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Acid Reflux (GERD) News & Treatment Information * Dallas ENT * ENT Doctors in Dallas TX

Acid Reflux — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:16:54 +0000

www.dallasent.com Acid Reflux (GERD) News and Treatment Information in the News showing the physicians and offices of Dallas ENT. Otolaryngology doctors in Dallas Texas.

Heart-burn, Gastro-esophageal Reflux, Acid Reflux: Index of New Information and Guide-book for Consumers, Reference and Research

Acid Reflux — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:20:33 +0000

Heart-burn, Gastro-esophageal Reflux, Acid Reflux: Index of New Information and Guide-book for Consumers, Reference and Research

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Information

Acid Reflux — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:01:26 +0000

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is the medical term for what most people refer to as acid reflux disease. Gastroesophageal is a relatively new term for acid reflux disease. It has been used for approximately the past 20 years. Before that it was just referred to as heartburn. But heartburn is just one of the symptoms of GERD. Some of the other symptoms of GERD are regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, the feeling of a lump in the throat, coughing, bad breath, asthma, difficulty swallowing, and water brash. Some people with GERD do not have any symptoms at all. What happens to cause GERD? It starts with acid in the stomach washing back up into the esophagus repeatedly, which happens if the lower esophageal sphincter becomes relaxed. Some foods and beverages can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. This is not an all-inclusive list but some of the most common are: chocolate, licorice, peppermint, fatty foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol. Barbiturates, calcium-channel blockers, Diazepam and Sumitriptan are some of the medications that cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allow acid back in to the esophagus. Lifestyle changes can be very effective in helping to control GERD although over- the-counter medications, prescription medications, and possibly surgery, may also be necessary. Some of the lifestyle changes that may help control GERD include: losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding high-fat foods, not lying down right after eating, not eating large heavy meals (i. e. don’t overstuff yourself—especially on fatty foods), and stopping smoking if you are a smoker. GERD can be a difficult disease to diagnosis. That is because of the wide range of symptoms people can experience and the complication of some people not experiencing any symptoms at all. It is easier to diagnosis if a person is experiencing the classic symptoms of GERD which are heartburn and regurgitation. In some cases a physician will not do tests right away but will first prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medications to see if they clear up the symptoms. If the medications do not take care of the symptoms then a physician will likely do one or more of the following diagnostic tests: x-rays with a barium swallow, an upper gastrointestinal x-ray series, an upper endoscopy, an esophageal manometry, or a 24-hour pH probe. The reason physicians may try over-the-counter or prescription medications before running tests is because some of the tests, such as the upper endoscopy and pH probe are invasive, and because of the costs of some of the tests. After diagnosing GERD, a physician will recommend lifestyle changes such as the ones mentioned earlier in this article to help control the GERD, and depending on the severity will recommend over-the-counter medications or will prescribe a stronger medication by prescription. The medications may need to be continued indefinitely because over half of all people who stop taking their medications after getting their symptoms under control have a recurrence within a year. If the medications do not alleviate the symptoms, surgery may be needed. Surgery is also an alternative to having to take medications indefinitely. A procedure called a “Nissen fundoplication” is the type of surgery typically done to relieve GERD. In the surgery the upper part of the stomach located near the esophagus, called the “fundus,” is wrapped around the lower esophagus. Doing this strengthens the barrier function of the lower esophagus, thus preventing gastreosophageal reflux and repairing the main irregularity that occurs in people suffering from GERD. The surgery is usually done laparoscopically. It is considered a safe surgery (but remember any surgery carries risks) that typically gives good results. There are other alternatives out there that could keep you away from the medications and the surgeries.

Understanding the True Cause – Acid Reflux Information You Can Really Use

Acid Reflux — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:02:28 +0000

Acid reflux is really just a symptom of an underlying condition. However, many conditions can cause acid reflux, which often makes it harder to treat. Among the contributing potential causes can be: hiatal hernias, pregnancy, defective lower esophageal sphincters, insufficient digestive enzymes, asthma, and lifestyle.
So, let’s take a look at few of these. . .
A hiatal hernia can cause acid reflux as a result of impairing the function of the lower esophageal sphincter. Hiatial hernias are a condition that occurs when the upper part of the stomach ‘pokes’ through into the chest cavity via a small opening in the diaphragm.
The diaphragm is the muscle separating the chest from the stomach. This condition is usually the results from severe cases of vomiting, coughing, straining, or a sudden exertion. Obesity, pregnancy and advancing age also increase the risk of hiatal hernia. When hiatal hernia and acid reflux occur at the same time, symptoms of both tend to be more severe.
Pregnancy can cause acid reflux within the last trimester because as the baby grows, it puts pressure on the stomach, forcing some of the contents back up into the esophagus. In this case, antacids and other similar medications will not help to provide relief to heartburn symptoms. Instead, it is recommended that pregnant women eat smaller, more frequent meals so that there is never too much in the stomach. Once the baby is born, the symptoms will typically stop.
For similar reasons to pregnancy obesity can also cause acid reflux as the stomach becomes constricted by the excess weight.
Another cause of acid reflux is a defective lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This can easily cause acid reflux, due to a malfunctioning esophagus that does not effectively seal off the stomach from the lower esophagus, allowing stomach contents to rise up. A defective LES can mean that it is not strong enough to keep food in the stomach, or it may relax once food has passed through, allowing it to come back up again, causing the burning sensation and acidic taste.
Insufficient levels of digestive enzymes can also cause acid reflux as without sufficient volumes, digestion can become delayed. This results in food remaining in the stomach for longer, allowing stomach acids to build up and leading to a higher risk of acid reflux.
Even asthma is linked to acid reflux – with there being evidence that asthma is both a cause and also a possible effect of acid reflux. The theory of asthma causing acid reflux, it can be explained by the coughing, sneezing, and other forceful respiratory events associated with asthma, pushing acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Some asthmatic drugs also list acid reflux as a potential side effect.
Of course, lifestyle can also have a tremendous impact on acid reflux. Your lifestyle choices can cause acid reflux through overeating, smoking, stress, and even the foods you eat such as salty or fatty foods. Solutions can range from changing your lifestyle, losing excess weigh, taking typical antacids that you see at the convenience store or drug store to more long term lifestyle changes.
Although this article has only touched on some of the underlying conditions and factors that cause acid reflux, it shows the diversity of potential triggers. Many treatments look at resolving the symptoms without tackling the underlying cause, which in the end will never solve the problem for good.

Get Full Information About Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:57:03 +0000

Acid reflux is a disease that can have an effect on the digestive tract. Many have experienced the burning sensation that takes place only in the back of the sternum. This burning sense has many different names, with acid reflux is more commonly known name. It is always best when it leads to halt the rising acid cure reflux signs as soon as possible.
Acid reflux, or GERD, which is the name commonly used by most doctors, it refers to the condition in which stomach acid reflux back into the esophagus. A major problem with that is that the reflux can damage your esphagus by inflaming its lining. In general, the so-called "acid" is composed of acid and pepsin that are produced in our stomach. Bile and pepsin did not have the same power level as the acid destrution did to your stomach. That is why we simply refer to acid reflux instead of "regurgitated liquid" reflux.
Acid reflux is painful and can permanently damage your esophagus. What happens is when you eat, the food enters your stomach is broken down by acid in your stomach. But when you have acid reflux, the acid in the stomach enters the esophagus. This is because the valve separating the esophagus from the stomach does not close the way it should. Your esophagus is not made to handle all of that acid. If left without treatment or cure, your esophagus can be permanently damaged by acid reflux.
There is really no cure acid reflux, but rather a variety of treatments that are considered as the closest thing to a cure for acid reflux as possible. An acid reflux cure is more than the acid reflux medicine. When lifestyle changes and other more subtle methods of treatment are not enough, you may have to resort to using drugs at the counter.
There are several forms of relief from acid reflux disease. You can learn more in the category of disease and treatment of acid reflux disease acid reflux other remedies. Whatever method of treatment that is right for you, most of these methods offer quick but temporary relief. Relieve temporary is important because it eliminates the pain you are experiencing. However, you should seek such relief as an opportunity to work in the natural cure in acid reflux, which is to change your lifestyle and diet. Changes in lifestyle are considered in the category of treatment.
Natural treatment for acid reflux and GERD focuses on lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking may reduce esophageal reflux, as well as limiting alcohol consumption. Extra weight is a cause of GERD, maintain a healthy weight is a natural treatment for GERD.
Another option to cure acid reflux, and a specialist in a gastroenteritis, probably agree, is to use a natural resource. There are plants in their natural form, which are enzymes and minerals, easily digested and very safe to work, and pharmaceuticals. A gastro-specialist should be able to offer options. One example is the natural product of liquorice, and has proven to be as effective as PPIs for treating acid reflux. This is not a long-term treatment, either, but there are herbal teas, so it can be useful and safe.