Acid Reflux Disease: What Is It?

Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which liquid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This stomach liquid has the potential to inflame the lining of the esophagus, and in some cases may damage it.

The liquid usually consists of acid and pepsin produced by the stomach. In the case of Acid Reflux Disease, acid is the main killer of the regurgitated liquid. Pepsin and bile have a small role, but the acid from Acid Reflux Disease is the star of the show when it comes to damaging the esophagus. That's why it's the first word in this disease!

Acid Reflux Disease may last a lifetime and is labeled as a chronic condition. If there is damage to the esophagus, then you have two chronic conditions. Treatment for Acid Reflux Disease will help drastically, but MUST BE continued indefinitely.

Regurgitation of the stomach's liquid occurs just as much in those that do not suffer from Acid Reflux Disease as it does with those that do. However, the regurgitated liquid of those that do no suffer often contains more acid and resides in the esophagus much longer than those without Acid Reflux Disease.

Automatic bodily functions are constantly protecting itself from the effects of Acid Reflux Disease. When sitting up, regurgitated stomach liquid often flows back down into the stomach due to gravity. Also, while awake, humans repeatedly swallow, reflux or not. These swallows take regurgitated liquid back down into the pits of the stomach. The bicarbonated saliva also neutralizes this acid during the same process. These processes are important to prevent damage to the esophagus.

Not everyone is susceptible to Acid Reflux Disease. Certain conditions within one's body makes it easier for one to develop the disease. In pregnancy, rising hormone levels cause reflux when pressure in the lower esophagus is lowered and the growing fetus exherts pressure on the abdomen.

Both of these would increase the risk of developing Acid Reflux Disease, especially those with diseases that weaken muscles in the esophagus. They are all prone to Acid Reflux Disease.


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The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain

Dr. John Sarno caused quite a ruckus back in 1990 when he suggested that back pain is all in the head. In his bestselling book, Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, he claimed that backaches, slipped discs, headaches, and other chronic pains are due to suppressed anger, and that once the cause of the anger is addressed, the pain will vanish. Relieved Amazon.com readers call this book "liberating" and say "it sounds too good to be true, but it is true." Sarno has returned with The Mindbody Prescription, in which he explains how emotions including guilt, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can stimulate the brain to manufacture physical symptoms including fibromyalgia, repetitive strain injuries, migraine headaches, hay fever, colitis, ulcers, and even acne. If these psychosomatic problems all sound a little Freudian, what with the repression of emotions in the unconscious, it's because Sarno unapologetically borrows from Freud for the basis of his theory and cites childhood trauma as a major source of emotional problems. He also says that his program is a "talking cure" of sorts, since patients must be convinced their pain is rooted in their emotions before healing can begin.
The book reads a bit like psychology text, with Sarno quoting from psychoanalytic theorists including Heinz Kohut and Graeme Taylor and the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition). Sarno walks through the neurophysiology of mindbody disorders, lists the symptoms of dozens of disorders that he believes are emotion-based, and offers a basic program for overcoming psychosomatic pain and illness. His recovery plan includes meditation and sometimes psychotherapy, including behavior modification, and stopping any medication or physical therapy. While Sarno's ideas seem radical, they were commonly implemented earlier in the 20th century, when psychoanalysis was at its peak of popularity, and they promise to become more accepted in our current era of alternative medical therapies and anger management. --Erica Jorgensen



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Prilosec OTC Acid Reducer, Delayed-Release Tablets

Nutramigen with Enflora LGG* is a proven hypoallergenic infant formula specially designed to manage colic due to cow's milk protein allergy with the Power of Two: extensively hydrolyzed protein to reduce babies' allergen exposure and the probiotic LGG to help strengthen their intestinal barrier. Both parts of the Power of Two work together to manage colic due to cow's milk protein allergy, often within 48 hours (studied before the addition of DHA, ARA and LGG). For babies with allergies to the cow's milk protein found in regular infant formula, Nutramigen is a trusted and nutritionally balanced alternative for a baby's first 12 months.

Nutramigen with Enflora LGG At a Glance: Manages cow's milk protein allergy with the Power of Two: extensively broken-down protein to reduce allergen exposure and the probiotic LGG to help strengthen the intestinal barrier Effectively manages colic** FAST, often within 48 hours*** Over 65 years of proven performance and 23 peer-reviewed studies Promotes digestive health within one week of use Has an extensively studied probiotic for allergy management Developed by Mead Johnson, a leading provider of science-based pediatric nutrition products for over 100 years

Nutramigen with Enflora LGG* is specially designed to manage colic.**

For infants with cow's milk protein allergy, its whole proteins are extensively broken down to avoid an allergic response. View larger.

With the Power of Two, it also has an extensively studied probiotic for allergy management. View larger.

An Enfamil Formula to Help Meet Your Baby's Needs
If your baby's having a hard time with his or her feedings, it's probably because their little digestive system is still developing and may need some additional TLC. Fortunately, there's an Enfamil^® formula designed to help meet these feeding needs.

For babies with mild feeding concerns like fussiness, gas, or spit up, and for babies who may be experiencing cow's milk and food protein allergies, Enfamil offers a selection of formulas to meet these needs. These formulas are formulated with Enfamil's blend of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), nutrients found in breast milk that help in the development of a baby's brain, eyes, and immune system. Whatever your baby's feeding need, there's an Enfamil formula to help.

A Specialty Formula for Babies with Milk Protein Allergy
If your baby experiences excessive crying or appears colicky, this may be due to the regular infant formula they are drinking. Your baby could have an allergy or sensitivity to the cow's milk protein found in that formula. Nutramigen^® with Enflora^� LGG^®* has been specially designed to ease a baby's allergy towards a cow's milk based formula, so your baby can grow strong on the outside--and feel good on the inside. Ask your baby's doctor if this formula is right for your baby.

The Story Behind the Allergy
What causes a milk protein allergy or sensitivity? A baby's intestine is naturally immature at birth. As your baby feeds, whole proteins are digested and absorbed into the intestine. But occasionally, larger proteins can slip through the immature intestinal barrier.

In infants with a cow's milk protein allergy, these proteins are misrecognized as a foreign body, or antigen, which leads to an immune response, eventually causing the intestine to become inflamed. Prolonged inflammation allows for an increased transfer of antigens, causing more inflammation and discomfort for a baby.

Manage Cow's Milk Protein Allergy with the Power of Two
Formulas like this one, designed for infants with cow's milk protein allergy, use whole proteins that are extensively broken down to reduce allergen exposure and avoid an allergic response.

With the Power of Two, this formula not only has these broken-down proteins--it also has a probiotic that helps strengthen the intestinal barrier. Using the Power of Two, Nutramigen effectively manages colic due to a cow's milk protein allergy fast, often within 48 hours.

Recommended and Trusted
With over 65 years of proven performance, Nutramigen has long been recommended by doctors and trusted by mom to effectively manage cow's milk protein allergy. Now, with the Power of Two, it also has an extensively studied probiotic for allergy management.

Enfamil: Inspired by Mom
With over a century of innovation behind it, Mead Johnson strives to be the world's leading provider of science-based pediatric nutrition products. They are dedicated to helping provide infants and children with the best start in life.

Over the years, Mead Johnson has produced an impressive array of infant formula, vitamin, and specialty nutritional innovations including Enfamil, their leading product today. With over a century of trust, Enfamil has undergone several significant formulations--each one designed to bring it nutritionally closer to breast milk than it was before.

What's in the Box
Nutramigen with Enflora LGG 12.6-Ounce Powder.

* LGG is a registered trademark of Valio LTD
** Due to cow's milk protein allergy
*** Studied without DHA, ARA, and LGG
Information current as of November 19, 2010.

Mead Johnson is proud to have a full line of infant formulas to meet the needs of babies
For Newborns	For Most Infants	For Fussiness and Gas
Enfamil PREMIUM Newborn	Enfamil PREMIUM Infant	Enfamil Gentlease
For Colic/Allergy*	For Spit Up	For Soy Preference
Nutramigen with Enflora LGG	Enfamil A.R.	Enfamil ProSobee

For Toddlers
For Most Toddlers Enfagrow PREMIUM Toddler	For Fussiness and Gas Enfagrow Gentlease	For Soy Preference Enfagrow Soy	For Older Toddlers Enfagrow PREMIUM Vanilla
* Due to cow's milk protein allergy

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