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7 Ways To Stop Heartburn Without Antacids

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Heartburn is miserable. It can make you feel bloated, nauseous, and as if your whole chest is on fire. 

All that fiery pain is probably why most people assume heartburn is caused by too much stomach acid. Guess what? It's actually most often caused by too little stomach acid, combined with problem foods and poor gut health. 

Here are seven practical, natural ways you can stop heartburn without reaching for over-the-counter acid blockers. (That's crucial, since acid-reducing medications have been linked to serious immune issues, osteoporosis, and premature death.)

Limit offending foods.

Some foods can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach acid to seep back into the esophagus. These offending foods include tomatoes, citrus, chocolate, coffee, and tea. Try removing them for a period of time so you can feel better again—and follow this elimination
diet
to start. 

Shed excess pounds.

In addition to its other problems, being overweight greatly increases your risk of developing symptoms of reflux. Swap heartburn for fat loss by eating a combination of lean protein, healthy fats, plenty of non-starchy veggies, and slow-low carbs. Having a protein shake for breakfast is my number one needle mover for fast, lasting weight loss. That's important when you need to drop excess pounds and your risk of heartburn along with them. 

Lower your sugar-impact.

Multiple studies prove that lowering your sugar impact can improve acid reflux disease (follow these 19 ways to give up sugar to start). In fact, research shows that eating high-sugar carbohydrates might worsen reflux even more than dietary fat or coffee, and that a diet low in carbs relieves symptoms. Include some low-sugar impact carbs on your plate, like beans, squash, and berries. 

Drop the gluten.

It's estimated that about 30% of the population has some form of gluten sensitivity, and that triggers many of the same symptoms of reflux. In fact, in one study, subjects who eliminated gluten noticed a "rapid and persistent improvement in reflux symptoms." That's why it's key to uncover your food intolerances and eliminate foods like gluten that are most likely to cause stubborn weight gain and uncomfortable symptoms like acid reflux. 

Take smart supplements.

Most of us make fewer digestive enzymes and stomach acid as we age, which means we can't break down proteins as well. The result? Acid reflux and other digestive issues. Taking a high-quality digestive enzymes supplement with meals can improve protein breakdown and help combat symptoms like gas, bloating, and heartburn. 

Address your stress.

You're probably already well aware that stress and anxiety can lead to acid reflux and other gut issues. Research proves it, as subjects who are exposed to prolonged stress have significantly increased pulse rates, blood pressure, and reflux symptoms (in addition to many other scary effects). So make relaxation a top priority! Take your bike for a spin, have a picnic lunch in the park, or read a book that you love.  

Get high-quality sleep.

One study showed a downward spiral: a bad night's sleep worsened symptoms of reflux the following day, which in turn led to a further decline in sleep quality. To prepare yourself for a solid night's sleep, power down your electronics about an hour before bed, relax in a warm bath with Epsom salts, or drink a cup of naturally soothing chamomile tea. 

Read original the original article from Prevention.com 

***APS Pharmacy makes no claims about efficacy and recommends that you ask your physician for guidance.***



Estrogen patch may boost women's sex drive during menopause

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Women in early menopause who feel their sex drive or function is lagging may want to consider help from an estrogen "patch," new research suggests.

In the new study, "we show that [supplemental] estrogens can also be
beneficial for sexual function," said study lead author Dr. Hugh Taylor of
Yale School of Medicine.

His group published the findings Aug. 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The study addresses a key -- but often unreported -- effect of menopause, one
expert said.

"One of the chief complaints of menopause is changes in sexual function," said
Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New
York City. "Many women are very fearful of these changes and what it will
mean for their relationships. Many women also think the decreases in arousal,
desire, lubrication and orgasm are inevitable."

For the study, Taylor's team tracked changes in sexual function for a group of 670 women who entered menopause within the past three years.

The women ranged in age from 42 to 58 and were treated with either supplemental estrogen by pill, estrogen delivered via skin patch, or a "dummy"
placebo.

The study participants also completed questionnaires about their sexual function, including any issues with desire, satisfaction and pain. Women who scored below a certain threshold were classified as having low sexual function, the researchers said.

Overall, the women who received estrogen therapy through their skin experienced moderate improvements in their sexual function over four years of treatment compared to women in the placebo group, the findings showed.

And the study authors said that the method of estrogen delivery mattered. While
women on the estrogen patch seemed to benefit, those who received estrogen via a pill fared no better than the women who received the placebo.

Specifically, women who used the patch had less dryness and sex-related pain than the women in the placebo group, the researchers found.

And when compared with the placebo group, the proportion of women with low sexual function was also lower following patch estrogen therapy, Taylor's group said.  Again, however, that benefit wasn't seen when estrogen was delivered in pill form.

The investigators noted that their findings are limited because most of the women involved in the study were white women with more education than the general population.

According to Taylor, the study highlights that supplemental estrogen isn't a
"one-size-fits-all" strategy.

"The estrogen mode of delivery can be personalized to the predominant symptom in an individual," explained Taylor, who heads the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale.

So,"while topical [patch] estrogens may be best for sexual function, oral
estrogens may be best for improving mood. They are not all the same," he
added.

And while prior studies have suggested that long-term estrogen-replacement
therapies might have risks -- raising a woman's odds for breast cancer or
stroke -- Taylor believes there's still a place for shorter-term treatments.

"In general, estrogens have significant benefit and are low risk in women in the
first several years after menopause," he said.

For her part, Wu said the new findings are just one more factor older women and
their physicians can consider when talking over the pros and cons of
supplemental estrogen.

Will an estrogen patch work for every woman in this situation?

Dr. Jill Rabin helps direct Women's Health Programs at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y.  She noted that the Yale study population was somewhat limited.

"Since the population studied were predominantly white women with a higher educational background than the general population, this study's generalizability is restricted," she said.

More information

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has more about menopausal hormone therapy or read the original article here.

***APS Pharmacy makes no claims about efficacy and recommends that you ask your physician for guidance.***


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