MAGNIFYING ACID REFLUX

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is the medical term for “Acid Reflux”, which is defined as the product of abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. thereby, creating mucosal damage, also known as the chronic symptom.

This disease primarily strikes adults, while infants and children can also be affected. It is normally pushed by eating certain foods, if not being pregnant, and sleep after eating a heavy meal, a large number of persons suffered from acid reflux at one time or another.

Heartburn or acid indigestion is another name that also refers to acid reflux. Heartburn, which is a major symptom of Acid Reflux in the esophagus, is described to cause a burning uneasiness at the back of the sternum.

The symptoms are cough, voice transformation, constant ear ache, hoarseness, or sinusitis. The complications caused by acid reflux may lead to esophageal ulcers or worse. This can equally lead to esophageal cancer.

However, constant heartburn sensations do not necessarily mean that one has GERD already. The main risk occurs when heartburn happened more than once a week, this occasion could possibly lead to developing GERD.

The usual cause of GERD is the increase in acidity or gastric acid production in the body, pregnancy, obesity,  or tight-fitting apparel, these all can add to the problem. Yeast infections are also thought to be one of the known causes of Gerd-like symptoms.

Another ironic cause of GERD is the insufficient production of stomach acid in the body. The research shows that the valve, which is a hollow organ with a flap that insure the one-channel course of fluid through the organ when it emptied triggers acidity in the intestines. Anytime the valve fails to open, the contents of the stomach will be blended to the esophagus, and irritation occurs.

Meanwhile, there are several treatments for GERD today, one of which is a balanced diet and healthy eating habits. Now if a proper diet fails to work, one can shift to medication therapy or surgery as suggested by the doctors. Below are lists of several selections of Acid Reflux treatment:

• Proper Diet: the natural way to cure Acid Reflux is through a change in their eating habits. A good number of people that were affected by GERD found success in following this method. Avoid the food ingredients which can intensify heartburn such as caffeine, smoking, soft drinks, etc. Avoid eating two hours before sleep; likewise, avoid lying down after taking a meal. These are the major regular suggested change in lifestyle.

• Another fast and easy way to treat GERD is to lift the head of the bed high. The pharmacologic therapy, the combination of prevention of food two hours before you sleep, and the rise of the head of the bed, there is a high chance for a patient to gain a 95 percent relief. The rising of the head of the bed is suggested to be within the range of only 6 to 8 inches or 20 cm. Using this method the backflow of gastric fluids will be stopped.

• Drug Treatment: Some drugs reduce the secretion of the gastric acid, for instance, famotidine and omeprazole lessen the secretion of gastric acid and the Antacids counteract the acid.

• Surgical treatment: the Nissen fundoplication, which is the standard surgical treatment for Acid Reflux, the medication process will cover a short period of time. The importance of this is to support the sphincter, a spherical bond of muscles that opens and shuts for the passing of food or waste, also stop Acid Reflux, and restore the hiatal hernia.