Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when stomach acid or the juices of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus, which is the tube that connects the throat and the stomach. This can occur after eating too much or bending over soon after eating and can leave a sour taste in the mouth. When this process only happens occasionally, it is known as heartburn, but having it occur at least a couple of time each week means it is gastroesophageal reflux disease. If this is the case then it is imperative to get it treated because GERD can actually lead to damage of the oesophagus or can cause ulcers.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD

Diagnosis of the condition is usually in the form of a physical examination by a doctor, who will also question the patient about their overall health. Depending on the severity of bouts, the doctor may or may not suggest further tests. The doctor may prescribe medication that helps block or reduce stomach acid – if the heartburn disappears then the individual will probably be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Apart from the medication the doctor can prescribe, there are certain over-the-counter solutions available such as antacids and H2 blockers. A change in lifestyle is also very effective at controlling the condition, with losing weight and changing the diet two leading ways to do this.

When the body cannot use glucose efficiently due to lack of the hormone insulin or because any insulin available may not be working effectively, diabetes occurs. The body converts all glucose from food into energy and this glucose is found readymade in sweet or starchy foods like cakes and pasta. The liver can also make its own glucose.

Under normal circumstances, insulin created in the pancreas regulates the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, but when the body starts not being able to regulate the glucose levels, diabetes occurs.

Diabetes is a condition that has been recognized for over 3,500 years. What is interesting is that for all the people that actually have the condition, there are nearly another 33% that number again who have the condition but do not know it. Three-quarters of all diabetes sufferers are classed as having type 2 diabetes, with the remainder having type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The difference between these two types of diabetes is that in type 1 the body is incapable of producing insulin whereas in type 2, not enough insulin is produced. As a rule, type 1 usually manifests itself in childhood or early adulthood and can be treated using insulin injections and diet control. Type 2 diabetes usually affects people as they grow older, normally after forty years of age.

Diabetes Symptoms

A tapeworm is a parasite that lives in the intestines of animals and can sometimes infect humans.  These tapeworms can be passed via infected food or water or through contact with stools.

Treatment is required to rid the body of the adult tapeworm.  If the tapeworm lays eggs and they settle outside the person’s intestines, other illnesses can occur.  Often though, people do not realize they have been infected with a tapeworm as they might not have any symptoms.  Sometimes any symptoms which may appear such as stomach pain can be contributed to something else.  Symptoms of a tapeworm could include, nausea, weight loss, stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dizziness, insomnia or malnutrition. These symptoms depend on the type of tapeworm and the part of the body which is infected.

Soil can become contaminated by animal stools which can then result in other animals ingesting the tapeworm eggs when grazing.  These eggs then develop inside the animal and can be passed to humans through the infected meat from the animal.

Tapeworm

Tapeworms are diagnosed by finding the eggs or larvae in the stools.  A sample of stools should be provided in order for diagnosis to be made and the doctor would need to examine the anus to inspect for any evidence of tapeworms.

Treatment for tapeworm infection involves medication prescribed by the doctor.  Good hygiene can prevent tapeworm infection as can proper handling of food.