June 14, 2011
GERD and Back Pain
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, otherwise known as GERD, can be broken down quite logically. Gastro refers to the stomach, and esophageal refers to the esophagus. Reflux typically means to flow backwards opposite from the direction intended. Thusly, GERD is caused by the contents of the stomach making their way back up the esophageal tube, much like the explosions of an active volcano.
For the vast majority of the 1900s, what is now known as GERD was simply referred to as heartburn. Many symptoms were treated with one basic type of antacid sold under a handful of different names. Although many people suffered from a variety of discomfort caused by stomach acids returning into the esophagus, it wasn’t until the 1990s that doctors attained a thorough understanding of the causes and treatments of GERD.
The disease typically begins with a person experiencing burning sensations in the hours following the ingestion of certain trigger foods, which can vary for each person based on several factors, including genetics and geography. In some cases, the burning sensations and pains caused by GERD can extend into the back, ribs, and shoulder blades. Pain in the back caused by GERD can be constant with sudden bursts of intensity, making it difficult for a person to conduct themselves in social and professional situations. In these types of cases, doctors typically ratchet-up the quantity and intensity of the prescriptions and may eventually recommend surgery. Thankfully, natural alternatives to treating GERD are available and affordable.
The quickest and most effective way to get rid of back pain caused by GERD is a drastic change in diet. Foods such as cheese, salsa, mustard, and chocolate are just a small handful of the hundreds of possible foods that can trigger intense symptoms. Identifying the foods that give you problems and avoiding them can provide steady relief of back pains caused by GERD. Drinking at least 60 ounces of water every day will decrease the acid ratios in your body, lessening their ability to cause discomfort. In short, a little awareness and dedication can go much farther than a bottle of pills.
For more information on GERD as it relates to back pain visit refluxremedy.com today!
Filed under Gerd Diet, Gerd Symptoms, GERD Treatment by admin
GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and causes acid reflux and heartburn. Often, the disease can be controlled at home by making proper dietary and exercise changes. One of the most common factor in persons with GERD is they are obese. Being overweight can place extra pressure on the abdomen so that it can cause the stomach to push up and release acid into the esophagus. Loosing weight can lessen the symptoms of GERD almost immediately.
Diet plays an important role in GERD symptoms and foods that trigger heartburn should be avoided. These foods include: caffeine, alcohol, tomatoes and tomato based products, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, peppermint, citrus fruits, and chocolate. Any other foods that trigger GERD symptoms should also be avoided.
Certain foods can help alleviate GERD symptoms. Apples help neutralize stomach acid and can relieve heart burn. Sucking hard candy can help with acid reflux. Drinking more skim milk and water can also help in relief of GERD by creating a seal between the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter. There are also foods that contain enzymes that aid in digestion and neutralization of stomach acids. These foods include pineapple, figs, yogurt, and decaffeinated tea.
Eating small, more frequent meals also helps in eliminating GERD. When eating smaller amounts, the food is able to be digested more quickly, thus eliminating pressure on the abdomen. Meals should not be eaten within three hours of going to bed. Chewing gum between meals stimulates saliva production and will neutralize stomach acid.
Another way to lessen the symptoms of GERD is to sleep in a more upright position. Lying flat down allows stomach acid to flow into the esophagus. Persons with GERD should also avoid positions that put pressure on the abdomen such as bending over for long periods of time.
By making these simple lifestyle changes, GERD symptoms should be lessened and in many cases eliminated.
For more information on GERD home remedies visit refluxremedy.com today!
Filed under Gerd Diet, Gerd Symptoms, GERD Treatment by admin
June 7, 2011
Helicobacter Pylori Prevention and Treatment
While transmission of Helicobacter pylori is not fully understood, studies show it is likely passed from person to person, and often enter the esophagus and stomach through foods or liquids contaminated with the microbe. Once inside, they use their long flagella to enter the mucoid lining of the stomach. The mucoid lining of the stomach protects the stomach cells from the harsh acid environment necessary for digestion, but also protects the helicobacter pylori microbe once it has attached. Helicobacter pylori weaken the mucous lining of the stomach, increasing the probability of irritation of stomach cells by the stomach acid, resulting in ulcers and acid reflux, among other symptoms.
More prevalent in developing countries, helicobacter pylori infects 50% of the world’s population, and is becoming increasingly prevalent in western society. Of those affected, a surprising 80% do not present symptoms. Those that are affected suffer symptoms that include but are not limited to stomach ache, vomiting, acid reflux, and flatulence. If untreated, the infection can progress to cause stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and even stomach and esophagus cancers.
Modern medicine has produced limited results in treating Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Diet, nutrition and exercise have been somewhat more promising in control of the disease and its symptoms, but more importantly, it’s prevention. Recent studies show that consuming as little as 70 grams of broccoli sprouts per day can reduce the number of helicobacter pylori colonies in humans by as much as 40%, greatly reducing symptoms. However, when the diet of broccoli sprouts is ceased, colony numbers quickly increase and symptoms once again present themselves. The Asian diet staple kimchi was recently shown to contain bacteria that protects against Helicobacter pylori. Green tea was shown to ease inflammation associated with helicobacter pylori gastritis. Exercise has shown to indirectly prevent ulcers by decreasing the amount of acid secretion at mealtimes. This decrease in acid secretion eases the discomfort felt by those already suffering from gastritis.
Proper diet, exercise, washing of hands, proper food preparation and drinking clean water are healthy, easy techniques to both prevent and ease the symptoms of helicobacter pylori gastritis.
For more information regarding Helicobacter pylori gastritis visit refluxremedy.com today!
Filed under Acid Reflux, GERD Treatment, Heartburn Treatment by admin
May 31, 2011
Home Remedies for GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is something that develops over time. It is also referred to as acid reflux disease. This is what happens when your digestive system is altered causing acid to move from the stomach to the esophagus and throat. The digestive system involves several parts of your body. This means that all parts have to be functioning properly to allow digestion to run smoothly. If there is one element of the digestive process that isn?t working, this can cause serious health problems. When you eat, the food is chewed in the mouth, swallowed at the throat, transitioned through the esophagus and passed through lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
The LES is a very crucial part of the digestive process. It acts as the passage to the stomach. When food reaches the end of the esophagus, the LES opens to let it pass. After the food goes through, the LES closes again. If the LES doesn’t close quickly or tightly enough, the food may have the opportunity to come out of the stomach and get back into the esophagus. Along with the food is gastric acid which can be extremely damaging and painful when in the esophagus or throat.
Passage through the LES permits food to enter the stomach for the next phases of digestion. In the stomach, food particles are further fragmented with the help of gastric acid. After the food has been broken down significantly, it moves to the large and small intestines so that nutrients that are useful for the body can be extracted and the waste can transition to the rectum.
Treating GERD doesn’t have to include prescriptions or surgical operations. You can do things at home to decrease symptoms and prevent it from occurring regularly. Certain lifestyle changes may be necessary to handle this problem.
- Don’t eat meals before going to bed. Allow at least a few hours.
- Try not to lie down after a meal. This keeps gastric acids in place.
- Eat smaller portions. Heavy meals increase acid production.
- Quit smoking. This weakens the LES.
- Cut down on alcohol consumption. This can further irritate the esophagus and throat.
- Monitor foods that trigger acid reflux. Remove these foods from your diet and replace with healthy options.
- Cut out fatty, greasy foods from your diet because they increase acid production.
- Drink a lot of water, ginger tea and aloe juice. This reduces acid reflux symptoms.
- Eating fennel seed and ginger root is also a great for GERD.
The best way to manage your GERD is to figure out what might be causing it. This can be done through logging your eating and lifestyle habits to find out what may be leading to your GERD. After you find out what may be causing the disease, you can address it naturally. For more information on home remedies and cures for GERD, review the Reflux Remedy Report or visit refluxremedy.com today.
Filed under Gerd Diet, Gerd Symptoms, GERD Treatment, Natural Remedies for GERD by admin