Posts Tagged ‘Understanding’

Understanding GERD

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the medical term for “Acid Reflux” is defined as the product of abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus thus, creating a mucosal damage, likewise known as the chronic symptom. This disease strikes adult primarily, while infants and children can also be affected. Normally spurred by eating certain foods, if not pregnancy, or taking a sleep right after eating a heavy meal, a large number of persons suffer from acid reflux at one time or another. Heartburn or acid indigestion is another name that refers to acid reflux. Heartburn, the major symptom of Acid Reflux in the esophagus, is described to cause a burning uneasiness at the back of the sternum. The symptoms may come as coughing, voice transformation, hoarseness, constant ear ache, or sinusitis. The complications brought upon by acid reflux may lead to esophageal ulcers or worse this can lead to esophageal cancer. However, constant heartburn sensations do not necessarily mean that one has captured GERD already. The risk occurs when heartburn happened more than once a week, this occasion could possibly lead in developing GERD. The usual cause of GERD is the increase in acidity or gastric acid production in the body, obesity, pregnancy, or tight-fitting apparels, these all can add to the problem. The yeast infections are also thought to be one of the causes of GERD-like symptoms. An added ironical cause of the GERD is the insufficient production of stomach acid in the body. The explanation says that the valve, the hollow organ with a flap that insure the one-way course of fluid through the organ, once emptied triggers acidity in the intestines. If the valve fails to open, the contents of the stomach will be blended into the esophagus, and then irritation occurs. Meanwhile, there are already several treatments for GERD today, one of which is the balance and healthy eating habits. Now if proper diet fails to work, one can shift to medication therapy or surgery as suggested by the doctors. Below are the lists of several selections of Acid Reflux treatment: •    Proper Diet: the natural way to cure Acid Reflux is through change in their eating habits. A good number of people affected by GERD found success in following this method. Avoid the food ingredients which can intensify heart burn such as caffeine, soft drinks, and smoking. Avoid eating two hours before sleeping; likewise, avoid lying down after taking meal. These are the regular suggested change in lifestyle. •    Another easy way to treat GERD is to elevate the head of the bed. The pharmacologic therapy, the combination of prevention of food two hours before sleeping and the rise of the head of the bed, there is a great chance for a patient to gain a 95 percent relief. The rise of the head of the bed is suggested to range for only 6 to 8 inches or 20 cm. Using this method the backflow of gastric fluids will be hampered. •    Drug Treatment: Drugs reduce the secretion of the gastric acid, for instance and famotidine and omeprazole lessen the secretion of gastric acid and the Antacids counteract the acid. •    Surgical treatment: the Nissen fundoplication, the standard surgical treatment for Acid Reflux, the medication process will only cover a short period of time. The function of this is to support the sphincter, a spherical bond of muscles that opens and closes to let the food or waste to pass, as well as stop Acid Reflux, and of course restore the hiatal hernia.

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

Friday, October 30th, 2009

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.

Understanding The Medications That Trigger Gerd

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

GERD is a term of condition which is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. This common disorder occurs when the stomach contents make their way from the stomach back up from the stomach and into the esophagus. This can root the painful situation known as heartburn, which for many patients can almost feel as if they were having a heart attack. This condition can array from being moderate to so severe that it is even often debilitating. If you feel a burning or inflammation in your chest after you eat then you may be suffering from GERD.
There can be many reasons as to why the stomach acid begins flowing back through the esophagus. Some patients may have a trouble with the muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus. This muscle may be weak and become compromised, and not function properly by keeping stomach acids down. Frequent heartburn or burping, sour tasting fluid backing up into your mouth, symptoms that get worse after you eat, and difficulty or pain when swallowing, all of these are common symptoms of GERD.
Hernias is also another substantial problem linked with GERD and heartburn. A hernia can obstruct stomach acids and then they do not flow down as they should. This Physical problems may require surgery to correct and repair any damage.
About Gluosamine & Gerd
There are many diverse components that are identified for causing or infuriating the symptoms of GERD, and glucosamine is just one them. Glucosamine is a normal component that is found in fit cartilage, and which is found naturally in the body. It is required to produce glycosaminoglycan, which is a molecule that is used in the development and repair of cartilage and other body tissues.
Many people are suggested to take dosages of glucosamine as it is obtainable as a nutritional supplement in most health food stores and drug stores. Although there are countless benefits that come from using glucosamine, and these supplements are widely used for osteoarthritis and other related conditions, but there are also drawbacks.
If you happen to notice that your glucosamine & GERD are reacting negatively together, you will need to inform your doctor so that they are aware of this and can make the appropriate adjustments. This is important because if GERD left untreated it has the potential to cause serious damages to their stomach lining.
Also remember that there are other ways you can do to stay away from the possible glucosamine & GERD reaction. Having a change of dietary can be very helpful, as avoiding certain kind of foods that causes the GERD, you will reduce the amount of time that you suffer from the symptoms and also the intensity of how bad these symptoms are.
Warning Of Celebrex And GERD
Some medications are also known to cause GERD. Celebrex is one of them. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that is set for painful menstruation, arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.
Celebrex and GERD are probably connected. It has been renowned that Celebrex and GERD seem to follow each other. Patients that consume Celebrex are given GERD as one of the likely side effects to the medication.
Many physicians think that if a patient is taking Celebrex and GERD happens, it is just a mild problem due to the medication. Always talk to your doctor if the symptoms take place or change.
TakingLiptor And Gerd Medication Together
Taking Liptor and gerd medication should be done after exercising a great deal of carefulness since very few drugs have indication of warnings on their labels that the drug should not be taken in combination with other drugs
Thus, when taking liptor and gerd medication together, there is a call for to be aware of the potential unfavorable effects that can take place. This combination should only be taken when you are convinced that the ill-effects do not prevail over the benefits and that they are not so serious as to damage your health beyond acceptable limits.
So, before making your decision with regards to taking liptor and gerd medication together, you must also take actions that will make sure your continuing well-being and therefore you also need to make sure to eat a diet that is balanced and which consists of fresh and natural and even uncontaminated foods, which when combined with enough hours of sleep can help you stay vigorous and by also taking supplements to replenish the missing nutrients, your chances of overcoming acid reflux are greatly improved.

Understanding Gerd (gerd #1)

Thursday, August 20th, 2009


Seven million Americans suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you've never heard of GERD, visit the facts of this video! More videos from Health Health Guru: http://www. Health. . .

Understanding Acid Reflux Disease (health Tip)

Thursday, August 20th, 2009


You know about heartburn, of course. But did you know that may indicate the persistence of outbreaks of a disease called GERD?

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