How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD
Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning sensation in the chest that is more common than a lot of individuals realize. Pregnant women, older men, and even young adults experience it frequently. Despite it being such a prevalent experience, not many know that heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with the stomach and the esophagus. Unsurprisingly enough, heartburn is also used interchangeably with GERD. But, before we get to deciphering heartburn and GERD, let’s understand what acid reflux is. What is acid reflux or GER? Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES becomes weak, allowing the contents of the stomach to travel in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. Acid reflux is also called GER or gastroesophageal reflux as it involves the stomach and esophagus. This condition can usually be resolved with over-the-counter medication. What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning or painful sensation that is experienced in the chest. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as strong as the lining of the stomach, the acid from the stomach can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This pain or burning sensation that is heartburn can often be misconstrued for a heart attack.

Foods that can aggravate asthma

Foods that can aggravate asthma
There are no specific guidelines related to food that can help cure asthma. However, there are changes that can be made to eating patterns and preferences that can help better manage the condition. Healthy food choices can help lower the frequency of asthma flare-ups. Well-balanced meals are, of course, a helping hand in this journey. But at the same time, it is equally important to be aware of foods that need to be avoided. Let’s have a look at some foods that trigger asthma and its symptoms. Soy The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has listed soy along with other common foods that cause intolerance or result in allergic reactions. If one has a known allergy to soy, it can also lead to a flare-up in asthma symptoms. It is, therefore, best to avoid soy. Dried fruits Dried fruits are packed with nutrients that help nourish the body. But, at the same time, they are also concentrated sources of sulfites. It is useful in the preservation of dried fruit but can prove to be an aggravator of symptoms for people with asthma. Beans Beans are often associated with foods that cause gastric discomfort and result in acid reflux, gas, and/or bloating.

6 warning signs of sleep deprivation

6 warning signs of sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation occurs when one gets less sleep than what their body needs. Health experts say adults require at least seven hours of sleep, while children might need about nine hours. The amount of sleep needed can also vary depending on pre-existing health conditions, activity levels, and other factors. When one does not sleep enough, it affects memory and blood pressure and causes tiredness and other symptoms in the long run. Gradual changes in sleep patterns Sleep pattern changes are often one of the first signs of sleep deprivation. These changes occur slowly over time. For instance, one may fall asleep when they do not intend to, such as while reading the newspaper or watching TV. Sometimes, one may sleep for long hours during the weekend or take multiple naps without intending to. This is quite normal once in a while or when recovering from illnesses like the flu. But, when these patterns occur repeatedly over time, it could mean one is not sleeping enough at night. Changes in energy levels and mood With sleep deprivation, the body does not get enough rest. A lack of rest can increase cortisol and other stress-related chemicals in the body. When that happens, one may consistently feel irritable, have sudden mood swings, and continuously have low motivation levels.

8 early warning signs of Crohn’s that shouldn’t be ignored

8 early warning signs of Crohn’s that shouldn’t be ignored
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes the digestive tract to become irritated and swollen. Patients experience several symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. While these symptoms may not always point toward Crohn’s disease, it is important not to ignore them but to consult a doctor for a timely diagnosis. Although the condition has no cure, one can manage its symptoms with treatment and care. Abdominal pain Pain and cramps in the abdomen are some of the most common tell-tale signs of Crohn’s disease. They occur as soon as the condition develops and persist through its advanced stages. The pain often appears as a dull ache in the lower right side of the abdomen, with cramps in the same region. Diarrhea Another common early warning sign of Crohn’s disease is diarrhea. Diarrhea must be addressed if it is chronic or occurs frequently because it can worsen the inflammation and irritation in the bowel. The increased inflammation and irritation may lead to a constant urge to move the bowels, causing the stool to be runny and loose. Bloating Crohn’s disease also causes bloating. Due to this, one may feel full even without eating a complete meal.

4 key things to consider when choosing a new garden fence

4  key things to consider when choosing a new garden fence
Having a fence around one’s property can serve multiple purposes, such as providing privacy, safety, and keeping away animals or keeping pets inside. Choosing the right fence that is compatible with the house can be a challenging task. Therefore, it is important to take some time to consider the various options available on the market before installing a fence. Moreover, there are several important factors to take into account when selecting a new garden fence. Legal responsibility and planning permission This is one of the most crucial aspects that must be considered before deciding on anything else regarding fence installation. If this issue is not sorted out initially, one may end up spending a lot of money and time in the building and installing the fence, only to cancel everything later on.  Therefore, it is important to understand who would be responsible for replacing or repairing a fence if it is a shared entity between two neighbors. This can be found out through property deeds that provide details regarding which boundaries are the legal responsibility of which neighbor. In addition, it is a good idea to have a discussion with one’s neighbors before starting the work. Also, one needs to figure out whether planning permission is required for the new fence.

Foods to avoid when managing ulcerative colitis

Foods to avoid when managing ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the colon and the rectum. Some common symptoms include sores in the colon, abdominal pain, blood or pus in the stool, diarrhea, nausea, rectal bleeding, and fatigue. The condition could result from various factors such as dysregulated immune responses, genetic predisposition, microbial dysbiosis, epithelial barrier defects, and environmental factors. Common foods that can trigger UC flares are: Foods rich in insoluble fibers People with UC generally find it difficult to digest foods that contain a lot of insoluble fibers. This includes whole grains like wheat, brown rice, quinoa, oats, barley, and millets, and nuts and seeds like walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, flaxseeds, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Other foods rich in fiber are legumes such as beans, lentils, and peas. During a flare-up, raw fruits and vegetables may also worsen symptoms among people with UC. Dairy products Lactose intolerance is a common problem among people with UC. Lactose is a sugar found in most dairy products, such as milk, butter, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream, among others. Sugar Sugary foods such as candies and sweetened beverages also worsen UC symptoms. Consuming too much sugar regularly can make one more susceptible to flares, even during periods of remission.

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10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

Laptops combine the power of desktops with the portability of smartphones, making them suitable for several tasks. But this is also why they tend to be pricey. Unsurprisingly, many wait for sales like Black Friday to buy the model of their choice. Below are ten types of laptops and the Black Friday 2023 deals one can expect on them in the coming months. The discounts listed are based on last year’s sale and current prices. 1. Dual-screen laptops Unlike older dual-screen models, newer ones are much more efficient and non-gimmicky. They have secondary displays with anti-glare capability that perfectly complement the primary screen. A great option is the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo UX581. It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display, a cutting-edge Intel Core i7-9750H Quad Core Processor, and a 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen for seamless scrolling and usability. Last year, Amazon sold specific variants of the Zenbook Pro Duo for a discount of 15% in the run-up to Black Friday. 2. Gaming laptops Gamers need laptops that are responsive, less prone to overheating, and armed with high-end graphics cards. In short, they seek devices that will not leave them high and dry in the middle of a high-octane, graphics-heavy game by being laggy and annoying. Thankfully, several gaming laptops tick these boxes, an example being Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3. The device has incredible features, such as the latest AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors, GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs, and Rapid Charge technology to boost battery by 40% in just 15 minutes. Amazon reduced the price of specific IdeaPad Gaming 3 models by $300 last Black Friday, so gamers can hope for similar savings in 2023. 3. Chromebooks Those who prefer the ultra-reliable Chrome OS can check out Acer’s Chromebook 315. It has a powerful Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor, a full HD IPS touchscreen, and over 12 hours of battery life!
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Top 10 TV deals to Expect for Black Friday 2023

Top 10 TV deals to Expect for Black Friday 2023

Black Friday is one of the most exciting days of the year for shoppers. It is a retail holiday where everything is discounted, including kitchen appliances, gadgets, and even TVs. However, if one fails to arrive on time, one may find that the most popular items are already out of stock. To help shoppers have a successful Black Friday shopping experience, here are some television deals that one can expect. Top 10 Black Friday TV deals to look out for TVs, irrespective of their appeal, can come in different sizes. While some can cover most of one’s wall, others can be as small as 24 inches. But that doesn’t mean they do not function effectively. Therefore, here are some of the best TV deals one can expect on Black Friday across different categories, sizes, and brands. LG TV deals Although there are numerous brands in the market, LG is one of the most popular when it comes to TVs. This brand offers a range of televisions in various sizes, display specifications, and features. These include OLED 4K, QLED, and more. Those interested can visit popular electronics retailer Best Buy to purchase their preferred LG TV model at discounted rates on Black Friday. 1. One may find 75-inch 4K display models for a price as low as $569.99. 2. Shoppers can opt for Amazon, where one can buy LG 65-inch OLED display models and save $500 or more on the purchase price. TCL TV deals Many people across the country and the globe choose TCL TV models. The recent smart models come with Google OS and provide various user-friendly features. Additionally, thanks to the increasing demand for TVs that support gaming, the company has brought out additional features like VRR support and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. But, these irresistible features can make the products quite expensive.
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