Surgery For Acid Reflux - A Good Idea

GERD is an extremely painful disease that affects millions of people. The medical name for GERD is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It has many different symptoms that mimic other illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose by physicians.

Symptoms of GERD vary from person to person, therefore physicians will not write a prescription right away. If he or she is not sure, over the counter medications will be recommended.

Most of the time, these work to reduce or eliminate the symptoms, however, in severe cases, the over the counter remedies do not work and the patient continues to suffer terribly and require further tests.

The tests for GERD are both invasive and expensive. Doctors will try everything else before performing these tests. When all else fails, procedures like x-rays with a barium swallow, an upper gastrointestinal x-ray series, an upper endoscopies, an esophageal manometry, and a 24-hour pH are common tests that are used to diagnose GERD.

After the diagnosis of GERD, the physician will advise the patient of his or her options for treatment. For those who have moderate severe symptoms, over the counter and prescription drugs along with lifestyle changes will be recommended.

For patients who suffer from GERD so severe that they are in constant pain, the physician may recommend surgery.

The surgery for GERD is both invasive and painful. There has been controversy in the medical profession as to the need for surgery for GERD.

For those patients whose symptoms are rather severe and is causing them so much pain and discomfort, the physician may suggest surgery.

The type of surgery that is used most often in cases of GERD is called a Nissen Fundoplication. This procedure basically takes the upper part of the stomach and tightly wraps it around the lower part of the esophagus. By doing this, the esophageal barrier is strengthened preventing acid reflux from occurring. When performed, the surgery will eliminate GERD totally. Many physicians recommend this type of surgery to relieve their patients suffering. This procedure is considered to be a safe surgery, and have very good results. Because it is done laproscopically it is minimally invasive.

The debate in the medical community has been going on for years. Those who oppose surgery for GERD claim that if the patient institutes lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise the symptoms of GERD will disappear and surgery will not be necessary. If the symptoms continue, surgery should be the last option used.

Jill Seimer offers tips for healthy living at RefluxLife.com and discussed natural healing of heartburn from her experience using natural cures for acid reflux.

Burning For Two - Acid Reflux And Indigestion While Pregnant

If you sit and talk to any group of pregnant women anywhere in the world about the various discomforts they must endure during pregnancy they will all likely agree on one that is worst than most. What is it? Acid reflux. Many years ago there was an old wives tale that women who suffered from heartburn would give birth to a child with a full head of hair. This, of course, is purely mythical. That aside acid reflux is still a hugely annoying thing to have to endure while you are pregnant.

Reasons For Acid Reflux In Pregnant Women There are several reasons why pregnant women are more likely to experience heartburn:

1. Hormone levels in a pregnant woman are far higher than a woman who is not pregnant. This dramatic increase in hormone levels can have a huge effect on every aspect of your body and especially your digestive system. The most common effect is that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) can loosen up a bit. This is a type of valve which typically holds the food in your stomach. If this valve is loose then acid can flow back upwards into your gullet (esophagus). You will then experience heartburn to a varying degree.

2. During pregnancy your body will change shape. This normally does not happen until later in pregnancy. When these changes do happen your stomach area will keep expanding and this expansion is what can lead to acid reflux. Your stomach enlarging in this way puts far more pressure on the esophagus which can then lead to indigestion and acid reflux in general.

Is There Anything You Can Do?

There is always something you can do to help yourself! Firstly watch what you eat. Citrus foods, mint, spicy foods, fried foods, and chocolate should all be avoided as much as possible.

Eat smaller meals too.

This will help a lot if you experience a lot of morning (and daytime, evening and nighttime) sickness too. If you eat several small meals throughout the day you are far less likely to experience heartburn. Your body will be able to process those small meals far easier than 2 or 3 large ones.

Correct Your Posture

Believe it or not practicing correct posture can help an awful lot with acid reflux. Be especially careful of how you bend. While pregnant you should always bend down at the knees - although later you will have no choice but to do so as your stomach expands. However earlier on in your pregnancy bending down at the knees will put far less pressure on your stomach and therefore your esophagus. This can and will help you with the discomforts of indigestion.

You can fight back against acid reflux during your pregnancy. You simply have to choose to. Do not suffer in silence however and do not ever be afraid to consult with your doctor for medication if the heartburn becomes too painful to bear.

Helping others drives Jill Seimer with a passion but writing on healthy living at RefluxLife.com she recently published personal experiences on Acid Reflux in Children and dealing with infant acid reflux.

Small Investment Goes a Long Way - Dealing with Acid Reflux in Infants

You know what it feels like when you push away from the table after your favorite spicy meal ? satisfying. You also know what it?s like an hour or so later when you feel the payback of the meal with a burning in your stomach.

Does the burning fire churning in your stomach equal the pleasure of the meal? When you first sat down you had a good idea what the end result would be. You made the choice of taking that fork and putting to your mouth, infants on the other hand don?t enjoy that luxury.

As we grow older we learn of the foods we should avoid or only enjoy in small quantities or special occasions. Infants on the other hand don?t get to make those choices. Often their eating times are run a schedule. When they experience heartburn or acid reflux, they communicate that discomfort with crying.

Face it, no one wants to experience indigestion or the symptoms of heartburn. Stop for just a moment and think how painful the burning of stomach acid must be to an infant or young child?

Indigestion in infants, no matter what form, is painful, not just the child but everyone involved. I?m sure if you asked any of the millions of parents how many of them would gladly take the sickness and pain their child is experiencing on themselves if they could, just to give their infant some relief. The answer who be a resounding ? ?give it to me!?

Infants with acid reflux or indigestion are usually treated with some form of medication. Pediatricians will often prescribe medication acid reducers such as Prevacid or Zantac, which reduce stomach acid production.

Acid reflux is very common in infants and remedies such as medication now come in water-soluble forms and can be mixed with breast milk or formula, plus it dissolves almost immediately upon contact with the mouth. This makes administering medication much easier and effective almost instantly.

A friend?s child was treated with Prevacid and also took over the counter Mylanta. The doctor said it would treat the infants acid reflux symptoms since it immediately soothed the esophagus and stomach lining, reducing the burning sensation and discomfort.

Now at one year of age, this toddler is not taking any medication for acid reflux and runs around like any healthy child his age. There were absolutely no ill side effects from taking the medication prescribed, and the medication helped the whole family sleep better, the child spit up less was more comfortable, lead to a much happier babyhood.

With a passion for helping others Jill Seimer shares healthy lifestyle at RefluxLife.com She recently discussed Acid Reflux in Infants from a personal perspective

Living at the Edge - Can Bulimia Cause Acid Reflux?

Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is a psychological eating disorder whereby the subject will eat large quantities of food and then purge what they have eaten from their bodies. This desire to be rid of the food they have just eaten stems from a persons self-image of themselves being either overweight or simply not thin enough. First recognized as a serious medical condition in 1979 bulimia continues to plague many people (mostly young women) all over the world. In severe cases bulimia can prove to be fatal.

So how are bulimia and acid reflux related?

Well when a bulimic wants to purge the food from their stomach they resort to either vomiting or using powerful laxatives. The vomiting reflex is far more common as it provides them with an immediate way to get rid of the food. This then allows them to binge again shortly afterwards and then continue the purging process several times in a row.

The Potential For Damage

What most bulimics never stop to consider is the damage they are doing to their body. When a person vomits food is not the only thing forced through the esophagus - stomach acid is also present. Some bulimics can binge and purge several times per day which means that their esophagus is exposed to strong stomach acid over and over again. This continued exposure to stomach acid can leave the esophagus raw and worn down. This can then lead to one of the more serious diseases caused by acid reflux such as Barrets Esophagus.

How Bulimia Can Cause Heartburn

Another issue is that if you continually force the body to produce extra stomach acid during these binge/purge phases then this can form a "pattern" for the body. Your body can "learn" to expect certain situations to occur and if you get it into the habit then it will produce more stomach acid than it actually needs on an ongoing basis. This will then lead to acid reflux which, of course, will just make a bulimics life far worse. Vomiting will then become extremely painful.

Other Complications

Acid reflux is not the only problem that can arise from bulimia. If the body is starved of proper nutrients then organs can start to slow down and malnutrition can set in. This leads the bulimic into a further psychological downward spiral whereby the bingeing/purging process can actually increase in frequency and severity. Severe bulimia can result in death but this is often very hard to explain to anybody with an eating disorder.

Is There Hope?

Bulimia can be treated but it's a two-part process. Firstly medication will need to be prescribed to prevent vomiting and promote a healthy and constant appetite in the sufferer. Far more serious are the emotional issues that cause bulimia in the first place. Any person with an eating disorder should also receive psychological therapy as part of their healing process. Trained counsellors can get to the root of the problem if you will let them. Bulimics who do not take part in the psychological healing process often run the risk of simply getting into the same old habits all over again.

If you can categorize yourself as a bulimic then it's time to stop and take a quick review of your life. Do you really want to cause harm to your body? Why would you deliberately go about causing yourself potentially permanent pain? With the right help you can have a second chance at life and really enjoy your life too.

Jill Seimer and her passion for helping others shares healthy lifestyle tips at RefluxLife.com She recently published Natural Healing for Heartburn with her own experiences on natural cures for acid reflux.

A Positive Impact - Your Thinking Indigestion and Acid Reflux

Most people dismiss the power of positive thinking as something that only the most deluded people believe in. The mind is a powerful tool and has incredible control over and effect on the body. Positive thinking used in the right way and at the right time can have huge benefits for people suffering from a great many different medical conditions. Acid reflux is no different in this regard.

There are 9 individual steps in using positive thinking for yourself.

1. Clearly define a goal and purpose. In your case this will be acid reflux and the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn. Never, ever have more than one goal or purpose - it will only confuse matters for you. Choose a single goal and stick to it.

2. Take a step back from the situation you are in and tell yourself what you need to do. Using a gentle and confident tone tell yourself what you need to do to reach your goal.

3. Give yourself advice in a way that you would give advice to a friend. Reassure yourself and use common sense. Always follow your own best advice yourself.

4. Have belief in yourself and give yourself encouragement. Do not become overly enthusiastic when doing so. Remain calm and sincere when encouraging yourself.

5. Provide yourself with reasons for reaching your goals. Always keep the reasons why you need to overcome specific obstacles in the front of your mind. Remind yourself of past successes so that you know you are making progress. Remind yourself of your own strengths. Strong and positive reasons will be enough to keep you motivated and give you the strength and determination to reach the goal you have set yourself.

6. Aim for your favorite positive emotion. Be positive, cheerful and enthusiastic. Having a loving attitude is one of the best to have as it can have the most positive effect on you. Determination is another great emotion to use. This will keep you moving forward even when you find yourself struggling.

7. Practice anti-negativity each day. This simply means to do what you can to get rid of the negative, self-defeating thinking going on in your head. Attack these negative thoughts with all your strength so that you can find a neutral ground to make further progress from.

8. Keep the sentences and phrases you use short and simple. Make sure they are directed at a specific action or bearing.

9. Repeat what works. As you develop positive thinking skills you will notice that you use certain processes or activities more than others. Use them often and use them well.

Does the power of positive thinking actually work? Some say it has no power at all but how can you know without trying? Use the power of your mind to try and overcome acid reflux and indigestion - what have you got to lose?

Passionate about helping others Jill Seimer reports on healthy lifestyle at RefluxLife.com Recently publishing Acid Reflux in Children she shares her views on dealing with infant acid reflux.

Is This A Symptom of Acid Reflux?

We have all experienced it at one time or another. That burning, bloated feeling that accompanies a big meal. It is usually relieved by loosening your belt, or the top button of your pants. These symptoms are caused by indigestion. Certain foods can irritate the lining of your digestive track, and cause indigestion. It is not a frequent occurrence.

Sometimes that burning sensation creeps up behind your breastbone, accompanied by bloating, gas, nausea and a sour taste in the back of your throat. These are all symptoms of heartburn.

Any of these symptoms of acid reflux can occur individually, or all together. It is caused by the hydrochloric acid that your stomach uses to digest your food, backs up into your esophagus. When it happens occasionally, it is called heartburn. If it turns into a frequent occurrence, it is called a symptom of acid reflux.

When you swallow, your food passes through your esophagus, into your stomach. There is a muscle at the bottom of your esophagus that lets the food pass through, and then closes to prevent anything from escaping back up. This muscle can become weak for a variety of reasons, such as pregnancy, being overweight, stress, or as a natural event of ageing.

It also frequently happens in newborns. The muscle is not strong enough to seal the stomach. It is often called colic in babies, and they frequently outgrow the problem.

One study found that 57% of acid reflux sufferers also had a hiatal hernia that allowed the stomach acid to splash back into the esophagus, causing irritation and tissue damage.

If stomach acid makes it's way back into your lungs, it will cause you to be short of breath, and to suffer from asthma like symptoms. Repeated irritation of the lining of the esophagus will cause scarring and cell changes that can lead to cancer.

If you suffer from any symptom of acid reflux, or take antacids more than three times a week, it is time to contact your health care practitioner. Several good solutions to acid reflux can provide relief and prevent complications.

Gerri Stone publishes information to help you find Relief from acid reflux at http://www.StomachSolutions.com.

Seven Foods to Avoid with Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, also known as heartburn, is the pain and burning sensation that occurs after a meal. It is sometimes accompanied by gas, bloating and nausea.

Several commercial products will reduce the acid in your stomach and provide relief. Many people find a reduction in their symptoms when they determine what foods cause them discomfort, and avoid that food.

The first step in discovering what foods you should avoid is to keep a food diary. Simply keeping track of what you eat and when you have acid reflux will show you the likely irritant. There are foods that are commonly known to cause excess stomach acid, but each person has different triggers. You might find that you are only sensitive to a few foods, or to all the foods on the list.

Acid reflux can also be a side effect of some common medications. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if your medications could be causing your heartburn.

The top seven foods to avoid with acid reflux are:
Coffee,
Alcohol,
Spices used in foods,
Citrus fruit,
Fried and fatty foods,
Tomatoes,
Chocolate,

If you are prone to acid reflux, you should also avoid after dinner drinks, smoking, having a nap after eating, and any heavy lifting after a meal, such as taking out the garbage. By eliminating these foods and keeping a diary to discover your personal triggers, you will easily be able to find the foods to avoid to prevent acid reflux.

Gerri Stone.Find out why you have digestive problems,and how to cure them http://www.AcidsRefluxSolution.com

Methods of Treating Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a quite common illness that causes the gastric acids and sometimes the food inside the stomach to get into the esophagus because the valve that separates the two organs is not functioning properly. The acids inside the stomach are very strong, as strong as the acids from a car battery, so if they get into the esophagus they can seriously damage it. The stomach is protected against the acids inside it but the esophagus is not.

Many people are diagnosed with acid reflux yearly, and they can choose from many types of treatments, depending on their diet and lifestyle.

The simplest treatment method is a slight change in the lifestyle and eating habits. The first thing that you should do is to always have the last meal of the day a few hours before going to bed. It's more likely that acid reflux occurs while you are lying down because it's easier for the stomach's contents to reflux due to the position of the body. You can also prevent reflux by elevating the side of the bed on which your head lies. This should be done by all people that suffer from acid reflux.

A change in the diet is also recommended, because there are certain types of food that can encourage acid reflux. Among these there is chewing gum, chocolate and fatty foods. Tobacco smoke can irritate the esophagus's walls and increase the damage that the acid does so smoking should be ceased.

There also are many medications that can help treat acid reflux, like antiacids and special drugs that can prevent reflux and reduce the quantity of acid inside the stomach.

The last resort is the illness advanced too much or if it anything else fails is surgery. The doctors tighten the valve between the stomach and the esophagus in order to prevent reflux. Surgery is very efficient and many of the patients operated are completely cured after it is done. Sometimes you must take the prescribed drugs after the surgical intervention too.Acid reflux surgery is not done too often, only in severe cases or if the patient requires it.

Try to treat your acid reflux soon, before the heartburn and other symptoms become really annoying. The sooner you start the treatment, the easier it will be to cure the illness.

For more resources about many acid reflux subjects like acid reflux symptoms, acid reflux treatment or many more please visit us at http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com

Acid Reflux Disease - When It's Not Just Heartburn Anymore

Acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease and no matter what you call it, this one is a real pain!

Persistent, frequent heartburn occurring more than twice a week and often lasting two hours or more can be an early indicator of something more serious than simple heartburn. It could be acid reflux disease. Characterized by the abnormal reflux of the stomach?s gastric contents backwards into the esophagus resulting in a burning in the chest a throat. Left untreated the chronic symptoms of acid reflux disease can lead to erosion of the delicate esophageal tissues.

A temporary relaxation of or an abnormal closing of the lower esophageal sphincter, LES, allows the back flow or regurgitation of stomach acids back into the esophagus causing the characteristic heartburn associated with acid reflux disease.

A burning or general soreness in the throat, chest pain, a burning sensation in the chest, hoarseness, difficulty or painful swallowing, nausea, vomiting, pain in the ears, an acidic taste in the mouth, the sensation of fluid arising from the throat back into the mouth, bad breath and a chronic cough or tickle in the throat are all frequently reported symptoms of acid reflux disease.

It is important to remember that someone suffering with heartburn does not necessarily have acid reflux disease. Heartburn is often the result of a heavy meal or even an overly fatty or acidic meal. Heartburn occurs infrequently and may simply be just that? heartburn? and not the more serious condition of acid reflux disease. Persistent, frequent heartburn occurring more often than twice per week may be a sign that acid reflux is the culprit and not just your run-of-the-mill heartburn. Heartburn unrelieved by traditional methods and occurring more frequently than usual should be evaluated by a physician or healthcare provider for a proper assessment and diagnosis.

Left untreated acid reflux disease can lead to esophagitis, an erosion of the lining of the esophagus, or tooth decay from the constant exposure of the teeth to gastric acid. There are many treatment options available for acid reflux disease? you don?t have to live with the pain anymore!

For more important information on stomach pain be sure to visit a-stomach-pain.com where you will find advice and tips on common stomach pain causes such as acid reflux, ulcers, and other articles that you can view at http://www.a-stomach-pain.com

Acid Reflux Disease - Bubbling Stomach Acid

Heartburn on overdrive!

Acid reflux disease is a result of stomach acid that simply doesn?t stay where it is supposed to... in the stomach. Instead of staying in the stomach the wayward gastric acid decides to back flow up the esophagus and back into the mouth.

Yuck!

Leaving a wickedly bitter taste, this stomach acid on a reverse course can actually leaves pockets of erosive destruction in its wake. Erosive esophagitis is a result of the destruction of the lining of the esophagus.

At least three months of painful, persistent and frequent heartburn, can earn you a diagnosis of acid reflux disease.

Heartburn is the quiet gentle cousin of its more aggressive and destructive family member acid reflux disease. Bubbling stomach acid regurgitates from the stomach sending the gastric juices back into the throat via the esophagus. It is the bubbling stomach acid that backs up into the esophagus that causes the characteristic burn of acid reflux disease.

The lower esophageal sphincter, LES, is the valve separating the esophagus and the stomach, is designed to be the gatekeeper of the stomach and is meant to keep the stomach acids in the stomach where they belong.

However, when the LES fails at its ever so well designed job, the stomach acids back flow.

The LES can fail through a couple of different ways, such as through relaxation of the sphincter, often associated with a hiatal hernia, and through incomplete closing of the sphincter.

The body is so perfectly designed that the LES is a working valve that opens to let food into the stomach and is meant to close to keep the acids out of the esophagus.

It just happens that when it fails, acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, can be the result. So basically if the LES would do its job and keep the valve open when it?s supposed to be open and closed when it?s supposed to be closed then acid reflux disease would really be a thing of the past!

The good news is that you don?t have to put up with heartburn on overdrive. There are many treatment options available for the relief of this pestering and chronic disease.

Acid reflux disease doesn?t have to control your life! Talk with your healthcare provider today and get started on the road to better health.

Show that heartburn just who?s the boss!

For more important information on stomach pain be sure to visit a-stomach-pain.com where you will find advice and tips on common stomach pain causes such as acid reflux, ulcers, and other articles that you can view at http://www.a-stomach-pain.com

Do You Have an Acid Reflux Symptom

Acid reflux and heartburn are words used to express the same symptom - a burning sensation in your chest by your heart or right up the chest middle. This acid reflux symptom can also be experience much higher along the esophagus or throat. Over time, stomach acid can continue to dissolve esophagus tissue and this can lead to a bleeding ulcer with severe pain.

Another acid reflux symptom can be bad breath or consistent dry coughing.

Still, when esophageal tissue is eaten away, scar tissue can form which can narrow the esophagus making it difficult to swallow.

Poor eating habits

Heartburn or acid reflux doesn?t happen when you eat a healthy diet. And when I say a healthy diet, I don?t mean a diet that you need to deprive yourself of the food you like.

Most of us developed our eating habits from our parents. As we grew, we watched how they ate, when they ate, and what they ate. And we did the same thing.

Most people that I know, family members and friends - don?t have good eating habits. They eating too much at one sitting, the mix their food improperly, the drink too much water or drink the wrong type of liquid when they eat, they don?t assist they digestion with digestive enzymes and the list goes on.

So, when you have a heavy meal where you ate more then you should have make sure you, don?t bend over, lift anything heavy, or lie down.

More acid reflux symptoms

Most people experience an acid reflux symptom after their last meal. This burning sensation can be real severe and you may think you are having a heart attack, but make sure you are not having a attack. But this sensation will past and in the early stages of this symptom there is no real damage to the esophageal tissue.

A symptom that is not to common is throat laryngitis where your throat becomes hoarse in the morning; you have a dry cough, or have to repeatedly clear your throat. Some times you may have problems swallowing and feel like food is trapped in the esophagus or in the upper chest. This can also lead to a feeling that you are choking or that your throat feels tight.

Another acid reflux symptom is coughing and wheezing like an asthmatic. Or you could have nausea, which is persistent and causes you to vomit regularly.

It is easy to overlook acid reflux in children and infants. Acid reflux symptoms that children might have are regular coughing, vomiting, or other respiratory issues. Usually children grow out of this condition, but of course, keep a close watch and take them to a doctor, if the symptoms are frequent.

Some foods to avoid to keep your acid reflux in check are sodas, fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, peppermint and chocolate, and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits.

Do you have an acid reflux symptom or symptoms? You might have chest burning sensations, coughing, hoarseness, wheezing, clearing your throat regularly, vomiting once in a while, or severe pain in the chest. Whatever the symptom you might have, if it stays with you around two weeks, then you need to see your doctor. In some cases where these symptoms are severe, then see a doctor right away.

Rudy Silva is a Nutritionist and writer. To discover more information and tips about acid reflux symptoms and remedies go to this site: www.acid-reflux-relief.for--you.com

Eosinophilic Esophagitis: The Difference Between Acid Reflux and Allergic Esophagus Explained

What is eosinophilic esophagitis?

Eosinophilic esophagitis, abbreviated EE or EoE, is an inflammation of the esophagus or feeding tube characterized by the presence of a type of white blood cell called eosinophil. It is a reddish appearing cell that is typically found in tissues of the body affected by allergic reactions and some parasite infections. The cell was named by Paul Erlich in 1879 after Eos, the Greek goddess of dawn. It is also called allergic esophagitis. Eosinophils, when activated, release chemicals that can cause intense swelling, itching, and tissue damage.

What are the symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis?

The symptoms of EoE in adults is classically episodes of food sticking when swallowing that is called dysphagia in medical terms. Typically, a young man or teenage boy presents with an episode of food being lodged in the esophagus or feeding tube. Food that won?t go down and can?t be regurgitated up along with a history of difficulty swallowing foods (such as bread or dry meats like chicken and beef) is common, especially associated with a personal and/or family history of allergic conditions.

Failure of the food to go down (or up) causes a food impaction resulting in the inability to swallow even saliva, chest discomfort and usually sends the person to the emergency room. Sometimes, intravenous medication that relaxes the esophagus will allow the food to pass but usually it has to be removed by an endoscope. The classic patient has little or no heartburn though some people have moderate to severe heartburn symptoms. The tip off in this setting is that the heartburn symptoms frequently don?t improve with acid blocking medications.

Young children may present with complaints of chest pain, abdominal pain, poor appetite, regurgitation or reflux, vomiting, or failure to grow (failure to thrive). Some may have unexplained low blood counts or iron deficiency from bleeding from the esophagus. People with these types of symptoms should be evaluated for possible allergic or eosinophilic esophagitis. Treatment is usually dietary avoidance of food allergens and swallowed nasal steroids but is reviewed in more detail in a separate article.

Eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergies are the focus of the doctor authored articles and website of Dr. Scot Lewey, the food doc. As a food allergy specialist-the food doc is an expert in food allergies, intolerance and sensitivities. The food doc website www.thefooddoc.com will soon include online help including an online symptom assessment and info wizard tool and a premium member online diet symptom diary and virtual office. Online consultation is already available by visiting the initial start up site while the premium site is being built.

Eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergies are the focus of the doctor authored articles and website of Dr. Scot Lewey, the food doc. As a food allergy specialist-the food doc is an expert in food allergies, intolerance and sensitivities. The food doc website http://www.thefooddoc.com will soon include online help including an online symptom assessment and info wizard tool and a premium member online diet symptom diary and virtual office. Online consultation is already available by visiting the initial start up site while the premium site is being built.

Burning Up the House - 5 Foods to Avoid When Suffering with Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux is a condition of the digestive system otherwise known as heartburn. That is a given. When you look at the causes of acid reflux one of them comes to the front each and every time - diet. You are what you eat and modern man and woman lives on an entirely unhealthy diet. We eat what we can when we can and never pay attention to what we actually eat or the potential harm these foods may cause.

Fast-food Is NOT Healthy Food Most of you run around all day and only every stop to stuff some kind of snack down your throat before you rush back to work. Fast-food is not good for you. In fact it is normally incredibly bad for you. "Supersize Me" the movie proves just how unhealthy fast-food is for all human beings. If you have not seen this movie then make it a priority - it truly is eye-opening. Most fast-food can severely interfere with your digestive system and be a direct cause of acid reflux. Personally speaking I avoid fast food as much as possible because it just makes me feel lethargic and gives me wind. Sad but very true.

Foods To Avoid So what foods do you need to avoid?

There are 5 basic types of foods that you may need to reduce or remove entirely from your diet - depending on how much acid reflux they actually cause in your body. This will vary from one person to the next but you can still use this list as a basis for what is good and bad for you.

Fast Foods

As we have already discussed fast-food is not good for you. Worse still it can be a direct cause for acid reflux especially if you eat any of the following: French fries, burgers and fried chicken. If you have no choice other than to eat at a fast food joint then look for a grilled option on their menu. At least then you are not eating several grams of pure fat and won't then wind up chewing antacids for the night.

Fruits And Vegetables

The vast majority of people assume that all fruits and vegetables are good for you no matter what. While this is true for most of the general population it's not true at all for acid reflux sufferers. Both potatoes and onions have been proven to bring about an attack of heartburn. Not only those but you also need to avoid tomatoes, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and cranberries as they have the highest acid content of all fruits. If you have not already discussed your diet and acid reflux with your doctor then now is the time to start. You will be surprised at just how many of your current favorite foods are helping cause you pain.

Watch Your Dairy Intake

Have you ever grabbed a glass of milk for indigestion or heartburn? Of course you have and you are not alone. Drinking milk will help but it's a short term solution. Why? Because the body will simply produce more stomach acid to replace the acid that the milk has neutralized. Milk is not the only culprit however. There are plenty of other dairy products that can cause damage to your digestive system. Cottage cheese, sour cream and ice cream are dairy foods that you really need to avoid if you want to control your acid reflux.

What Not To Drink

Alcohol needs to be avoided or consumed in total moderation if you suffer from acid reflux. Liquor/spirits and wine are major hazards and can start a violent attack of heartburn. Tea and coffee are also known to trigger acid reflux in those that may suffer from it.

Yummy Desserts?

We all have a sweet tooth to a certain extent and most of us enjoy desserts. There is some bad news here however. Desserts are one of the biggest causes of acid reflux. How can something that tastes so nice cause so much pain? Anything with high chocolate or butter content needs to be avoided like the plague.

Hopefully now you have a better idea of what foods you need to avoid to prevent attacks of heartburn. No doubt you were as surprised as I was to see just how those favorite tasty foods can cause you so much grief.

With a fervor for helping people Jill Seimer shares healthy lifestyle tips at RefluxLife.com She recently published Natural healing of Heartburn with her views on natural cures for acid reflux.

Helpful Natural And Practical Tips For Acid Reflux

Natural medicine for acid reflux can be found in the more nutritious foods we should be eating. We have run so fast and hard after the harmful fast foods that relief from reflux literally stares us in the face daily.

Acid reflux disease has a stranglehold on millions of people. It is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

At the very top of your stomach is a muscle. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter. Basically it has two main functions. First, it opens to allow your food to enter your stomach.

Second, it closes to prevent the powerful acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. With GERD sufferers, the lower esophageal sphincter goes a bit haywire and opens when it shouldn?t.

When this happens the powerful stomach gases reflux, or backup into the esophagus. Leaving a painful burning feeling in your chest just behind the breastbone and a burning sensation in your throat.

The acid can then easily be regurgitated into your lungs. Causing you to cough or wheeze or to suffer with hoarseness. Many people use Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid for their GERD. The problem with taking these and other prescription drugs is side effects.

The best natural medicine for acid reflux disease is Acidgone. It is a completely natural medicine that leaves you with absolutely no side effects.

A few of the active ingredients in Acidgone are:
? Alfalfa Leaf which has traditionally been used to reverse digestive problems.
? Apple Pectin sweeps the intestines clean.
? Aloe Vera is well-known for its healing properties.
? Burdock Root a blood-purifier.
? Dandelion Root, promotes regularity in digestion.

Several other soothing and healing ingredients are also added. These harmless ingredients combine to make a potent mixture that effectively tackles Acid Reflux Disease.

For those who suffer with GERD these few common sense natural remedies can provide some relief immediately.

? Drink a large glass of water. This helps to wash back and dilute those powerful stomach acids.
? Put an unpeeled potato into your juicer and drink the potato juice.
? Don?t lie down. Help gravity to keep those acids in their place.
? Keep the belt around your waist really loose.
? Chew your food well, eat slowly.
? Eat more raw vegetables.
? Don?t bend over or pick up heavy objects.
? Don?t compress your stomach. This forces the acid back up.
? Don?t prop those extra pillows under your head, they still compress your stomach.
? Eat 2-3 hours before you go to bed.
? Stay away from soft drinks, hard drinks and milk.
? Also greasy fried foods and dairy products. They?re all harmful.

Natural medicine for acid reflux is Acidgone. It is a very effective natural remedy if you suffer with acid reflux. It will relieve the heartburn and the uncomfortable feelings that come with acid reflux. If you want relief, grab this link. Natural medicine for acid reflux

Healing Properties - Learning the Symptoms of Acid Reflux

To truly comprehend the symptoms associated with acid reflux, you should familiarize yourself with the causes and body parts connected to the disruption of normal gastric and esophageal processes. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD for short), involves the stomach, esophagus and sometimes the mouth, throat and chest.

The disease is characterized by the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to properly close. This causes the contents of the stomach to creep back (or reflux) into the esophagus. It is the job of the LES to act as a buffer between the stomach and the esophagus, which carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

When the lining of the esophagus is disrupted by refluxed acid from the stomach, a burning sensation may develop in the chest and throat. This is called heartburn and is often associated with GERD, even though heartburn does not immediately suggest that one has acid reflux disease. GERD can affect anyone, from little babies to active teens to the elderly.

This means there is a wide range of causes and symptoms associated with the disease that are specific to various groups of sufferers. For the most part, the cause of GERD is unknown, but there is an array of factors that contribute to its existence, such as hiatel hernias, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy and smoking.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

Although the main symptoms of acid reflux are chronic heartburn and acid regurgitation, several people experience GERD without any of these signs. Common symptoms of GERD include a painful chest, a hoarse voice in the morning, dry cough, unpleasant breath or trouble swallowing. Children often showcase different acid reflux symptoms, such as repeated vomiting, coughing and scary respiratory ailments. Since the digestive system of a child is not fully developed, they tend to experience symptoms of GERD. When their body begins to grow, most infants will say goodbye to GERD by their first birthday.

Your Diet May Affect Acid Reflux

One of the causes of GERD may be simple to curb by simply watching what you eat. In older teens and adults, certain foods and drinks, such as sodas, chocolate, peppermint, garlic, onions, pizza, oranges and tomatoes should be avoided. Spicy, fried, fatty and acidic foods also disrupt gastric and esophageal processes.

Acid Reflux Treatment

A visit to the doctor will put you on the right track towards treating acid reflux. This may be in the form of lifestyle changes that you need to put into effect, as well as a variety of different medications. GERD sufferers should cease smoking, abstain from alcohol, eat smaller meals, as well as wear loose-fitting apparel. After a meal, sufferers should avoid lying down for at least 3 hours after eating. You may also pick up an over-the-counter antacid, such as Alka-Seltzer, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol or Rolaids. A doctor may also choose to prescribe a proton pump inhibitor or an H2 blocker, which requires a prescription.

Jill Seimer shares health tips at RefluxLife.com and discussed natural healing of heartburn from her experience using natural cures for acid reflux.

What Not To Eat For Acid Reflux

Perhaps you have been taking far too many antacids these days and you are wondering if there is possibly an alternative to popping the fat little white pills to solve your heartburn problem. Indeed, there is a much more sensible solution to acid reflux/heartburn, and it all starts with what you eat.

People are not born with acid reflux; this condition occurs as a result of lifestyle choices including - diet, exercise, and stress levels. So, it does stand to reason that if diet is one of the causes of acid reflux, then it is more than likely that choosing your foods wisely can also alleviate it as well.

In order to reduce or eliminate acid reflux you are going to want to stay clear of fatty and acidic foods in general, as these tend to increase acid secretion for digestion. For example, you?ll want to steer clear of all citrus fruits (and juices) like oranges, lemons, and tomatoes.

In addition, you will want to avoid high fat steaks (where the meat has a marbled appearance), butter, pasta, sour cream, ice cream, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, buffalo wings - I think you can see where we are going here. As well, you will need to avoid coffee (decaffeinated or regular), all forms of alcohol (except in very small doses), and all forms of tea. Coffee in particular has been shown to increase activity in the esophagus, with studies showing that it is not caffeine in particular that causes it, but other ingredients found in the beans (no matter which way they are roasted), can be a strong contributor.

Don?t fall victim to the old wives tale of milk calming the stomach down after a big meal. While it may help you in the short term for a bit, over the long haul it is going to cause more damage by causing reflux while you are sleeping.

The list of foods that will reduce the occurrence of acid reflux, are not surprisingly, reflective of every nutritionist?s guide to sensible eating. Suggestions being; apples, bananas, baked potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, fish, eggs (whites only), goat or feta cheese (you want to avoid all other cheeses), rice cakes, and whole wheat bread.

At the end of the day, what you should be aiming for is to reduce an overabundance of acid secretion, steering clear of foods that require more enzymes to aid in digestion.

Food intake is not about what you eat, however, you will also want to change your eating style or habits as well, as this also contributes to either a regular amount of acid secretion, or an abundance of it, which will result in acid reflux. Eating little but often every two-three hours, rather than purging on big meals is the ideal. Eating a lot of food at one time is tough on your digestion system, so it overcompensates by secreting more acid in an attempt to funnel the food through your body.

I realize it can seem a little restrictive at first making changes to your diet. However you can either continue to make unwise diet choices like steak, potato chips, alcohol and coffee and chug antacids to counteract the acid reflux, or you can change your lifestyle just a bit and reduce the occurrence of heartburn, and likely feel a whole lot better overall.

Once you have your acid reflux symptoms under control you will likely find you can reintroduce some items back into your diet, only in moderation, without experiencing any painful side effects. Keeping a food diary and your reaction to what you consume should give you an idea of which foods are the worst triggers for you.

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Acid Reflux. For further information on Acid Reflux please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/acidreflux.html or http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/10/17/what-not-to-eat-for-acid-reflux/

Fighting Acid Reflux With Prilosec

Prilosec is the trademark brand name for omeprazole, an antacid drug that suppresses or decreases the amount of gastric acid secreted in the stomach. Prilosec is used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including duodenal and gastric ulcers. By blocking an enzyme in the stomach wall that stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, Prilozec reduces the amount of such acid from being pulsed into the esophageal passage in a reflux reaction. It is generally thought that an overabundance of acid in the stomach will contribute to the acid reflux, as will obesity, pregnancy, or the wearing of tight fitting clothes. Therefore, a reduced quantity of acid sent up to the esophagus should cause less damage or irritation.

To fight acid reflux with Prilosec, look out for such symptoms as burning discomfort in the chest, difficulty in swallowing, and chronic chest pain. If you have heartburn more than once per week, you become more susceptible in contracting GERD; and so a course of treatment with Prilosec is advised. However, an occasional heartburn is not an uncommon thing and does not pose any risk of getting GERD.

Prilosec is not a prescription drug and so is readily available over the counter. Still, Prilosec is meant primarily for people who have frequent heartburns, such as getting it 2 to 3 times a week.

Do not overdose on Prilosec. While it is generally true that high acidity in the stomach can lead to acid reflux, the opposite is ironically true as well. A lack of acid in the stomach can also prevent the stomach's exit valve to the small intestine from opening up. Instead, the contents in the stomach get to roll back up to the esophagus, and what little acid present may still cause irritation. For Prilosec, one pill a day is enough to relieve heartburn for up to 24 hours, and this is part of a recommended 14-day course of therapy. This Prilosec treatment may be repeated once every 4 months if necessary, but not more than that. When undergoing a course of treatment, do not stop taking Prilosec even when you start to feel better. Your symptoms have improved and that's a good thing, but the condition still exists and so you need to carry through with the full length of treatment before this condition is considered as fully treated. If the heartburn condition does not improve or even worsen, you would need to consult with your doctor. However, this is not the only time you seek out your doctor.

As with all medicines, OTC or not, before taking Prilosec, always let your doctor know if you have any instance of painful swallowing, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting blood, and bloody or black stools. Furthermore, if you have heartburn that has lasted three months or longer, or experience heartburn combined with wheezing, arm pain, jaw pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, or sweating, make sure you let your doctor know before taking Prilosec.

Contact your physician if you experience frequent chest pains, inexplicable weight loss, vomiting, nausea, or stomach pain while taking the medication.

Disclaimer: The information above should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Prilosec.

This information concerning Prilosec sent here by Heather Colman from: prilosec-shoppe.info

Acid Reflux and Heartburn - Are You Suffering?

William McRand Sr

Does your morning coffee cause you pain? Are you frustrated when a night out dining with friends ends in discomfort instead of relaxed conversation? Do you carry antacids with you every day?

Heartburn is more than just a nuisance. It can detract from enjoying a meal, force you to change your routine and hang over your every decision - what to eat, what to drink, when to lay down. What is this monkey on your back and how can you find relief?

WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN? Heartburn occurs when the acid content of the stomach makes its way back into the esophagus. A burning sensation and even a bitter taste are experienced by heartburn sufferers.

If you are suffering more than twice a week you may have acid reflux disease-also known as GERD. Why is this important? Not all heartburn is caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Occasional heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors but if you have regular episodes there are things you can do to help.

WHAT CAN I DO? If you have regular heartburn the first thing you should do is stay away from regular use of antacids. Antacids can relieve the pain of occasional heartburn, but because they are designed to neutralize the acids in your stomach they can cause the stomach to create MORE acid - a cycle called 'acid rebound'. Some medications can also cause diarrhea or constipation or even increase the risk of food poisoning by inhibiting the growth of good bacteria.

Watch out for trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, minty, spicy or tomato-based foods as well as fatty or fried foods, onions or garlic.

Being overweight or smoking also increases the risk of GERD and lifestyle changes may help to control the symptoms. Activities such as lying down after a meal, bending forward, lifting heavy items or eating large meals can bring acid reflux on. Avoiding these activities after a meal, eating smaller portions and raising the head of your bed several inches may help. Some natural products such as orange peel extract are being researched for their abilities to curb heartburn.

WHO IS AT RISK? Anyone. But it should be noted that pregnant women, children, overweight individuals and smokers are all likely candidates. Young babies have immature digestive systems. National Digestive Diseases (NDDIC) says that most children outgrow GERD by the time they are one year old. However, because the symptoms are painful precautions like frequent burping and keeping the infant upright for 30 minutes after eating can reduce the occurrence.

Older children may have to take similar precautions in diet and activity as adults. You should always consult your doctor when you suspect GERD to avoid future complications. Being overweight or pregnant increases the pressure in the abdomen. 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn at some time during their pregnancy . If you suspect GERD it is important to contact your doctor as there can be harmful side effects of persistent heartburn including scaring of the esophagus, asthma, erosion of the teeth and even increased risk of esophageal cancer. Frequent, persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other serious conditions and should be checked on by a professional.

Cure Your Heart Burn

William Lagadyn, is the author and researcher of the popular publication, "Cure Your Heartburn" Click

What Are The Symptoms of Infant Acid Reflux

Medical conditions strike often without regard to age, gender, or nationality. Young and old alike often suffer from the same ailments. Acid reflux disease, medically termed Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) seems to be one of those holds no discrimination for age. The lower end of the esophagus is protected by a flap or valve that is referred to as the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). This valve opens in order to allow food to flow from the esophagus into the stomach. It should then close in order to keep the stomach acids from 'boiling over' into the lining of the esophagus.

There are several conditions that hinder the valve from operating properly and allow the contents of the stomach to enter the esophagus. Very much like adults, infants occasionally suffer from the pains of heartburn. In infants, heartburn is often the result of their essentially liquid diets that are high in dairy proteins. The sad things for the little ones is that unlike adults, they can't exactly tell you they have heartburn so GERD isn't exactly easy to diagnose.

Infant GERD is often the combination of many factors than the sole responsibility of one indicator. Most of the factors that would contribute to acid reflux are aggravated because infants spend much of their days lying down in addition to the fact that their diets are almost entirely liquid. There are however, physical reasons that infants much sometimes endure the suffering that this brings about. These could be any of the following: improper or incomplete development of the lower esophageal sphincter while developing, food allergies, poor diet, and being overweight. There are other factors but these are some of the most common.

Since infants can't complain about their symptoms like adults can, it is important to watch for certain clues that may indicate a problem. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is wise to consult your pediatrician and have a closer examination: trouble sleeping, weight loss, frequently spitting up, coughing, excessive crying, an apparent sore throat or chest pain, bad breath, and unusual crankiness.

GERD can also cause respiratory problems such as pneumonia, malnourishment, and strictures or ulcerations on the esophageal wall. These signs may or may not indicate GERD but definitely warrant a visit to your pediatrician.

Keeping your child upright for a good portion of the day, particularly after feeding is one of the best things you can do for him or her in order to minimize the risk of acid reflux, also be sure to watch for signs of chest pain and any of the other symptoms listed above. Prevention is always the best cure, but if you notice symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

infant acid reflux symptoms - For more info on infant acid reflux symptoms, visit http://www.acidrefluxadvice.com

What are the best natural cures for acid reflux?

Acid reflux is quite a serious condition that must not be overlooked. Many people experience heartburn from time to time, but those suffering from acid reflux feel it a few times a week, and eventually the esophagus can get too erroded and stomachal acids can leak into the lungs and into the mouth.

Many things can cause acid reflux, from drinking too much alcohol and eating too many acidic foods to too much stress.

Acid reflux can be treated with medication prescribed by the doctor or with natural remedies. Since medication can have side-effects many people prefer the natural cures for acid reflux. But if both natural cures and prescribed medication fails to give any results then surgery is required before acid seriously damages the esophagus.

The first symptoms of acid reflux are a sensation of heartburn that keeps appearing more and more often and stomach content coming back inside the mouth. These symptoms get worse when you lie down right after eating a meal.

There are a lot of natural cures for acid reflux, and many have reported that these natural cures gave good results in the treatment.

You shouldn't lie down right after eating a meal, because this can help what's inside the stomach leak back. You should also elevate the side of the bed where you put your head. Digestion is usually done in 2-3 hours, so you can lie in bed all you want after this time passes. It's also better to eat more small meals instead of few beg ones, to keep the stomach from filling.

Then you should avoid certain types of foods that stimulate acid production, like chewing gum and chocolate. Cut down alcohol and smoking because these irritate the esophagus' walls even more.

Some natural substances are recommended in the heartburn and acid reflux condition. These can relieve the symptoms and reduce the pain. They do not have any side-effect. The most effective are :

-peppermint - makes digestion easier and prevents tension and cramps that can push the acids backwards

-lavender - this miraculous herb does wonders for the body. In the acid reflux' case it can reduce the quantity of gastric acids from the stomach, just like an antiacid medicine

-aloe vera - the juice from this plant can heal the damaged esophagus

In order to heal your acid reflux you need to do two things: to cure the damaged esophagus and to lower the quantity of acid inside the stomach. If you loose weight, exercise regularly lift you bed as mentioned before, and also take some herbs you will certainly feel some effects, and everyone can do these things.

http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com is one of the best acid reflux information sites on the net. Visit it if you are looking for great information on natural cures for acid reflux, acid reflux diet, acid reflux treatment and many more

Acid Reflux. Will lifestyle change make a difference?

With major improvement in the understanding, diagnosis and management of acid reflux, family doctors and gastro-enterologists have a greater variety of options for treatment of acid reflux.

The acid suppressant drugs available today are extremely effective. Drugs such as omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitor have become the mainstay of treatment. These drugs are now available over the counter and easy for patients to obtain. It is therefore so easy for practitioners and patients to ignore the simple basic ways to control acid reflux disease.

A simple and effective part of treatment is lifestyle modification and reassurance. This includes changing the types of food consumed, avoiding certain medication, stopping smoking, losing weight, elevating the head of the bed and sensible use of antacids and alginates . The most important foods to avoid are fatty foods. In this group are whole milk, butter, chocolate and some fast foods. In time a patient will know what foods to consume and what to avoid. Peppermint oil relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter and can cause reflux. If it is used for IBS, be aware of this important side effect. If in doubt consult your GP or stop if you develop reflux symptoms. Smoking has a similar effect on the lower oesophageal sphincter. Give up smoking if you have acid reflux. It is making it worse.

Certain foods should be taken in moderation. Decide for yourself if citric foods, spicy foods or caffeine containing foods are problematic. Avoid these foods if they aggravate acid reflux . Obesity causes increased abdominal pressure and as a result produces increased pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter. This pressure can result in acid reflux. Losing weight will reduce this pressure. It is very surprising how losing a small amount of weight can make a significant difference.

In nocturnal acid reflux, lying down at night causes refluxate to track up the oesophagus. Raising the head of the bed will help reduce this. In addition it reduces sensitisation overnight which leads to problems during the day. Evidence shows that extra pillows make no difference. Wearing tight clothes will increase intra abdominal pressure and stimulate reflux. Wearing loose clothes will avoid this.

Eating small regular meals is better than having a few big meals. Large volume of food will distend the stomach and affect the efficiency of the sphincter. Similarly do not lie down soon after a meal. Make sure your last meal before retiring is at least three hours earlier.

A review of the medical literature and the few placebo controlled trials suggests that most patients with gastro-oesophageal disease (GERD) can be reasonably controlled by reassurance and lifestyle modification.

Chronic and relapsing acid reflux, however, will need more than lifestyle changes and reassurance. Management should incorporate the use of effective dosage of acid suppressant drugs to gain satisfactory control of acid reflux symptoms.

If your symptoms are persistent in spite of the changes you make, see you family doctor. The thought of having an endoscopy may be daunting but persistent acid reflux can cause long term problems. Acid in the lower oesophagus can cause inflammation leading to oesophagitis. Recurrent oesophagitis can cause bleeding, strictures and Barrett's oesophagus. 3 to 5 % of Barrett's Oesophagus develops adenocarcinoma. This condition is diagnosed by biopsy at endoscopy. Bear these facts in mind if your symptoms persist.

Dr. Phil Hariram has spent 27 years in General Practice. He has seen the significant changes that has transformed Acid Reflux treatment. His blog http://www.acidrefluxguru.com provides up to date information on all aspects of Acid Reflux. Dr. Phil Hariram. http://www.acidrefluxguru.com

Inner Contentment - Can Acid Reflux Come From Bulimia?

Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is a psychological eating disorder whereby the subject will eat large quantities of food and then purge what they've eaten from their bodies. This desire to be rid of the food they've just eaten stems from a persons self-image of themselves being either overweight or simply not thin enough. First recognized as a serious medical condition in 1979 bulimia continues to plague many people (mostly young women) all over the world. In severe cases bulimia can prove to be fatal.

So how are bulimia and acid reflux related?

Well when a bulimic wants to purge the food from their stomach they resort to either vomiting or using powerful laxatives. The vomiting reflex is far more common as it provides them with an immediate way to get rid of the food. This then allows them to binge again shortly afterwards and then continue the purging process several times in a row.

The Potential For Damage

What most bulimics never stop to consider is the damage they're doing to their body. When a person vomits food is not the only thing forced through the esophagus - stomach acid is also present. Some bulimics can binge and purge several times per day which means that their esophagus is exposed to strong stomach acid over and over again. This continued exposure to stomach acid can leave the esophagus raw and worn down. This can then lead to one of the more serious diseases caused by acid reflux such as Barrets Esophagus.

How Bulimia Can Cause Heartburn

Another issue is that if you continually force the body to produce extra stomach acid during these binge/purge phases then this can form a "pattern" for the body. Your body can "learn" to expect certain situations to occur and if you get it into the habit then it will produce more stomach acid than it actually needs on an ongoing basis. This will then lead to acid reflux which, of course, will just make a bulimics life far worse. Vomiting will then become extremely painful.

Other Complications

Acid reflux is not the only problem that can arise from bulimia. If the body is starved of proper nutrients then organs can start to slow down and malnutrition can set in. This leads the bulimic into a further psychological downward spiral whereby the bingeing/purging process can actually increase in frequency and severity. Severe bulimia can result in death but this is often very hard to explain to anybody with an eating disorder.

Is There Hope?

Bulimia can be treated but it's a two-part process. Firstly medication will need to be prescribed to prevent vomiting and promote a healthy and constant appetite in the sufferer. Far more serious are the emotional issues that cause bulimia in the first place. Any person with an eating disorder should also receive psychological therapy as part of their healing process. Trained counsellors can get to the root of the problem if you'll let them. Bulimics who don't take part in the psychological healing process often run the risk of simply getting into the same old habits all over again.

If you can categorize yourself as a bulimic then it's time to stop and take a quick review of your life. Do you really want to cause harm to your body? Why would you deliberately go about causing yourself potentially permanent pain? With the right help you can have a second chance at life and really enjoy your life too.

Jill Seimer shares healthy lifestyle tips at RefluxLife.com She recently published natural healing for heartburn with her own experiences on natural cures for acid reflux.

Pregnant - Fighting the Burn of Indigestion and Acid Reflux

If you sit and talk to any group of pregnant women anywhere in the world about the various discomforts they must endure during pregnancy they'll all likely agree on one that's worst than most. What is it? Acid reflux. Many years ago there was an old wives tale that women who suffered from heartburn would give birth to a child with a full head of hair. This, of course, is purely mythical. That aside acid reflux is still a hugely annoying thing to have to endure while you're pregnant.

Reasons For Acid Reflux In Pregnant Women

There are several reasons why pregnant women are more likely to experience heartburn:

1. Hormone levels in a pregnant woman are far higher than a woman who isn't pregnant. This dramatic increase in hormone levels can have a huge effect on every aspect of your body and especially your digestive system. The most common effect is that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) can loosen up a bit. This is a type of valve which typically holds the food in your stomach. If this valve is loose then acid can flow back upwards into your gullet (esophagus). You'll then experience heartburn to a varying degree.

2. During pregnancy your body will change shape. This normally doesn't happen until later in pregnancy. When these changes do happen your stomach area will keep expanding and this expansion is what can lead to acid reflux. Your stomach enlarging in this way puts far more pressure on the esophagus which can then lead to indigestion and acid reflux in general.

Is There Anything You Can Do? There is always something you can do to help yourself! Firstly watch what you eat. Citrus foods, mint, spicy foods, fried foods, and chocolate should all be avoided as much as possible.

Eat smaller meals too. This will help a lot if you're experience a lot of morning (and daytime, evening and nighttime) sickness too. If you eat several small meals throughout the day you're far less likely to experience heartburn. Your body will be able to process those small meals far easier than 2 or 3 large ones.

Correct Your Posture Believe it or not practicing correct posture can help an awful lot with acid reflux. Be especially careful of how you bend. Whilst pregnant you should always bend down at the knees - although later you'll have no choice but to do so as your stomach expands. However earlier on in your pregnancy bending down at the knees will put far less pressure on your stomach and therefore your esophagus. This can and will help you with the discomforts of indigestion.

You can fight back against acid reflux during your pregnancy. You simply have to choose to. Don't suffer in silence however and don't ever be afraid to consult with your doctor for medication if the heartburn becomes too painful to bear.

Jill Seimer shares her passion for healthy living at RefluxLife.com She has recorded her personal experiences on infant acid reflux and dealing with heartburn.

Natural Medicine For Acid Reflux

Natural medicine for acid reflux can be found in the more nutritious foods we should be eating. We have run so fast and hard after the harmful fast foods that relief from reflux literally stares us in the face daily.

Acid reflux disease has a stranglehold on millions of people. It is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

At the very top of your stomach is a muscle. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter. Basically it has two main tasks. First, it opens to allow your food to enter your stomach.

Second, it closes to prevent the powerful acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. With GERD sufferers, the lower esophageal sphincter goes a bit haywire and opens when it shouldn?t.

When this happens the powerful stomach gases reflux, or backup into the esophagus. Leaving a painful burning feeling in your chest just behind the breastbone and a burning sensation in your throat.

The acid can then easily be regurgitated into your lungs. Causing you to cough or wheeze or to suffer with hoarseness. Many people use Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid for their GERD. The problem with taking these and other prescription drugs is side effects.

The best natural medicine for acid reflux disease is Acidgone. It is a completely natural medicine that leaves you with absolutely no side effects.

The active ingredients in Acidgone are Alfalfa Leaf. It has traditionally been used to reverse digestive problems. Apple Pectin sweeps the intestines clean. Aloe Vera is well-known for its healing properties.

Burdock Root a blood-purifier and Dandelion Root, promotes regularity in digestion. Several other soothing and healing ingredients are also added. These harmless ingredients combine to make a potent mixture that effectively tackles Acid Reflux Disease.

For those who suffer with GERD these few common sense natural remedies can provide some relief immediately.

? Drink a large glass of water. This helps to wash back and dilute those powerful stomach acids.
? Put an unpeeled potato into your juicer and drink the potato juice.
? Don?t lie down. Help gravity to keep those acids in their place.
? Keep the belt around your waist really loose.
? Chew your food well, eat slowly.
? Eat more raw vegetables.

In conclusion, don?t bend over or pick up heavy objects. Don?t compress your stomach. This forces the acid back up. Don?t prop those extra pillows under your head, they still compress your stomach. Eat 2-3 hours before you go to bed.

Stay away from soft drinks, hard drinks and milk. Greasy fried foods and also dairy products. They?re all harmful.

Natural medicine for acid reflux can be found in our cabinets. Acidgone is a very effective natural remedy for GERD. It will relieve the heartburn and the uncomfortable feelings that come with GERD. Grab your Acidgone here! http://www.wyclefinnovations.com/ag

The Acid Reflux Blues -An Easy Antidote!

The real antidote to acid reflux, gerd, heartburn and indigestion has to do with what we eat, how we eat, where we eat and when we eat. This may sound a little too simple, but it is not. Everyone is different; therefore people have to approach eating in different ways.

There are many foods and beverages which trigger heartburn. Not all of these affect everyone in the same manner. For instance, I have difficulty digesting raw bell peppers, but I know others who cannot eat raw tomatoes, but have no trouble with raw bell peppers. Ironically, I can eat fresh raw tomatoes all day long and not have gerd. So anyone who makes blanket statements regarding this subject has got it all wrong.

Through trial and error, we all discover what we can and cannot digest with ease. There are, however, some foods that cause problems for anyone who is susceptible to acid reflux. Any food or drink that causes the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) to relax should be consumed in strict moderation. The LES is a ring of fibrous muscle which separates the esophagus and the stomach. When this muscle relaxes, acid and pepsin can splash up from the stomach into the esophagus and throat, thereby causing acid reflux.

The hydrochloric acid in the stomach is very powerful. It has been compared to the acid in a car battery, but it is a necessary part of our physical anatomy. It constitutes the initial stage of the digestive process. It not only breaks down the food we eat but keeps potentially dangerous bacteria which live in the digestive tract in check. This is the reason that drugs which stop the acid pumps from functioning are potentially dangerous. These drugs are called proton pump inhibitors (PPI drugs). They interfere with the digestion and assimilation of food and allow the overgrowth of bacteria.

Eating jagged foods like crackers or corn chips can cause little lacerations to develop in the esophagus and LES. Then later consuming acidic foods like spicy over cooked tomato sauce can exacerbate the problem. This scenario is typical of why many people have acid reflux to begin with. It can easily be avoided.

Foods and beverages, like chocolate, caffeine, fried foods, tomato products and alcohol, can cause the LES to relax and should be avoided until the esophagus has had time to heal.

How and where we eat is very important, as well. Chewing food properly is essential to correct digestion. Saliva in the mouth is actually very alkaline in nature. It acts as sort of a lubricant to assist the teeth in grinding food to a fine pulp, making it easier to digest. When I was a little boy, I had an elementary school teacher who constantly reminded me to chew my food twenty-two times before swallowing. She said that if I didn't I would have indigestion. At the time, I thought she was crazy, but she was right on the money.

Eating slowly in a relaxed atmosphere is also crucial to good digestion. When we eat too fast we don't chew properly forcing crude clumps of food into a shocked and traumatized stomach. This is certainly a perfect way to insure a good case of indigestion. People who grab meals on the run are the worst offenders and I think you will find many of them at fast food restaurants. Unfortunately, they are teaching their children to do the same.

Finally, there is the important consideration of when you eat. It's a proven fact that eating several small meals, spaced throughout the day, is far healthier for the digestive system than the traditional "three big meals". Eating too much at one time is one of the biggest causes of acid reflux and also contributes to unwanted weight gain.

Last but not least, I must mention the most relevant antidote to the acid reflux condition; never go to bed with a full stomach. If we want to avoid acid reflux, we must allow at least two hours after eating before lying down. Three hours would be even better. This, of course, means that a late night bowl of ice cream in bed would be strictly taboo.

So you see, the real antidote to the acid reflux blues is not so much about "what to do", but about "what not to do". It is not about drugs, surgery or even doctors. The natural cure for acid reflux is all about common sense.

Wind Publishing

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Charles Stewart Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux disease by natural means. He has written an extensive report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies.

For free recipes, articles and information, visit: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

How is acid reflux surgery performed and who needs it

There are many ways to treat acid reflux, and the simplest way is to make some changes in your lifestyle and diet. But this will not cure your illness, it will only prevent the acid from the stomach pass the valve that separates it from the esophagus and get inside the esophagus which does not have any protection against the acid, therefore damaging it.

A good method of permanently curing acid reflux is acid reflux surgery. Surgery is the last thing that doctors recommend, because in many cases medication that stops the stomach from producing to much acid works just fine. But sometimes medication does not give any results. If two months pass after the patient started taking medication and no improvements are noticed then doctors recommend acid reflux surgery.

Surgery tries to fix the defective valve in order to stop the acids from leaking through it. The procedure is called fundoplication and it pulls the hiatal hernial sacs under the diaphragm bone and makes it stay there by stitching it. Furthermore, the opening through which food passes is narrowed so the chance that acids leak through it decreases.

In other words, a part of the stomach is placed around the lowest part of the esophagus and fixed under the diaphragm bone.

This seriously tightens and strengthens the border between the stomach and the esophagus and it also creates a new valve that only allows food to go from the esophagus into the stomach and not otherwise.

Acid reflux surgery is very efficient in stopping acid reflux, more that 95% of the patients reported that they had no more problems after it and the heartburn sensation was completely gone.

The surgery is performed through a small incision that the surgeon does in the abdominal area, and uses a laparoscope. The laparoscope is a small device used in many surgeries that is remote-controlled and that also has a small camera attached to it. The doctor inserts small surgical tools through the incision and then performs the surgery by looking at the images from the laparoscope camera. This way the scars left will be as small as possible, a major incision would have been required for the doctor to see the operation without the camera.

Sometimes, depending on how severe the acid reflux is, the patient will still have to take the medication after the surgery.
In some cases light complications appear after the surgery because larger chunks of food can't pass the narrowed canal anymore, but this is temporary, food will eventually go down.

After one or two days the patient can return to his/her normal activities and never worry about acid reflux anymore.

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Prevent acid reflux with the acid reflux diet

Acid reflux occurs when the acids that can be found in the stomach get into the esophagus because the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach cannot close properly. These acids are very strong, and they can severely damage the esophagus' walls. They do not damage the stomach's walls because it is protected by a special membrane.

Acid reflux is pretty serious, it can cause pain in the chest area, and if it is left untreated the esophagus will become very erroded and gastric acid will also reach the lungs, where is can cause coughing and asthma, and the mouth, where it corrodes the teeth.

Diet has an important role in both treating and preventing acid reflux, and an acid reflux diet is not expensive or hard to follow. The idea is to reduce the acids inside the stomach and to keep it from filling, which can cause the food and acid inside it to reach the esophagus.

Here is what you can eat and what you should avoid:

You can eat all the cereals and vegetables you want. They contain a lot of vitamins and nutrients that help the body fight not only acid reflux, but other illnesses too.

You should definitely stop smoking, because tobacco smoke damages the esophagus' walls and weakens it. You should also avoid chewing gum, because when you chew the stomach starts to produce acids that it won't use and that can get into the esophagus.

If you are overweight you should try to loose some of your weight, and avoid fatty food, because at overweight people the levels of gastric acid are higher.

The foods that are know to help acid reflux advance by stimulating the acid production are: chocolate, milk, chewing gum, fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol and garlic. Coffee can irritate the esophagus so try not to drink any.

Also try to avoid wearing tight clothing that can press the stomach, because this way the acid inside it is almost forced to leave the stomach. Furthermore, if you lie down right after you eat you help the content of your stomach came back, so try sitting on a chair for a few minutes, depending on how damaged the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus is.

If you follow the advises mentioned above you can prevent acid reflux, and your treatment will be more effective, but also consult your doctor and take the medication that he prescribes you if you want to be fully cured.

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Herbal Home Remedies for Heartburn and Acid Reflux

When you are suffering from heartburn, the main thing that you want to do is to stop the pain. Today's medical knowledge of heartburn has led to the development to various drugs that have the ability to stop or ease heartburn. However if you want to try alternative forms of medication, then what are the remedies that you have available to you?

There are some Herbal heartburn remedies that have been known and used for quite some time now. The three most commonly used herbal remedies are chamomile, which is botanically known as Matricaria Recutita. Peppermint which is also botanically known as Mentha Piperita and Ginger that is botanically known as Zingiber Officinale.

These three herbal heartburn remedies fall into a group of herbs that are described by the General Nutrition Center as "carminative". They all have the ability to relieve indigestion and ease irritation that occurs in the intestines. The herb chamomile is traditionally recognized for its calming properties. As chamomile has a high calcium content it has the ability to decrease stomach acid. Therefore chamomile is thought to help ease esophageal irritation and help with proper digestion.

Ginger has been used traditionally for dealing with many different gastrointestinal (stomach) problems. Ginger also has some anti-inflammatory as well as anti-nausea properties. Both these actions of ginger give relief to heartburn sufferers. There is one other action that ginger is widely known for. Ginger is a very good herbal heartburn remedy as it aids in the proper digestion process by promoting spontaneous intestinal movement.

Peppermint is also thought to have healing properties against indigestion. Peppermint also has the additional property of calming the stomach. A study that was done of peppermint in combination with the caraway fruit found that they have the same ease of relieving the symptoms of heartburn as Chamomile and Ginger do.

The General Nutrition Center has suggested that herbs that have a "bitter digestive stimulant" property might be used as well. They believe that theses herbs may produce natural digestive enzymes. Herbs like blessed thistle are advocated in the hopes that they will alleviate heartburn. As there is no clear way of knowing their effects, blessed thistle and other such herbs are not as universally recommended.

Whereas chamomile, ginger and peppermint are known and recognized for their potential as a herbal heartburn remedy. As with all medications, you should consult a doctor before you begin using any sort of herbal remedy. This way you can take care that the herbal heartburn remedy will not conflict with your other ongoing medicational treatments.

So, if you want to go 'chemical free' in your quest to find your heartburn cure, then I suggest you go about finding your own herbal heartburn remedy now. After all there's time like the present!

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Hiatal Hernias And Acid Reflux

A hernia is caused when the muscle that holds an internal organ in place relaxes, allowing for movement of that organ, which can cause a multitude of problems, and in some cases, and inordinate amount of pain. The hiatal hernia, simply put, occurs when the stomach slides from the abdominal cavity partially into the chest cavity.

We know by now that what causes acid reflux is the failure of the valve, or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to close properly after food has been ingested, thereby allowing for the fluid to rise from the stomach into the esophagus. A hiatal hernia will weaken the LES, thereby making it more difficult for it to close properly, and thus allow for fluid to reflux out of the stomach.

Although it is clear that there is a direct correlation between acid reflux and hiatal hernias (most people discover that they have a hiatal hernia when they get examined by their doctor for acid reflux), they are not necessarily always seen in tandem with each other. You may have GERD without having a hiatal hernia and vice versa.

Common causes of a hiatal hernia are; pregnancy, obesity, tight clothing around the abdomen, constipation, chronic coughing, strenuous weightlifting, or abdominal injury. Many people who have a hiatal hernia do not know because unlike other forms of hernia, the hiatal hernia does not show itself physically, i.e. there are no bumps or protrusions recognizable on the outside of the body. Generally, hiatal hernias are more common amongst people over fifty; it is very rare for a young adult or child to have this condition.

In order to alleviate, or to reduce the intensity of these symptoms, you should do the following;

- Eat smaller meals more frequently
- Avoid acidic or spicy food
- Do not eat before going to bed
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Avoid bending after heavy meals (which you won?t be having anyways, because you?ll be grazing instead!)
- Lose weight
- Quit smoking.

There are a variety of medications that you can take as well including antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and but the easiest, most effective way to decrease your symptoms is to alter your diet to include foods that are easily digestible and avoid those that stimulate flare ups.

Surgery in the vast majority of cases is extremely rare as most people with hiatal hernias continue to live a normal life without discomfort or additional problems. With that said, however, you never want to ignore an issue that is going on in your body and will probably want to address it. If you are having trouble swallowing, a sore throat, wheezing or coughing, or difficulty breathing, then you most certainly will want to consult your doctor.

While most specialists recommend that you make the lifestyle changes noted above rather than resorting to pharmaceuticals as the first line of defense, you definitely should make an appointment to see your doctor if you have any persistent symptoms.

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Acid Reflux. For further information on Acid Reflux please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/acidreflux.html or http://naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/10/03/hiatal-hernias-and-acid-reflux/

Acid Reflux And Bad Breath

Say you are at a party and all of a sudden you get that stinging feeling in your throat. You scrunch up your face, look around the room and walk to a place where nobody can see you as you try to swallow away that biting liquid. Your loosen your collar, swallow some more of your wine, and try to get back into the conversation. Yet, when you do get a circle and join in the conversation, people start to back away from you, pretend to scratch their nose, and claim to be needed elsewhere. You can?t help but wonder if your recent bout of heartburn is related to your recent unpopularity?

One way that you can check if you have bad breath (if your best friend isn?t at the ready), is to lick the inside of your wrist and let it dry for a few seconds and then smell it. If there is an odor, then your breath isn?t as fresh as it should be.

If you are experiencing bad breath, or halitosis, then part of your problem might be either related to, or a direct result of acid reflux/GERD.

Most experts, medical and naturopathic alike will tell you that bad breath is caused by what you eat, lack of saliva swishing around in your mouth, stress, dehydration, and stomach activity, i.e. acid indigestion. Since many people experience acid reflux in their sleep, chances are good that morning breath isn?t just a lack of saliva activity, but is related to GERD.

Most commentators speaking on bad breath list acid reflux as a major cause, in addition to the items mentioned above. It makes sense really. It stands to reason that acidic liquid rising up from your stomach is not going to smell pretty, and if that is getting up to your throat, through a loosening in the collapsible valve at the tip of your stomach, it?s going to make your breath smell pretty foul.

Not only that, but many of the factors that contribute to bad breath, are also causal factors for acid reflux. The foods that you eat are a major contributor to bad breath, like spicy or garlicky foods, which are also a major contributor to acid reflux. Stress is also a cause for both upsets.

It stands to reason then, that by counteracting the causal factors of GERD, you will also reduce your chances of having bad breath, not only in striking what may be the heart of your problem, but you?ll combat one or both of these ailments as well.

Contrary to popular belief, making changes to your diet and stress levels aren?t as difficult as some of the makers of pharmaceuticals would like you to believe. They would prefer you to think that a few changes in your diet, or a simple exercise plan will mean re-vamping your life entirely, but this is simply not the case.

Long term solutions are just that?long term. So, make the changes, but make them slowly, incorporating them into your life in small steps so that the changes don?t seem too drastic, making them easier to swallow (so to speak) and more likely steps that you will stick with.

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Acid Reflux. For further information on Acid Reflux please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/acidreflux.html or http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/09/27/acid-reflux-and-bad-breath/