Acid Reflux Addressed

Below is an acid reflux article I received.

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the medical term for “Acid Reflux” is defined as a condition in which food or liquid travels backwards from the stomach to the esophagus, it can create damage to the esophagus and is a chronic condition.

This disease strikes adult primarily, while infants and children can also be affected. It is normally brought on by eating certain foods, it can be on effect of pregnancy, and is also affected by taking a sleep right after eating a heavy meal. A large number of persons suffer from acid reflux at one time or another.

Heartburn or acid indigestion is another name that refers to acid reflux. Heartburn, is the major symptom of Acid Reflux in the esophagus, and is described as causing a burning uneasiness at the back of the sternum.

Acid reflux symptoms may include coughing, voice transformation, hoarseness, constant ear ache, or sinusitis. The complications brought upon by acid reflux may lead to esophageal ulcers or worse this can lead to esophageal cancer.

However, constant heartburn sensations do not necessarily mean that one has captured GERD already. The risk occurs when heartburn happened more than once a week. Heartburn symptoms more than once a week can possibly be a major contributor in developing GERD.

The usual cause of GERD is the increase in acidity or gastric acid production in the body, obesity, pregnancy, or tight-fitting apparels, these all can add to the problem. Yeast infections are also thought to be one of the causes that give GERD symptoms.

Another paradoxical cause of GERD symptoms is not enough stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). The valve that empties the stomach into the intestines is triggered by acidity. If there is not enough acid, this valve does not open and the stomach contents are churned up into the esophagus. There is still enough stomach acid to cause irritation to the esophagus which results in heartburn.

Meanwhile, there are already several treatments for GERD today, one of which is to have a balanced and healthy eating plan. And if proper diet fails to work, one can shift to medication therapy or surgery depending on your doctor’s suggestions. Below is a list of several different ways for Acid Reflux treatment:

• Proper Diet: One natural way to cure Acid Reflux is through change in eating habits. A good number of people affected by GERD found success in following an Acid Reflux Diet. By avoiding foods which can intensify heartburn such as caffeine, soft drinks, and tomatoes etc. Avoid eating two hours before sleeping; likewise, avoid lying down after taking meal. Stop smoking. These are some of the regular suggested changes in lifestyle which can prevent Acid Reflux Symptoms.

• Another easy way to treat GERD is to elevate the head of the bed. These holistic type therapies, the combination of prevention of food two hours before sleeping and the raising of the head of the bed, have a great chance for a patient to gain a 95 percent acid reflux relief. The raising of the head of the bed is suggested to be in the range of 6 to 8 inches or 20 cm.Using this method the backflow of gastric fluids will be hampered.

• Drug Treatment: Drugs reduce the secretion of gastric acid. Such drugs like famotidine and omeprazole inhibit stomach acid production and Antacids counteract and neutralize the stomach acid.

• Surgical treatment: Nissen fundoplication, is the standard surgical treatment for Acid Reflux, it is used usually when acid reflux medication has failed. First carried out in 1951 by a surgeon called Rudolph Nissen and hence bears his name. The function of this operation is to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter, the spherical bond of muscles that opens and closes to let food pass into the stomach, as well as stop Acid Reflux symptoms into the esophagus. This procedure is also to repair any hiatal hernias which are one problem that can cause heartburn.

Acid reflux medication- My holiday changes

Hi,

It’s awhile since I have posted because I have been away in the UK for a couple of weeks and have not been near a computer. I went, knowing that I would be eating and drinking quite a bit so I did not mess about with my acid reflux medication. I just doubled the dose back to the 20 mg of Omeprazole that I used to be on before my doctors cut it to 10mg and I must say I never had any problems with acid reflux. I did not have a sniff of heartburn the whole time I was away and I ate and drank what I wanted. I wish I could return to the happy days of ignorance when I did not know that taking the acid reflux medication can be bad for you long term.

Since returning to Cyprus I have reverted back to only taking the medication when I know in advance that I am going to upset my stomach with the wrong food or drink and of course I revert to the usual lifestyle changes that are required to keep acid reflux at bay. Of course this does not work all of the time and I often get heartburn with things like cereal and bread so I just take normal antacids on those occasions or if I want an instant cure I take bicarbonate of soda in some water. This seems to neutralize the acid immediately but it does not last too long and I have never looked at the side effects you can get by taking too much bicarbonate of soda. So if anyone out there knows of any problems with taking it I would appreciate hearing from you.

I also practice positional therapy when in bed by raising my head and torso to stop acid rising into the esophagus but wish I had the luxury of an electrical adjustable bed which is a lot easier to use and much more comfortable.