Acid Reflux Disease

OBESITY GREATELY CONTRIBUTES TO HEARTBURN

2009-08-14T00:53:00.000-07:00

Obesity contributes to many health problems, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. However, one condition -- gastroesophageal reflux disease -- stands out in its ties to obesity, say the authors of a new study. In the largest and most scientifically rigorous study to date, researchers at the University of Southern California were able to calculate that the effect of obesity on GERD is 13%.
"Everyone knows that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are related to obesity, but the strength of the relationship with GERD is every bit as strong or perhaps even stronger," the authors of the study, Dr. Shahin Ayazi and Dr. Peter Crookes, told The Times. The study is published in this month's issue of the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
As obesity rates have risen in the United States, so has GERD. One study suggested that GERD incidence increased 5% annually between 1992 and 2005. Almost 1 in 5 people have the disease. The volume and fat content of diet is linked to esophageal acid exposure as is high-calorie diets. The same dietary habits promote both obesity and GERD, the authors say.
The study was conducted by examining almost 2,000 patients with GERD over 10 years. Researchers measured the amount of acid in the esophagus and used a probe to check the strength of the valve in the lower esophagus that normally protects against acid reflux. They were able to relate those measurements to the height and weight of their patients.
The bad news about the study is that losing weight won't necessarily help with GERD unless someone is in the early stages of GERD and has mild reflux.
"Heavier people have more reflux, and they have more damage to the lower esophageal sphincter," the authors said. "If you don't have a good sphincter, then you are likely to get worse reflux ... The sphincter is a muscle and in most parts of the body, when the muscle is damaged, it does not return."
Of course, there are treatments for GERD. But the strongest message from this study is one for obesity prevention.
-- Shari Roan

source:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/08/heartburn-obesity-gerd.html

Planning The Ideal Acid Reflux Disease Diet

2009-05-28T06:36:00.000-07:00

Getting on a proper diet plan is one of the best ways to help prevent acid reflux and heartburn. This is also a great way to generally get into better shape, as the diet you plan can affect you in many different ways beyond simply just preventing your acid reflux. The acid reflux disease diet that you choose can be very important as to the rest of your life, giving you the great opportunity to prevent all sorts of other digestive problems that may be related to acid reflux and keeping you in better, general shape. This proves that there is more than one good reason to start an acid reflux disease diet.

This diet involves cutting out a lot of foods that aggravate the symptoms of acid reflux. Foods with a lot of spice or pepper in them are generally discouraged from the list, as are fruits and vegetables that are especially gassy. These foods do nothing but rip and tear at the digestive system in terms of acid reflux, making them a very unwelcome addition to the acid reflux disease diet. The unfortunate thing is that you may, in fact, be cutting out some rather healthy options for the rest of your overall balanced health, but these can be replaced with the right supplements and additional nutrients from other sources.

Cutting, Picking, And Choosing

As you pick what foods you are going to drop from your regular diet, you should replace them with a suitable alternative so that your body does not create other problems because of a lack of a certain vitamin or nutritional entity. Always consult a medical professional before going on any sort of serious diet as it could seriously impact your health if you make the wrong choices. You should always have your health in mind, first and foremost, even before discomfort and other painful problems. Your acid reflux disease diet is important but it must not rob the body of proper nutrition.

You need to be quite selective in terms of what you will cut out because any sort of improper impact to the makeup of your body's nutrition could end up causing you far worse problems than acid reflux. This, unfortunately, is a part of creating a diet that can cut away some of the vital nutrients of an overall healthy eating plan. To create the best acid reflux disease diet, you should ensure that you always replace something you have taken out with a suitable alternative and always consult a dietician or a doctor for more help if you are unsure of what to do.

source: http://acidrefluxsymptomstips.blogspot.com/2008/07/planning-ideal-acid-reflux-disease-diet.html

GERD (Acid Reflux) Found in Babies as Young as One Day Old

2009-05-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

GERD (acid reflux) is something I know about – I’ve been taking Prevacid for the last few years to control this reaction. Then I read Melinda Beck’s July 22nd Health Journal in The Wall Street Journal titled “Baby crying? Doctors Say It May Be Acid-Reflux Disease.”

Here’s the first paragraph of this article:

Oliva Manganello was 1 month old when she started screaming, usually right after she nursed. Her family tried switching to formula, then different formulas, but nothing helped. Finally a pediatric gastroenterologist diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and put Olivia on Pepcid. “In two days, she was a completely different baby,” says her mother, Trina Chiara of Avon, Conn.

When my mother read this article, her response was to wonder which of her grandchildren who cried all the time for the first few months might have had GERD.

My husband accuses me of practicing medicine without a license. But I believe it’s important, as a do-gooder Scrooge, to know about common but often undiagnosed medical conditions in order to help others.

For example, my older daughter called me from college when she worked part-time as an aide in a elementary school classroom to ask for information on allergies and asthma. My daughter could tell that a child in the class was suffering and that the mother was clueless – she needed resources to learn about her child’s medical issues. (If you need allergy and asthma resources, check out www.aanma.org.)

And that’s why I’m blogging about this topic today. (I actually woke up in the middle of the night and thought: “I haven’t shared that info yet.”)

Apparently there’s a disagreement as to whether babies are being overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed with GERD. Regardless of this, if you suspect GERD in a baby you know who cries every day for hours and hours, gently suggest to the parent that this condition be evaluated by a doctor trained to recognize it in infants and young children.

For more information, go to www.reflux.org, the website of the Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association (PAGER).

If a medical solution is found for a baby’s incessant crying, the baby as well as the parents and entire family will probably be forever grateful to you for their regained calm and sleep.

source: http://www.communati.com/pzmiller/gerd-acid-reflux-found-babies-young-one-day-old

Link Found Between Asthma and GERD

2009-05-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News

Chronic heartburn may alter the immune system and raise the risk of asthma, according to a new study that helps explain why so many people with asthma also suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD).

Researchers say the link between asthma and GERD has been a mystery for years. Previous studies have shown that 50%-90% of people with asthma also suffer from gastric reflux, but until now the relationship between the two conditions was unclear.

The study shows that inhaling small amounts of stomach acid back up into the esophagus and lungs, a hallmark of GERD, slowly produces changes in the immune system that may lead to the development of asthma.

"This does not mean that everyone with GERD is going to develop asthma, by any means," researcher William Parker, assistant professor of surgery at Duke University Medical Center, says in a news release. "But it may mean that people with GERD may be more likely to develop asthma. If there is an upside to this, it is that developing GERD is something we can pretty much treat and control."

Asthma-GERD Link Explained
In the study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers mimicked the effects of GERD in laboratory mice by inserting small amounts of gastric fluid into their lungs for eight weeks. They then compared how the immune systems of these mice responded to exposure to allergens, a key factor in the development of asthma, to the immune response of normal, healthy mice.

The results showed that the GERD mice responded very differently to allergens. Specifically, they developed an immune response similar to that found in people with asthma by releasing a specific type of infection-fighting T-cell. Healthy mice responded in a more balanced manner releasing two types of immune cells.

Researchers say rising rates of reflux and GERD may be driving increasing rates of asthma, but many of the risk factors behind this phenomenon may be modifiable.

They say people who already have GERD can minimize gastric reflux and reduce their risk of developing asthma by following these tips:

Eat smaller meals
Eat several hours before going to bed
Raise the head of the bed a few inches
Maintain a healthy weight
Limit fatty foods, coffee, tea, caffeine, and alcohol because they can relax the esophageal sphincter and make reflux more likely.
"People should avoid the risk factors for GERD. We strongly believe that the rise in asthma, particularly among adults in the country, is in large measure due to lifestyle choices that can be changed," Parker says.

source: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20080725/link-found-between-asthma-and-gerd

Acid Reflux Disease: Its Symptoms & Diagnosis

2009-05-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

By Frank Robson

Though it is true that acid reflux has specific characteristics, some physicians choose to run a series of tests to determine the possibly natural source of the problem. If a change in lifestyle and diet does not resolve the problem, your doctor may decide to perform one of the procedures explained herein to determine the root cause.

These procedures would be classified as invasive because they require placing a tube into your esophagus in order to gather information.

The 24-Hour Esophageal Ph Test, and the 48-Hour Bravo Esophageal pH test, recommended by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation involve the insertion of a tube through your nose that is pushed way down so as to be near the Esophageal Sphincter muscle, the kingpin in this Acid Reflux Saga. .

A thin, small tube with an acid sensing device on the tip is gently passed through your nose, down the esophagus ("food tube"), and positioned about 2 inches above the lower esophageal sphincter. The tube is attached to the side of your face with clear tape. The end of the tube exiting from your nose is attached to a portable recorder that is worn on your belt or over your shoulder. The recorder has several buttons on it that you press to mark certain observations.

What happens is that you follow certain food and medication restrictions from a week prior to your test. During the 24-hour test, you avoid showers; record your mealtimes, and meal contents, as well as your rest periods, when you lie down. There are certain buttons to be pressed on the recorder mechanism, in case you have certain symptoms, After 24 hours, the nurse removes this contraption, and the information is downloaded onto a computer that allows the doctor to review the situation and plan your treatment.

The Esophageal Manometry Test takes less time. It is performed by placing a small tube that is sensitive to pressure into the oral or nasal cavity and into your esophagus. This device calculates the assistance given to the digestive process by the esophagus by reading the intensity of the contractions of the muscles therein.

X-ray and Endoscopic procedures help in uncovering possible blockages that may hinder the digestion process. These procedures make use of a scope which allows for internal observation.

Once the doctor has confirmed that there is no physiological cause of your Acid Reflux, like narrowing of the food pipe, scarring of the food pipe, or an undefined suspicious growth where one should not exist, it is time to start thinking of medications and long-term lifestyle issues.

source: http://healthylifestyle1.blogspot.com/2008/07/acid-reflux-disease-its-symptoms.html

Heartburn and What Causes Heartburn - Another 4 Useful Hints

2009-05-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

Heartburn and What Causes Heartburn - Another 4 Useful Hints

When searching for heartburn and what causes heartburn information online, I happened to find some tips - 4 of them, in fact.

I hope that you find them useful…as it’s taken our researchers some time to find them all!

Nevertheless, it’s worth the effort - especially where heartburn is concerned, as there is a lot of great stuff out there on the Internet.

Tip #1

Keep a food diary to track everything you eat and drink if you suffer from acid reflux as diet plays a part in generating stomach acid, and if the acid levels are managed and kept low then you are less likely to experience the reflux.

Tip #2

Keep a food diary to track everything you eat and drink if you suffer from acid reflux as diet plays a part in generating stomach acid, and if the acid levels are managed and kept low then you are less likely to experience the reflux.

Tip #3

When the muscle that is supposed to prevent stomach acid from escaping up into the esophagus gets to weak to do its job and the acid keeps on gushing back to the esophagus, that is called acid reflux. It is a lot like heart burn but a lot more uncomfortable as generally there is much more acids and pepsins pushing back to the esophagus.

Tip #4

To relieve the burning sensations caused by acid reflux, you can use antacids as a short term relief, even though they don’t offer much long term relief.

Well…that’s enough tips for now. I’m sure 4 is enough to be getting along with!

I hope that you found these Heartburn and What Causes Heartburn resources useful, they certainly helped me!

source: http://www.eyphlo.com/health/heartburn-and-what-causes-heartburn-another-4-useful-hints/

Tips for Digestive Distress

2009-05-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

Posted By PENNY FORRESTER

Have you eaten a large meal at one time or often only to end up with an upset stomach? The occasional bout of heartburn or excessive gas isn't something of great concern, but when it happens frequently, it's time to stop and take notice. Some common symptoms of digestive distress includes a burning sensation in the stomach, abdominal pain, bloating or feeling full, belching or gas, nausea or vomiting, acidic taste in the mouth or a growling or gurgling stomach.

You're not doomed to suffer from digestive distress for the rest of your life. In addition to your doctor's advice, the following dietary and lifestyle

changes can help prevent and control heartburn, indigestion, GERD, and ulcers by decreasing gastric secretions and minimizing regurgitation.

Although every person reacts to foods differently, it's a good idea to narrow the foods that might cause problems. Here are some of the most common foods and beverages known to cause irritation and spasms; alcohol, carbonated beverages, chocolate and cocoa, creamed based sauces, high fat foods, salad dressings, spicy foods, vinegar, tomatoes and tomato products, fried foods, fatty meats, coffee, citrus fruits and juices, onions, pastries, gravy, garlic and nuts.

Planning your meals and meal times can help prevent heartburn and other digestive disturbances such as; eating smaller, more frequent meals that are higher in protein (protein helps keep acid levels more consistent). Drink fluids between meals, but limit beverages during meals since they may cause bloating. Avoid stressful situations at mealtimes. Eat in a calm, relaxed atmosphere making sure to eat slowly and chew your food completely. Attain and maintain a desirable weight. Excess weight puts pressure on the abdomen and internal organs and can lead to digestive problems. Stop eating several hours before bedtime. If you lie down or fall asleep soon after eating, you're more likely to suffer acid reflux.

Try these lifestyle tips that may help prevent digestive distress; wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing. Elevate the head of your bed while sleeping. Ask your doctor about antacids. Don't exercise on a full stomach, wait at least one hour to prevent exercise-induced heartburn.

source: http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1125587

Vinegar GERD

2009-05-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

Vinegar GERD - If you are searching for a natural, totally home remedy to treat your GERD, you can try the vinegar GERD approach. There are a lot of prescription and over-the-counter medications for GERD, but there are also associated side effects of most types of medications. The high cost of these medications also make them unappealing options for sufferers of acid reflux disease. That results in a different therapy like vinegar and GERD.

Why Vinegar and GERD Work?
One type of vinegar that works very well in relieving GERD symtoms is apple cider vinegar. You can find a lot of successful results on nearly any GERD discussion board in the internet. However, there seems to be no apparent reason why vinegar GERD should be associated in any constructive manner. Vinegar is acidic and if it is added to the stomach, it should complicate GERD symptoms rather than improve the situation.

source: http://acid-reflux-tips.blogspot.com/2008/07/vinegar-gerd.html

Diet for Heartburn Part 2

2009-05-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Cut Down On Fatty and Spicy Food

Fried or very fatty foods, including candy, encourage indigestion and should be avoided or eaten sparingly. So go easy on butter, mayo, sausages, salami, pate, meat pies, and full-fat cheese. The same applies to very spicy food such as: black pepper, chili peppers, curry, mustard and other hot spices, as well as raw onions and garlic.

Avoid Carbonated Drinks

Fizzy or carbonated soft drinks cause belching and upward pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the likelihood of heartburn. The best drinks include: water, herbal teas or diluted non-citrus fruit juices. Please also note that some soft drinks (eg. cocoa, coffee, orange juice) are not helpful for heartburn as they can over-relax the LES, thus encouraging the backward flow of acid from the stomach.

Eat More Fiber, Especially Soluble Fiber

Constipation can lead to extra strain on abdominal muscles and increase the risk of heartburn. To prevent constipation, eat more high-fiber foods such as: oats, apples, pears, dried apricots and vegetables. When increasing fiber intake it’s also important to increase your water intake by at least 40 fl oz a day.

Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is not helpful to heartburn for several reasons. So take steps to reduce your intake to one unit a day, or avoid it altogether. Alcohol is also a source of non-nutritious calories and can contribute to overweight.

Other Digestive Tips

For digestive disorders like heartburn, some dietitians and alternative health experts recommend patients to eat (or cook with) digestion-friendly aromatic herbs like basil, camomile, caraway, dill, fennel, rosemary and thyme. They also recommend that you end each meal with a glass of herbal tea (eg. camomile, fennel) to reduce acidity and wind.

Lifestyle Improvements To Reduce Heartburn

There are several lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. One obvious one is to stop smoking, as tobacco smoke increases acidity in the stomach. Other recommended changes include:

Avoid placing extra strain on your abdomen or chest. Wear loose-fitting clothes, and do not overstretch or lift heavy weights.

Do not lie down after eating, and try not to eat anything for at least three hours before going to bed. The less there is in your stomach when you come to lie down, the lower the risk of heartburn.

To minimize night-time discomfort, raise the head end of your bed by about 3 inches by using bed-blocks or by placing a solid object under the bed-legs. This helps to prevent stomach acid from leaking backwards into the esophagus. Do not use extra pillows - you simply end up with a stiff neck as well as heartburn!

Heartburn symptoms can be caused by certain over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, or other pain-killers or anti-inflammatories. So if you take this type of medication regularly, check with your doctor or pharmacist that it’s safe to continue.

Linda Smith B.Sc., RD, aged 51, is a qualified dietitian and nutritional consultant. She is part of the editorial team at Diet-i.com which provides a range of information about diet, nutrition and weight management to more than 5 million visitors per year.

source:http://delicious-diet.com/2009/04/19/diet-for-heartburn/

Diet for Heartburn Part 1

2009-05-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

Heartburn is a common digestive complaint which affects an estimated 15 million Americans every day, and 60 million once a month. Relief of mild heartburn is typically achieved through diet and lifestyle changes, although medication (eg. antacids) is usually necessary if the heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What is Heartburn? What Are The Symptoms?

Heartburn is a digestive problem: it has nothing to do with your heart. It occurs when small amounts of stomach acid accidentally rise up the esophagus (the food canal running from the mouth to the stomach) causing symptoms like a burning pain in the chest which rises towards the throat. Sufferers may even taste the fluid in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. In many cases the pain and burning sensation is relatively mild, but sometimes is so severe that patients think they are experiencing a heart attack.

What Are The Causes Of Heartburn?

In general, the immediate cause of heartburn is the acidic digestive juices which leave the stomach and rise up the esophagus. The acid burns the tissue of the esophagus causing inflammation and pain - a condition called esophagitis. Heartburn may also occur in pregnancy when the baby is pressing up against the underside of the diaphragm and squeezing the stomach. An occasional episode of acid-regurgitation or indigestion is quite normal. But persistent heartburn (eg. twice a week), is usually a sign of something more serious. The two most common underlying causes of heartburn symptoms are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hiatal hernia.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD is characterized by a failure of the muscular valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is located at the bottom of the esophagus. The function of this valve is to keep acid in the stomach and prevent it leaking back up the esophagus. When this valve doesn’t work properly, reflux (leak-back) and heartburn can occur. Factors that contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease include obesity, pregnancy, smoking and, in particular, hiatal hernia.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatus or hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach herniates (protrudes) upwards into the chest through the hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm normally only occupied by the esophagus. This puts extra pressure on the LES valve preventing it from closing properly. As a result, stomach acid leaks into the esophagus causing heartburn. The underlying cause of hiatal hernia is unknown. Contributory factors include: obesity, pregnancy, constipation, abdominal muscle strain, and smoking.

Dietary Treatment For Heartburn

In cases of persistent heartburn, dietary improvements are not sufficient. So as well as advocating a digestion-friendly diet, your doctor is likely to recommend one or more of the following types of medication. Antacids to neutralize the acid in your stomach; H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce acid production; or prokinetics to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and expedite stomach-emptying. However, if heartburn symptoms are mild and occur only from time to time, usually you will be advised to make the following changes to your diet.

If Overweight, Switch To A Healthy Weight Loss Diet

Obesity, especially excess fat on the chest and abdomen, is a common contributory factor to GERD and hiatal hernia, and therefore to heartburn. So if you are obese (BMI > 30), take steps to normalize your weight and thus reduce your risk or symptoms of heartburn. Choose a healthy calorie-controlled diet and customize it by following the eating tips below.

Stop Eating Large Meals

A big meal distends the stomach and causes a rise in the production of stomach acid. Both these factors lead to an increased risk of heartburn. So opt for 4-6 small meals or snacks, and allow a maximum of 3 hours between eating. In addition, choose foods that are “easier on the stomach” and more more easily digested.

Avoid Acidic Food

Reduce your intake of very acidic foods by avoiding items such as: tomatoes, tomato-based sauces, citrus fruits, rhubarb, gooseberries, unripe fruit, vinegar and acidic pickles or relishes.

source: source:http://delicious-diet.com/2009/04/19/diet-for-heartburn/

Acid Reflux Bland Diet

2009-04-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

When it comes to eating an acid reflux bland diet, keep in mind that everyone can react differently to certain foods.

Although some foods will be less likely to cause problems than others, it is a good idea to keep track of which types of food seem to be triggering your heartburn symptoms and simply avoid them.

For me, foods that are high in fat (such as take out food) cause my heartburn problems.

I have learned to minimize these foods and to especially try to stay away from them late at night; as that is when my acid reflux problems are the worst.

There have been times when I’ve allowed myself to have a “cheat meal” on a weekend night; pizza or a burger with fries or something like that. It is usually on these nights that I am woken up by the dreaded reflux reaching my throat and sending me into a coughing fit that can last a good ½ hour or so.

So what do I do? I listen to my body and try to stay away from late night junk food binges. Sure I’ll still have a treat every once in a while… but it won’t be late at night.

I think if some people with acid reflux diet problems would simply listen to their bodies, and act accordingly… they would likely receive less acid reflux attacks. Again, this can vary between individuals and a more rigorous treatment may need to be discussed with your doctor.

So which foods is more digestion friendly to those with bad heartburn?

Again, everyone has different reactions to certain foods, so bear that in mind when you look at MY anti acid reflux diet below.

Here is what I eat to help control my GERD symptoms. This type of diet also works well with the weight training that I do, as I need my protein intake a little higher than most people might.

To me, this does not taste too much like an acid reflux bland diet... but it did take a couple of weeks of getting used to eating this way when I first started.

Meal 1
- 1/2 cup large flake oatmeal (not the instant stuff)
- small banana
- 6 egg whites prepared on the side
- water

Meal 2
- sliced chicken breast on whole wheat or whole grain bread
- a little fat free mayo
- small apple
- small salad (no tomatoes - too much acid) with low fat dressing
- water

Meal 3
- flank steak, chicken breast or very lean pork
- boiled carrots, cabbage or greens beans
- backed potato or yam
- water

NOW HERE'S MY TRICK!

Because I need a little more protein from meat in my diet, I'll have a 4th meal about 1 to 1-1/2 hours before bedtime.

What I have learned to really help keep my heartburn under control, is to avoid having any more starchy carbohydrates (i.e. bread, potatoes, cereal, etc.) after my 3rd meal above (which is usually at 6pm).

By sticking with eating a piece of chicken breast and maybe some green beans for my last meal, I have found that I do not get acid reflux at night, nor am I woken up from severe heartburn.

If I was to only eat 3 meals a day, I would probably have my last meal (#3 above) about 3 hours before going to bed. This will give me plenty of time to make sure my food is properly digested and the stomach acid does not “backup” my esophagus and into my throat while I’m trying to sleep.

I’m sure some of you probably have more severe GERD problems than I do, and if so, I encourage you to talk with your health care professional about developing an acid reflux bland diet that works specifically for you.

by Joe
source: http://acid-reflux-diet-help.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html

Acid Reflux and Cough

2009-04-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

I don't think there is any worse way to wake up abruptly, than to acid reflux and cough attacks.

For me, GERD symptoms seem to hit me the most at night, while asleep.

My own downfall is eating too closely to bedtime and not allowing enough time for proper digestion.

You see, I eat 5 to 6 times a day because I am on a weight training diet. Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day and I end up eating my last meal fairly close to going to sleep.

There have been times, when pressed for time, when I'll have a quick protein shake with some peanuts about 30 minutes before lights out... then WHAMO... I am awaken to severe gastroesophageal reflux disease cough fits. Unless you've encountered one of these gastro oesophageal reflux symptoms, it really is difficult to comprehend how uncomfortable they can be.

Major lesson learned: If you suffer from acid reflux symptoms and are prone to coughing fits, don't eat too close to bed.

One thing I have found that helps from preventing severe heartburn is to take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar after my meal. This seems to break my food down faster and I tend to get less of GERD reaction when I do this.

Now if I can just remember to try this remedy after my last meal of the day, I just may end up having to deal with less acid reflux and cough fits.

By Joe
source: http://acid-reflux-diet-help.blogspot.com/2009/04/acid-reflux-and-cough.html

Acid reflux symptoms, why do they fluctuate

2009-04-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

If you have had Acid reflux symptoms for a long time then you should have seen a doctor. They may give you recommendations to follow. Changing your diet may be one and it can help. However you may already have changed to a diet that will lower the chances of you having acid reflux symptoms. If you have found that it did not improve after you have changed to an acid reflux diet then it may be something else. Eating habits and stress are also causes so it may not just be the food we eat.

There are other causes of heartburn besides the food we eat. Acid reflux symptoms can fluctuate from day to day because of many different factors.

Your eating habits play a big part.

What you can do is listed here:-

Sit up straight when eating- Do not slouch?
Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
Eat smaller portions- Six small meals a day are better than three large ones
Try not to drink during your meal- especially alcohol
If you have tried the small changes above and still have problems then there is a great system called “heartburn No More” that can help. Find out more about the holistic system “Heartburn No More” in this article.

Trouble can be had with the way you eat as well as what you eat. One enormous help is changing the way you eat. The digestion system is overloaded when eating large amounts of food which also takes longer to digest. This in turn creates more acid which exasperates the problem and the excess acid ends up in your esophagus. Smaller portions should be eaten on a more frequent basis to aid digestion.

Sitting up straight when eating allows your food to have better entry into the stomach.The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) also has less strain on it. Eating slowly and chewing your food will help as the digestion process starts in your mouth. Food breakdown and digestion starts in the mouth with our saliva.

Once food has been taken what do you do- proceeding with the following can promote acid reflux.

Exercising after a meal
Lying down flat after a meal
Starting activities that need vigorous actions
The chances of refluxing acid into the esophagus increases if you start vigorous exercise after a meal as the digestive process slows down. When the digestion is slow gastric emptying is one of the problems that can occur. The body normally starts absorbing nutrients when the food is digested and enters the small intestine. Emptying of gastric juices is delayed when the digestion is slow. This means that undigested food is sitting in the stomach which in turn needs more stomach acid to aid digestion. This increase in stomach acid means that there is more chance that the stomach contents will be pushed back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn problems. An activity like bending over can be especially bad.

It is a well know fact that we should not exercise straight after eating. Professional sportsman eat well before they start there exercise? Any type of vigorous exercise places a strain on the LES and also slows down the absorption of nutrients into the body. It takes energy to digest your food. Your body becomes sluggish if all your energy is divided between eating and exercising. You will know what I mean if you have tried exercising after eating.

The digestion process is slow and can take anything up to four hours normally. The food in the stomach is semi liquid and the digestive enzymes needed to break down the food work best in an acidic environment, as opposed to a more alkaline environment. For acid reflux sufferers early stages of digestion are important. Because reflux is more susceptible in sufferers they should stay sitting up after eating. At night folk should eat between two and three hours before goings to bed, the longer the better. After eating it is best to stay upright as lying down promotes heartburn.

Stress

Stress is a good thing in our lives up to a certain point. A little stress keeps you ticking over and can be motivating. Although it can help at work there is only so much of it that is good for you. Our physical and mental wellbeing can suffer greatly with too much stress. Indeed it is supposed to be one of the biggest problems in our modern way of living. Stress is one of the factors that can lead to acid reflux.

Stressful conditions are responded to by your body. One of the things it does to combat stress is to send blood to the different parts of the body under stress. This all eats up our energy and takes this vital energy away from our digestion process thus slowing it down. It does not matter where you work on stressful days you feel exhausted and get home utterly worn out. Try not to let this happen regularly or you may find increased acid reflux problems.

Eating the wrong type of food is also a by-product of stress. Usually more alcohol is taken and people smoke more while under stress. Foods that are sweet high in fat and salt are also usually taken when stressed. These habits will increase the risk of acid reflux.

Stress can be avoided or reduced in a number of ways. Relax tension with vigorous exercise or sport. Try meditation like yoga to calm the mind. Get it off your chest, by venting your feelings to someone you can trust. Stress level reduction can also greatly reduce acid reflux symptoms.

Clothing

Sufferers from acid reflux are more suseptible to it depending on what they wear. One thing that can cause acid reflux and puts a lot of pressure on the LES is wearing tight clothing when eating. If you suffer from acid reflux being fashionable like wearing tight belts and jeans should be avoided. Other items that can add pressure to the LES are such things as corsets.

source: http://www.acnecleartoday.com/acid-reflux-symptoms-why-do-they-fluctuate/

Causes Of Acid Reflux Syndrome

2009-04-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

In simple terms, acid reflux disease is a condition where gastric juices containing acids travel from the abdomen back into the esophagus and chest line. This results in the person feeling a burning sensation which can range from being so mild that it´s hardly noticeable to being so severe that it´s almost debilitating.

Acid reflux is among the most commonly experienced medical situation all around the globe. There are billions of folks in the United States who are experiencing acid reflux.

There are billions who´ll be diagnosed with this condition. It´s crucial that you’re mindful of the symptoms of acid reflux syndrome. When diagnosed with this condition, you should learn more about the causes and symptoms of acid reflux as it can help you cope with the condition.

Likely Causes Of Heartburn

Cooperate with your doctor to spot the cause for the condition. There are still some things one should be mindful of, because you would know better than the doctor whether be it your lifestyle or diet that could be causing it.

A likely cause is smoking, so in case of a smoker, without doubts at any rate it´s partly responsible for the acid reflux syndrome. Boozing overly also brings to this kind of trouble. One should prefer to limit the amount he drinks.

A common cause is lack of physical workout and right nutrients.
By finding out the cause, you´ll be capable of dealing with the problem the start.

Medication For Acid Reflux

The 2nd step, when the cause for acid reflux is found is to take medication for your acid reflux condition.

Your doctor will be able to provide the appropriate medication for you. You can also try herbal remedies for acid reflux. Even if you´ve had a problem with acid reflux for an extended period of time, there´s an acid reflux home cure that will work for you, and here are a few of the very best.

When it comes to finding the best cure for acid reflux, one of the first things that you´ll want to try is antacids.

Really there exist many medications for the treatment of this condition. The common choice is proton pump inhibitor, which are a bunch of medicines that includes lanscoprazole, rabeprazole etc.

If untreated, acid reflux could become very harmful. It could show up burning permanent holes in the lining of the stomach. So you must make sure to take the right medication at the correct time.

Discover the best acid reflux cure and causes. Learn more about acid reflux and herbal teas and how it can help relieve the symptoms of acid reflux.

source: http://www.onehealthworld.com/causes-of-acid-reflux-syndrome/

Acid Reflux Cure - A Natural Cure For Acid Reflux Disease

2009-04-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

Do you frequently experience heartburn, excessive bloating and an acid reflux of stomach acid also known as GERD and don’t know what the real cause is? Well today is your lucky day as I’ll explain the real reason you experience this disorder with the real cause explained which will lead the explanation of the natural acid reflux cure.

The Real Reason Acid Reflux Occurs

Ok get ready to open up your mind a little as this may seem a little strange and different from the explanation the doctors may have given you, the fact remains that this is always connected to acid reflux if not all the frequently being the root cause of the problem. It has been found in people with GERD that there is excessive fermentation in their intestines which expands and places pressure on various organs in the body, the main one being your stomach. When this pressure is applied it contorts your stomach into un-natural positions which cause it to force stomach acid back up the esophagus very easily. This also causes the excessive bloating often experienced by sufferers of acid reflux.

So what causes this excess intestinal fermentation?

There can be a few causes, however the most common is a sluggish intestine that is impacted and includes a Candida overgrowth. Candida is a yeast that lives in over 90% of the population, however it only causes problems in those who experience an overgrowth of it, which can occur for various reasons from anti-biotic use to a very poor diet to immune dysfunction to stress. Once a proper Candida cleanse routine is put in place you can expect to have the acid reflux reduce and eventually go away entirely, some people will actually experience a remission of symptoms within days sometimes. Drugs used for GERD ironically enough only worsen the problem as they increase the overgrowth of Candida. The natural acid reflux cure is to eliminate the Candida at the root of it!

source:http://iamsickofbeingfat.com/2009/04/14/acid-reflux-cure-a-natural-cure-for-acid-reflux-disease/

Acid Reflux Medications - Do They Work?

2008-08-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

Drugs and medicines for acid reflux are readily available. They are found in various spots, some medicines for heartburn are sold over the counter, and most doctors are happy to prescribe on a promise of immediate termination of the penalty paralyse acid reflux. After all that, you are surely ask medication for acid reflux are in no way effective if it is a question of determining the real cause of your acid reflux and if the temporary respite justifies the side effects.Heartburn , Also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), just when the valve in the esophagus (ERP or lower esophageal sphincter) becomes weak and instead of acting in a sense, allows flow of acid content the stomach into the esophagus. Usually, after glutition, ERP opens to let food in the stomach before closing to prevent the return of acid into the esophagus. The reflux of acid from the acid reflux is often seen as a burning sensation known as heartburn. Hence, acid reflux patients often experience a burning sensation particularly in the sternum, often come to night.Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a threat condition requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment. If unattended, Gerd evil can corrode the lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation continues and maybe even a cancer of the esophagus. Persistent GERD concomitant with the symptoms of heartburn can be distracting and painful enough to ruin your daily activities and seriously encroach on esophagus.Acid reflux medications are not necessarily the solution of choice, even if they seem to be most easily available for the treatment of heartburn. There are four main categories of medicines for use of gastroesophageal reflux: 1. Antacids take effect in neutralizing acid in the esophagus and for a few hours. They can be purchased in various formats, such as liquid, chewing gum or tablets and on.2. Alginates summarize the contents of the stomach and reduce reflux.3. H2-receptor antagonists imitate the production of stomach acid in order to put a block on your gastric system. They take 30 to 60 minutes to start working and can then produce this effect for a maximum of 12 hours.4. IPP (pump inhibitors protons) inhibit the release of acid in the stomach by acting on the stomach cells.These all medicines have a common element, although they vary in how they work and for their duration and effect: 1. They are temporary effect. Acid reflux is complicated, created by a group of environmental factors, lifestyle and diet. However, most acid reflux medicines focus on treating short-term causes of acid reflux, so that they bring only temporary relief and avoid the real causes of heartburn.2. The use of these drugs for a long time can produce many side effects. Usage extended antacids may aggravate the damage long-term acid reflux: gastric acid is necessary for proper digestion and immunity and the ingestion of antacid continually interferes with these processes. IPP, generally does more good than harm for side effects. His most frequent serious side effects, including headaches and diarrhea, PPI had also been involved in osteoporosis.Most medication for acid reflux will more than make a temporary respite, but with many side effects. The reason is that conventional drug therapy for heartburn is based on the approach that, compared to the holistic approach, not care for the body, but seeks only to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Alternative treatments for acid reflux, such as homeopathic solutions, changes in lifestyle and diet, medicinal plants, and detoxification, the order in the cause inside acid reflux to safely and effectively " prevented from returning.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/acid-reflux-medications-do-they-work-485730.html

The DANGERS that Lurk in Severe Acid Reflux

2008-08-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

One of the most discomforting aspects of GERD as it is referred to (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is that it is recurring and will come back to hassle many people who have already fallen victim to it once. A severe acid reflex condition can then result in even worse ramifications.

So what really is acid reflux disease and what are its causes? What are the different complications of serious acid reflex that then lead to the situation worsening?

When stomach contents gets refluxed or thrown back up into the esophagus, this is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. This stomach content that contains bile and pepsin amongst other substances then inflames and corrodes the esophageal lining. This is the root cause of heartburn, a frequent symptom of severe acid reflux disease. This can lead to serious acid reflux problems. To complicate matters, this information is not immediately obvious to a patient and it requires further investigation to know if someone is suffering from serious acid reflux problems.

Statistically, serious acid reflux is quite common. Much of the population suffers from severe acid reflux problems with heartburn and related symptoms. Although for many the symptoms are not that serious, for others this can degenerate into severe acid reflux complications. Research indicates that older people are also more in danger of suffering from serious acid reflux.

It is crucial that a sufferer with serious acid reflux reacts quickly and correctly. The logic for this is that serious acid reflux can become a sequence of problems impacting in turn other areas of health, and so the speedy resolution of serious acid reflux with workable remedies is increasingly important.

Here are some cases of serious ramifications caused by acid reflux that can result if someone fails to take action to treat a serious acid reflux condition.

Erosive Esophagitis, meaning severe esophageal inflammation.

Narrowing of the esophagus. Severe acid reflux reduces the esophageal tract space to the extent that both eating and drinking can become difficult.

Barrett's esophagus can be caused by severe acid reflux.

Severe acid reflux can cause medical problems in the throat, in the pulmonary cavities and even in the teeth.

Because conventional medicine which is based on over the counter medicaments only treats the external symptoms of severe acid reflux and not the causes, it will not help with severe acid reflux because it does not target or address the underlying factors. Solutions for someone to handle severe acid reflux basically divide into two categories. The first is conventional medicine and the second is alternative medicine. However natural remedies for holistic cures are alone in their capability to resolve the real causes and they are therefore more effective.

by Jeff Martin
source: http://www.webhealthinsurancenic.com/the-dangers-that-lurk-in-severe-acid-reflux.php

Get Rid Of Your Acid Reflux With No Drugs

2008-08-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

What is acid reflux and where does GERD come from?

Often triggered after consuming food, heartburn, the burning feeling in the middle of the chest, is one of the most common signs of a more complicated syndrome known as GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease) or acid reflux - the phenomenon where the stomach pushes liquid, acids and juices back into the esophagus.

The liquid that gets back into the esophagus then attacks the esophageal lining, corroding and burning the tissue because of the stomach contents of acid as well as bile, pepsin and other digestive enzymes.

If no mechanism prevents the acid substances from getting back into the esophagus, then over time serious injury can result to the esophagus and generate further complications. The esophagus is a tube composed of muscle which passes food from the mouth to the stomach by a series of muscular movements. At the bottom of the esophagus is the LES, the lower esophageal sphincter, which should normally operate as a one-way valve, opening by reflex to let food into the stomach, then closing to prevent stomach content from moving back into the esophageal cavity. But upon weakening of the LES, or lack of synchronization (remaining open when it should be shut), acidic stomach content can flow back into the esophagus.

Acid reflux significance is determined by three factors:

1. The muscular effectiveness or weakness of the LES.

2. The stomach liquid type and quantity.

3. The natural ability of esophagus muscles to throw such content back from the bottom of the esophagus.

It is of interest to see that with most individuals who are victims of acid reflux, the concentration of acid within the gastric contents is more pronounced than with people not suffering from acid reflux. It has also been found among sufferers of heartburn that the liquid stomach content comes into contact with the esophageal lining and remains there longer than is the case for people not suffering from acid reflux.

In addition, when awake and upright, gravity helps the body to keep the stomach liquids in the stomach. The body also uses saliva as a means of protecting the esophagus. The saliva contains water, enzymes, mucus and electrolytes to neutralize the corrosive effects that acid reflux might have in the esophagus.

Nonetheless, at night when saliva production falls to a low point, when gravity is no longer a help and swallowing decreases while the body is horizontal, the reflux liquids remain in the esophagus for longer and increase corrosion and injury to the esophageal lining.

GERD is a complicated phenomenon and involves much more than one facto. This is the reason why physicians still find this chronic ailment so hard to treat if all they have is conventional over the counter or prescribed medications to apply. Fortunately, there are alternative solutions - the holistic remedy that addresses the root cause and then brings back the natural balance on the inner gastric and esophageal environmental levels.

by jeff martin
source: http://www.articledirectory.com/Art/131262/155/Get-Rid-Of-Your-Acid-Reflux-With-No-Drugs.html

Guard Your Infant Against Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

2008-08-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

Data from recent studies show that children from 3 to 7 must endure acid reflux symptoms between 2 and 8% of the time, with this figure rising to 20% of infants who suffer. Since the 1990s, infant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been on the increase. Infants challenged on a developmental or neurological level are even more at risk from attacks of GERD.

Before relating the reasons and dangers of GERD in babies, we'll look briefly at the cause both local and immediate underlying this medical condition. In plain words, acid reflux is when the digestive system malfunctions. The weakening of the LES is the most common cause for this. The LES is the lower esophageal sphincter. When it is not strong enough to keep all the stomach contents in the stomach, then those contents move to the throat and even past the larynx to get into the upper air passage. Reflux may also occur under normal LES pressure, for example after feeding, crying, going to the toilet and coughing. However there may also be serious complications of health involved such as infections, ulcers, pain, feeding problems, issues with the voice, going sometimes as far as cancer.

Many infants "spit up" on a regular basis, which, as vomiting, does not in itself cause discomfort, vomit passing through the mouth or nose. GERD and normal vomiting can be easily mistaken one for the other in infants. Diagnosis of GERD can be a special problem. Because of the limited volume of their esophagus, infants vomit or regurgitate more than adults. To add further difficulty, signs that all may not be well are difficult to see, especially as infants have no way of putting into words what they are feeling.

Additional signs include pain in the belly, infections of the middle ear, a whistling breathing sound, enlargement of the adenoids, chronic coughing, asthma, anemia, spitting up of blood (known as hematemesis), croup that repeats, back-arching and inflammation of the nose and /or sinus. When GERD attacks your infant, a number of further symptoms such as these appear. For instance, as GERD vomiting is inherently painful, babies who vomit too often will often cry or scream for hours on end or stay awake unable to go to sleep, an indication that they may well be victims of this.

Early diagnosis and treatment is justified, and they are prerequisites for your infant to return to safety and good health. An appointment with a gastroenterologist or an ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor is the best solution for an accurate diagnosis for your infant. The threat from ignoring acid reflux in infants is that it may evolve into further serious complications as well. An infant who comes to believe that feeding will be painful may stop breastfeeding and lose weight. Inherently serious conditions such as erosive esophagitis can also be the result of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

If a diagnosis of GERD is the doctor's opinion, then parents must make a choice of treatment. Options of remedies for an infant with gastroesophageal reflux disease are of three kinds: surgical; medications (over the counter or prescription); or a holistic program.

Surgical solutions are not often considered, because of the danger of serious complications worse than acid reflux itself. Nissan Fundoplication, a surgical procedure, is one possibility, done to reduce looseness between the esophagus and stomach.

Prescription medicaments are also unsatisfactory for the reasons following: 1. Medications concentrate too much on symptoms of GERD (such as acid generation) but skip fundamental causes, such as lifestyle, diet and inner body triggers and factors. 2. For infants even more than adults, medications have certain risks. Cisapride with its severe secondary effect of heart arrythmia was taken out of circulation for that very reason. Pneumonia and Tourette's syndrome are some of the serious side effects of other common medications. Reglan and bethanechol for example have not even been tested for babies as prescribed reflux medications. 3. Medication of any kind may engender a long-term reliance and work against your child's auto-immune system to then aggravate the condition.

Studies done recently show the benefit of all natural holistic treatments of GERD. For instance, studies done by Ravelli, Tobanelli and Volpi which appeared in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in 2001, showed that formula based on cow's milk can result in delayed gastric emptying in infants with allergy to milk proteins. Studies by Rudolph, Mazur and Liptak also published in this journal indicated that changing from cow's milk formula to a formula based in casein hydrolysate could be better for infants who vomit. And also, for infants with GERD, breastfeeding turns out to have significant advantages compared to any formula for babies, because milk from the breast is better for the digestion and gives faster digestive transit.

The conclusions above as well as many others reinforce the theory that infant GERD is not local in its manifestation (the esophagus only), but in fact that it is a bodily reaction to a set of factors that are internal, dietary and environmental. This explains why the holistic approach taken by holistic medicine which focuses on protecting your infant from gastroesophageal reflux disease can be safe and also the most effective choice in the long term.

Had you heard that the best way to protect your infant from the distress and pain of GERD symptoms is to choose a holistic approach in conjunction with comprehensive moves towards a natural lifestyle and diet?

by jeff martin
souce: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/guard-your-infant-against-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-487570.html

Acid Reflux Home Remedy That Scores Results

2008-08-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

It is important to note that acid reflux is a complex issue and the result of many internal factors. Most acid reflux remedies are not effective remedies themselves. Even if acid reflux remedy at home, when properly selected and applied, can reduce the most acid reflux symptoms, choosing the right treatment and take the correct dose, almost miraculous results have proven to Most acid reflux sufferers.Let to examine briefly immediately behind biological reasons GERD as a state of health before considering acid reflux home remedies that can be applied and how to choose them.Normally, the system is controlled gastric by a ring of muscle at the end of the esophagus. This muscle is the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. D'food or drinks went to the esophagus to trigger the opening of ERP, allowing food and drink in the stomach. Acid Reflux as a disease that occurs when stomach acid splashes back at the bottom of the esophagus, resulting in poor combustion sensation.Physiological weakening of ERP caused by a combination of influences such as hereditary traits (which we must accept) and several aspects of lifestyle and diet create the "inner environment" leading to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Unfortunately, the majority of treatment if drugs or surgery, the goal that the immediate cause acting locally to trigger acid reflux.The holistic programme also offers a methodology for tackling the root causes of acid reflux, which can be very simple to use. The majority of these treatments are holistic easily be obtained from your local grocers application in the privacy of your home. As a bonus, provides a holistic treatment acid reflux who suffer a wide range of natural remedies that have been shown to provide almost immediately relief.As an example, you can find relief for the symptoms of acid reflux taking organic vinegar apple cider . Another treatment would be simple changes to your diet. Eat smaller meals exerts a strong recommendation for people with GERD two doctors and other therapists. A large quantity of food is more difficult to digest and need much more time. Eating small and frequent meals, your digestive system is a remnant of eating heavy. Yet another example, some foods and beverages were associated with an increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease and should not be consumed. The list includes alcohol, coffee, citrus, soda, chocolate, foods that are rich in fats and dairy products products.Enhancing sleep, including changes to your sleeping position was demonstrated to effectively mitigate the symptoms of acid reflux. Quitting May to bring considerable benefits, that substances in cigarette smoke May act to relax the LES that opens to cause acid reflux of stomach. Changes in lifestyle is still another category of responses to acid reflux.Different herbal supplements are available for patients who want an immediate solution to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux through home remedies. These herbal supplements May provide short-term benefits. When you use them in conjunction with a comprehensive set of protocols to address the root causes of acid reflux, you will be able to stop the symptoms permanently and block his return.

source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/acid-reflux-home-remedy-that-scores-results-487523.html

Acid Reflux Medicine And You

2008-07-31T05:54:00.000-07:00

One of the basics in terms of acid reflux medicine is finding a type that suits your needs the best. You should determine what type of medicine you need by determining, first, your actual condition and how your body is functioning within it. This means taking the time to properly identify your symptoms as acid reflux and determining what foods are bringing the symptoms on. If it is not related to food, it may be more serious and you should consult a physician so as to be able to gather any additional information about your condition as a whole.

One of the simplest forms of acid reflux medicine is actually to change the way your lifestyle operates. This may not seem, at first, like any form of medication but it does actually involve a medicinal process that may include refurbishing your system with proper foods and taking some of the harmful chemical reaction inducing foods out of it. This is vital in terms of acid reflux prevention and serves to be the top recommended ideology to process after you are diagnosed with acid reflux. Any additional types of acid reflux medicine are subsequently offered after lifestyle changes fail to change it.

Other Possibilities

The reflux of the acid is more likely to occur at night as you sleep. This is because the patient is lying down and it is generally easier for the acid to reverse flow and travel up the esophagus to cause harm. The additional effect of the gravity on the acid can cause more flow to occur and can make the symptoms worse around the time at which you decide to lay down for sleep. These problems can be overcome by sitting up partially in bed or changing the way you sleep. Any acid reflux medication may reduce the amount of acid in this case, but it will not curb the situation as a whole in the same way that a physical alteration of the way you sleep will.

Antacids are an acid reflux medication that relies on the principle of reducing the amount of acid in the stomach, so that it is actively reduced when acid reflux occurs. Less acid means less acid reflux, but there are also harmful counter effects to this notion that can be less than ideal for the patient. The acid that dissipates from the stomach is actually useful in digestion, so removing it with an antacid can actually harm the digestive system if it is constantly used as a form of relief.

source: http://acidrefluxsymptomstips.blogspot.com/2008/07/acid-reflux-medicine-and-you.html

The RISKS of Severe Acid Reflux

2008-07-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

by Jeff Martin

One of the most distressing aspects of GERD as it is known (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is that it is chronic and will return to plague many people who have already suffered from it once. A severe acid reflex condition can in turn cause worse medical complications.

So what really is acid reflux disease and what are its causes? What are the different complications of serious acid reflex that then lead to the situation worsening?

To make matters even more complicated, it is not always obvious and requires further investigation to know if a patient is suffering from serious acid reflex difficulties. When stomach contents get pushed back into the esophagus, the medical name for this is gastroesophageal reflux disease. This stomach content contains bile and pepsin amongst other things. It attacks the cells lining the esophagus and corrodes the lining. This is the main cause of heartburn severe acid reflux problems.

Statistically, serious acid reflux is quite common. Much of the population suffers from severe acid reflux problems with heartburn and related symptoms. Although for many the symptoms are not that serious, for others this can degenerate into severe acid reflux complications. Research indicates that older people are also more in danger of suffering from serious acid reflux.

It is crucial that a sufferer with serious acid reflux reacts quickly and correctly. The logic for this is that serious acid reflux can become a sequence of problems impacting in turn other areas of health, and so the speedy resolution of serious acid reflux with workable remedies is increasingly important.

Here are some examples of serious complications due to acid reflux that can come about if someone neglects the correction of a serious acid reflux condition.

Erosive Esophagitis, meaning severe esophageal inflammation.

Narrowing of the esophagus. Severe acid reflux reduces the esophageal tract space to the extent that both eating and drinking can become difficult.

Severe acid reflux can result in Barrett’s esophagus.

Throat, pulmonary and dental medical problems can all be caused or exacerbated by serious acid reflux.

Because conventional medicine which is based on over the counter medicaments only treats the external symptoms of severe acid reflux and not the causes, it will not help with severe acid reflux because it does not target or address the underlying factors. Solutions for someone to handle severe acid reflux basically divide into two categories. The first is conventional medicine and the second is alternative medicine. However natural remedies for holistic cures are alone in their capability to resolve the real causes and they are therefore more effective.

source: http://www.healtharticleshq.com/health/the-risks-of-severe-acid-reflux/

Downing a shot a day may keep the doctor away

2008-07-21T05:29:00.000-07:00

By Gannett News Service

The use of apple cider vinegar as a health aid has prompted debate.

Pop singer Fergie says she does a shot of vinegar every night to help maintain her physique. Natural Solutions magazine recommended taking a few tablespoons with meals to counter acid reflux.

Meanwhile, the April issue of Health magazine listed honey-and-vinegar mixtures among its list of "health whoppers" that do nothing for arthritis pain.

Although a daily cocktail of apple cider vinegar may sound like another celebrity trend or folk remedy, recent studies suggest vinegar might ease or prevent a variety of ailments.

A Swedish study found that people who ate white bread with vinegar felt full up to two hours later, while those who ate just bread started losing their satiety after 30 minutes.

In a study from Arizona State University, the blood sugar spikes of people with type 2 diabetes were 4 percent to 6 percent lower in the morning when participants took two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before going to bed.

In January, a report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology recommended that an anti-inflammatory diet including vinegar "should be considered for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and diabetes."

These findings don't surprise or concern those who have preached the virtues of ACV - apple cider vinegar - for decades.

Jerry Berube, 85, who lives in Montgomery, Ohio, with his wife, Patricia, says he hasn't had a cold or sore throat in 35 years. He's never battled weight gain or suffered from arthritis. He has no prescription medications.

Berube partly credits his vitality to the drink he's sipped nearly every night since 1973: one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar mixed with one tablespoon of honey and 8 ounces of warm water.

Even physicians who don't support ACV as a remedy see little harm in drinking moderate amounts diluted with water.

"The placebo effect is very strong. I don't argue with that if it makes them feel better. But I can't promote it and say, 'Yes it's going to help you,'" says Dr. Debra Krummel, researcher with the University of Cincinnati's Department of Nutrition.

Research from Arizona State University and the University of Lund in Sweden - the only groups known to be investigating ACV - has focused on ACV's potential for managing diabetes and hunger.

"I was doing low-carb diets with diabetics. But I came across [ACV] and I thought, 'This could be easier than changing their entire diet,'" says Carol Johnston, chairman of the department of nutrition at Arizona State.

In the study, acetic acid - found in any vinegar - controlled the blood sugar spikes that diabetics experience after a meal or first thing in the morning. Because these spikes destroy cells that produce insulin, ACV and other antiglycemic agents could prevent or delay the onset of the disease for those diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

source: http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2008/07/16/features/health_and_medical/6b0ff64ac5d8146936ddef3e8ed64c0e.txt

Gastroesophageal reflux-associated chronic cough in an adolescent and the diagnostic implications: a case report

2008-07-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

A 15-year-old girl was referred with a 2-year history of perennial non-productive cough, which had been preceded by Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and subsequent asthma. Symptoms were only partially responsive to anti-asthma treatment including an inhaled corticosteroid and a leukotriene receptor antagonist.

The patient's BMI was 27.8; she had gained over 10 kg in the previous two years. Typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were not evident except for belch.

Coughing worsened on eating and rising from bed. Although esophagography failed to disclose reflux esophagitis, esophageal pH monitoring revealed significant acid reflux.

Asthma was considered well controlled. Treatment with the proton-pump inhibitor rabeprazole resulted in disappearance of cough.

Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG) score, a questionnaire evaluating the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, was initially high but normalized after treatment. Capsaicin cough sensitivity also diminished with treatment.Chronic cough due to gastroesophageal reflux disease has been considered rare in adolescents, but this condition might be increasing in line with the recent trend in adults.

Clinical features of gastroesophageal reflux disease-associated cough typical for adult patients and a specific questionnaire for evaluating gastroesophageal reflux disease validated in adults may also be useful diagnostic clues in adolescents.

source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/286806/gastroesophageal_reflux_associated_chronic_cough_in_an_adolescent_and_the_diagnostic_implications_a_case_report.html

tips for calming night time reflux

2008-03-23T18:40:00.001-07:00

Tips for Calming Nighttime Acid Reflux
Heartburn and other gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms experienced during the night commonly cause sleep disturbances, including arousal from sleep, increased wakefulness and overall poor sleep quality.

Here are several tips to help reduce nighttime acid reflux so you can sleep better:

1. Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated
2. Wear loose-fitting clothes
3. Wait 2 to 3 hours after eating to go to sleep
4. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn

source: http://www.acg.gi.org/

night time acid reflux

2008-03-20T18:39:00.001-07:00

According to results of a survey presented at the 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, nighttime acid reflux, along with some of the less typical manifestations or symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is associated with significant sleep impairment.
In a recent national survey, researchers assessed the prevalence of sleep impairment among people with GERD and people without GERD based on response to an Internet survey of a general population of U.S. adults. Using a validated GERD screening tool, 701 respondents were identified with GERD and the remaining were controls. Bonnie Dean, MPH, PhD, of Cerner LifeSciences, Ronnie Fass, MD of the University of Arizona and their research team found that sleep impairment was more common among people with GERD (41.9 percent) than those without GERD (19.4 percent). Researchers found that 49.5 percent of respondents with nighttime GERD reported sleeping poorly often or most of the time, compared to 36.7 percent of people with daytime GERD.

Using the survey, researchers also assessed sleep impairment among patients experiencing frequent nighttime atypical manifestations of GERD. In this case, Dr. Dean and her colleagues evaluated the subgroup of respondents with GERD, as identified using the validated GERD screener. They found that atypical manifestations or symptoms of GERD (i.e. coughing, sore throat, snoring, wheezing, choking, and chest pain) were common among those with acid reflux. Of GERD patients, 74 percent had at least one nighttime atypical manifestation. For almost every daytime and nighttime atypical manifestation assessed, more than 20 percent of GERD patients reported their occurrence as frequent (more than 2 days or nights per week). Researchers also found that sleep impairment was more common among GERD patients with atypical manifestations compared to GERD patients with only typical or classic symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. For eight of the nine nighttime atypical manifestations assessed, the proportion of GERD cases reporting sleep impairment was significantly higher for GERD cases with the atypical manifestation compared with GERD cases without the atypical manifestation.

"Awareness of nighttime reflux, atypical manifestations, and associated sleep complaints should allow more complete evaluation and treatment of GERD patients," said Dr. Dean about this project.

source: http://www.acg.gi.org/

incisionless operations for acid reflux

2008-03-20T18:35:00.001-07:00

Surgeons at the Ohio State University Medical Center have performed the first incisionless operations in the United States using a device recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to stop gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Ohio State's Medical Center is one of the nation's leaders in incisionless surgery, a new procedure that leaves no outside scarring; results in minimal, if any, post-operative pain; reduces patients' recovery time significantly; and is expected to be one of the next major medical advancements.

Surgeons at Ohio State have treated the first two patients, using the device known as EsophyX. The mechanism, new in the United States, has been proven safe and effective in patients treated throughout Europe for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as heartburn.

"The medical device offers a treatment for patients who suffer from an advanced degree of GERD and, until now, would have been candidates for surgery," said Dr. Scott Melvin, division director, general and gastrointestinal surgery, and director, Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at the OSU Medical Center.

Heartburn is a condition in which acid refluxes from the stomach into the esophagus. The burning sensation felt in the chest can last for countless hours, resulting from inflammation, bleeding or ulcers in the esophagus. GERD is known to be associated with an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus.

Almost 30 million Americans are diagnosed with chronic reflux disease that requires medication for relief of symptoms. It is estimated that millions of dollars are spent on over-the-counter and prescription medications for treatment of the condition.

The incisionless surgery allows reconstruction of the one-way valve at the top of the stomach, when the valve is defective. The new tubular device is introduced to the body totally through the mouth, and is then advanced down the esophagus into the stomach. During the procedure, the operation is viewed through a small fiberoptic camera located within the tubular surgical tools. Patients are normally in the hospital overnight and, after the procedure, are symptom free.

"Throughout medical history, we have gone from a very painful surgery, to a better tolerated surgery and, now, to a potentially pain-free incisionless procedure. In addition, the new procedure allows a treatment option for many patients when reflux is not severe enough to require surgery," noted Melvin.

"We are far from incisionless technology's adoption for widespread use with other diseases, but there is a lot of discussion among surgeons about these new techniques," said Melvin. "Our use of this type of technology will continue to allow us to treat many diseases with minimal pain from surgery."

source: http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=31636

heartburn drugs and pregnancy

2008-03-17T18:32:00.001-07:00

The Do's and Don'ts of Using Heartburn Drugs during Pregnancy
Pregnant women with mild reflux usually do well with simple lifestyle changes. If lifestyle and dietary changes are not enough, you should consult your doctor before taking any medication to relieve heartburn symptoms.

According to ACG President Amy E. Foxx-Orenstein, DO, FACG, "Heartburn medications to treat acid reflux during pregnancy should be balanced to alleviate the mother's symptoms of heartburn, while protecting the developing fetus."

Based on a review of published scientific clinical studies (in animals and humans) on the safety of heartburn medications during pregnancy, researchers conclude there are certain drugs that are considered safe for use in pregnancy and those which should be avoided.

Antacids are one of the most common over-the-counter medications to treat heartburn. As with any drug, antacids should be used cautiously during pregnancy.

Antacids

Antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium are considered safe and effective in treating the heartburn of pregnancy.
Magnesium-containing antacids should be avoided during the last trimester of pregnancy because it could interfere with uterine contractions during labor.
Avoid antacids containing sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate could cause metabolic alkalosis and increase the potential of fluid overload in both the fetus and mother.
Histamine-type II (H-2) Receptor Antagonists
While limited data exists in humans on the safety of histamine-type II (H-2) receptor antagonists, ranitidine (Zantac?) is the only H-2 antagonist, which has been studied specifically during pregnancy.

In a double-blind, placebo controlled, triple crossover study, ranitidine (Zantac?) taken once or twice daily in pregnant heartburn patients not responding to antacids and lifestyle modification, was found to be more effective than placebo in reducing the symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation. No adverse effects on the fetus were reported. (Larson JD, et al., "Double-blind placebo-controlled study of ranitidine for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms during pregnancy." Obstet Gynecol 1997; 90:83-7.)

A study on the safety of cimetidine (Tagamet?) and ranitidine (Zantac?) suggests that pregnant women taking these drugs from the first trimester through their entire pregnancy have delivered normal babies. (Richter JE., "Gastroesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy. Gastroenterol Clin N Am 2003; 32:235-61.)

Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors should be reserved for pregnant patients with more severe heartburn symptoms and those not responding to antacids and lifestyle and dietary changes. Lansoprazole (Prevacid?) is the preferred PPI because of case reports of safety in pregnant women. Limited data exists about human safety during pregnancy with the newer PPIs.

source: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=33331

heartburn and pregnancy

2008-03-14T18:29:00.001-07:00

Heartburn symptoms are one of the most commonly reported complaints among pregnant women.
Heartburn usually starts during the first trimester and tends to worsen during the second and third trimesters.

Studies have shown elevated levels of the hormone progesterone accompanied by increased intra-abdominal pressures from the enlarging uterus, may lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in pregnant women contributing to heartburn symptoms, according to research highlighted in the newly updated "Pregnancy in Gastrointestinal Disorders" monograph by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG).

From the monograph, physician experts from ACG have compiled important health tips on managing heartburn symptoms, and importantly, identifying which heartburn medications are safe for use in pregnant women and those, which should be avoided.

Strategies to Ease Heartburn Symptoms during Pregnancy
According to the ACG, pregnant women can treat and relieve their heartburn symptoms through lifestyle and dietary changes. The following tips can help reduce heartburn discomfort:

Avoid eating late at night or before retiring to bed. Common heartburn triggers include greasy or spicy food, chocolate, peppermint, tomato sauces, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and citrus fruits.
Wear loose-fitting clothes. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.
Eat smaller meals. Overfilling the stomach can result in acid reflux and heartburn.
Don't lie down after eating. Wait at least 3 hours after eating before going to bed. When you lie down, it's easier for stomach contents (including acid) to back up into the esophagus, particularly when you go to bed with a full stomach.
Raise the head of the bed 4 to 6 inches. This can help reduce acid reflux by decreasing the amount of gastric contents that reach the lower esophagus.
Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Abstinence from alcohol and smoking can help reduce reflux symptoms and avoid fetal exposure to potentially harmful substances.

source: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=33331

what to do when a baby has GERD

2008-03-11T23:57:00.001-07:00

If you feed your baby with a bottle, add up to 1 tablespoon of rice cereal to 2 ounces of infant milk. You can add cereal to expressed milk if you are breastfeeding. If the mixture is too thick for your baby you can change the nipple size or cut a little âœxâ in the nipple.

Burp your baby after heâ™s consumed 1 or 2 ounces of formula. For breast-fed infants, burp after feeding on each side.

Do not overfeed. Talk with your infantâ™s doctor or nurse about the amount of formula or breast milk that your baby is consuming.

When possible, hold your infant upright in your arms for 30 minutes after feedings.

Infants with GER should usually sleep on their backs, as is suggested for all infants. Rarely, a physician may suggest alternative sleep positions.

Symptoms in Babies

2008-03-07T23:51:00.001-08:00

GERD is common in healthy infants. More than half of all babies experience reflux in the first 3 months of life, but most stop spitting up between the ages of 12 to 24 months. Only a small number of infants have severe symptoms. An infant with GER may experience

spitting up
vomiting
coughing
irritability
poor feeding
blood in the stools
In a small number of babies, GER results in symptoms that cause concern. These symptoms include

poor growth due to an inability to hold down enough food
irritability or refusing to feed due to pain
blood loss from acid burning the esophagus
breathing problems
These problems can be caused by disorders other than GERD. Your health care provider will need to determine whether GERD is the cause of your childâ™s symptoms.

source: digestive.niddk.nih.gov

GERD

2008-03-04T23:48:00.000-08:00

GERD is a chronic condition. Once it begins, it usually is lifeâ"long. If there is injury to the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis), this also is a chronic condition. Moreover, after the esophagus has healed with treatment and treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients within a few months. Once treatment for GERD is begun, therefore, it usually will need to be continued indefinitely although it is argued that in some patients with intermittent symptoms and no esophagitis, treatment can be intermittent and done only during symptomatic periods.

In fact, the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. One study found that reflux occurs as frequently in normal individuals as in patients with GERD. In patients with GERD, however, the refluxed liquid contains acid more often, and the acid remains in the esophagus longer. It has also been found that liquid refluxes to a higher level in the esophagus in patients with GERD than normal individuals.

As is often the case, the body has ways (mechanisms) to protect itself from the harmful effects of reflux and acid. For example, most reflux occurs during the day when individuals are upright. In the upright position, the refluxed liquid is more likely to flow back down into the stomach due to the effect of gravity. In addition, while individuals are awake, they repeatedly swallow, whether or not there is reflux. Each swallow carries any refluxed liquid back into the stomach. Finally, the salivary glands in the mouth produce saliva, which contains bicarbonate. With each swallow, bicarbonateâ"containing saliva travels down the esophagus. The bicarbonate neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus after gravity and swallowing have removed most of the liquid.

Gravity, swallowing, and saliva are important protective mechanisms for the esophagus, but they are effective only when individuals are in the upright position. At night during sleep, gravity is not in effect, swallowing stops, and the secretion of saliva is reduced. Therefore, reflux that occurs at night is more likely to result in acid remaining in the esophagus longer and causing greater damage to the esophagus.

Certain conditions make a person susceptible to GERD. For example, GERD can be a serious problem during pregnancy. The elevated hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause reflux by lowering the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter (see below). At the same time, the growing fetus increases the pressure in the abdomen. Both of these effects would be expected to increase reflux. Also, patients with diseases that weaken the esophageal muscles (see below), such as scleroderma or mixed connective tissue diseases, are more prone to develop GERD.

source: www.medicinenet.com

acid reflux defined

2008-03-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

from www.wikipedia.com

acid reflux is also known as GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease. it is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux in the esophagus.

This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. This can be due to incompetence of the cardia, transient cardia relaxation, impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or a hiatus hernia.

from www.medicinenet.com
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining (cause, cause esophagitis) of the esophagus although visible signs of inflammation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed–up into the stomach from the duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that attaches to the stomach.) Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage is not as clear as the role of acid.