Acid reflux or heartburn is one of the most common problems faced by adults. It happens when the muscles in the stomach relax when they shouldn’t causing the acid in the stomach to shoot back up into the esophagus. This results in a burning sensation behind the breastbone. If it happens on a regular basis, it is best to consult a doctor. Severe acid reflux needs to be treated or it can lead to extreme pain and even chest pain.
There are treatment options that are available to cure heartburn. However, a better solution is to make changes in lifestyle and food regime. There are effective natural remedies that are better and a safer means of severe acid reflux treatment.
Drink Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has a lot of health benefits. It has large amounts of vitamin C that can help with heartburn and pain. The pH content of lemon is also much high than vinegar. Thus, it is the more effective choice of the two. A minimum of 2 to 3 glasses will be effective in severe acid reflux treatment. There may be concern that the acid found in lemon juice may damage the enamel of the teeth. However, if it is consumed occasionally it will not have any adverse effects on the teeth.
Chew Gum
This is an unconventional but resourceful solution for acid reflux. Research has shown chewing gum for 30 minutes after a meal can cause relief to those experiencing heartburn. Chewing a gum stimulates excess secretion of saliva in the mouth. Thus, the acid builds up in the stomach is nullified and washed away.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has several medical benefits. One of its effects is the reduction of inflammation. When heartburn causes irritation and burning in the throat, one glass of diluted aloe vera juice will wash away the acid. Consuming aloe vera juice in small amounts is sufficient treatment for severe acid reflux.
Eat At Regular Times
It is important to have meals at the right times. If you skip a meal it will cause acidity that will certainly lead to acid reflux. The body generally conforms to a routine. Thus, have your meals at a regular time every day so your system is prepared for the intake and the proper digestion of food. Take smaller bites of food and chew properly.
Eat Healthy
There are foods that particularly cause heartburn. These include tomatoes, citrus foods, and spicy foods. Processed foods and sugars also have a similar effect. They increase chances of acid reflux and cause an imbalance in the stomach. Stick to healthy and fresh homemade meals. This should include loads of vegetables and fruits.
Don’t Lay Down After Meals
Ensure that you have your dinner at least 3 to 4 hours before hitting the bed. Acid reflux most often happens in the night time. When you lie down immediately after eating, the food will go back up due to the effects of gravity. Lying down also makes your press harder against you esophagus increasing the chance of acid reflux. Thus it is best to wait for a while or even walk around to prevent any acid reflux.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is the most effective solution to acid reflux. Apart from having several medicinal benefits it also counters heartburn. It is essentially a base and thus counters the effect of the acid. It is nontoxic and reduces the acid levels in the stomach. It is an effective and preferred ingredient for severe acid reflux treatment.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.