Thursday, January 12, 2012

Acidity of the stomach and nausea: does this mean that I have GERD?




Acidity of the stomach and nausea can be a troublesome duo for those who suffer from a chronic acid reflux condition known as reflux disease Gastroesophageal (GERD). GERD is a condition in which stomach acids regularly violate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causing immediate unrest, multiple symptoms and long-lasting damage to the esophagus. Those who experience nausea and heartburn symptoms together or in stages directly after eating a meal can have GERD, but there are other possibilities that should be eliminated, as well. Only a doctor can diagnose a specific condition. As a general guide, however, there are digestive conditions that can cause acidity of stomach and nausea.

Conditions commonly causes burning of stomach and nausea


Reflux disease Gastroesophageal (GERD)
GERD is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) allowed the stomach acids into the esophagus. The closes LES normally after eating to prevent this from happening, but is normal to rest them a couple of times a day. In people who do not have GERD, this relaxation may occur when the stomach is producing a large amount of acid due to offensive food or stress. This is the cause of occasional heartburn, and nausea.

In people with GERD, the relaxes LES more often and therefore allowed acid most often in the esophagus. Over time, exposure to the stomach acids damage the esophagus and cause Esophagitis: another condition that causes heartburn and nausea, even if it is not caused by GERD. GERD is very common throughout the world and it can be treated with changes in diet and lifestyle, antacids of counter and prescription medications or medication when necessary. If your doctor determines that its acidity of stomach and nausea are caused by GERD, he or she probably will help determine the best course of treatment through a combination of all of these options.
The most common symptoms of GERD are acidity of stomach and nausea. Less common symptoms that can help to reduce the problem to GERD include sore throat, cough, wheezing, feeling as if there is something "stuck" behind the breastbone, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation (substance enters mouth down the throat of a sudden) and hiccups.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is a term that refers to any abnormal irritation or general inflammation of the esophagus. It is most commonly caused by GERD, but can occur with other conditions. Esophagitis may cause acidity of stomach and nausea, along with other symptoms such as sore throat, hoarseness, or painful swallowing. As in all cases of stomach acidity, you feel when you get oesophagitis is directly caused by the irritation of the esophagus. Nausea with this condition is probably caused by secondary shot. Alcohol and smoking cigarettes can cause nausea and oesophagitis. In addition, alcohol can disrupt the stomach and relaxes the LES, making it more likely reflux.
You may cause irritation of Barrett's esophagus, which increases their likelihood of developing cancer of the esophagus. Two of the main symptoms of cancer of the esophagus are acid reflux and nausea, so see a doctor when you have these two symptoms is important.

Peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers are small anomalies in the lining of the small intestine that normally protects the body of acids. You can have a peptic ulcer, due to an infection, use of strong alcohol, tobacco, or even take certain over the counter analgesics. Peptic ulcers can be felt as you experience acidity of stomach and nausea. While they can cause nausea, the feeling of most people described as heartburn is a burning sensation in the stomach area and not in the esophagus at all really. Peptic ulcers can also cause abdominal pain and discomfort, as well as a feeling of fullness, despite the fact that the person has not consumed enough to justify a full stomach.

Dyspepsia (indigestion)

Dyspepsia or indigestion, is a general term for the symptoms that occur just after lunch and is used to describe a general feeling of discomfort in the stomach or abdomen. Many people assume that the indigestion is a symptom of acid reflux. It really is a separate condition that causes very similar symptoms. Indigestion seem to cause nausea and heartburn, as well. However, the burning sensation that often is confused with heartburn really comes from the stomach and not in the esophagus, as well as a peptic ulcer.

Indigestion is caused by the same triggers that can cause acid reflux, which makes it difficult to discern between the two conditions. Indigestion and heartburn are basically human trafficking in the same way unless there is a major underlying cause. Indigestion is a very common condition and is usually not cause for alarm unless it persists over a long period of time. Sometimes, indigestion is associated with an inflammation of the pancreas or gallstones and may indicate damage caused by pain medications. In these cases, there are usually other symptoms in addition to indigestion.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Is Chewing Gum Effective for Heartburn Relief?



This article will talk about chewing gum as a remedy for heartburn problems which most of us might not be aware of. Understanding how a simple gum can reduce heartburn problems will shed light to some of your queries.

Introduction
Heartburn is a digestive condition that can give discomfort and uneasiness to one. One common cause of heartburn is eating highly seasoned, fried and fatty foods. The stomach secretes acids to help food be properly digested and eating fatty foods tends the stomach to increase its acid production in order to digest fat. Fats are way harder to digest than other foods and sometimes if there is too much acid produced by the stomach it refluxes back to the esophagus thus the heartburn. Heartburn is usually described as that painful burning feeling that extends from the stomach, chest to the throat. As such chewing gum has been found to help relieve heartburn.
Chewing Gum-Heartburn Remedy
A study conducted by students of London’s Britain Kings College tested 21 volunteers. Each were given meals that are high in fats for 2 days. After their meals, volunteers were handed out chewing gum on their first day and then esophageal acids were measured. On the second day, no gums were given just their fatty meals, the esophageal acids were also measured. In the conclusion of their study, it was found out that acid levels measured on day one was far less than day two, thus suggesting that chewing gum administered after eating meals can really help reduce stomach acids resulting to heartburn prevention and relief.
Chewing gum makes one secrete more saliva and saliva incidentally has alkalizing effects that helps in nullifying acids produced by the stomach. Anything that makes one secrete more saliva is as effective as chewing gum. However, it also depends on the gum, a sugar free gum is a lot effective and does not cause any tooth decay or cause heartburn problems.
Chewing gum remedy is not effective to all as one might expect. People have different salivary glands and some may produce more compared to others and small amount of saliva produced cannot be effective enough to neutralize stomach acids. When chewing gum, one can feel that more air is swallowed every time and to do this every meal could make one feel bloated and stuffed of air.
Related Remedies
There are also other remedies for heartburn. Cold milk for instance is a good remedy for instant relief from heartburn especially skimmed milk types only since the calcium in it is effective for reducing acid production because it is alkaline based but one should understand that other types of milk only acts as a buffer to the stomach acids hence it does not lessen their level of acidity. Changing one’s lifestyle may also be a good idea to avoid heartburn like eating healthy fruits and vegetables and avoiding vices such as smoking and drinking alcohol. If any of the aforementioned remedies does not work then its best to see a doctor for a thorough examination and recommended medications.


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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Natural Heartburn Cures – How to Cure Heartburn Straightforward And Effective




What's heartburn?
Regardless of its name, heartburn does not impact the heart. Heartburn is a burning sense in the low chest, as well as a sour or sour flavor in the throat and mouth. It ordinarily occurs immediately after eating a big meal or while lying down. The sense can last for 2 minutes or possibly a few hours.
Heartburn is a standard condition with thousands of people affected by it especially in western countries. The most effective way to lose heartburn is through a natural technique, so they are saying. These heartburn cures are also inexpensive and don't require taking pharmaceuticals that will cause side-effects that may even be more serious than the condition itself.
If you are looking for ways to get rid of heartburn using natural means, these are some actually useful tips for you.
Shed weight – obesity is also seen as one of the chief reasons which explain why acid reflux happens. Chubby people are prone to gastroesophageal reflux illness or GERD than folk who have more healthy weight.
Avoid heartburn triggers – there are sorts of foods that can cause heartburn. Food triggers may vary from person to person but the commonest triggers include fatty and oily foods, spicy foods, raw onions, black pepper, garlic and peppermint. Chocolates too are alleged to cause acidic backwash as well as alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits and citrus juices.
Herbal cures – there are natural heartburn remedies that can help ease digestive discomforts and stop reflux of stomach acids into the esophagus. One of the most widely recommended herbal remedies is Aloe Vera juice. Other natural heartburn remedies include marshmallow, slippery elm, anti-oxidants, chewy DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) and bladderwrack.
Shed bad habits – drinking and smoking alcoholic drinks also trigger reflux. Smoking reduces saliva in the mouth and spit helps neutralise stomach acids. Alcohol on the other hand increases the acidity in the belly skyrocketing the likelihood of heartburn.
Cope with stress – stress may cause heartburn and one study states that 58% of frequent heartburn sufferers live hectic ways of living, eat unsuitable food or resort to food for comfort, smoke and drink.
This list should help you relieve your heartburn symptoms using simple homemade treatments, but they are not a replacement for serious medical therapy. If you're experiencing serious, regularly heartburn agony you must straight away visit a doctor. If your heartburn is a unusual occurrence, then by every means give these home heartburn remedies a shot.


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