What Triggers Heartburn Or Acid Reflux?

By Paul MacIver

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.

About the Author: 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.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=42160&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

See the original post: What Triggers Heartburn Or Acid Reflux?

GERD – The Acid Reflux Disease

By Susanne Garris

The term GERD is a acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease and is a very glorified term for heartburn. Frequent, persistent heartburn is the primary symptom associated with acid reflux disease or GERD. With GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube leading from the throat to the stomach. If you suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Though heartburn is the most common of the acid reflux disease symptoms, other signs may also manifest themselves.

For these individuals, acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may be at the heart of their burn. Prevacid is a prescription drug that helps GERD-sufferers prevent the acid that causes heartburn pain associated with acid reflux disease.

Pain

Besides the discomfort of heartburn, reflux results in symptoms of oesophageal inflammation, such as odynophagia (pain on swallowing) and dysphagia (difficult swallowing). Remarkably, the frequency of severe heartburn seems to decline with age, possibly due to a decrease in esophageal pain perception and atrophic gastritis. Although elderly patients may have fewer complaints of heartburn, their disease is usually more severe and has more complications. The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating; and, can include very unpleasant symptoms, such as heartburn, chest pain, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, throat irritation and bad breath. However, some people with GERD may not experience heartburn, but instead feel a pain in the chest, hoarseness, or problems swallowing. The feeling of heartburn my be similar to heart pain, but in actuality a heartburn has nothing whatsoever to do with the heart. Never assume that chest pain is heartburn or ingestion. GERD Symptoms Heartburn is described as a burning pain in the stomach that rises up towards the chest or towards the neck. A positive Bernstein test is considered if the patient experiences heartburn or chest pain. The acid perfusion test may have its utility more in explaining reflux as the cause of atypical chest pain. Potentially dangerous confusion can arise when someone neglects their heart pain believing it to be heartburn.

Gerd

Only 2 to 3 percent of acid reflux events reach the conscious level and are perceived by patients with GERD. Abnormalities that make it dysfunctional promote acid reflux and the constellation of GERD problems. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD. Most cases of acid reflux respond to lifestyle changes and prescription medication. Anyone experiencing heartburn twice a week or more may have GERD. Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD.

About the Author: 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

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=36647&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Go here to read the rest: GERD – The Acid Reflux Disease

Acid Reflux Medications

By Tom Houser

There are a number of medications that are used to treat acid reflux. Some are over the counter antacids and others are prescription drugs. If over-the-counter medications are not treating your symptoms then you should consult a physician.

Antacids neutralize the digestive acids and are for mild symptoms of acid reflux. If you are going to use antacids, take them for relief of occasional instances of heartburn or acid reflux. Most antacids are available over the counter without a prescription as they are the first drugs recommended to relieve mild symptoms of acid reflux.

All antacids rely on three main ingredients. Those ingredients are magnesium, calcium, or aluminum. Magnesium salts come in the form of magnesium carbonate, magnesium trisilicate and magnesium hydroxide. Milk of Magnesia is magnesium hydroxide.

There is a major side effect of magnesium salts and that is diarrhea. Magnesium salts combined with aluminum will prevent this unwanted side effect. Products containing both magnesium salts and aluminum are Mylanta and Maalox.

Calcium is another treatment used to counteract the symptoms of acid reflux. Calcium carbonate is contained in such products as Tums and Alka Seltzer. Calcium is a fast acting antacid that can cause constipation. Taking calcium carbonate for quite a long time can lead to kidney failure. This is rare though.

Aluminum salts are available in products such as Amphogel and Alternagel. Constipation is a side effect of taking aluminum salts. People that take large amounts of antacids are at risk to eventually develop osteoporosis, which is a progressive loss of bone density or thinning of the bone tissue, thereby increasing vulnerability to fractures. However, regular exercise along with vitamin and mineral supplements can reduce or even reverse the loss of bone density. Osteoporosis can also result from hormone deficiency, dietary deficiency or disease.

Liquid antacids generally work faster than tablets. The liquids are also more potent than tablets. Continued long time usage of antacids will increase the risk of kidney stones.

Some Prescription medications act as Receptor Antagonists, or H2 blockers. These drugs inhibit the production of stomach acid. When there is less acid in the stomach, there is a reduced chance of it agitating up into the esophagus. Some popular H2 blockers include Zantax and Pepcid AC. H2 blockers are available in different strengths. These particular drugs are available from over-the-counter strength to prescription strength.

Other Prescription medications such as Prilosec and Prevacid are proton pump inhibitors. They work to reduce acid in the stomach. This type of remedy alters the stomach’s natural processes for acid production and regulation. It is sometimes necessary to do so for relief, but it is important to investigate alternative remedies for acid reflux symptom relief.

Whatever method of therapy you select, always consult your doctor!

About the Author: Thomas D. Houser
Acid Reflux Treatment

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=161467&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

See the original post: Acid Reflux Medications

An Introduction To Acid Reflux Disease

By Dave Lavinsky

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, afflicts millions of people. Many suffer from an occasional bout with heartburn, but acid reflux disease, as a diagnosis, should only be made if the heartburn causes impediments to your lifestyle due to severe, chronic discomfort over prolonged periods of time. Usually, if you suffer from heartburn 2 or more times per week for at least 12 weeks, there’s a good chance that your diagnosis would be GERD. Unfortunately, no one knows exactly what causes acid reflux disease, but there is an ample amount of information available at your doctor’s office and on the Internet.

The good news is that acid reflux disease is a highly manageable condition, though it can lead to potentially serious, chronic conditions. Many avenues are available with regard to treatment options. The most common options recommended include lifestyle changes, medical treatments, stress management, and/or a combination of all strategies.

What is Acid Reflux Disease?

Acid reflux disease is a chronic condition in which stomach acid washes back up onto the esophagus, causing severe discomfort. Stomach acid burns the esophagus lining due to a relaxed lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES acts as a valve between your stomach and the esophagus. The valve is designed to open and allow food into the stomach, and then close, protecting the esophagus from acids. However, if the LES is not closing properly, acid rushes or refluxes upward, coating the esophagus, and causes a burning sensation.

Remember that it’s normal to suffer from acid reflux (heartburn) every once and awhile. It’s only acid reflux disease when it’s a chronic condition, happening frequently and for long periods of time. If you are unsure, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. One more thing to keep in mind is that heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. It just feels that way at times because the esophagus is located behind the heart.

About the Author: Acid Reflux provides comprehensive information on the cause, symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid reflux. For more information go to http://www.e-acidreflux.com and/or visit its sister site at http://www.i-painrelief.com for related information.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=7106&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Read more from the original source: An Introduction To Acid Reflux Disease


Performance Optimization WordPress Plugins by W3 EDGE

Page optimized by WP Minify WordPress Plugin