Heartburn or GERD can Kill

Heartburn is a common annoyance. The busy lifestyle, quick meals, fatty or spicy foods all contribute to the occasional need of a chewable pain reliever. The acceptance of heartburn as an inconvenient, but natural, part of the daily grind can blind you to the warning that a severe heartburn symptom can bring.

Heartburn as a Disorder

Heartburn can be a symptom as well as a disorder. Simple heartburn or GERD can be controlled and dealt with. However, heartburn can signal the presence of a much more serious problem. If it’s heartburn, you will have a burning sensation in the chest usually after eating. There may be a spread of the burning to the throat, sometimes accompanied by a bad taste, difficulty in swallowing, belching, coughing, hoarseness and/or wheezing.

It can become worse by lying down or bending over or by eating. Relief can come from an antacid. While the more severe heartburn symptoms may be mistaken for a heart attack, simple heartburn is usually not made worse by exercise. If there is any concern that the pain may signal a heart attack, get help quickly.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Snoring Help: Changes You Can Make to End Snoring

By Jason McDrarren

There is no denying the importance of sleep. We sleep one-third of our lives and the quality of the rest of our day largely depends on the quality of our sleep. However, as any snorer knows, sleep isn't always so easy.

Snoring can make a good night of sleep seem like an impossible accomplishment. The good news is that there is a lot of snoring help out there. Most of what a person can do to fix their snoring problem doesn't even cost money. In fact, most snoring is a result of lifestyle choices that can be consciously remedied.

To find the snoring help you need, it is necessary to first discover what sort of snoring problem you have. Certain behaviors that might cause snoring are: smoking, drinking, and obesity. If you suspect any of these might be the cause then there are easy solutions. There are also other potential causes of snoring that should be ruled out.

Perhaps the most common cause of snoring is obesity. If you are even a little bit overweight then this could be the cause of your problem. Obesity makes it difficult for the muscles in the throat to properly keep your airway open. Luckily snoring help can be achieved by simply exercising, eating better, and dropping a few pounds.

Another common cause of snoring is the use of substances that cause your muscles to relax. For instance, drinking alcohol before bed can cause snoring because the throat muscles will relax too much while you sleep. If you are a heavy drinker then you might want to reduce the number of drinks you have and try to drink well before you go to bed.

Other snoring help can come in the form of dietary changes. Dairy and other foods that increase mucous production should be avoided before bed. The extra mucus clogs your air passages. Additionally, sleep on your side instead of on your back. Most snoring occurs while sleeping on the back.

Although it might not directly provide snoring help, maintaining a strict sleep schedule will often improve you quality of sleep. Try to set a nightly bedtime and stick to it day after day. This will help your body get used to sleeping a full night's sleep at the same time each day. Additionally, try to use pillows that aren't too soft. Super soft pillows can put your neck in a droopy position.

One more lifestyle that can cause or increase snoring is smoking. If you are a smoker then you already know that smoking can cause congestion. It also causes irritation and swelling in the throat and may cause mucus build up. All of these things can increase snoring. The best source of snoring help to be had if you are a smoker is to stop smoking. This will provide you with many additional health benefits as well.

There are many products out there that might solve your snoring problem. There are nasal strips, nasal sprays, and even pills available that claim to reduce snoring. Try looking on the internet for the best deals or visit a local pharmacy.

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