Fly Eze

There are nearly seven million people known with diabetes - but estimates are from significantly more diabetes sufferers, in which the disease is still unrecognized. More people know about the risk of diabetes, the causes and symptoms and its precursors, the sooner you can take countermeasures. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic sugar metabolism disorder in which the hormone insulin plays an important role. Hence the colloquial term "diabetes".

Insulin lowers the blood sugar level

When the blood sugar concentration in the blood rises, the hormone insulin is released into the blood from certain cells of the pancreas (the Langerhans cells), because the blood sugar can enter the individual body cells only with insulin as a key. Without insulin, the blood sugar concentration in the blood is very high, but the organs "starve" because no sugar gets into it.

The excess sugar in the blood is excreted in the urine, causing the urine to be sweet. Hence the name of the disease: Diabetes mellitus means as much as honey-sweet flow.

Forms and causes of diabetes

Being overweight as one of the causes of diabetes causes the organs to want more and more insulin until they let the blood sugar into the cells. One speaks of insulin resistance, an important harbinger of diabetes mellitus. Obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and lipid metabolism disorders are called the "deadly quartet" or the metabolic syndrome - all are painless diseases that can have fatal consequences.

The following forms of diabetes exist:

• Insulin resistance is gradually developing into the most common type of diabetes, type 2 diabetes, which is called trivializing and also called adult -onset diabetes .
• A rare type of diabetes is type 1 diabetes, in which the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are destroyed in childhood or adolescence by an immune process - this is why we also speak of juvenile diabetes.
• In addition, there is still the gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes), which - as its name implies - occurs for the first time in pregnancy . 
• In addition, there are forms of diabetes that arise in diseases of the pancreas , for example, in a chronic inflammation .

Symptoms and signs of diabetes

Possible signs or symptoms of diabetes include:

• excessive thirst
• large quantities of urine
• an inexplicable weight loss
• a tendency to infections
• cravings
• Fatigue and loss of performance
• badly healing wounds
• dry and itchy skin

At worst, as a result of the symptoms, diabetic coma with nausea , vomiting, and unconsciousness occurs.

The type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly over years, in type 1 diabetes it comes more within weeks to the onset of the disease. Gestational diabetes leads above all to a risk to the child, in addition, it can develop a so-called pregnancy poisoning (gestosis).

The problem with diabetes is the slow development of insulin resistance. Many internal organs are already affected, while the disease is not yet known or the symptoms and signs are not yet obvious.

Heartburn usually manifests as a burning sensation in the throat and a sour taste in the mouth.The burning pain in the chest is caused by the reflux of gastric acid (gastroesophageal reflux) into the esophagus. The symptom heartburn (pyrosis) can be safe, but it does not have to be. To clarify the cause, you should consult your doctor.

Heartburn is a folk suffering: People suffers every second. Some only from time to time, others often. Pregnant and elderly people are often affected. Many "Sodbrand-affected" also know acid reflux and pressure in the chest area. We reveal what helps against heartburn.

Heartburn: valve in acid

To understand how heartburn develops, it's worth taking a look at how digestion works. Every day our body produces about two to three liters of gastric juice, whose job it is to process the chyme and eliminate harmful microorganisms. Therefore, the gastric juice with a pH of 0.8 to 1.5 is also very acidic.

The esophagus is an approximately one-centimeter long, one-centimeter-diameter muscle tube covered with mucous membrane. He connects the pharynx with the stomach. At the stomach entrance there is a sphincter (esophageal sphincter). This is like a valve that relaxes during swallowing and opens to the stomach. The contents of the esophagus can flow into the stomach.

Normally this way is a one-way street. The aggressive and highly acidic gastric juice is no danger to the stomach thanks to its resistant mucous membrane. The esophagus, however, is very sensitive. If the valve leaks, gastric acid may reflux and damage the esophagus.

Causes of heartburn

Heartburn can have various causes. These include, but are not limited to, stress as well as dietary habits such as overeating or late eating. Among other things, the following reasons can cause a disruption of the sphincter and thus cause heartburn:

• Mentally stressful situations such as stress stimulate gastric acid production and trigger heartburn.
• Certain foods affect the pressure of the sphincter.
• Some medications (including some analgesics) may be causally involved. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• It is possible that a diaphragmatic hernia has occurred. A part of the stomach shifts through the diaphragm opening into the chest cavity.
• In pregnant women, on the one hand, the hormone progesterone causes the relaxation of the sphincter, on the other hand pushes the greatly enlarged uterus against the stomach and as a result of its content in the esophagus.
• In overweight individuals, it is also more common for gastric contents to escape into the esophagus.

Heartburn may be a warning sign of an organic condition such as gastric ulcer or gastritis. This should be clarified by an examination with your doctor.

Burns of the esophageal mucosa

Occasional acid regurgitation is not a cause for concern. However, if the esophageal mucosa is regularly exposed to the corrosive gastric juice several times a week, mucosal irritation and damage (reflux esophagitis) may occur. Under certain circumstances, the mucous membrane is completely destroyed, internal bleeding or a narrowing of the esophagus may occur.

The upper respiratory tract, teeth and gums can also be affected by the refluxing acid.

Left untreated, heartburn can lead to a disease such as esophagitis. In the worst case, even an ulcer or cancer forms.

Incidentally, the English term "heartburn" is misleading because the heart is not involved in heartburn. However, heartburn causes a burning sensation in the chest cavity, to which the name comes from.

15 tips and home remedies for heartburn

Below are some tips and home remedies that can help against annoying heartburn.

• Eat several (five to six) small meals a day. Large meals are very voluminous and lead to an overflowing stomach contents. The danger of gastric acid being forced into the esophagus is increased.
• Especially in the evening you should do without rich meals and do not eat too late.
• Do not lie down right after dinner.
• It is helpful to sleep with a slightly raised upper body.
• Reduce your weight if you put too many pounds on the scale.
• Avoid stress because it is a common cause of heartburn. Relaxation exercises, sports, meditation and rest can help reduce stress and thus heartburn.
• Do not wear tight clothing and loosen your belt.
• Bent or stooped posture promotes reflux.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
• Avoid highly acidic beverages such as grapefruit or lemon juice and other juices from citrus fruits.
• Proven home remedies are teas with chamomile, fennel or caraway .
• Chewing gum is said to reduce reflux; apparently, the increased production of saliva while chewing gum protects the lining of the esophagus.
• Studies have shown that sweets, such as chocolate , can be the trigger in people who suffer from heartburn. In these cases, the theobromine contained in chocolate is responsible.
• The influence of coffee on heartburn is not fully understood. Maybe increased coffee consumption the complaints.

Many people describe the occurrence of heartburn after spicy, spicy food. However, the nature of the active ingredients in the herbal spices differs considerably, therefore no uniform assessment is possible. Studies have shown that the active ingredient capsaicin, which is responsible for the sharpness in chili peppers, increases the sensitivity of the esophagus to the gastric juice and thus intensifies the burning sensation.

Does milk help with heartburn?

Again and again you read recommendations to drink milk in heartburn . This results from the assumption that the protein in the milk buffers the stomach acid. Previously, patients with this condition were fed only milk.

Whether that helped, is questionable. For one thing, such a one-sided diet is recommended to anyone and on the other hand, scientists have proven that milk even stimulates the acid production in the stomach.

Treat heartburn with medication

Even with the help of tablets, heartburn can be treated. Antacids that neutralize gastric juice, as well as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs, also known as proton pump inhibitors) that inhibit the formation of an enzyme needed for acid secretion , are used to treat heartburn .

Heartburn not only causes a burning pain in the chest, it can also significantly burden those affected emotionally. This is the result of a Norwegian study in which more than ten thousand patients were interviewed. Early treatment prevents serious consequences. When and how treatment for heartburn should occur is explained below.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn occurs especially after rich meals or during stress. If the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus is not functioning optimally, the chyme can flow back out of the stomach. Then gastric acid also enters the esophagus. This is a blend of hydrochloric acid and protein-cleaving enzymes that is produced in the gastric mucosa to digest food and destroy foodborne disease.

Isolated acid attacks can cope with the esophagus. However, if gastric acid regularly enters the esophagus, it will etch the delicate mucous membrane and cause inflammation (reflux oesophagitis).
Heartburn: take symptoms seriously
Many patients suffer especially at night. When lying down, the gastric juice can flow into the mouth and from there into the respiratory tract. Heartburn can even trigger chronic bronchitis and asthma-like symptoms.

And if the coughing stimulus affects deep sleep, the patient feels in the morning uneaten and bruised. In the long term there is even the danger that the mucosal cells in the esophagus degenerate and develop cancer .

In addition to the physical symptoms, the study in Norway has also shown that suffering causes severe quality of life . Those affected reported fears of hidden serious illness, mental stress and diminished vitality.

Heartburn: avoid alcohol and coffee
Experts warn against taking heartburn lightly. Acid-inhibiting or acid-binding drugs that are available over the counter in the pharmacy can help with mild symptoms . At the same time you should:

• Avoid fat and generous meals
• Reduce stress
• Reduce weight
• Reduce the coffee consumption
• Avoid alcohol
• Restrict smoking

Medicines for heartburn

At the latest, if the symptoms occur several times a week or last longer than two to three weeks, the doctor should be consulted. He can prescribe special medications that almost completely inhibit acid production in the stomach.

In particularly severe cases, it is possible to surgically strengthen the sphincter of the stomach. This "fundoplication" is used in specialized clinics.

Below we introduce the most common remedies and medicines for heartburn.

Acid-binding agents (antacids)

These agents form a kind of porridge in the stomach, which binds or neutralizes excess acid. They contain, for example, aluminum or magnesium compounds and are available for over-the- counter treatment of minor or occasional ailments as a chewable tablet, gel or drink solution without a prescription at the pharmacy.

The effect begins within a few minutes and lasts for several hours. They work best when taken two to three hours after eating and at bedtime. Some preparations may be used briefly after pregnancy after consultation with the doctor.

Preparations containing aluminum compounds should not be taken in conjunction with fruit juices, citrus fruits or vitamin C , as otherwise aluminum will increasingly enter the blood. If antacids are given at the same time as other medicines, such as antibiotics, they may affect their effects.

Acid inhibitors (H2 blocker)

H2 blockers occupy in the gastric mucosa the binding sites (H2 receptors) for the tissue hormone histamine, which is involved in the production of gastric acid. As a result, less acid is produced and released into the stomach. The tablets are available without prescription for short-term treatment.

Their effect occurs after a few minutes and lasts for several hours. Since gastric acid is mainly produced at night, it makes sense to take the acid-inhibiting agent in the evening.

Pregnant women should take H2-Blocker only after consulting the doctor. For children, these drugs are not suitable.

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors may be considered for treatment in severe and permanent conditions. They inhibit an enzyme in the gastric mucosa, which is significantly involved in acid production. The drugs work for about three to four days.

Preparations with calcium or sodium carbonate

Although they bind the excess stomach acid, but it produces a large amount of expanding carbon dioxide gas and the acid distribution is rather stimulated. Therefore, these preparations should not be used in continuous use.

Healing earth (natural loess)

Healing earth is a mixture of quartz and clay minerals with an acid-binding effect and has been used since ancient times. The natural medicine is only available for internal use with mild, occasional heartburn in the pharmacy.

Combination preparations

Such drugs contain, in addition to an acid-inhibiting agent, for example, defoaming agents that break bubbles in the stomach contents faster and relieve flatulence . Defoamers such as dimethicone or simethicone, however, do not work against heartburn. Other antacids also contain herbal extracts such as celandine or bismuth compounds, whose effect is considered rather critical in heartburn.

Everyone wishes to stay healthy and fit for as long as possible. With a healthy lifestyle you can do a lot for yourself. The most important factors are nutrition, exercise, relaxation and sleep, abstinence from indulgence and a positive attitude towards life. A conscious lifestyle increases your chances of staying fit into old age. Here are 10 important tips on what you can do to maintain your health and quality of life for a long time:

1. Proper nutrition

Hardly anything is more important for the maintenance of health than a healthy diet. A healthy diet makes:

• at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, preferably raw, in all colors and varieties
• Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese daily
• Fish once or twice a week
• Many vegetable oils and carbohydrates, including plenty of legumes
• For cereal products, the best way to reach the wholegrain variant
• Little meat and fat, even on hidden fats in, for example, sausage and finished products
• Use salt and sugar sparingly
• Only cook food as short as necessary and with a little water and fat
• All this not only preserves our vital functions but also strengthens the immune system.

2. Drink enough water

Water shortage harms the human organism: Since water is not only an important part of the body's cells but also the main constituent of the blood, the blood can no longer flow properly if we drink too little. The entire body is poorly cared for, brain power and ability to concentrate diminish. Suitable thirst quencher are water, fruit spritzer or herbal tea . The German Nutrition Society recommends daily intake of at least two liters of liquid to the adult human .

3. Regular exercise

Regular endurance sports are good for body and soul and the best way to get the body up to speed in terms of both body and body. Sport helps to strengthen the body's defenses, reduce stress symptoms and prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes , obesity and osteoporosis. Even brain performance in old age is positively influenced.

Any kind of physical exercise contributes to your well-being: the minimum to prevent illness is five to seven times a week for half an hour of light exercise . It is never too late to start with sports. Even those who only start when they are old benefit from the positive effects almost immediately.

4. Lots of fresh air and light

Oxygen awakens the spirits and mobilizes the immune system. Therefore - even in winter - go out into the fresh air every day. Another positive effect when we are outside: We get more light, which also improves our mood. In daylight, in fact, the neurotransmitter serotonin is released, which brightens the mood.

Even in very bad weather , it is much brighter outside than indoors. In addition, light is important for the production of vitamin D - indispensable for strong bones.

5. Relaxation for the balance

Stress, hecticness and mental stress are a drag on the resistance; Disturbances in the balance of tension and relaxation can lead to serious mental and physical illnesses. So at the latest when stress and rushing get out of hand, it's time to back down a gear.

Relaxation techniques such as autogenic training, the Jacobson progressive muscle relaxation or yoga can help to regain balance and serenity.

6. Sleep enough and regularly

Sleep is a basic need that we need to satisfy just as regularly as eating and drinking. It is an indispensable basis of life and the prerequisite for development, well-being and health. During sleep, the metabolism is switched down a gear, but the repair mechanisms are working at full speed.

The immune system, digestive system, cardiovascular system, nervous system and brain need sleep to regenerate. For example, recent studies show that people who regularly sleep too little have a much higher risk of having a heart attack.

Seventh brainjogging

"To move, to bring blessings" - this saying applies not only to our bodies, but also to our brains. Because just like our muscles, the brain also wants to be busy - for a lifetime. If the gray cells are not kept going, they are degrading. Conversely, the brain can be trained like a muscle. To stay mentally fit, the gray cells need daily exercise.

8. Health risk pleasure poisons

Smoking is harmful to health and every cigarette! However, it is never too late to quit smoking - even after years of nicotine addiction it benefits your health. Thus, after 10 years of smoking cessation, the lung cancer risk is again comparable to that in non-smokers; after 15 years the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Moderate consumption of alcohol usually does not harm - enjoyed in moderation, it can have quite positive effects. But it should stay with a small glass and several non-alcoholic days per week, because there is no risk-free alcohol consumption.

9. Healthy relationships

Whether you like it or not, everyone is involved in a network of relationships. The success of interpersonal relationships is an important factor in quality of life, mental and physical health. Living and fulfilling relationships - these begin with a healthy relationship to oneself and to life.

10. Yes to life

People with a positive attitude to life usually have better mental coping strategies. They expose themselves less stress and thus spare their defenses. In addition, people who are positively attuned can laugh better about themselves, showing sovereignty and serenity.

Openness, for example in exchange with people with different experiences and lifestyles, helps to stay flexible. For who is trapped in repetitive patterns of life limits his experience. And takes the chance to keep his brain active.

The World Health Organization (WHO) sounds the alarm: Negative stress is the greatest health threat of the 21st century. And depressions - currently the fourth most common cause of disease worldwide - are said to be the most prevalent health problems by 2020 after cardiovascular disease. Scientifically, the soul is identical to the psyche. By definition, psychology refers to the science of human experience and behavior in relation to oneself as well as to persons, events and objects of the environment.

Balance with yourself and the environment

Sigmund Freud has recognized man's ability to work, enjoy and love as essential to our emotional well-being. This depends on the resources of each person. What sources of vitality and lust for life has a person and on what skills to deal with problems, he has to optimally maintain his mental health.

Nowadays it is clear: not only the physical, but also the mental health is important. Those who not only care about the health of their body, but also sufficiently maintain their mental health, can better protect themselves against mental and physical illnesses.

Problems are part of life

Conflicts in relationships, families or in the workplace can lead to severe mental stress. The ideal case would be if every person could deal with such conflicts and burdens in such a way that they do not lead to permanent mental disorders. But: Mental illnesses, especially anxiety disorders, depression, alcohol and other addictions are among the most common diseases in our society.

Mental grief weighs heavily

A mental illness is more difficult to recognize than a physical ailment. But it weighs at least as hard because it can make the soul and body sick. For example, physical symptoms may indicate a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, without a physical cause. Conversely, physical illnesses are often accompanied by mental symptoms.

Most people with a mental illness can be effectively treated today. Since a mental illness is still a taboo topic today, the targeted help is often not used. The physical symptoms are discussed with the doctor, not the mental ones. The consequences are often misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Definition and aspects of health

When we wish our fellow human beings "health", we usually mean the preservation of physical well-being or a speedy recovery. A variety of diseases can be determined very accurately about their symptoms, specialists and medicines are specifically available to restore the physical health.
But how can health be defined? Is someone already healthy if he has no infirmity or does not feel ill?

A definition of the term "health" was provided by the WHO (World Health Organization) as early as 1948 in its constitution

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. (...) The possession of the best possible state of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being, irrespective of race, religion, religion political opinion and the economic or social position. "

Further definitions with different approaches can be found in the article "Health" on Wikipedia.

The interaction: physically, mentally, socially

Viewed individually, for example, a person can be fully physically fit, but have mental health problems or live socially isolated. However, how strongly these three aspects of health work together is felt very quickly by us or our fellow human beings. Our body reacts to stress, to fears of conflicts, our mental freshness diminishes as soon as we become physically ill, our social contacts can also suffer as a result.

The rating: subjective - objective

Only the positive interaction of all factors means health. However, the evaluation of these factors can be very subjective and not infrequently, one's own well-being is an indicator of "perceived" health.

For example, every 20th patient who visits a doctor suffers from hypochondriacal disorders, which in turn can be defined as illness. These patients feel ill, are afraid of illness, and are so focused on their bodies that they feel physical symptoms that can not be diagnosed from a medical point of view.

The other way around, a person can feel perfectly well and healthy until he receives a diagnosis from the doctor, such as cancer. Many physical illnesses are therefore not recorded by the patient, or are never recorded, because the self-healing powers of the body act and diseases can be managed by the body itself, before they become noticeable to the person concerned.

Action on health

Almost all of our living conditions directly or indirectly affect our health: air, soil and water quality, nutrition, exercise, sleep, rest, relaxation, stress, self-reliance, social contacts, love, sexuality, work, safety, recognition, life goals and hobbies , These are essential but by no means all aspects that promote our health in a positive sense and negatively affect it.

Self-responsibility - external influence

A healthy lifestyle helps to maintain good health. Anyone who is constantly robbing their own bodies by lack of exercise, unhealthy diet and drug use, attacks his health in person.

Many factors, however, affect individuals who are difficult or impossible to turn off or influence, such as unemployment, family conflicts or environmental factors.

Education and financial aspects

Studies have sufficiently demonstrated that there is a direct link between a person's health and their education or financial capabilities. Maintaining or regaining health is not least tied to understanding health, regular checkups, the right choice of doctors, and the affordable options that medicine has to offer. In particular, people who suffer from poverty are disadvantaged, due to lack of knowledge, lack of money and lack of healthy lifestyles.
Approximately 1.8 million children and adolescents are growing up in poverty in Germany. Since poverty has been proven to affect health, this is an all-alarming signal.

Political and financial aspects

Among other things, the government determines the distribution of health care funds. The distribution is controversial and provides again and again for discussion.

Admittedly, a large number of doctors have not yet performed treatments for cost reasons.

In any case, the maintenance of health should be preceded by the necessary treatment of diseases. However, co-payments and reductions, eg for check-ups and spa stays, also have a direct or indirect effect on the health of the individual.
A not taken over by the health insurance of 50 euros, for example, then leads to illness and a treatment of 5,000 euros, because the patient due to financial problems could not take the precaution.