Heartburn Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention on Rx. List. com. Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEMBenjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEMDr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Melissa Conrad St. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. Overview of Heartburn. The esophagus is a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It is made of. muscles that work to push food toward the stomach in rhythmic waves. Once in the. stomach, food is prevented from refluxing (moving back into the esophagus). LES). A pressure difference. The stomach combines food, acids, and enzymes. There are special protective cells that line the. The esophagus does not. Heartburn Causes. Heartburn is actually a symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and is caused by acid refluxing back. Over- the- counter medications also may precipitate heartburn. Examples of these irritants include. Bayer. etc.), buprofen (Motrin. Advil, Nuprin, etc.)Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)carbonated. Smoking and the consumption of high- fat content foods tend to affect function. LES), causing it to relax from the. A hiatal hernia where a portion of the stomach lies. LES works and is a risk factor for. Hiatal hernias by themselves cause no symptoms. It is only when the LES. Pregnancy can cause increased pressure. LES. function and predispose it to reflux. Obesity may also cause.
Primary diseases of the esophagus can also present with heartburn as a. These include, among others. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 4/2. Next: Heartburn Symptoms. Can I Get a Flat Stomach After a Hysterectomy? I have been told by friends that because I had a hysterectomy that I will not be able to obtain a flat stomach as they cut the muscles for this surgical procedure. Feasting on fiber-rich foods can push stomach-clogging materials out of the body. Fiber moves food through the gastrointestinal tract quickly for better digestion. The Alternative Daily shares alternative health news on stress, sleep, alternative diets with a newsletter and health eBooks. Is this true? Many people complain about weight gain after a hysterectomy, attributing it to the surgical procedure. Whether your stomach appears flabby after your hysterectomy may depend on the type of hysterectomy you needed and surgical technique used to perform it. The surgeon may have performed the hysterectomy entirely through the vagina, known as a Total Vaginal Hysterectomy or TVH. He may have made small incisions with the assistance of a laparoscope to remove the uterus and cervix. In this case, he may not have incised abdominal muscles that would leave a scar. If the hysterectomy was performed by cutting abdominal muscles to remove the uterus, he would have made an incision about eight inches long in the lower abdomen or stomach area. An abdominal hysterectomy would leave a scar that might make your stomach appear flabby and looking a little like a pouch. Hysterectomies can be a little difficult for women to cope with because they usually take place at the time a woman’s metabolism begins to slow down. This often happens in mid- life, when women may develop issues like cervical cancer or uterine fibroids that cause pain and other problems. It can be hard to completely flatten the stomach after a hysterectomy, but steps can still be taken to reduce the stomach’s annoying, flabby appearance. You might have water retention after the procedure, which can cause your stomach to appear bloated. Drinking more water keeps you hydrated. It reduces bloating in the stomach as well. Make sure your diet is balanced with an adequate amount of fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Modify the amount of food you eat, especially since the metabolism tends to slow down after a hysterectomy. Avoid gas- producing foods like baked beans, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts so as not to aggravate the bloating you may experience after the surgery. Eat more high fiber foods, but introduce them into your diet slowly. Oatmeal and wheat bread are excellent sources of fiber, but introducing them too quickly might cause problems like gas production. Adding them gradually into your diet allows your body to adapt to the fiber and begin digesting them as quickly as possible so that your stomach does not get bloated. In regards to exercise, Yoga and other abdominal exercises help to strengthen the core muscles and tighten up the stomach. Try using several different exercises to hit a range of areas in the midsection. Here are a few recommended ones to try out: For the traditional crunch, lay down on a mat, bend your knees and cross your arms in front of your chest. Slowly lift your shoulders towards the ceiling and crunch up using your abs. If crunches are not for you, schedule a daily walk to get some good cardio exercise in. A 4. 5- 6. 0 minute walk every day helps to tone up your lower body and burn calories. In addition, wearing a belly or compression wrap can help to get your stomach back to pre- hysterectomy shape. Girdles can help to reduce the appearance of flabbiness, as they contain lycra that provides extra abdominal support. A hysterectomy may make you seem overweight and flabby, but changes to your lifestyle can help to reduce body fat and flatten your stomach. The 3. 0 Best Ways to Get a Flat Stomach. Losing the fat around your midsection can be a battle. In addition to being a risk factor for several diseases, excess abdominal fat may make you feel bloated and discouraged. Luckily, several strategies have been shown to be especially effective at reducing your waist size. If you dream about having a flat stomach, this article may be just what you need. Here are 3. 0 science- backed methods to help you reach your goal of a flat stomach. Cut Calories, but Not Too Much. It is a well- known fact that you need to cut calories to produce weight loss. One popular approach is to reduce your daily intake by 5. That means you may have a lower metabolic rate than you had before you severely restricted your calorie intake (4, 6). Therefore, it is important that you don’t restrict your calorie intake too much or for too long. Bottom Line: Eating too few calories may slow your metabolic rate, even in the long term. Therefore, it is important not to restrict calories too much or for too long. Eat More Fiber, Especially Soluble Fiber. Soluble fibers absorb large quantities of water and slow down the passing of food through the digestive tract. This has been shown to delay stomach emptying, causing the stomach to expand and make you feel full (7, 8). Furthermore, soluble fiber may decrease the number of calories your body is able to absorb from food (9). By eating soluble fiber, you are also less likely to accumulate fat around your organs, which reduces your waist circumference and the risk of several diseases (1. One observational study showed that each 1. Good sources of soluble fibers include oats, flaxseeds, avocados, legumes, Brussels sprouts and blackberries. Bottom Line: Eating soluble fiber has been linked to a reduced risk of developing fat around your midsection. Take Probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that are suggested to play a big role in weight loss and weight maintenance (1. Overweight and obese people have been shown to have different compositions of gut bacteria than normal- weight people, which may influence weight gain and fat distribution (1. A regular intake of probiotics may shift the balance towards beneficial gut flora, reducing the risk of weight gain and fat accumulation in your abdominal cavity. Some strains of probiotics have been shown to be particularly effective at reducing belly fat. These include (1. Lactobacillus fermentum. Lactobacillus amylovorus. Lactobacillus gasseri. Probiotic foods include some types of yogurt, kefir, tempeh, kimchi and pickles. There are also a wide variety of probiotic supplements available. However, these supplements usually contain several strains of bacteria, so make sure to pick one that contains at least one of the strains mentioned above. Bottom Line: Probiotics may help build up beneficial gut flora. Some Lactobacillus strains have been shown to be particularly effective at reducing waist size. Do Some Cardio. Doing cardio, or aerobic exercise, is an excellent way to burn calories and improve overall health. Additionally, studies have shown that it is very effective at strengthening your midsection and reducing your waistline (2. Studies usually recommend doing 1. Drink Protein Shakes. Protein shakes are an easy way to add extra protein to your diet. Getting enough protein in your diet can boost your metabolism, reduce your appetite and assist with fat loss, especially from your midsection (2. Furthermore, studies have suggested that adding protein shakes to your weight loss diet may be especially effective at reducing your waist circumference (3. Bottom Line: Protein shakes are an easy way to add extra protein to your diet. Including them as part of a weight loss diet has been shown to be effective at reducing your waist size. Eat Foods Rich in Monounsaturated Fatty Acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids are liquid at room temperature and usually categorized among the “good fats.” Studies show that diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids may prevent the accumulation of tummy fat, the most dangerous type of fat (3. The Mediterranean diet is an example of a diet that is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, and it has been linked to many health benefits, including a reduced risk of central obesity (3. Foods high in monounsaturated fatty acids include olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. Bottom Line: Diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids may reduce the risk of central obesity. Limit Your Intake of Carbs, Especially Refined Carbs. Limiting your carb intake has been shown to have powerful health benefits, especially for weight loss (3. More specifically, studies show that low- carb diets target the fat that lodges around your organs and makes your waistline expand (4. Some studies also suggest that you can significantly improve your metabolic health and reduce your waistline by simply replacing refined carbs with unprocessed, whole food carbs (4. Observational studies have shown that people with the highest intakes of whole grains are 1. Bottom Line: Limiting your total carb intake, as well as simply replacing your refined carb intake with whole food carbs, may reduce your waist circumference and improve your health. Do Resistance Training. Losing muscle mass is a common side effect of dieting. This can be detrimental to your metabolic rate, as losing muscle decreases the number of calories you burn on a daily basis (4. Doing resistance exercises regularly may prevent this loss of muscle mass and, in turn, help you maintain or improve your metabolic rate (4. Moreover, resistance training may be especially effective at tightening your midsection and reducing your waist size (5. In fact, combining resistance training with aerobic exercise seems to be the most effective for slimming your waistline (5. Bottom Line: Resistance training may prevent the loss of muscle mass often seen with dieting, which may help maintain your metabolic rate and reduce your waist circumference. Do Exercises Standing Instead of Sitting. Performing exercises while standing up may benefit your health more than performing the same exercises while sitting or using weight machines. By standing, you activate more muscles to maintain balance and hold up your weight. Therefore, you’ll spend more energy working out (5. A study comparing the effects of standing and sitting exercises showed that some standing exercises increased muscle activation by 7. Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Diet. Apple cider vinegar is linked to several impressive health benefits, most of which are mainly attributed to its content of acetic acid. Several animal studies have suggested that acetic acid may reduce body fat accumulation (5. Although human studies are somewhat lacking in this area, one study in obese men showed that taking one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar each day for 1. Bottom Line: Apple cider vinegar is mainly made up of acetic acid, a compound that may reduce body fat accumulation. Walk at Least 3. 0 Minutes Each Day. A combination of diet and exercise is probably the most effective way to achieve weight loss and improve your overall health. Interestingly, studies have shown that you don’t need to exercise vigorously to reap health benefits. Regular, brisk walks have been shown to effectively reduce total body fat and the fat located around your midsection (6. In fact, walking briskly for 3. Avoid Liquid Calories. Sugary soda, fruit juices and energy drinks are generally loaded with sugar and liquid calories. It is also very easy to drink large quantities at a time, resulting in an abundance of empty calories. The thing with liquid calories is that your brain doesn’t register them like it registers solid calories. Therefore, you’ll end up consuming these calories on top of everything else that you eat or drink (6. One study showed that each daily serving of a sugar- sweetened beverage increased the risk of obesity by a whopping 6. These drinks are also generally loaded with fructose, which has been linked directly to belly fat gain (6. Bottom Line: Your brain doesn’t register liquid calories like it registers solid calories. Therefore, they’re added on top of everything else you eat and contribute to weight gain. Eat Whole, Single- Ingredient Foods. The single best dietary advice you can give someone is to base their diet around eating more whole, single- ingredient foods. Whole foods are loaded with nutrients, fiber, water, vitamins and minerals. This makes it very difficult to overconsume these foods, some of which even have their own benefits for preventing weight gain (7. Try to eat plenty of whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish and unprocessed meat. Bottom Line: Whole, single- ingredient foods are loaded with nutrients, and it’s hard to eat too much of them. Drink Water. There are at least three ways in which water may help you achieve a flat stomach. First, it may help with weight loss by temporarily increasing your metabolic rate. In fact, drinking water may increase your total energy expenditure by up to 1. Second, drinking water before meals can make you feel fuller, so you’ll ultimately eat fewer calories (7. Third, it may help relieve constipation and reduce belly bloating (7. Try drinking a large glass of water before each meal. It may help you achieve your goal. Bottom Line: Drinking water may increase your metabolic rate, make you feel fuller and help relieve constipation, all of which may help you achieve your goal of a flatter stomach. Practice Mindful Eating. Mindful eating is a technique that helps you recognize and cope with your emotions and physical sensations regarding food and hunger (8. It involves slowing down, eating without distraction, focusing on your physical hunger cues and eating only until you feel full (8. Most studies agree that mindful eating helps you lose weight by changing your eating behavior and reducing stress- related behavior, such as stress eating and binge eating (8. Also, it is more likely to help you keep the weight off in the long term, as it focuses on changing your behavior. What Foods Soothe the Gallbladder? Fresh fruit is soothing for irritated gallbladders. Your gallbladder, the plum- sized organ tucked next to your liver, is responsible for digesting fatty foods. When the gallbladder is inflamed and clogged with stones, a fatty meal can make it growl with nauseating pain and sometimes warrant a trip to the hospital. Certain foods can soothe the gallbladder and reduce the risk of attacks, while others can help prevent gallstone formation. The Gallbladder. Your gallbladder’s main role is to collect bile from your liver, concentrate it and then release it into your small intestine in response to fatty meals or snacks. Bile contains salt and emulsifiers that metabolize saturated and unsaturated fat into smaller fatty acids. Gallstones form in the gallbladder due mainly to dietary or hormonal imbalances, but also from liver and gallbladder disease. When stones get caught in the bile ducts leading to the intestine, this prevents the release of bile and triggers inflammation and diffuse pain. Stabbing and/or burning upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and belching are common symptoms of a gallbladder attack. Doctors associate the “4 Fs” with a higher risk of gallbladder problems: female, close to 4. Low- Fat Food. Since eating fatty food triggers the gallbladder to contract and secrete bile, it’s a good idea to eat low- fat food in order to prevent irritation. Some fat is essential for health because your body needs it to make cell walls and steroidal sex hormones, but most Americans can afford to cut back, especially to avoid a debilitating gallbladder attack. Switch to low- fat milk and dairy, trim fat and skin off your meats and poultry, avoid creamy sauces and heavily processed foods and cook with less butter or lard. Stalk up on lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as they are mostly soothing to an inflamed gallbladder, with the exception of cabbage, cauliflower and onions. Eating smaller portions and taking supplemental enzymes are also helpful. Fatty foods well- known to provoke gallbladder attacks include eggs, aged cheese, milk chocolate, nuts, cured meat such as pepperoni and almost anything fried. High- Fiber Food. Food high in fiber is also helpful for not further irritating an inflamed gallbladder and possibly even soothing one. Dietary fiber tends to bind to fat, which may help to reduce the stimulation and contraction of the gallbladder. Furthermore, soluble fiber attaches to cholesterol in the intestines and drags it out of the body, which may help reduce the risk of gallstone formation. Gallbladder- friendly examples of high- fiber, low- fat foods include carrots, beets, cucumber, oat bran, brown rice, peas, lentils, baked potatoes with the skin, dried figs, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, plums and bananas. Citrus Fruit. Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges have a cleansing affect on the liver and gallbladder and help to reduce the risk of gallstone formation in addition to contributing to dissolution of the stones. For prevention and possible treatment, fruit high in citric acid and vitamin C is certainly helpful. Furthermore, citrus fruit is essentially fat- free and high in fiber. On the other hand, these fruits, especially grapefruit, can stimulate the gallbladder if it’s clogged with too many stones and increase symptoms. In a sense, having a problematic gallbladder and eating citrus fruit is a risky, but high- reward venture. Consult your doctor is you have chronic gallbladder problems. References. Textbook of Functional Medicine; David S. Jones. Contemporary Nutrition: Functional Approach; Gordon M. Wardlaw et al. Human Metabolism: Functional Diversity and Integration; J. Ramsey Bronk. Human Biochemistry; Charles Dreiling. About the Author. Sirah Dubois is currently a Ph. D student in food science after having completed her master's degree in nutrition at the University of Alberta. She has worked in private practice as a dietitian in Edmonton, Canada and her nutrition- related articles have appeared in The Edmonton Journal newspaper. Photo Credits. Ablestock. Able. Stock. com/Getty Images.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2017
Categories |