What is Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux or GERD is a very common condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus does not close properly and this allows stomach acid to flow back causing what is often described as "heartburn".

What an oxymoron I thought when a friend told me recently that she was told that apparently there's no acid involved in "acid reflux"!

It is becoming very worrisome at how health care professionals are either misleading or giving inaccurate information to their patients. Is this a symptom of society or is it the way that new doctors are being trained?

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN health correspondent wrote a book "how to be a bad patient" although this may not even be the exact title of the book. After a horrible experience involving her mother's kidneys, she was inspired to write the book to advocate patient empowerment.

It seems that nowadays it is advisable to remember that you are the owner of the body and you need to learn how it works and be able to recognize when it is not working at its optimum. In other words, know some basic things about your body and educate yourself about various diseases, their causes and suggested treatments.

How to De-clutter Your Mind

Ever feel like you're living with demons. Why is it that men and women behave the way they do? Being under constant stress can sometimes be debilitating - the strongest person can't fight it. The coping mechanisms employed have to be constantly changing, especially when you have someone who's running commentary of every move you are making to a third party, it gets even more difficult to cope.

Try having to live within a cluttered environment that you call your house. It is like every room is cluttered and when you try to clear one area more stuff appears. So you look to run outside in the warm weather to create a space that's clear to keep your own head cleared for at least the warmer months of the year. In the meantime, you will try to continue the de-cluttering exercise on the inside.

Then enters the third party talked about earlier. This person marvels at the fact that you would seek to improve your living conditions as if this is how it should remain. What do they have to benefit? They once said that they would get an inheritance but whose inheritance are they really expecting to get? Is it that of the unsuspecting fool that they are manipulating in the most subtle way possible?

These are questions that will be answered eventually when the real person shows up and all the secrets are revealed to the same unsuspecting fool who thinks that they are the one doing the manipulating. Remember, though that the Bible says that whatever is done in the darkness shall be revealed in the light so prayer has to be the constant answer too, along with all the other coping mechanisms.

Being manipulated by someone that is close to you is very hard to detect when the manipulator is cleaver or maybe bi-polar, only a psychiatrist can really discover. It is said that they also know how to manipulate them as well so what can an untrained person really do to safeguard himself?

What soap is good for a daily use on your face?

If you occasionally suffer from acne, I would suggest that you make a cleansing lotion from two tablespoons of distilled witch hazel and rosewater - add 3-drops of tea tree essential oil apply 2-times per day with a cotton ball. If you have dry skin, I would suggest marigold cream. Alternatively, buy evening primrose oil capsules from the health food store, puncture a pill and empty the contents in your palm and apply to your face while it is still damp.

In terms of a soap, soaps can be very drying to the delicate skin of the face so I would recommend washing with pure olive oil soap or oatmeal soap (about $2 each bar at your local health food store) every other day but do the cleaning routine outlined above. I hope this helps - I have been hired to update a health blog very soon as I am knowledgeable about all kinds of alternative treatments for the entire body and family.

This question was originally asked on Yahoo Answers - you can comment or ask your own nagging questions and have our expert give you an appropriate response.

Beautiful Girls but Low Self-Esteem

This 20-year old girl that I know has become a chauffeur for her boyfriend and foots the bill for everything. She got annoyed at her brother and mother because they both commented at different times on her folly. She has become this boy's hairdresser - washing and braiding his hair every 2-weeks.

For half-a-year, she was cooking and feeding him using money from her dad as she was also feeding him. The menu has to be super size me fat laden recipes at his request and she complies. Now she's having problems with acne something that she didn't experience in her teenage years.

Every trip that she plans, she has to pay for and supply the transportation - her father's car has become the taxi. She recognizes that she's making a big mistake but says that she should be allowed to make her own mistakes. Her brother called her Benson so she's not done his hair at the house in recent weeks - suspect this may be one problem and stress that she's having with him now.

She's known to criticize other girlfriends about their choices in men and can see the folly in their behavior but can't seem to see her own misgivings. She's a tall, beautiful girl that was raised to be a strong woman but has become a wimp with low self-esteem issues that she's blaming on her mother and brother.

Her father doesn't want to be the "bad guy" so he tolerates everything that she does without question. He quickly points to his mistake of getting married at 19-years old and says that he does not cling. As an outsider, it seems that he would rather her continue on the path and hopefully get pregnant so he can shed her as his only remaining baggage.

Lesley Barrow's Premature Final Journey

Stress Factor and Successful Educated Women

It is now becoming a regular occurrence to read articles and to hear from friends that relatively young women are heading homeward bound at the prime of their lives. Women have now taken on life challenges often times alone and the strain, stress and pressure is most likely having its toll on them. Perhaps, these women are suffering in silence. Not enough time is being spent relaxing and de-stressing from the rigors of life.

It was indeed shocking to learn that Lesley Barrow, daughter of former Barbados Prime Minister, Errol W. Barrow, is the latest victim - a progressive, young high achiever at the prime of her life. http://www.cbc.bb/index.pl/article?id=1947531 It's all too soon - we need to stop, walk the beaches, go for the early morning swims, smell the roses and take time out for ourselves.

I would like to encourage everyone on this blog to think about their lives. Make a list of what's really important. Separate the good from the bad. Set out boundaries and priorities. Barbados is a beautiful island with a lot to offer by way of finding things relaxing to pursue, the crystal clear seawater is breath-taking but far too few take the time out of their schedules to enjoy them.

I recently started reading and following a health and wellness blog that got me on track to healthy eating, daily exercises and lifestyle changes that are leading to a better quality of life for me. I would like to recommend it as there's something for everyone. Give it to a woman you love, a friend or even a foe but do share it.

Sincerest condolences to Lesley's brothers and the Barrow and O'Neal families and friends. Eternal Light grant unto her O Lord, let Thy perpetual Light shine upon her - May she rest in peace.