Helpful Tips For Dealing With Chest Congestion
Now that you know about the foods to avoid with chest congestion, lets go over a few tips to help with a few tips that can bring instant relief.
You can break apart the mucus blocking your airways using gargles. Add 2 tablespoons of table salt to a cup of warm water. Add a little turmeric and stir. Gargle the solution for about 2 minutes, 4 times a day.
Just like drinking hot liquids, steaming can help to dissolve and break up the mucus blocking your lungs and throat. Start off by taking a steaming hot shower. Get a bowl and fill it with boiling hot water. Place a towel over your head and lean into the bowl such that youre trapping all the steam with the towel. Hold on as long as you can as you breathe deeply. To make the steaming session even more punchy, add some eucalyptus or peppermint.
Sleep with your head elevated. This helps with mucus drainage to prevent build up as you sleep. Use a stack of pillows to raise your head slightly above your torso. Make sure its comfortable to avoid injuring your neck.
Coffee And Caffeinated Beverages
Some people may experience heartburn when drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages.
This is because caffeine has been shown to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which can increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn (
17 ).
Even though coffee may cause heartburn in some people, not all studies have observed a link between coffee and acid reflux symptoms.
One study that included 1,837 people, 25% of whom had GERD, did not find a significant link between coffee consumption and GERD symptoms .
Though the research remains inconclusive, if you tolerate coffee, theres no need to avoid it. On the other hand, if coffee gives you reflux and heartburn, its best to avoid it or limit your intake.
Summary
Some people may experience heartburn when drinking coffee, though the link between coffee intake and heartburn is not very clear. If coffee gives you heartburn, its best to avoid it or reduce your intake.
Causes And Remedies For Chest Pain After Eating
You just finished your favourite meal and you develop intense chest pain after eating? It may feel like youre having a heart attack, but it is most likely the result of a digestive condition. Chest pain can be due to eating large meals or not chewing the food properly. Another reason which can contribute to the pain can be sleeping right after your meals.
Chest pain can be a cause for concern. It can be associated with other severe health conditions and hence it is always better to take medical help. Your condition needs to be evaluated by your medical doctor to determine the cause of your pain. Do not attempt to treat your symptoms using over-the-counter medications, unless directed by a doctor.Here are some symptoms which are signs that the chest pain after meals needs to be looked into seriously:
- Vomiting, especially projectile vomiting or bloody vomitus
- Sharp pain that does not respond to antacids
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What Causes Chest Congestion
When you become sick, your respiratory system gets irritated. This causes your body to produce a large amount of mucus, also known as phlegm. These are invading foreign bodies and so the immunoglobulin works to fight them off. Every time you cough when you have chest congestion, it is simply your respiratory system trying to expel the excess foreign bodies and dead cells.
If you are allergic to certain foods, it is possible to develop chest congestion.Eggs, wheat, nuts and milk are common allergens. If you have been suffering from recurrent chest congestion, you can reduce the symptoms by avoiding the foods that trigger the congestion. If you are not sure about the foods that cause the congestion, you can consult an allergist. They will be able to diagnose the cause and also advice on the foods to avoid with chest congestion.
What Causes Pain In The Chest When Swallowing
Swallowing is the process we use to swallow the food we eat. In some circumstances, this natural act can turn into a painful situation. Dysphagia may be the answer to the question, why does my chest hurt when I swallow.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we address the reasons and consequences of chest pain when swallowing. Although, in general lines, dysphagia could be corrected with eating habits, it is essential to bear in mind that it may be a symptom of a severe cause. Hence, a precise medical diagnosis is important.
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Gas Pain In The Chest Vs Heart Pain
At times, it can be hard to tell the difference between pain caused by your heart and pain coming from your chest area. Before you read any further, you should know that if youre having any type of severe or stabbing chest pains, you should seek emergency medical assistance right away. If your pain feels like a tightness or discomfort in your chest, its far less likely that youre in the midst of a health emergency.
Heart pain may often feel like gathering pressure in the center or left side of your chest. It may build and intensify before slowly dissipating, or it may continue to grow in severity. You may recognize heart pain because it comes on suddenly and doesnt seem related to other symptoms, things you have eaten recently, or the way you are otherwise feeling that day.
Gas pain in your chest is typically accompanied by other symptoms, such as those mentioned above. If your pain is accompanied by abdominal pain, flatulence, heartburn, or acid reflux, it is most likely related to gas in your chest.
Foods That May Cause Heartburn
Heartburn is an uncomfortable symptom thats quite common.
People often describe it as a painful, burning sensation that occurs in the lower chest area and radiates toward the mouth. Some people with heartburn also describe having a sour taste in their mouth .
If you frequently experience heartburn, you may have noticed that certain foods can bring it on or make it worse.
This article lists 9 foods that may cause heartburn. It also explores methods you can use to reduce heartburn symptoms.
GERD develops when contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus, causing symptoms like:
- heartburn
- chest pain
- a sour taste in the mouth from regurgitation
Normally, stomach acid doesnt reach the esophagus because of a barrier between the esophagus and stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter . This ring-like muscle naturally stays closed and normally only opens when you swallow or burp (
Impairment and relaxation of the LES is just one possible cause of GERD.
Other factors that may increase the risk of developing GERD include (
- being over the age of 50
- drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- smoking
- having a musculoskeletal disorder
- taking certain medications, such as benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, or antidepressants
The American College of Gastroenterology doesnt currently recommend that people with GERD eliminate certain foods from their diet.
Here are 9 foods that may cause heartburn.
3 ).
9 ).
Summary
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Foods High In Carbohydrates And Sugar
If you have low blood sugar , foods high in processed sugars and carbohydrates can trigger heart palpitations. These foods can force your blood sugar levels to spike, and wild swings in your blood sugar levels may increase the likelihood of experiencing palpitations. For this reason, its important to be mindful of your carb and sugar consumption if youre hypoglycemic.
Primary Esophageal Motility Disorders
Chest pain associated with PEMDs: mild, and may feel like heartburn
PEMDs include several different disorders of the esophagus.
With a PEMD, you could experience:
- mild chest pain or heartburn
- trouble swallowing
- the sensation that food is sticking in your esophagus
See a doctor soon if you have these symptoms.
Treatment options include medications to help relax the muscles to ease swallowing, as well as minimally invasive surgical procedures.
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Digestive Problems That Cause Chest Discomfort
Experiencing chest discomfort can be a frightening thing, but it doesn’t always mean something is wrong with your heart. Several digestive issues can also cause chest discomfort, particularly problems with the esophagus — the long, muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Regardless of the source, however, chest discomfort that is persistent or severe requires examination by a qualified medical practitioner.
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While Waiting For The Ambulance
Stop any activity and rest while waiting for an ambulance. Dont try to drive yourself to hospital. Loosen any tight clothing, such as collar buttons or ties. Avoid breathing in cigarette smoke. Dont have anything to eat or drink.
If you have been prescribed angina medicine, sit or lie down and take a dose of this under your tongue. If this doesnt relieve your symptoms in 5 minutes, try taking 2 more doses at 5-minute intervals.
Chew 300mg aspirin straight away, unless you’re allergic or your doctor has told you not to. Do not give aspirin to anyone under 12 years.
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When Should I See A Doctor
While you shouldnt ignore heart palpitations, they dont necessarily need to be cause for alarm. This is especially true if theyre mainly occurring after eating. However, you should pay attention to their frequency. If you find theyre occurring regularly, you may want to speak to your doctor.
In addition, you should always seek medical attention if you experience the following symptoms in conjunction with heart palpitations:
- Difficulty breathing
Whats The Difference Between Heartburn And A Heart Attack
It has been reported that 85% of hospital ER admissions for chest pain are not a heart attack. While it is difficult to completely differentiate symptoms of heartburn and a heart attack, how do you know when too much holiday cheer is just heartburn or something more serious, like a heart attack?
Heart attacks, in general, produce a continuous discomfort or pressure sensation in the center of your chest. The pain associated with heart attacks may be experienced as a burning, aching, squeezing, or heavy sensation that can spread to other areas of the body like the arm, shoulder, upper back or jaw. During a heart attack, there are symptoms present that are not generally felt during episodes of indigestion. Symptoms of a heart attack may include shortness of breath, sweating, light headedness, dizziness, and nausea.
Indigestion generally causes temporary chest discomfort or burning anywhere from the upper abdomen to the throat. Heartburn usually hits after eating spicy, fatty, or greasy foods, but as with too much caffeine, feeling stressed, or eating too much.
Symptoms may worsen when taking a deep breath or coughing, but the pain is often relieved by taking antacid medications. Symptoms are usually:
- Feeling pain, burning, and discomfort in your upper abdomen
- Feeling full too soon while eating
- Feeling bloated and gassy
The good news is by making a few small dietary changes you can that can reduce run-ins with heartburn.
5 ways to prevent indigestion
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Chili Con Carne Is A Hearty Meal Ready To Warm You Up On A Cold Day I Love Serving This Chili For Game Day Or At Dinnertime With Cornbread
This post is sponsored by Mirum. All opinions and text are 100% my own.
This time of year I gravitate towards comfort food and dinners that need some time to cook. I have an arsenal of crock pot recipes to help make things extra easy, but some days I love being in the kitchen pouring love into our meal. Chili con Carne is all about the love. This easy to prepare chili recipe simmers on the stove for a little over an hour, and oh my goodness will it make your house smell amazing!
CHILI CON CARNEFollow Real Housemoms on Pinterest
Dietary Changes To Prevent Chest And Breast Pain
Breast pain is defined by the general feeling of discomfort, tenderness, or pain in one or both breasts. The primary cause of breast pain is hormone fluctuations, specifically of estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal fluxes cause inflammation of breast tissue, resulting in pain. What you eat can also lead to breast pain, so it is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Keep reading to learn more about the dietary changes you can make to prevent chest and breast pain.
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Identify The Signs Of Gas
There are noticeable differences between the feeling of gas and a heart attack. When its gas, youll likely experience the following:
- Bloating
- Passing gas through your backside
- Quick, sharp pains that suddenly come and end
If its heartburn, itll happen soon after eating or it can awaken you from sleep after a couple of hours. Youll feel the burning stomach acid moving up from your stomach into your throat. Youll probably taste something sour in your mouth as well.
Taking antacids is one of the best home remedies of chest pain due to gas.
Signs Of A Medical Emergency
A heart attack doesnt always include chest pain. You may be having a heart attack if you have sudden chest pain along with any of the following symptoms:
Angina is sometimes confused with a heart attack. Unlike a heart attack, angina doesnt cause permanent damage to heart tissue.
There are two main types of angina: stable and unstable. Stable angina is predictable. It comes on when youre physically active and the heart is pumping harder than usual. It tends to disappear when you rest.
Unstable angina can appear at any time, even when youre sitting down and relaxed. Unstable angina is a more serious concern because it strongly indicates youre at a greater risk of a heart attack.
If you arent sure whether youre experiencing angina or a heart attack, err on the side of caution and call your local emergency services. If you experience either type of angina, you should make an appointment to see your doctor soon.
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Other Digestive Causes Of Chest Pain
Though less common, some conditions that affect your esophagus can also cause chest pain as they can prevent food from moving normally, cause spasms or contractions, and even make your body more sensitive to normal stomach acid. These conditions include:
- Visceral or esophageal hypersensitivity
- Esophageal motility disorders
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
Swallowing very hot liquids or caustic materials, like acid, can also cause issues in your esophagus and lead to chest pain.
How Much Protein Do You Need
It does depend on the person and how active they are. It is somewhere between 0.8 kg to 1.2 kg per kilo of body weight . For most people, it is at the 0.8 kg end. To make it easy, you would say if you weight 60 kg, then you need 60 grams of protein.
Here are the protein contents of some protein sources :
- 1 boiled egg, 6 gm protein
- 100 grams salmon, 22 grams protein
- 100 grams chicken, 28 grams protein
- 1 cup rolled oats, 10 grams protein
- 1 cup tempeh, 31 grams protein
- 1 cup lentils, 18 grams protein
- 1 tub greek yogurt, 17 grams protein
- 1 handful of almonds, 6 grams protein
If you are buying protein bars dont be fooled by the labels. Things like food star ratings or the words natural dont mean too much. Read the ingredients. I picked three protein bars from the supermarket and I was going to choose which one I liked the best. But now looking at them, they all fall short of my expectation. From a weight loss perspective, I feel the Aussie Bodies would be the better. It is low in calories per serve and low in sugar . This bar is 18 grams protein for a 60 gram serve.
What to look for:
- < 3 grams saturated fat per 100 grams
- < 4 grams sugar per serving
Take home message, choose whole food protein foods where possible instead. Whole foods are more filling, provide more nutrients and are easier to digest and absorb.
If you would like any more information on weight loss or muscle gain, or any dietary advice, please contact me for a consultation.
By elizp
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Do People With Noncardiac Chest Pain Have Other Symptoms
People with noncardiac chest pain commonly have other symptoms of GERD, including heartburn and acid reflux. They also report a higher incidence of other gastrointestinal complaints, including sore throat, regurgitation and difficulty swallowing. Up to 80% of those with functional noncardiac chest pain report other functional GI disorders with no obvious explanation, especially IBS and functional abdominal bloating .
For some people, noncardiac chest pain is associated with psychological symptoms, such as stress, anxiety and depression. This is true even when the cause is determined to be something else. In fact, there is a significant crossover between psychological symptoms and symptoms of esophageal hypersensitivity, as well as heartburn. Psychological stress can trigger gastrointestinal symptoms, and vice versa. Doctors have speculated that this is due to a disorder of the gut-brain connection.
Aortic Aneurism And Dissection
Aortic dissection is a tear or separation of the inner layers of the aorta, the main artery that leads from the heart. This can lead to a buildup of blood in the artery.
An aortic aneurysm refers to an enlargement in the aorta.
can cause the aorta to rupture or burst.
Aortic dissection and a severe aortic aneurysm are emergencies and require immediate medical help.
A stable aortic aneurysm may not need emergency treatment.
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