I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
Mild gastrointestinal problems are among the most common complaints that can be alleviated with simple products. If you experience frequent stomach discomfort, you should keep several natural remedies available.
Halt Heartburn
Heartburn is often the result of eating the wrong food, but in rare cases, heartburn can be a chronic problem. If you experience occasional problems with heartburn, consider adding a special herb mixture to your arsenal. The herb mixture contains chamomile, milk thistle, peppermint, candytuft, caraway, licorice, balm, angelica and celandine. If you cannot find the liquid mixture, you can try mixing your own by steeping the fresh herbs in water. Keep the liquid in the refrigerator for a few weeks to use as needed, before making a fresh batch.
Avoid eating too close to bedtime, which can allow your food to empty from your stomach before you lie down. Furthermore, lying in a completely reclined position can make it easier for stomach acid to go into your esophagus, especially if you have underlying sphincter weakness. Find a way to prop up your bed or mattress, which will allow you to sleep on an incline. At minimum, elevate your head and chest by using extra pillows.
Nip Nausea In The Bud
Ginger is a popular anti-nausea remedy and is usually consumed as a tea. If you want to prepare your own tea, place a small slice of ginger into a cup and add boiling water. Ginger can be somewhat spicy, so you may want to add water to suit your taste. Do not add artificial sweeteners, which can be the underlying cause of nausea if you use them routinely. You should use sugar or honey to flavor your tea, since natural sweeteners can also help with nausea. Make extra ginger tea to freeze in a mini ice cube tray. You can pop out a small cube of tea for quick nausea relief, as needed.
If ginger is not your cup of tea, try peppermint. You can make your own tea in a similar manner by steeping peppermint leaves in your cup. Peppermint is part of the larger mint family, and you can try various herbs within the same family to find one that suits your taste. Spearmint and catnip are among other options that can have a milder taste, and be effective. Try gum or candy that contains spearmint or peppermint, when tea is not an option.
Beat The Bloat
Whether you ate too much or your meal is not agreeing with you, the uncomfortable bloat after meals can put a damper on any plans. Dill can help with digestion and ease discomfort after meals. If you have any fresh dill around, try chewing a few sprigs after your meal. An alternative is to chew dried dill seeds, which can double as a flavoring agent for food.
When uncomfortable bloating escalates to gas, papaya enzyme can help ward off gas, and is usually available in tablet form. Just chew a few tablets when you feel discomfort, or immediately after meals to stay one-step ahead of gas. An alternative way of incorporating papaya is to eat the fruit as-is or use fresh papaya by pulverizing the fruit in a blender. Add ice before blending to create a sweet frozen drink.
Ditch Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be tricky to treat. If you are experiencing diarrhea as the result of a virus or intestinal irritant, your goal should be to soothe the symptoms and replenish your fluids, not actually stop your body's natural way of eliminating the offender. Occasional episodes of diarrhea, without other symptoms, can be a sign of too little fiber in your diet.
Enjoy some fruit to add fiber, which can slowly bulk up your stool. Bananas are the ideal choice when you experience diarrhea, because they have fiber and potassium. The potassium can help balance electrolytes and prevent dehydration, as long as you are consuming enough fluids. Some other fibrous fruits include oranges, but you must include some of the pit when eating fresh oranges.
Many herbs that are helpful for gastrointestinal problems can be used regularly to improve digestion. For mild gastrointestinal problems, natural remedies can be effective, and typically without unwanted side effects. If you want more information, click here for more info about possible remedies.
Share15 January 2015
