Most people are already feeling sick from taking all sorts of food and beverages during the festive season, we will discuss about a few of the common ailments that may be affecting you these days. It is common that most of the health facilities do not have enough staff members because they are also on holiday so why not try home remedies until you get a chance to see your doctor or health professional.

Home remedies for heartburn:

Heartburn is a burning sensation and pain in the stomach and chest, behind the breastbone. The symptoms of heartburn are the following: bloating, gas, nausea, shortness of breath and/or an acidic or sour taste in the throat and mouth. Heartburn is caused when hydrochloric acid, which is use to digest food, is release up the esophagus. On its way up the acid irritates the sensitive tissues in the esophagus and throat. Usually the esophageal sphincter muscle contracts thus preventing the stomach acid from shooting up into the esophagus, but if this muscle is not functioning properly, the acid can slip past it and this is when heartburn symptoms start, however it is called Gastroesophageal reflux disease because of the muscle malfunction but it’s also known as  chronic heartburn or acid indigestion. if left un treated the repeated flow of acid through the esophagus can scar and produce changes in the cells lining, it can cause cancer later in life. a hiatus hernia develops when the stomach bulges up into the diaphragm, this condition can also cause heartburn, other triggers for heartburn are alcohol drinking, smoking and eating acidic foods.  The best solution for heartburn is the use of herbs and vegetables. Refer to your food for blood type list: n Drink Aloe Vera juice to heal the intestinal tract. n Drink Chamomile tea after meals to relieve esophageal irritation. n Drink a large glass of water at the first sign of heartburn, if the symptoms are not too strong this will help. n Make a juice using raw potatoes. Wash the potato very well do not peel it, just place it in the juicer, mix it with some other juice for taste and drink immediately after juicing.

Home remedies for a hangover:

You know you have a hangover when you have a headache, nausea, intestinal upset, and perhaps diarrhea, aches in the muscles and joints, and fatigue. you can prevent hangover by taking 6 raw almonds before imbibing to prevent intoxication. you can also take two teaspoons of evening primrose before imbibing. Eating 1 spoon of peanut butter before drinking is an African remedy.use tomato juice: to help stop the urge for alcohol drink a tangy drink, such as tomato with the juice of one lemon added.use Water: One of the best preventive measures is to drink 2-3 large glasses of water before you go to bed. Drinking alcohol is very dehydrating and hydrating your system helps counteract the effects of the alcohol.use Apples: apples eaten on an empty stomach the day after drinking is an effective remedy.Bananas: One of the quickest ways to cure a hangover is to make a banana milkshake sweetened with honey. The banana helps calm the stomach, and with the honey, builds up the depleted blood sugar levels. The milk soothes the stomach and rehydrates your system. Bananas are also rich in the important electrolytes, magnesium and potassium, which are severely depleted during heavy drinking.Chicken soup: Grandma’s old stand-by, chicken soup, seems to work as well for hangover problems as it does for colds.Feverfew: use feverfew, an herb, in place of aspirin. Aspirin is very hard on the stomach, while feverfew is not.Ginger: Take a cup of ginger tea to help soothe your stomach.Honey: Take 2-6 teaspoonfuls of honey every twenty minutes upon awaking, depending on the severity of the hangover. Continue with the honey until you start to feel better, then take four teaspoonsful with your first meal. The potassium in the honey helps counteract the effects of the alcohol and will decrease the cravings for it. Alcoholic drinks are acidic in reaction and satisfy your natural desire for an acid, the same as coffee and tea do. if you have an alcohol problem, check your body chemistry and make appropriate changes in diet and supplementation. In addition, honey contains fructose, a type of sugar that helps your body metabolize alcohol more quickly.Lemon: Add the juice of one lemon to a cup of black coffee and drink it unsweetened and without milk.Lime: As soon as you wake up on the "morning after" add two teaspoons of fresh lime juice and a teaspoon of sugar to 2 litres of water. Drink it slowly. This concoction will help stabilize your blood sugar, which will be low after imbibing.Peppermint: The herb peppermint, either in tea form or chewing the leaves, will relax the intestines. Peppermint is a carminative, which is a substance that removes accumulated gas from the stomach and intestines. Make a tea by pouring one cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb; cover; steep for fifteen minutes; strain. Drink 1-2 cups as soon as you can. It is important to produce your own herb even if you plant it in flower pots inside the house or in the veranda.Persimmon: Eat a raw persimmon for a headache.Prickly pear cactus: Prickly pear is known to reduce inflammation, and hangover symptoms are due to an increase in inflammation. Raw cabbage Eat raw cabbage to dissipate a headache.Thyme: Make a tea by lightly crushing five fresh or dried leaves; place in a cup and fill with water cooled to just below boiling; cover and leave to infuse for five minutes; remove leaves and drink.

Natural home remedies for diarrhoea:

n Ginger tea can stop cramps and pain. n Drinks like ginger ale or carrot juice is good for making the stools less watery.n Boil brown rice and water for 45 minutes eat the rice (it contains Vitamin B) and drink the water.n Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition.n Take two lemons and squeeze the juice into a glass, and then add a half teaspoon of baking powder. Drink it down as it foams.n Take a teaspoon of paste made from equal parts powdered ginger, powdered cumin, and powdered cinnamon mixed with honey three times a day.n In a cup mix 1 tsp of Cinnamon, 1 tsp or a little bit more of sugar. Add to hot water. Stir, let cool and drink in one gulp if you can.

REMEMBER TO STICK TO YOUR FOOD FOR BLOOD TYPE LIST

Symptoms of Bladder Infections

In this post I want to cover some common symptoms of bladder infections. Sadly most of us will experience some sort of bladder infection, otherwise known as a urinary tract infection, at some stage in our lives. Most of these can be treated at home but some more chronic UTI’s will need further medical treatment.

If you have ever experienced any sort of bladder infection you will know how frustrating and debilitating they can be and how difficult to find a really good bladder infection treatment. there never seems to be a quick fix or instant relief from the pain.

If you are experiencing some discomfort at the moment but are not sure if you have a bladder infection symptom I have listed the most common ones below. For common causes of a bladder infection click here.

Here is a lists of some of the most common symptoms of a bladder infection:* burning sensation when you urinate* frequent or intense urge to urinate, but little urine comes out when you do* pressure or pain in your lower abdomen or back* cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine* feeling shaky and probably tired* fever or chills

If you are suffering from any of the above and think you might have a bladder infection then go and see your doctor. They will probably ask you for a urinary sample which will be sent of to be analysed for any bacteria which might be causing your bladder infection symptoms.

Bladder Infection TreatmentsDoctors will generally prescribe some sort of antibiotics to destroy the bacteria. Remember it’s really important you finish the whole cycle prescribed.

Drinking lots of water and cranberry juice will help as this will help flush your system and make it easier for the body to cope and get rid of the bacteria causing your infection. this is a well known urinary tract infection treatment. In fact what you eat and drink might be having a big effect on the symptoms of your bladder infection.

Chronic Urinary Tract Infections

About 1 in 5 women will experience a second urinary tract infection. this secondary infection is normally caused by a different stronger type of bacteria. These stronger bacteria are generally immune to antibiotics. these types of bacteria are much harder to treat and are known as chronic UTI’s or chronic cystitis.

If you are struggling to manage your bladder infection and looking for a more natural bladder infection treatment click the link below.

Click here for more bladder infection tretament info.

The only sure way to avoid getting a sexually transmitted disease is to just not have sex. Having an STD is never fun but there is good news regarding gonorrhea treatment. Gonorrhea is easy to treat all you have to do is see your doctor. Your doctor can give you the medication you need to treat gonorrhea. you will need an antibiotic to help cure this problem.

It is fairly easy to get this medication. if you think you may be pregnant you should tell your doctor. there are a few medications that a pregnant woman should not take. it is always best to receive treatment as soon as you know you have a STD.

The two most common symptoms of this disease in men are white, green, or yellow discharge and burning sensation while urinating. Men will usually start having symptoms within two to five days after being infected. Women usually do not have any symptoms at all and if they do they are usually mistaken for a vaginal infection. The symptoms that some women may have is burning when urinating and increased vaginal discharge.

You should never wait to receive treatment because that is quite dangerous. if you don’t get medical attention right when you find out you have it, you could end up with reproduction problems later on. you may not even be aware that you have gonorrhea. it is important to get tested for all STD’s on a yearly basis.

People that have different sex partners are at a high risk of catching some form of sexually transmitted disease. Getting the news that you have one of these diseases is never fun. The two most responsible things you should do are to first see a doctor for medication. The second most responsible thing to do is to inform your sex partners that you tested positive.

Some people have a hard time doing this but it is the right thing to do. you could be putting someone’s life in danger if you do not tell them. When you tell your sex partners that you have a disease they are able to get tested for that disease and receives treatment if they have it.

Superior for all to appear and lets feeling great again. gonorrhea treatment antibiotics For all of you, now in our overview. Keep in mind that you will make the difference.

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Heartburn / indigestion symptoms?
Please tell me what this feels like and the longest it has lasted with you. I have had sore chest pain on and off for about 4 hours now just wondering if anyone else gets this when the have heartburn or indigestion. I have no burning sensation so im just not sure . thanks

Special diets (food restrictions) do not work for heartburn at all. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux disease. Refluxing acidic material burns open sores which many people have on the surface of their esophagus.

So, you need to have a treatment for acid reflux disease. It may be due to gastritis. If you have severe gastritis, you may have reflux whatever you eat. a doctor should decide it after a diagnosis.

Some people, on the other hand, claim that medical treatment does not cure acid reflux disease and they prefer some alternative remedies. They do not believe in antacids or other medications. Such a claim exists at banishacidreflux.com I really cannot comment on these claims.

But, I think it is a good idea to visit a doctor first. If you have insurance, have an endoscopic diagnosis to learn the situation in your stomach. It would reveal a lot.

and what are the symptoms of both? Bit of a silly question really, but I have never suffered from either. I am nearly 5 weeks pregnant, and keep having a kind of burning sensation in my chest and lower neck, particular after eating, it only last a couple of minutes or so then goes away. I know indigestion/heartburn can be a problem in late pregnany, but surely not this early?! I've also been [excuse me] burping and trumping a lot – anyone else had this?

this always gets me confused because i say i have the opposite but heartburn is when acid comes up from your stomach and sometimes reaches your mouth, indigestion is pain in the chest near your heart. You have heartburn, ask your midwife for some gaviscon or just buy it in the chemist, it works wonders, remember to eat little and often to avoid it and dont drink anything with a meal, wait until afterwards, this helps, trust me!

Heartburn is when some stomach fluid goes back up your esophagus creating a burning feeling in your chest.

Indigestion is anything in the digestive track from the stomach all the way down to the lower intestine that is making you uncomfortable.

I had horrible heartburn when I was pregnant. it was much worse when I was father along. (You can get it in early pregnancy just as much as later.) I had peppermint tums, which worked wonders! They are safe to use in pregnancy. Congrats on the baby!

Indigestion is a pain in the stomach, heartburn you feel in your throat and back of mouth, as it's the acid rising from stomach giving this symptom.

you know, my hubby gets heartburn all the time and honestly I have no clue what it feels like. i'll star you and get back to this later. good luck with the answers!

Heartburn is that burning sensation you experience under your breastbone after you've eaten something you liked that didn't like you. sometimes it's mistaken for a heart attack. or worse, a heart attack may be labeled as heartburn.
Heartburn s the result of esophageal reflux, which is the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (the middle at the end of the esophagus). Normally this muscle relaxes to let food into the stomach, then immediately contracts to close off the esophagus from the stomach contents. but if the muscle weakens–a common result of pregnancy and, sometimes, obesity–acid and bile from the stomach can back up into the unprotected esophagus and irritate it, causing a burning sensation in the chest.
Many foods can trigger heartburn. Peppermint, spearmint, fatty foods and chocolate are among the most menacing. Citrus juice, tomato products, coffee (yes, even decaff!), tea, colas, and alcohol can also aggravate or initiate heartburn.
Certain drugs also have been indicted. Progesterone in oral contraceptives, nicotine, the tranquilizer Valium, antibiotics such as tetracycline, asthma medications such as aminophyulline, and certain heart medicates are just a few examples. the acidity in Vitamin C tablets can also cause the problem.
Heartburn can also be disease related. the major symptom of a gastric ulcer is a burning, gnawing pain, usually felt throughout the upper part of the abdomen and sometimes in the lower chest. it usually occurs just after eating and can last from half an hour to three hours. the problem can come and go, with weeks of intermittent pain alternating with short pain-free periods. a duodenal ulcer produces a similar gnawing pain, usually confined to a small area in the upper middle abdomen but sometimes radiating throughout. the pain is often temporarily relieved by eating but then returns several hours later and lasts for a couple of hours. It's often worst at night. in fact, nighttime aggravation us such a telltale sign that if you are being awakened by pain the wee small hours, take that as a clue that you may have a duodenal ulcer.
Responses:
The first reaction to an attack of heartburn is usually to take an antacid tablet such as Rolaids and lie down. but it's the wrong reaction. the best way to get immediate relief from heartburn is to take a liquid antacid such as Mylanta and sit up. Sitting up helps reduce the pressure against the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. And while antacid tables may be more convenient, .liquid preparations have the edge because they coat more of the surface of the esophagus and stomach, providing more soothing relief.
Antacids contain at least one of four neutralizing ingredients–sodium bicarb, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide–each of which can have its own set of side effects. for this reason, antacids should be used only for occasional bouts of heartburn. Long-term use should be monitored by a health care professional.
Antacids containing calcium carbonate such as Tums and Alka-Mints and Aluminum hydroxide such as AlternaGel can cause constipation. Sodium-containing products can load up your system with sodium. AND ANY ANTACID CAN INTERACT WITH CERTAIN ANTBIOTRICS< HEART MEDICARTIONS AND OTHER DRUGS.
To minimize attacks, avoid the foods or drugs that aggravate heartburn. this can be done by keeping a food diary and noting which food or foods bringing on an attack.
In addition, you should eat small, frequent meals instead of infrequent, heavy ones, eat your last meal of the day several hours before bedtime, rinse your esophagus frequently by lowing slipping water throughout the day and avoid lying down after meals.
If heartburn is a frequent problem at night, raise the head of your bred four to six inches. this will elevate your upper body without folding you in half which can aggravate the condition. And avoid using extra pillows for the same reason.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is commonly known as chronic heartburn or acid reflux, because of the burning sensation in the chest and sometimes throat, as well as a sour taste in the mouth, which are tell-tale symptoms. Heartburn is a symptom of a condition in which stomach acid or occasionally bile flows back into the esophagus. this constant backwash or reflux can irritate the lining of the food pipe and cause inflammation, and lead to further problems such as ulcers and constricting of the esophagus.

GERD occurs when the esophageal sphincter- the muscle that holds the esophagus closed where it meets the stomach- relaxes abnormally or weakens, allowing stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus. GERD can also be caused by anything that puts extra pressure on the stomach and diaphragm, such as a hernia, obesity, or pregnancy. GERD commonly develops in people who have diabetes, and there is also a link between GERD and asthma sufferers.

many people manage the discomfort of heartburn with over-the-counter remedies, which may offer temporary or only partial relief. for more severe GERD, prescription medications or even surgery may be recommended, and new alternative treatments are being developed.

Certain foods can aggravate GERD such as fatty or spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomato sauce, carbonated beverages, mint, and alcohol. Eating large meals or lying down soon after eating can also aggravate GERD, as can taking certain medications. Smoking may also aggravate GERD. Eating smaller meals, wearing clothes that do not constrict the abdomen, and eliminating heartburn triggers, such as certain foods, can help to reduce this condition.

in Chinese medicine GERD is seen as a liver and stomach function disorder. The condition may worsen in the spring, when the liver is most active, or with emotional upset, which aggravates the stomach. Conventional medicine often does not make the connection between the liver and the stomach, and therefore treatment often focuses solely on treating the stomach, which may help alleviate the symptoms but not the root cause. in Chinese medicine, the liver and stomach are very closely related, with the liver helping to regulate the stomach and keep it in balance if it becomes too excessive or unbalanced. If the liver is not functioning properly, it can cause problems in the stomach. one of these problems is the disruption of the flow of stomach energy, which normally moves in a downward direction. when the stomach energy is pushed upwards, acid reflux is the result.

Acupuncture treatment balances the function of the liver and the stomach, so that these organs work in harmony again. To support a healthy balance between the liver and stomach, healthy eating habits are important, as are finding ways to manage stress and emotions. because the liver is very closely tied to our emotions, prolonged anger, stress, frustration, or emotional upset can cause the liver to become unbalanced and interfere with its ability to do its job properly. Bringing it back into balance will see many symptoms resolving without the need for medications or other interventions. As with many conditions, acupuncture can give positive results to heartburn sufferers, in a gentle and non-invasive way.

Kidneys are the most vital organs of the human body and play a crucial role in the process of excretion. These small bean shaped organs are located on either sides of the lower abdomen. any disorder or abnormality in the functioning of kidneys gives rise to pain in kidney. therefore, people should be aware of the following kidney pain symptoms and causes in order to diagnose and treat the disease immediately.

Kidney pain is caused due to many disorders and disease of the kidney such as kidney infection, kidney stone and the polycystic kidney disease (PKD). among these pains, due to kidney stone is the most severe one. Pain caused by kidney infection or PKD is dull and aching ones. Kidney cancer and urinary tract infection can also trigger pain in kidneys.

Symptoms of kidney pain

Kidney pain is actually the severe back pain and people experience it in the lower back. Many people complain about lower back pain and in most of the cases, it is neglected and not related to the kidneys. however, lower back pain is one of the most common and significant kidney pain symptoms. some other popular symptoms of pain in the kidney area include severe pain in the lower abdomen, pain in the groin, frequent urination, difficulty during urination, burning sensation while urinating, blood in urine, vomiting, nausea, chills and fever. a detailed description of some kidney pain symptoms are as follows:

Frequent urination: Frequent urination is one of the first symptoms of kidney disease that is particularly experienced during the night. The urine appears almost completely clear in color. it happens as kidneys have stopped filtering waste materials out of blood and into the urine.

Swelling: a general increase of fluid in the body is one among the kidney pain symptoms and it happens due to the decreased kidney function. this may trigger swelling, also known as edema. Swelling may occur in hands, feet, face and abdomen. The increased fluid may also lead to high blood pressure, as the heart needs to pump harder for circulating larger volume of fluids through the body. The high blood pressure can damage the kidneys and hasten disease progression.

Abdominal pain: Patients, who suffer from kidney disease, may experience back or abdominal pain. The back and sides, around the kidney areas, between ribs and hips are common locations of pain. Generalized pain in the joints and bones can also occur due to kidney problems.

Fatigue and ill health: when the kidneys stop filtering blood due to kidney disease, waste products will accumulate in the blood. this may result in fatigue accompanied by a feeling of ill health. Headache, dry skin and generalized itching sensation throughout the body, called pruritis are the other kidney pain symptoms associated with kidney failure. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, weight loss leading to tissue wasting and loss of appetite.

Drowsiness and confusion: Kidney disease may also lead to damage in the brain and body that will result in mental disturbances. Patients may feel confusion, drowsiness, difficulty in maintaining concentration or forming thoughts, and seizures. Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or other parts of the body is the related symptom. Muscles begin to twitch or cramp spontaneously without apparent cause.

Sleep disturbances: Those, who suffer from kidney disease, may experience unexplained insomnia or sleep may be disturbed due to conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. in obstructive sleep apnea, the throat becomes swollen and blocks breathing during sleep. in restless leg syndrome, the legs uncontrollably twitch and spasm before sleep.

Patients should keep a close watch of these kidney pain symptoms and consult a doctor, if any of these are experienced. it can be cured effectively if proper treatment is taken on time.

Related Tags: frequent urination and pain in kidney area, kidney ache during sleep, kidney pain hands swelling, kidney pain sleep, kidney pain with one kidney, sever lower back pain with frequent urination, simptims of kidney pain?

The chlamydia bacterium is similar to gonorrhea in the symptoms it produces and the way it is spread. Like gonorrhea, it can live in the cervix, urethra, throat, and rectum. Infected persons, both men and women, may lack any symptoms and can spread the disease unknowingly to other sexual partners.

Chlamydia symptoms usually  become evident in one to three weeks after infection.  however, chlamydia is one of the silent STDs because some people show no symptoms at all.  It is estimated that about 75 percent of women and 50 percent of men exhibit no signs of the disease.

In women, chlamydia symptoms include vaginal discharge, burning or painful urination, abdominal pain, and lower back pain, pain during intercourse, fever, nausea, and vaginal bleeding between periods. in men, common symptoms include burning or painful urination, penile discharge, burning or itching around the opening of the penis, and swelling of the testicles.

Symptoms for men and women include a burning sensation while urinating. Chlamydia can travel up the fallopian tubes in women and cause abdominal pain, pain during intercourse, nausea and fever. Symptoms may include a vaginal discharge which may contain pus, pain during intercourse, frequent urination, burning pain when urinating. in chronic cervicitis the cervix may swell and cysts may develop.

Symptoms of an infection will initially include an abnormal vaginal discharge, such as an increase, followed by a foul smell. It may also burn when trying to urinate. Symptoms and signs, which can take anywhere from two to 30 days to appear, include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow or green discharge from the penis. sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles. Symptoms of vaginal inflammation point to a different diagnosis or perhaps co-infection with two or more organisms. Diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Women who have chlamydia only infecting the cervix, where it does not go up and actually infect the fallopian tubes, will probably maintain pretty normal fertility rates. on the other hand, repeated episodes of fallopian tube infection with either chlamydia or gonorrhea increase a woman’s risk of infertility due to tubal blockage and scarring. Women with damaged tubes do occasionally fall pregnant, but there is an increased risk of the pregnancy developing in the tubes rather than the womb. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. Women frequently develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause infertility (not being able to get pregnant), chronic pelvic pain, tubal pregnancies, and the continued spread of the disease.

Women with chlamydia may also experience abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding and painful sexual intercourse, while men with chlamydia may also experience slimy discharge from the penis and testicular pain. Chlamydia is easy to treat if it’s caught early. Women infected with chlamydia are also up to five times more likely to contract HIV if exposed, than women with a healthy reproductive system.

Always feeling like you have to go and then it burns when you do. The burning is the worst part.

it often starts with a burning sensation when you pee. then you feel like your bladder is extremely full and like you're about to pee your pants so you run to the bathroom and only a little trickle comes out which burns like crazy. sometimes blood will be in the pee too.

stinky smell to your urine. a little pain. Crannberry and grapefriut juice helps a little in curing it. But first you should check with your doctor to make sure it is bladder and not urinary tract infection.

RLS or restless legs syndrome affects as many as 12 millionpeople in the United States.

RLS is a condition that causes a powerful urge to move the legs.the urge to move is usually due to an unpleasant feeling in thelegs that occurs when at rest. Some people describe it as acreeping, crawling, tingling or burning sensation. Moving makes thelegs feel better, but not for long.

What causes RLS?

In most cases, there is no known cause for RLS. a family history ofthe condition is seen in approximately 50 percent of cases. Inother cases, RLS is caused by a disease or condition, such as lowiron levels, severe kidney disease and peripheral nerve diseases.RLS can also be associated with pregnancy and the use of certainmedications.

Who has RLS?

RLS affects both men and women. the disorder occurs more often inwomen than in men. RLS may begin at any age, even as early asinfancy. Most patients who are severely affected by the conditionare middle-age or older. the severity of the disorder appears toincrease with age. Older patients experience symptoms morefrequently and for longer periods of time.

Some pregnant women experience RLS, especially in their lasttrimester. For most of these women, symptoms disappear after givingbirth.

How do doctors diagnose RLS?

The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group identifiedthese four basic criteria for diagnosing RLS:

* a desire to move the limbs (to minimize or prevent unpleasantsensations).

* Symptoms that are worse or present only during rest and arepartially or temporarily relieved by activity.

* Motor restlessness.

* Worsening of such symptoms at night.

Despite established standard criteria, diagnosing RLS is oftendifficult. Doctors must rely on patients’ descriptions of thesymptoms and information from their medical history (including pastmedical problems, family history and current medications). Bloodtests and tests that measure electrical activity in muscles andnerves are often performed.

How is restless legs syndrome treated?

RLS is generally a lifelong condition for which there is no cure.Current therapies can control the disorder, minimizing symptoms andincreasing periods of restful sleep.

While movement brings relief to those with RLS, it is generallyonly temporary. For those with mild to moderate symptoms,prevention is key. many physicians suggest certain lifestylechanges and activities to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Althoughmany patients find some relief with such measures, rarely do theseefforts completely eliminate symptoms. Recommended lifestylechanges and activities may include:

* Decreasing use of caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

* Taking supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate andmagnesium.

* Maintaining a regular sleep pattern.

* Regular moderate exercise (although excessive exercise has beenreported by some patients to aggravate RLS symptoms).

* Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs or using a heating pad orice pack.

If lifestyle changes don’t work, medicines may reduce the symptomsof RLS. Physicians may suggest a variety of medications to treatRLS.

People who experience symptoms of RLS need to know that somemedicines can make the condition worse. it is important for peoplewith RLS to make doctors aware of all the drugs they are taking,including herbal remedies and over-the-counter medicines.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration; National Institutesof Health; American Academy of Family Physicians; Restless LegsSyndrome Foundation

Jackie Beaton is director of public relations,marketing and volunteer services at Fremont Area MedicalCenter.