Health

Most people have experienced heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest or throat, at some point. (I’ll never forget the first time I had heartburn—the hypochondriac in me thought I was having a heart attack.) This common problem—also called “gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GERD) when it occurs on a regular basis—is caused by regurgitation or reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus, which connects the mouth and the stomach.

What triggers heartburn varies from one person to the ...

Most folks know the basics of why we blink: It cleans and moisturizes the eyes while protecting them from irritants. Everyone blinks. And then there’s the forced one-eyed blink, the wink, that’s used as a form of body language to say, “Hey there, good lookin’.” Unless used by a non-threatening grandparent, the age of the wink as a come-on has definitely, well, come and gone.

At first blush, blinking may not be the most riveting topic, but there are a few things that you probably don’t ...

Discover which of these vitamins you need to be taking—and which you don’t.

The use of supplements in the United States has risen in the last 20 years: While only 40% of the American adult population took supplements in 1994, the number rose to over half of all adults by 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This increase could be attributed to more people becoming concerned that they aren’t getting enough nutrients, but how do you know which vitamins ...

Heartburn is a serious condition, and living with it takes a toll on you. But staying informed about what causes it, how to treat it and when it may be more than just indigestion can be helpful when it comes to managing discomfort.

1. Heartburn isn’t the only symptom. That uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest is the most common sign of acid reflux, but some people don’t experience it. Instead, they may have trouble swallowing or even cough up blood. Acid reflux happens when ...

The body is an excellent communicator, and often the messages are obvious: Red skin means you've had too much sun; a rumbling stomach means you're running out of fuel. But many other distress signals are less well known. Take a few moments to give yourself a quick check for these surprising warning signs.

If you see: Shortened eyebrows
It could mean: Thyroid disorder
Hold a pencil perpendicular to the outer corner of your eye; if your eyebrow falls short of the pencil, ...

Another reason to hate Mondays? Tight post-weekend waistbands. Unless you spent the past 2 days living like a monk, the cocktails, movie snacks, and dinners out can all add up to one thing: belly bloat.

“If you wake up bloated on Monday morning, your weekend food choices are likely to blame,” explains Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet. “In fact, overindulging for two days straight can easily cause a gain of three pounds. Fortunately, this weight gain is usually temporary ...

For many of us, a morning without coffee or tea is a like the proverbial day without sunshine. For me, much of it is about the ritual. OK, who am I kidding? It’s about the caffeine. Mmm, I love caffeine -- that naturally occurring alkaloid found in the leaves, seeds, and fruits of more than 63 plant species worldwide. But at what risk do I indulge in my morning coffee and afternoon espresso?

Caffeine is most famous for its role as a stimulant and its ability to delay fatigue. I clearly ...