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WHERE SHOULD BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINETS BE LOCATED

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Biological safety cabinets or BCS are used to provide both the clean work environment and protection for employees who can create aerosols when working with biological hazards. A biosafety cabinet is also known as biological safety cabinet which has some special appeal of its own and this has some own features and characteristics. Several different types of BSC are available and these are differentiating by the degree of biocontainment requirement. The primary purpose of a BSC is to serve as means to protect the laboratory worker and the surrounding environment from pathogens. Most biological safety cabinets are not classified under this standard because they are not typically used for large quantities of volatile chemicals. So last but not the least that the biosafety cabinet and the fume hood’s working procedures are totally different and that is why it is not possible to use a biosafety cabinet as a fume hood.

The class 2 type a biological safety cabinet is the most common safety cabinet of all the different types available. It has the common plenum from which 30% of air is exhausted and the 70% recalculated to the work area as the down flow. A key distinction is that biosafety cabinets have an internal blower motor which recalculates potentially contaminated air through HEPA filters.

Now the question where to locate this biological safety cabinet? There should have some safety procedures which must have to follow before locating any biological safety cabinet. Like-

  • Try to install BSC s to allow access to their supply and exhaust filters for annual certification testing and HEPA filter The top of the cabinet must be at least 18’ below the ceiling to field test exhaust flow according to NSF standard 49.
  • To avoid disturbing the airflow that protects the worker, locate BSCs so lab personnel existing and entering the lab do not pass in front of them.
  • To protect, do not install the biological safety cabinet directly opposite to the workstations.
  • Biosafety cabinet should be located out of the laboratory personnel traffic pattern. They can also place or located at the end of an aisle.
  • BCS should not be placed near an entryway and this cannot be avoided they should place at least 60” from behind the doorway or 40” from an adjacent door.
  • Clear zones around the cabinet should be included a minimum of 80” from opposing walls, 60” from opposing bench areas or occasional traffic areas and 40” between the BSC and bench tops along a perpendicular wall.
  • BSC along the perpendicular walls shall be placed 48” apart.
  • Make sure if two BSCs are placed next to each other there should be a minimum of 40” between them.
  • A minimum of 120” should be between two cabinets facing each other.

Work zone minimum dimensions include 40” in the front of the cabinet and 12” on each side which will be finest for locating this biosafety cabinet.

Why use Cleanroom Workbenches in Laboratory?

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A laboratory is a very delicate place; a small mistake can lead to bigger mishaps. So while working in a laboratory it is very important to be careful. Cleanroom is a solution for such problems. Cleanroom is basically a facility which is used for specialized researches and productions. These research works mainly includes the manufacture of pharmaceutical items and microprocessors.

How are cleanroom designed?

Cleanrooms are designed in such a manner that there should be contaminating sources. There should be no loop hole for the entrance of low level particulates such as airborne, dust, micro-organism or vaporized particles. Hence they are designed in such a way that the cleanliness factor is never compromised.

Cleanroom workbench                                          

Cleanroom consists of cleanroom workbenches. Workstations or workbenches helps in maintaining and regulating the required environment so that they functions in a cleanroom runs smoothly without any interruptions.

Applications                                                          

A cleanroom has many applications. Let us have a look at some of the applications of cleanroom workbench in a laboratory.

  1. Cleanrooms facility is especially for manufacturing pharmaceuticals items and microprocessors.
  2. These facilities are also used to manufacture aerospace semiconductors and engineering applications.
  3. The important part is they do not contain any type of environmental pollutants and are extremely safe.
  4. Cleanroom workbench is mainly used for high end experiments.
  5. The facility is isolated. Hence it helps in keeping it clean even if the rest of the laboratory is a mess.

Requirements for working on a cleanroom workbench in a laboratory

A cleanroom workbench is maintained just so no contaminants enter into the room. There are very restricted numbers of people who are allowed to work on a cleanroom workbench. The entry of more people can lead to the entrance of dust particles. Cleanroom workbenches can vary in sizes as well depending on the type of work which has to be conducted on the workbench. For smaller experiments a workbench of smaller sizes is enough but for bigger tasks to take up the size of the cleanroom as well as the workbench should be big enough in size.

There are uniforms for the people who work in the cleanroom workbench. Just to avoid any entry of unwanted particles these rules are strictly followed by all the personnel who works on a cleanroom workbench. The uniforms are specially designed to capture or lock all the contaminants which are generated by the body or the skin.

People who work on a Recirculating Clean Bench are highly trained professionals. They are trained very precisely in contamination control theory. The entry and exit in a cleanroom is made through airlock. This is done so that there is less chance of any harmful substance entering into the room and contaminates any other working projects.

Uniform requirements to work on a cleanroom workbench

As mentioned earlier the cleanroom workbench works have special uniforms to work in such an environment. Their uniforms mostly consists of boots and shoes, aprons, bouffant caps, beard cover, lab coats and face masks, gowns and gloves and also shoe covers. These are the major things which the workers need to possess before entering a cleanroom.

 

Hence, these are the uses and requirements of a cleanroom workbench in a laboratory.

OCD Symptoms: How to Detect OCD in Yourself or Loved Ones

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Everyone’s heard of obsessive-compulsive disorder, but not many people actually understand it. The term ‘OCD’ gets tossed around all the time, often in a joking manner.

But OCD is a very real, very serious disorder that affects 1 in 40 adults in the United States.

The first step in living with OCD is understanding it. If you suspect that you or a loved one are struggling with OCD, be sure to keep reading.

Join us below as we explore OCD along with some of the more common OCD symptoms.

What Is OCD?

We hear it all the time. Someone needs something done a certain way, so they’re jokingly told they have OCD. What may seem like a harmless rib minimizes a serious disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a disorder in which a person has constant, unwavering thoughts and feelings and must engage in a set of behaviors or acknowledge these thoughts to satiate said compulsions.

Unfortunately, that satiation is temporary, and these thought patterns or behavioral drives often pop up sooner rather than later.

Common thought patterns and behavioral needs include:

  • A desire to hurt one’s self or another.
  • A need to avoid germs and dirt at all costs.
  • Recurring negative thought patterns.
  • Picking at one’s skin or fingers.
  • Repetitive inappropriate thought patterns.
  • Avoidance of situations to minimize potential embarrassment.

If you’re already living with a mental health condition, some of these symptoms may sound familiar to you. In fact, you’ve likely noticed some major commonalities between anxiety, depression treatment, and OCD.

While it’s true that OCD shares many signs and symptoms with other mental health conditions, it isn’t an offshoot of anxiety, as many believe.

OCD Symptoms

Now that we’ve spent a bit of time learning more about the details of what OCD is and isn’t, let’s talk more in-depth about some of the most common symptoms of OCD.

Constant Worry

The underlying factor tying each symptom of OCD together is a constant sense of dread, not unlike that experienced in those living with an anxiety disorder treatment.

A person living with OCD often feels like if he or she doesn’t meet their needs or adhere to their thought patterns — no matter how negative — something catastrophic will occur.

On a smaller scale, that sense of worry translates to social situations, too. As mentioned before, many people living with OCD have a distinct fear of embarrassment.

As a result, they may abstain from social situations or speaking in a group setting.

Ritualistic Behavior

Ritualistic behavior is common among those with OCD but is most prominent in those with deep religious beliefs.

On their own, ritualistic behaviors aren’t inherently a bad thing. In fact, they can bring a sense of order to our lives.

Things like going to church or praying, scheduled self-care, or regular visits with friends are healthy activities that can add value to our lives.

Trouble arises when these behaviors become compulsions and start to overwhelm a person.

Take prayer, for instance. A person may believe that if he or she doesn’t pray in an exact way each time, their god will become angry with them. Accordingly, a person may feel the need to engage in the same prayer, word for word.

Obsession with ‘Sets’ of Activities

Not only will a person with OCD feel that they need to complete a certain task in a pre-determined way, but it must be done so a specific number of times.

Those with OCD may have an obsession with certain numbers and patterns.

For the sake of simplicity, we’ll continue with the prayer example. Not only does a person with OCD feel the need to pray in a certain way, but they must also do so in multiples.

So while most people would pray once and feel satisfied, a person living with OCD may need to pray six or seven times to get that same sense of calm.

Negative Self-Talk

Recurring thought patterns are an unfortunate part of OCD. More often than not, these thoughts are directed inward at the self and tend to be extremely unfair or harsh.

And since they’re recurring, it’s all too easy to become numb to these thoughts. While a person may think, “I look ugly today” once and shrug it off, when repeated, these thoughts can wear the thinker down.

As the saying goes, perception is reality. Once these thought patterns become established, the thinker then accepts them as fact. Soon, these constant negative thoughts can have a negative impact on a person’s self-esteem.

Perfectionism

Given the predisposition for a fear of mistakes as well as constant negative self-talk, a person with OCD will often go above and beyond to make sure things in their life appear perfect.

Should they make a mistake, no matter how slight, they’ll often ruminate on the error for days, weeks, or even years on end.

This sense of perfectionism overlaps with recurring negative self-talk, as well as compulsive cognitions.

OCD Treatments

There is hope for those living with OCD. While the disorder can be disruptive and frustrating, it’s also quite manageable with some work and lifestyle changes.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is the most commonly used form of OCD treatment and aims to help patients become more aware of their thought patterns. This awareness gives the patient power, allowing them to recognize when they’re getting carried away and redirect their thought patterns in a healthier, safer manner.

Certain antidepressants may be effective, as well. Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil are commonly cited medications with a record of success in OCD treatment.

There Is Hope

Living with OCD symptoms can be maddening. It can feel like you’re alone, trapped in your own head.

But if OCD is affecting the lives of yourself or a loved one, know that there is hope. Know that you’ve learned about the disorder, it’s time to do something about it. Life with OCD may be tough at times, but partnering with a professional therapist can help you manage.

Schedule an appointment today and take your life back from OCD.

7 Telltale Signs You’re In a Toxic Relationship

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We love and trust freely, but that isn’t always reciprocated the way we’d like it to be.

Unfortunately, every 20 minutes in the United States, somebody is being abused by their partner.

Does that statistic hit close to home? The signs of an unhealthy relationship aren’t always obvious or easy to face up to, but that doesn’t change the reality.

If you’re not sure if you’re in a toxic relationship, here are 7 telltale signs you shouldn’t ignore.

Jealousy and Negativity Are Common

Jealousy can be a natural element in many relationships, but it can be an overwhelmingly toxic sign if it creeps into every facet of your life with your partner.

If jealousy, and negativity more generally, are common in your relationship, it’s time to re-evaluate. What constitutes toxic negativity, however?

Passive aggressiveness could be one sign. Putdowns, criticism, and behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable shouldn’t be tolerated. Neither, too, should gaslighting.

Gaslighting is where you are made to doubt the validity of your concerns. Don’t question your sanity in those circumstances – question the person who makes you feel that way.

Arguments Without Resolutions

Every relationship requires you to be able to adequately communicate with your other half. Unfortunately, in a relationship on the rocks, you’re more likely to argue in anger and without resolutions.

Arguments like these tend to indicate that there are things that are troubling in your relationship that you’re failing to solve. You can only solve issues like these together.

That’s not to say that the blame is yours alone, or yours to share. Communication is two-way, and you may find yourself dealing with a partner that won’t respond with anything other than anger.

If you or your partner can’t or won’t communicate, you’re at a dead end in your relationship.

You Prefer to Stay Apart

You should be able to enjoy spending time with your partner or, at the very least, be able to stay in the same room together. If you can’t, why are you staying together in a relationship?

That’s the question you need to ask yourself if you find yourself preferring to spend more time apart. Ask yourself, too, why it might be the case.

Is it mentally draining being around your partner, or are you under physical threat? Domestic violence or abuse, as our earlier statistic showed, is far too common.

Remaining in your partner’s company isn’t something you have to do, but if you don’t want to, then consider the future of your relationship with care.

You Don’t Feel like Yourself

There’s often no one, single cause for a relationship that’s toxic – that’s why it can sometimes be difficult to recognize the signs.

Rather than looking at signs in your relationship first, look instead at yourself.

How much has the relationship you’re in changed who you are? Do you find yourself more upset and more doubtful than you ever were?

Anxiety issues are common in toxic relationships, as you’re faced with the battle of hiding your own emotions and worries to satisfy your partner. You can learn more about the 5 most common types of anxiety disorders from our guide.

If you don’t feel like yourself anymore, you should consider whether your relationship is the root cause of those changes.

Your Partner Has Excessive Control over You

When you leave the house, do you have to ask your partner for permission? What about when you see friends or family members?

The best kind of relationships exists between two, equal partners. Both are adults, and both are capable of making decisions, either for themselves or as a team.

Permission shouldn’t come into it. You are not a chattel or a property of another person. A relationship doesn’t mean seceding your free will to another.

Unfortunately, isolation and control tend to come hand in hand in relationships with abusive partners. Reducing your access to other people, or to the outside world, can give your partner greater control over you.

Compromise and courtesy are one thing, but if your partner has an abnormal amount of influence over the decisions you make, it might be a significant sign that you’re in a bad relationship.

Their Happiness Feels More Important Than Yours

We build relationships with other people because we enjoy their company. Happiness plays the biggest part in that.

In your relationship, whose happiness is more important? Yours, or that of your partner?

In relationships where mental or physical abuse is common, the latter is more likely. Your happiness is likely to be secondary, or not even a consideration at all.

But it shouldn’t be that way.

As we’ve already mentioned, a relationship should be an equal partnership. Your relationship should be weighted so that the happiness of both sides are equally important.

If that’s not the case, and the situation can’t or won’t change, you should consider whether your relationship can continue.

Exhaustion Is the Norm

A partner that’s willing to abuse your mental or physical health, gaslight you, and reduce your self-worth is going to have likely signs of instability.

Dealing with that can be exhausting. Are you often tired around your partner? Do you see these signs of mental exhaustion in your day-to-day life?

We’ve already mentioned anxiety, but what about anger, dread and a lack of concentration?

Healthy relationships aren’t tiring to deal with on a day-to-day basis. That doesn’t mean they’re perfect, but the good times should outweigh the bad. If you’re tired far too often dealing with your partner, that should be concerning you.

Exhaustion is a clear and toxic sign of a relationship that’s likely to be causing your health, both mentally and physically, more damage than it may be worth.

Don’t Settle for a Toxic Relationship

The signs of a toxic relationship might not be easy to face, but if you’re being abused, you should remember that you don’t have to accept it.

Don’t miss the signs. Negativity, exhaustion, jealous, unhappiness – they could be evidence that you’re in a relationship that isn’t worth saving.

Break out of a bad relationship for good and begin the process of reinventing and rebuilding your life for the better. It’s not always the easiest choice, but your mental and physical health may be dependant on a fresh new start.

Don’t be afraid to seek out professional help on your road to recovery. Check out the therapy sessions we offer to help you rebuild your quality of life.

The new trend of house call doctors is catching up again

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Till up to the middle of the last century, the natural procedure was that doctors would visit the patient at the patient’s residence. Up until the 1960s, one could easily call the doctor up with a phone call and request an appointment at the patient’s home. However, this trend underwent a complete reversal with the passage of time. It has become incredibly difficult for the doctors to be now travelling and visiting their patients over long distances. However, today we are seeing a complete change in this again as doctors are more than willing to visit the patients at their homes. In this article, you will learn about this emerging trend again where doctors visit the patients at home and why it is so convenient.

Why has this trend returned after such a long time?

With the expansion in the medical services, today more and more doctors are working in groups and doing group practices in medical care. The burden of the health care systems has also increased considerably s patients are now finding it really difficult to find time in order to visit the hospitals and the offices of the physicians. Because of all these, there are a lot of physicians who have turned towards taking house calls. As a result we see the trend re-emerge where the patients are being visited by the doctors at their homes. Today, treatments vary a lot and one does not always need to visit the hospital for basic treatments.

The trend of getting doctors to come on to house calls is being revived now again as more and more physicians have opted to becoming house call doctors. The money that they get has also increased a lot. There are a lot of clinics that offer house call services for doctors and the fees charged by the doctors is almost the same as a regular visit to the clinic would have cost the patient. The doctors get their extra fees from the clinics. This trend has increased primarily because it is the home where a patient needs to get optimum care.

What do house call doctors do?

House call doctors help the patients by diagnosing them of their medical problems and treating their health conditions. The costs of health care have increased a lot and patients tend to go for concierge medicines California more now. The life spans of people have also increased and older people are required to pay up more for their health care. Thus the trend of house call doctors is going to continue in the future also. The house call programs will need an organised structure so as to be able to work in a large scale and so that physicians and their patients can both benefit from it.

The house call doctors can treat fever, pains in the stomach, injuries and do stitches and treat diseases that can be treated with concierge medicines. If you want to get house call doctors, then you must search for Doctors That Make House Calls near Me or Concierge Services California.

 

Some Important Things to know about Esophagus Cancer

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Who knows that some acid reflux symptoms can end up in such dreadful events? Yes, you heard it rights and more if you know then you will get to know that some common acid reflux if remain in your body for a long time, can end up getting an esophagus cancer.

This is common these days, and if you are worried about having such a thing in your body, then it is obvious. You might get so many symptoms that are associated with esophagus cancer. If you have acid reflux and you are worried about getting the esophagus cancer then here are some of the important things that you should know. So let us get to it –

 How do you get Esophagus cancer?

Well, before we get to cancer, there are many Esophageal Cancer Symptoms that will tell you about it. These all can be dreadful, and you should know all about these symptoms which can help you in some amazing ways. If you ever feel like that you should know why you have esophagus cancer, then you should follow the below-mentioned paragraph.

The cancer is usually caused by the acid in your stomach, and once that acid is spreading, then you can get to see that you are developing ulcers. The ulcers are really bad, and they are the only reason why you developed cancer. If you have ulcers, then you should never ignore them and find a better treatment for that. With all that Foods to Avoid Acid Reflux that we are not eating in the market, we are developing the risks of getting such a thing in our body more rapidly.

Keep all these things in your mind, and you will surely get so many benefits from all that. If you ever feel like that you should get a checkup then go for it. The checkup might cost you a few bucks but your life is valuable, and you will never get it back.

What causes Esophageal Cancer?

There are so many things that can be the cause of Esophageal Cancer, and we all simply ignore them. Being a human, this is our tendency to ignore things that take away our pleasures but keep that in mind that these pleasures can end up taking your life. Be real all the time and keep these things in your mind before you get to it. The things that can be the cause of the cancer are –

  • If you are a regular smoker or you have tobacco, then you can easily develop cancer in your esophagus. It is a really common thing in a smoker life, and you will get it if you are smoking cigarettes daily.
  • If you have some serious condition with the acid reflux, then you are more prone to developing cancer.
  • If you are obese then also your risks of developing the cancer are high.

You should keep that in mind, and if you are feeling anything wrong, then you should consult a doctor right away.

What to know what is triggering your heartburns?

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You might be suffering from heartburns and many more disease that might be triggering it. There are many things that can be GERD Symptoms and you should know all of them. There are so many things that you need to know, and all that stuff can help you to get a long way up to the top.

We are here to help you with the things that you need to know, and that can help you to know about the main reasons behind the heartburns that you are getting. Before we get started with the reasons, let us discuss a little about the heartburns and how to identify them.

What is Heartburn? What are the Symptoms of having Heartburn?

Well, heartburns are common, and we all might have experienced it once in our life. There are so many things that you need to know, and all that stuff can help you to get so many things done.

If you are looking for some of the major things that can help you to know that you have heartburns, then you can follow the section below. The major symptoms of having heartburns are –

  • Reflux disease
  • Chest pain
  • Bitter taste in the mouth
  • More Saliva
  • Pain while lying

These all things can help you to know this, and you can get so many symptoms that can be associated with this. Keep all these things in your mind, and if you ever have any of them, then you should contact a doctor immediately. Look out for them, and they will surely turn out to be much more than just helpful.

What is triggering your Heartburns?

Well, there are so many things that can help you to know about the things that have been triggering your heartburns. To be honest, there are many of them it depends according to person to person.

You should keep track of everything that you eat and trust me it will surely help you in some of the most amazing ways. Here are all the things that you need to know about the foods that trigger.

Food that Triggers Heartburns

Well, there are many of them, and we all eat that will all our knowledge of things that are harmful to us. As we all are humans so we are good at ignoring the thing like Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and one should know all about it to lead a healthy life.

However, we are not listing anything here, and we are here to help you to know what kind of food and we are not picking out anything. So the food that triggers heartburns is –

  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Foods
  • Large Meals
  • Late-night meals

These things are better if avoided and if you want to get many of these things done in the easiest ways, then this is all that you need to know. Keep all these things in mind and try your best to avoid them.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – Symptoms and Causes

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There might be many questions if you are living a healthy lifestyle, but you are still having heartburns, GERD, acid refluxes and many more things. One of the main questions that will get in your mind is What Causes Acid Reflux and you should get your answer to that.

Well, there are many types of acid refluxes, and they are almost the same. If you have such a thing in your body, then you should know each and everything about it. Here we are to help you with the GERD, and you will get to know some hidden and amazing information about it. So let us get to it –

What is GERD?

GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an acid reflux disease that can cause you so many things like heartburns and many other digestive diseases. You can get many benefits from the home remedies that you can use to get the cure for the GERD.

However, there are many people that can get the GERD and there are a lot of things that you need to know before you get yourself a better treatment. There are so many things that you need to know, and it will surely help you to get a long way up to the top. We have mentioned some of the most important things that are signs and symptoms and causes that will tell you that you have GERD. So let us get to it –

Causes of GERD

  • They are caused by acid refluxes that might hit you every now and then. You should keep track of all these things, and it will surely be helpful.
  • If you are obese, then this thing also can be the cause that you get the GERD.
  • The addition of unhealthy and oily food can also cause you all such things.
  • A connective tissue disorder may lead to GERD, and this can cause you a lot more.

Symptoms of GERD

There are many things that you will feel, and these Reflux Symptoms are so easy to be ignored, and this is what we all do. You should visit a doctor when you get these things and trust me you will get much help from your doctor, and you will end up getting a better stomach. You need to get rid of GERD, and these things are the early symptoms that you have GERD.

  • The first things that you will get to experience are the heartburns, and you need to know that it is an early sign of GERD. If you ever get such a burning sensation for more than a day, then you should consult a doctor.
  • Chest pain with some sharp pain in between the lungs. That can be an ulcer in your food pipe.
  • You might find it hard to swallow food easily, and it will give you a hard time if you have GERD. Keep these things in mind, and it will surely help you a lot.

Understanding the causes and consequences of acid reflux

Acid reflux is a known ailment that affects almost every individual. It is not akin to a medical emergency but can cause extreme uneasiness and shooting pain. However before delving into the treatment options available for combating acid reflux it is better to acquire a clear idea about the cause and effects of acid reflux

A brief delineation of acid reflux

In order to know What Is Acid Reflux one needs to understand the process of food digestion. The digestion of food starts in the mouth with the mechanical mastication of food particles and its combination with saliva. The prepared food bolus is then gulped and it travels through the esophagus into the stomach. Once the food enters the stomach the next phase of digestion is initiated and the sphincter muscles called LES close. In normal digestion the food is further simplified and pushed towards the small intestine. But if the stomach fails to churn the food appropriately due to high concentration of acid then the food is expelled through the LES towards the esophagus. The reverse action results in what is known as acid reflux. The expulsion of regurgitated food happens through the mouth but as the semi digested food is highly acidic it causes substantial pain when it flows back into the esophagus.

The signs which are indicative of food regurgitation

Symptoms of Acid Reflux includes many signs of discomfort that a person feels. The most common problems that are experienced by people who are suffering from acid reflux include the following:

  • The primary symptom that is observed is stomach heaviness after having a normal meal. The heaviness is caused due to the formation of gas from acid.
  • Coughing up semi digested food from the stomach that is sour to taste.
  • Accumulation of sour liquid in the mouth when one burps.
  • Pain in the chest that radiates from the middle part of the thoracic region.
  • Vomiting food right after having a meal.
  • Pain in stomach and also the throat.
  • Heartburn or radiating pain is in the chest area.

Even though acid reflux is a very common ailment but it should not be taken lightly. Long term or consistent occurrence of acid reflux can cause irreparable damage to the internal organs, these include the following:

  • Hoarseness in the natural voice due to constant irritation caused by throwing up regurgitated acidic food.
  • Scarring of the inner epithelia of the esophagus due to the movement of acidic contents from the stomach.
  • Weakness of the sphincter muscle that connect the esophagus with the stomach due to repeated regurgitation.
  • Decreased functionality of the stomach due to excessive acid buildup.
  • Loss of appetite due to indigestion.

Therefore the commonness of acid reflux should not be a reason to neglect severe and constant bouts of acidic reaction from the stomach. If antacids are not effective in controlling acid reflux then other modes of treatment should be discussed with the family physician for reducing regurgitation or acid reflux. A diet and exercise regime should be formulated keeping the problem of acid reflux in mind.

Acid Reflux: Symptoms and Best Preventive Methods

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Acid Reflux

Our stomach possesses a wonder muscle called lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), situated at the entrance of the stomach and its major function is to keep the stomach tightly closed. In ordinary cases, the sphincter closes the stomach as soon the foods have passed through it. However, in certain cases, the LES does not function properly; it remains open or opens up too often allowing the acid inside the stomach to leak through it and reach the oesophagus causing damage to its tissues. This condition gives rise to a number of symptoms such as sensations of burning in the chest which is commonly known as heartburn. If such symptoms happen frequently, then you probably suffer from acid reflux disease called as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What is hiatal hernia?

The patients of acid reflux suffer from a very common stomach abnormality which is known as hiatal hernia. During hiatal hernia, the LES and the upper portion of stomach above the diaphragm get moved. The diaphragm separates the chest from the stomach. The diaphragm is responsible for keeping the acid in the stomach. When you have hiatal hernia, acid from the stomach moves out and reaches oesophagus, causing acid reflux.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

Symptoms of acid reflux include:

  • Burping
  • Weight loss without even trying
  • indigestion
  • hoarseness in voice
  • Hiccups
  • Bloating
  • wheezing
  • bloody stools or black stools
  • bloody vomiting
  • Nausea
  • dry coughing
  • Dysphasia

What are the preventive measures?

  • Ginger is a widely used natural remedy to heal stomach woes. You can use ginger whenever you have a trouble coping with a sudden stomach-ache. Drinking ginger tea will get you rid of acid reflux as it is noted for its anti-inflammatory properties which can soothe your acid reflux symptoms.
  • Eating green vegetables like spinach, asparagus, kale, Brussels sprouts, which are alkaline vegetables will give you relief from acid reflux. It should be noted that spinach must be consumed in its raw state only as it acquires a little acidic nature when cooked.
  • Balance your Hydrochloric Acid levels to keep acid reflux at bay. When your body naturally produces more amounts of Hydrochloric acid, it reduces your chances of experiencing GERD symptoms. The best way to increase the production of HCL is to consume high quality sea salt in your meals. Cheaper salts lack in chloride and minerals and will do more harm in deteriorating your health.
  • Consuming raw organic apple cider vinegar gives instant relief. It is a widely used natural remedy to treat skin and stomach woes. It has a pH level of 5 and when you drink it, you are at a lesser risk of sustaining heartburn.

Avoid foods which have a pH less than 5. Eating fatty foods, fried foods, packaged drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, beef, fish, and citrus fruits will cause harm to your oesophagus. Therefore, following a strict hiatal hernia diet will neutralise the content of acid in your stomach.

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