Most smokers who successfully quit the habit of smoking, suffer from its withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, it can be mild but at times, the problems can be severe and persistent and can cause various problems. Hence, it is always better to be aware of them in advance and be prepared to face it.

Let’s find out about some of the more common withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

Withdrawal Symptoms #1:Headache – This is by far the most common symptoms that smokers have to adjust to after quitting the habit of smoking. During the period of smoking, there was less supply of oxygen to the body, as more and more carbon monoxide was being inhaled. After quitting smoking, the body reacts to the enhanced supply of oxygen, which in turn may result in headache and dizziness. You may take the help of medication, if the headache is persistent. Yoga and breathing techniques also help in alleviating the problem.

Withdrawal Symptoms #2:Coughing – Coughing is a natural symptom that occurs after quitting habit. Some experts even view it as a good thing. In fact, through coughing the lungs try to get rid of the toxins that get glued to hairs of lungs due to prolonged smoking. Generally, it takes about some months to get rid of the toxins completely. Hence, the coughing may persist till that time. But you would surely enjoy the free breathing after it.

Withdrawal Symptoms #3:Restlessness and mental irritation – Many people show signs of irritation and anxiety after quitting the habit of smoking. During the period of smoking, the body is adjusted to the constant supply of nicotine. Hence, when deprived of it, the body reacts in this way. This often proves to be a great impediment in quitting the habit successfully, as the person finds it difficult to come to terms with this change in behavior. But this is only temporary and could be controlled with counseling and will power. Indulging in sports and other creative activities also helps.

Withdrawal Symptoms #4:Sleep disorder – In cases of smokers, the body forms its own biological clock with respect to sleeping habits. So, people often find it difficult to get sleep after quitting the habit. The sleeping disorders may also result in headache.

Withdrawal Symptoms #5:Depression and lack of concentration – Nicotine is a powerful chemical that stimulates the brain. So, people who are in the habit of smoking are generally more attentive and focused during smoking. But after quitting the habit, the brain is deprived of the stimulator. Hence, people may find it hard to concentrate. In some cases, they may even suffer from depression. But all these problems go away after some time.

Withdrawal Symptoms #6: Constipation – Some people have the habit of associating smoking with bowl movements. Nicotine also has a role in stimulating the bowl movement to certain extent. Such people may develop constipation after quitting the habit of smoking.

Some people may experience more withdrawal symptoms than others, if they become unbearable, seek help from your physician immediately.

If you know of other withdrawal symptoms and would like to share with us, please feel free to do so.

There are no fixed groups of foods that can always cause acid reflux to all the people. Although you would have problems of heart burn by taking some of these foods, it can even be caused by some foods that are not included in the list given below. By maintaining a diary of your diet as well as the symptoms, would help you to delineate your prime acid reflux triggers. Here is a list of foods that generally cause acid reflux:

• Tomato or its products (example: ketchup)
• Citrus fruits or juices
• Caffeine
• Black pepper
• Spicy foods
• Rich or high fat foods
• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Fatty dairy products
• Cream sauces

The three most common culprits in our house that are believed to cause acid burns are – citrus fruits (or juice), chocolate and tomato products. At first glance, the list may look short and innocuous, but is it not a fact that these are the common components for many recipes? So, reorganize your lunches and dinners or eat something before any impending party that has the potential to contribute to acid reflux.

You lifestyle can also be a contributing factor for triggering acid refluxes. For this, you have to be better organized in some of the following issues:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Wearing tight clothing
• Eating large meals
• Laying down too soon after eating
• Exercising or bending too soon after a meal
• Forgetting medications

Studies have established a link between the problem of over-weight, especially around the waist-line and acid burn in United States. Shedding some weight and having a low fat diet would help to control acid burn.

The medicines for acid burns need to be taken continuously in their right doses to be effective. But many a times, the patients either forget to take or take them in moderate doses due to their cost. If it is OTC medication, discuss the correct doses of it with your physician. He would make a thorough case study and prescribe the medicines which are most suitable for you.

Apart from the most common triggers, the following are some of the other acid reflux triggers that I have come up with:

• Teething
• Food Allergies
• Illnesses that cause sinus drainage
• Constipation

Although it my not seem so, constipation can also be a contributory factor for acid reflux. This is due to the extra pressure that has to be applied on the LES. For people with constipation, the GI prescribed Miralax for it and as a result, the acid reflux problem has subsided along with constipation to a great extent.

The acid reflux can also be due to other pathological condition. They include:

• Immature GI tract (infants)
• Gastroparesis or Delayed Gastric Emptying
• Hernia
• Gallbladder disease
• Certain medications

Of course, the list is not exhaustive and may not be applicable to every individual. Since uncontrolled heart burn can become a serious issues later, it is better to discuss it with your physician or even GI in detail.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2010

But you are not the only victim of such controlled and awkward body problems. Experts say it afflicts many people.

Internist Marc Siegel, MD, medical director of a new NYU-Sirius Radio program, Doctor Radio says, “Many of these problems like profuse sweating and excess gas can be attributed to stress. Sometimes, our desire to be at our best puts additional pressure on us, thereby accentuating the problem.”

Psychiatrist Virginia Sadock, MD advises that it should not be given much importance as it affects everybody at some time or other. If you are of the sensitive type and can’t ignore them, the best thing to do is to accept it as such.

Frankly speaking, these problems are only minor and inconsequential, but if they remain for a longer period or worsens, then it is better to get the advice of your doctor. But some of these common problems can be kept under check to certain extent. Let’s find out some ways and means to address five of the most common ones.

Body problem No. 1 – Involuntary bladder leaks

Urinary incontinence or stress incontinence is one of the most common problems that women have to endure with. Siegel says that occurrence of urinary incontinence is almost inevitable amongst women who have at least one issue. But the doctor should always be consulted in this regard to rule out any serious implications. The doctor can also advise you about medications for urge incontinence or the problems of overactive bladder, where you have this uncontrolled urge to pass urine.

You can also control this problem to some extent on your own. One way to do so is to indulge in Kegel exercises, in order to strengthen your pelvic muscles. This is done by breaking off the flow of urine during urination. By this, you would be able to have a better control of urination. Fabienne Daguilh, MD, a family practice physician also suggests that women should empty their bladder before indulging in activities that might result in a leak like dancing or aerobics.

Daguilh, medical director of the Montefiore Williamsbridge Family Practice Center in New York City opines that tea, coffee or cola acts as diuretic and hence can accentuate urine formation. Hence, it is better to avoid them, when you do not have a bathroom facility.

Siegel also advises the use of disposing panty liners in order to control the problem. But in stead of menstrual pads, it is better to use pads that are specifically meant for incontinence, as they soak it deep into the pad keeping you dry. She also cautions to wear underwear always and if necessary, to carry an extra one.

Body problem No. 2 – Belches, Growls and Hiccups

Your stomach may produce a resounding growl or your mouth may emanate a disconcerting belch during an important meeting. Unceasing hiccups would not let you speak in an articulate manner during you a speech. All these obviously put you into embarrassing discomfitures.

According to Daguilh, these symptoms are mostly formed due to the combined problems of gas and discomfort to the diaphragm. While taking too much of gassy food may result in belches and growls, hiccups can be due to any irritation to the diaphragm, which can be aggravated by gas.

Sadock reveals that the problems can in fact, be accentuated by stress. “When you are stressed, you end up swallowing lot of air, which leads to belching and hiccupping.”

How can your control it? The first thing you should do is to cut down your intake of gassy foods like fried foods, beans, cabbage and even dairy products before the occasion, when you want to be at your best. You can eat in moderation to avert the growling of an empty stomach. Drinking plenty of water is helpful but taking too much of alcohol may prove to be counter-productive.

Body Problem No. 3 – Profuse Sweating

However hard you might try to be calm and composed, your body’s involuntary propensity to sweat profusely at the wrong time often puts you in an embarrassing situation. Although this can also be due to an overactive sweat gland, Siegel believes that the phenomenon is mostly the result of stress and anxiety. Nervous sweating is associated with the stress hormones like coritsol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine and can occur as a response to stress.

So, how can you prevent or control it? The best way to do it is to prepare ourselves mentally to face the situation beforehand. Gradual exposure to the stressful situations makes you address it in a better way. As your body and mind get adjusted to it, you would become less tense with time and hence, your tendency to sweat excessively would also wane over time.

Daguilh advises to avoid chocolate, tea, coffee, hot and spicy foods, as they may also contribute to excessive sweating by increasing the heart rate and respiration.

Siegel also suggests the use of antiperspirant deodorant to control the sweating. She also has another piece of advice.
“Dab the perspiration from your face and hand with a hanky and hold a glass of cold water to your wrist. “ She says.

Body Problem No. 4 – Dry Mouth and Yawning

At times, your mouth is so dry that you simply can’t blurt out those all-important words to your lover, even after going to a great length to arrange the meeting. Sometimes, during an important meeting, when are supposed to be attentive with all your ears open, you can’t prevent this dampening yawn in the middle of the conversation.

These two problems that may put a dampener during our important interactions have similar roots. Siegel reveals that people generally yawn when they are exhausted but it can also occur due to nervousness and anxiety as you do not take deep breaths during such times.

Likewise, the inability to take deep breaths and the secretion of stress hormones also decline the production of saliva in the mouth. As a result, you develop that dry-mouth feeling.

Since these symptoms have similar reasons, they can be alleviated through the same activities. “The best thing to solve yawning as well as the feeling of ‘dry mouth’ is to chew some candy. It would prevent you from yawning as swallowing and yawning can’t happen simultaneously. Moreover, it will accentuate the formation of saliva and lubricate the mouth, thereby solving the ‘dry mouth’ problems, “advises Siegel.

Sadock proscribes the use of chewing of gum. By chewing it, you would gulp down more air, which would induce more yawning as well as belching. She further suggests that drinking cold water just before speaking would help you to keep away from yawning and the feeling of ‘dry mouth’.

Body Problems No. 5 – The Sex Snafus

While all the problems like leaking urine, yawning, hiccups, belching, feeling of ‘dry mouth’ can be embarrassing, they are not big enough reasons to despair. Since it afflicts everybody at some point, people generally do not give much importance to it. But, when such problems do occur during out most private and intimate relationships, they can really be distressing. And sex is one such private and intimate thing and such belching, passing of gas, leaking of urine during it, is the last thing that we want to happen.

But unfortunately, they do take place during sex. Siegel says, “The sphincter muscle activates both the urine and bowels. During sex, you effectively lose all control over this muscle. This is more so when you are in orgasm. So, if you have by any chance, gobbled up a lot of gassy foods before it and so your stomach is full, then you are bound to pass some of it during that uncontrolled state.”

So, what can you do to avoid it?

Siegel advises in this regard, “The one thing you can do to prevent it, is emptying your bladder before and after sex. By this, the chances of leaks would be lessened. That apart, you can also prevent the sex-related urinary tract infections to a certain extent.”

Siegel also advises to take only light foods that are not gassy just before engaging in sex. She further warns not to take too much water or any other drinks, especially the carbonated ones, as they contain both gas and liquid. Avoiding coffee and tea is also important since they act as diuretics.

But the problems can still occur; all your efforts to control them notwithstanding. So, what can you do about it?

“Just ignore it and move on,” suggests Sadock.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2010

Diabetes has become one among the most common ailments in the present day world and to manage diabetes effectively is very critical to a diabetic.

Diabetes basically consists of 2 types, namely type 1 and type 2. The basic characteristic of type 1 diabetes is that here the body loses its capacity to produce insulin, whereas in type 2 diabetes, the insulin produced is not used properly. However, one needs to learn how to effectively manage diabetes so that he too may lead a normal life.

The reasons as to why diabetes might show up in a person vary from genetic disposition to problems with an improper diet. It is said that type 2 diabetes occurs mainly because of improper diet. However, the disheartening fact is that since no cure has been found for diabetes, the best a person can do is take steps to manage diabetes.

For a diabetic, the intake of right kind of food is most important. Especially in the case of type 2 diabetes, the disease can be stopped if care is taken with regard to eating habits right from the beginning. Thus, a person who is suffering from diabetes needs to have good eating habits to avoid any further problems.

The five factors you need to know to manage diabetes effectively:

1. Blood sugar level

For a healthy body, the glucose that comes in, needs to be processed properly by insulin and then needs to be sent out. In case of a diabetic, this does not happen since the insulin is not functional in the right sense. This in turn, might lead to other body parts getting damaged in the longer run. Thus, a diabetic must be careful about the sugar level in his body.

The parts at risk if one does not manage diabetes the right way are retina, kidney, brain etc. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are very dangerous for the body if not catered to properly. Irregularities in the sugar level can lead to a person fainting very often.

Thus, the diet of a diabetic needs to be very strict. By having good knowledge as to which are the food items that are high in glucose content, one can avoid their intake thereby remaining healthy. One has to note that not all the carbohydrates contain high amount of sugar. Consultation with a good dietician can be of great help in this regard.

One innovative method that might come in handy for every diabetic is record keeping. By keeping track of what has been eaten over the month in how many quantities, one can be sure that he is monitoring his blood sugar level the right way. By looking at the changes in his blood sugar level and the response of his body, the right kind of diet that stabilizes his health can be arrived upon.

2. Eat mushrooms

There is good news for diabetics, as they can now eat tasty food as they manage diabetes. It has been proven that certain kind of mushroom can be very helpful in keeping away diabetes. Thus, one might make use of the following varieties of mushroom in his food, namely agaricus blazei, reishi and maitake.

3. Have good amount of water

Most problems can be solved provided one has good intake of water in his body. It helps in washing away all the unwanted toxins out of the body and regulates body temperature too. For a person suffering from diabetes, this will be of great help in managing diabetes.

However, the ideal intake required for a healthy body would be 10 to 12 cups a day. Instead of just having high amounts of water right away, it would be ideal if one could have water in intervals. For the people who exercise the requirement of water is higher. Added advantage lies in the fact that the fullness a person feels after drinking water avoids him the tendency of wanting to eat junk.

4. Whole grain

For a healthy body, the intake of good amounts of fiber is very essential and whole grains are good sources of fiber. These fibers help in proper digestion and also help the body regulate blood sugar level properly. Thus, it would be a great step that would help a person manage diabetes.

There are many food items available today that make use of whole grains. Sandwiches and breads are the main ones among them. Here again, the advantage lies in the fact that one feels full after eating them, thereby cutting down on the urge for snacks and junk of any kind.

5. Consultation from knowledgeable physician is key to manage diabetes

One has to note the point that the role of a doctor in helping him control his blood sugar level is vital. Before bringing about any change in your diet or eating habits, make sure that you get approval from doctor.

All in all, one need not feel disheartened owing to diabetes, as by following the above mentioned guidelines and a healthy lifestyle, he can still manage diabetes effectively and live a normal life like everybody else.

Anger can be the reason for many mental health problems. So, it is necessary to be enlightened about them and the associated dangers of suppressed anger along with the various ways to deal with it.

What is anger?

Anger is a normal and a natural reaction that comes from a feeling of disgust, dissatisfaction, irritation or hurt. Its intensity may vary from simple peeving to flaring rage.

Dangers of suppressed anger?

Anger, however normal or it may just seem to be, if suppressed can be the reason behind anxiety and depression over time. Any anger, when not vented properly, can wreak havoc in the mental as well as physical bearing of people.

Chronic anger is known to cause many health related problems like headaches, digestive disorder, skin problems, high blood pressure, depression and cardiac ailments. Moreover, it can also set in emotional disturbances that might result in violent behavior and crime.

How can you deal with your anger?

When you are overwhelmed with anger, try to rationalize the cause of your anger in a positive way. Take deep breaths slowly. Say to yourself words like ‘calm down’ or ‘take it easy’ in order to soothe your soul. Go on doing this till you are able to take control of your anger.

• It is a fact that venting your anger is better than suppressing it. Venting it properly is important; otherwise it may cause both emotional as well as social problems. Bouts of anger put pressure on the cardio-vascular system of the body, apart from creating stress and anxiety. It is important to channelize your anger in a positive way. Instead of being driven by rage, it is better to deal with things in an assertive manner.
• Talk to your family and friends about it. Proper counseling goes a long way in keeping your anger in check.
• Maintain a record of the situations and times that drives you to bursts of anger. This would give you an inkling of the impending bouts of anger.
• Try to rationalize the reasons of anger by putting yourself in other shoes.
• Look at the funny sides of life and develop a sense of humor.
• Be a good listener. It not only helps you to develop effective communications skills but also inculcates a good inter-personal relationship. This also helps to impose trust on others, thereby enabling you resolve issues of anger.
• Be assertive instead of being defensive or charged up with suppressed anger.
• Expressing yourself in a calm but sure way helps to deal with emotions. For this, you can learn the techniques of assertiveness from self-help books or even seek counseling from an expert.

Other ways to deal with your anger

In cases where it is not possible on your part to keep your anger under leash, then it is better to consult a psychologist or even a psychiatrist. At times, uncontrolled anger can become morbid. In such case, the psychiatrist would prescribe drugs to keep it under control.

But before that, other behavior change techniques should be tried. Hence, it is important to choose a mental health expert carefully. An able mental health will be able to thoroughly evaluate your behavior patterns and mental conditions and recommend methods of anger management.

This original article is presented to you by MyHealthToday.com © 2010