Acid Reflux Explained » Acid Reflux GERD

What Is GERD?

acid — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:53:35 +0000

What is GERD? It is now quite common to hear the terms acid reflux or GERD. It is very likely that you or someone you know suffers from Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD or acid reflux. But what exactly is it? I found this great article that gives an excellent overview.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD occurs when the acidic gastric juices
from the stomach flow up into the esophagus. As these juices are allowed to flow into and irritate the lining of the esophagus, a burning
sensation is felt in the lower chest. If these symptoms of heartburn are not controlled with modifications in lifestyle, and
over-the-counter medicines are needed two or more times a week, you should see your physician. When GERD is not treated, serious
complications can occur, such as severe chest pain that can mimic a heart attack, esophageal stricture (the narrowing of the esophagus),
bleeding, or a pre-cancerous change in the lining of the esophagus known as Barrett’s Esophagus.

What are the causes of GERD?

One possible GERD cause is the weakness of the muscle at the base of the
esophagus that connects and controls the flow of food in to the stomach, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). As food travels down
the esophagus, the sphincter opens to let food flow into the stomach. Normally it closes as soon as the food enters the stomach. With
heartburn, the sphincter does not close tightly. This allows stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus (often called acid reflux),
causing a burning sensation.

Other causes include excess acid production and other diseases that interfere
with food passing through the esophagus.

GERD Symptoms

Frequent heartburn is the most common GERD symptom. However, patients may also
experience some of the following:

sour or bitter taste
bitter stomach fluid coming into the mouth, especially during sleep
hoarseness
repeatedly feeling a need to clear the throat
difficulty swallowing food or liquid
wheezing or coughing at night
worsening of symptoms after eating, or when bending over or lying down

Diagnosing GERD

Diagnostic tests for GERD may include:

Upper GI Series-a series of x-rays of the upper digestive system taken after drinking a barium solution
24-hour pH Monitoring-a probe placed in the esophagus to keep track of the level of acidity in the lower esophagus. This is done over a 24-hour period.
Manometry-measures muscle pressures of the lower esophagus (LES)
Endoscopy-looking at the esophagus and stomach through a thin, lighted flexible tube that is passed down the throat
Biopsy-removing a small sample of esophageal tissue to measure the amount of acid or pressure in the esophagus

GERD Complications

Heartburn can feel like the pain associated with a heart attack. Never assume
that chest pain is heartburn or indigestion. Seek medical care if you’re not sure.

Complications occur when GERD is severe or long-standing. Constant irritation of
the esophagus by stomach acid can lead to inflammation, ulcers, and bleeding. Anemia or low blood count may develop. Over time, scarring and
narrowing of the esophagus can also develop, making it difficult to swallow and pass food through the esophagus. This narrowing is called a
stricture.

Some patients develop a condition called Barrett’s Esophagus, which is a serious
change in the cells lining the esophagus. Barrett’s Esophagus may be a precursor of esophageal cancer.

GERD Prevention

Certain diet and lifestyle choices can contribute to the condition. For example,
certain foods increase acid production, and fatty foods increase the time food remains in the stomach. Chocolate, peppermint, coffee,
alcoholic beverages, and especially nicotine in cigarette smoke weaken or relax the LES. Obesity places added pressure on the upper abdomen,
and during pregnancy the LES weakens for unknown reasons.

GERD Treatment

When symptoms of heartburn are not controlled with modifications in lifestyle,
and over-the-counter medicines are needed two or more times a week, or symptoms remain unresolved on the medication you are taking, you
should consult your physician.

Treatment should be designed to: 1) eliminate symptoms; 2) heal esophagitis;
and 3) prevent the relapse of esophagitis or development of complications in patients with esophagitis.

In many patients, GERD is a chronic, relapsing disease. The goals of long-term
maintenance are to control the symptoms and prevent complications. Maintenance therapy will vary in individuals ranging from basic lifestyle

modifications to prescription medication as treatment.

Lifestyle Modification

In order to decrease the amount of gastric contents that reach the lower

esophagus, certain simple guidelines should be followed:

Raise the Head of the Bed or use under-mattress foam wedge to elevate the head about 6-10 inches. Pillows are not an effective alternative for elevating the head in preventing reflux.
Change Eating and Sleeping Habits. Avoid lying down for two hours after eating. Do not eat for at least two hours before bedtime. This decreases the amount of stomach acid available for reflux.
Reduce your weight if obesity contributes to the problem.
Change Your Diet. Avoid foods and medications that lower LES tone (fats and chocolate) and foods that may irritate the damaged lining of the esophagus (citrus juice, tomato juice, and probably pepper).
Avoid Habits That Contribute to GERD. Both smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages lower LES pressure, which contributes to acid reflux.
Avoid foods and beverages that contribute to heartburn: chocolate, coffee, peppermint, greasy or spicy foods, tomato products and alcoholic beverages.
Stop smoking. Tobacco inhibits saliva, which is the body’s major buffer. Tobacco may also stimulate stomach acid production and relax the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, permitting acid reflux to occur.

The goal of each treatment is to decrease the amount of acidic stomach fluid

leaking back into the esophagus or make that fluid less irritating to the lining of the esophagus.

GERD Diet

Your doctor may recommend avoiding:

caffeine
chocolate and peppermint
spicy and/or tomato-based foods like pizza, wings, sausages
fruits from the citrus family like oranges and tomatoes
fried and fatty foods
peppermint and spearmint
whole milk
cold cuts, bacon, fatty meat, chicken skin
cream-based soups

Medical Treatment of GERD

GERD has a physical cause, and frequently is not curtailed by these lifestyle factors alone. If you are using
over-the-counter medications two or more times a week, or are still having symptoms on the prescription or other medicines you are taking,
you need to see your doctor. If results are not forthcoming, medications may be used to neutralize acid, increase LES tone, or improve
gastric emptying. Promotility Agents increase lower esophageal sphincter pressure, which helps prevent acid reflux, and improves the movement
of food from the stomach. H2 blockers and Proton Pump lnhibitors decrease the flow of stomach acid.

Beth Guida is an author for e-Healthcare Solutions, Inc. in Ewing, NJ.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Guida

*** Sick and tired of GERD interfering in your life? Get your answers from Stop Acid Reflux Now ***

GERD Diets – Do You Suffer From GERD?

acid — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:31:54 +0000

It sounds like some horrible disease from ancient times, but it is actually more common than you would think. The result of a weakened muscle in the lower esophagus, Gerd occurs more frequently at night. This is due to the heavier meals we eat in the evening and going to bed on a full stomach. GERD diets are a necessity.

When the muscle in the esophagus gets weak, it allows acid from the stomach to creep into the esophagus. This is what causes the pain and discomfort of Gerd. This problem can become so bad that liquid from the stomach can actually enter the breathing tubes. When this happens, the symptoms may be a deep cough, hoarseness and you may even have difficulties breathing.

Many people have often felt as though they were having a heart attack because the pain was so intense. This is when it is time to find a solution to Gerd to stop making your life miserable. One of the main culprits is the food you consume on a daily basis. In order to reduce the incidence of Gerd, you should take a look at the following foods that are known to contribute to this problem.

* Fried foods
* Milk
* Citrus/especially juices
* Chocolate
* Tea or coffee
* Oils
* Fast foods
* Candy
* Butter
* Creamed foods

This is just a partial list of the many food and drinks found to cause the onset of Gerd or worsen it once you are already experiencing problems. The best way to find out what foods trigger your attacks is by trial and error. This is not pleasant, but it is basically the only way to know for sure.

Rather than the foods you are eating, try some of these as a substitute and you may find they help to reduce the times when you experience the symptoms of Gerd.

GERD diets consisting of eating lean meat, turkey, fish and chicken are easier on the stomach. The use of bread made with lower fat content can help. Try not to use oils at all. Fried foods are going to worsen rather than help Gerd sufferers. If you must eat desserts, try to eat ones that have low or no fat.

Soups that are either low or no fat versus the regular soup will make a change. Yogurt is a good choice and if you are going to drink milk, it should be skim or at least 1 or 2% milk. When it comes to fruit, bananas, berries, apples, melons and pears are a good choice.

The way you eat can be a contributing factor as well. Instead of eating large meals, try eating smaller meals several times a day. This allows time to digest the food and move it out of the stomach. Instead of a big meal sitting there with acid churning, it will have already gone.

There are other factors that will contribute to Gerd, such as wearing clothing that is restrictive. Being overweight is another. Even bending over after you eat can cause an onset of Gerd. However, the main way you will control this problem is by following GERD diets, watching the foods you eat and learning which ones cause problem for you.

Acid Reflux GERD

acid — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:24:46 +0000

If you haven’t suffered with it, chances are someone close to you has experienced Acid Reflux GERD. Frequently known as heartburn, this is a condition in which the acid in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This can cause temporary discomfort, easily relieved for some all the way up to extreme pain and can cause esophagitis (damage to the throat). So, how do you know if this is what you are suffering with, and what can you do to relieve symptoms of acid reflux GERD?

SIGNS /SYMPTOMS of GERD

GERD is a chronic condition, so it is more serious than occasional heartburn. While some patients experience symptoms less often, an effective treatment needs to be found to help the problem. To find out if you are suffering from acid reflux GERD, you may experience pain in the middle of the chest, spreading into the neck. Some sufferers mistake it for a heart attack the pain can be so intense. This pain can last two or more hours.

The onset of gerd generally happens after eating, and lying down can make it worse. Other symptoms include acid regurgitating into your mouth, a bitter taste, and a dry cough / hoarseness in the morning. Children with acid reflux gerd may experience vomiting and other respiratory problems.

*For more information on signs and symptoms of acid reflux gerd, CLICK HERE!*

HOME TREATMENTS

Severe cases of acid reflux may need the attention of a doctor, but there are some simple steps that you can take at home to alleviate the symptoms or avoid the onset of reflux. Once you have suffered through a bout of acid reflux, the adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure will become your mantra when eating.

Since the stomach can only handle a certain amount of food, eating smaller meals more often instead of one huge meal will help the stomach acid break food down at a reasonable rate instead of being forced up. Don’t lie down right after eating, and avoid eating late at night. As an added measure of help, raise the foot of the bed by six to eight inches with blocks to aid gravity in acid reflux relief.

Greasy and acidic food will trigger attacks. Don’t eat cream or tomato based foods, fatty fried things, chocolate or caffeine. Mints are also known to be problematic, as well as smoking and alcohol. Find out what your specific triggers are and avoid those foods, or be prepared with an antacid nearby.

ANTACIDS

Taken ahead of time, antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach. Best taken every few days, these will help with heartburn, but can cause side effects over a long period of time. Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums are the popular brands.

A second type of antacid, known as H-2 blocker, also help with heartburn by preventing acid production. Tagament, Pepcid, and Zantac fall into this category. These work best one hour before meals, since they don’t affect acid already in the stomach, just the new production of acid.

If you suffer from severe acid reflux GERD and trying these steps at home does not relieve symptoms, your doctor can help. There are more invasive ways to treat your symptoms, and your doctor can determine if there is any damage or if surgery is necessary. Good luck in finding relief!