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Elevate the head of your bed to help relieve your acid reflux symptoms. Image Credit: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/GettyImages If you have acid reflux, it’s not surprising that your symptoms are worse at night. When you sit or stand, gravity helps keep the contents of your stomach in their place. Lie down and the acids can more easily head up toward your throat. Advertisement Acid reflux occurs when the stomach acids that help break down the food you eat back up, explains the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases....

Upgrade your chilly active recovery days with the right jacket. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative/Adidas As an active person who packs their week with workouts like strength training, yoga, running and indoor cycling, rest and active recovery days are important. From experience, I know exercising at a pretty intense level without taking a enough breaks is a recipe for disaster (read: injury). Advertisement So, when an active recovery day rolls around, my favorite activities include long walks and easier hikes....

Exercise is one of the healthiest lifestyle choices you can make, but there are a few potential disadvantages that you should consider. Image Credit: g-stockstudio/iStock/GettyImages If you want to improve your physical fitness, well-being and quality of life, exercise can be part of the equation. Gradually building up to a regular exercise routine has many benefits, but sometimes it’s easy to fall into some of the disadvantages associated with exercise. By obtaining your doctor’s approval beforehand and creating a solid game plan, you can make sure you’ll enjoy the long-term benefits of exercise....

In most cases, a multivitamin gives you all the vitamins you need for healing after surgery. Image Credit: Pat_Hastings/iStock/GettyImages Speedy recovery from surgery depends on having enough of the right nutrients for healing. Healthy adults who ate a balanced diet before surgery don’t necessarily need vitamins after surgery, unless their doctor recommends it. A preexisting deficiency requires physician-guided correction. Otherwise, a multivitamin will safely give you the daily recommendation of the best supplements for healing after surgery — vitamins C, E, A, D and the B vitamins....

A shot of 80-proof whiskey or bourbon (equivalent to 1.5 ounces) has 97 calories. Image Credit: Mpak ART studio | Ilarion Ananiev/iStock/GettyImages Bourbon is a type of whiskey produced in the United States not exceeding 160 proof. It’s made from a fermented mash of no less than 51 percent corn and stored in charred new oak containers, per GovInfo. Advertisement Other types of whisky include rye, wheat, malt, which are produced in the same way, though instead of using corn, they're made with rye, wheat, malted barley or malted rye grain....

A bowl of matzo ball soup being dished. Image Credit: DejanKolar/iStock/Getty Images A matzo ball is a traditional Jewish dumpling made from unleavened dough. Matzo ball soup consists of matzo balls, chicken stock and seasonings. The primary source of calories and matzo ball soup is fat from the chicken stock. Advertisement Calories This nutritional information applies to 1 cup of matzo ball soup. A serving of matzo ball soup contains 118 calories, which provides about 6 percent of the daily value for calories....

Your kidneys sit alongside your spine, near your back. Food poisoning often stems from a bacterial infection, but it can be fungal in origin or can relate to food contaminants such as heavy metals. Mild food poisoning, such as from food that triggers gastroenteritis or diarrhea with no further symptoms, usually doesn't cause kidney pain. Speak to a doctor as soon as you can if you experience extended pain in your kidneys....

Peppermint tea may help relax you while taking antibiotics. Image Credit: Steve Mason/Photodisc/Getty Images The antibiotic ciprofloxacin treats or prevents different types of bacterial infections, including anthrax. It belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones. No matter the reason your health care profession prescribes ciprofloxacin, you should not drink caffeinated products, such as tea, coffee, caffeinated soft drinks and energy drinks, or chocolate when taking the drug. However, peppermint tea and other herbal teas usually do not contain caffeine....

A woman is trail running. Image Credit: blyjak/iStock/Getty Images Potassium is an important mineral in your body that is used to perform a variety of biological functions. It is found in foods such as meat, milk, fruits and vegetables, and is needed for adequate fluid balance in your body. It also plays an important role in muscle function and exercise. Studies have found that exercise can increase your blood levels of potassium....

A woman is riding a bike on the road. Image Credit: Volha6622/iStock/Getty Images Finding comfort on longer rides can be a challenge, especially if you’re using a racing bike. These bikes are designed to maximize efficiency, but that can come at the cost of comfort for less-experienced riders because the aggressive riding position is less than gentle on your body. You can’t truly convert a racing bike to a comfort bike because of the frame geometry, but you can take steps to make your racing bike considerably more comfortable....

While it would be nice to be able to lose the fat from only your problem areas, weight loss doesn’t work like that. The fat loss comes from all areas of your body, and that means your breasts too, since they contain fat tissue. If you lose a significant amount of weight, your breast size will likely decrease. If you’re concerned about how your weight loss might affect the size of your breasts, talk to your doctor for guidance....

You may not be able to lose 5 or 10 pounds in two days, but you can start an exercise regimen that will pay off in the long run. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages Pop “how to lose 5 pounds in two days” into your search engine and your results are likely to include laxative and diuretic supplements, sauna sweat plans and herb-infused “cleansing” drinks. The bad news? None of these are safe or effective weight-loss solutions....

You can find many different brands of peas and lentils in stores. Image Credit: Chad Baker/Jason Reed/Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images Dried peas and lentils transform from inedible to delicious when cooked in water or stock and enriched with aromatic vegetables. Split peas and lentils are the edible fruits of pulse crops. Pulses derive their name from the Latin puls, meaning thick soup. Split peas and lentils both provide hearty alternatives to meat-based meals, but each has a distinct taste, texture and cooking requirements....

Both cooked and raw cabbage contain a type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides, which resist breakdown by salivary and digestive enzymes. Image Credit: Visivasnc/iStock/GettyImages Cooked and raw cabbage contains a type of carbohydrates called oligosaccharides, which resist breakdown by salivary and digestive enzymes. Once they reach the colon, they serve as food for gut bacteria. While this process creates gas, it’s no cause for alarm and is actually very healthy. Advertisement Cabbage Produces Gas The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders reports that the gas produced by cabbage and certain other vegetables is normal....

The BRAT diet includes toast, applesauce, rice and bananas. Image Credit: etienne voss/iStock/Getty Images Diverticular disease includes two phases: a chronic phase known as diverticulosis and an acute component called diverticulitis. Health care professionals recommend a specific two-phase diet during flare-ups of diverticulitis. The BRAT diet refers to a specific meal plan used to treat general gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea and upset stomach, caused by a variety of illnesses and disorders....

Aerobic exercise can alter the number of red blood cells in several ways. Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide through the bloodstream. In general, endurance training increases the number of red blood cells. However, in some cases, exercise can also lead to their destruction. Red Blood Cells Red blood cells, known as erythrocytes, contain a protein called hemoglobin; this protein binds both oxygen and carbon dioxide for transport through the body....

Your knee cartilage is composed of two separate wedges called menisci. Each meniscus acts as a cushion for your knee joint, and tears in a meniscus can cause significant pain and decrease your overall knee stability. Pain from torn knee cartilage usually stays localized in the area of your knee, although instability in your knee may potentially trigger pain in your ankle. Knee Cartilage Tears Knee cartilage tears often occur during sports activities that require squatting and twisting of your knee, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, AAOS....

Running is a great way to increase blood circulation. Image Credit: JumlongCh/iStock/GettyImages Exercises to increase blood flow are important for heart health. Proper blood circulation also plays a vital role in general health. The bloodstream continuously transports oxygen and nutrients to the brain, skin, and vital organs in the body. Advertisement When your circulation is reduced, various diseases such as varicose veins, kidney disease, and even stroke may occur. However, exercises to increase blood flow can help....

Weight and tie sit on the floor in a gym. Image Credit: abezikus/iStock/Getty Images The average fitness center patron may not realize it, but keeping a gym operating smoothly is an ongoing process with numerous important procedures. One of the most important responsibilities for the fitness center owner or manager is the maintenance of the equipment. According to the American Council on Exercise, a little preventative maintenance can keep the fitness center can a safe, productive environment for all members....

Certain foods can contribute to inflammation that might play a role in joint and muscle pain. Image Credit: Mintra Kwthijak/iStock/GettyImages There’s no hard evidence that any food can cause muscle or joint pain, but there is good evidence that foods can contribute to inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting disease and foreign invaders. If you have a long-term disease like arthritis, more inflammation means more pain. Advertisement Chronic inflammation and chronic pain go hand-in-hand, according to the Cleveland Clinic....