April 6, 2011

Hiatal Hernia Acid Reflux

There are several causes for acid reflux. Of the thousands of sufferers of acid reflux daily you would be surprised to discover how the causes for acid reflux in different individuals vary. Many suffer from acid reflux as result of a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is an abnormality of the stomach that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the upper part of the stomach move above the diaphragm. The diaphragm, amongst other functions, serves as the muscle that separates the stomach from the chest. When this muscle is functioning properly, the diaphragm helps to keep stomach acids in the stomach. If you are suffering from a hiatal hernia, acid then has the space to move past the stomach into the esophagus causing acid reflux disease symptoms.

There are ultimately two types of hiatal hernias, para-esophageal and sliding:

  • In cases of para-esophageal hernias, the gastro-esophageal junction stays put but part of the stomach squeezes up into the chest finding its way next to the esophagus. This type of hernia makes home in the chest cavity. Para-esophageal hernias have been known to cause complications such as strangulation and incarceration. During incarceration, the hernia is stuck and is actively being squeezed. During strangulation there is a lack of blood supply which can lead to tissues that are involved in the strangulation dying. In order to stop the strangulation surgery must be the resort.
  • The other type of hiatal hernia is a sliding hiatal hernia. Approximately 90% of hiatal hernias are sliding hernias. A sliding hiatal hernia occurs when the gastro-esophageal junction and part of the stomach literally slides into the chest. This usually occurs as a result of weakening anchors of the diaphragm to the esophagus from increased pressure in the abdomen or longitudinal esophageal muscle contractions. Part of the stomach may only slide into the chest while swallowing or a part of the stomach may make way into the chest and permanently reside there. When you swallow, your esophagus contracts, shortens and pulls on the stomach. After swallowing, your junction falls right back into starting position.

There are no concrete known causes of hiatal hernias, however, it is speculated that hiatal hernias may be a result of a weakening in the tissues that support the area. Weakening of the tissues can be due to vomiting, pregnancy, wearing tight clothing that add pressure to the abdomen, sudden heavy lifting, tears or holes in the diaphragm, age, obesity and smoking.

Over half of hiatal hernia sufferers never complain of any symptoms. If there are any symptoms experienced, it usually simulates the discomfort that is most often associated with acid reflux such as heartburn, which can be experienced in the throat, chest, and lower abdomen, regurgitation, which is the expulsion of stomach contents from the mouth, sour or bitter taste in the mouth, hiccups, burping or coughing. Though it is a less experienced symptom there have been cases where sufferers have complained of nausea.

Try eating smaller meals, avoiding foods that are your acid reflux triggers, losing weight and drinking lots of water to lessen symptoms. If you have any other questions please feel free to visit refluxremedy.com today.

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What Is Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a disease plaguing thousands of people every day. Acid reflux, simply stated, is what happens when the acids from the stomach that are used to breakdown and digest foods escape the stomach and leak into the esophagus causing what is commonly known as heartburn.

How does acid reflux happen?

Acid reflux happens when the circular ring, which is also a muscle, located at the entrance of your stomach and the lower part of your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn’t adequately serve its purpose. The purpose of the ring is to allow for the passing of food from the esophagus to the stomach. As soon as the food passes through, the LES is suppose to close, only opening if there is more food that needs access. If the LES neglects to close all the way or if it opens too often, the acid that is produced by your stomach to break down food can escape your stomach and make its way into the esophagus resulting in heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. If this happens rarely, you should not be alarmed. However, if this occurrence happens two or more times a week you may be suffering from acid reflux disease.

Another cause of acid reflux disease is an abnormality of the stomach known as a hiatal hernia. This type of hernia occurs when the LES and the upper part of the stomach move above the diaphragm which is suppose to separate the stomach from the chest. The muscle that is the diaphragm serves as a sort of blockade helping to keep stomach acids in the stomach. With a hiatal hernia, acids may travel to the esophagus causing acid reflux disease.

Symptoms of acid reflux disease vary from person to person. While there are those who may experience acid reflux symptoms mildly, there are others that find acid reflux disease symptoms to be quite debilitating. The most common symptom of acid reflux disease is heartburn. Heartburn may be described as a burning or discomfort in the chest. This burning and discomfort has also been known to travel to the throat and lower abdomen. In rare instances, there have been reports of heartburn making its way to the back.

Regurgitation is also a symptom. Regurgitation happens when acids and undigested, recently consumed food and drinks travels up from the stomach into the esophagus and exits the body from the mouth. This symptom has been known to be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth as well. Bloating, burping, hiccups, dysphagia (a narrowing of the throat), and in some cases nausea are also known symptoms.

There are ways to lessen the likelihood of acid reflux. The best way to rid acid reflux would be to change how and what you eat. Try eating smaller meals several times a day as opposed to large meals that may overwork stomach acids during digestion. Drink water instead of carbonated, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Eat at least two hours before bedtime, and if you are a smoker, quit. Also keep a food log. If you notice that some foods are triggers for acid reflux, eliminate these foods from your diet.

These are just a few suggestions. For more information on acid reflux disease feel free to visit refluxremedy.com.

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Treatment For Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease affects thousands of people every day. Sufferers of this disease know all too well how living with this disease can affect their lifestyle and ultimately their livelihood. It is very important to discover the cause of your acid reflux condition so that you may seek the proper treatment. Acid reflux doesn’t manifest in one way in every sufferer. Though sufferers often complain of similar symptoms, there are those instances where those with acid reflux find that it manifest in their bodies uniquely.

Most people with acid reflux may or may not be aware that there may be aspects of your lifestyles from habits to foods you eat that may be acid reflux triggers. The quicker you determine the cause of acid reflux the most efficiently you’ll be able in determining a solution.

In general, acid reflux takes place when the acids from your stomach escape the stomach and enters the esophagus. The cells walls of the esophagus are very sensitive to your stomach acids. When the walls of your esophagus are met by your stomach acids the result is usually a burning sensation or discomfort that is most commonly referred to as heartburn. Heartburn is a direct affect of your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which is located at the bottom of the esophagus and the top of the stomach neglecting to close and serve as a barrier after food passes through the esophagus. This allows your stomach acids to leak out into the esophagus.

Treatment for this condition varies and most acid reflux disease care is preventative. You may notice that you suffer from acid reflux after consuming a large meal or when you lie down immediately after eating. To prevent acid reflux from happening in this instance you may want to consider eating smaller meals several times a day and eating at least two hours before lying down. Eating smaller meals allows for the stomach acids to breakdown lesser portions which could eliminate the risk of your stomach acids becoming hyperactive.

Try keeping a log of foods that you eat and make note of any acid reflux symptoms that you may experience after eating these foods. Foods such as tomatoes, raw onion, ground beef, fried chicken, french fries, buffalo wings, chocolate and other fatty foods are more commonly known to be acid reflux triggers while foods like apples, broccoli, carrots, salads, goat cheese skinless chicken breast, extra-lean ground beef and baked potato are less likely to be listed on your trigger list.

Increase your water intake. Water is great for combating acid reflux. Not only does water do an excellent job at stabilizing stomach acids, it also soothes the esophagus lining if there is acid reflux damage.

Try ginger. Ginger, in any form, has been discovered to greatly reduce acid reflux.

Chew gum. Chewing gum after meals is not only great for dental care; it also is great in aiding with digestion. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva which can help dilute stomach acids.

These are just a few acid reflux treatments. For more treatment suggestions check out refluxremedy.com.

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Severe Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux disease is a disease that plagues thousands and thousands of people. The tricky thing about this disease is that it doesn’t simply manifest in one way for everybody, the symptoms of this disease, much like the cause of this disease, can vary from person to person. Finding what the cause is for you is the first step in knowing what needs to be done in order to cure the disease. Your cure may differ from another’s cure so it is of great importance that you pay careful attention to your body and its reactors.

Severe acid reflux is usually what develops when mild or moderate acid reflux is left unintended for an extended period of time. The key is to mend your acid reflux earlier on to avoid possible complications with the disease.

Acid reflux is a condition primarily affecting the stomach and the esophagus. What happens with acid reflux is that the acids in the stomach that are used for breaking down and digesting foods leak into the esophagus causing a pain and discomfort that is commonly known as heartburn. There is a circular muscle located at the bottom of the esophagus and the top of the stomach known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES closes immediately after food passes through the esophagus to the stomach serving as a barrier. If the LES neglects to close or if it opens too often acid from the stomach may reach the esophagus. If this is a rare occurrence, you likely have nothing to worry about. If this happens 2 or more times a week, you are likely suffering from severe acid reflux.

If you are suffering from severe acid reflux, you must immediately address and rid the problem. If severe acid reflux lingers, the affects may cause several other health problems including esophagitis, which can cause ulcers or bleeding in the esophagus, strictures, which causes scar tissue and a narrowing of the esophagus, Barret’s esophagus, which are esophagus cell abnormalities, and other life threatening conditions.

Symptoms for severe acid reflux are much like symptoms for mild or moderate acid reflux except that they occur far more frequently. Symptoms include but are not limited to:

  • Heartburn: Severe heartburn is one of the most common severe acid reflux symptoms. Heartburn occurs when the cell walls of the esophagus are met by the acids from the stomach. This causes a burning sensation in the esophagus that can also be felt in the chest, lower abdomen, and in some cases the back.
  • Regurgitation: Regurgitation occurs when stomach acids and undigested portions of recently ingested food are vomited up from the stomach, through the esophagus, exiting the mouth. Regurgitation has been known to block air passages resulting in asthma-like symptoms.
  • Difficulty swallowing: This is also known as dysphagia. In this instance the esophageal lining becomes inflamed due to constant stomach acid exposure. This can make it difficult to swallow as it creates the impression that the throat is blocked.

These are just a few symptoms of severe acid reflux. For more symptoms and cures please feel free to visit refluxremedy.com today.

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