Acid reflux disease
by: andy casasanta
What is ?Acid reflux disease can and often is mistaken for heartburn. But the heartburn symptoms of acid reflux disease usually occur 2 or more days a week for at least 3 months and can damage your esophagus. At the top of your stomach is a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally opens and closes allowing food to enter. It also prevents the acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. The trouble begins when the LES opens at inappropriate times, allowing acid from the stomach to get into the esophagus, where it doesn't belong. Acid reflux disease can also lead to more serious medical conditions that may require hospitalization. Acid reflux in the throat can cause sore throat. If acid reaches the mouth, it can dissolve the enamel of the teeth. Millions of people have the disease and suffer from its most common symptom - frequent and persistent heartburn. Acid reflux disease can be treated and controlled.
How do you get Acid Reflux?
Factors contributing to acid reflux include fatty foods, cigarettes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy and delayed stomach emptying. Obesity and pregnancy increase pressures within the abdomen (body trunk), pushing the stomach contents back into the esophagus. Some patients have stomachs that empty their contents into the intestines very slowly.
How serious is Acid Reflux?
The lining of the esophagus may become ulcerated and can result in narrowing, making swallowing of food and, sometimes, liquids, painful and difficult. In people with esophagitis, there may also be an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus.
How long does Acid Reflux last?
Acid reflux can last several months or longer if not treated.
How is Acid Reflux treated?
Antacids are medicines that are commonly used to treat acid-related symptoms, like heartburn or indigestion, and work by neutralizing acid in the stomach. However, they are not usually recommended to treat the frequent heartburn suffered by people with GERD.
About the author:
Mr Andy Casasanta. Has devoted a portion of his life to health and well being for himself and others. All the subjects of his articles has effected his life in one way or another. Which has inspired him to create a tremendous health and pharmacy website. In this site you will find up to 40 health articles and growing, a 7000 reciprocal link exchange page and Generic medications. Save on all of popular drugs. Viagra, Lipitor, meridia, and hundreds more all for pennies on the dollar. Please visit www.medheadquarters.net
5 Simple Signs to Tell if it is Acid Reflux or Heart Pain
by: Jessica Deets
Chest pain can be a very scary, serious issue. If you are one of many Americans at risk for heart disease, it can be even more frightening. But sometimes chest pain isn't heart related, it is a digestive issue.
Heartburn, or it's more serious cousin acid reflux, affects millions of people everyday. The symptoms of both heart problems and acid reflux are very similar, but the treatment is obviously very different. It's easy to mistake one for the other because the esophagus is located behind the heart in the chest cavity.
Identifying the real problem when you have chest pain is very important. Here's a few things to look out for. But remember, when in doubt see your health care provider.
1. Burning in the throat due to stomach acid. This is an extension of the heartburn pain caused by acid reflux. Pain caused by stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus and mouth is due to acid reflux, not heart problems.
2. Chest pain that begins or increases with exercise is more likely due to a heart problem. Acid reflux symptoms don't change with physical exertion. The heart experiences stress during physical exercise that can manifest potential problems within.
3. Coughing, wheezing, breathing problems, acid regurgitation, bitterness in the mouth: these are all signs of acid reflux disease. The acid entering the esophagus is to blame for each of these symptoms, some of which can be very pronounced. Pregnant women seem to be prone to heartburn during the last two trimesters where a growing fetus crowds the space the stomach normally occupies. For these women, and others in high risk groups, understanding their propensity to heartburn is also important. For example, some pregnant women with chest pain find themselves in the hospital thinking they are having heart attacks, when in fact they are having very serious acid reflux. Again, knowing you are susceptible to acid reflux can help you identify the cause of your symptoms.
4. Numbness or tingling in the arm or arms can be a symptom of a heart attack, and is generally not a symptom of acid reflux. Obviously these symptoms are serious and should be treated immediately by a health care professional.
5. Increased pain after meals is usually a symptom of acid reflux disease. Overeating or bending over after eating can exacerbate the problems, which are not heart related. The extra acid a stomach releases to digest food is to blame for the increased discomfort after meals. While these acids are effective in helping the digestive process, they can be very detrimental for those who suffer from acid reflux disease.
Acid reflux disease and heart disease do share some of the same symptoms, but with careful attention and the help of a health care professional, you can determine which of these issues is causing your chest pain.
About the author:
With either of these conditions, treatment options are not only available, but are necessary to prevent more serious health problems. Our website has the latest news on acid reflux and our blog features news and info. You can see it at this website www.Acidrefluxnews.com
Some Cases of Acid Reflux May be Cured Naturally with Better Lifestyle Choices
by: Jill Dow
Acid reflux is a growing concern among adults and children today, and there are more and more over the counter and prescription remedies available now than ever. But some experts feel that a natural approach to combating and preventing acid reflux may be a better and safer bet.
Acid reflux can occur if an adult has a hiatal hernia, or in children if their esophagus is not developed completely after birth. The result is that stomach acid, instead of stopping in the esophagus, comes up into the throat and burns. Acid reflux can be particularly painful to newborns, and it is becoming more and more common in them today. In adults, acid reflux can also manifest itself as heartburn after eating spicy food.
One of the first natural approaches to curing acid reflux is to look at your diet. Some foods that may prompt an acid reflux attack are: citrus, caffeine, chocolate, fatty fried foods, garlic, and onions. Avoiding these foods is a good first natural step to preventing future acid reflux episodes.
Some other approaches for natural acid reflux cures and prevention are: losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding alcohol, eating small meals, not lying down to sleep for at least three hours after a meal, and raising the head of your bed by six to eight inches.
Making some of these simple lifestyle changes may help you to avoid further bouts of acid reflux pain and may also be your chance to avoid or get off of acid blockers and H2 blockers, which may come with their share of side effects.
For more information on Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD, their causes, dietary guidelines and acidity, plus information on acid reflux cures and relief visit http://www.acidrefluxsolutions.com