There are several methods for treating heartburn including natural cures, over-the-counter medicines, and prescribed medication. The challenge is in finding what works best for you.The reason some of us get heartburn is that excess stomach acid gets back out of the stomach into our esophagus. The esophagus gets irritated by the acid, hence the pain which can manifest itself as chest pain. (Heartburn side-effects are often mistaken for heart attacks, but thankfully they are not!)Before you begin taking heartburn medication, it0s best to address the cause of your heartburn, namely your diet. Monitor what you eat and identify the foods that may be causing heartburn. Food types that typically cause heartburn are fried, spicy, and citrus in nature. Perhaps a heartburn cure is as simple as changing diet.Heartburn Medications: where to startIf you do decide to pursue medication, let0s state the obvious. Assess the frequency of your heartburn and if its occurring regularly, go and see your doctor. At the very least it will put your mind at ease.If you decide to self-medicate make sure to read and learn about the medications first of all. Also, be aware that what works for your friend may not work for you. So be cautious.Heartburn Medications: the choicesThere are several types of heartburn medication. Understand each type, including any side effects, before taking them..1. Antacids:As the name suggests, they are 0anti-acids0 and their job is to neutralize the stomach acid that causes the problem. Brands such as Tums are antacids. If you find you are taking a lot of them, then that0s probably a sign of a bigger problem. So take them sparingly and keep a note of how frequent your use is of them.2. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)Proton-pump inhibitors lower the production of acid in your stomach. This is accomplished by 0inhibiting0 the enzyme in the stomach that produces acid from doing its job. As a result, there0s less acid and so less heartburn, Examples of PPI include PrevAcid. PPIs are generally well received although there maybe side-effects such as diarrhea, constipation or headaches.3. H2 BlockersWhat an H2 blocker does is to block the production of the acid, thereby reducing how much is released in the stomach. There are several over-the-counter H2 blockers from companies such as Zantac. These are lower in dosage than the prescribed versions which are use to help with Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)..4. HCL related medicationsHeartburn is often associated with too much acid, but in fact the opposite can occur causing heartburn. When we eat food, the stomach produces hydrochloric acid(HCL). One of its goals is to help with digestion. But if there is not enough HCL produced, then food ferments, putrefying in the stomach and the resulting 0mixture0 can result in heartburn. HCL for heartburn supplements can help resolve this issue.What should be clear from the above is that understanding your heartburn can be fairly complex and what was said earlier is worth repeating. That is, talk with your doctor before embarking on any heartburn cure. That way all the options will be laid out before you and you can confidently choose a method that will cure your heartburn.About the author Frank Thornton writes regularly on health and fitness related subjects. www.relieveyourheartburn.com

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It is easy to become addicted. Habits provide a sense of certainty, security and stability in our lives. When we depend too much upon a habit for our sense of well being, it is easy for it to develop into an addiction.Addiction to anger is one of the most common and lethal addictions, and one most seldom recognized. The anger addict becomes hooked by the false sense of power anger brings. As the addiction grows, it consumes more and more of their lives, producing painful consequences.The best way to undo an addiction is to look it squarely in the face, see what triggers it, how it functions, the false promises it offers and the huge costs we pay. The next step is to undo the lack of awareness and false thoughts the keeps the addiction alive. As we begin to take charge, we regain power back over our lives.To begin to dissolve the addiction to anger, we must learn more about it. What function does it serve in our lives? What effect does it have?Functions of AddictionsWhen we are in the grip of an addiction many troubling aspects of life are blocked out. The addiction numbs us and blocks out painful feelings and experiences that we may not wish to deal with. It prevents us from seeing and dealing with issues, which need to be attended to. At this point the addiction serves as a defense against anxiety or hopelessness.Effects Of Addiction To AngerWhen we are angry we often have a temporary feeling of strength, energy, righteousness, power, authority or control. Much like alcohol, the surge of anger, which takes over, can block out fears, inhibitions and doubts. There is a temporary sense of freedom and empowerment that we normally lack.The sense of false power which we feel can be a defense against feeling helpless or inadequate. Of course this power is not real power. Once the anger passes individuals feel weaker and more empty than before. All the while an addiction is running, it makes the individual feel safe and secure. The reality, however, is those addictions destroy an individual’s true safety. It blinds them from doing what needs to be done to build a life of true value and stability.Anger can also block out logical thought processes, making us feel we are absolutely right. Some individuals who have trouble making decisions can make them easily then. hese kinds of decisions rarely provide positive outcomes. Many actions that might seem unacceptable when calm seem perfectly fine when we are angry.Anger also encourages us to blurt out negative thoughts and feelings we may have been holding in that might have better gone left unsaid. Of course, after the surge of anger passes, it is difficult to take these words back. Even if we apologize the after effects remain. Although it might have felt good to speak out while angry, a little later on when reality dawns, there is often a sense of regret. In one way or another we have to pay for what we have done.Below are some exercises which help undo the addiction to anger and regain control over our behavior and thoughts.Dissolving The Addiction To Anger:1)List the times in which you feel angry or upset automatically. What person, thoughts, memory or situation brings this up? For now, just notice this and write it down. As you go through the day, if another situation strikes you, step back, notice it, and write it down as well. Rather than reacting blindly, you are now taking time to become aware. Once you become fully aware of the way anger operates in your life it will not be able to sneak up from behind.2)Find a substitute for the automatic reaction. Instead of reacting the same old way the next time the situation arises, stop, breathe and tell yourself, “I will not be a slave to anger anymore.” Stop and listen to the person and say to yourself, “This time I will let them be right. There’s plenty of time to be right later.” Pause and listen to what they say. See how much better you feel getting pulled down into anger again.3)Find a new way of viewing the situation. Instead of seeing the one who angers you as an enemy, tell yourself that their anger is a cry for help. It comes out of pain and conflict within. Instead of going on the attack, say to the person (either in your mind or out loud), “What can I do to serve you?” Not only will this diffuse the anger, but will open new doors for both of you to walk through.—Watch stress melt away on award winning program The Anger Diet, (30 Days to Stress Free Living), www.theangerdiet.com . Dr. Shoshanna, top psychologist, relationship expert and certified family and divorce mediator has guided thousands to resolve difficulties and designe a blueprint for relationships which works for all.www.brendashoshanna.com, topspeaker@yahoo.com, 212-288-0028., www.creativedivorcemediation.blogspot.com

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Heartburn can be one of the most horrible conditions to ever suffer. Some have described their symptoms to be like having a heart attack. Personally speaking, I know that heartburn for me has been waking up in the early hours of the morning feeling terrible like I have just been sick.One morning, the heartburn and reflux was so bad, that I felt like I was going to die. It was one of the quickest trips to the doctor I had ever made in my life. Lucky for me, the Janssen-Cilag drug representative had just been in to see my doctor recently and had left her many samples of the heartburn and reflux treatment know as Pariet.While there are many ways available to treat heartburn you can be the judge if the heartburn medication and treatments that are out there is suitable for you. The best way is to first know the severity of your heartburn. You should talk to your doctor to see if these medications and treatments will be of help to you. There are many types of prescription heartburn medications and treatments that you can get, as well as very effective natural remedies. A few of those medications and treatments however may have side effects like reducing the strength of the LES. Before you begin a course of treatment with these medications and treatments, you should always consult your physician regarding their side effects. These prescription medications and treatments include the anti-spasmotics like Levsin, Librax, and Bentyl. The calcium channel blockers Procardia, Cardizem, Calan, and Isoptin are a type of heartburn medication or treatment that can affect the LES muscle0s effectiveness. The other medications that produce side effects for the LES are the anti-depressants Elavil and Doxepia amongst others. You have a choice of buying heartburn medication or treatment that can reduce and or totally eliminate the production of high levels of excess stomach acid. These medications and treatments are said to have the ability to increase the strength of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter. With the excess stomach acid production being stopped the chances of acid refluxing into the esophagus is less. Unfortunately, these drugs are known to contain certain adverse side effects. These side effects can make your heartburn medication or treatment unhelpful. The heartburn medication or treatment Propulsid has been taken off the market because it is known to have cardiac side effects. Another way of treating heartburn is via surgery. The objective of heartburn surgery is to strengthen the LES muscle. A successful surgery can greatly relieve and correct severe acid reflux and heartburn. This surgery is called the Laparoscopic Technique. In this technique the surgery is accomplished through tiny holes incised in the belly button and the upper abdomen. Recovery is quicker with this technique. Then you get the newer nonsurgical endoscopic heartburn medication or treatment. These are the EndoCinch and the NDO Plicator method. The EndoCinch is also referred to as the endoscopic fundoplication or endoluminal gastroplication technique. This involves the use of a sewing device that is attached to the end of the video endoscope. This instrument lets the endoscopist carefully place stitches in the stomach below the LES. Then a row of stitches produces a pleat in the upper part of your stomach. This reduces the pressure against the LES and also the acid reflux. General anesthesia is not used, there are no surgical incisions made, and recovery for the patient is quicker. In addition to the EndoCinch, The NDO Plicator is another suturing method. This method tightens the LES valve and reduces stomach acid reflux as well. Generally, these techniques are effective in reducing or eliminating heartburn treatment and in controlling heartburn symptoms. Check with your doctor to see if any of the mentioned heartburn medication or treatment methods will help you. Heartburn medications and treatments can greatly improve the quality of your life. Personally speaking, if I had not been prescribed with Pariet, my quality of life would be simply terrible. Therefore, always ask your doctor if you can try a sample pack prior to purchasing a full course. This can save you lots money as well as shortlist suitable treatments that are just right for you at minimal expense.About the author Dallas Kelso is the publisher of the Best Heartburn Cure information web site www.bestheartburncure.info and has also suffered from heartburn for many years.

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