Snoring is common in adults and does not necessarily mean that you have a health problem. However, it is a sign that better lifestyle habits are required such as good nutrition and exercise.

Sometimes snoring can be a sign of a disorder called sleep apnea. This means you have periods where breathing stops partially or completely for more than 10 seconds while you sleep.

Remedies to stop snoring:

Don’t Drink

Reduce alcohol consumption, especially before bedtime. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in the throat which in turn makes snoring more likely.

Eat a Light Dinner

Avoid heavy and difficult to digest meals. Indigestion and heartburn interfere with the flow of air which makes breathing noisy. Try some remedies to improve digestion and relieve heartburn.

Sleep on your side

If you sleep on your back the tongue and palate fall behind the throat and block the airway. This causes the person begins to snore. To prevent this from happening, sleep on your side. In the Book of Home Remedies Mayo Clinic, it is recommended to sew a tennis ball to the back of his pajamas so that when the person mouth turns up while sleeping, the ball the uncomfortable and forced to turn aside.

Mint and Eucalyptus

Known for its expectorant powers, both plants open the airways and soothe the throat. An effective mix is to take essential oils, mix equal parts water and spray the headboard of the bed before going to sleep.

Try Onions

A grandmothers remedy that may help. Onions are a natural decongestant and obstruction of the airways is one of the causes of snoring. Cut an onion in half and sprinkle salt on it. Then place it on a plate on your nightstand.

Olive oil

Take 2-3 small sips of olive oil along with warm water before bedtime. Olive oil helps in lubricating the tissues of the nose and throat and in turn help keep the trachea open.

Maintain Ideal Weight

Even being a bit overweight can cause snoring. Obesity is one of the main reasons why a person snores. This tip can not only help you stop snoring but also to improve the quality of life in general.

Information on MadWash.com is for education purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a professionally trained doctor nor substitute conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, talk to a physician.

Wondering if there’s a natural alternative to over the counter pain medication?

One of the most commonly used drugs in the United States is ibuprofen. Now in defense of Ibuprofen, there are times that you may need fast relief for severe pain.

Whether you have a mild headache, sore muscles or any other pain, Ibuprofen can provide relief within 30 minutes or so.

However, there is more and more data being released that this medication can lead to long-term side-effects.

This is why increasingly people are looking at natural pain relief alternatives to help them to ease their symptoms. You can find a wide range of alternative herb infused vapes, gummies, honey and tinctures on https://area52.com which are all high quality, ethically sourced and delivered worldwide.

Ibuprofen Side Effects and Health Concerns

According to this article in *Time Health, studies are showing side-effects such as:

• stomach and intestinal damage
• liver failure
• hearing loss
• heart disease and strokes

Ginger as a Natural Pain Relieve Alternative

If you experience mild headaches and sore muscles from time to time, or even on a daily basis, before you reach for a couple of Ibuprofen or any other over-the-counter pain reliever, perhaps you should consider the pain-relieving benefits of ginger.

According to a 2013 study published in the Journal Arthritis, ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory spice and is considered more effective than ibuprofen for pain relief.

The study revealed that while drugs like Tylenol or Advil do block the formation of inflammation; ginger actually blocks the formation of the inflammatory compounds–prostaglandins and leukotrienes–and also has antioxidant effects that breakdown acidity and inflammation within the joints.

In addition to being a powerful pain-reliever, ginger is also among the healthiest spices on the planet.

Powerful Benefits for your Body

Loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds, ginger also has powerful benefits for your body and brain when consumed daily.

Some commonly known medicinal benefits of ginger:

• anti-fungal
• anti-parasitic
• anti-bacterial
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-viral

Ginger Can Treat Nausea, Even Morning Sickness

There is a long history of using ginger to help with sea sickness and upset stomach. There is also some evidence that shows ginger can help with nausea the day after chemotherapy.

But throughout the ages, ginger appears to be most effective when it comes to “morning sickness”, or nausea related to pregnancy.

Twelve studies, involving a total of 1,278 pregnant women, recently concluded that 1 to 1 ½ grams of ginger each day can significantly reduce symptoms of nausea.

Although ginger is considered safe and has no known adverse reaction with medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking large amounts if you are pregnant or undergoing treatment for illness or disease.

Ginger for Muscle Pain and Soreness

The daily use of ginger (fresh or in capsule form) has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain and minor day-to-day pains.

Researcher Christopher D. Black, of the department of kinesiology at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville has said that the “Daily consumption of ginger resulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury”.

While ginger does not have an immediate impact, meaning you could not take a ginger capsule and reduce muscle soreness within 30 minutes; instead it is suggested that consuming ginger or taking supplements as part of a daily routine can be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain.

The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ginger Can Help With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common health problem for people as they age and athletes. The condition itself leads to a breakdown of the joints causing pain and stiffness.

However, “Research shows, that at a cellular level, ginger can affect certain inflammatory processes,” says Roy Altman, MD, now at the University of California, Los Angeles, whose University of Miami study concluded that ginger extract could be a substitute to drugs like Ibuprophen and Tylenol.

His study compared the effects of ginger extract versus placebo in 247 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and found that ginger reduced stiffness and pain in knee joints by nearly 40 percent.

Ginger May Lower Blood Sugars

While research on this topic is relatively new; it is being investigated that ginger may have powerful anti-diabetic properties.

In 2015, a study of 41 participants with type 2 diabetes was given 2 grams of ginger powder per day, which resulted in lowered fasting blood sugar by 12%.

This ginger powder also dramatically improved HbA1c (a marker for long-term blood sugar levels), leading to a 10% reduction over a 12 week period.

Researchers from the University of Sydney discovered that extracts from the Buderim Ginger (a ginger plant grown in Australia) is rich in gingerols (the major active component of ginger rhizome) can increase the absorption of glucose into muscle cells without the use of insulin, and may, therefore, assist in the management of high blood sugar levels.

Reduce Menstrual Cramps

Traditional use of ginger root is for minor pain relief, and this includes menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) or the pain felt during a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Menstrual pain is mostly the result of increased production of hormones known as prostaglandins, which produce contractions in the uterus and result in cramps or pain.

Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen work by reducing prostaglandin production. However, it comes with significant side effects and, long-term, can cause gastrointestinal distress and bleeding.

Ginger has also been shown to reduce the production of prostaglandin and thereby alleviate uterine contractions and pain – but is completely safe and free of side effects.

While turmeric is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory effects, ginger can dramatically reduce inflammation AND pain.

Lower Cholesterol Levels with Ginger

High levels of LDL lipoproteins (the “bad” cholesterol) can occur in many people due to genetics, poor diet, smoking and lack of physical activity and are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

More often than not, medications like statins are prescribed in order to reduce cholesterol numbers.

However, the foods you consume can also have a strong influence on LDL levels.

In a 45-day study of 85 individuals with high cholesterol, patients were given 3 grams of ginger powder per day which resulted in a significant reduction in most cholesterol markers

Ginger has many compounds like sterols and stanols that have been proven to be a natural blood-thinner and can reduce the amount of fats in the blood and protect against blood-clotting, which can lead to strokes and heart attack.

Ginger May Help Prevent Cancer

Cancer is a very serious disease affecting millions of people around the world. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

Ginger extract is being actively studied as an alternative and effective treatment for several forms of cancer as the anti-cancer properties in raw ginger is a substance called 6-gingerol.

In a 2012 study, the British Journal of Nutrition wrote that ginger extract produces significant effects in a wide range of prostate cancer cells, both in the inhibition of new cancer cells forming and the death of existing ones.

In fact, the study suggests that ginger extract can inhibit the growth and the progression of prostate cancer cells by as much as 56 percent.

Another recent study conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in India focused on a particular substance found in ginger root and compared it with the chemotherapy drug Taxol (i.e. Paclitaxel) as relates to breast cancer stem cells.

Using three-dimensional models, they determined that Taxol had very little effect on breast cancer stem cells. However, 6-Shogaol, an active component in ginger root appeared to directly target the cancer cells.

Here is more information regarding the exact molecular components of ginger and the breakdown of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol:

Effective Home Remedy for Infections

Gingerol, a bioactive substance in ginger, can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria and help lower the risk of infections.

Long hailed as an effective home remedy for throat infections, the juice from a piece of raw ginger is often used to cure a cough or help relieve allergy symptoms.

It is also effective against oral bacteria linked to gingivitis and periodontitis and other inflammatory diseases of the gums.

Natural Immune System Booster

According to the University of Michigan Health System, ginger contains volatile oils, which have antimicrobial, diaphoretic, cough-suppressant, expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is also considered an immune system booster.

In addition, ginger also contains sesquiterpene, a chemical compound known to eliminate rhinoviruses, agents that cause the common cold and may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of upper respiratory tract infections.

Information on MadWash.com is for education purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a professionally trained doctor nor substitute conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, talk to a physician.

Panic attacks are accompanied by any of the following symptoms, which usually appear suddenly and reach their peak within 10 minutes. Episodes are accompanied by an intense feeling of danger, imminent death and the urgent need to seek help or escape.

The obvious step is to consult with a doctor if you believe you’ve experienced a panic attack to verify that no other health condition exists.

There is so much more we can do to help prevent panic attacks and anxiety. For example, pay more attention to your breathing. You can do Pilates, yoga or try meditation to learn various breathing techniques.

Consuming a healthy and balanced diet is also important. Eat adequate amounts of vegetables, fruits, proteins (organic and grass-fed if possible) and drink plenty of water.

You can also look into food and nutrition supplements and vitamins, which can help with alleviating the symptoms of panic attacks. Check out CFAH for up to date research and information about herbal supplements available.

It’s a good idea to avoid caffeine, alcohol, foods high in sugar, artificial sweeteners, drugs and nicotine. They could only exacerbate your condition.

Exercise is essential to a healthy life. Exercise may also be of great help to prevent panic attacks. When we exercise we stabilize our body. It improves the cardiovascular and respiratory system and can even improve the chemical balance of the body. When you exercise on a regular basis the body releases “happy hormones”, which helps release anxiety.

Panic Attacks Symptoms Include

• Heart Palpitations
• Elevated heart rate
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Shakes
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling of choking
• Tightness or discomfort in the chest
• Sickness
• Abdominal discomfort
• Instability
• Dizziness
• Feeling faint
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation
• Dizziness, unsteadiness or lightheadedness
• Fear of dying, going crazy or losing control

In short, panic attacks usually begin abruptly, reaching its maximum intensity after ten minutes or less. Not necessarily triggered by a threatening situation, it often happens suddenly and without warning.

Possible Triggers of Panic Attacks

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol in excess, we can cause many health problems, including generalized anxiety that may result in very unpleasant consequences.

An anxiety disorder induced by alcohol can last as long as a person continues to drink. Anxiety can also be the result of alcohol withdrawal. However, each person has a different nervous system, and alcohol withdrawal may vary.

Caffeine

Caffeine causes an increase in heart rate and may even cause or trigger panic attacks. According to Roland Griffiths, PhD, a professor in the departments of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine says caffeine can trigger and worsen anxiety and panic disorders.

Caffeine can also cause nervousness, headaches and palpitations. Some may not think too much about the ingredients of energy drinks, but these beverages may contain high levels of caffeine.

Dehydration

Your body simply cannot function properly without enough water. Organ function depends on it. Water helps keep your body in top condition and distributes nutrients where they are needed.

One of the easiest ways you can prevent panic attacks is by drinking plenty of water. Water does quench your thirst, but it has also been shown to help reduce anxiety.

Processed foods

“The British Journal of Psychiatry” in 2009 concluded that a diet high in processed foods such as refined grains, highly processed meats and sugary foods such as common deserts contributed to depression in middle-aged adults, whereas a diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables and fish proved protective for mental health. Eliminate sugar and other processed foods, which can stress your body, contributing to the development of panic attacks.

Information on MadWash.com is for educational purposes and is not intended to replace the advice of a professionally trained doctor nor substitute conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, talk to a physician.

Cheap Healthy Protein

With more and more American families looking to save some money at the grocery store, one of the easiest ways to do this, while still reaping tremendous health rewards, is done with beans.

But before you stock your pantry with a bunch of multi-colored cans, why not take a walk down the rice aisle? There you will find bags of dried beans or every variety: black beans, pinto beans, Northern white beans, kidney beans, garbanzo or chick peas, lentils, even packs of premixed dried beans with spice packs for delicious soups and Creole dishes.

With just a little bit of prep work, you can prepare and store any variety of beans at a fraction of the cost (and reduce your sodium intake, I might add, as this is used to extend their shelf life and firmness in the can).

Start with a 1lb bag of beans, which typically costs around $1 to $1.30 per pound. This one bag will yield enough cooked beans to equal around 4 cans, and there is substantially less packaging to throw away or recycle.

You can follow the directions and soak overnight, followed by a slow simmer on the stove…or you can follow the quick method saving you some time. However, my personal favorite, which you will not see on the packaging; toss the beans in your crock pot after rinsing, cover with 6 cups water, cover and set on low for 5 ½ hours for your thin-skinned beans such as black bean, pinto, chick pea or Northern white, up to 7 hours for you thicker skinned beans such as light or dark kidney. (Sitting on warm if you are still at work or out and about for the day won’t hurt anything)

Once soft, you can scoop the beans from the pot using a measuring cup and store these beans with their liquid in any storage container. I personally use old sour cream and butter containers that I washed, which comfortably hold about 1 can’s worth of beans, or I will use the large yoghurt containers, which hold the equivalent of 2 cans for my larger recipes. I also write what kind of bean they are on a post-it note and stack them neatly in my freezer for future use.

Beans are a fantastic source of fibre and protein and very low in fat, and if cooked until the skins break DO NOT cause gas as the “magical fruit” song would have you believe. They are an excellent way to reduce your food budget at the grocery store if you are looking to add more meat-free dishes to your week or simply add more substance and protein to an already vegetarian or vegan menu. They also taste pretty good when throwing in a pot with a ham bone, sausage or some other cheap cut of meat.

If you’re experiencing heartburn every single day, then you know how awful you start feeling when: a hiccup followed by an acidic-burning sensation starts in your chest and throat.

Why does it keep happening to me?

It may have been triggered by one or many things: something you ate, particularly processed foods that are spicy, fatty, or acidic.

Or perhaps you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition with many potential causes.

Whatever the culprit, it is reported that more than 65% of Americans suffer more than one episode of heartburn each month and more than 50% of pregnant women report struggling with heartburn during their 3rd trimester.

So it is no surprise that one of the top over-the-counter medicines sold is for heartburn relief with sales reaching $10 billion in 2012.

Frequency of heartburn in the U.S. heartburn population in 2003

However, the most common medications prescribed for ongoing and chronic heartburn related conditions fall under the category of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) such as Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium, to name a few.

And these PPIs come with a host of short-term and potentially long-term side effects.

Short-term side-effects can be:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Gas
• Constipation
• Fever
• Cold symptoms

While the short-term side effects can be manageable for those who struggle with temporary heartburn symptoms, a vast majority of Americans find they require long-term treatment and the potential side effects can have devastating effects.

The long-term treatment being those individuals who require medication longer than the 14 days recommended.

Serious side effects can include

• Serious allergic reactions
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Reduced kidney function
• Pancreatitis
• Reduced liver function
• Malabsorption of nutrients
• Infection
• Pnuemonia
• C difficile colitis
• Fractures
• Dementia

Alternative relief to avoid harmful side-effects

Faced with the rising costs of healthcare and the risks of adverse side-effects, it is becoming more and more common for people suffering from heartburn to seek out more natural remedies to treat their symptoms.

While there steps you can take to reduce heartburn episodes; lose weight, change your diet, avoid acidic foods like caffeine and alcohol, those changes take time and many people are seeking immediate relief for their heartburn symptoms.

Digestive Enzymes to the Rescue!

Digestive enzymes occur naturally in our stomach that help digest food, but over time these enzymes can be depleted or not function as they should resulting in heartburn or sour belly or a host of other digestive complaints.

By taking a digestive enzyme, many of which are made with natural ingredients like papaya and pineapple, with each meal, you are essentially giving your body a little boost digesting the foods you are putting in it and reducing the negative symptoms.

Loosen up your clothing

In some cases, heartburn can happen because tight clothing compresses your stomach, essentially squeezing the contents and acid to rise up into your oesophagus burning the delicate tissue.

If you have eaten a large or acidic meal and start to feel a slight burning sensation, try unlatching your belt or pants, whatever you may be wearing that is squeezing your midsection.

Get off the Couch, Time to Go for a Walk

While the last thing you feel like doing after eating a greasy or heavy meal is walk; it really does amazing things for your digestion and can help relieve your heartburn symptoms.

Walking at moderate speeds helps increase your metabolism, which in turn empties your stomach quicker. Having an empty stomach means there is no food sitting in your gut for your stomach to digest which is the source of most heartburn symptoms.

Stand Up or Elevate your Upper Body

Lying down or sitting down after a large, grease and acidic meal can make heartburn symptoms worse. When in a sitting position you are compressing your midsection and not allowing the natural flow of food to empty your stomach.

If you are sitting and feel burning symptoms, try standing up. If you are still feeling heartburn symptom when it comes time for bed, or find you experience more symptoms when lying down, try to adjust your sleeping position to raise your upper body.

The Mayo Clinic suggests lifting your body from the waist up either with an adjustable bed or by using an inexpensive wedge pillow.

Mix baking soda with water and lemon juice

For a quick fix for heartburn, try mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda in some warm water with a spritz of lemon juice.

This mixture can calm symptoms of heartburn by neutralizing the acid in your stomach.

Just note that baking soda has higher sodium content and may not be advised for people who are on medications to regulate blood pressure.

Liquorice – Not just candy, kiddo

Liquorice root, not to be confused with liquorice candy, is an old folk remedy that’s been used to treat sour belly and heartburn.

It is thought to help by increasing the mucous coating of your oesophagal lining, which can protect your oesophagus from damaging stomach acid.

However, take note, glycyrrhizin is a chemical compound found naturally in liquorice and has been shown to cause headaches, swelling, loss of potassium and blood pressure problems.

De-glycyrrhizinate liquorice (DGL)glycyrrhizin and is available at many health food stores and online pharmacies.

Bubblegum, Bubblegum in a Dish

According to an abstract published in the Journal of Dental Research, chewing gum for half an hour after each meal may also help reduce acidic reflux and heartburn.

As you chew your food, your mouth produces saliva which contains your body’s own digestive enzymes. By chewing gum, you are allowing your mouth to create even more natural enzymes which can help aid in digestion and reduce heartburn symptoms by diluting and clearing the stomach acid from your oesophagus.

Smoking is Hateful to the Gut

Most people already know they should cut down or eliminate smoking, but more medical data is suggesting that you refrain especially after eating.

Most smokers, especially after eating a big, heavy meal, reach for a cigarette and if you already struggle with heartburn, you could be exacerbating the problem.

According to research, smoking a cigarette after a meal does two things:

• It dries out your mouth with reduces the number of digestive enzymes being swallowed from saliva
• It is believed to relax the ring of muscles at the base of your oesophagus allowing acid to rise up from your stomach

If you must smoke a cigarette, try to wait at least an hour to give your food time to digest and leave your stomach. Instead, try sipping some ginger or mint tea after your meal.

Quitting smoking/cigarettes is hard enough. Especially when you’ve been addicted nicotine for many years. Electronic cigs have been the bridge for many ex-smokers to a cigarette-free life.

Electronic cigarettes do have substantially fewer chemicals than traditional analogue cigarettes. But e-cigs are not 100% safe. However, if you’ve experienced flu-like symptoms when vaping, there could be reasons why.

The Symptoms:

• Muscle or body aches
• Fatigue (tiredness) Sleepiness or Dizziness
• Sore throat
• Feeling feverish or have chills (shaking)
• Cough
• Sore or stiff neck
• Runny or stuffy nose
• HeadachesVaping constantly can induce flu-symptoms. Especially if you sit by your computer all day and find yourself in the habit of constantly vaping without thinking about it.
  

  Potential Reasons Why You’re Feeling Sick:

  A too high percentage of nicotine intake. Too much nicotine in your system can make you feel sick. Stop completely, cut down on vaping or dilute your e-juice with glycerin by 50 percent.

  Your atomizer is burnt-out. In this case, stop vaping and replace your e-cig with a new atomizer. Burnt atomizers/wicks can produce chemicals that can make you feel sick.

  It’s important to note that these may not be the only reasons for feeling sick when vaping.

  If you continue to feel worse, call your doctor and seek medical attention as soon as possible.