Wear Down

Toil, that is the word I would use to describe my condition now. Toiling all day long, toiling and do not have enough sleep. Toil and toil and I want to sleep, I want to rest, but simply have no time. 'Circumstances' would not allow me to have such 'luck' -- to have a good rest.

I am feeling very sleepy, very lethargy and really tired. But I have no time to sleep now. There are plenty of housework that cannot be finished and never seem to finish everyday. Any delay in the housework would cause things to be piled up and 'congestion' somewhere.

But what I can do is really limited with Isaac around. Everyday, all my time is given to Isaac. Everything is about Isaac. Toil day and night, caring for Isaac and trying to care for the whole family. It is so tough and extremely tired. I am really feeling worn down.... indeed I was hospitalized last year in late October....

Who would give me a helping hand? Luckily, I have a daughter to assist me most of the time. But what she can do is really not much also since she is a kid. But that is better than none... During this Chinese New Year, it was so nice to go to my mother's house. Over there, I can really relax for a while when my mother helped to carry Isaac while I ate lunch. She played with Isaac while I ate fruits. This kind of feeling is so good...so warm.

Everyday, I have to look after Isaac. He sticks to me like a leech. Toilet time, Meal time, and even sleeping time is all an unknown... I need help from family members before I can accomplish certain task. This alone is ways too difficult for them... Nobody likes to look after babies at home...


The Red Lion

I have no leisure time. I have no time to read newspaper and no time to read books. I borrowed so many library books but have no time to read them, really no time! I also have no time to surf the internet! I have not enjoyed a good meal since the day Isaac arrives on this earth. How I wish I can be sitting at The Red Lion. The Red Lion is one of the many London Pubs you can find at QYPE. The above shows the photograph of The Red Lion which I had found at QYPE. It is a website where you can find various services/entertainment like shopping, eating, health/beauty and more. What is useful about this website is that they provides reviews on this services. Users are allow to publish their personal reviews and uploads their photographs as well. Searching for Restaurants and hunting for a good restaurant is much easier with so much reviews and photographs to go along! Click on Pubs London for The Red Lion, which is listed on number 5. There are 11 reviews on this pub. User Cowfish had uploaded the photograph of this pub as shown above and another user had uploaded what he had eaten there, his meal as shown on the right. Users get to rate the pubs with stars. At HYPE, address of pubs and restaurants are shown and accompanied by google maps.


The Old Coffee House

The Old Coffee House is uploaded by a user named Andrew Hunter. At Restaurants London you can really find reviews and photographs of many restaurants. This is something which I like about this website. With various categories to search for, I can even search for food deliveries! How I wish to be at The Red Lion now, eating a nice meal...

Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease

Heartburn caused by acid reflux is very common, especially when we have over-indulged in food or have eaten too close to bedtime. Although not usually life-threatening, frequent episodes of acid reflux can damage your oesophagus.


Picture showing Stomach and Oesophagus showing Gastro-oesophageal Reflux

What is Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)?
Food travels from your mouth through the oesophagus into your stomach via a valve-like muscle(the lower oesophageal sphincter). The food starts to be broken down by the acid in your stomach, while the sphincter helps to prevent food and acid flowing back into the oesophagus. Unfortunately, the sphincter sometimes allows acid to flow back into the oesophagus(acid reflux). Alhtough your stomach is designed to withstand the acid, the lining of the oesophagus is very sensitive to it and when you have acid reflux, you'll be aware of heartburn -- a burning sensation in your chest.

Heartburn affects many pregnant women. The increased pressure in the abdomen from the growing baby has a tendency to force the acidic stomach contents back into the oesophagus. Frequent and recurrent attacks of acid reflux (GORD) may damage the oesophagus, causing inflammation and ulceration. Although it causes discomfort, GORD rarely leads to any life-threatening complications.

Symptoms
You rarely need tests and examinations to diagnose GORD and your doctor will be able to diagnose it from your description of your symptoms. Symptoms vary between people and between episodes. They are most noticeable after eating and may include:

• heartburn (often worse on lying down)
  
• acid taste in mouth
• persistent sore throat
• difficulty or pain during swallowing
• persistent cough

Treatment Options
There are three types of medication that are commonly prescribed in the treatment of GORD. Medication for GORD rarely has side effects. Although not licensed to be taken during pregnancy, most of these drugs have not caused any adverse effects to a developing baby.
1. Antacids: These medications neutralize the acid form the stomach and prevent the oesophagus from being damaged.
2. Histamine receptor blockers (H2 blockers) and proton pump inhibitors(PPIs): These reduce acid output.
3. Pro-motility drugs: These help the oesophagus to empty itself of any stomach contents.
4. Surgery: Occasionally, surgery is necessary to tighten the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Lifestyle changes are the first course of action to improve your symptoms, particularly if they are mild and infrequent. Watch your weight and do not smoke -- losing weight by diet and exercise may help. Don't eat late at night. It may help to have a light meal at night. Coffee, chocolate, and fatty food may trigger symptoms.

See your doctor if your symptoms are persistent, do not respond to self-help remedies, or if heartburn often interrupts your sleep. Lastly, avoid tight-fitting clothing that increases pressure in the abdomen and promotes reflux.