Acid Reflux

September 24, 2010

Back Pain and Hiatal Hernia

Whether you suffer from symptoms of hiatal hernia that involve lower back pain or not, this report can help you.

First, did you know there are 2 main types of hiatal hernia?

1. A sliding hiatal hernia

2. A rolling hiatal hernia

Both types of hiatal hernias can trigger back pain issues.

The ?sliding hiatal hernia? shows up about 95% of the time. This kind of hernia happens when the part of your throat (esophagus) which is normally even with, or below, the main muscle (diaphragm) that separates your stomach area from your throat area, moves above . . . ?sliding-up some stomach along with it.

A sliding hiatal hernia is a result of a weakened or damaged opening between your throat and stomach sometimes referred to as the gastroesophageal junction.

The ?rolling hiatal hernia?, is also called the ?paraesophageal? hiatal hernia. This happens when your stomach literally protrudes (herniates) right through the opening that separates the throat area and stomach area. This opening is called the esophageal hiatus. The ?rolling? hernia refers to a significant part of the stomach actually rolling up alongside the esophagus, but without disturbing the natural opening where the stomach and throat are kept separated.

So many health issues can lead people to false conclusions. A hiatal hernia is especially deceptive because many of the symptoms like back pain, seem to suggest different causes, or health problems all together

Back pains from hiatal hernias can turn into dull chest pains; heart palpitations and even shortness of breath.

Neuro-gastroenterologists have discovered that the whole gastrointestinal system, Central Nervous System (CNS) and brain are all interconnected by a vast and complex electro-chemical nerve matrix.

One of these major nerve connections is called the ?vagus nerve? Once this nerve is exposed to acid reflux or irritated by gastrointestinal juices; it can cause bronchial spasms, affect circulation and trigger an aching back by inflaming, or constricting large back muscles, resulting in a lot of back pain issues.

It?s not uncommon for people suffering from hiatal hernias to not notice any back pain symptoms, palpitations or breathing problems. Usually they think all they have is acid reflux, heartburn or a gastrointestinal problem.

As you can imagine having a ?sliding? or ?rolling? hiatal hernia would easily allow nasty tasting bile salts, stomach acid and heartburn air up into your throat, mouth and even sinus cavities . . . not a pleasant though is it.

Fact is your back pains maybe the least of your worries.

Here are some hiatal hernia ?risk factors? that could also trigger back pain and other problems too:

? Being over weight

? Constipation

? Frequent coughing

? Vomiting

? Sneezing

? Pregnancy

? Heavy lifting

Some of the proven exercises that relieve pressure on your diaphragm and hiatal hernia will cure your back pain and other problems as well. The secret is to address the root cause of as many symptoms as possible. Because hiatal hernias can have so many symptoms that seem unrelated, a holistic or naturopathic approach is often the only, or best, way to a lasting solution . . . certainly worth looking into!

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist

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September 21, 2010

Excess Stomach Acid Production

Stomach acid is created by special cells (parietal) located within the third layer of tissue at the upper part of the stomach. The stomach acid making cells are a vast network produces stomach acid into the lumen of the stomach.

The stomach acid has a very acidic pH of 2 to 3, .01 being the most acidic ph you can get on the scale 6.9 pH is the weakest possible acid. The stomach acid cells also create bicarbonate helping to maintain a higher alkaline blood pH.

The strong stomach acid causes proteins to break down to the molecular level revealing the peptide bonds. Enzymes then interact to further breakdown proteins.

Stomach acid activates the enzyme pepsin to digest the bonds between the sequences of protein building blocks known as amino acids (proteolysis). Stomach acid naturally protects the gut from invasion from infectious bacteria and other harmful organisms, that?s why a proper pH balance is vital.

Stomach acid production takes place in multiple steps. Charged ions of chloride and hydrogen from excess stomach acid (HCL) produced from within the parietal cells are mixed in the secreting cell network within the inner lining of the upper stomach, diluted and released.

Stomach acid is then released into the lumen of specialized glands and gradually reaches surface layer of the stomach lining at a higher pH, slightly less acidic than in the network of secreting cells..

The strongest stomach acid used for digestion (pH 2) is about 3,000,000 times more caustic than anything found in bloodstreams pH. ?The strongest stomach acid produced in your stomach acid cells has a pH of 0.8 and is then ultimately diluted to around pH 2 and 3 in the stomach.

There are three phases of stomach acid production:

1. The cephalic phase: 30% of the stomach?s acid is created by chewing, tasting and smelling foods.

2. The gastric phase: 60% of the excess stomach acid production is triggered from actual food being digested in the stomach

3. The intestinal phase: the remaining 10% of excess stomach acid is produced when chyme enters the small intestine.

Truth is if you?re over 40 years old the probability you have excess stomach acid production is quite low. You lose about 10% to 15% of your stomach acid production every ten years, because of loss of minerals, nutrients and cofactors your body used up digesting cooked and processed foods all those years.

This often gives the symptoms misdiagnosed as an excess of stomach acid production because of all the bloating, acid reflux surges and heartburn.

Bottom line is only about 5% of the people who think they suffer from excess stomach acid production really do. The remaining 95% of people actually need an excess production of digestive acid.

The main cause of acid reflux is improper chewing and from combining the wrong foods. Other cause of acid reflux, heartburn and acid rebound is from taking antacids.

Picture all that undigested food bubbling and rotting inside your stomach pushing acid reflux up into the throat, burning away the lining of your throat, mouth and sinus linings . . .eventually creating a deadly situation.

Don?t take drugs and surgery as the final answer- if they worked 30% of the US population and 60 million people with arthritis, due to a lack of excess stomach acid, wouldn?t be suffering like they are.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist

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September 17, 2010

Acid Reflux Damage To The Esophagus

If you suffer from acid reflux, damage to the esophagus is an eventuality that you may have to face. Contrary to what many people think, acid reflux can cause a lot more than heartburn and the occasional sour or burning sensation in the throat. In more severe cases, the acid that makes its way into the esophagus can also cause severe damage to the lining, resulting in potentially long-term effects. And if the condition is left untreated, the patient is at risk for developing Barrett’s esophagus, which is a potentially serious precancerous condition. In order to prevent these and other instances of acid reflux damage to the esophagus, early diagnosis and treatment is essential.

One of the easiest ways to prevent potential acid reflux damage is by simply changing your diet. It would be best to avoid foods that cause the over-production of stomach acids such as chocolate, coffee, tomatoes, and spicy foods. Another good idea is to reduce your intake of fatty foods and replace them with foods that have complex carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta. These carbohydrates bind to the stomach acid, reducing the risk of? acid working its way into your esophagus.

Coffee should be avoided as mentioned previously, especially due to its caffeine content. Nicotine is another culprit, and this along with caffeine can cause a person to produce excessive stomach acids. Alcohol is one other contributor to acid reflux damage to the esophagus, and it actually causes harm in two ways. For starters, alcohol consumption in itself causes excessive stomach acid production, but it also causes the sphincter at the opening of the esophagus to relax at the same time, causing even more harm.

You could also try to lose weight as a means to reduce the risk of esophagus damage. Every bit of excess weight in your midsection causes pressure and results in the stomach acids being pushed up into the esophagus, causing that familiar burning sensation and potential long-term damage.

It would also be a good idea to eat smaller meals more frequently instead of your usual three or four large meals per day. With less food in your stomach, your body won’t produce the same amount of stomach acid, reducing the chances that it will make its way into your esophagus.

While there are many over-the-counter medications commonly prescribed for acid reflux damage to the esophagus, it may be beneficial for you to look into the natural remedies offered by www.refluxremedy.com. Presenting a number of totally natural solutions and preventions of acid reflux damage to the esophagus, these products help you avoid the toxin build up that can potentially occur from years of taking anti-ulcer medications. If you are serious about getting rid of your acid reflux for good, the site is well worth a look.

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September 15, 2010

Gastritis Treatments

Another word for acid reflux or heartburn is gastritis. Ultimately when over-the-counter (OTC) gimmicks like antacids and risky pharmaceutical drugs fail miserably, it?s never too late to embrace a more holistic approach.

I won?t claim that chemically treating gastritis is absolutely unnecessary, only because once you prescribe to the barbaric ways of Westernized medicine; you?re going to most likely end up having more extreme gastritis treatments like surgery.

I?m also not going to say that Western medicine?s gastritis treatments are absolutely necessary either.

Truth is it?s ever too late to consider the proven benefits of integrative and Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM). Yet as you already know, the sooner you catch on and start using natural remedies, the sooner you will experience a total healing of your gastritis.

It goes unsaid that correct treatment of gastritis depends on the root cause.

According to the Mayo clinic, a sudden onset and short duration of gastritis caused from taking Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or alcohol can be relieved by stopping use of those substances.

That should be a warning to you that prolonged of this class of drugs (NSAIDs) may lead to chronic gastritis.

In other words, you should know one of Ibuprofen?s many adverse side effects is gastritis. Other brand names of ibuprofen are Advil, Motrin, Nuprin and even Pediacare Fever.

7 Other brands of drugs that belong to the NSAID class are:

1. Aspirin (Bayer)

2. Naproxen (Aleve)

3. Indomethacin (Indocin)

4. Nabumetone (Relafen)

5. Celecoxib (Celebrex)

6. Flurbiprofen (Ansaid)

7. Rofecoxib (Vioxx)

Check with your pharmacist to see if you?re unknowingly taking any NSAID class drugs, because there are dozens of them out there. NSAIDs reduce the flow of blood to the kidneys and impair function of the kidneys which can be a factor in your gastritis problem, gastric acid production and many other associated digestive health problems.

Fact: ?it?s estimated that 35% to 80% of people with gastritis also suffer from asthma.

People suffering from asthma are more likely to experience allergic reactions to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. Fluid retention (edema), blood clots, heart attacks, high blood pressure and outright heart failure have also been associated with the use of NSAIDs. Plus some products like Excedrin (acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine), are a combination of drugs.

Other Westernized medical treatments for gastritis are:

  • Antacids: Over-the-counter antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, others) in liquid or tablet form are a common treatment for mild gastritis. Antacids neutralize stomach acid and can lead to gut flora imbalances often leading to bacterial infections.
  • Acid blockers: When antacids don’t provide enough relief, your doctor may recommend more medication, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid) or famotidine (Pepcid), that helps reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. These drugs only treat symptoms and do not cure your gastritis.
  • Proton pump inhibitors: These drugs shut down your body?s natural ?acid pumps.? They chemically block the action of the acid-secreting cells of your stomach. This class of medications includes omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex) and esomeprazole (Nexium). ?Blocking natural digestive acid production can have many adverse consequences, be sure to know the risks.

When treating the symptoms of your gastritis with any drug, be absolutely sure your gastritis symptoms isn?t caused from a common gastric ?acid deficiency,? which is more common than you would first think.

Sometimes The Gastritis Treatment Is Worse Than The Disease

Doctors often end up treating people with gastritis for a bacterial infection (H.Pylori), known to be caused from antacids. The treatment for this antacid induced infection is usually antibiotics combined with proton pump inhibitor drugs.

Antibiotics kill the bad ?ulcer causing? H. Pylori bacteria as well as any healthy micro-organisms remaining in your digestive tract (probiotics).

There?s clearly a good reason to not use antacids to treat your gastritis in the first place. I?ve only pointed out ?a handful? of the consequences of mistreating gastritis with antacids and other drugs.

Do you really need me to show you more?

There are many evidence-based, scientifically proven, natural remedies that help your body heal itself from the symptoms of gastritis . . . start looking and you will find them.

Do ask your doctor to use Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) when treating gastritis, before resorting to risky experimental drugs.

Live well,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist

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