Do you ever feel a painful, burning sensation in your chest, just beneath your breastbone? Perhaps, you are sometimes awakened out of a sound sleep, your throat feeling like it just caught fire.

If these symptoms sound familiar, you are probably suffering from heartburn. Many people suffer from frequent heartburn, a condition that is characterized by symptoms that flare- up at least twice a week.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN?

Heartburn occurs when the acidic juices from digested foods creep into the esophagus, a tube that links the throat and stomach. Because of the tube’s thin walls, the juices irritate its lining, resulting in a burning feeling in the chest.

Individuals who experience frequent heartburn have a weakened lower esophogeal sphincter, a.k.a. as the LES. The LES serves as a barrier between the stomach and esophagus. When the LES is too relaxed, stomach juices leak into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

DIETARY FACTORS

A person’s diet can contribute to heartburn symptoms. Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, sodas, or chocolate have a relaxing effect on the LES, which permits stomach juices to pass through the LES. Chocolate has an additional chemical called theobromine that affects LES functioning. Other food culprits that promote LES relaxation are tomatoes, citrus fruits, and peppermint.

Fried, greasy, and fatty foods hamper one’s digestion and sit in the stomach longer. This puts more pressure on the stomach, culminating in a lazy LES that allows acidic juices to seep out. Alcohol, which encourages more stomach acid production, is another possible heartburn trigger.

Consuming a lot of food at one sitting increases LES pressure. WHEN a person eats plays a factor; eating two to three hours before bedtime is not good for heartburn. Lying down after a hearty meal can worsen heartburn symptoms.

OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES

Smoking can aggravate heartburn symptoms, the chemicals in cigarettes weakening the LES and restricting blood flow to inflamed tissues. Tight clothes that cling to the stomach can cause flare-ups, the pressure pushing food against the LES and juices up the esophagus.

TREATMENT

Fortunately, there are several ways to treat frequent heartburn. Changing one’s diet and avoiding problematic foods are a good start. Eliminating or reducing one’s caffeine and alcohol intake is suggested. One should stay away from greasy and spicy foods, heavy sauces, and red meat. Unprocessed, healthy foods to consume are raw vegetables and nuts, seeds, grains, and flaxseed. Other suggestions include chewing one’s food slowly and putting down one’s fork before feeling stuffed.

Drinking a glass of water every two hours helps alleviate heartburn episodes, as well as neutralizing stomach acids. Incorporating a glass of cabbage juice into one’s diet can offer relief, its juice soothing the digestive tract. Reducing the amount of aspirin and pain relievers can decrease heartburn. Other changes include eating light, frequent meals throughout the day and losing excess weight.

If dietary changes do not reduce heartburn symptoms, medication is another alternative. For more information on causes and cures for heartburn, be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

One in three people with acid reflux develop esophagitis as reported by AstraZeneca, the makers of Nexium. Esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus, illustrates one of the many effects of acid reflux, a digestive disease in which stomach acid backs into the esophagus. Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux has a haunting nature as it leaves behind a wide-range of serious medical effects that develop in the long-run. They include bronchospasm (spasm of the bronchial muscles due to acid), stricture (narrowing of the esophagus after inflammation leads to scarring), chronic cough, hoarseness, and dental damage. Two major effects of acid reflux, erosive esophagitis and esophageal cancer, are explored.

Erosive Esophagitis

Erosive esophagitis occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus causing it to swell and erode. Its symptoms include the following:

• Heartburn
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness

Doctors detect erosive esophagitis with the following methods:

• Endoscopy: occurs when a patient swallows a thin tube that contains a camera at the end, which flows into the esophagus and the stomach.
• Upper GI Series (Barium Swallow X-Ray): occurs when a patient drinks 16-20 ounces of chalky liquid containing barium. Barium is detected by a fluoroscopy x-ray that displays the manner in which it flows through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This x-ray lasts between three to six hours.
• Needle Biopsy: occurs when a needle is used to remove tissue from the esophagus with the aide of a CT scan or ultrasound x-ray.

Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer occurs when a malignant tumor develops in the esophagus. It is most common in men over 50 years of age in the U.S. The two types of esophageal cancer include squamous cell carcinoma, a result of smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol, and adenocinomarca, cancer of the epithelium tissues that line the glands. Adenocarcinoma is caused by a prior aftereffect of long-term acid reflux called Barrett’s esophagus: development of abnormal changes (metaplasia) in the cells of the lower esophagus that is not curable with anti-reflux surgery. Adenocarcinoma results in the following symptoms:

• Vomiting of blood (hematemesis)
• Chest pain (not caused by eating)
• Difficulty swallowing (dyphagia)
• Regurgitation

Doctors detect esophageal cancer by the following methods:

• Upper GI Series (Barium Swallow X-Ray)
• Endoscopy
• Needle Biopsy: reveals whether intestinal cells are on esophageal tissue.
• PET scan: reveals stage of cancer and whether surgery is possible.
• Chest MRI: determines stage of cancer.
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: occurs when a 5-20 mm flexible endoscope (small camera) is inserted into a patient’s esophagus to examine the lining. It is performed after administration of a sedating analgesic or painkiller and an anesthetic. The endoscope passes through the esophagus to the stomach and small intestine.

An important concept to take away is that the effects of acid reflux worsen when left untreated. The medication Nexium is commonly taken to treat erosive esophagitis. Another option is having Fundoplication surgery that reduces acid reflux by strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter.

For more information on the effects of acid reflux be sure to contact Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Occasional heartburn, or acid reflux, is normal and does not create health problems. When acid reflux occurs regularly rather than occasionally, it turns into acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Individuals who suffer from GERD might find that gas and gas pains seem like a regular problem as well and might wonder whether the acid reflux is causing the gas.

The Answer:

The simple answer of whether acid reflux causes gas is yes. GERD will sometimes result in more gas because when the acid comes up into the esophagus, GERD sufferers often swallow to relieve the burning sensation. By swallowing more, someone with acid reflux will also swallow air.

Swallowing air leads to belching or gas. If a large amount of air is swallowed, belching is not always enough to remove the air from the stomach so it passes into the intestines and becomes gas. Sometimes, the amount of gas might cause pain, but the pain will not usually last long.

Other Factors:

Acid reflux is only one factor in the development in gas. In most individuals, it is a very small factor in why gas develops because many individuals who suffer from GERD take medication to help control the symptoms, thus limiting the air swallowed due to acid reflux.

Other factors involved include eating foods that cause gas, smoking, eating hard candies, chewing gum, drinking carbonated beverages and eating or drinking too quickly.

Treating Gas Caused by Acid Reflux:

When gas is caused by acid reflux, it remains a problem as long as the acid reflux is a problem.

• Start with treating the acid reflux. Treatment methods to deal with acid reflux include making diet changes, not eating directly before bed and taking a medication for the problem. If acid reflux is a regular problem, discuss the situation with your doctor. Each individual has different treatment needs and triggers, so only your personal doctor can help determine the best way to manage your situation.
• For immediate gas relief, take something to break up the gas. For example, take Beano or a similar gas relief option. This is particularly helpful if you feel gas pains from the swallowed air.
• Anyone who suffers from GERD or acid reflux problems should avoid eating foods that cause gas as well as foods that trigger acid reflux. Foods like broccoli, cabbage, hard candy or beans cause gas and only compound the problem. Limiting gas-causing foods will help minimize or eliminate the gas problem.

Warning:

Any time gas is combined with problems like bloody stools, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, fever, severe or prolonged pain in the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea, talk to your doctor. These are signs of more serious health conditions that sometimes have gas as a symptom.

Conclusion:

Acid reflux is a factor in the development of gas. While GERD contributes the gas due to swallowing air, excessive gas is usually the result of a combination of factors. In most cases, gas problems associated with acid reflux are alleviated when the GERD is treated.

For more information on the effects of acid reflux be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is diagnosed when an individual suffers symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn at least twice a week. GERD is a digestive disorder that is the result of stomach acid returning to the esophagus, consequently irritating the lining of the esophagus. Initially lifestyle change and self-care procedures are utilized in order to try and control the reflux and heartburn. However, when these symptoms occur frequently or interfere with daily activities and are not efficiently managed with home remedies it is important to make an appointment to visit a medical professional.

GERD is most likely caused by a weakened band of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. Under normal circumstances, once food passes through the esophagus to the stomach, the valve at the bottom of the esophagus will close and prevent liquids and stomach acid from coming back up into the esophageal tract. When this valve does not function properly an individual will begin to experience the symptoms of GERD which will worsen over time. Complications include scar tissue or ulcers in the esophageal tract.

Beyond the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn sufferers may also experience a persistent cough and trouble with swallowing. Chronic cough is defined as a cough that has persisted eight or more weeks and its presence has yet to be explained. It is not thoroughly understood how a dry cough which may worsen at night, is related to GERD although it continues to be researched. Studies have found that by treating GERD the cough is also managed when cough is the presenting symptom by a patient. A plausible explanation of the relationship is that coughing is an effective way for the body to rid itself of irritants and excess fluids. Sufferers of GERD and concurrent chronic cough may find relief in avoiding lying down after meals, not eating meals that exacerbate the condition, and elevating the head when sleeping.

There are a variety of measures which are adequate for diagnosing GERD once the initial medical appointment has been made. These include x-rays, endoscopies, and esophageal tests that measure the amount of stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus. To begin treatment a patient will initiate lifestyle changes such as attaining and maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding foods that worsen heartburn, and abstaining from food and liquids close to bedtime. Along with these actions a patient can also take over-the-counter antacids and medications. If through following this regimen symptoms are not alleviated, prescription medications will be recommended. As with the over-the-counter medications there are prescriptions available that reduce acid production and there are also medications available that can strengthen the valve that connects the esophagus and stomach. Additionally, these medications assist with emptying the contents of your stomach more quickly. In more severe cases surgery to repair the esophagus or the valve located between the esophagus and stomach are considered when prescriptions are not adequately treating GERD or when long term use of medicine is not desired.

GERD is a digestive disease for which there are numerous treatments available depending on the severity. Untreated GERD is uncomfortable and interferes with daily living. Find out about ways to treat GERD in order to avoid a chronic cough be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!