September 16, 2011

The Unnecessary Suffering of Acid Reflux

Over 60 million Americans have symptoms of Acid Reflux at least once a month, and many have symptoms daily. These can include heartburn,regurgitation, nausea, a feeling of fullness, upper abdominal pain and discomfort, burping and even wheezing. People with asthma are very likely to have GERD, or acid reflux.

Doctors consider acid reflux to be a chronic condition. Once it develops, it usually lasts for an entire lifetime. Symptoms get better and worse, but never completely go away for long. Most symptoms, and most damage, occur during the night, when it’s time to rest and recuperate for the coming day. Episodes come and go, but they always come back.

The familiar discomfort of heartburn can develop into actual pain that is hard to distinguish from heart attack. When heart attack symptoms are confused with acid reflux, a medical emergency could develop or the patient could even die from the heart attack.

Uncontrolled acid reflux can cause more than momentary discomfort. It can scar the esophagus and cause it to narrow. This can make swallowing difficult. Some people get a sensation that food is stuck in the esophagus.

It can also cause an esophageal ulcer. Sometimes ulcers bleed, and heavy bleeding may require treatment with blood transfusions.

The throat and larynx may become inflamed with resulting hoarseness. Fluid may also enter the sinuses and middle ear, causing infection. Problems with the voice may develop because of acid reflux.

In more severe cases, cells in the lining of the esophagus can become misshapen and abnormal in color. This is called Barrett’s esophagus. This condition could even develop into cancer. Esophageal cancer is extremely serious, with a survival rate of only 15%.

Worrisome symptoms of advanced acid reflux include weight loss, black or tarry stools, vomiting of blood, and pain or trouble in swallow. Wheezing or a dry cough could develop. Morning hoarseness or persistent sore throat, hiccups that seem to last forever, and nausea that lingers for weeks are other alarm bells that the condition is out of control.

Unfortunately, sometimes serious complications can develop without warning signs. A person could develop cancer without even being aware of the condition before it is too late.

Asthma sufferers with acid reflux often experience increased symptoms, especially at night. These can include wheezing, dry cough, or even a full-blown asthma attack.

Another risk is aspiration pneumonia or other severe conditions caused when stomach contents back up into the lungs. They may include pus in the lungs, swelling and inflammation, or pneumonia. Symptoms of these conditions may include chest pain and cough with bad smelling phlegm, greenish phlegm, and bluish color of the skin. Fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, excessive sweating, and difficulty swallowing are other symptoms.

People with acid reflux have been known to try many different remedies to get relief. They may sleep with the head elevated, sometimes even resorting to sleeping in an easy chair. Usually, acid reflux is a minor problem. It can get out of hand and even become life threatening. Don’t risk serious complications. Get it under control today. For more information on the acid reflux condition and potential cures be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

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