7 ways to calm your upset stomach

Maybe you've just eaten, or finished a meal an hour or so ago — and now our stomach just doesn't "feel right." You feel bloated and uncomfortable. Or maybe it's more of a burning sensation. Maybe you feel queasy, or even throw up. You might say you have an "upset stomach" or indigestion. If there is no known medical cause for your symptoms, your doctor would call it "dyspepsia" or "bad digestion."

Indigestion is real. The medical term for persistent upper abdominal pain or discomfort without an identifiable medical cause is functional dyspepsia. Eating often triggers symptoms of functional dyspepsia. Sometimes the discomfort begins during the meal, other times about half an hour later. It tends to come and go in spurts over a period of about three months. One of the annoying things about functional dyspepsia is that a medical workup often finds no physical or anatomical cause for it.

If you suffer from functional dyspepsia, you're not alone. Roughly 25% of the population is affected, and it hits men and women equally. It's responsible for a significant percentage of visits to primary care doctors; in part because many people worry they might have an ulcer. It's a reasonable concern, given that 10% of Americans develop a peptic ulcer at some time in their lives. While it's frustrating that the cause of functional dyspepsia is unknown, it's even more frustrating that there is no surefire cure.

The good news is that there are simple things you can try to help get some relief.

1. Avoid foods that trigger your symptoms.
2. Eat small portions and don’t overeat; try eating smaller, more frequent meals and be sure to chew food slowly and completely.
3. Avoid activities that result in swallowing excess air, such as smoking, eating quickly, chewing gum, and drinking carbonated beverages.
4. Reduce your stress. Try relaxation therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy, or exercise. An aerobic workout 3-5 times per week can help, but don’t exercise right after eating.
5. Get enough rest.
6. Don’t lie down within two hours of eating.
7. Keep your weight under control.

For more on diagnosing and treating indigestion, buy The Sensitive Gut by Harvard Medical School.

Putting the kibosh on belching

Constant burping can be annoying...and embarrassing! But there are some simple steps that can help you squelch belching. The key is to reduce the amount of air you swallow.

Start by looking at some simple habits. Two of the biggest culprits behind swallowing too much air are chewing gum and smoking. Drop these habits and you'll be gulping less air—and quitting smoking has even more important health benefits! If you wear dentures, make sure they fit snugly. And avoid "high air" foods and beverages like carbonated beverages and whipped desserts. After eating, consider taking a stroll rather than plunking down in front of the TV. Staying upright and moving helps your stomach empty and relieves bloated feelings. When it's time to go to bed, try sleeping on your stomach or right side to aid in the escape of gas and alleviate fullness.

Some people swear by eating brown rice or barley broth regularly. Papaya and pineapple are also said to help. Whatever you eat, chew foods slowly, avoid washing meals down with liquids, and try to eat smaller servings. If you find that you're swallowing a lot of air often, talk with your doctor. Sometimes this problem (aerophagia) can be related to stress or anxiety and treating these underlying issues may help calm your digestive tract.

For more information and advice on ways to control discomfort in your digestive system, buy The Sensitive Gut from Harvard Medical School.

[menow] Resourcefu​l and Informativ​e Websites with lots of tools and documents to download and knowledge to share

Resourceful and Informative Websites with lots of tools and documents to download and knowledge to share

This website is just enough for any documentation and knowledge – filled with awesome information and downloads

http://www.psychologytools.org/

For Behavior modification etc., - http://behavioradvisor.com/oldindex.html

For CBT – www.getselfhelp.co.uk

Lots of ideas and interventions - http://www.interventioncentral.org/index.php

For teachers and school psychologists –

http://www.schools.utah.gov/sars/DOCS/resources/lrbi07-09.aspx

http://www.jimwrightonline.com/mixed_files/montauk/wright_Montauk_CSD_Tchr_First_Responder_full.pdf

Psychological Groups with Resources @ FB

A Psychotherapy Book Club where you can download good psychology books

https://www.facebook.com/groups/246045292180862/

A psychiatry discussion forum where intense discussion takes place on cases by psychiatrists and psychologists

https://www.facebook.com/groups/355768231129167/

An informative forum where jobs, seminars, conferences, workshops in INDIA and around the world are posted

https://www.facebook.com/groups/promoteurpsychology/

A discussion forum where psychological cases relating to adolescents and adults are discussed

https://www.facebook.com/groups/beinghappy/

A page for free and paid webinars happening around the world

https://www.facebook.com/psychology.webinars

Fusing good taste and good nutrition

Fusing good taste and good nutrition

Every spring, Harvard Medical School's Department of Continuing Education, The Osher Institute at Harvard Medical School, and The Culinary Institute of America present a special event called "Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives."

This four-day conference brings together doctors, dietitians, and health care professionals for an experience that combines the latest nutrition research with healthy cooking demonstrations and hands-on workshops.

Here are some practical tips for nutritious and delicious home-cooking from a recent Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives.

Make plants the main attraction

A substantial amount of research shows that people who eat a plant-based diet — mainly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes — live longer and enjoy better health than people whose diets consist mainly of animal-based foods like meat.

Many cultures developed their cuisines around plant foods out of necessity. Traditionally, animal protein was expensive, so limited quantities were available. Mediterranean, Latin American, and Asian cultures are known for pairing healthy plant foods with lean protein (fish, chicken) and monounsaturated fat (olive oils, nuts).

These diets can have substantial health benefits. For example, a Mediterranean-style diet has been found responsible for:

• longer life expectancy
• reduced heart disease
• relief from rheumatoid arthritis
• lower rates of Parkinson's disease
• lower rates of Alzheimer's disease

Here are three tips to get creative with your plant-based meals:

1. Follow the motto "If it grows together, it goes together." For example, try the Spanish sauce called romesco over grilled vegetables. It's made from roasted red peppers, olive oil, and nuts.
2. Make olive oil really shine by matching a bold olive oil, such as a Tuscan varietal, with other bold flavors, such as rosemary and pine nuts.
3. Complement a milder olive oil, such as a French varietal, with subtly flavored foods.

Eat locally

Locally grown foods may be fresher and have higher nutrient content. Since they spend less time being shipped and handled, they may look and taste better.

Spice it up

Despite the lack of research on their health benefits, spices, herbs, and aromatics (any plant, herb, or spice that adds lively scent to a beverage or food) make other plant foods mouth-watering treats. And they are definitely a healthier option than piling on the salt. Unlike salt, spices have not been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke.

Here are four ways to ensure the quality and flavor of your spices:

1. Buy them in small quantities and in their whole form to ensure freshness.
2. Store them in a cool, dry space.
3. Grind them right before use.
4. Toast them dry in a hot skillet or stir-fry them in oil over medium-high heat (both for just 10-20 seconds).

Get excited about whole grains

Rich in fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium, whole grains (such as whole-wheat bread or pasta, or brown rice) are far better nutritionally than refined grains (such as white bread or white rice). And they make you feel fuller longer. Because the starch inside of them is absorbed more slowly, they're less likely than refined grains to quickly be stored as fat. Regular consumption of whole grains also reduces the risk of:

• diabetes
• cancer
• heart disease
• stroke
• diet-related depression (usually associated with very low-carbohydrate diets)

Here are five ways to incorporate different types of whole grains into your diet:

1. Use whole-grain bread, pasta, and brown or wild rice.
2. Try grains from around the world such as teff, spelt, farro, kamut, and amaranth.
3. Blend whole grains with colorful vegetables, spices, and olive oil.
4. Eat whole-grain cold or hot cereals, adding fruit, low-fat milk, or nuts.
5. Season whole grains with sweet spices like nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and masala spice.

Go a little nuts

In a large trial of men and women, eating nuts five times a week or more lowered diabetes risk by 27%. In another large study, women who ate nuts just about every day lowered their risk of heart disease by 32%.

However, since a one-ounce portion of nuts can pack 160 calories or more, eat them in moderation to help prevent weight gain. Two tasty suggestions: toasted pine nuts sprinkled over whole-grain pasta, or almonds on cereal.

Following the above advice will not only make your meals nutritious, but will also allow you to enjoy some of the most delicious food you've ever eaten.

ACIDITY

Acidity

Our stomach produces acid to digest the food that we eat. This is a regular and natural process. Whenever we eat, cells within the lining of the stomach pump acid to liquefy your sumptuous dinner, from mash potatoes to a slab of steak.

Problem occurs when these cells produce large amount of acid, more than your stomach needs. When this happens, you will suffer from stomach acidity. You would know if you were suffering from stomach acidity if you feel a burning sensation just above the stomach, or right below (the hollow part) your breastbone. This is the most classic sign of acidity.

Symptoms:

Respiratory problems.

inadequate weight.

vomiting.

coughing.

turning down food.

heartburn, chest and stomach pain, gas formation in stomach.

Root Causes

A weakness of the valve between the stomach and oesophagus (food pipe) can cause a reflux of the acid from the stomach to the lower part of the oesophagus. This gastro-oesophageal reflux can cause heart-burn.
Sometimes, a heavy meal or increase in intra-abdominal pressure such as while straining or lifting weights, can bring about this reflux.
Excess acid secretion can also cause acidity and ulcers, when the normal protective lining of the stomach and duodenum (the part of the intestine that joins the stomach), is damaged. The resulting ulcer is called gastric ulcer if it is in the stomach and duodenal ulcer if it is in the duodenum.
In a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, a large amount of acid is secreted because of stimulation by tumours located in the pancreas or duodenum.
Any kind of break down in the defense mechanisms that protect the stomach and intestine from damage by acid can cause acidity.
The body secretes bicarbonate into the mucous layer, which neutralises the acid. Hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins, help to keep the blood vessels in the stomach dilated, ensuring adequate blood flow.
Lack of adequate blood flow to the stomach may contribute to ulcers.
Prostaglandins are also believed to stimulate bicarbonate and mucous production, which help protect the stomach.
Consumption of alcohol, highly spicy foodstuffs, irregular food habits, and Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) also predispose to gastric acidity.
There is a higher incidence of acidity in highly emotional and nervous individuals. It is also more common in the developed and industrialized nations, though a recent increase in incidence has also occurred in the developing countries.
Healing Options

Herbs 
Yastimadhu (Glycyzrrhiza glabra)
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica)
Lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum - Clove)
Black pepper (Piper nigrum)

Ayurvedic Supplements
Ayucid 
Avipatrikar Churna 
Lavanbhaskar Churna 
Amla Capsule 

Diet & Lifestyle 

Avoid foods that are rich in oils and fats. These foods are difficult to digest, so they may make the stomach release more acids.

The diet should contain a proper blend of all the tastes. Spicy food must be just one dish rather than the whole meal.

Fibers are necessary in the diet as they help in the digestion.

After a meal, the body must be given some sort of exercise. This could be as simple as going for a stroll.

Too much addiction to strong foods such as tea and coffee may cause hyperacidity. This is also true for other addictions such as smoking and alcohol.

Do not consume sour foods as they already have acidic contents. Acidic foods to avoid are pickles, curds, tamarinds, vinegar, etc.

Avoid alcohol.

Maintain upright position during and at least 45 mins after eating.

Try elevating the head of bed 6 - 8 inches when lying down. 

Yoga 
Peacock (Mayurasan)
Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasan)

TIP for healing burns fast and giving fast soothing too......t​ry when u need to and write back ur expirience​..

Alok adds: Normally on burns I used to apply Ice and if Ice was not available then used to pour water or keep under tap water and it used to heal faster and better then applying any cream etc .. But this new info has come. sharing with you without having tried. If u try then let me know your expirience.....


Keep a bag of flour in your fridge
Impressive! Why did we never hear of this before??!! I've always just
run it under the cold water tap.A woman's experience with burns . . .
Some time ago I was cooking some corn and stuck my fork in the boilingwater to see if the corn was ready. I missed and my hand went into theboiling water....

A friend of mine, who was a Vietnam vet, came into
the house, just as I was screaming, and asked me if I had some plainold flour... I pulled out a bag and he stuck my hand in it. He toldme to keep my hand in the flour for 10 minutes which I did. He saidthat in Vietnam, there was a guy on fire and in their panic, theythrew a bag of flour all over him to put the fire out...Well, it notonly put the fire out, but he never even had a blister!!!!
... Long story short, I put my hand in the bag of flour for 10 mins,pulled it out and did not even have a red mark or a blister andabsolutely NO PAIN. Now, I keep a bag of flour in the fridge andevery time I burn myself. *Cold flour feels even better than roomtemperature flour.
I use the flour and have never ONCE had I ever had even a red
spot/burn mark, or a blister! I even burnt my tongue once, put theflour on it for about 10 minutes .... the pain was gone and no burn.
Try it . . . Experience a miracle! Keep a bag of flour in your fridgeand you will be happy you did!
BTW, don't run your burn area under cold water first, just put it directly into the flour for 10 minutes.        

Benefits of Walking

Benefits of Walking
The human body is made to walk.
Our bodies function better when we walk. We are healthier in many ways
when we walk.
Walking 30 minutes a day cuts the rate of people becoming diabetic by
more than half and it cuts the risk of people over 60 becoming
diabetic by almost 70 percent.
Walking cuts the risk of stroke by more than 25 percent.
Walking reduces hypertension. The body has over 100,000 miles of blood
vessels. Those blood vessels are more supple and healthier when we
walk.
Walking cuts the risk of cancer as well as diabetes and stroke.
Women who walk have a 20 percent lower likelihood of getting breast
cancer and a 31 percent lower risk of getting colon cancer.
Women with breast cancer who walk regularly can reduce their
recurrence rate and their mortality rate by over 50 percent.
The human body works better when we walk. The body resists diseases
better when we walk, and the body heals faster when we walk.
We don't have to walk a lot. Thirty minutes a day has a huge impact on
our health.
Men who walk thirty minutes a day have a significantly lower level of
prostate cancer. Men who walk regularly have a 60 percent lower risk
of colon cancer.
For men with prostate cancer, studies have shown that walkers have a
46 percent lower mortality rate.
Walking also helps prevent depression, and people who walk regularly
are more likely to see improvements in their depression. In one study,
people who walked and took medication scored twice as well in 30 days
as the women who only took the medication. Another study showed that
depressed people who walked regularly had a significantly higher level
of not being depressed in a year compared to depressed people who did
not walk. The body generates endorphins when we walk. Endorphins help
us feel good.
Walking strengthens the heart. Walking strengthens bones. Walking
improves the circulatory system.
Walking generates positive neurochemicals. Healthy eating is important
but dieting can trigger negative neurochemicals and can be hard to do.
Walking generates positive neurochemicals. People look forward to
walking and enjoy walking.
And research shows that fit beats fat for many people. Walking half an
hour a day has health benefits that exceed the benefits of losing 20
pounds.
When we walk every day, our bodies are healthier and stronger. A
single 30 minute walk can reduce blood pressure by five points for
over 20 hours.
Walking reduces the risk of blood clots in your legs.
People who walk regularly have much lower risk of deep vein thrombosis.
People who walk are less likely to catch colds, and when people get
colds, walkers have a 46 percent shorter symptom time from their
colds.
Walking improves the health of our blood, as well. Walking is a good
boost of high density cholesterol and people with high levels of HDL
are less likely to have heart attacks and stroke.
Walking speeds up metabolism and burns calories. Walkers often find
that eating habits change and weight loss results from those eating
changes.
Walking significantly diminishes the risk of hip fracture and the need
for gallstone surgery is 20 to 31 percent lower for walkers.
Walking is the right thing to do.
The body needs to walk.
We don't need to walk a lot 30 minutes a day makes the body work better.
The best news is that the 30 minutes doesn't have to be done in one
lump of time. Two 15 minute walks achieve the same goals. Three 10
minute walks achieve most of those goals.
We can walk 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night and
achieve our walking goals.
Walking feels good. It helps the body heal. It keeps the body healthy.
It improves our biological health, our physical health, our
psychosocial health, and helps with our emotional health. Walking can
literally add years entire years to your life.
Its good to walk.
Be good to yourself.
Be good to your body.
If you can where you can walk.
Everybody Walk. Be well.
ALL ACUPRESSURE POINTS R IN THE SOLE OF UR FEET ...... JUST
LIKE UR HANDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep Walking.

Is it angina or gas ?

Aashish Contractor ✆ via yahoogroups.com	Aug 24 (2 days ago)
to AsianHeartInst.

 

Mr. Parikh wrote about people not seeking immediate medical attention, when faced with chest discomfort. They often confuse it with gas or muscle pain. I had written an article on the subject, and am sharing it here, since the topic has copy up.

 

Chest Pain: is it Angina or Gas

Mr. Vasant Mehta was sitting at home after a heavy dinner and watching TV when he got some discomfort in the chest region.  It persisted for a little while and then became less after he belched.  But the pain came back after 15 minutes and it was more severe; his wife was worried and insisted on going to the hospital. At the hospital his ECG showed that he had a massive heart attack and was given life saving drugs in time.
The story of Mr. Mehta is very common across the world where chest pain is often thought to be due to ‘gas’ and is ignored, often with fatal consequences.  So how does one know when chest pain is due to the ‘heart’?
What is Angina:

Angina is a pain or discomfort in the chest or adjacent areas caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle. This chest pain is relieved by rest or medication within a short period of time (usually 15 minutes). Chest pain of a longer duration or pain appearing with a lower level of effort than before, even at rest, should be considered unstable angina.

Signs and Symptoms

• Squeezing pressure, heaviness, or mild ache in the chest (usually behind the breastbone) which is not clearly localized.  It usually lasts 1 to 15 minutes. 

However this is known as the ‘classical presentation’ and each person may have different symptoms.  Other methods of presentation may be:

• Aching in a tooth with or without squeezing pressure or heaviness in the chest
• Aching into the neck muscles or jaw
• Aching into one or both arms
• Aching into the back
• A feeling of gas in the upper abdomen and lower chest
• A feeling that you're choking or shortness of breath
• Paleness and sweating

Chest pain or heaviness that is not relieved by more than 1 nitroglycerin tablet taken 5 minutes apart, and that lasts longer than 15 minutes may represent mean unstable angina or even a heart attack.

Episodes of angina are usually associated with:

• Anger or excitement
• Emotional shock
• Exertion or physical work, especially if it strains the muscles of the chest or arms
• Walking rapidly uphill
• Waking up at night with discomfort due to decreased blood flow to the heart

In all of these situations, there is relief from the distress when the activity is stopped. Moderate daytime activity helps relieve nighttime angina, though.

What is the difference between angina and a heart attack?

The difference between angina and a heart attack is that a heart attack results in a damaged or injured heart muscle. Angina does not. Rather, anginal pain is a warning sign of a potential heart attack. The pain indicates that the heart muscle isn't getting enough blood.
It is hard, sometimes, to tell the difference between angina and a heart attack. A person may have to be given tests and be observed for a day in the hospital or emergency room to tell the difference.

Why does angina happen?
The most common cause is coronary artery disease , or what we commonly call ‘heart disease’. Blockages in the coronary arteries, called plaques, prevent an adequate amount of blood from reaching the heart muscle. Situations that require increased blood flow to the heart may cause angina in people with CAD. These include exercise, heavy meals, and stress.

Other  Possible causes of Chest pain:

The following medical conditions are some of the common causes of Chest pain, besides angina. There are several other possible causes, so it is important to ask your doctor about your symptoms.  Usually pain related

• Anxiety or panic attack
• Stress
• Gas
• Heartburn
• Stomach acid regurgitation
• Coronary artery spasm (also called Prinzmetal's angina)

• Pneumonia
• Chest muscle disorders or bone disorders (also injuries to the chest wall):

• Peptic ulcer

• Hiatus hernia
• Lung disease
• Chest infection
• Gallbladder disease
• Arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)

• Heart valve disorder
• Cervical spinal disorder

Treatment and Care
Seek emergency care for any chest pain which is suspicious for angina. Contact your physician or a cardiologist, who should insist on close follow-up, appropriate studies to diagnose your condition, and therapy to treat it. The keystones to treatment are:

• Medications such as:
• Nitroglycerin or sorbitrate (or other medication to temporarily dilate or widen the coronary arteries), which eases blood flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin takes effect within a minute or two.
• Medicine(s) to control high blood pressure
• Low-dose daily aspirin
• Daily physical exercise for endurance. Exercise must be maintained below the onset of any discomfort.
• Don't smoke. Nicotine in cigarettes constricts the arteries and prevents proper blood flow.
• Avoid large, heavy meals. Instead, eat lighter meals throughout the day.
• Rest after eating, or engage in some quiet activity.
• Minimize exposure to cold, windy weather.
• Lower your cholesterol level, if high, by eating a low-saturated-fat diet and/or taking lipid (fat)-lowering medication, if necessary and prescribed.
• Avoid sudden physical exertion, such as running to catch a bus.