By gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, acidic reflux disease) content from the stomach is frequently pushed up into the esophagus and sometimes all the way into the mouth. The content can also sometimes be aspirated down into the throat and the windpipe.

Since there is a high concentration of acid (HCl) and digestive enzymes in the stomach content, it will irritate or hurt the esophagus, mouth or throat. It will give acute burning pain and can cause chronic inflammation and eventually also structural damages in these organs.

THE MECHANISMS OF THE DISEASE

Several mechanisms can cause acid reflux and thereby heartburn, either solely or in combination:

– The sphincter (a circular muscle) that normally closes the entrance from the esophagus into the stomach can be too lax or it can be be abnormally shaped so that stomach content leaks upwards.

– Hiatal hernia can cause GERD. By this condition the upper part of the stomach has been pressed up through the passage in the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity.

– The digestion of food in the ventricle may be too slow, causing the ventricle to empty too late and eventually get over-filled.

– The ventricle can contract too much or have cramps, like when one throws up.

– The portal muscle between the stomach ventricle and the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine) can be too narrow or constrict too strongly so that content fills up in the ventricle and makes an over- pressure here.

– Any situation that increases the pressure in the abdominal cavity can contribute to GERD.

– The heartburn and other symptoms of GERD can be associated with a too high production of salty acid (HCl) in the ventricle.

– Also people with normal stomach function seem to have some degree of reflux. In many sufferers of GERD increased production of acid therefore seems to be the only component of the disease.

PRIMARY CAUSES OF GERD

The primary causes of these mechanisms and thereby GERD can also be many:

– Anomalies in the gastroesophageal sphincter or other places in the stomach region causing reflux can be congenital.

– Consuming too much coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, citrus juices, tomato juice, carbonated beverages, chocolate, peppermint and other spices can cause GERD. But a more moderate consume of coffee, tea and spices may have a good effect on the digestion.

– People that consume great amounts of fatty food, refined sugar and refined floor will often acquire acid reflux.

– Acidic reflux is sometimes associated with smoking and with use of certain drugs, like cocaine.

– Frequent physical strain of certain kind, like heavy lifting when bending down, frequent coughing or labor during delivery can increase the pressure in the stomach and cause reflux.

– A history of stomach ulcers or inflammations can give the kind of abnormalities in the stomach that cause GERD.

– Nervous problems caused by stress or physical neurological anomalies can affect the nervous control of the stomach and the sphincter and lead to frequent regurgitation of stomach content

TREATMENT OF GERD

Lifestyle measures are often the first treatment one tries to help against GERD. If these are not enough, drugs of various kind can be used, and as a last resort surgery is sometimes performed. Possible measures against GERD are:

– It can be useful to reduce the consume of coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, citrus juices, tomato juice, carbonated beverages, chocolate, peppermint and other spices. It is however not necessarily wise to avoid consume of coffee, tea and spices totally

– Stopping or reducing smoking may help against GERD.

– Reducing the consume of food with much added sugar or of sweet snacks and cookies may help. It may also help to eat full corn bread and cereals instead of products based on refined flour.

– Lying with the upper body and head high can often hinder reflux during night or rest. Reducing the meals before bedtime can also help..

– Relaxing measures like meditation or measures to avoid stress can often alleviate the problem.

– Chewing gum after meals may alleviate GERD, because this action stimulates the production of acid-neutralizing saliva and the swallowing down of the regurgitated stomach content

– Acute symptoms of GERD can be alleviated with drugs containing acid-neutralizing substances. Most of these are based on salts of aluminium, magnesium or calcium.

– Sometimes drugs that modify the acid secretion are used. A class of these drugs blocks the action of the tissue hormone histamine that commands the release of acid – the so-called H2 receptor blockers (cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine). Another class, proton pump inhibitors, blocks the production of acid directly (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole) These.last drugs also help against the inflammation and damages done by the reflux.

– There are also drugs than can stimulate the function of the muscles in the upper digestive system, so that the gastroesophageal sphincter contracts better and the stomach empties itself faster (metoclopramide).

– One drug (Gaviscon) works partly by producing a foam that will lie upon the top of the stomach content and block the regurgitation, and partly by neutralizing the acid.

– Substances that can improve the digestion chemically can sometimes help, like supplements of gastric enzymes.

– There also exist herbs or natural substances with the ability to reduce acid reflux and help heal damages from acid reflux, like Aloe vera, Picrorhiza, orange peel, and licorice. Often such substances are blended to give the wanted effects.

– When hiatal hernia causes severe reflux, a surgical procedure called Nissen fundoplication is sometimes performed.

To find further information and products for body development, fitness and natural disease cures, please see Knut Holt’s website. Products and advices against GERD, digestive problems, over-weight, hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, acne, joint pain, flu, UTI, yeast infection, edema, heart problems, nervous problems, rheumatic problems, respiratory ailments and more. —–

www.panteraconsulting.com/salg2.htm

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com

For people who suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days a week, the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a strong possibility. People of all ages suffer from mild heartburn or acidic regurgitation on occasion. Even infants can suffer from heartburn due to the fact that they consume only liquids or soft foods. However, frequent, persistent heartburn is the primary symptom associated with acid reflux disease or GERD.

While many suffer from an occasional bout with heartburn, the diagnosis of acid reflux disease, should only be made if the heartburn causes impediments to one’s lifestyle due to severe, chronic discomfort over prolonged periods of time. Usually, if one suffers from heartburn 2 or more times per week for at least 12 weeks, there’s a good chance that your diagnosis would be GERD.

There are a number of potential causes of GERD as well as problems that may masquerade as GERD.

An ulcer may cause problems similar to a diagnosis of GERD and if correctly diagnosed may discount the possibility of acid reflux disease. Most often a doctor can not diagnosis the exact cause of a chronic condition of painful heartburn without further monitoring of the condition.

Chewing gum and eating hard sweets can cause excessive air to be swallowed, thus causing gas and reflux. This occurs because of the potential incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle. Consequently, acidic contents from the stomach reflux up into the esophagus, which results in the familiar burning sensation of heartburn.

Acid reflux symptoms can include a multitude of symptoms including recurrent coughing, wheezing, breathing problems, bad breath, chest pain, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry coughing, interrupted sleep, tightness in the throat, and halitosis (bad breath).

Acid reflux can also lead to a most unpleasant symptom–regurgitation of acid into the mouth.

Some patients who are unable to control their symptoms with non-prescription medication may either choose prescription antacids or surgery, or opt for a combination of the two.

But some experts feel that a natural approach to combating and preventing acid reflux may be a better and safer bet.

It has been shown that for many people, the addition of natural enzyme support at mealtime can be very effective in combating heartburn. Pepsin is one such natural enzyme that can be very effective in breaking down proteins. Other digestive enzymes can target fats, carbohydrates, lactose (milk sugars) etc.

One of the most important things one can do to prevent symptoms of heartburn is to avoid certain foods. The avoidance of coffee, alcohol, spicy foods may be necessary for long-term control of acid reflux symptoms and treatment of the condition.

Losing weight is a particularly effective help for many people who are seeking answers.

Another way to alleviate symptoms of acid reflux disease is to try to more effectively manage stress, which can cause the body to produce more acid, often causing a flare-up.

The symptoms of both heart problems and acid reflux are very similar, but the treatment is obviously very different. Fortunately GERD can be cured, but the treatment depends on how far the disease has advanced. With major improvement in the understanding, diagnosis and management of acid reflux, family doctors and gastroenterologists have a greater variety of options for treatment of acid reflux. Also, with the understanding that many natural approaches are effective in dealing with acid reflux problems, more and more people are gaining control on a problematic malady.

Sandra Tobin is an online researcher and natural health proponent. For more information on this topic go to: heartburnreliefnow.com/

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com

read the full article