Heartburn, reflux and dyspepsia refer to stomach pain or discomfort after eating. When we eat, the food goes down the oesophagus into the stomach, passing through a valve to keep it there to be digested. If the valve becomes slack, stomach contents can travel back into the oesophagus, causing a burning feeling in the chest and acidic taste in the mouth ...
I saw a quote recently that said “Reality is the leading cause of stress among those in touch with it”. Stress is now so ingrained in our culture but what is it? A stressor is defined as anything that causes stress to an organism. When faced with a stressor, our body reacts with a “fight or flight” response, causing a surge of chemicals and immune cells. This is perfect if we need to get out of the way of an oncoming car but excessive stress over long periods of time increases our immune system activity and eventually depletes our resources, impairing the function of the immune system. The aim is not to completely avoid pressure but to find a balance.
There is a broad awareness of the need to maintain a healthy body weight for good health but it is a complicated issue that many people struggle with. You can see if you are in a healthy weight range by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI) using a weight to height ratio. Healthy eating and activity are keys to reducing obesity and maintaining a healthy weight. Drinking plenty of water is also vital.
