Juliet Cohen asked:


Angina pectoris is the result of myocardial ischemia caused by an imbalance between myocardial blood supply and oxygen demand. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis. This pain is known as angina. It is more likely to occur during exertion (e.g. walking, climbing stairs) when the heart muscle needs more blood and oxygen as it works harder. Angina usually occurs during exertion, severe emotional stress, or after a heavy meal. During these periods, the heart muscle demands more blood oxygen than the narrowed coronary arteries can deliver. Angina is common. It affects about 1 in 50 people and there are estimated to be 1.2 million people with angina in the UK. It is more common in men than women and the likelihood of it occurring increases with age. Angina also can occur in people with valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (this is an enlarged heart due to disease) or uncontrolled high blood pressure. Typical angina is uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest. Many types of chest discomfort aren’t related to angina. Acid reflux (heartburn) and lung infection or inflammation are examples.

Causes of Angina

The common Causes of Angina :

Heart failure

Narrowing of the aortic heart valve

Anaemia,

Abnormal heart rhythms

Fast, abnormal heart rhythms,

Diseases of the heart muscle.

Coronary artery spasm (also called Prinzmetal’s angina)

Symptoms of Angina

Some Symptoms of Angina :

Shortness of breath

Nausea

Feeling of moderate to severe indigestion that is persistent

Perspiration

Sharp, burning or cramping pain

Numbness or a loss of feeling in your arms, shoulders or wrists.

May also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back

Usually start in the chest behind the breastbone

Treatment of Angina

Eliminating or minimizing risk factors of coronary artery disease by treating high blood pressure, lowering high cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, exercise and weight loss if needed.

Drug therapy, including beta-blockers, nitrates (such as nitroglycerin), calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and anti-clotting drugs

Rest.

Angiography may be performed if symptoms do not improve to help determine if coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty is needed

Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) is a new technique for relieving severe angina or coronary artery disease in patients unable to have bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Lowering LDL cholesterol levels as much as possible using drugs .

Hospitalization if the symptoms get worse quickly.



Ellen

John Stidolph asked:


Heartburn is a painful syndrome featuring pain or burning in the chest and sometimes the neck. This is normally due to GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which digestive fluids rise through the esophagus into the throat, where the protective coating is insufficient to protect the tissues from the acids. This complaint is most common after meals, while lying down or sleeping. The pain can spread from the chest and neck into the arms, jaw and back.

One complicating factor is that heartburn symptoms can mask or duplicate symptoms of more serious issues, such as asthma or heart attacks. Err on the side of caution rather than suffer a heart attack without treatment. Being embarrassed for a false alarm or worrying about a bill for an unneeded hospital visit is preferable to dying. Additionally, there are drugs that can create heartburn symptoms. These can be either on their own, or in combination with other drugs. These include relatively common drugs such as aspirin, sedatives, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers used for high blood pressure, and less common drugs such as progestin hormones, bronchodilators, as well as others.

Heartburn symptoms typically occur within an hour of eating fatty or high protein foods. There are things that often increase the pain, such as bending forward, lying down or straining your back. There are also things that can often decrease the pain, such as standing or sitting upright, drinking water or taking appropriate medication.

Heartburn symptoms do vary. Some report a sour or bitter aftertaste after eating. Different combinations of stress and foods can produce different strengths and combinations of heartburn symptoms in different sufferers.

Heartburn symptoms are not unimportant. Even if they are not actually a heart attack or other serious medical problem, heartburn symptoms themselves reflect something wrong with the body. The stomach acids moving up the throat can damage that tissue, making swallowing difficult or painful. This can also lead to dehydration and bleeding with possible blood in vomit or bowel movements. Inability to eat sufficiently due to pain can lead to dangerous weight loss.

If over the counter treatments and normal means of dealing with heartburn symptoms such as a change in diet prove insufficient, and symptoms persist for three weeks or more, seek medical help.



Jennifer

Davion W asked:


Natural treatments for insomnia are winning over more insomnia sufferers as the public becomes better informed of the benefits of applying natural treatments. People have come to understand that it is not a good long term solution to depend on sleep medications. Even though insomnia could be due to many reasons, however for most people, natural treatments for insomnia could bring great relief to their sleeping woes.

First of all, we need to understand why it is not advisable to rely on commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medications such as sedative-hynoptics, tranquilizers and sedative antidepressants as a long term solution to insomnia. Some patients have complained about suffering from short-term effects like dizziness, blurred vision and abdominal problems. Others have reported longer-lasting effects such as impaired memory, drug addiction and in some cases, their insomnia worsened after regular intake of sleeping medications. While it is true that some of the symptoms can be stopped by stopping the medication, the impact it has caused to your health could be damaging.

Let us see what are some of the natural treatments for insomnia that could help you find back your beauty sleep.

1. Diet Changes as Natural Treatments For Insomnia

Eat two kinds of food – one high in trytophan, and the other kind of foods rich in carbohydrates. Food with high trytophan content helps to increase melatonin production which is responsible for sleep induction. Examples of such foods are eggs, nuts, fish and dairy products like cheese and milk are perfect.

High carbohydrate low protein foods are great in inducing sleep. Our body responds to such food intake by releasing more serotonin. Examples include pasta, breads, cereals, sugar, figs, chocolate, milk, ice cream, fruit tarts and honey.

Remember to eat in moderation. Too much of it daily would lead to other health problems like obesity, heart issues, high blood pressure, etc. Also, make sure you do not sleep with a full stomach as digestion normally takes longer so eat hours before you go to bed. You would not want to be awoken because of heartburn or intestinal rumblings.

2. Relaxation Tips as Natural Treatments For Insomnia

a. Toe wiggling

Toe wiggling is a simple exercise to put our body in a relaxed mode to prepare for sleep. Wiggle your toes while lying on your bed. Repeat that for at least 10 times. You would realize that your body feels less tensed.

b. Reading a Book

Read a book that does not invoke much stimulation and excitement. Depending on your interest, you might want to pick up a simple novel or a story book. The whole idea is to relax your mind and body. So please do yourself a favour by not reading science fiction or intriguing thrillers that arouse too much brain activity.

c. Listening to Soothing Music

Listening to soothing music for 30 minutes before bed would prepare your body to rest. But no heavy metal or rock unless you intend to stay awake till the next morning.

3. Herbal Cures as Natural Treatments For Insomnia

Some common herbal cures like chamomile, lavender, catnip, black cohosh and valerian are great natural treatments for insomnia. Most herbs can be brewed as drinking tea individually or mixed. They are perfect for calming our nerves.

Study more blog to learn more about effective natural treatments for insomnia. This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.



Patrick