Chocolate

Bad news for chocolate lovers: Chocolate seems to cause more reflux than any other food. It’s a triple whammy:

1. Chocolate contains caffeine and other stimulants such as theobromine, which cause reflux.
2. Chocolate is high in fat, and fat causes reflux.
3. Chocolate is also high in cocoa, and cocoa causes reflux.

Theoretically, dark chocolate isn’t as bad as high-fat milk chocolate, but let’s face it—all chocolate is bad for reflux.

Soda

Soda and other carbonated beverages are some of the main causes of acid reflux. The bubbles of carbonation expand inside the stomach, and the increased pressure contributes to reflux. Sodas with caffeine and those that are acidic (almost all) are even worse.

Fried food

Fried food is the single most recognized cause of reflux. It is also the food most often associated with heartburn, which is chest pain from esophageal reflux.

Alcohol

Beer, liquor, and wine are believed to contribute to reflux. Many alcoholic beverages are not very acidic. However, alcohol is believed to relax the valve at the bottom of the esophagus (where it joins the stomach), leading to reflux.

High-fat dairy products

All high-fat foods cause reflux. There is no reason to believe that one high-fat butter or cheese is better than another in this regard. If you have reflux and a serious cheese habit, something has to give.

High-fat meats

Acid reflux is caused by high-fat cuts of meat—beef, pork, lamb—which stay longer in the stomach and increase the chance of acid reflux.

Caffeine

One cup of coffee or espresso a day is fine, but people who drink coffee all day long are courting reflux—if they don’t have it already.

Do you suffer from psoriasis? Know what your triggers are.  Here is a list of some of the basic flare-up triggers.

• Cold and dry weather. Such weather can dry out your skin, which makes the chances of having a flare-up worse. In contrast, hot, sunny weather appears to help control the symptoms of psoriasis in most people.
• Stress. Having psoriasis can cause stress itself and patients often report that outbreaks of symptoms come during particularly stressful times.
• Some drugs. Certain drugs, such as lithium (a common treatment for bipolar disorder), drugs for malaria, and some beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and some heart arrhythmias) can cause flare-ups of psoriasis.
• Infections or disease. Certain infections, such as strep throat or tonsillitis, can result in guttate or other types of psoriasis. Psoriasis may worsen in people who have HIV.
• Trauma to the skin. In some people with psoriasis, trauma to the skin — including cuts, bruises, burns, bumps, vaccinations, tattoos, and other skin conditions — can cause a flare-up of psoriasis at the site of the injury. This condition is called “Koebner’s phenomenon.”
• Alcohol. Using alcohol may increase the chances of flare-ups, at least in men.
• Smoking. Some experts think that smoking can worsen psoriasis.

Once you’ve moved your toothbrush away from the toilet, here are a few other storage tips to keep your brush as germ-free as possible:

• Keep it rinsed. Wash off your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water every time you use it.
• Keep it dry. Bacteria love a moist environment. Make sure your brush has a chance to dry thoroughly between brushings. Avoid using toothbrush covers, which can create a moist enclosed breeding ground for bacteria.
• Keep it upright. Store your toothbrush upright in a holder, rather than lying it down.
• Keep it to yourself. No matter how close you are to your sister, brother, spouse, or roommate, don’t ever use their toothbrush. Don’t even store your toothbrush side-by-side in the same cup with other people’s brushes. Whenever toothbrushes touch, they can swap germs.

Ever want to know what type of sleeping patterns are good for what?  Check out this blog to find out if your sleeping position is right for you!

Back position

Good for: Preventing neck and back pain, reducing acid reflux, minimizing wrinkles, maintaining perky breasts
Bad for: Snoring

Side position

Good for: Preventing neck and back pain, reducing acid reflux, snoring less, sleeping during pregnancy
Bad for: Your skin and your breasts

Fetal position

Good for: Snoring less, sleeping during pregnancy
Bad for: Preventing neck and back pain, minimizing wrinkles, maintaining perky breasts

Stomach position

Good for: Easing snoring
Bad for: Avoiding neck and back pain, minimizing wrinkles, maintaining perky breasts

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder that occurs in reaction to gluten, a protein found in rye, barley, wheat, and hundreds of foods made with these grains. The body’s immune system reacts to the gluten and causes damage to the intestine. Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is fairly common. One in 133 Americans has the disorder and needs to follow a gluten-free diet.

Symptoms of celiac disease can vary from mild to severe. Some people have no symptoms, although they still are developing intestinal damage. Celiac disease is sometimes misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s Disease or gastric ulcers. Digestive symptoms may include:

• Abdominal bloating and pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Pale, foul-smelling stool

Many adults with celiac disease don’t have digestive symptoms at all. But the failure to absorb nutrients may lead to other problems, including weight loss and malnutrition. Signs and symptoms related to weight loss or malnutrition can include:

• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Osteoporosis
• Infertility or miscarriage
• Mouth ulcers
• Tingling, numbness in the hands and feet

For some people, celiac disease causes an itchy, blistering rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis. It may begin with an intense burning sensation around the elbows, knees, scalp, buttocks, and back. Clusters of red, itchy bumps form and then scab over. It often first occurs in the teenage years and is more common among men than women. The rash usually clears with a gluten-free diet but can be treated with medication.

Some people with celiac experience depression, irritability, poor memory, and trouble concentrating. The strain of having a chronic disease can contribute to problems with mood and memory, particularly when there is chronic pain or fatigue related to anemia.

Hormone-based birth control often comes with side effects that can range from slightly annoying to bad enough to make you switch. You may not know what you can tolerate until you’ve given a couple of them a try. But here are some solutions for the most common problems.

Headache, dizziness, breast tenderness

Nausea

• This reaction will probably go away in a couple of months. If it doesn’t and you’re using oral contraceptives, try taking them with food. If you’re using the ring or the patch, you might need to switch methods.

Breakthrough Bleeding

• Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about spotting.

Decreased Libido

• Try a different formulation if you experience this side effect.

Mood Swings

• If it’s really the birth control and not some other factor that’s bringing you down, you may need to find a nonhormonal method.

When making decisions about lowering your cholesterol and building a healthy heart you must include exercise into your schedule.  Here are some ways you can exercise, even without going to the gym!

Move It!

Even 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week (20 minutes three times a week for vigorous exercise, such as jogging) can help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol — although more exercise is even better. It also helps you maintain an ideal weight, reducing your chance of developing clogged arteries. You don’t have to exercise for 30 minutes straight — you can break it up into 10-minute increments.

Walk It Off

If you’re not used to exercising — or hate the thought of going to a gym — just go for a walk. It’s easy, healthy, and all you need is a good pair of shoes. Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise such as walking lowers risk of stroke and heart disease, helps you lose weight, and keeps bones strong. If you’re just starting out, try a 10-minute walk and gradually build up from there.

Work Out Without Going to the Gym

If exercise sounds like a dirty word to you, here’s some good news: You can boost your heart health by incorporating physical activity into your day. Any kind of cardiovascular activity counts — gardening, dancing, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Even housework can qualify as exercise — as long as you’re doing serious cleaning that gets your heart rate up and not just light dusting.