Oesophagitis - It"s More Common Than You Think

Have you ever eaten a meal and then felt a burning sensation in your throat later in the evening? You may have been suffering with acid reflux – this is when the acid from the stomach rises up into your gullet and leads to heartburn. This problem can be spurred on by certain foods, such as chocolate or spicy foods, and is usually treated with medication to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. However, some people require long-term daily treatment to keep the symptoms at bay. When we eat, food passes down the oesophagus into the stomach, and the cells in the lining of this organ works with other chemicals to digest the food. There are also cells which line the oesophagus but these offer little protection against the acid from the stomach. The circular band of muscle which acts as a junction between the gullet and the stomach is known as the sphincter and this usually tightens and stops food and acid from leaking upwards. However, this doesn’t always work effectively which means that some acid can leak into the gullet and cause discomfort.

Acid reflux refers to the problem of stomach acid leaking into the gullet, whereas oesophagitis refers to the inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus. Usually, this is due to the reflux of stomach acid which irritates the lining and leads to a burning sensation. The lining of your gullet will withstand a certain amount of acid, but this amount will vary with different people and some are more sensitive than others. The general term for this condition is known as gastro-oesophagul reflux disease, which is the term used for the symptoms of acid reflux, with or without the oesophagul symptoms. Your symptoms will vary, depending on how sensitive you are, but you may suffer from heartburn as this is the most common symptom. This is a burning sensation which emanates from the upper stomach and lower chest up to the neck. Other symptoms include an acidic taste in the mouth, feeling sick, bloating, indigestion, a burning sensation when you swallow hot drinks and pain in the stomach and chest. More rare symptoms include a persistent cough, gum problems, bad breath, wheezing and feeling a lump in your throat. Regular heartburn is common in people who drink alcohol regularly or smoke, as well as those aged between 35 and 64 years old.

 

If you have the typical symptoms, its rare for your GP to need to run a test – they can usually tell by your description of your symptoms. In the rare case that you will need a test, the usual port of call will be a gastroscopy which is a thin telescope which is passed down the oesophagus into the stomach to allow the doctor to look at the lining of the stomach. Other tests include a chest x-ray or a heart tracing, but these aren’t typical and are only needed when traditional treatment doesn’t work.

 

You can reduce the risk of developing this problem by giving up smoking, avoiding spicy and sugary foods or any meals which bring the problem on, losing weight if you are overweight, and improving your posture. If you have this problem regularly, it may be worth keeping note of your symptoms so that you can tell your doctor in more detail what is causing the issue. They will then be able to advise ways to reduce the symptoms, as well as prescribing medication to stave off the acidic irritation.

Categories: acid reflux, digestion, Oesophagitis, Symptoms

3 Diets to Drop Your Heart Trouble

So you have hit the big five-oh and everyone and their dog has a tale to tell about the ups and downs of middle age.

Mostly downs.

The upside is that for every horror story, there is a romance too. In this case, the relationship between your stomach and your heart may be one that has a cheerful plot. The problem of course, is choosing your partner in crime.

Introducing the Mediterranean Diet, The Anti-Inflammatory Diet and the Plant-Based Diet.

 

The Mediterranean Diet

 

With an exotic blend of nuts, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and olive oil, the Mediterranean locals reportedly enjoy a 30% less chance of cardiovascular disease. Fish and poultry are the main sources of protein, consumed with healthy fats and little dairy or sugary foods. A little wine however, does not go amiss.

What was noted was that the effects of a Mediterranean diet is that this food regime actually proved to be as effectual as drug-therapy, without any negative side-effects. Drugs are considered to lower risks by 25%, but then the side-effects force you to take more drugs, which may in fact negate any potential help.

A simple plan, a simple procedure, but many enduring qualities, the Mediterranean Diet is the one that many are commonly drawn towards.

 

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

 

Another theory of cardiovascular disease is that of inflammation – from chronic to low-levels, it increases the risk of heart problems and just bodily ones in general. Inflammation is suggested to be the melting pot of problems, rather than growing cholesterol.

True or not, it is suggested that you should avoid foods that have fatty acids, such as the ones found in vegetable oils, sugar and processed food, as well as foods such as soy, peanuts and wheat.

Furthermore, some gluten-based foods are restricted, such as wheat (gluten), dairy and nightshade vegetables (peppers, aubergines, tomatoes and potatoes). These particular restrictions however, may not be necessary.

Linked to diabetes, research at the American Diabetic Association suggests that, “If the anti-inflammatory diet reduces inflammatory cytokines (signals that tell your body to inflame),” they say, “it may be an important diet for people with various conditions, including inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and IDDM.”

Because this diet is something of a grey area, it may be wise to consult a dietician.

 

The Plant-Based Diet

 

Also considered something of a vegan diet, the regime cuts out all animal products, limits fat and cuts out heart-healthy foods such as olive oil, avocados and nuts.

So why mention it?

Strange though it may be, the plant-based diet is said to reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease. This is when the blood flow (and oxygen) is restricted or reduced in one part of the body. It results in a series of heart problems as the heart arteries become narrowed, which means that less blood travels around the body. When this happens, sufferers will have sudden heart attacks. Prior to them however, there are complaints about chest pains or discomfort.

With the plant-based diet, it has been reported that those that live by it have a significant drop in cholesterol (which is hardly a surprise) and a widening of the heart arteries.

A completely different animal when it comes to nutrition, especially with its loss of olive oil and lack of processed foods. If you love your fruits and veg, you’ll love this diet.

 

Whichever you choose, the benefits for your body will tell its tale, with long-term improvements and a positive tweak in your lifestyle. In preventing the risks of cardiovascular disease, you have the chance to experience more, live more and love more in the future.

Live long, live happy.

3 Diets to Drop Your Heart Trouble

Categories: anti-inflammatory, based diet, cardiovascular, cardiovascular disease, diet, diet nbsp, digestion, Food, heart, inflammatory diet, Mediterranean diet, olive oil, plant based, risk

Which Is The Best Way To Get Your Good-For-You Bacteria?

There is an ongoing debate as to whether it’s best to get vitamin and minerals and the like in supplement form or from foods, but the jury is in when it comes to bacteria. Though probiotics, the healthy microorganisms that aid in digestion, have become the darlings of the dairy industry, experts say that you should pick pills to get the concentration of good-for-you bacteria you need for your overall wellbeing.

The reason that so many yogurts, cottage cheeses, string cheeses and even cereal labels prominently boast their probiotic benefits is that, alongside boosting your digestive wellness, probiotics are believed to relieve and prevent a variety of diseases. However, the concentration of live bacteria found in these food products may not be enough to reap therapeutic benefits, which is why experts instead recommend taking a probiotic pill.

According to Dr Michael Schmidt, chief of gastroenterology at Holy Name Medical Centre, with a practice in Teaneck, ‘The bacteria are much less in quantity in yogurt. It’s not going to be helpful as taking an over-the-counter supplement.’ He explained that though research is still unclear about probiotics’ effectiveness in healthy individuals, strong data does exist for their use in treating conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis and antibiotics-associated diarrhoea. He boasts, ‘I have personally found patients clearly get better.’

There are trillions of bacteria in your lower gastrointestinal track that are key in your body’s digestion, immune protection and vitamin absorption. However, certain factors can deplete your levels of these good bacteria, such as taking antibiotics or birth control pills, diet and digestive diseases, and so probiotic supplements can help re-colonise the essential microorganisms in your gut. Schmidt explained, ‘It makes the intestines really healthy and helps probably enhance or reduce inflammation and immune function.’

Naturopathic doctors, such as Dr. Robert Galaorwicz of Paramus, are also strong supporters of probiotics. According to Dr Galaorwicz, he advises roughly 80% of his patients to take a probiotic supplement because ‘it does a multitude of different things, helping with digestive disorders, acid reflux and helps boost the immune system.’

He recommends that you read labels carefully and look for brands that contain at least 4 to 5 billion live bacteria per capsule and at least three or more different types of strains, because each performs a different function. If you need to clear up an imbalance in the digestive system, you need to consume the probiotics anywhere from three months to a year, he adds.

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Which Is The Best Way To Get Your Good-For-You Bacteria?

Categories: digestion, probiotics, Supplements