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. http://www.acidrefluxguru.com

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.

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.

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.

Asthma As Related To Acid Reflux

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that is characterized by breathing difficulties. People who suffer from asthma have air passages that are extra sensitive or hyper-responsive. In the course of an asthma attack, the airways become irritated and react by narrowing and constricting, causing increased resistance to airflow, and obstruction of the flow of air through the air passages to and from the lungs.

There is research to indicate that the symptoms of asthma may worsen when stomach acid rises in your throat. This condition is called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. It is commonly referred to as acid reflux. One result of acid reflux is painful heartburn which can be relieved with the administration of antacid medicines. These are special medications which neutralize stomach acids. Acid reflux commonly affects older and overweight people. However, it can also occur in children and people of all types.

There have been studies in which researchers have injected acid into the stomachs of asthma sufferers and it had a significant impact on their asthma resulting in worsened asthma symptoms. Evidence also suggest that asthma sufferers get acid reflux with greater frequency than people who do not suffer from asthma. This is probably due to great pressure changes present in the chest of people with asthma during the course of breathing. This high pressure could cause liquid to travel up the esophagus from the stomach.

In these cases, it would seem that people who have asthma lose out twice: they suffer from asthma and they may suffer from acid reflux more often than people who do not suffer from asthma. However, there is more to this story. If acid reflux was an genuine and important cause of increase in asthma severity, then acid reflux treatments should make the asthma better, however, this is generally not the case.

In the meantime, if you suffer from both asthma and acid reflux, it could just be that careful management of your reflux will ease your breathing. If your asthma is severe and the cause is unknown, some doctors might test to see whether you have or had acid reflux by conducting tests to measure your stomach acidity. If the result showed acid reflux tendencies, then your doctor would most likely attempt to improve your lungs by treating your stomach.

David Brown writes for several popular online magazines, on wellness and diet and health and fitness subjects.

Acid Drug Reflux

You know you have acid reflux, and you know you get it after your meals. But what about the other times when you suffer that burning sensation? The times when acid reflux attacks you and you haven't even eaten yet? Perhaps you might have noticed that an attack occurs only after you've taken a painkiller? If so, then you might be having what is known as acid drug reflux.

Acid reflux happens when the acids from digesting foods comes back into the lower esophagus area. This occurs when the LES or lower esophageal sphincter muscle gets weakened or functions improperly. The burning sensation is due to the fact that the esophageal lining is unable to withstand the rising acidic levels. This is acid reflux.

It's not as uncommon as you would believe, and most people are at risk from acid drug reflux. You wouldn't have even noticed anything amiss in the beginning, perhaps a slight twinge or two, but nothing that didn't go away soon thereafter. But then you noticed that it started getting worse, and worse. Every time you had a headache, or muscle ache you would also get acid reflux right along with it.

Still you continue to shrug it off, after all it's normal right? Millions of people suffer from it daily, therefore it's nothing to complain about. That's where you would be wrong. With stomach disorders, or any other disorder for that matter, it is always good to get a medical opinion as soon as possible to rule out that it isn't actually something worse.

Acid drug reflux however, occurs when your stomach lining becomes damaged due to a consumption of certain types of drugs, over a period of time. And in today's stress filled anxiety ridden workday, where you're always 'on', and don't have the luxury to switch off even for a few minutes, it is very easy to resort to taking a little pill to stave off impending disaster.

Mainly the culprit for acid drug reflux can be found in aspirin, or any other drug containing aspirin. Wham! There just went your source of staying power for the day. The one thing you could count on, to keep the little gremlins in your head, away. The good news though is that there are painkillers out there that don't depend on aspirin in any form to support them.

Unfortunately there is another cause for acid drug reflux, and that pill isn't taken for the pleasure of it but out of necessity. NSAIDs, or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, are generally prescribed to people suffering form arthritis, and unfortunately leave them vulnerable to the effects of acid drug reflux. One type of NSAID that most of us will recognize is Ibuprofen, therefore ruling out any Ibuprofen drugs as well. It's only a few points to ponder, but the next time you reach so readily for those aspirin or Ibuprofen based painkillers, remember what you're doing to your body and think twice, because after all, you only live once.

It's only a few points to ponder, but the next time you reach so readily for those aspirin or Ibuprofen based painkillers, remember what you're doing to your body and think twice, because after all, you only live once.

Publisher of the web site on heartburn, what causes heartburn, how to prevent heartburn. Publisher of The Heartburn Cure Book: http://www.ultimateheartburntips.com Author for The Best Hawaii Travel Site: http://www.besthawaiitravel.net

Crohn's? IBS? Colitis? Acid Reflux? Try Holistic Medicine

Do you have gastrointestinal problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Colitis, Crohns Disease, Acid Reflux Disease, among many others? Are you sick (literally) and tired of going from doctor to doctor only to be handed a prescription slip and pushed out the door? Do you enjoy the many side effects these prescriptions cause? Are you looking for a solution to the problem instead of covering it up with drugs, or removing it with surgery? Then try holistic medicine.

I am very happy to see our nation slowly catching on to the idea that natural medicine is the better way to go. It angers me however that insurance companies (who we pay premiums to) do not give us the choice to choose what path we want to take to heal ourselves. Holistic medicine is not cheap because there are very few insurance companies that cover your office visits, and none that I am aware that assists with nutritional supplements used by holistic doctors. Now don't get me wrong, modern medicine has its place in this world, and heaven knows all the good it has done for mankind, but there is a limit to how far it should go in the treatment of health conditions. Modern medicine knows next to nothing about the digestive system and how to fix it when it is in duress. Just ask any person suffering from any of the conditions listed above. The old saying of you don't have anything if you don't have your health is a very true statement.

I suffered with Crohn's Disease for 5 years before I started going to a holistic doctor. I went through 2 colonoscopies, and visited 3 different gastroenterologists. The first doctor performed my first colonoscopy, and found a mass of tissue close to my ileocecal valve. The tissue biopsy that he took came back negative for cancer (thank the Lord), but they could not tell what the tissue was. He referred me to another gastroenterologist who on my first visit, told me flat out that all he wanted to do was cut me open and remove the mass so he could try to figure out what it was. Needless to say my wife and I left his office never to return! Only later did we find out that he was a surgical gastroenterologist, so that's all he knew how to do was cut people open and remove their insides (comforting I know). The third doctor I visited was a medical gastroenterologist. He also wanted to perform a colonoscopy, and found more tissue masses etc. When I asked him what caused my condition, he said that medical science does not know what causes these kinds of conditions, but knows how to control them somewhat. He wrote me a prescription for a steroid medication, and sent me out the door.

Thus began my crusade to figure out what was going on with my body and why. I never did take any of that steroid medication that last doctor prescribed me, because I had enough sense to get online and start researching what it was he was wanting me to take and what it did. The drug is an immune suppressant. You see people with digestive problems often times have an over active immune system, thus triggering inflammation throughout the digestive system. The steroid suppresses the immune function to reduce inflammation. It does nothing to get rid of what is causing the inflammation, just masking the effects.

To fully understand how the body gets afflicted with these digestive problems you need to understand how the digestive system works in conjunction with the rest of your body. The digestive tract has been called the body's second brain because there are more nerve endings in the digestive tract than the brain itself. Think about what the digestive system does for you....it is the extracts of all vitamins, minerals, and other materials your body needs to function from the foods you eat. Without it were dead! New research indicates that most diseases of the body are a result of a failure somewhere in the digestive system. So if you are afflicted with a serious digestive problem, and you take a drug that masks the problem instead of fixing (and has the potential of serious side effects which include may other diseases), sure you symptoms may subside for a while, but in the meantime your condition will worsen or spread!

Finally I decided to go to a holistic doctor. It was the smartest thing I have ever done for my health! My doctor knew more on how the body works, and all the organic compounds it uses and more specifically what organs used them, than any medical doctor I have ever been to! I was on my way to recovery after my first visit. I had a plan on how to recover my health. It wasn't a prescription for some drug that he gets kickbacks from the drug companies for prescribing, it was a professionally planned regiment of natural compounds that would kill parasitic infections, reduce my inflammation, assist in digestion of foods, and nourish my body with the critical vitamins and minerals I was seriously lacking. Yes it took me well over a year to get myself back to normal. You have to take into account the fact that I had been living with several parasites in my digestive system for several years to get to the point I was at, so there is no way I would heal overnight. You know its funny how over the years all my doctors told me that I had IBS, and that I needed to eat more fiber. If only I had known about holistic medicine back then! Sure holistic medicine is expensive, but can you truly put a price on your health and well being? I sure can't, it has been worth every penny.

Do your research! No matter where you go and what you do, there is always going to be someone with a horror story about a holistic doctor, or even a modern medicine MD. It's just unavoidable, people make mistakes every day. All I can say is this: do your research! Find a holistic doctor that is highly recommended, Answer any of their questions with total honesty, stick to the regiments they give you (to the T) and always be a well informed patient! If the doctor you go to makes you uncomfortable, don't go back! Find someone you are comfortable with. Trust your instincts! Your reading this aren't you? Your instincts have brought you this far, searching for answers a medical doctor could not give you. Keep going! Keep digging! You deserve to feel normal again!

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After suffering with Crohn's disease for 5 years, I finally trusted my instincts that there was something very wrong with modern medicines approach to digestive disorders, and used a holistic approach to heal myself. No scars from surgery, and no side effects from dangerous drugs

What Triggers Heartburn Or Acid Reflux?

Acid Reflux ? also known as Heartburn - is caused when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, causing an uncomfortable burning sensation.

Almost everyone experiences heartburn at some point in their life. However if these symptoms occur more than two days a week for several months, a person may have Acid Reflux Disease, otherwise known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Acid reflux occurs when the valve separating the esophagus and stomach (known as the lower esophageal sphincter) does not close properly, allowing acid to travel up into the esophagus. This often occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes more often than it should, and at inappropriate times.

Acid reflux can be triggered off by a number of things:

Eating the wrong food - including acidic, spicy, or fatty food, or even over-eating before bedtime.

A medical condition - can also trigger heartburn, including Hiatus Hernia, or pregnancy for example.

Lifestyle habits - are also to blame, like undue stress, smoking, or consuming excess caffienated beverages.

Exercises - Lying down or bending over on a full stomach can also trigger heartburn, as can being overweight, along with any exercises that cause increased pressure on the abdomen, and wearing tight clothes.

Unless treated, Acid reflux disease may lead to more serious medical conditions. Acid reflux can eventually erode the lining of the esophagus - a condition known as Erosive Esophagitis.

Gastroesophageal Reflux can even occur in infants ? a common symptom being spitting up. More than half of all babies experience reflux during their first few months of life. A small number of infants can suffer severe symptoms due to Gastroesophageal Reflux.

Fortunately Acid reflux is curable and a doctor can prescribe appropriate treatments, some of which can heal areas of the esophagus that have been eroded by acid reflux.

Paul MacIver writes about a variety of health related topics. Visit http://www.about-acid-reflux.info to read more about heartburn, acid reflux and GERD, and various treatment options available. You may freely reprint this article as long as nothing is changed, this resource box is included with all links intact.

Acid Reflux, Sometimes Called GERD

If you suffer the discomfort of heartburn more than occasionally, you may have a more serious problem. After an especially spicy or heavy meal, even very healthy people can experience a bit of regurgitation of stomach contents. If this is rare, it's simple heartburn and nothing to worry about. But if it's a familiar sensation for you, you could be suffering from acid reflux or more officially called gastroesophageal reflux disease. You can use the acronym GERD for short.

You know how strong stomach acid is. Really strong! Terrible to the taste. Imagine what it does to the esophagus over time if stomach contents back up? Not a pretty picture. The stomach also contains pepsin for breaking down proteins and bile that may have backed up from the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). These are not as damaging as the acid, but they are harmful, and the three substances together make for an unhappy combination in the esophagus. It can become inflamed and develop ulcers. When this happens, the condition is called esophagitis. So, it's one disease causing another, sort of a domino effect. This can even erode the enamel on your teeth. Yuk! Think of the dental bills!

While learning about your symptoms and what they might mean is always a good idea, it's not a good idea to diagnose and treat yourself when it comes to acid reflux. It could delay getting on a proper course of treatment that will lead to recovery. The good news is that this condition is highly treatable. But first, a doctor needs to examine you to determine exactly what is going on in your digestive system and why.

Some of the possible culprits of acid reflux are:

a malfunctioning esophagus either because its sphincter valve (where it connects to the stomach isn't working correctly) or because it does not contract properly and move food along the tract, the way it's supposed to;

a bulging of the stomach into the chest area, correct name is a hiatal hernia;

improper emptying of the stomach, so it sits in the stomach instead of being pushed to the small intestine, similar to a clogged drain. This is sometimes called "weak stomach" because the stomach muscles are not contracting properly. In a normal stomach, tiny electrical impulses contract it about three times a minute. This grinds the food and helps push it along through the entire digestive system.

Sometimes a person can have GERD without any heartburn symptoms though. Another telltale sign is halitosis, however this doesn't mean everybody with halitosis has acid reflux though.

Extremely important, if you suspect you have acid reflux, or even suspect you may have acid reflux, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she has the expertise and diagnostic tools to get to the root of the problem and advise a workable course of treatment. Do not suffer alone, & do not prolong the inevitable, you need to see a doctor.

Tyson J Stevenson creates useful articles & reviews on a wide variety of health related subjects. Expect to see his name often. View further samples of his work at HubbuH or at Acid_Reflux

Acid Reflux Part 3 - Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

While Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is cited in some journals as a part of GERD, it presents its own set of symptoms and potential health problems. LPR affects the larynx, pharynx, bronchi, trachea, and possibly even one's lungs.

LPR occurs when the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opens and allows reflux to enter the throat. Since the components of the affected area (see the list above) are constructed of softer tissue that the esophagus, the potential for damage is greater from stomach acid and digestive enzymes. And if the reflux is "aspirated," or breathed into the lungs, the risk is increased for one to develop aspiration pneumonia. Other pulmonary problems whish may manifest are coughing, wheezing, asthma (especially adult onset), and interstitial fibrosis (the tissue in the lungs becomes inflamed and/or scarred). Excess acid reaching one's mouth can also lead to the decay of the tooth enamel, gingivitis, halitosis, and waterbrash.

Further complications can include odynophagia and dysphagia. And pharynx symptoms can include laryngitis, hoarseness, soreness, the sensation of a lump in one's throat (globus), and earache due to fluids entering one's Eustachian tubes between the throat and the ear.

Overall symptoms may include the above plus:

- Dysphonia
- Frequent throat clearing
- Post nasal drip
- Spasm of the larynx
- Blockage of the breathing passage
- Swallowed food coming back up
- Difficulty singing, especially the loss of vocal range.

Diagnosis of LPR can be more difficult, due in part to the fact that less than 15% of those affected have the "heartburn" associated with typical GERD symptoms. Your physician or health care provider may do a laryngoscopy to diagnose and evaluate the condition. Please consult him/her as quickly as possible if you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms.

Other testing may include:

- pH testing - two sensors are placed (one on each end of the esophagus) to determine if the reflux is reaching one's upper esophagus and to assess the pH content of the reflux.

- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, if one complains of dysphagia or odynophagia

Lifestyle changes:

These are the same as those mentioned in Part 2 of this three-part series.

Medical treatments:

- Antacids - Prescription medications to reduce acid production in the stomach
- the Nissen Fundoplication mentioned in Part 2.

As with treatment of GERD one's physician may recommend one, or a combination, of the treatments cited, depending on the severity of your case. And it is recommended that one seek medical care as quickly as possible, should one experience any of the symptoms described in these articles.

Please remember that Acid Reflux can lead to very serious health issues, including some forms of cancer, if left untreated. So see your physician as often as needed to alleviate this potentially devastating disease.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux - Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to remain closed. There are several theories on why this happens. It is most commonly believed that the tissue structure of the LES is compromised by one or more of these factors:

- Overeating
- Eating foods which contain high acid content
- Delayed digestion of stomach content
- Diminished salivation
- Relaxation of the LES (transient)
- Decreased LES resting status
- Ineffective esophageal clearance
- The inability of the esophagus to resist injury and repair itself

GERD episodes occur frequently during the day, quite often following the consumption of too much food or foods high in fat content. However there are also many reported cases of this happening at night, while one is in a horizontal sleeping position.

In the course of this research, I discovered that most physicians recommend that patients avoid alcohol, caffeine and chocolate, as these items seem to be the biggest "offenders" in one's battle against this affliction. It should also be noted that smoking, tight clothing, drugs, hormones, obesity, pregnancy, and even body position have been cited as triggering factors in the onset of this disease.

GERD is often accompanied by a hiatal hernia. This is a protrusion of part of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus, an opening in the diaphragm, which leads into the chest. When this type of hernia is present it may contribute to transient LES relaxation and delay clearance, due to impaired esophageal evacuation. This means that hiatal hernias may allow prolonged acid exposure after reflux occurs, thus creating GERD symptoms and esophageal damage.

Common symptoms of GERD involving the LES are:

- Heartburn - burning in the chest behind the sternum
- Regurgitation - not to be confused with vomiting, which employs the gastrointestinal and abdominal muscles to force stomach contents up the esophagus, this is a bitter or acid taste in the mouth caused by the gastric contents reaching it during reflux
- Dysfunctional swallowing (Dysphagia) - this is the sensation of food "hanging up", "getting stuck" or "slowing down" between the pharynx and the stomach
- Pain when swallowing (Odynophagia) - a sharp pain beneath the sternum that occurs when swallowing. This pain is caused by erosive esophagitis (when the lining of one's esophagus has been "eaten" by stomach acid and gastric enzymes)
- Chest Pain - when caused by reflux, this may be sharp or dull and may radiate into the neck, arms, or back. This is very often mistaken as a heart attack. Don't take any chances. Seek immediate medical attention in the event that this occurs so that your physician or health care provider may rule out heart problems and help you treat the cause.

Common tests used to diagnose and evaluate GERD are:

- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and possibly a biopsy of the esophagus
- pH testing of the LES - a sensor is put into place for 24 hours to determine whether or not the reflux is occurring, and to assess the level of the acid being refluxed.

Depending on your physician's evaluation, GERD may be controlled in the early stages with diet and an over-the-counter antacid. It is not recommended that one employ this method of treatment without first consulting one's physician. More severe diagnoses may require more in-depth treatment, possibly including surgery.

Your physician may recommend one, or a combination, of the following:

Lifestyle changes: - Elevate the head of one's bed 4 to 6 inches (5 to 8 centimeters)
- Antacids to neutralize excess stomach acid
- Avoid overeating
- Avoid alcohol, chocolate, and caffeine
- No food two to three hours before going to bed
- Lose weight
- Avoid fatty and/or greasy foods
- Drink eight 8 ounce glasses (about two liters) of water daily

Medical treatments:

- Prescription medications to reduce acid production in the stomach
- Endoscopic suturing - this is a minimally invasive procedure and can create a barrier to minimize reflux in those with mild to moderate GERD. It cannot be done, however, if one has a large hiatal hernia.
- Surgery on the LES - The most common is the Nissen fundoplication. But, there is a less invasive form of surgery using laparoscopy. Your physician will determine which better suits the necessity.

Please remember that left untreated, GERD can lead to many more serious complications, so don't ignore that frequent "heartburn". Get checked out now!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux-cause and natural remedies

Natural stomach acid is in your stomach for a reason. The actual acid is not the cause of acid reflux disease. It is not a nasty poison that someone put there. The acid breaks down foods and sorts them out into the right department so to speak. Proper digestion depends on the presence of adequate stomach acid while you are eating.

When you eat, food moves from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach to be digested. At the end of the esophagus, there is a band of muscles that open and allow the food to go into the stomach. It then closes to prevent the food and acid from coming back up into the esophagus. Many people experience acid reflux when foods or digestive juices escape the stomach and come back up through the esophagus.

To make sure your stomach has enough acid at mealtimes, make sure you chew your food thoroughly. Getting saliva mixed into the food as you chew will get the digestion process off to a good start.

Snacking throughout the day causes the stomach to pump out acid gradually instead of saving it for mealtimes when it is needed the most. It is best to not eating closer than three hours apart. For example - if you eat breakfast at six a.m. and lunch at twelve p.m. then a snack at nine a.m. would be fine.

Next, make sure you do not drink too much liquid while eating a meal. Too much liquid dilutes the necessary acid in the stomach. The best policy is to drink a glass of water 30 minutes to one hour before or after your meal, with only a few ounces consumed during the meal. After you have eaten, one hour or two feel free to guzzle down all the pure natural water you want.

Another cause of acid reflux comes from eating large meals. This increases pressure on the stomach causing the stomach contents to be forced out and up into the esophagus. You will need to give your body at least two hours to digest your food properly. In addition, never ever lie down immediately after eating a large meal.

To avoid overproduction of acid eat smaller portions of food at each meal. It would also help a lot to eliminate any fried food or food that contains refined sugar, or caffeine.

Obesity can also increase abdominal pressure, and your risk of suffering from acid reflux as well. If you are overweight, cutting back on the amounts of food that you eat at each meal, and exercising daily should put you on the right path to helping you shed a few pounds.

Acid reflux is caused in some people when the sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus becomes weak or does not close correctly. Prescription drugs, certain foods, alcohol, and smoking have been known to weaken the sphincter muscles.

Try not to use antacids since they cut down the acids you will need when you eat. Without enough acid, your stomach is unable to do its job of breaking down the food into the various nutrient components.

Inadequate digestion of proteins can cause the liver to increase production of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol that does the most damage to your body.

Instead of taking antacids, try the following natural approach. If you still have sour stomach in between meals try eating something that will settle it without triggering more acid production such as sauerkraut. Your stomach should relax after eating sauerkraut in five to ten minutes.

The benefits of natural solutions are they normally cost a lot less, but even more important is the fact that natural solutions are a healthier alternative. They tend to reduce the possibility of becoming dependant on addictive chemical drugs.

There are also three herbs that are well known for soothing stomach muscles, which are chamomile, gentian, and ginger. If your problem does not respond successfully to natural remedies within a few days, please see your health care provider.

For more information about acid reflux disease and remedies, visit http://www.acidrefluxguide.com and http://www.herbsinfocenter.com

David Chandler For your FREE Stock Market Trading Mini Course: "What The Wall Street Hot Shots Won't Tell You!" go to: http://www.stockmarketgenie.com