Beauty Health for Life

Frequent heartburn was positively associated with cancers of the throat and vocal cord among nonsmokers and nondrinkers, and the use of antacids, but not prescription medications, had a protective effect, according to data published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

"Previous studies examining gastric lux and cancers of the head and neck have generated mixed results," said Scott M. Langevin, Ph.D., postdoctoral research fellow at Brown University in Providence, R.I. "Most of those studies had either few numbers of cases or they were not adjusted for confounding factors. Ours is a large, population-based study with robust parameters that strongly suggests gastric lux, which causes frequent heartburn, is an independent risk factor for cancers of the pharynx (throat) and larynx (vocal cord)."

Langevin and his colleagues identified 631 patients from a large group of individuals enrolled in a population-based, case-control study in the greater Boston area. Of the 631 participants, 468 had throat cancer and 163 had cancers of the vocal cord. An additional 1,234 individuals matched for age and gender with no prior history of cancer were recruited using town records to serve as controls for the study.

All participants completed a questionnaire on their history of heartburn, smoking and drinking habits, family history of cancer and sociodemographic information. Because some head and neck cancers are caused by infection with human papillomavirus 16 (HPV 16), the researchers tested for the presence of antigens to HPV 16 viral proteins in the blood of all participants.

Langevin and his colleagues found that among participants who were neither heavy smokers nor heavy drinkers, a history of frequent heartburn was linked to a 78 percent increased risk for cancers of the throat and vocal cord. They also found that among those who had frequent heartburn, taking antacids, but not prescription medications or home remedies, had a protective effect, with a 41 percent reduced risk for cancers of the throat and vocal cord. The protective effect of antacids was consistent, irrespective of the participants smoking or drinking status, HPV 16 status or tumor site.

"Additional studies are needed to validate the chemopreventive effects of antacids among patients with frequent heartburn," said Langevin. "The identification of gastric lux as a risk factor for throat and vocal cord cancers, however, may have implications in terms of risk stratification and identification of high-risk patients."

Infections caused by bacteria are one of the causes strep throat. Itching in the beginning, then sore and painful swallowing, are some unpleasant conditions throat when you have a problem. Consequently, it is not only difficult to swallow, but it can also lead to fever.

If you are reluctant to take medication from a doctor, there are some foods you can eat to relieve the symptoms of strep throat.

1. Lemon juice with honey. A glass of lemon juice is not only refreshing, juice is rich in vitamin C will give double Table: especially when mixed with a few tablespoons of honey. Consumption of honey and lemon juice with no ice. Vitamins in both will help heal your throat diseases.

2. Honey ginger tea or tea. A glass of warm tea mixed with ginger or honey can be an alternative medicine that also warms your throat. ginger and honey can serve to coat the throat and prevent irritation.

3. Chicken soup. A bowl of hot chicken soup is not only delicious as the day the rain. Chicken soup turned out to function as anti-inflammatory and prevents the virus from entering the body. Add some spices like ginger and pepper. Additionally mix some vegetables to add to usefulness.

4. Bananas. Creamy texture makes bananas are easy to swallow, including for people who are strep throat. Bananas contain vitamin B6, potassium and vitamin C.

5. Eggs. Wealth protein in eggs can help in dealing with inflammation and pain in the throat. To get the benefits, the consumption of egg whites, boiled or scrambled with a little olive oil.

6. Whole wheat pasta. Not only the texture is too soft, whole grain pasta contains many nutrients such as fiber, iron, and vitamins such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, and vitamin E.