Posts Tagged ‘Reflux’

28
Jul
2010

Finding Relief From Acid Reflux Disease

by admin

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux disease which can range from a hoarse throat in the morning to symptoms that might have you rushing to the doctor thinking you are having a heart attack!


This very common chronic condition, sometimes referred to as heartburn by every day folks and often called gastroespohageal reflux disease or GERD by your doctor is not only very uncomfortable, but it can also lead to very serious problems due to the stomach acids burning your esophagus if left unchecked over long periods of time. This condition called Erosive Esophagitis can be serious and some doctors think it may even be linked to esophageal cancer


If you have ever felt that burning in your throat or tasted the bitter sour taste in the back of your mouth then you won’t be surprised to learn that acid reflux is caused by stomach acids, and sometimes food, backing up into your esophagus. There is a muscle in between the stomach and esophagus and this muscle acts like a valve that lets food enter from the esophagus into the stomach but is supposed to only open one way so that food and stomach acids cannot back up. However, in many people this muscle does not function properly and the result is acid reflux.


There are many ways to treat acid reflux but you will want to visit a health professional to get a good diagnosis before you choose the right path for you to take. Usually treating acid reflux is an ongoing process and your doctor might suggest medicines such as pump inhibiters that reduce the amount of acid produced or he may leave it to simple dietary and lifestyle changes such as avoiding some foods and sleeping on an incline


No matter what your doctor suggests, it’s in your best interest to find out what foods trigger bouts of heartburn for you. Try keeping a food diary and noting what you eat, when you eat it and how you feel shortly after. This will tell you what foods you might think about avoiding. Typically fatty and fried foods cause acid reflux. Other foods you might want to avoid include chocolate, tomotoe based foods, peppermint, citrus and spicy foods.


Other things you can do to reduce the effects of acid reflux disease include wearing loose clothing (especially around your stomach area) and not eating for several hours before bedtime.

Lee Dobbins writes for Acid Reflux Illness where you can find more information on symptoms and cures of acid reflux disease.

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22
Jun
2010

Does it Hurt to Learn About the Acid Reflux Disease

by admin

Acid reflux is a condition experienced in the body where by the liquid content of the stomach (mainly acid) flows back into the oesophagus and finds its way to the human throat and cause it to have a burning sensation which may be mild or severe depending on the quantity of the liquid. The liquid may inflame or damage the lining of the oesophagus. Of all the contents of the refluxed liquid, acid is believed to be the most dangerous and probably the most damaging component of the liquid.

This condition is believed to be so chronic such that when it starts occurring, it continues to take place throughout your life. This is due to people not following up on possible treatment used to stop this.

Acid reflux is usually characterized by some of the following symptoms. Regular heart burns is a clear symptom of acid reflux.A Heart burn condition has an irritating burning sensation in your chest and in some of the cases, the sensation is so intense that you get to feel it on your back. So don’t hold back on treatment when you start experiencing regular heart burns.

Difficulty in swallowing accompanied with a burning feeling is another sign that you might be having the acid reflux disease. The situation usually makes you feel like you have a lump stuck in your throat and makes it so hard for you to swallow food. Consulting a doctor would be advisable at this point so as to confirm for sure if you are indeed suffering from this disease.

Having a continous pricking pain in your throat as you swallow food might be another indication that you might be suffering from the acid reflux disease.The pricking pain is accompanied by some sought of burning which is mostly a symptom of this troubling disease. While you are experiencing this condition, it usually proves necessary for you to eat and drink slowly during such times.

The acid reflux disease may at times only need certain triggers for it to occur. For example, in pregnant women, elevated hormone levels which lower the pressure of the bottom part of the oesophageal sphincter and the growing fetus increasing the pressure in the abdomen, may lead to acid reflux occurrence. In these cases, pregnant women are supposed to seek medical attention so as to be advised on what measures to undertake.

Obesity could be another cause of this disturbing disease. Due to a full stomach, liquid contents get to be pushed up back into the esophagus and back to the throat. This liquid carries along with it acid which causes the burning feeling in the throat. Due to this reason, doctors advice people to exercise regularly and try to keep fit so as to avoid getting the acid reflux disease.

Consumption of heavy meals bring about improper indigestion. This action may cause the in digested food to be moved back towards the throat through the oesophagus. Body acid sometimes takes this opportunity to move together with this food. When it reaches the throat, it makes you have an irritation which may be mild or at times be so intense that you are able to feel it on your back.

Given the above symptoms and some of the causes that bring about this problem, it is now possible to avoid this traumatizing disease.

Wangeci Kinyanjui has been researching and reporting on Health Matters for years.For more information on acid reflux disease visit her site at ACID REFLUX DISEASE

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19
Jun
2010

Acid Reflux Disease

by admin

Commonly called ‘heart burn’, acid reflux disease is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up, or refluxes) into the esophagus.

It’s annoying and painful.

But you want to know the truth, the reflux of the stomach’s liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. However, when heartburn becomes acid reflux disease or Gastro esophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, it is s real problem. That is because with GERD, the acid is stronger and stays in the esophagus longer causing more discomfort.

Most often, you will experience this during the daytime when you are upright, sitting straight, or standing. You body handles this reflux by the fluid flowing back down into your stomach. You swallow more during the daytime therefore draining the acid back to where it belongs. Your salivary glands produce saliva that also contains bicarbonate that acts to neutralize the acid your stomach has kicked up.

At night though, you may have a greater problem when acid reflux disease occurs that is because while sleeping, gravity does not work as well lying down, your constant swallowing stops, and the production of saliva is reduced.

Certain conditions make a person more prone to acid reflux disease, this GERD. For example, while you are pregnant, this can be a serious problem. Elevated hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause reflux by lowering the pressure in that part of your body known as the lower esophageal sphincter. Also, the growing baby puts more pressure on the abdomen. Both of these effects of pregnancy tend to increase the risk of GERD.

If your acid reflux disease is a minor condition, then you should only experience minor symptoms. These would include primarily heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. However, if the condition is complicated, then watch out for the following symptoms.

The liquid that comes back into the esophagus damages the lining of the esophagus. The body tries to protect itself from the acid reflux disease by ‘inflaming’ the esophagus. Trying to speed the healing process through the inflammation, the wall of the esophagus may form an ulcer. The ulcer is a break in the lining of the esophagus wall. Then what happens is that there may be bleeding. If the bleeding is very severe, patients might need a blood transfusion or even surgical treatment.

If your heartburn is severe or acute, happening very frequently, you need to see a doctor.

What can you do for yourself to help the condition? Try sleeping a pillow a night that raises your chest up slightly so that gravity can bring the acid back down more easily. Since this condition usually occurs on a full stomach, eat earlier and eat less to keep the stomach from being too full. Ease off on the chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks. Reduce fatty foods and of course, cut down or quit smoking. Other foods may aggravate the conditions. Avoid spicy or acid-containing foods, like citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and tomato juice.

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