As you have seen, the numerous negative consequences, it is advisable to think twice before you take a decision of having this quickest way of overcoming anxiety! This write-up is meant only to provide information.

Effects of Too Much Protein in Your Diet

To understand how too much of protein in a diet is harmful, we have to first understand how it plays a key role in helping our systems function. Protein helps in building muscle, and aiding the immune system while regulating blood circulation. If the body doesn't get its sufficient dose of good fats and carbohydrates, it leans on protein to fulfill the role instead, of supplying fuel. Therefore striking a balance between various nutrients is crucial.

Even hair and nails are made up of protein, where it sustains the bones, skin and cartilage as well. There's only a limited amount of protein that the body requires. It does need a lot of this nutrient for certain functions, but going overboard by eating a lot of protein-rich foods, can have a negative impact on the body. That is why it is important to eat it in moderation.

There are three kinds of this problem that occur; transient (temporary case), persistent (a recurring ailment), and orthostatic (happens when one sits / stands / lies down). The first kind, transient and the last, orthostatic - doesn't require treatment in most cases, with possibly no long-term side effects. Those who have persistent proteinuria on the other hand, may eventually suffer from kidney ailments that will need immediate treatment.. Here we discuss the effects of excess protein in a diet, and how to balance portion intake.

Effects of Excess Protein in One's Diet

When there is too much protein in a person's diet, side effects subsequently occur, altering your overall bodily system. When there is a presence of protein in the body that is way too much for it to handle, it shows up on tests after one has a checkup done, or is experienced through its effect on the body.

Once the damage starts due to excess protein, symptoms arise that one will notice over a period of time. Our bodies send us certain signals that we mustn't ignore, especially if they are persistent. Medical experts say that the symptoms do not occur immediately in a person suffering from proteinuria, where if left unattended and overlooked, it can eventually be experienced. Thus going for regular checkups to keep an eye on one's health, is wise.

• If one has liver / kidney disease, high protein traces are likely to pose as a problem. The rise of acids in the urine's pH level, is caused by the kidney's inability to regulate acid-base levels.
• Can increase the risk of colon cancer.
• Increases one's chances of having a cardiovascular disease.
• Too much protein in the system eats away at calcium from the bones, since this mineral is required for digestion. So if you haven't had enough calcium intake, the body takes it from the bones as a substitute. This in turn makes bones brittle.
• Acts as an irritant towards allergies, making them worse.
• Formation of kidney stones
• Increases the risk of getting diabetes (high levels of ketones).
• Can lead to gout.
• Excessive perspiration takes place. This is because the more protein one eats, the more likely it is for he / she to lose a lot of water from the body. Due to this, it is advisable to drink a lot of water to make up for what the body has lost through urine and sweat.
• Cataracts
• Arteriosclerosis
• Excessive urea in the kidneys will tend to cause a lot of lower back pain. This is because protein has amino acids in them, and when the body breaks it down, it converts it from ammonia to urea, causing one's lower back to hurt.
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Feelings of malaise
• Hypertension
• Nausea, since the body uses the excess protein for energy, due to a lack of either carbohydrates / fats.
• Acid amounts in blood increase.
• Extreme discomfort
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Protein Rich Foods to Eat in Moderation

Balancing food portions is something one should always keep in mind about, like a constant mantra, while eating protein rich meals. Ask a dietician to chalk out a diet plan with the right amount of protein, that is safe for your body to consume:

• Ham
• Fish
• Legumes
• Turkey
• Soya milk
• Chicken
• Pork
• Tofu
• Lamb
• Beans
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Beef
• Dairy products (low or full)
• Protein shakes
• Veal
Nuts and Seeds (watermelon, almonds, peanuts, squash, and pumpkin) Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains

How Much Protein to Take

The ideal amount of protein that the body needs to absorb in a day is, 10 gm/day for babies, 52 gm/day for teen boys, 46 gm/day for teen girls, 56 gm/day for grown men, and 46 gm/day for grown women. Lactating women need to have 71 gm of protein a day, because of deficiency and baby-development requirements.

Accordingly spread out your protein intake over the course of a number of days, as opposed to eating it all at once within a single day. Too much of protein can prove to be quite harmful as you now know. A monitored diet combined with light to moderate exercise, will help you keep off the extra protein. Have a healthy tomorrow.

Throwing Up Blood After Drinking

One of the scariest things that can happen to a person is finding blood in his phlegm or vomit after a night of heavy drinking. The best thing is not to waste time but approach a doctor. For someone who has a habit of regular drinking, this is a clear indicator that you have consumed too much alcohol, and that you need to curb this habit. There are various reasons for regurgitating blood after drinking.

Causes

Rupture in the Gastrointestinal Tract: The upper gastrointestinal tract consists of the mouth, the pharynx, the esophagus, the small intestine and the stomach. This condition stems from a rupture at some point in the gastrointestinal tract. Any one of the organs there can be damaged and be causing the bleeding as a result. Throwing up blood due to an upper gastrointestinal rupture is a condition known as hematemesis. This condition could also indicate that there is a stomach ulcer and this needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately.

Drugs and Medications: There are also some drugs and medications which act as irritants to the pancreas and the stomach, and as a result, a person ends up throwing up blood. It is well-known in medical circles that medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are some of the compounds that can cause irritation in the stomach.

Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is the common liver disease that results in a person throwing up blood. Another possible cause is a potential liver disease. This disease can also stem from excessive consumption, and vomiting blood is a symptom that the condition has reached an advanced stage. People with the habit of consuming alcohol are quite prone to this liver disease.

Ulcer: An ulcer is a breakdown of tissues, that hinders the activities of that portion of the body to perform its functions. If the lining of the stomach stops working correctly or the lining breaks down, it results in an ulcer. Drinking too much alcohol results in the breakdown of the stomach lining and can make you vomit blood.

Gastritis: It has been found in various researches that gastritis can also be a potential reason for discharge of blood in vomit. Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

Excessive Drinking: Vomiting of blood usually occurs when someone has consumed excessive alcohol.The acids contained in these alcohols are corrosive in nature and can cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. The bleeding can occur either due to excessive coughing or throwing up.

Symptoms

If you find spots of blood in vomit or after coughing, you should take it seriously. Here are some symptoms associated with puking out blood:

• Heartburn
• Pain while passing stool
• Unusual bowel movements
• Intense stomach pain
• Terrible bouts of acidity
• Nausea and abdominal cramps

In this scenario, the individual can make a comparatively faster recovery by staying off alcohol abuse for a while and by consuming a clean liquid diet for the next few days. It is advisable to abstain from tea, coffee and aerated drinks. Chewing the food properly is also important.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Rush to a doctor and tell him all the details about the occurrence. Ignoring this can cause many severe complications in the future, and the risk of the condition should be enough to convince the person to take curative measures with immediate effect. Delaying the diagnosis and treatment is not recommended under any circumstances.

The first thing the doctor would do is, stop the bleeding and then try and ascertain the exact cause for it. The doctor would ask you some questions like;

• Have you ever vomited blood before?
• Are you under any other medical condition?
• Do you take other medicines?
• What was the color of the blood?
• How much blood did you puke?
• How often do you drink and smoke?

The doctor will then administer suitable medicines and proceed to treat the condition as he may see fit. If there are any medications that are causing this condition, he may immediately stop their dosage. At the same time, he will also administer a special diet that will suit the seriousness of the condition. You may also go through medical tests, such as blood or urine test, to ascertain the real cause of puking out blood.

To make a full recovery, one must follow all the instructions of the doctor and stay away from the booze at all costs. If this is a problem that is occurring repeatedly and regularly, maybe the individual needs more than just a doctor's diagnosis and treatment. Spreading awareness about the seriousness of this side effect of drinking should be a prime concern. Alcoholism is a very dangerous social evil and there is no escaping from its harmful effects. Vomiting blood after consuming alcohol is a clear sign from your body to control the amount of alcohol that is allowed to enter your system.

Duodenal Ulcer Treatment

Peptic ulcer disease is an umbrella term that represents open sores in the mucosa lining of the gastrointestinal tract, basically the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The term duodenal ulcer suggests that ulcer is present in the upper portion of the small intestine. For deciding appropriate duodenal ulcer treatment, the doctor performs a thorough medical examination of the existing condition and manifested symptoms. According to suspected causes, medication and/or surgery is indicated for treating duodenal ulcer.

Treating Duodenal Ulcer

According to medical researches, majority of the peptic ulcer cases begin in the duodenum part. Similar to other types of ulcers, the leading causes for ulceration in the duodenum are infection by Helicobacter pylori (responsible for 70 - 90 cases) and medication side effects. It is still believed that having too much of spicy foods and acidic foods causes duodenal ulcers, which is not true. Of course, the condition is exacerbated with poor diet, spicy foods, smoking, alcohol consumption and other triggers.

Since the affected duodenum is frequently exposed to stomach acids, symptoms of duodenal ulcer can be debilitating. In contrary to stomach ulcer symptoms, they are prominent before meals when stomach acids are passed to the upper portion of the small intestine, and subside gradually after having food. In case of delayed treatment, the complications for perforated ulcer and bleeding ulcer are high. Thus, medical attention at the earliest possible date is a necessity for good duodenal ulcer prognosis.

Treatment for Stable Duodenal Ulcer
When diagnosed in the early stages, stable duodenal ulcers are treated with medications. In case of ulcer caused by H. Pylori infection, eradication with combined antibacterial therapy is a must. Usually, the patient needs to take prescription antibiotics for 7 days. Whereas for ulcers triggered by medication usage, discontinuation of the medicine is an unavoidable approach. If it is not feasible, one can ask for alternative medications to avoid worsening of duodenal ulcer symptoms. For such a case, treatment may involve taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or other acid suppression therapy for a specific period.

Natural Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer
Coming to natural duodenal ulcer treatment, it is applicable for stable ulcers. The main objectives are lowering acidic juices secreted by the stomach, fighting infection (if any) and healing existing inflammatory condition. Some of the effectual herbs that are anti-inflammatory in action include slippery elm, goldenseal root and licorice. Of these, goldenseal root contains both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial active ingredients. In order to achieve maximum benefits from natural remedies, one should strictly follow the intake dosage and treatment period suggested by the herbalist.

Treatment for Bleeding Duodenal Ulcer
The risks for bleeding ulcer are old age, medical history of ulcer, H. pylori infection, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and prolonged smoking. Patients having any of these risk factors are suggested to undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to diagnose a bleeding ulcer. After confirmation, endoscopic hemostatic therapy (EHT) is proceeded for bleeding duodenal ulcer treatment. Under this endoscopic therapy, the patient may be given epinephrine injection or thermal coagulation, or both.

Treatment for Perforated Duodenal Ulcer
About 10 - 20 percent of duodenal ulcers are diagnosed as perforated cases, which affect the wall of the duodenum. A medical emergency, perforated ulcer causes severe pain, and often results in acute peritonitis. Thus, timely treatment for duodenal ulcer is imperative to avoid severe life-threatening medical complications. Surgical procedure is the only option regarding perforated duodenal ulcer treatment. This ulcer management with surgery is also done for recurrent bleeding, failed endoscopic therapy, and for patients who are non-responsive to medication treatment.

In addition to therapeutic treatment, correct duodenal ulcer diet planning, keeping body hydrated at all times and managing stress are suggested for prompt recovery. Less water intake is associated with reduced secretion of mucus, which is responsible for protecting the mucosa lining. It is also found that prolonged stress enhances elevated production of stomach acids. To avoid this, adopt healthy lifestyle habits and manage stress properly.

Healthy Diet for Great Abs

Abs or abdominal muscles were previously most flaunted in beach wear and by models on the ramp. However today, casual apparel and party wear also offer the individual ample of opportunity to show off a great-looking body. Along with this, many abdominal exercises are also being designed to focus improving the strength and tone of the ab muscles. The six pack and eight pack look is appealing; but not beyond the importance of developing these muscles, which otherwise weaken with age. They need to be specifically exercised within a program that also includes a healthy diet for great abs. A good ab diet and nutrition are essential key components that determine the success of the program. Ab training, without the required nutrition is incomplete.

It is important to understand the ab muscle structure and importance prior to adopting an exercise or diet regime. The spine provides the framework to a whole system of abdominal and back muscles. The main function of this muscular network is to maintain body posture via the abdominal, paraspinal and iliopsoas muscles. These are also core muscles that are used everyday. However, developing abs takes more than crunch exercises, weights, and stretching. It involves identifying a healthy diet to complement the exercise program. Fit abs not only reduce the severity of back pain, but also help to avoid back surgery at times. Today, developing great-looking abs is not only restricted to young people.

Eating Healthy for Great Abs

Healthy eating habits for great-looking abs involve one basic rule: smaller and frequent meals throughout the day. The meals should be rich in protein, fiber, carbohydrates and fat. It is very important to follow the instructions of the dietitian and ensure that the calories are cycled. This is to facilitate metabolism to get used to changes in caloric level and adjust accordingly. Oats, eggs, rice, grits, brown rice, baked potato, green beans, broccoli, raw/boiled or par boiled vegetables of your choice, chicken, turkey and lean fish could be ideally incorporated within the diet. There are a number of lean mass complex powders that are also available online, as well as offline. A healthy diet comprises:

• Cyclic multiple vitamin and mineral formulas within synthetic supplements and the meal ingredients.
• Essential fatty acids from oils
• Meal replacement via protein powder, in the case of vegetarians, who do not even eat eggs.
• Protein shakes and bars that can be made at home or accessed from dedicated outlets.
• Creatine and glutamine nutritional supplements, instead of anabolic steroids.
• Natural testosterone boosters, optional and only if the budget permits.

Healthy and great-looking abs are just a meal and stretch away! The meal components that are put together to address the needs of this muscle mass are also picked to increase muscular strength, glycogen levels and improve the immune system. You can help the dietitian to pick the meal components to increase nitrogen synthesis and speed up the process. There are a number of synthetic ab building supplements that can also be considered to burn fat. A good physique is the result of a carefully planned ab diet and workout regime. The daily calorie requirement for good-looking abs should be maintained between 2000 and 2500 calories per 80 to 100lbs of body weight. The ab diet should essentially include all nutrients in different combinations.

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.