One of the main tools in diagnosing acid reflux, endoscopy is an invasive medical procedure which allows visual inspection of the affected areas – namely, visual inspection of the patient’s stomach and esophagus.

The endoscopy may only be performed in a hospital or a clinic where the appropriate facilities are available, under the close supervision of a specialized health care professional. The actual procedure only lasts for a few minutes, however the preliminary operations, the preparations and the post-procedure care may last for up to several hours. It is recommended that the patient avoids eating anything for a few hours before undergoing this procedure in order to obtain the best results.

The preliminary operations include explaining the procedure to the patient (what it consists of, how will it help diagnose acid reflux etc), performing a general health examination to ensure that he is able to undergo the endoscopy and signing a form of consent.

Once all these preparations are complete, he will be guided into the endoscopy room. Here he will be connected to a machine which will monitor several parameters (heart rate, oxygen levels etc) for the duration of the procedure, and after lying down on his left side on the examination table, the patient will be administered a mild sedative, in order to eliminate any discomfort which may appear during the procedure.

A small mouth guard will be placed between the patient’s teeth, both to protect them from the endoscope and to protect the equipment from his teeth in turn. The endoscope (a thin, long cable, fitted with a miniature camera on its tip) is placed in his mouth, over the tongue, close to the back of the throat, and the patient is asked to swallow. As the patient swallows, his esophagus opens up allowing the endoscope to pass through it and into the stomach. The camera records images of the surrounding tissues at all times, searching for evidence of scarring or other damage to the esophageal tissue caused by acid reflux. Warm air is blown along the length of the endoscope in order to obtain better images, and once the instrument reaches the stomach, the procedure is almost complete. The operator will take a few tissue samples from the stomach and esophagus for further research, and the endoscopy procedure ends. The patient is taken to a ward to recover, and soon he will be able to leave the hospital.

Endoscopy is a procedure widely used for patients suffering from various gastro-esophageal or digestive disorders, including acid reflux. The procedure is very safe, and virtually no hazardous consequences are possible.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Endoscopy

Related posts:

1. The Relationship Between Acid Reflux and Asthma
2. The Two Most Common Acid Reflux Surgery with Quick Recovery
3. Severe Acid Reflux Disease

The widespread opinion in the medical society today is that there is a relationship between acid reflux and asthma – people suffering from asthma tend to develop GERD more often, which in turn will cause a worsening of their asthma.

Asthma is a commonly encountered respiratory affection, characterized by symptoms such as airflow resistance, wheezines and breathlessness, as well as hyper responsiveness to stimuli. The patient may also suffer from allergies more frequently, and it is common for the affection to manifest through nocturnal episodes.

Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD, is an affection caused by the gastric acid entering the esophagus and attacking the tissue there; one of the most common symptoms of this affection is the heartburn – a burning sensation in the lower chest, behind the sternum.

There seems to be a relationship between acid reflux and asthma; however, at this time, the studies performed on the matter have not reached any conclusive results. The common line of thought among health care professionals today is that the presence of GERD causes a worsening of the patient’s asthma, especially when the treatment for acid reflux is delayed or not applied at all. This is because the condition continues to progress, leading to the gastric acid reaching the mouth – but before that, it will affect the patient’s lungs.

At the same time, asthma causes a number of changes inside the patient’s chest, due to the high pressure created through breathing. This pressure may cause the gastric fluids to exit from the stomach into the esophagus, thus facilitating the onset of GERD.

Patients suffering from asthma should seek their doctor’s advice at any sign that may indicate the onset of GERD, as their condition will only worsen if they become affected by both acid reflux and asthma. It is strongly recommended that the patients only follow the doctor’s advice regarding their medication treatment. Typically, asthma medication comes under the form of aerosol sprays, as they are easily assimilated into the organism and cause less side effects. The doctors may prescribe drugs based on hydrocortisone or adrenaline, as well as a number of other substances with preventive or curative properties. However, you should never take any medication for your condition without seeking the advice of a specialized health care professional beforehand.

Specialists are still studying the exact nature of the relationship between acid reflux and asthma. The results point towards the conclusion that it is easier to effectively treat asthma once the patient is no longer suffering from GERD and similarly, acid reflux is more easily cured once the respiratory affection has been relieved.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Asthma

Related posts:

1. The Causes of Acid Reflux
2. Severe Acid Reflux Disease
3. Heartburn And Acid Reflux

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.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux

Related posts:

1. The Two Most Common Acid Reflux Surgery with Quick Recovery
2. Food Which Causes Acid Reflux
3. Heartburn and Acid Reflux, and Their Side Effects

More that half the population of the world is a heartburn sufferer. In one study, more than 45% of 15,000 heartburn sufferers stated they were kept up late at night with frequent heartburn.

More than 70% of all heartburn sufferers believe they will be forced into avoiding foods, events, and making other changes for the rest of their lives to accommodate their condition.

It is a major illness affecting too many people. It can impact quality of life. When that happens, people become desperate for a cure.

The pharmaceutical and medicine companies know this. In response, they have created and sell literally thousands of acid reflux medication options promising to help manage or even cure the condition.

Before you buy up every product on the shelf, it is important that you understand each treatment option, its results, and what those truly mean for you.

Anti-Acids

This is the most common treatment used to control acid reflux and heartburn. It comes in pills, liquids, orally disintegrating tabs, tonics, and countless other forms.

As far as a medication for acid reflux, anti-acids are the cheapest and simplest to use.

Typically, anti-acids are mineral based, such as calcium or magnesium, and include a carbon ion or two. Minerals mixed with carbon have a high degree of alkalinity, the opposite of acid.

When they enter your stomach, they immediately neutralize the acid in your stomach.

This sounds like an easy answer, but it is not. The name acid reflux is a bad description of your problem. What is really happening is your food is not being digested quickly enough and pushes against the esophagus.

The pushing forces the esophagus open and the stomach contents, including digestive acid, flows in.

The acid gives you the burning feeling, but that does not mean you should try to get rid of the acid. That will not solve the problem.

In fact, acid is what digests your food so if you reduce acid then it is going to take longer to move food out of your stomach.

Furthermore, neutralized acid gives off gas which will further increase the pressure on your esophagus.

Many people choose to use anti-acids regularly, many times a day and every day. The may not feel any heartburn, but this is because they are almost completely eliminating their stomach acid.

What they do not know is they are also stopping the digestive and metabolism process. Their body cannot process food as well and many of the nutrients are going to waste.

People on a long-term chronic anti-acid regiment tend to be malnourished and suffering the side affects.

Acid Controllers

Another popular alternative to anti-acids is using acid controllers to treat heartburn. Acid controllers do just what it sounds like.

They control how much acid your stomach produces all the time, not just during meals or periods of peak acidity. They are an extended release type of medication that lasts for hours and sometimes a full day.

For a long time, acid controllers were only available as a prescription. Recently, acid controllers have been released as a acid reflux over the counter medication.

As a prescription, they were expensive. However, once they became an OTC product, the costs almost tripled for half the original prescription dosage.

The costs would be worth it if the acid controllers really worked. Controlling acid is going to give you the same result as taking an anti-acid during an acute heartburn episode.

In the long run, you are going to pay a lot of money to be malnourished and dependent on a pill for the rest of your life.

Natural Alternatives

As you can see, using a acid reflux medication is not a viable solution. As soon as you stop using the medication, your heartburn will return. This is not a cure, but a cure is possible.

The Heartburn No More program can give you the cure you need. In the e-book, you will learn how to correct the bad habits, such as eating toxic foods and promoting a reflux-free environment within your body.

After using the Heartburn No More program, you will finally be able to live acid-reflux free without the use of medications.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux Medications, Acid Reflux Remedies

Related posts:

1. Treatment Options for GERD/Acid Reflux
2. Understanding and Treating Infant Acid Reflux
3. Acid Reflux Medication

Chances are, if you are reading this article then your heartburn pain has interfered with your life enough to start researching the problem.

Getting rid of heartburn and acid reflux for good is complicated. However, you should know you are not going to make any progress until you learn which of the usual suspects you must avoid and why.

The 4 “You Should Know Better” Vices

Coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and chocolate. The four biggies. You know they are bad for you and heartburn is not the only reason.

You probably assume that there is an immediate cause and effect with your condition. You think that if you do not get heartburn when you smoke a cigarette or munch on a chocolate bar, it means these are safe.

Many people fall into this trap and, therefore, miss one of the most critical aspects to acid reflux treatment.

Each of these vices damages your entire body. They are difficult to digest, keeping other foods in your digestive track longer and risking backward flow.

Being difficult to digest, they consume more of your body’s natural water, making your esophageal tissue less flexible and slowing the healing process.

This is not an immediate response. In fact, the heartburn may not show up for 12 or 24 hours later, but it is still caused by the vice.

As your liver and kidneys work to digest these vices, it throws off your body’s natural hormonal balance. This can increase your overall toxicity.

This causes your stomach to produce higher concentrations of acid. It even makes your saliva more acidic. This surplus of acid has only one conclusion, heartburn.

Unfortunately, toxicity can remain for days or weeks after consuming one of these vices.

Although it can be difficult, treatment for acid reflux must include not using these items. If your brain has begun to rely on these vices to feel comfort and be at ease, it is time to retrain your mind.

Diversion, such as finding a new hobby or participating in a fun activity, is always a good option. Unfortunately, it will also take pure dedication.

The reward will be worth it. Not only will you be heartburn free, you will feel better in general.

The Usual Food Suspects

Essentially, when it comes to food, the usual suspects can be broken down into two categories. The first is those which cause excess stomach churning acid. The second is those which cause the stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.

The first category is simpler to understand. You eat something. It increases your stomach acid. The surplus of acid lingers in your stomach, agitating your esophagus and giving you that burning sensation.

When treating acid reflux, it is essential that you eliminate these “usual suspects.”

Tomatoes and Tomato Based Foods

Naturally, tomatoes have a high acid content. Some versions, like the yellow tomatoes, have a slightly lower acid content but the difference is not enough to really change the outcome. If your heartburn is significant enough, even the mildest tomato will leave you in pain.

You should also know that a tomato’s acidity increases when it is cooked. The water within the tomato is evaporated, leaving a concentrate. The heat also chemically alters the tomato tissue, leaving more acid.

When you eat a tomato sauce or soup, you are eating the acidic equivalent of dozens of tomatoes.

Similar Foods Causing Similar Reactions

You know which foods have a naturally high acid content. Citrus fruits, the source of citric acid, can quickly cause your stomach acids to increase to irritating levels.

Fortunately, citrus fruits have a high water content and can be digested quickly if they are the only food in your stomach.

Onions and garlic have the same effect. They burn your stomach as much as they burn your eyes if you accidentally touch your hands to your eyes while cutting them up for dinner.

However, there are things you can do to reduce their acidity. First, the sweeter versions of these vegetables are often lower in acid.

Also, produce that has been refrigerated has a distinctly lower acid content than produce stored on the shelf.

Finally, cooking onions and garlic has the opposite effect than in tomatoes. Cooking them thoroughly will eliminate most of the acid in the food.

It is important that you learn which foods have higher and unusually high acid content. Avoiding these foods may become the key to stopping your heartburn. Keep in mind, everyone has a unique digestive system.

For example, most people may be sensitive to spicy foods but they do not seem to bother you. On the other hand, you may be the only person you know who gets immediate heartburn after ingesting anything spearmint or peppermint.

While it may be a lengthy process, trial and error should help you identify these difficult foods.

The Other Suspicious Foods

As you read earlier, there is yet another kind of heartburn trigger. This the kind that weakens the esophagus and allows stomach contents to reflux. These foods are the suspects that might surprise you the most.

When you first became concerned about your heartburn and acid reflux, you probably made an effort to eat better. You ditched the bleached white rolls for a healthy rice cake.

Instead of tomatoes, you may have started munching on carrots and celery. When you felt the need for a sweet treat, perhaps you ditched the ice cream in favor of a low cal graham cracker.

It is very good you are trying to improve your diet. However, here is an interesting fact about how to treat acid reflux. Those crunchy, albeit healthy, foods are damaging your esophagus on the way down.

Each time you swallow, they are scratching and tearing at your already sensitive tissue.

This damage causes esophageal swelling. The swelling then further weakens the esophagus. Eventually, the lower esophageal sphincter is too weak to stay closed.

Your stomach contents can easily flow upward causing your acid reflux. The more crunchy food you eat, the worse the damage will be and the more severe your reflux.

If you are suffering from chronic and severe heartburn, it may be time to switch to softer, less acidic foods.

Learn To Make Healthier Choices

There are countless other “usual suspects” that are probably adding to your heartburn. However, it is also very likely that you are not making healthy choices regarding your diet.

Furthermore, you probably do not understand the true implications of making the wrong choices.

In Heartburn No More¸ you will learn more about the true risks and benefits of your food choices. You will be taught how to avoid all of the usual suspects.

Additionally, you will learn how a acid reflux treatment diet will help your body lower acidity and heal your esophagus so you can stop your heartburn in its tracks.

The usual suspects are not the only things causing your chronic acid reflux. As you will learn, there are many other influences. However, if you can learn to ditch the usual suspects you will be amazed at how much better you feel and how quickly.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Heartburn

Related posts:

1. Understanding Acid Reflux Medication and Treatment Options
2. Food Which Causes Acid Reflux
3. Heartburn And Acid Reflux

If acid is not the problem, then what is? You have heard that too much stress causes heartburn, but you have suffered even in relatively easy periods in your life.

You hear that women get heartburn more, but then you hear the same statistic for men.

The fact of the matter is there are too many urban legends and myths about heartburn. You can follow one person’s advice about acid reflux in women and men, only to find out later you did the exact wrong thing.

It can be confusing, but fortunately there is help. The article will help you sort out the fact from the fiction and get rid of your acid reflux for good.

Myth #1: My Acid Reflux Symptoms Are From Too Much Stomach Acid

Fact:
This is perhaps the most common myth about the symptoms of acid reflux in women and men. Your acid reflux symptoms are not because of your stomach acid.

It is because the small muscle at the end of your esophagus is weak. It opens and allows stomach contents, including acid, to flow upward and burn your sensitive esophageal tissue.

That being said, once the acid reflux occurs, the burn from the acid further weakens the esophagus. This does make you susceptible for a repeated occurrence.

However, the true solution is to help your body more quickly digest food. The longer food stays in your stomach, the more acid must be produced to digest it and the more pressure is exerted against the esophagus.

If you can help the food move quickly out of your stomach, you will be able to eliminate heartburn.

Myth #2: Men Get Heartburn More Because Their Busy Schedules Force Them to Eat Junkfood

Fact:
It is true that men traditionally worked long hours and squeezed in any available food, and typically bad-for-you food. However, that is hardly a true statement anymore.

Women are working the same long hours as their male counterparts. Men and women alike are sneaking in donuts as they sit in a morning meeting.

When they come home late at the end of the day, it is a lot simpler to stop at a drive-thru than to come home and cook a healthy, scratch- made meal.

Even stay at home moms are equally susceptible to acid reflux and heartburn. They are shuttling kids between schools and sports, running errands, and trying to keep their home in order.

They are swinging by the coffee shop and guzzling down an extra creamy latte just like their working counterparts.

The truth is that acid reflux is an equal opportunity condition. Both men and women suffer from the problem. Fortunately, the cure for acid reflux is also equal opportunity.

Myth #3: I Will Get Heartburn No Matter How Much I Weigh

Fact:
This could not be further from the truth. Your body wants to be healthy and any excess weight throws off that health. The heavier you are, the more frequently you will suffer from heartburn and acid reflux.

For women, because of their internal build and where they store fat, even a small amount of extra weight can increase the chances of triggering heartburn.

Men have a little more tolerance to weight induced acid reflux, but only slightly. Essentially, a weight gain of 10 pounds or more is opening you up to heartburn and acid reflux.

As you can see, this is just another reason to lose and keep off that extra weight.

Myth #4: Drinking Milk Will Soothe My Tummy

Fact:
Milk is a base, the opposite of an acid. So, this solution seems logical. In fact, there will be an immediate reduction in the stomach acid in your stomach. In the long run, although, milk will only worsen your problem.

As your learned under Myth #1, the main problem causing acid reflux symptoms in women and men is the stomach’s inability to digest the food inside.

Adding more food, such as milk, is only going to slow down digestion. Furthermore, milk is notoriously difficult to digest and you stomach will have to overproduce acid to get rid of it.

When milk combines with stomach acid, the byproduct is gas. Your excess gas is going to push against the esophagus, eventually pushing it open and causing reflux.

Myth #5: Once You Start Taking Medication, You Have To Take It for Life

Fact:
While the medication manufacturers would like you to believe otherwise, this is pure myth. The symptoms of acid reflux in women and men are best controlled off medication.

Many people get lured into taking a daily regiment to control their anti-acid. When they try to go off the medications, the heartburn returns so they feel trapped.

The reason why their acid reflux symptoms return once they go off medication is because they have done nothing to actually fix their problem.

A great philosopher once said “the definition of insanity is repeating the same actions and expecting different results.” This could not be truer with regard to acid reflux and heartburn.

If you have made no effort to change the circumstances causing your problem, the problem is not going to go away.

Simply avoiding a certain food is not the kind of change you need to make. Acid reflux symptoms in women and men are a sign of poor health and you must improve your health to cure your problem. The Heartburn No More program can help you make the changes you need. You will learn techniques to heal and strengthen your esophagus.

You will learn how to nourish your body to make the digestive process more efficient. Additionally, you will learn different ways to improve your overall health which will keep you acid reflux free.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about acid-reflux. It is time to stop listening to old wives’ tales about the problem and starting taking matters into your own hands. However, now that you know the facts about heartburn and acid reflux, you have already taken a very important step in the right direction.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Barrett's esophagus, Pregnancy

Related posts:

1. Acid Reflux Symptoms
2. Acid Reflux Symptoms
3. Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms: Knowing your Body

So exactly what type of problems are we talking about? For starters the constant presence of acid reflux in the esophagus can lead to esphagitis, the inflammation of the esophagus. If the esophagus is not allowed to heal, other complications can arise.

Asthma – many people do not consider acid reflux as a cause of asthma, but the acid that flows back up into the esophagus can stimulate nerves related to the lungs which can constrict the airway causing coughing in non-asthmatics, and result in an asthma attack for those who do suffer from asthma.

Aspiration occurs when acid refluxed actually enters the lungs. Aspiration causes inflammation within the lungs, which leading to coughing, choking, and/or shortness of breath. If this persist the lungs can be scared from the acid reflux and which could lead to health problems such as  pneumonia.

Ulcers – If esophagitis is allowed to go unchecked it  can damage the esophagus lining. The acid reflux can begin to eat-away or burn a hole through esophagus lining resulting in ulcers.  Ulcers can cause a lot of discomfort because of the erosion of the lining, which can lead to bleading ulcers which often needs to be repaired surgical.

Strictures – A stricture is caused by the shrinkage or narrowing of the  inner cavity of the esophagus due to the scar caused by acid reflux.  If the stricture is severe enough food can become lodge in the esophagus. Causing much discomfort and annoyance. To fix this problem surgery is often recommended to re-stretch the stricture.

Barrett’s esophagus – Barrett’s esophagus is contracted by approximately 10% of the people with surffering from GERD. Barrett’s esophagus occurs when acid reflux damages the lower esophagus to the point that cells undergo metaplasia or a  cellular change. Metaplasia causes the composition of the cell in the esophagus wall to change. This cellular change is the body attempt to protect its self from the stomach acid by clsely match those cells found in the stomach and intestine.  This may sound beneficial but it’s very painful and can lead to esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer. – Esophageal cancer develops in the inner layer of the esophagus resulting from Barrett’s esophagus. The good news is that only 1% of Barrett’s esophagus suffers actually develop esophageal cancer.  I must point out that Esophageal cancer is very serious and life threatening.  Even though the risk may be minimal care should be taken if you suffer from Barrett’s esophagus. You will want to see you gastroenterologist on a regular basis.

Letting Acid Reflux go untreated can lead to complications which could have simply been avoided if you learning how to prevent acid reflux, through diet and/or medication.   Learn more about treating acid reflux naturally by clicking here!

Technorati Tags: Asthma, Barrett's esophagus, Esophageal cancer

Related posts:

1. The Relationship Between Acid Reflux and Asthma
2. Severe Acid Reflux Disease
3. Heartburn and Acid Reflux, and Their Side Effects

knowing the difference from the burning and discomfort of heartburn and some more serious such as a heart attach can result in a life and death situation. So what exactly is heartburn?

Actually heartburn is a symptom to a condition know as acid reflux. Acid reflux is when the acid from your stomach is refluxed up into your esophagus. This most often happens after eating or while lying down, you will feel a burning pain in your chest right behind the breastbone. The surprising situation I found myself in is that the pain can radiate all the way to you neck and toe the side, similar to heart attach symptoms. The pain or discomfort associated with heartburn can be very brief or like in my case last most of the day and into the night.

Something to look for is the sour taste you may have in your mouth, because stomach acid is moving up into the esophagus you can end up with this bad taste in your mouth especially if you are lying down.

Where the esophagus enters the stomach is a sphincter muscle know as the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES is muscular ring the allows food into the stomach, but also keep the contents in. But this value can relax or weaken, due to over eating, over weight, pregnancy, too much alcohol or simply because it’s not fully developed in infants; when this happens stomach acid flow back up into the esophagus.

If your have frequent and persistent heartburn, you should seek medical help as this may be signs of something more serious called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If untreated GERD can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a condition in which the color and composition of the cells lining the lower esophagus change because of repeated exposure to stomach acid. Barrett’s esophagus is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.

Heartburn can also be symptoms to other digestive problems such as inflamed stomach lining (gastritis), a peptic ulcer or a hiatal hernia, this is when part of the stomach goes through an opening in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatuspushes.

So how do you know that chest pain is a heart attack?

It is often difficult to know what’s causing your chest pain. But here are the warning signs of a heart-attack:

• Sudden pressure, tightening, squeezing or crushing pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes.
• Pain spreading to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders or arms — especially the left arm.
• Chest discomfort accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness or nausea.
• Pressure or tightness in the chest during physical activity or when you’re under emotional stress.

If you are experiencing any of the above signs get medical help immediately.

Heartburn bouts are common, try taking antacids. If you find you are constantly taking antacids for heartburn, see your doctor your heartburn could be a symptom of GERD or other more serious digestive problems.

Again if your heartburn seems worse or different, especially if you experience a squeezing or crushing pain, which may or may not be accompanied with shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, nausea or pain radiating into your shoulder and arm — seek emergency assistance immediately. These are signs indicating a heart attack.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Heart attack, Heartburn

Related posts:

1. Is it a Heart Attack or Acid Reflux?
2. What’s That Pain in My Chest (Heartburn #2/GERD #2)
3. Heartburn And Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a common disease affecting numerous patients across the world. Its symptoms include heartburn (the signature symptom of this affection), regurgitation, swallowing difficulties, dental erosion, chest pain, hoarseness, dyspepsia and asthma. The severity of the symptoms can range from mild to severe, and immediate medical attention is recommended for anyone who begins to experience any of the above more than twice per week. Leaving this condition untreated may lead to a number of more complex complications.

There are several types of acid reflux medication which can be employed to treat this affection. The most common types of drugs used in such situations are antacids, acid suppressants, proton pump inhibitors, anti-spasm drugs as well as various agents which protect the gastro-esophageal mucous lining, but other categories of drugs can be employed too if the health care professional deems it necessary.

Antacids are commonly employed to obtain relief from the milder symptoms. They are substances which inhibit the gastric acids action, and increase the bicarbonate and mucous secretion, thus improving the gastric defenses. In most cases, this type of acid reflux medication can be obtained without a prescription from any drug store.

Histamine blockers are acid suppressants – which means that they impair the production of gastric acids. They act by countering the effects of histamine, an important chemical for the gastric acid secretion process. The effect of the antihistamines may take a while to set in (up to 90 minutes) but it also lasts for prolonged periods of time, sometimes for a full 24 hours. Drugs belonging in this category are also commonly sold without a medical prescription.

Another type of acid reflux medication is the proton pump inhibitor class of drugs. These substances interact with certain cells found in the gastric walls, in order to reduce the quantities of acids secreted. However, using this type of drugs has the downside of causing certain side effects, characterized by symptoms such as headache, nausea, diarrhea and itching, and as a general rule they should be avoided if the patient is pregnant or breast-feeding.

Using drugs which protect the gastric and intestinal mucous lining can also be recommended for certain patients undergoing therapy for GERD, as these substances will generally prevent further damage to the affected tissues.

Anti-spasm drugs, another type of acid reflux medication, may prevent the gastric contents from refluxing by abating the muscular spasms. These drugs can be used to treat patients suffering from acid reflux, but they are also helpful in the case of patients experiencing non-acid reflux as well.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux Medications

Related posts:

1. Understanding Acid Reflux Medication and Treatment Options
2. The Relationship Between Acid Reflux and Asthma
3. Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms: Knowing your Body

Their infant is in misery. The baby is starving because it cannot hold down food, in pain from the burn, and they are tired from burping up all night long.

The worse the baby feels, the more helpless the parents are. Having a newborn is hard enough, much less facing infant acid reflux symptoms.

The best way to make get your baby healthy and start enjoying this precious time is to learn more about infant heartburn and how to treat it.

What is GERD?

Pediatric gastroesophagael reflux disease, or GERD, is the most common form of infant heartburn and digestive problems. The mouth is connected to the stomach through a long tube called the esophagus. Food travels through the esophagus to the stomach.

At the bottom of the esophagus is the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. The LES is a muscle that seals the esophagus. The LES has several functions.

It opens when you must vent gas, or burp. It stays sealed so air can travel from your mouth into your lungs. Most importantly, after swallowing the LES stays sealed to prevent stomach contents from moving back upward toward the mouth.

When the LES fails, stomach acid, partially digested food, and bile can enter the esophagus. This agitation gives you the familiar burning sensation.

The more fluid entering the esophagus, the greater the heartburn pain will be.

Infant acid reflux occurs in almost half of all babies within the first months of their lives. This is because their tiny LES does not have the strength to stay sealed properly.

Furthermore, their tiny stomachs and new digestive tracks are producing more gas than normal. This gas must be expelled and your baby’s loud, explosive burps are literally bursting open the esophagus which weakens the LES.

Symptoms

At first, you will probably not know what is wrong with your baby. Acid reflux infants often get confused with other conditions.

The first time your baby stays up crying, you may think she caught a cold when you went shopping the day before. When your baby starts spitting up after meals, you may think you gave him too much formula at bedtime.

Once the condition lingers for more than a day or two, or seems to recur several times a week, it is time to start looking for a serious diagnosis.

While it is always best to check with a doctor anytime your newborn is not acting normal, here are some classic GERD symptoms to look out for:

Spitting up and vomiting
Coughing, especially after feeding or vomiting
Irritability
Poor feeding

In a small portion of infants, GERD can have more serious symptoms. Blood in stools, a complete refusal to feed, dehydration, and breathing problems can all be a sign of advanced GERD.

When these symptoms show up, it is time to take action quick. These advanced symptoms mean that the esophagus is heavily damaged, bleeding, and not able to close fully to allow proper breathing.

Treating the Problem

Acid reflux and infants is a difficult combination. In you were treating an adult, it would be much simpler. You would use some pills and make some diet changes to solve the problem.

Unfortunately, an infant cannot take a pill and their diet is strictly breast milk or formula. Fortunately, there are ways to treat your baby’s GERD and get back to enjoying your new family.

Your Doctor’s Help

It is always a good idea to see a doctor anytime you are wondering about your baby’s health. Your doctor will definitely want to see your baby if the severe symptoms of GERD have shown up.

However, the doctor can also offer you some medications to make sure the GERD does not progress that far.

Typically, your pediatric doctor is going to prescribe a kid friendly anti-acid. It will be more like an extended release acid controller instead of the pills that quickly reduce stomach acid.

This is essentially your doctor’s arsenal, to reduce the acid which is causing the pain and damaging the esophagus.

While these prescriptions do help some, even your doctor does not want to use them as a permanent antidote. It is never a good idea to give infants medicine.

Their young bodies cannot metabolize and mediate prescription drugs the way an adult can. Furthermore, you can never be sure of the lingering affects of any medicine given to a baby.

Therefore, it is very likely your doctor will also suggest more natural ways to treat your baby’s acid reflux.

A Diet Change

At this point, it is important to remind you that reducing acid is not always a reliable solution for GERD. Too much acid is often not the problem.

Remember, the key to breaking down and digesting food is stomach acid. Without acid, the food will just sit in the stomach. If there is not enough acid, your baby is going to take longer to digest food and will produce excess gas.

All of this pressure is going to push on the LES, until it opens and pushes stomach contents painfully into the esophagus.

Knowing this, you should have two goals for treating your baby’s acid reflux. First, you will want to stop excess acid to prevent the burning sensation.

Secondly, you will want to help your baby more easily and quickly digest food to decrease stomach fullness and esophageal pressure.

No matter if your baby is breastfed or using formula, you can still modify your baby’s diet to help reduce the acid reflux. If you are breastfeeding, you should know that everything you eat goes into your infant’s body through the breastmilk.

If you are eating acidic foods, like french fries, chocolate, or tomatoes, your baby is eating those foods as well.

On the other hand, if you are eating alkaline, wholesome, easily digestible foods, you breastmilk will be soothing and easily digested.

If you are using formula, there are several different types to try. Soy based formulas are very nutritious, they restore a Ph balance to the stomach, and they are easily digested.

Other formulas, such as alimentum have very good success rates and are hypoallergenic.

A Wedge Pillow for Baby

For many infants, sleeping is when acid reflux is at its worst. It robs the baby, and the parents, of the precious sleep they need to function. The root cause of acid reflux while sleeping is the baby’s natural resting position.

The baby is place on their back, typically right after a feeding, and all of their stomach contents are being pushed straight down.

Since there is not a lot of room to maneuver inside an infant’s abdomen, the stomach contents will flow in the easiest direction, up the weak LES.

In this situation, it is best to let gravity help you out. For safety’s sake, doctors recommend a baby sleep on its back. This does not mean they cannot sleep with their head and chest elevated.

Wedge pillows are very popular with GERD patients because they elevate the esophagus over the stomach while lying in bed.

By doing this, the esophagus is no longer the easiest path and the stomach contents are more likely to continue on their natural, pain-free path downward.

Looking Ahead

In most cases, GERD will clear up by the time an infant is a year old. However, in some cases the child will continue to be plagued with acid reflux. This may last all the way until adulthood if it is left unchecked.

If you begin to suspect that your child is going to be a long-term acid reflux sufferer, then it may be time to make some big changes.

You do not want your child forced into a life of never fully enjoying activities and foods. You also do not want them relying on dangerous pills for the rest of their lives.

In this case, the e-book Heartburn No More will be of great help. This program takes a revolutionary approach to curing heartburn for good. It will teach you how to cleanse heartburn causing toxins from your child’s body.

You will learn how to keep and maintain a healthy Ph and hormonal balance. You will be taught how to help your child handle the agitating stress they encounter. Furthermore, you will learn the diet and lifestyle changes you need to make to teach your child how to stay GERD and heartburn free for the rest of their life.

Related posts:

1. Acid Reflux in Infants
2. Understanding Acid Reflux Medication and Treatment Options
3. Magnifying Acid Reflux