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

Getting Your Acid Reflux Disease Under Control With Protonix

Protonix is a prescription drug that can keep acid reflux under control and helps heals the esophagus from the damage that acid reflux has caused. Clinical studies have shown that those who have taken Protonix gain full control of their acid reflux.

Some of the common side effects are stomach pain, lack of sleep, loose bowels, hyperglycemia, eructation, flatulence, and headache. Protonix is not for most people. People who have a liver disease, children, women are pregnant or may be come pregnant, or breast feeding should not take this medication. This medicine is recommended for adults only.

More severe and serious side effects are eye damage, swelling in the pancreas, face, and throat, blisters, and liver damage. There are some medications that may not be taken with Protonix, such as Iron, Ampicillin, and Ketoconazole. Talk to your doctor if you are taking any these medications. Your doctor may start you off on a lower dosage.

If you are still having acid reflux your doctor may add 8 more weeks to the term of your treatment. All doctors and drug stores recommend that you not take over 240mg per day. Protonix is only a 8 week treatment, but your doctor may suggest that you take it longer.

There is little known about overdose in humans, when it comes to Protonix. Studies in animals overdose indicate reduction in activity and coordination. If you are not sure, but suspect that you have taken an overdose, please contact your doctor or hospital immediately. Increases in this medication may cause bleeding in the belly and could cause death.

If you miss a dose take it as soon as possible. If it is time for your next dose keep to your schedule, just take one pill.

This medicine should be stored at room temperature and may be taken with or without food. In long-term studies, protonix created gastrointestinal tumors of the rare type, as well as being carcinogenic. It is possible that even after showing symptoms of improvement that you could suffer from other medical conditions that are stomach-related.

Be sure to consult your physician about the proper dosage and safety precautions to keep in mind for this medication. If Protonix gives you an allergic reaction, you'll be unable to use it, although it is generally well tolerated.

There are different doses of Protonix available, 10, 20, and 40 mg. In a 1- year study of GERD patients treated with Protonix 40 mg or 20 mg, there were no differences noted between the two doses.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Protonix. Protonix resources at protonix-center.info.

Acid Reducers in the Treatment of Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a very common disorder that involves the regurgitation of the stomach inside the esophagus. The disorder produces symptoms such as heartburn, throat inflammation and pain, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Some people experience sporadic symptoms of acid reflux, which tend to intensify after meals and during the night. However, most acid reflux disease sufferers may experience ongoing, persistent symptoms. People who are confronted with acid reflux on a frequent time basis are very exposed to the development of serious complications such as Barrett's esophagus and even esophageal cancer. In order to keep the disorder under control and to avoid further complications, people with chronic forms of acid reflux need an appropriate medication treatment.

The treatment of acid reflux includes medications that normalize the stomach's production of gastric acid. Considering the fact that most cases of acid reflux involve overproduction of digestive fluids and pepsin at the level of the stomach, the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease is very similar to the treatment of ulcer or gastritis.

The most common medications used in the treatment of acid reflux are antacids. Although they provide rapid symptomatic relief for acid reflux sufferers, these medications also have some minuses. Antacids have limited action and they can only act to temporarily control the acidity of the stomach. Also, they are not strong enough to ameliorate acid reflux symptoms in more serious forms of the disorder.

Unlike other acid reflux medications, acid reducers (also known as H2 receptor antagonists or H2 blockers) have proved to be more effective in decreasing the intensity and the frequency of heartburn and other specific manifestations of gastro-esophageal disease. Strong acid reducers can only be purchased with medical prescription, while less strong types of acid reducers are also available in nonprescription forms. While the effects of antacids are diminished after only 2-3 hours, a single dose of acid reducers can prevent the occurrence of acid reflux during the entire day.

Acid reducers can be used either in short-term or long-term medical treatments. The most commonly prescribed acid reducer is ranitidine. This medication is effective in overcoming non-complicated forms of acid reflux disease. A 6-week course of ranitidine can completely eliminate the symptoms of acid reflux for most people with the disorder. For people with more serious forms of gastro-esophageal disease, doctors may prescribe cimetidine or famotidine. Acid reducers have mild side-effects that are usually perceived by people who follow ongoing treatment with such medications. Long-term use of acid reducers can produce headache, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, constipation or diarrhea. These side-effects disappear after reducing the dose of medications or after temporarily interrupting the treatment.

It is important to note that acid reducers aren't appropriate for all acid reflux sufferers. Patients with esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus don't usually respond to treatments with acid reducers. For this category of people, doctors may prescribe proton pump inhibitors, medications that temporarily block the stomach's production of gastric acid.

If you want to find great information 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 RECOVERY RECIPES

Curing oneself of the condition called acid reflux can be accomplished by using natural, healthy methods. I suffered from this condition for years, taking harmful, expensive PPI drugs (proton inhibitors), which only masked the symptoms. These drugs, not only had myriad side effects, but became ineffective over time. I was forced to find another answer. I wanted to cure myself without the use of drugs. My doctor was no help. He didn't have a clue about natural healing and nutrition. After a great deal of research I discover that with the proper use of herbs, health store items, meditation, exercise and diet, one can heal themselves of acid reflux.

The first thing that I learned is that acid reflux, sometimes called gerd (gastro esophageal reflux disease), is not a disease at all. Contrary to what the medical community would have us believe, it is simply a condition, brought on by poor eating habits. Besides eating the wrong foods, not chewing food properly is probably the root cause of this ailment.

The Acid reflux condition would not exist without a damaged esophagus and a weakened LES (lower esophageal sphincter). If the condition is to be eliminated, healing the esophagus must be the first order of business.

During this reflux recovery period, eating anything which could irritate or damage the esophagus, must be avoided. Things like poorly chewed chips, crackers, cereal or any hard foods with sharp edges are culinary culprits - they cause little lacerations to develop in the esophagus. Until the lacerations have had a chance to heal, spicy foods, such as acidic tomato products, hot peppers, raw garlic and raw onions should also be eliminated from the diet. They just further irritate the condition. Smoking and drinking alcohol relax the LES, allowing stomach acid to splash up into the esophagus, thus impeding the healing process.

The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat only mild, easy to digest food until the esophagus has healed. Eat early, giving yourself at least three hours of sitting or walking time before lying down. Eat slowly and chew your food completely. And last, but not least, try to eat in a relaxed, pleasant environment.

I have listed a few of my favorite recipes that I enjoyed during my own recovery period. They can be made quickly and easily. Try doubling these recipes so that you can reheat them later in the week.....less time in the kitchen. Remember that cooking from scratch, instead of relying on convenience foods, is a better approach to good health, in general. It is also nice to know what you are really eating.

For breakfast, I believe that fresh fruit is the best way to go. I especially like melon and papaya. For lunch I eat more fruit like apples, bananas and, perhaps some almonds, or walnuts. It's better to eat many little healthy meals during the day. I try to buy only organic fruits, however, sometimes when I am rushed, I purchase "ready to go" containers of mixed fruit at the grocery store. Try to stay away from pineapple, as I find it hard to digest.

How about starters in the evening? Serving vegetables raw is the ultimate healthy way to present them.

Try creating a beautiful platter of crudit? (crew di tay) better known as elegant rabbit food. Serve it with a savory tofu dip. Use cauliflower, broccoli, English cucumbers, radishes, green & yellow zucchinis, Belgium endive, carrot sticks, whole small mushrooms, or whatever appeals to you. Cut the vegetables in bite size pieces for dipping. The Belgium endive is a natural edible scoop for dipping. Just cut off the ends and peel off the leaves.

Make the tofu dip by putting one package of soft or silken tofu in a food processor or blender, adding garlic powder, cumin, paprika and chopped chives or parsley for flavor and color. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Add a little fresh squeezed lemon juice if the mixture is too thick. Process until smooth and creamy. If you are in a rush, ready made dips and raw vegetable platters are available in the produce sections of most supermarkets, but make a concerted effort to eat only organic, if possible.

I hope that you enjoy the following dishes. Even though I have cured myself of acid reflux, I still cook these recipes on a regular basis. I prefer food slightly under cooked. Feel free to adjust the cooking times and seasonings to your own taste.

Bon appetite!

Saut?ed White Fish On A Bed Of Mashed Potatoes

This recipe is for one serving. Increase the ingredients for additional servings as needed.

One 4oz filet of white fish (orange roughly, sole, turbot, flounder, etc) One med. Potato Steamed green vegetable such as broccoli, spinach, peas or asparagus Parsley or chives for garnish ? tbsp unsalted butter, olive oil or Pam

We will start with the potatoes because they take the longest to cook and they tend to retain their heat the longest. The fish and vegetable take only minutes to cook. )

Peel and cube potato. Place in cold water to cover. Bring to the boil, and then simmer until fork tender. Drain, leaving just enough cooking liquid for mashing or whipping. You may also use the vegetable broth (recipe below) instead. Add salt to taste. Hold in a warm place.

Season fish with salt and pepper to taste. Place non-stick saut? pan over med high heat. Add butter, oil or spray with Pam. When not quite smoking, add fish. Cook two minutes, turn and cook other side for two minutes, or until the filet is light brown and cooked through. If the filet is very thin, one minute on each side may be enough. (You can broil or bake the fish if desired)

Serve fish on top of mashed potatoes, surrounded by the steamed vegetables. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.

Vegetable Broth

This broth is very alkaline and rich in minerals. It can be served as a simple soup, or used as a stock (as above) for cooking. Cook and save the potatoes and beets to use as a vegetable side dish or to add to soup. 2 cups red skinned potato peelings 3 cups celery stalk 2 cups celery tops 2 cups beet tops 1 small zucchini or yellow squash 2 cups carrots One small onion Sprig of parsley 2 ? quarts distilled water

Chop all vegetables into very fine pieces. Place in water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Strain & refrigerate for future use.

Pasta Primavera

Primavera means "spring" in Italian. This pasta dish offers a great opportunity to use all the wonderful fresh spring vegetables at your disposal. However, you can make this dish anytime of the year by using whatever fresh vegetables you can find at your food market. I have chosen a mixture of vegetables that I happen to love, for this recipe. You can use these or replace them with your favorites. During the reflux healing period, try to stay away from tomatoes, raw onions and raw garlic. I have included garlic in this recipe (*see note regarding roasted garlic). If you can tolerate a little garlic, then make sure to cook it well at a low temperature, without browning it. If you want to be a bit daring, you can add the optional cup of heavy cream. You may substitute parsley for the basil and the penne regatta for fettuccini, or another pasta. The whole family can enjoy this classic pasta dish.

1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 cup sliced carrots 1 cup baby peas 1 cup sliced asparagus spears 1 cup snow peas or sugar snaps 2 cloves garlic finely chopped or roasted 1 lb. penne regatta 1 tsp. salt 3 tbsp extra virgin, first cold pressed olive oil ? cup shredded basil ? cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese ? cup heavy cream (optional)

Place a steamer basket in a pot with a small amount of water and bring to the boil. Place vegetables in basket, cover and steam until tender (about 4 minutes). Rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking and preserve the color, and drain.

To a large pot of boiling water, add salt and the penne regatta. Cook uncovered according to the instructions on box, preferably al dente.

Meanwhile in a large saut? pan, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook at a low flame for a couple of minutes (do not brown). Add the steamed vegetables and optional heavy cream and raise the heat to medium. Cook just enough to heat.

Drain the pasta and add to the saut? pan and mix well.

Sprinkle with Parmigianino Reggiano, and shredded basil. Heat the dish thoroughly and serve. If the dish needs more salt, use extra cheese instead, at the table. Serve this dish with a heart of romaine salad with lemon chive dressing (recipe below)

Another use for roasted garlic is my version of pesto sauce. I use walnuts instead of pine nuts, which I find indigestible, with the roasted garlic and basil. Use whatever proportion you like and drizzle first pressed, extra virgin olive oil into the blender. If your sauce is too thin, adjust with more walnuts, basil and garlic. If it is too thick, use more olive oil. This is all a matter of taste. Serve with your favorite pasta. I prefer linguini or fettuccini.

Lemon chive salad dressing

This is a simple, yet classic vinaigrette for green salads. Use heart of Romaine, Boston or Bipp lettuce. Make this dressing and hour or so before serving, in order that the chive flavor is fully incorporated. Remember to toss well before serving. The advantage here is using lemon juice, instead of vinegar. I find that lemon juice becomes alkaline after being ingested.

1 lemon juiced Sea salt (pinch) 3 tbsp. extra fine sugar 6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 6 tbsp. minced chives (you can't have too many) Freshly ground black pepper

Combine lemon juice, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl. Whisk until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Continue whisking in the olive oil, chives and several grinds of pepper. Keep whisking until dressing is emulsified.

Savory Lentils with Texmati Brown Rice

1 lb of organic lentils (2 ? cups), rinsed 8 cups water or stock 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves of garlic, chopped 2 carrots, sliced 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 bay leaf 2 sprigs of thyme, or ? tsp dried Organic Texmati brown rice (follow instructions on package)

To a large pot bring water and lentils to a boil. Add other ingredients. Reduce to the simmer, partially covered. Cook until tender (about 20 to 30 minutes), stirring occasionally and adding more liquid as needed.. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve over organic Texmati brown rice. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with a light green salad, dressed with the lemon chive dressing above.

Baked Chicken Breasts on Mushroom Caps with steamed broccoli and new potatoes

6 chicken breasts (either bone in or halves with skin on) 1 tsp dried thyme Olive oil 6 large Portobello mushrooms (or enough smaller mushrooms to cover the bottom of the baking pan) 1 tbsp minced garlic Salt & pepper to taste 2 cups dry white wine or dry vermouth ? cup fresh chopped parsley

Place rack in center of oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

Into a lightly oiled baking pan, large enough to hold chicken breasts, arrange mushrooms gill side down. Sprinkle with minced garlic, salt & pepper. Pour wine over mushrooms. Place chicken breasts skin side up over mushrooms and brush with olive oil.

Bake uncovered about 20 minutes, until the breasts are golden brown. If the wine has evaporated during the cooking process, add a little more (for those of you who can't tolerate alcohol, keep in mind that it burns off during the cooking process, leaving only the flavor).

Baste the breasts with the pan juices and turn over. Cook until breasts are completely done and springy to the finger, about 15 minutes more.

With a slotted spoon, place the chicken and mushrooms on a platter, mushrooms on the bottom and breasts on top, skin side up. Skim off excess fat and spoon juices over the chicken. Sprinkle with parsley.

Serve with steamed broccoli and boiled new potatoes. (Substitute brown rice for potatoes, if desired)

Stir fried shrimp and vegetables Served over millet, brown rice or quinoa

3 tbsp Canola oil 1lb. raw medium peeled shrimp 2 cups broccoli florets 2 cups sliced mushrooms 4 scallions, trimmed and chopped 2 tbsp Garlic, minced 2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced 1 cup cold vegetable broth (see recipe above), mixed with 2tbsps, cornstarch 1 package of organic millet

Into a hot wok or saut? pan pour oil until just smoking Add vegetables and stir constantly to cook al dente Add shrimp and continue to stir until just turning pink Add broth and cover for a couple of minutes until shrimp is almost done Uncover and add cornstarch mixture, stir until thickened and turn off heat Serve over millet cooked according to package instructions Season to taste with tamari light soy sauce

For more information about healing acid reflux the natural way, go to:www.refluxgoneforever.com

None 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". He explains how the proper application of herbs, health store items, meditation, diet and exercise, can heal acid reflux, gerd and heartburn.

For more information go to http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

What is Acid Reflux Disease?

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common ailment, affecting between 5%-7% of the population. In order to understand what GERD is it is important to be familiar with how the esophagus works. A long muscular tube, the esophagus carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The average adult esophagus is around ten to thirteen inches long and approximately an half an inch in diameter. GERD is caused by the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus, usually because the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly. When this happens over a long period of time, the lining of this tract becomes eroded, causing discomfort and pain.

Symptoms of the disease are fairly straightforward and are very similar to the symptoms of heartburn. GERD often include a frequent burning sensation, right behind the breastbone, which sometimes worsens when lying down for extended periods of time. While most cases of heartburn turn out to be non-life threatening, it is important that you visit your doctor at the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, the symptoms of both indigestion and GERD can also imitate those of heart disease, so it is very important that you seek medical attention to make sure that you get the correct diagnosis.

There are a number of medical tests which your doctor can perform which will confirm the diagnosis of GERD. After your doctor or healthcare professional has taken your medical history, he or she will most likely conduct an test using an Endoscope, a long flexible imaging instrument. This will allow the doctor to visibly exam your esophagus.
If you are diagnosed with Acid Reflux disease, there are a number of treatment options available to you, such as making changes to your diet, reducing stress, and taking over the counter antacids. Serious cases of GERD may require a prescription drug to reduce the acid being produced by your stomach, but lifestyle changes are often enough to control symptoms successfully.
Jeff Lakie is the owner of Occasional Heartburn
a website dedicated to matching consumers with acid reflux help.