Acid Reflux and Weight Gain

Acid reflux is a common disorder that affects more than 7 percent of the American population. The disease generates symptoms such as heartburn, throat inflammation and pain, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. The symptoms of acid reflux have a pronounced recurrent character and they generally persist in time. Symptoms such as heartburn and chest discomfort tend to intensify at night or after meals.

Acid reflux involves regurgitation of the stomach's content inside the upper levels of the esophageal tract. The disorder is usually caused by acquired or genetically inherited physiological dysfunctions such as high pressure inside the abdomen or inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter (ring-shaped muscular valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach). Although inappropriate diet and unhealthy lifestyle greatly contribute to the occurrence of acid reflux, the disorder generally occurs on the premises of physiological abnormalities.

Obesity is a common risk factor of acid reflux disease. Due to increased abdominal pressure, overweight people are commonly confronted with acid reflux. However, recent studies have revealed the fact that even the slightest gain in weight can facilitate the occurrence of acid reflux. Medical scientists claim that people who experience difficulties in maintaining a constant weight are very likely to suffer from acid reflux.

Until recently, the connection between acid reflux and body weight was vague and in the absence of conclusive evidence, medical scientists could only speculate upon this matter. However, latest studies in the field have confirmed the existent theories regarding the involvement of weight gain in causing acid reflux disease.

In order to reveal clear links between acid reflux and body weight, researchers have calculated the incidence of the disease in women, judging by the BMI (body mass index) of the subjects. More than 10.000 women that participated to the study had to complete a questionnaire which asked if they have been confronted with acid reflux in the past. The women that participated to the study were also asked about the intensity, the frequency and the duration of their symptoms. Around 20 percent of the participants stated that they have suffered from acid reflux in the past. A smaller number of participants were still confronted with the disease at the date of the study. More than 50 percent of the participants claimed to have experienced moderate or intense symptoms of acid reflux disease.

The study revealed very interesting facts, as the incidence and the seriousness of the disease increased gradually according to body weight ratios. The women who had a BMI under 20 were 30 percent less likely to be affected by acid reflux disease than those who had a BMI above 20. Thus, the risk of acid reflux has proved to increase proportionally with BMI. Although medical scientists have disregarded aspects such as the age factor, the study clearly suggests the implication of weight gain in causing acid reflux disease.

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Acid Reflux: What You Really Need To Know.

The formation of gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease. Because of the feeling of burning sensation in the center of the chest this disease is also popularly known as Heartburn disease.

? The Causes of "Acid Reflux" or Heartburn Disease

The main causes of Acid-Reflux or the Heartburn disease is the formation and backing up of gases and acids from the stomach to the esophagus. The patient experiences severe pain or burning feeling in his stomach and chest area as the acidic stomach gases come in contact with the damages or lesions on the inside of his esophagus. When someone drinks orange or tomato juice or any kind of similar fruit juice, the acid in the juice comes in direct contact with the lesions or sores in the esophagus causing severe pain and burning feeling in the stomach. Sometimes when people burp they experience pain or heartburn because of the esophageal damage. Our stomach contains enzymes and hydrochloric acid which help in the digestive process. The acidic contents of our stomach exert some force against our Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) valve. If the valve is damaged or swollen then the valve is overpowered by this pressure. When the pressure manages to overcome the LES valve, the acidic gases or fumes from our stomach readily starts to release into the esophagus. In our esophagus the acidic fumes make contact with the lesions or sores and the result is severe pain or feeling of a burning sensation in the chest area.

? The Symptoms:

This is a disease with some very common symptoms. The most common symptom of acid reflux disease is heartburn. The other symptoms of this disease are as follows:

1) Feeling of burning sensation or pressure sensation in the chest area that may even radiate upward toward the back and neck.

2) Regular chest pain that occurs at the time of bending over or lying down especially soon after taking food.

3) Feeling of hot, acidic, or sour tasting fluid at the back of the throat or in the mouth.

4) A feeling of coming back of food into the mouth from the stomach or sticking of food in the chest or throat.

? The Effects:

Generally it causes severe pain and burning sensation in stomach and chest area. In some cases the sufferers experience a pressure sensation along with burning sensation in their chest area. This pressure sensation can even radiate into the arm, back or neck area. This pressure is sometime relieved when we burp. The acid reflux may even cause extra mucus for which one might experience a constant cough or sore throat. The vocal cords can also be affected by the acid reflux disease. To prevent the occurance of AR disease we have to avoid certain foods such as Fried foods, Fatty foods, Spicy foods, etc.

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Acid Reflux

The typical cause of heartburn or acid reflux is when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. If your lower esophageal sphincter is not normal, stomach contents may flow back into your esophagus and cause heartburn. Stomach acid flows into the esophagus (called acid reflux), causing the burning sensation. Acid reflux is caused by stomach spasms which cause acid.

Many believe that acid reflux symptoms affect the heart or mistakenly diagnose acid reflux as a heart related problem. In fact acid reflux has nothing to do with the heart - it is a digestive problem. Indeed for most people, a proper eating habit may help fixing the heartburn problem. Eating high-fiber bread instead of white bread, and exercising for 30 minutes at least once a week, decreased the odds of getting heartburn. Keeping a daily diary for a week can help keep track of specific food items and circumstances related to episodes of heartburn.

One is solution to eliminate acid reflux is to stop smoking. After a meal, when the stomach is full, smoking increases the chances that you will suffer from acid reflux. Loss of weight can also reduce stomach acid reflux. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to heartburn in their third trimester as the growing uterus puts increasing pressure on the stomach.

Here are some easy things that doctors recommend:

Wait at least three hours before going to bed after eating.

Sleep with your head at least 8" higher than your stomach so that gravity can help keep stomach acids from coming up into your esophagus.

Avoid exercising or bending over right after eating.

Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of the three, traditional, big ones.

Acid reflux tends to be more of a problem at night, while you are lying down or sleeping. Having the head and shoulders higher than the stomach lets gravity work to keep acid from refluxing.

If heartburn is a continual or severe problem, it's a good idea to see your doctor. In patients with acid reflux, the heart valve pressure is usually low, which is the root of the problem. Some people have only an occasional acid reflux symptom. For others, however, acid reflux and regurgitation are persistent, chronic symptoms that return several times a week, if not every day. Medical evaluation of heartburn is recommended for individuals who experience persistent symptoms several times a week. If acid reflux (heartburn) occurs on two or more days per week despite the measures discussed above, you should consult your family doctor. For chronic reflux and heartburn, the doctor may prescribe medications to reduce acid in the stomach.

Susanne Garris is a stay at home mom. But that doesn't mean she isn't at work. Susanne works as a research assistant and freelance writer on a variety of subjects. Her private research is devoted to blogs you can find at: http://www.acid-reflux-disease-diet.blogspot.com

Acid Reflux - Treating it with Medication

Of course, as with any medical condition, there are numerous ways of treating acid reflux, or to give it its full title, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Here, we will look at medication.

Antacids and Alignates

Antacids are generally available without a doctor's prescription and relieve the symptoms of acid indigestion and heartburn (dyspepsia).

The usual ingredients of antacids are magnesium or aluminium and they work by neutralising the acid produced in the stomach which is the cause of indigestion and acid reflux. This group often contain sodium alginate which forms a protective coating over the lining of the gullet and the stomach.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton pump Inhibitors are drugs which shut down the system in the stomach called the proton pump. It is this system which produces acid in the stomach, the leaking of which into the oesophagus causes acid reflux.

These drugs are taken in the form of tablets or capsules, as a powder to be diluted in water or as injections and are used to treat stomach ulcers and a rather rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome as well as acid reflux.

Omeprazole and Lansoprazole are well known varieties of this particular type of drug although there are several others.

Side effects are rare although they can include diarrhoea or constipation, stomach pains, wind, drowsiness, dizziness and headaches. In unusual cases, a severe allergic reaction can result. My personal experience with Omeprazole was seriously raised blood pressure and severe head pain. However, replacing Omeprazole with Ranitidine and taking blood pressure reduction medication for a couple of weeks sorted out that problem.

H2-Receptor Antagonists

This group of drugs works by attaching to and blocking the H2 receptor area on stomach cells which, when stimulated by the naturally produced chemical, histamine, generates acid.

Ranitidine is the best known of this drug group, others being Nizatidine, Famotidine and Cimetidine.

Side effects are few but can display as diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness and tiredness. Loss of hair has been reported by takers of Cimetidine and with nizatidine, sweating.

Both proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists are used together with antibiotics to get rid of Helicobacter pylori infection which can cause stomach ulcers and duodenitis.

Warning: If symptoms of heartburn persist, consult your doctor. They could be indicative of something much more serious than indigestion. Never embark on a course of medication without consulting a doctor. Never take medicines prescribed for somebody else.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Acid Reflux

How Acid Reflux Can Worsen Your Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that is characterized by difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and mucus accumulation. People with asthma have extra sensitive or hyper-responsive airways. During an asthma attack, the airways become irritated and react by narrowing and constructing, causing increased resistance to airflow, and obstructing the flow of the air passages to and from the lungs.

Some research indicates that the symptoms of asthma may get worse when you have heartburn or acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when your undigested stomach content moves back up into your esophagus.

Acid reflux can cause painful heartburn which you can relieve with antacid medicines or natural remedies. Antacids simply neutralize your stomach's acid, which reduces the burning sensation in your esophagus tube. It is best to use natural remedies first because neutralising stomach acid is a temporary method and only serves to suppress the cause of acid reflux.

For acid reflux, it is best to use digestive enzymes. Take a good digestive enzyme with every meal you eat. The next step would be to learn how to eat so you don't get acid reflux or heartburn.

Acid reflux happens mostly in people who are older and overweight. But sometimes it can happen in children and in all types of people.

In some studies, researchers have injected acid into the esophageus of people with asthma, and it had a significant impact on their asthma and increased their asthma symptoms.

These is also evidence to suggest that people who have asthma get acid reflux more often than people without asthma. This is probably because of the big pressure changes in the chest during breathing in people with asthma. These high pressures could force liquid to travel the wrong way up the esophagus.

In these cases, asthma sufferers seem to lose out twice: they suffer from asthma and they may suffer from acid reflux more often than non asthma sufferers.

However, this is not the whole story. If acid reflux really was an important cause of asthma worsening, then treatments against acid reflux should make the asthma better, however, this is generally not the case.

In the meantime, if you have asthma and you also have acid reflux, it could just be that careful treatment of your reflux will make your breathing better.

If your asthma is bad and no-one knows why, some doctors would check whether you have or had acid reflux by conducting tests to measure the acidity in your stomach. If the result showed a tendency for acid reflux, then your doctor should help you eliminate this condition.

Using a doctor who uses natural methods to treat acid reflux is the best way to go. Using drugs to eliminate acid reflux when you are already taking drugs for asthma is asking for addition health problems in the future. Drugs do not cure acid reflux and cause Theis condition to worsen. It is best to use natural remedies and diet to eliminate acid reflux and heartburn.

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To learn more about using natural remedies for asthma go to: http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com/asthma1 and to find natural ways to help your acid reflux or heartburn go to: http://www.acidreflux-relief.info