luni, 30 aprilie 2012

What is acid reflux?


   Acid reflux disease, medically named GERD(Gastro esophageal reflux disease), is a disease where gastric juices containing acid  travel back into gullet or swallowing tube (the esophagus) from the stomach. Acid reflux, though not a dreadful disease, may result in certain serious complications like ulcer or intestinal cancer.

  The main acid reflux disease symptoms are the following: The sensation of heartburn (a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck) followed by a chest pain, regurgitation and difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), dental erosion and asthma.The manners of getting acid reflux disease are very different. Not only bad food is the cause. Factors contributing to acid reflux disease include fatty, spicy and junk foods, smoking, abuse of chocolate, caffeine, beverages, obesity, pregnancy and delayed stomach emptying. Obesity and pregnancy increase pressures within the abdomen pushing the stomach contents back into the esophagus.Also, some patients' stomachs empty their contents into the intestines very slowly.

  How does acid reflux works? Normally, the food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acids and enzymes.This partially digested content is delivered by the stomach muscle into the small intestine (bowel) for further digestion.In patients with acid reflux,stomach acid content travels backwards into the esophagus. The symptoms of acid refluxe disease cause a discomfort to the patients that might affect quality of life and everyday activities, including work. When it becomes chronic, several other symptoms may be observed such as chronic cough, laryngitis, dentine hypersensitivity, sinusitis and damaged teeth and pharyngitis. The lining of the esophagus is damage because of acid reflux, may become ulcerated and the result is that swallowing the food must be sometimes painful and difficult.
If is not treated in time, acid reflux disease can last several months or longer. Drugs treatment is often only needed for a short time but if the symptoms may re-occur it have to be repeated. In actual fact, there isn’t any absolute cure, but there are many ways in which your symptoms can be managed with a good treatment for acid reflux disease.

    The most popular medicines are Proton Pump Inhibitors,which reduce the production of acid in the stomach by acting on cells in the stomach wall that make acid and release it into the stomach. If the patient is younger, there are special treatments. Natural remedies can be very effective.Ginger is said to be a particularly good treatment for acid reflux. Almonds and  apple cider vinegar are also good remedies for reliefing acid refluxe disease symptoms. But a healthy diet must be followed by changes in lifestyle too. Simple things as  cutting out acidic and fatty foods, quitting smoking, drinking alcohol little or in moderation and also various other healthy habits. However, when medication or lifestyle and dietary changes have no results, people can treat GERD by surgery as an effective treatment. If you have exhausted all other treatments you can try this procedure which consists in tighten the esophagus and the valve that is designed to prevent the acid from leaking.

    Surgery has some risks so  that before trying it you  have to discuse the potential risks and benefits of this operation with your doctor. The most common procedures of surgery are Fundoplication and Endoscopies. But, it' s better to prevent then to cure so take care of the quality of your life!


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