Acid Reflux diet, treatment and remedies

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly White) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:14:00 +0000

How is Acid Reflux treated in adults?

There are few easy steps that anyone can take to help alleviate and atenuate the severity of the symptoms once they become a more recurrent occurrence.

The first step in treatment is the sleeping position as gravity can actively influence the presence of the stomach fluids into the esophagus. By sleeping at an incline, the acid can flow back down the esophageal tube.

The next step is to change the size of your meal. The larger your stomach distends to make room for food, the less room is left for the digestive fluids. Eat smaller portions and this will help alleviate the symptoms.

Also look at your diet. Some foods are known to promote reflux. You should avoid ingesting peppermint, chocolate, alcohol and caffeine.

If you have followed these recommendations and are still having acid reflux then the doctor may have you take medicine specifically designed for treating acid reflux. One thing you should remember is this: there is no cure for acid reflux and you will always have to battle flare-ups. In the case of reflux in which nothing seems to be working, the doctor may have to operate.

How is it treated in infants and children?

The treatment plan for adults is basically the same one that doctors prescribe for infants and children. Since it is dangerous for infants to sleep on pillows, there are special wedges designed to go under the mattress to allow the infant and child to sleep elevated. There is also foam wedges designed to go inside the crib to keep the child in one position. These are safe to use and the pediatrician will show you how to use them correctly.

What if conventional treatments are not working?

If diet, exercise, avoiding trigger foods and medicine are not working the doctor may suggest surgery.

Fundoplication is a procedure where the esophagus is tightened where it enters through the diaphragm. After this is complete the doctor will create an artificial esophageal sphincter by taking the upper portion of the stomach that lays closest to the opening of the esophagus and wraps it around the lower part of the esophagus. Luckily this entire procedure is performed through small openings by use of laparoscopy. That means shorter recovery time and is far less invasive than an abdominal cut.

What type of diet is recommended to those suffering from acid reflux?

Diet can help reduce the number of flare ups of acid reflux.

As mentioned above try to limit the amount of chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, caffeine and any foods you know cause you to have a flare up.

You should definitely cut down on fatty foods.

There is one thing that may surprise you and it has had mixed reviews on its effectiveness. Saliva contains bicarbonate. The more bicarbonate and saliva you produce, the more the acid is neutralized. What can help you produce more saliva? A piece of chewing gum after a meal could help reduce your acid reflux. It might sound silly but it is definitely worth a shot.

Does tight clothing really make acid reflux worse?

Just as being overweight puts pressure on the stomach, so too does really tight clothing. How tight would it have to be? It would have to be pretty confining.

This is probably not much of a problem for most men as they normally do not wear extremely constrictive clothing around their midsection.

Women, on the other hand, can find themselves a victim of their own fashion. Corset tops, while being fashionable, can definitely make acid reflux worse. Jeans normally sit much lower than the stomach so these are not a problem unless they are causing fat around the waist to push upwards.

The best advice is to wear comfortable clothing until you get your acid reflux controlled.

Does smoking and being overweight affect acid reflux?

Smoking is detrimental to your health. It damages every single system in the body. The irritation from smoke breaks down the delicate tissues of your throat. When the acid pushes its way up it will come in contact with these places thus irritating and eroding the lining further.

Being overweight is similar to smoking in that it affects every system of your body. With acid reflux it is a pressure game. The more pressure put onto the stomach, either internal or external, the less room there is for the acid and bile. Fatty deposits, such as those found in the bulk surrounding the waist, put pressure onto the stomach. Losing weight is a great way to help ease the flare ups of acid reflux.

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What is Acid Reflux, its symptoms and how is it different from Heartburn

noreply@blogger.com (Lilly White) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:58:00 +0000

What is Acid Reflux?

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), commonly known as Acid Reflux is a condition that affects many people each and every day. The discomfort they experience almost on daily basis makes them reliant on medication to alleviate their symptoms.

There is usually a burning, heavy sensation in the throat and chest that can make anyone feel less than their best.

Many sufferers are unclear as to why acid reflux is afflicting them or even if they have acid reflux. So they live for years with acid reflux, thinking they only have indigestion or heartburn.

We will discuss here some of the more common questions dealing with acid reflux.

What is the difference between Heartburn and Acid Reflux?

Heartburn and acid reflux are presenting themselves under essentially the same forms of manifestation. What differentiates them is the frequency of the attacks.
Put in simple terms, in both cases, fluids from the stomach are forcing their way up into the esophagus.

Heartburn is usually treated with over the counter medications due to its infrequency. People generally know what foods seem to set their attack off.

Acid reflux requires a doctor's care because it can cause lasting damage to the esophagus and can be a symptom of a bigger problem.

How do I know if I have it?

The only way to know if you have GERD otherwise known as acid reflux, is by seeing a health professional. Your family physician will assess your condition and will most likely refer you to a gastroenterologist for further diagnosis.

The gastroenterologist will place a catheter into your esophagus and measure the amount of acid and bile coming into your esophagus and then determine if you truly have acid reflux disease.

What ages are more prone to be affected by Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux does not differentiate between the age, gender, ethnicity or religious viewpoint. It can strike anyone at any age. There are factors that can increase your likelihood of developing acid reflux. It is important that if you are suffering from repeat attacks of heartburn or indigestion to seek out the advice of your physician.

What are the long term effects of Acid Reflux if not controlled?

Uncontrolled acid reflux can be deadly. It may be hard to fathom heartburn or indigestion actually killing you but it certainly can.

Untreated or uncontrolled acid reflux can cause the throat to become narrower, can cause ulcers and even cancer.

Acid reflux can also keep the throat irritated and contribute to asthma and coughing.

Your respiratory system can suffer as well with the liquid reflux going down into the lungs causing choking, inflammation and infection.

Acid reflux is not something that can go ignored for long. If you suffer from acid reflux it is important to stay abreast of treatment methods.

Health Questions Answered

Acid Reflux diet, treatment and remedies

What is Acid Reflux, its symptoms and how is it different from Heartburn