How to Cure Acid Reflux Naturally and Drug-free

The symptoms of acid reflux disease, with its ensuing burning pains, dyspepsia, bloating, coughing, breathing problems and sleeping difficulties have become nearly epidemic in the United States. Between overeating, consuming high fat junk foods and going to chili cook offs on weekends, troublesome heartburn-related problems are stopping people in their tracks, and making many look for relief where ever it can be found.
Drugs and pharmaceuticals are available around every corner and at even the smallest retail outlets. But drugs and antacids are not a cure and can be suppressive, offering only temporary relief. As antacids and proton pump inhibitors wear off, severe rebound of reflux symptoms often occur leading to deeper disease states as time goes on. Fortunately for the majority of sufferers of painful acid indigestion, there are a variety of natural, drug-free treatments and lifestyle changes that bring both temporary and long term relief.

How to Recognize Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms

Hot chili causes acid reflux and GERD-stockexchange.com

Acid reflux symptoms, more commonly known as heartburn, can occur in anyone at any age, but are more prevalent in the elderly, overweight and people who experience high stress in their jobs or lifestyle. A painful and often dangerous condition if left untreated, severe heartburn can develop into a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD occurs when stomach acids regularly back up into the esophagus, primarily due to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter, causing damage to the lining of the esophagus. As stomach acids continue to erode the delicate esophageal cells, ongoing damage from reflux may lead to cancer and ...

Certain common signs of GERD appear first as warnings and should be heeded. Identify early signs of GERD to prevent serious esophageal damage.

How to Plan an Acid Reflux Diet Menu

 An acid reflux diet has been shown to reduce the burning pain, belching, bloating and chest discomfort typical of heartburn and acid reflux. Some people find relief by using occasional antacids, but long term relief from painful gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is best found by planning a menu and following a GERD diet, including all the foods you can eat safely and healthfully. GERD may develop in people who persist in eating foods that create digestive tract damage eventually contributing to ongoing erosion of the esophagus with the potential of developing Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer. Eliminating those foods that are harmful may help reduce and control acid reflux symptoms.

Design an easy-to-follow acid refluxdiet menu to reduce painful heartburn symptoms FAST!

Creating Prosperity with Successful Money Management

"Practice successful Money Management? ...during these times? Right! And what about if I receive a windfall? How do I practice money management if I have just gotten an inheritance, a bonus or a large tax refund?? I just want to spend it!"


Successful money management in times of lack or when you are flush requires discipline and an unexpected monetary windfall can be a highly dangerous situation. More individuals and companies mismanage their affairs in these circumstances than at any other time. Especially when times are so tight as we have seen lately, it's easier than ever to forget good money management. Here's what you can do to hold on to that influx of money...

Five Tips for Wearing Womens Fragrance During Summer

Wearing womens fragrance has its own set of rules and is and art to do well. So many perfumes are heavy and cloying and when worn in the heat of summer can become even more so, not only for the woman wearing it but for others in the room. Women’s fragrance can be worn year long but there are a few things to remember when doing so in the summertime when body temperatures rise more easily than during cooler months. Follow these five tips for wearing and enjoying womens fragrance during the summer.
TIP! Choose lighter scents of womens fragrance during warm months. Citrus, light florals or fruity scents are not only more desirable scents during hot months, but can also be used as a splash when your really feeling wilted and need a quick pick-me-up from the heat. Lighter, airy scents of women's fragrances are more easily accepted by the public as well.

TIP! Less is better! No matter what scent of women's fragrance you choose, use less than you would ordinarily. The scent will still remain and the heat will add to your body’s ability to radiate the delicious women's fragrance but you won’t have the heaviness of too much perfume that so many find objectionable.

TIP! Apply differently than you would ordinarily. Instead of spraying fragrance directly on your skin, spray straight up into the air and stand beneath the cloud of perfume which will fall lightly in an all-over pattern on your body. Womens fragrance applied in this manner covers a wide portion of your body lightly leaving a lovely aura of scent wherever you go.

TIP! Spray or apply woman’s fragrance lightly to your clothes instead of your body. Fabric holds the scent longer and you can use less. Put a light touch of fragrance in your hair for a nice touch of scent which also will hold the luscious aroma longer than on your skin.

TIP! Place an old fashioned cloth hanky in your purse with a small spray of woman’s fragrance on it to keep your purse or tote bag smelling fresh. If you’re warm and use your hanky to wipe your brow, each time you will have the delightful scent of your favorite perfume to brighten your day and make you feel more feminine.

Do you like wearing perfume duing warm weather?

Pay for Ebay Items Directly from the Paypal Website

Checking out through eBay for purchases won can be time consuming and full of glitches, so going directly to Paypal to complete a sale is an easier and more streamlined method that not only saves time but still affords a buyer the purchase protection that comes with paying for items with Paypal. Although some folks balk at using Paypal as a payment method, it does have its benefits if one knows how to take advantage of the various features that a Paypal account offers, like paying directly for your eBay purchases without having to go to eBay to do so.

Finding a Professional Pest Control Company to Kill Cockroaches

Image credit-Wikimedia.com

Finding a professional pest control company to kill cockroaches and other unwanted insects can save you time and effort as compared to using do-it-yourself products which are sometimes ineffective and often toxic to humans and pets. Instead of taking the time and wasting money on ‘iffy’ products with unknown efficacy, hire a professional pest control company to do the job thoroughly and keep your home cockroach free over time. Pest exterminators have developed numerous products for a variety of extermination needs so speak in detail to the company you hire about your needs and find out what they suggest for your given problem. Follow these guidelines for finding the best professional pest exterminator for your needs...

How to Provide Homeopathic Pet Care for Rescue Animals

Offering shelter and pet care to lost, injured or feral animals is often accompanied by confusion on the part of the rescuer as to how to help animals adjust to human interaction and unknown environments. Although the information presented here can be used as an adjunct to pet care for any kind of rescue animal, this article will focus on rescue cats and dogs.

Using homeopathic medicine for pet care in all animals has proven to be extremely effective and gentle. Rescue cats and dogs accept treatment readily and the changes in their natures and temperaments are often profound. It’s especially helpful to use homeopathic pet care on young animals to treat them for fear and shock and other common, non-life-threatening conditions when first rescued.

The suggestions offered for homeopathic pet care are not meant to be a substitute for good veterinary medical care for rescue cats and dogs, rather adjunct therapies to assist the animal to settle in after being captured. The information offered in this article is for educational and informational purposes only.

1. The first remedy to give is Arnica when helping a newly rescued cat or dog adjust to receiving pet care. Arnica also known as Arnica Montana is primarily used for injuries, bruises, bleeding and trauma on all levels. Bringing a cat or dog in who may have been abandoned, injured, half starved, overheated or half frozen comprises various aspects of shock and trauma. Give Arnica several times over the first two days along with other pet care provided depending on the severity of symptoms. See my accompanying article on how to dose animals with homeopathic remedies.

2. Also administer several doses of Aconite for fear. Any animal rescued will be fearful of new circumstances and if feral will surely be terrified of humans. Once captured, pet care for these animals should initially be aimed at reducing fear, shock, treating minor injuries and helping the cat or dog adjust to its new surroundings. Aconite should be part of a solid pet care plan and can also be given several times a day in the first few days to help the rescue cat or dog feel safer and more comfortable.

If a rescued animal is severely injured give low potencies of Arnica and Aconite alternating every 5-10 minutes and take the cat or dog to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The homeopathic remedies administered during early stages of pet care will help the animal recover more readily from the injury and endure surgery if necessary.

3. Remove fleas and ticks and check for ear mites if the cat or dog can be handled. Flea removal is always a challenge in any pet care routine and I’ve offered some suggestions in my articles on natural flea and tick control. See below for resources. If unsure how to remove ticks, leave this for someone more experienced or a vet.

If the animal is a rescue kitten or puppy, fleas may be able to be removed with tweezers especially from the head and face where it is more difficult to use a flea comb. For any cat or dog that will let itself be handled, pull a fine tooth flea comb through the fur repeatedly. Have a bowl of soapy water mixed with a little alcohol or vinegar near by and as fleas are pulled from the coat place the comb, fur and all, quickly into the water to drown them.

4. Administer homeopathic Pulex during pet care treatments to help reduce allergic reactions to flea bites and strengthen the cat or dog’s system against experiencing any onslaught of fleas.

5. Use homeopathic Belladonna in your pet care regime if a rescue cat or dog tries to bite or snaps while being handled. Repeat remedy several times for a day or two to remove the inclination to bite. Homeopathic Belladonna helps to remove side effects and stop biting in an animal who has been given a rabies vaccine during a catch and release pet care program or an abandoned cat or dog who was vaccinated. If an animal is actually showing active rabies symptoms do not attempt to handle and if accidentally bitten by what appears to be a rabid animal, seek medical help immediately.

Belladonna can also be included in pet care after an animal has been adopted and vaccinated by a vet. To reduce any possible side effects from the vaccine give Belladonna three times a day for three days starting one week after receiving the vaccine. See resource section for my article on how to recognize side effects and symptoms of rabies in pets.

6. Administer homeopathic remedies during pet care in one of several ways. If the rescue cat or dog will let you handle it, mix the remedy as I have described in my article on dosing pets with homeopathic remedies and place directly into the mouth with a dropper or syringe or dribble a little on it’s front paws. If the rescue animal won’t allow itself to be handled put a few drops of remedy directly into the water bowl or on a small amount of food at first and after the cat eats it, give additional food. Stay present to be sure the remedy is ingested.

See my article on How to Administer Homeopathic Remedies to Animals for specific directions for dosing your animals with remedies.

Tips

• Homeopathic remedies for pet care and treatment of rescue animals can be found at local health stores or online through reputable homeopathic pharmacies. See resources below for recommendations

Warning

• Do not attempt to handle or administer any pet care to any animal that appears to have rabies. Contact animal control for proper pet care provisions. If bitten by an animal that is exhibiting rabies symptoms get medical help immediately.

What you need

• Homeopathic remedy kit for veterinary pet care
• Individual homeopathic remedies:
• Arnica
• Aconite
• Pulex
• Belladonna

How to Administer Homeopathic Remedies to Animals

When used cautiously and knowledgeably , homeopathic remedies can be an excellent way to treat rescue animals and your pets at home. Generally homeopathic remedies will not create side effects or unnecessary problems if given in the correct potency and dose. The potency is the strength of the remedy and the dose is quantity, both often being confused with one another. In most cases what is most important in avoiding side effects is the size of the dose. When given correctly, homeopathic remedies will gently and rapidly resolve many ailments both mental and physical and do it without aggravations and side effects.

This article will teach you how to care for rescue animals and your own pets at home using homeopathic remedies. Here we will focus on the proper dose and method for administering the remedies. The following suggestions for using homeopathic remedies are for educational purposes.

Most homeopathic remedies are available at local health food stores or online homeopathic pharmacies and come in solid forms called globules, pillules or tablets.

1. Purchase the correct homeopathic remedy for the situation at hand. A homeopathic practitioner or homeopathic reference book will indicate which remedy and what potency to use for various ailments.

2. Fill a 1 ounce glass dropper bottle approximately half full of distilled or high quality bottled water.

3. Dissolve one larger globule or tablet in the water. If using tablets crush first with a spoon between two pieces of wax paper or in a plastic baggie and shake into the water. Do not touch the dry remedy with your hands. Shake the solid remedy into the cap of its container and then place in the water. If you have the poppy seed sized pillules place 3-5 in the water. Use tweezers to transfer dry remedy if necessary. Wait for remedy to dissolve completely.

4. If you need to preserve the homeopathic remedy for future use for more than one day, add some high volume alcohol like Vodka, Everclear or Brandy. The amount will be about ¼ of the glass dropper bottle volume, about ¼ ounce.

5. Cover the homeopathic remedy and keep in a cool, dark cabinet that doesn’t contain any substance with strong odors. Do not refrigerate. This stock remedy is called the medicinal solution.

6. To administer homeopathic remedies to animals, add to a glass about 2-3 ounces of water. This is called a dilution cup. Add 3-5 drops of the homeopathic remedy you made earlier from medicinal solution bottle. Stir lightly. This will remove the taste of alcohol and reduce the size of the dose mitigating aggravations. In an extremely sensitive animal, extra dilution cups may be added on the advice of your practitioner.

7. Using an eyedropper or syringe remove a small quantity of the diluted homeopathic remedy from the glass and dribble a few drops onto your pet’s lips or into his mouth. Do not touch the dropper to the animal’s lips or mouth due to avoid contaminating the remedy.

8. If you are unable to give the homeopathic remedy directly to the animal, place the dose on top of a small portion of food and wait to be sure the animal ingests it.

9. Repeat remedy as required under the supervision of a homeopathic practitioner or other well informed source.

10. If repetition is necessary, before doing so, hold the medicinal dilution bottle in one and firmly slap the bottom of the bottle while giving it a good shake on the palm of the other hand about 5 times. Then follow the steps above to make another repetition. Do this action called succussing in between each dose to slightly alter the potency of the homeopathic remedy making it more effective.

Tips

• If no dropper bottle is available you may mix the dry remedy in a glass cup with 2-3 ounces of water and if preserving, add about ½ ounce of alcohol. Cover and store in a cool, dry cupboard for a few days as long as needed. Administer the same way as mentioned above. For repetitions, stir the medicinal solution mixture in the glass vigorously about 20 times before diluting into the second cup and before giving the dose.
• Buy one or more homeopathic remedy first aid books on veterinary care and general homeopathy to learn more about the remedies and how to use them.
  

Warnings

• Less is best in homeopathy. Do not repeat doses of homeopathic remedies indiscriminately. If you do not have a homeopathic practitioner refer to the suggestions below in the resource section for finding one.
• In a serious, life threatening emergency homeopathic remedies may be used to stabilize an animal, but seek veterinary care immediately.

See my article on general methods for providing homeopathic pet care for rescue animals. The suggestions offered for homeopathic pet care are not meant to be a substitute for good veterinary medical care for rescue cats and dogs, rather adjunct therapies to assist the animal to settle in after being captured. The information offered in this article is for educational and informational purposes only.

How to Air the House With Pet Odor Control for Zero Odor

The offensive smell of pet urine, especially of cats, over time, can infuse itself into floors, carpets and walls and linger to such an extent that zero odor from litter boxes becomes nothing more than a dream on the part of the owner and pet odor control becomes a necessity to enable occupants to remain in the house. There are many products on the market for pet odor control but none of them are perfect and rarely can zero odor from the effects of old cat urine be obtained. I'm going to focus on some tricks on how to apply different methods of airing out the house to remove what remains of your pet urine odor problem.

1. Keep litter boxes scrupulously clean to maintain zero odor. Use clumping litter and scoop often. Top up litter daily and empty the boxes at least once every two weeks for the best pet odor control. Clean by soaking in bleach and water and replace with new litter. Remember to clean the outside of the boxes.

2. Air boxes out in the sun for several hours after soaking to remove bleach odor completely and before adding fresh litter. Cats object to various smells so odor control that maintains zero odor is best and encourages them to use the box instead of the floor.

3. Designate an area in the house for the litter. If possible, remove carpet and wood floors in litter area and replace with ceramic tile which is easier to keep clean and has zero odor after proper pet odor control measures have been put into place. Always use cleaners that are safe for pets.
4. If using a separate room for cat litter boxes, place a large fan in the window to vent the room air. If there are two windows in the room open one slightly and place the fan facing out in the other open window. When the fan is turned on it will pull air from the second open window to air out the room and provide pet odor control not only for the room but for the entire area of the house.

5. If using the above method with window fans, close the air and heating vents in the room so as not too lose too much energy while airing out the room.

6. Create cross circulation for pet odor control by using decorative screen doors on rooms where free air circulation is a problem. Decorate door frames to compliment those rooms where they are installed. Use heavy gauge metal screen to deter cats from tearing it when scratching.

7. Add doors made from wood or plastic lattice on rooms where screen doors might not be appropriate to help allow air to circulate and clear nasty pet odors. Have kids help paint and decorate lattice doors to suit décor of each room where they are placed. With properly placed ventilation, zero odor remains from litter boxes and other pet areas.

8. Install pet doors in interior doors to allow pets to get into rooms for litter box use when it's not realistic to use lattice or screen doors. In this manner pet odor control can be maintained and isolated to the room in question without involving the rest of the house. Pet doors are available at most hardware stores.

9. Replace litter boxes at least once a year with brand new boxes. Most plastic will absorb the smell of cat urine over time in spite of continued cleanings and being able to keep them clean enough to have zero odor will become more and more challenging over time.

10. Never use citrus scents or other strong perfume scents for pet odor control around or in litter boxes. Cats don't like these kinds of scents and it will discourage them from using the boxes and force them to find other places in the house to urinate making pet odor control much more difficult to manage.

Tips

• It may seem like common sense but clean up pet urine accidents as soon as possible to avoid having the scent permeate whatever surface it gets on.
• There are many odor control products for pet odor control that promise zero odor on the market. Choose one that has no scent of it's own as most animals don't like scented products.
• Pet odor control is an ongoing challenge if you have animals. If considering a new pet, realize that there may be years of managing this problem ahead of you. Commitments made to pets to care for them for their lives should be kept and challenges in care must be taken into account before bringing a new animal home.

Do you have any special hints or tips to share about how you manage unpleasant pet odors? How about cleaning products you use that help reduce pet odor?

Learn to Use Gutter Guards and Clean Gutters

Installing gutter guards on your house or building helps cut down on the time it takes to clean gutters and the risks involved being up on a roof. An onerous and time consuming chore, cleaning gutters can be hazardous on some buildings and many people are unable to manage this chore easily. Once clean, it is a simple job to have gutter guards placed on all gutters around the house, preventing leaves and other debris from clogging them in the future. If you must get on the roof to clean gutters here's how to do it safely.

1. Wear appropriate clothing. Old clothes you don't care about and running shoes or other rubber soled shoes with good grips are best.

2. Prepare to clean gutters twice a year to keep them free of leaves and debris if you don't install gutter guards. Full gutters can pool water, overflow, rot or rust, and even pull free and fall.

3. Start at the bottom the down spout and scoop out debris with a trowel. Put debris in a plastic garbage bag to minimize mess. It is best to do this when the leaves and debris are slightly damp because they are easier to remove than when dry, dusty and encrusted or sopping wet and dripping with water.

4. Place a high step ladder firmly on a flat surface and wear eye protection and heavy gloves to prevent cutting yourself on screws, nails or sharp edges. When climbing onto the roof to clean gutters, be sure you have firm footing on ladder and roof shingles.

5. Using a high pressure spray nozzle, hose out length of gutter working towards the down spout. Avoid spraying mud and water on the house if possible. If plastic gutter guards have been installed there may be small bits of debris collected underneath. Angle spray under gutter guards to remove residue.

6. For stubborn spots, use a plumbers snake to break out any blockages if water and debris do not wash down the drain spout easily. Then continue with the hose.

7. Collect garbage and soggy leaves in the garbage bag and gently hose off any mess on the house or patio.

8. If you decide to install gutter guards, consider using ones made from micromesh screen. If installed properly they do not allow small leaves to enter gutters at all, eliminating the need to clean gutters.

9. Get several estimates from experienced companies and check references carefully. The micro-mesh gutter guards must be installed in the same plane as the roof for optimal effect. This means the gutters have to be lowered on the house. Lowering the gutters is not an easy job and one that is best performed by a professional.

10. When having the gutter guards installed, discuss in advance with the professional and be sure to confirm that the wind seal on the existing shingles is not broken when the gutters are lowered so the gutter guards can be put in place.

11. Check the warranty on your roof and gutters to be sure installing gutter guards will not void the terms in any way. Once high quality micro-mesh gutter guards have been installed, cleaning gutters will be a thing of the past.

12. Use a tall ladder that reaches all the way to the edge of the roof for safety climbing on and off when cleaning gutters. When installing gutter guards be sure to have a written contract from the professional and ask about the warranty.

Do you have gutter guards on your house? I'd love to hear about it and how they have helped save you time and money on cleaning the gutters or maintaining your home.

How to Make Emergency Lighting Glow Sticks with Mountain Dew

Whether during a winter storm or a climbing expedition, it is always good to have an emergency lighting source available. There is nothing scarier than being caught in the middle of a black out and finding your flash light does not work as your knock your shins on the furniture or trip over the dog. Simple emergency lighting similar to glow sticks, can be made quickly and easily from three common products found on grocery shelves and easily stored for long periods of time in your pantry. As an aside, I am not sure why this emergency lighting works only with Mountain Dew soda, but these glow sticks made are very effective and worth remembering in a black out.

• Open a small bottle of Mountain Dew soda and pour equal parts into several empty small soda or water bottles to start setting up emergency lighting glow sticks. There should be approximately ¼ to ½ inches of soda in each bottle. This is the equivalent of about one ounce of soda.
• Mix with the soda, three capfuls of common hydrogen peroxide found in pharmacies and on grocery store shelves. Mix this amount with soda in each of the bottles to which you have previously added the soda.
• Add to each emergency lighting bottle, a pinch of baking soda. A pinch is approximately 1/8 to ¼ teaspoon.
• Cover bottles with a cap and shake well. Voila! The chemical reaction formed by mixing the three ingredients will create a nice glow and turn your soda bottles into emergency lighting that will scare away the demons during the black out.

Tips

This recipe is for small sized soda bottles. If using the large bottles, experiment with the amount of ingredients necessary to emit enough emergency lighting that will be helpful.

Keep empty soda bottles in a box in your garage or basement so you have plenty for emergency lighting when the need arises.

Warning

Do not let young children make this mixture and be sure no one drinks it. Although none of these ingredients or emergency lighting are dangerous by themselves, the mixture is not meant for internal consumption.

What you need

• Small bottles of Mountain Dew Soda
• Small empty soda bottles
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Measuring spoons

Have you tried this cool experiment? Please let me know your results.