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Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, is a common problem with around 40% of the population suffering from it at some time according to research done by the NHS. Symptoms can include a burning pain in the upper abdomen, belching or burping and sometimes nausea. Most people don't necessarily need to see a doctor can be treated by over the counter remedies. This article provides the symptoms of indigestion.

What is indigestion or dyspepsia?

The causes of indigestion result from acid from the stomach which is used to digest food, forcing its way back up the oesophagus, a hiatus hernia or occasionally an infection with Helicobacter pylori which may cause damage to the stomach lining.

This causes a sensation of pain or burning in the stomach or chest. Acid indigestion is most often felt after eating a heavy meal, especially rich foods. Sometimes, this pain can be referred to as heartburn.

Other symptoms of indigestion can be a felling of fullness or bloating of the stomach, regurgitation of acid back up the oesophagus, burping and a feeling of nausea or actually vomiting.

Common causes

Everyone knows that feeling after eating a big meal such as Christmas dinner washed down with lots of wine, or perhaps after eating a particularly hot curry. Overeating or eating very rich or spicy foods are the most common cause of indigestion symptoms.

However, if you suffer recurring bouts of severe indigestion and the usual remedies don't help, then it may be a good idea to consult your doctor who can do tests to make sure that there is no more serious underlying medical condition such as a peptic ulcer or Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Common treatments and indigestion cures

Sometimes, something as simple as a glass of milk taken before going out for a big meal can provide your stomach with a lining to help prevent indigestion developing. Eating your food slowly and chewing properly will also aid in the digestion of your food, reducing the likelihood of burping.

If you do suffer from the effects of indigestion, there are a number of over the counter remedies such as Gaviscon or similar products which will help ease the pain and reduce the acid in your stomach.

Consult your pharmacist as to which product is the best for you as sometimes other medications may interfere with treatment. Your pharmacist will also explain when is the best time to take the antacids.

Last word

You can prevent the symptoms of indigestion from developing by watching what you eat and how you eat. If you are concerned about ongoing symptoms, consult your doctor.

There're some health subjects that people don't like to talk about and may even feel embarrased about going to see their doctor. One of these areas is anything to do with bowel movements. If you should suffer with bloody mucus in a stool, then you should consult a doctor.

Irritable bowel syndrome

This common condition can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. The cause of IBS are uncertain but could be related to stress, an auto-immune disorder or a malfunction in the digestive process. You may pass loose stools or hard stools depending on how the IBS affects you. You may also pass mucus from your back passage. If there's blood in the mucus, this may be an indication of a more serious condition. If you supsect that you have IBS, consult a doctor who will be able to diagnose the problem.

Haemorrhoids

Also known as piles, haemorrhoids are enlarged and swollen blood vessels in or around the lower rectum and anus. They may be internal or external and cause itchyness in this area. You may also see blood on your stool. Treatment is simple and includes a high-fibre diet, plenty of water and topical creams to reduce the swelling and itchyness. Consult your doctor.

Diverticular disease and diverticulitis

Diverticula is the medical term which is used to describe the small pouches that stick out of the side of the large intestine (colon). The diverticula can also become infected and inflamed causing diverticulitis. Symptoms of diverticular disease include a change in your normal bowel habits, pain in the stomach, bloating and bleeding from the rectum. If you should develop severe pain and a high temperature with vomiting, you should seek medical help immediately.

Anal cancer

This is a rare type of cancer which affects more woman than men. The cause is unknown but more than 80% of people diagnosed with it have a human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The most common symptoms include bleeding from the bowel through the rectum, pain and discomfort around the rectum, the discharge of mucus and ulcers around the anus. If you have any of these symptoms, see you doctor immediately.

Bowel problems which may be related to other areas of the body

Pale faeces, especially in babies, may be a sign of jaundice and may be accompanied by a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. Dark tarry stools may be a sign of liver problems or could be caused by medicines such as iron tablets or certain painkillers such as Ibuprofen.

Last word

If you have a change in your bowel habits that concerns you or have bleeding stools, consult your doctor.

When choosing a honeymoon destination, couples are usually looking for somewhere romantic with white sandy beaches and crystal clear seas. The Maldives are made up of 1190 coral islands formed into 26 natural ring like atolls and so, offers everything that a honeymoon couple could want.

Flights

The islands may be isolated, but they are easily accessible by air from Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia. The main airport is in Male, in effect the capital although, it's an island which was once sparsely populated, but is now a full-scale city with high rise buildings and historical sights. You can travel between the islands by ferry, speed boat or sea plane. Your resort or hotel will usually arrange the transfer for you.

Where to stay

On a visit to the Maldives, you have a wide choice of accommodation. There is a large choice of resorts and spas, hotels, guest houses for those on a budget or even safari cruises that travel between the resort islands enjoying the natural wonders of the beautiful coral reefs. There are luxury hotels in the Maldives to rival any in the world. Many of the hotels on the Maldives offer

all-inclusive romantic packages for honeymoon couples.

Things to do

Apart from the obvious, there are many things for honeymoon couples to do and see on the Maldives. You can relax on the incredible white, sandy beaches with a cooling drink, eat a romantic meal under the stars in one of the open air sea food restaurants, or even enjoy a totally private getaway to your very own island. Your dream holiday is the Maldives, an experience that you will never forget.

Diving

The sea is wonderfully warm, there are over 3,000 coral reefs to explore and the water is crystal clear, all of which makes diving in the Maldives extra special. Your hotel or resort will arrange diving for you and you don't need to be trained. Why not try diving at night for an extra special experience? Water sports of all varieties are, of course, one of the main attractions of the Maldives.

Male

If you've had enough of sand and sea, head to Male for the city experience with many restaurants and night life. The city also has historical sights such as a mosque built in 1656, plus the fruit and vegetable market and the fresh fish market. There is also a wide range of shops to tempt all shoppers.

Last word

If there is such a thing as a perfect honeymoon destination, then surely the Maldives is the ideal place. See the Maldives Tourist Board's website for more details.

The lyrical countryside and the bloody history of Ireland have inspired artists for many years. This article will look at a few Irish artists and their most famous paintings. Irish painting has become far more widely recognised in recent years with works by Irish painters reaching large sums at auction.

James Barry

James Barry is considered as a pioneer of Irish art, born in Cork in 1741.

He spent much of his artistic life in London and Italy. His most famous work is Ulysses and Polyphemus painted in 1776.

Sir John Lavery

Sir John Lavery was born in Belfast in 1856 and trained in Glasgow, Paris and London. He was a friend of James MacNeill Whistler. His second wife, the Irish American Hazel Martyn featured in more than 400 of his paintings with perhaps the most famous being "The Artist's Studio: Lady Lavery with her Daughter Alice and Step-Daughter Eileen" which is currently in the National Gallery of Ireland. Lady Lavery was also the model for the figure of Ireland painted by Lavery and produced on Irish bank notes from 1928 to 1975.

Paul Henry

Paul Henry was another Belfast born artist who was born in 1876. His works of Achill Island, where he and his wife lived and painted for ten years and his paintings of Connemara have come to typify the idealistic view of Irish landscapes that many people have. He has many famous paintings to his credit including "In Connemara".

Walter Frederick Osborne

Walter Frederick Osborne was born in Dublin and came to be seen as one of the top Irish exponents of Impressionism. He died tragically young of pneumonia at the age of 43. His most famous painting is 'Apple gathering' now in the National Gallery of Ireland.

Sean Keating

Sean Keating was born in Limerick in 1899 and trained at the National College of Art in Dublin. He died in 1977. His most famous work is 'Men of the South' painted in 192, depicting a group of IRA soldiers preparing for battle during Ireland's War of Independence.

David Nolan

David Nolan was born in 1966 and is famous as a portrait and landscape artist. He was born in Dublin and then, travelled to the USA, London, Copenhagen and Berlin. He has lectured in art at the College of Art and Design in Dun Laoire, Co Dublin. He is one of Ireland's best-known contemporary artists.

His most famous painting to date is the portrait of the Reverend Ian Paisley.

Last word

A visit to the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin will show just what a wealth of artistic works has been produced in the country.

The International Red Cross and the Red Crescent were first started in 1863 by a Swiss businessman appalled at the suffering of thousands left to die due to lack of basic care on battlefields. The Red Cross is a voluntary organisation which has helped in war zones across the world from the First World War to current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as disaster zones.

First aid

The Red Cross offers training programmes to people either at their centres or, for example, in the work place. Their aim is to teach people to save lives. According to the British Red Cross website, "13,000 people die each year in accidents occurring in everyday situations such as in the workplace - you can help prevent this."

Their first aid courses cover everything from basic CPR courses, which can be taught in two hours, to general and practical first aid courses which cover a wider range of situations.

Emergency response

The Red Cross responds to disasters over the world from floods, to earthquakes and other disasters. They are usually the first on the scene and then stay on to help the affected area or country to recover following the disaster.

"Across the UK, our trained volunteers respond to hundreds of emergencies – including transport accidents, evacuations, floods and fires – every year." You can be one of these volunteers by contacting to British Red Cross and taking one of their specialised aid training courses.

Social support

In the UK, the Red Cross' volunteers undergo home training so that they can help support people who have come out of hospital and need additional help for a short time. They also offer support for people with disabilities.

Volunteering

Everyone can do something to help the Red Cross, whether it is just undertaking their two-hour basic first aider training course or become involved at a deeper level. There are centres across the UK and the world. An interactive map on their website will show you where your nearest centre for training is.

First aid kits

You can buy Red Cross approved First Aid kits to keep in your home and/or car so that you are always prepared to deal with an emergency situation. The website also provides first aid tips, including first aid for kids and baby first aid. However, the best way to ensure that you know exactly what to do is go along to a training course.

Final word

Saving a life is all about knowing what to do in an emergency situation. It could be a member of your family who's in danger. For more information contact the Red Cross in your area.