Monday, July 28, 2008

what is acid reflux

What is Acid Reflux and Why do I Have It?

Acid reflux is also known as gastoesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This condition occurs when heartburn becomes a frequent occurrence, happening two or more times a week. Regular heartburn like this can become uncomfortable enough to get in the way of daily activities and even cause damage to the delicate lining of the esophagus. For these reasons, most people who suffer from frequent bouts of heartburn will ask their doctor what acid reflux is and what they can do to treat it.

The Heartburn Process
When we eat, the food passes from our mouth and throat, into our esophagus. This long tube will send the food down to the stomach, where it is broken down by the digestive acids in this organ to be absorbed into the body as nutrients or eliminated from the body as waste. To keep stomach acid where it belongs, there is a circular ring at the base of the esophagus known as the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. This LES contracts after food passes through so that it cannot return to the esophagus. However, when the LES cannot close properly, food particles and stomach acids can indeed come back up.

The esophageal lining is not designed to withstand the harsh acid from the stomach, which is why the painful burning results. This is what acid reflux is, and the longer it goes unchecked, the greater the likelihood that actual damage to that lining can occur. This damage can result in a condition known as Barrett's esophagus and increase the risk of esophageal cancer. While both of these conditions are relatively rare, it is still a good idea to understand what acid reflux is and how to treat it most effectively to avoid the risk completely.

Understanding Heartburn Triggers
The first step in understanding what acid reflux is will be to know why it occurs in the first place. Heartburn triggers can come in many shapes and sizes; from the foods we eat to the lifestyle choices we make. Common culprits include tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, garlic and onions. Fried and fatty foods can also cause heartburn. Smoking, eating large meals and eating too close to bed are other potential triggers. For some, pinpointing the triggers and avoiding them are enough to keep acid reflux in check. For others, medication may be necessary to control the symptoms and the potential for damage.

There are many over the counter medications that will treat acid reflux, including H-receptor-blockers like Tagamet and Pepcid, and proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec. While different medicines work in different ways, the basic idea is to alter the stomach acid so it cannot back up the digestive tract and cause damage. If you are suffering from frequent heartburn, it would be wise to talk to your doctor to find out what acid reflux is and how it can be treated.

vinegar acid reflux treatment

How Effective Is The Vinegar Acid Reflux Treatment?

Acid reflux is a condition that is also commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is an occurrence where stomach acids or stomach contents rise up and back out into the esophagus causing heartburn symptoms in an individual. There are actually many different kinds of treatments for this condition, some natural and other medical. One of the said natural treatments for acid reflux is the vinegar acid reflux treatment. This vinegar acid reflux treatment entails ingesting a diluted amount of apple cider vinegar to ease the acid reflux.

There are actually many other natural or herbal treatments and cures that claim to be able to control and ease acid reflux and its symptoms. Many traditional doctors prefer to give medicines because they have undergone extensive training in doing this while alternative treatments are just waiting to be discovered and used.

How The Vinegar Acid Reflux Treatment Is Supposed to Work

Although, common sense will tell you not to ingest anymore acidic foods in order not to aggravate the occurrence of acid reflux, alternative medicine practitioners encourage the ingestion of a diluted amount of apple cider vinegar for the vinegar acid reflux treatment. According to some alternative medicine practitioners, one of the causes of acid reflux may be the lack of natural stomach acids to digest foods effectively. Downing a diluted form of apple cider vinegar can add to the natural stomach acids and aid in the digestive process. At the same time, the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment can neutralize the acidity of the stomach.

The efficacy of the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment has brought about a lot of doubt and debate among many people. Some who have tried the vinegar acid reflux treatment swear that it can effectively control and settle acid reflux while others say that it has no positive effect whatsoever on them. The apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment specifies that apple cider vinegar be used instead of any other kind of vinegar, whether synthetic or natural.

There is actually nothing to lose by trying out the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment. You can even try this out repeatedly if you think that the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment may have worked for you. Many herbal and natural treatments and cures for acid reflux actually await those who suffer from it. It is just a matter of discovering what works for you and what does not.

symptoms of acid reflux

How to Recognize the Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Most of us are familiar with the signs of heartburn, since the majority of folks suffer with a bout of it at one time or another. The all too familiar burning and pain just under your breastbone can become worse when you lie down or bend over. When you experience the discomfort, it is easy to take an antacid or two that will neutralize the acid and relieve the symptoms.

However, this is not the case for everyone. Some people will have frequent bouts of heartburn, or symptoms that are so severe; they cannot be effectively treated with the usual medications and lifestyle changes. These may be the symptoms of acid reflux, or GERD. If you suspect that you are experiencing symptoms of acid reflux, it is important to seek treatment since leaving acid reflux unchecked can result in complications and damage to the esophagus. So what are the signs to watch out for?

My Heartburn Occurs Often
Frequent heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux. If you are finding that your heartburn is occurring twice a week or more, you may be suffering from GERD. Heartburn that is more severe than it used to be, doesn't respond as well to medications or wakes you up at night may also be symptoms of acid reflux. It is possible that you will need to talk to your doctor about prescription medications if you have acid reflux, since over the counter remedies are not always effective enough for this condition.

Other Symptoms to Watch Out For
Acid reflux can result in damage to the esophagus, because the stomach acids that back up into this area during a bout of heartburn can damage the delicate esophageal lining. The symptoms of acid reflux in this case may include occasional heartburn with difficulty swallowing or a chronic cough. You may find that your asthma worsens when you lie down after a meal or that you become hoarse at night. Some people that are suffering from frequent heartburn will lose weight or their appetites because the foods they eat will often result in that painful burning sensation.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux, it is important to talk to your doctor about treatment options. For some, treatment may be as simple as an over the counter medication. Proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec will block acid production, and H-2-receptor blockers will reduce the amount of acid that is produced. If these treatments do not work effectively, your doctor can prescribe stronger medications and recommend additional lifestyle and diet modifications that may help.

Symptoms of acid reflux can be painful enough to get in the way of daily life, but there is help available. Talk to your doctor about your options today.

preventing acid reflux

An Informative Guide on Preventing Acid Reflux

Acid reflux syndrome, also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease, is a disease that should never be ignored or mistreated. There are millions of people around the world who suffer from an acid reflux condition, and it is important that if you ever experience the symptoms of acid reflux you speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Although there is no way to completely avoid getting acid reflux and no way to completely get rid of it, there are ways of preventing acid reflux.

Eating Smaller Meals

One of the worst things that anyone suffering from acid reflux can do is gorge themselves full of food. If you have larger, less frequent meals then you are going to be filling your stomach to the brim, which will result in more stomach acid and in a pushing on your stomach which will aggravate the reflux.

Instead, you should stick to eating smaller, more frequent meals, as this will greatly decrease the chance that some of the food you have eaten will make its way back up into the esophagus.

Avoid Eating Before Bedtime

Another idea for preventing acid reflux is to avoid eating the hour or two before you go to bed. This is a very effective way of preventing acid reflux because lying down with a full stomach can cause the contents of your stomach to press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter, which in turn will increase the chance of refluxed food.

Keep Your Head Elevated

While you sleep, and when you can while you are awake, you should keep your head elevated. This will help keep any stomach acid trying to make its way back up into the esophagus from making it all the way up. This will keep you from experiencing the pain of your reflux, especially during the nighttime which is when most acid reflux sufferers experience the most pain.

Another idea for preventing acid reflux involves you wearing loose clothing. Although it may seem like a pretty simple concept it is a great way of preventing acid reflux because it makes sure that your body is not restricted and that your stomach is not being pressed against. Clothing that fits tightly around your abdomen is only going to squeeze your stomach and force food up against the lower esophageal sphincter.

As a result of this, the food in your stomach is much more likely to reflux into the esophagus, resulting in pain.

pharmaceutical companies that treat acid reflux disease

The Top Pharmaceutical Companies That Treat Acid Reflux Disease

For the millions of people suffering from acid reflux disease out there, it is important they be aware of the different pharmaceutical companies that treat acid reflux disease. This will be incredibly helpful in regards to their treatment, to ensuring that they get the best advice assistance with their condition as possible.

Top Pharmaceutical Companies That Treat Acid Reflux Disease

A short list of the top pharmaceutical companies that treat acid reflux disease includes GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Wyeth, Novartis, Aventis Pharma, Roche, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Bayer, Abbott, Lundbeck, and Schering Plough.

How the Pharmaceutical Companies That Treat Acid Reflux Disease Work

It is important to understand how these pharmaceutical companies that treat acid reflux disease work, especially if you are suffering from the condition yourself and want to find the best treatment and the best company to go to.

Often medication is the first choice, particularly for more serious conditions because patients want at least remote immediate relief. There are many over the counter and prescription medications that are presently available to treat acid reflux disease.

Proton pump inhibitors are a group of prescription medications that work by completely preventing the release of acid in the stomach. Because acid production is a natural and essential function of the human body however, these drugs should never be considered as a long term solution and should only be used for a total of six weeks at the very most.

There are also what are known as H2 blockers, which are medicines that help acid reflux by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces. Because these medications only decrease the amount of acid in the stomach and do not deplete it completely, they can be used for a longer amount of time but again should never be thought of as a permanent solution.

If you only have a mild case of acid reflux, antacids may be enough to help you find relief. They work by simply neutralizing the acid in the stomach, and provide immediate heartburn relief.

It is important that any and all acid reflux sufferers work together with their doctor, who will be able to properly assess and diagnose their condition and help them to find the best treatment for their particular needs. Acid reflux can get to be a very serious condition, if you let it, but there are things you can do to greatly relieve the pain caused by your reflux.

nexium acid reflux

Benefits And Features Of Nexium Acid Reflux

Fortunately for acid reflux sufferers, Nexium effectively treats the symptoms of acid reflux and provides relief for the pain and burning of heartburn.

What Is Acid Reflux?

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle connects the esophagus to the stomach. The LES forms a tight seal to keep stomach acid where it belongs – in the stomach. When the LES relaxes, acid bubbles up from the stomach and penetrates the esophagus, where it can damages the sensitive lining of the organ.

What Causes Acid Reflux?

A variety of foods, conditions, and behaviors can trigger an acid reflux reaction. Caffeine consumption, in coffee, tea, or chocolate, can cause the reaction, as can overeating, wearing tight clothing, or being pregnant.

What Helps Acid Reflux Symptoms?

To some extent, the heartburn and pain of acid reflux can be avoided by avoiding the foods and behaviors that cause the problems. However, this is not always possible. For example, overweight people who are undertaking a weight loss program may have acid reflux symptoms that persist until they can lose a certain amount of weight.

Taking Nexium for acid reflux is the perfect solution for people who find themselves in a situation where they need to treat their acid reflux symptoms. By taking the "healing purple pill," as Nexium is called, acid reflux sufferers can obtain 24-hour relief from heartburn symptoms.

What Is Nexium?

The official medical name for Nexium is esomeprazole magnesium. Nexium for acid reflux must be prescribed by a medical doctor; it is not available without a prescription. While Nexium treats acid reflux, it may also have a negative reaction when taken with certain other drugs, notably Coumadin, HIV medications that contain Aatazanavir, and drugs like ketoconazole, iron salts, and digloxin, which rely on the gastric pH being a certain level.

Unfortunately, like any drug, Nexium does have side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Most adults take 20 or 40 mg of Nexium for acid reflux once daily, and they get 24 hour relief. Notably, Nexium is gluten free. Persons with gluten intolerance have enough gastric distress to deal with without the added complications of gluten in their medication. Therefore, Nexium is proud to be gluten-free.

Healing Nexium

Acid reflux can cause severe damage to the esophagus. Nexium can heal this damage, usually within four to six weeks after beginning treatment.

Is Nexium right for you? Only you and your doctor can decide. If you have persistent heartburn two or more days per week, talk to your doctor about taking Nexium.

natural remedies for acid reflux

Do Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Really Work?

Many people are skeptical of natural remedies for acid reflux, thinking that there is no way they could work as effectively as the more conventional treatment methods that are available. This is actually a myth, and in fact, some of the natural remedies for acid reflux that are available have proven to be better than more conventional methods.

Ideas

There are some great ideas that you can choose to go with when it comes to natural remedies for acid reflux.

There are many advantages that you will receive by choosing to use natural remedies for acid reflux, including that you will not have to deal with the unfavorable and unwanted side effects that you would with other options.

A few of the best natural remedies for acid reflux include chamomile, meadowsweet, slippery elm, cancer bush, fennel, catnip, angelica root, ginger root, and aloe. Chamomile helps by relieving irritation in the esophagus, and is thought to have calming and relaxing properties. It also has the ability to reduce the amount of stomach acid and promote normal digestion.

Next to chamomile, slippery elm is the most popular of all natural remedies for acid reflux. It is such a specific remedy for helping acid reflux and similar conditions that it is really too bad doctors and hospitals do not prescribe it more.

One of the most favorable qualities of slippery elm is how quickly it works, and acid reflux sufferers can feel relief almost immediately. It is also a very safe herb so you do not have to worry as much about overuse.

Tips

There are a few things that you should keep in mind if you plan to use any natural or home remedies for your acid reflux. More than anything you need to realize that just because these herbs are helping relieve the pain you will still need to take other steps including making changes in your lifestyle in order to find a long term solution.

It is important that you eat a healthy, well balanced diet and get plenty of exercise if you want to have permanent relief of your acid reflux, and also stay away from foods that will aggravate your condition, such as tomatoes, mashed potatoes, French fries, ground beef, sour cream, cottage cheese, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, ice cream, and eggs. Also keep in mind that although herbal remedies are generally safe they are still a form of medicine and so you need to use common sense when starting on any of them.