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Posts Tagged ‘acid reflux treatment’

Acid reflux or GERD is a major health issue. It can affect both women and mens health. In this condition, there is reflux of stomach content high in acid into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which remains tightly closed, prevents reflux and opens when peristaltic waves herald the imminent arrival of swallowed food. When the LES becomes incompetent acid reflux will result. This is called GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

So can you cure your acid reflux? If it is due to true LES incompetence, then there is no cure. In LES incompetence, you need maintenance acid suppressant treatment such as omeprazole, or surgical treatment like fundoplication will relieve your symptoms if very severe or you develop secondary problems.

There are, however, various factors that can affect the efficiency of the LES and acid reflux. Consider eliminating these factors that may impact on GERD before seeing your doctor or taking over the counter acid suppressants. A lifestyle change is sometimes all you need.

A contributory cause of GERD is obesity. This is especially so in the apple type distribution of weight. The extra weight increases bulk in the upper abdomen and makes it difficult for the esophagus to discharge food effectively into the stomach. In addition hiatus hernia is more common in obese individuals. A hiatus hernia can weaken the LES. Losing weight is an important aspect of acid reflux treatment.

Acid reflux can be caused by wearing tight fitting clothes especially if it is two sizes too small. The pressure exerted on the stomach may trigger back flow into the gullet. Your symptoms will improve if you wear loose clothes.

A large meal entering the stomach will increase the pressure on the LES and can cause acid reflux. We all experience this at some time or other. Gastric clearance time is also increased by large volume increasing the risk for reflux. Eating smaller portions more frequently will counter this problem.

Certain foods can affect acid reflux. Allergic Eosinophilic Esophagitis is an inflammation caused by cow’s milk intolerance. This is controlled by removing cow’s milk protein from the diet. Other foods that can affect the LES include fats, coffee, tea, alcohol, and some spices.

The lower esophageal sphincter can be affected by some drugs and result in acid reflux. Broncho-dilators such as theophylline, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), tri-cyclic antidepressants ie amitryptilline and drugs for Parkinson’s disease are in this list.

GERD symptoms are affected by female hormones. In a Scandinavian Study, women on hormones had showed a greater risk. These drugs include the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The peristaltic waves in the esophagus can be slowed down by sedatives and tranquillisers and can affect clearance of food from the esophagus.

If you have GERD and you are on medication, opt for liquid medication. Tetracycline and certain other drugs are corrosive to the esophageal lining. Tablets and capsules (gelcaps) can lodge in the esophagus. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water to wash the medication down. Try not to take medication while lying down. It is best for GERD patients to take medication sitting up or standing and avoid lying down immediately after.

Nicotine in corrosive to the esophageal lining and also relaxes the LES. GERD symptoms improve when you give up smoking.

GERD risk is increased by certain exercises. This is the case in competitive weightlifting and cycling. Joggers can develop GERD symptoms.

If by eliminating all the risk factors, your symptoms disappear, then you have actually cured your acid reflux. However, if the symptoms persist, the next step is a visit to your doctor.

Acid reflux is an important health issue. It can affect both women and mens health. It is regurgitation of acidic contents from the stomach into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which remains tightly closed, prevents reflux and opens when peristaltic waves herald the imminent arrival of swallowed food. When the lower esophageal sphincter becomes faulty acid reflux will result. This is called GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Is it possible to cure your acid reflux? If it is due to true LES incompetence, then there is no cure. In LES incompetence, you need maintenance acid suppressant treatment such as omeprazole, or if very severe or you develop secondary problems then surgical surgical intervention with fundoplication will relieve your symptoms.

However, the effeciency of the LES can be affected by several factors. Eliminating these factors may avoid a trip to your doctor or taking over the counter medication. Sometimes all you need is a change of lifestyle.

Obesity can cause or contribute to acid reflux. This is especially so in the apple type distribution of weight. The extra weight increases bulk in the upper abdomen and makes it difficult for the esophagus to discharge food effectively into the stomach. In addition obese individuals are prone to developing hiatus hernias. The LES can be weakened by a hiatus hernia. Losing weight is an important aspect of acid reflux treatment.

Acid reflux can be caused by wearing tight fitting clothes especially if it is two sizes too small. The increased pressure on the stomach may trigger back flow into the esophagus. Wear loose clothes and your reflux symptoms may go away.

Large volume of food in the stomach will increase the pressure on the LES and can trigger acid reflux. We all experience this at some time or other. The large volume also increases gastric clearance time increasing the risk for reflux. To counter this problem, eat smaller portions.

Certain foods can affect acid reflux. Cow’s milk protein intolerance can cause esophagitis. It is called Allergic Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This is controlled by removing cow’s milk protein from the diet. Other foods that can affect the LES include fats, coffee, tea, alcohol, and some spices.

The lower esophageal sphincter can be affected by some drugs and result in acid reflux. These drugs include broncho-dilators such as theophylline, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), tri-cyclic antidepressants ie amitryptilline and drugs for Parkinson’s disease.

Female hormones can affect acid reflux. Women on hormones, in a Scandinavian Study had showed a greater risk. These drugs include the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The peristaltic waves in the esophagus can be slowed down by sedatives and tranquillisers and can affect proper discharge of food from the esophagus.

If you have GERD, opt for liquid medication. Certain drugs ie tetracycline are corrosive to the lining of the esophagus. Tablets and capsules (gelcaps) can lodge in the esophagus. Always drink a glass of water to wash the medication down. Avoid taking medication while lying down. GERD patients should always take medication sitting up or standing and avoid lying down immediately after.

Nicotine in corrosive to the esophageal lining and also relaxes the LES. GERD symptoms improve when you give up smoking.

Certain exercises have been shown to increase the risk of GERD. This is the case in competitive weightlifting and cycling. Acid reflux symptoms can develop in joggers.

If you have acid reflux symptoms, look at all the potential risk factors and eliminate them. If by doing so, your symptoms disappear, you have actually cured your acid reflux. However, if the symptoms persist, the next step is a visit to your doctor.

Acid reflux treatment is important for anyone suffering from this agonizing and exasperating disease. The primary topic is to find out as much as you can about the sickness. This makes common sense, doesn’t it? Follow the ancient proverb, “know your enemy”.

Actually, discerning Acid Reflux is not too difficult. Really it isn’t! Essentially, acid reflux is the regurgitation of stomach acid into the esophagus. How easy is that? When the stomach acid pours or seeps into the esophagus a painful burning experience can occur. To say the least it is not too pleasant. I suffered from this myself for a great many years.

There are treatments however – you’ll be pleased to know!

Treatments for acid reflux include: holistic and natural cures, over the counter medication, diet and surgery. However be aware that surgery really is a last resort. This is due to the invasive nature of the cutting you open. No it’s not too pleasant!

Okay, let’s state that you really need to go see a medical practicioner before anything else. Don’t just go of the information that you find on this web site or any other. Now is the time to make your treatment your number one priority – online research is the ideal starting point.

NATURAL CURES 

There are many avenues to travel if you see this as your first port of call, and why not. Natural cures are usually going to have a less severe impact on your system. The range of natural treatments includes apple cider vinegar which is taken at night in a mug of warm water.

Cayenne pepper is another natural acid reflux treatment. In a nutshell the pepper is used with the apple cider vinegar.

MEDICATION

Following the visit to your doctor you may find that you are prescribed medication. These can include antacids, acid barriers and acid suppressants. These medications can be extremely effective as acid reflux treatments.

SURGERY

Surgical intervention for acid reflux usually involves a procedure known as Fundoplication. This is when the section of stomach nearest to the esophageal opening is gathered together and then sewn around the lowest end of the esophagus.

There are indeed many treatments for acid reflux and of course the Internet is a very good place to begin your research. Don’t ever think that you are the only one suffering with the pain of acid reflux! There is always help there for you when you seek it.

However do something about it – the pain will never vanish alone and its always wise to be informed that your complaint has been seen by a medical professional.