Monday, April 19, 2010

The Principal Sign of Acid Reflux Disease is Heartburn

 Acid reflux disease is a product of the failure of the esophageal sphincter to function properly. Because of abnormal acid production, digestive processes are affected and causes burning sensations in the stomach, chest and even up to the esophagus. Too low acid production causes the valve in the stomach not to open. So the tendency of the stomach acids is to rise up and inflame the esophagus.

On the other hand, too much acid production follows the same case. There are many factors that can be deemed responsible for acid reflux disease. One of which is the use of too much salt. Aside from alcohol, caffeine and smoking which all add to the risk of acid reflux, salt is unexpectedly concluded to cause and aggravate the disease. This finding is in accordance to the studies of researchers from Sweden. They found out from the lifestyle of their samplings that extra table salt increases the risk of having acid reflux disease up to 70%. This is alarming because it is implied that extra table salt can harm more that alcohol and caffeine.

 A related study conducted by Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa of New York University Medical Center attested the same results on the risks of too much table salt. Countless individuals who suffer from acid reflux disease also suffer the discomfort and pains of its symptoms. The principal sign of acid reflux disease is persistent heartburn. Seldom heartburn experienced by most people may not lead to an acid reflux problem but a regular occurrence of up to thrice a week calls for proper attention already. In some cases, there are individuals who do not suffer from heartburn although they have acid reflux disease.

 Heartburn is usually experienced after eating a heavy meal or when bending or lying down. The symptom is characterized by the burning sensation that originates from the upper abdomen and to the back of the breastbone. Then a burning sensation is felt in the chest. As time passes by, the pain travels up to the throat until you experience a sour taste in your mouth. The pain radiates all throughout the back that you become uneasy and unable to do things.

Some of the other signs of acid reflux disease are regular hoarseness especially in the morning, finding a hard time swallowing, choking sensation where the food seems to be stuck in the throat, constant dry cough with unknown cause and bad breath. These are just some of the symptoms that the person inflicted by acid reflux disease can notice on himself. These symptoms, nevertheless, can be treated depending upon the frequency and the level of pain. Particularly, heartburn may need greater attention because it could be more than the pains it caused you.

 Further tests should be undergone to point out the real root and the length of damages that the heartburn had gone. Only the doctor can prescribe you the medications that will reduce an acute heartburn. Healthy habits such as proper diet and exercise should also be developed in your everyday system so as to avoid the symptoms and totally cure the acid reflux disease.

And bad habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeine beverages should also be avoided or minimized. This is the natural way of treating any disease.

Asthma and Acid Reflux - The Relationship...

 The environment that people live in today's world is very much different from the environment hundreds of years ago. At present, you can see many places being abused by man, and pollution is just about everywhere. Perhaps it is due to this polluted environment that many people get sick. Although one may not like it, the possibility of getting sick is sometimes unavoidable.

One of the many conditions that man suffers from is asthma. Asthma is a well-known disease which is characterized by breathing difficulties, with symptoms like wheezy breathlessness, airflow resistance, and occurrence of frequent allergies, stimuli hyper responsiveness, and nocturnal episodes. Another disease related to asthma is the GERD or the gastro-esophageal reflux disease which is popularly known as acid reflux. You might have an acid reflux if you experience heartburn for more than twice each week.

Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. The sensation is caused by the stomach acids which burns the walls of the esophagus. These two diseases are said to be somewhat connected with each other. However, there have been no conclusive studies about this matter. What most doctors know now is that acid reflux worsens asthma. How is this possible? When acid reflux remains untreated, the disease would simply get worse. The stomach acid will continue to go up until it reaches the mouth. But before it reaches the mouth, the lungs will be affected first.

A research showed that by putting acid into asthmatic people's gullets it worsens their asthma. And so they reached the conclusion that asthmatic people get GERD more often. They further explained that this was caused by the chest changes due to big pressure every time the person breathes. The high pressure is said to force the stomach liquid to travel the wrong path. People suffering from asthma should avoid getting acid reflux, but the sad truth is that they are the ones who are most prone to having it.

 Studies regarding the connection of the two diseases are still continually being conducted because some pinpointed that if acid reflux is effectively treated, then the asthma should also be better. But they were disappointed by the results. So if you are diagnosed with asthma, and you think that you also have acid reflux, then it would be better to consult a good doctor. They would help you a lot in addressing your asthmatic problems, as well as your acid reflux.

Never take medications without consulting your doctor. The doctor can give you medicines like the adrenaline and hydrocortisones. These are known asthma-preventers. If you can prevent asthma, then it might be possible to prevent acid reflux as well. Most medicines are better taken by breathing them in because it has fewer side effects to the body. Other drugs also help asthma, but again remember to consult your doctor first. Asthma changes during a person's lifetime.

Some children outgrow asthma, but later on, it usually grows back. Adults suffering from asthma sometimes are never relieved from it even if they use medication. The aim now is to minimize the airway's inflammation. Whether you have acid reflux or asthma, the most important thing to do is to get proper treatment. Don’t wait until such time when the situation gets even worse.

he time to act is now, be aware of the disease, and how it can be treated.

The Symptoms of Acid Reflux during Pregnancy


The question of whether it is merely a harmless for the heartburn discomfort, or a troubling symptom, in need of further clarification, has recently moved increasingly into the public debate. The fear of cancer as a result of heartburn is central. The irritation of this discussion in the lay press (and because a large proportion of pregnant women under temporary heartburn) are suffering from a medical point of view cause for clarifications.

Definition and incidence
Heartburn is defined as a localized burning sensation behind the breastbone and the heat rising from the middle upper abdomen into the throat pit. This is sometimes painful, sometimes spasmodic complaints arise from varying intensity and duration and can interact spontaneously or in connection with the food. Accompanying symptoms are often the rising of air and acid gastric juice, pressure and fullness in the upper abdomen, feeling of a lump in the throat and increased salivation.

The symptom of heartburn does not allow definitive conclusions about mucosal pathological changes in the lower esophagus. Heartburn may also occur in healthy individuals. Some patients have predominantly heartburn associated with regurgitation during the day, other patients, particularly at night and morning due to complaints of a burning feeling behind the breastbone.

More frequently and more intensely acid regurgitation and burning sensation, occurs, more often you will find in one at the esophagus  gastroenterology reflux. The inflammatory mucosa changes in the lower esophagus may be associated with ulceration that may heal with scar formation of the stricture.




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