Acid Reflux Syndrome Testing

        

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Severe or prolonged acid reflux heartburn symptoms that do not respond to natural remedies need to be addressed by your physician. This should be done well before complications arise as a result of a more serious condition. Remember you can ignore acid reflux heartburn for a short time but the symptoms will not go away without treatment. You need to take action and get help now.

First You need to contact your family physician. A correct diagnosis of your condition will lead your doctor to prescribe medications that will assist you in curing your acid relux heartburn. Occassionally he may also prescribe additional test. Commonly an EMS or esophageal motility study will be performed. The test will allow the doctor to closely examine the function of the valve between the stomach and the esophagus.

During the test the doctor or physicians assistant will run a catheter into the nose, guiding it down the esophagus and into the stomach. Also during the test you will told to take deep breaths as well as drink small amounts of water. The catheter will be withdrawn slowly and pressure readings will be taken during this process. It is critical to measure the ability fo the sphincter valve to function correctly. Only then can your acid reflux heartburn condtition be addressed.

Depending on the individual the motility test can be frightening and uncomfortable. It is seldom painful and the key is to remain as relaxed as possible. A small amount of gagging or coughing is normal during the initial phase of the test. Normally the test is completed in less than a hour and after a short period of recovery many people return to work or home. You may suffer from a slight sore throat for a short time but this is usually gone within 24 hours.

Now days this process is frequently done using a small fiber optic cable attached to a camera or monitor. This has special advantages in that it can also observe damage to the esophagus and sphincter caused by acid reflux. It also can detect other problems associated with esophagus like GERD, cancer or possible hernia.

Remember not contacting your physician about your severe acid reflux problem may lead to a more serious condition. Simple outpatient testing may be required to get a good diagnosis of your problem. Most of the time you can cure your acid reflux by using natural remedies in conjunction with changes in your lifestyle. If you continue to have serious symptoms you need to get help. There is no reason to suffer from the pain of acid reflux heartburn.

James A. Kesel, MS Acid Reflux Syndrome Testing, http://www.heartburnscures.com

Acid Reflux in Pregnancy

        

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Acid reflux is a common condition in the West and there is a suggestion that it is increasing. Obesity is increasing in the West and since obesity can cause or worsen acid reflux, the increase in acid reflux is likely to be related to a combination of our diet, lifestyle and obesity. There is, however, a group that develops acid reflux as a part of life's natural process. Pregnant women develop GERD symptoms as a result of pregnancy.

It is estimated that as much as 80% of pregnant women have GERD symptoms and the symptoms vary from mild to very severe. It is rarely serious in this group and, of course, it is limited to the length of the pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting is common in the first trimester and is mainly due to the rising level of the female hormone, estrogen and progesterone circulating in the blood stream. Acid reflux symptoms are more common in the third trimester.

In the third trimester, the uterus is large and has pushed up into the upper abdomen distorting the configuration of the organs in the abdomen. The stomach is pushed up against the diaphragm. This can affect the competence of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and cause acid reflux. It can also force part of the stomach up through the diaphragmatic hiatus. This is a hiatus hernia. A hiatus hernia can result in acid reflux.

In addition weight gain during pregnancy (especially in the apple shape) will settle around the waist. This weight will press on the abdomen and increase the intra-abdominal pressure. This pressure on the LES may force food up into the esophagus.

During pregnancy estrogen and progesterone levels need to be high to maintain the pregnancy. These two female hormones are produced by the ovaries until the placenta takes over. These hormones relax smooth muscles of the uterus and are necessary to allow the uterus to stretch to accommodate the developing pregnancy.

Unfortunately this muscle relaxation is not confined to the uterus. The muscles of the GI tract are affected. In the large bowel reduced strength of peristaltic contraction leads to slow transit time and likely constipation. In the esophagus it reduces the tone of the LES allowing reflux and slows down peristalsis along the esophagus. The food swallowed is cleared slower and the LES is lax. A double whammy.

Patients who have had GERD symptoms before falling pregnant tend to have severe GERD in pregnancy. Sometimes in pregnancy GERD can be so severe that hospitalisation is necessary. Also vomiting can be so severe that weight loss follows. In pregnancy regular weight gain is expected. Weight loss suggests a referral to a gastro-enterologist especially if the weight is below the pre-pregnancy benchmark.

Severe GERD can lead to mal-nutrition. This can be harmful to the mother and may put the foetus at risk at a time of vital development and growth.

Ginger is a good safe treatment of GERD in pregnancy and you only need a small amount. It can stimulate saliva production. Saliva is a natural antacid. Ginger helps relieve nausea and vomiting and it is a carminative (relieve gas). Lifestyle change is important. If still smoking and drinking alcohol, then it is time to stop. Elevating the head of the bed is beneficial and lying on the left side is best because in this position the stomach is lower than the esophagus.

Avoid or reduce your intake of fats, coffee, tea, chocolate, certain citrus fruits, certain spices, tomatoes and garlic. When exercising, avoid bouncing up and down and exercises that involve bending forwards. Stick to exercises that keep you upright. Stretching exercises and power or brisk walking are unlikely to aggravate GERD symptoms.

Antacids are safe in pregnancy because they do not cross the placenta into the baby's circulation. However, antacids containing sodium (sodium bicarbonate) can cause fluid retention. Aluminium containing antacids can make constipation of pregnancy worse. Magnesium can slow down labour. These drugs are in Category A. The categories were laid down by the FDA in 1979 and are related to safety profile and potential harm to the foetus. Category A is safe in pregnancy.

The H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors are in Category B except omeprazole which is in Category C. These drugs cross the placenta but trials results are not adequate to consider them safe during pregnancy. So far no trial has shown any harm to the foetus.

Dr. Phil Hariram is a retired General Practitioner who has spent 27 years treating acid reflux. http://www.acidrefluxguru.com

Acid Reflux Symptoms - The Ill Effects Of Bulimia

        

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Your bulimic eating behaviour can create harm to your digestive system and also cause you to develop acid reflux symptoms. You are considered bulimic when you have regular binge eating episodes and then you follow these episodes with purging either through vomiting or taking laxatives of your food. You force yourself to vomit or take laxatives as you do not want to gain weight.

During the binge eating phase, you have found it hard to stop yourself from eating. You end up over stuffing yourself. Instead of consuming one burger, you are eating ten, for instance. When you do this, it may be that you are undergoing some psychological trauma and look for ways to overcome or forget your grief. You are also likely to have a low self esteem and confidence in yourself. It may also be that you are not actually overweight but because you feel extremely guilty over your inability to stop eating, you feel that it is necessary to purge all that food after that.

However, forcing yourself to vomit immediately after eating can cause plenty of harm to your body. Vomiting after eating removes both the food from the stomach and also the acid produced by the stomach for digestion. As you vomit, the stomach acid is forced up your esophagus. Eventually, as you vomit on a regular basis at least once or twice a day, your esophagus becomes itchy and stinging. You develop acid reflux symptoms and also GERD. Increasingly, you will find it tough to even swallow the food properly.

Over the long run, bulimia not only damages your esophagus but can also wear down your stomach lining and eventually result in death. Indeed, people have died because of bulimia and its consequences.

If you do not treat bulimia, then over a long period, you may suffer from malnutrition. Damage to your body can also become permanent for the rest of your life. Sadly, many do not realize the importance of getting treatment until it is too late.

The only way to overcome your eating disorder and get relief from your acid reflux symptoms is to first recognize that you have bulimia. Once you recognize this, then you should get into a treatment program meant to help bulimics. You will need to go through some psychological counseling as it is important to boost your self esteem and confidence. You need to realize that you are hurting yourself with your bulimia eating disorder.

Then again, although you may recover from bulimia, you may continue to have acid reflux symptoms. This is because damage to your esophagus has already been made internally. You will need to consume some medication to help prevent the acid from returning to the esophagus. Some changes also need to be made to your eating and lifestyle habits to keep your acid reflux symptoms under control. However, these changes should place you in good stead to lead a healthy normal life.

Acid reflux symptoms can be easily treated with diet and lifestyle changes. For more information and resource, please visit this site here at http://www.treat-acid-reflux.com

Acid Reflux - Learning the Basics

        

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Having trouble with heartburn? Well, research shows that you are not the only one suffering from this condition. In fact, studies indicate that approximately 1 in every 10 adults in the United States or an alarming 10% suffer every day from this condition and the numbers are expected to rise in the near future!

The occurrence of heartburns usually denotes that the person has a condition commonly known as acid reflux. Acid reflux, medically termed as "reflux esophagitis" or "gastroesophageal reflux disease" (GERD), is a condition whereby the contents of the stomach are regurgitated or are returned back into the esophagus.

What causes acid reflux?

To understand this disease, we must be aware of how our digestive system works. As food enters the stomach, it is acted upon by the stomach acids and various digestive enzymes whose primary function is to break down the food so that the body can use it. The partially digested food, which is now acidic in nature, is then transported to the small intestine for further digestion.

However, this is not the case in patients afflicted with acid reflux. Those with this condition have a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which makes the regurgitation or passing of acidic gastric juices back from the stomach and up into the esophagus possible. In some cases, the acidic gastric contents even rise up as high as the mouth of an affected individual.

Among the factors which may contribute to the development of acid reflux are obesity, pregnancy, delayed emptying of stomach contents and the excessive intake of fatty foods. Smoking and drinking increase the body's caffeine and alcohol load which are also known causes of acid reflux.

Acid reflux is not only painful and annoying. Frequent regurgitation irritates the lining of the esophagus, which may lead to ulceration and scarring. At worst, it may even lead to the development of esophageal cancer.

What are the other symptoms associated with acid reflux?

Aside from frequent and painful heartburn, a person suffering from acid reflux may have the following symptoms:

. Regurgitation or the rising up of partially digested food in the stomach back into the esophagus or at times, even as high as the mouth
. Chest pains
. Difficulty in swallowing
. Voice becomes hoarse
. Corrosion of the dental cavities
. Asthma
. Persistent coughing while lying down
. Increased production of saliva
. Difficulty in sleeping after eating

How is acid reflux treated?

The symptoms associated with acid reflux greatly interfere with the performance of daily activities. The majority of the symptoms of this ailment bring such discomfort that the quality of life of a person with this condition is greatly affected.

The condition can last for several months. It may even last longer in cases where the condition is not treated early or not addressed properly.

In our modern society, acid reflux is usually treated by controlling the acidity of the stomach. As such, over the counter antacids such as magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate and aluminum-magnesium hydroxide are widely being used. Likewise, histamine H2 antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine) and proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole) are also being prescribed. Some, however, swear by the effectiveness of several herbs such as licorice and aloe vera in treating this disease.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux - Managing the Symptoms

        

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Acid reflux affects millions of people every year. There are many different causes of acid reflux, but through diet, lifestyle changes and sometimes medication the symptoms may be managed. Acid reflux can be potentially dangerous if left untreated. Not only is it painful, it can be hazardous if the stomach contents are aspirated into the lungs. Acid reflux can also be harmful to the esophageal lining, causing irritation, pain and damage.

Chronic acid reflux sufferers may have several different things that produce acid reflux and heartburn. The objects that contribute the most to acid reflux are: tea, coffee, other drinks containing caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes, fried and fatty foods, alcohol, tobacco, large meals, eating before bedtime or late night eating, citrus fruits and juices and wearing tight clothes.

Foods that should be eaten rarely to avoid acid reflux are fruit juices, berries, garlic, onions, leeks, sauerkraut, scallions, ground beef, chicken salad, eggs, hot dogs, ham, milk, cheese, granola, alcohol, cola and fattening or fried foods.

Alcohol has adverse effects on acid reflux sufferers. Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid and relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus. Alcohol can also lead to stomach ulcers, which hinder healing of the esophagus or stomach.

Avoid alcohol as much as possible, but it can be consumed in moderation once in a while. To lessen alcohol's effect on the stomach and esophagus, you should dilute any beverages with club soda or water, have only 1-2 drinks and drink white wine instead of red.

Stress may also cause acid reflux. Everyone has stress in their lives, but it must be managed in order to lead a healthy life without acid reflux. Stress isn't a direct cause of heartburn, but can lead to behaviors that cause acid reflux.

Regular exercise not only helps to relieve everyday stress, it also helps acid reflux symptoms. Exercise releases endorphins, which make the acid reflux sufferer feel better and also aid with digestion. Heartburn may be a problem during exercise. If so, you should discuss this with your doctor. Avoid jarring type exercises and do less jarring exercises like bike riding, swimming or walking. An antacid may also be taken before exercise to bring relief.

Seven to eight hours of sleep a night is a must to keep stress levels down. Various studies have shown that sleep-deprived people have higher levels of stress.

Another stress-reliever is to take a quick mental rest. Visualize a relaxing place in your mind. A favorite vacation spot or somewhere you would like to go to one day; anywhere that relaxes you to think about it. Imagine seeing the place, smelling scents and hearing sounds. This visualization technique will help you to relax.

Balanced, low-fat meals also help with acid reflux. Avoid foods that cause acid reflux, but eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and fish. Drink plenty of water also, as it rids the body of toxins.

Smoking is another factor that worsens acid reflux symptoms. Smoke reduces the production of saliva. Saliva helps to defend damage to the esophagus by acid reflux. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid, which could worsen the effects of acid reflux and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. The LES is the valve at the junction between the stomach and esophagus. Smoking causes decreased gastric motility while smoking, which can cause less efficient digestion because the stomach takes longer to empty.

There are many factors to acid reflux, but with some of the previous suggestions, it can be managed. Always consult your doctor first; medication may be needed in addition to diet and exercise.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux. Will lifestyle change make a difference?

        

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With major improvement in the understanding, diagnosis and management of acid reflux, family doctors and gastro-enterologists have a greater variety of options for treatment of acid reflux.

The acid suppressant drugs available today are extremely effective. Drugs such as omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitor have become the mainstay of treatment. These drugs are now available over the counter and easy for patients to obtain. It is therefore so easy for practitioners and patients to ignore the simple basic ways to control acid reflux disease.

A simple and effective part of treatment is lifestyle modification and reassurance. This includes changing the types of food consumed, avoiding certain medication, stopping smoking, losing weight, elevating the head of the bed and sensible use of antacids and alginates . The most important foods to avoid are fatty foods. In this group are whole milk, butter, chocolate and some fast foods. In time a patient will know what foods to consume and what to avoid. Peppermint oil relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter and can cause reflux. If it is used for IBS, be aware of this important side effect. If in doubt consult your GP or stop if you develop reflux symptoms. Smoking has a similar effect on the lower oesophageal sphincter. Give up smoking if you have acid reflux. It is making it worse.

Certain foods should be taken in moderation. Decide for yourself if citric foods, spicy foods or caffeine containing foods are problematic. Avoid these foods if they aggravate acid reflux . Obesity causes increased abdominal pressure and as a result produces increased pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter. This pressure can result in acid reflux. Losing weight will reduce this pressure. It is very surprising how losing a small amount of weight can make a significant difference.

In nocturnal acid reflux, lying down at night causes refluxate to track up the oesophagus. Raising the head of the bed will help reduce this. In addition it reduces sensitisation overnight which leads to problems during the day. Evidence shows that extra pillows make no difference. Wearing tight clothes will increase intra abdominal pressure and stimulate reflux. Wearing loose clothes will avoid this.

Eating small regular meals is better than having a few big meals. Large volume of food will distend the stomach and affect the efficiency of the sphincter. Similarly do not lie down soon after a meal. Make sure your last meal before retiring is at least three hours earlier.

A review of the medical literature and the few placebo controlled trials suggests that most patients with gastro-oesophageal disease (GERD) can be reasonably controlled by reassurance and lifestyle modification.

Chronic and relapsing acid reflux, however, will need more than lifestyle changes and reassurance. Management should incorporate the use of effective dosage of acid suppressant drugs to gain satisfactory control of acid reflux symptoms.

If your symptoms are persistent in spite of the changes you make, see you family doctor. The thought of having an endoscopy may be daunting but persistent acid reflux can cause long term problems. Acid in the lower oesophagus can cause inflammation leading to oesophagitis. Recurrent oesophagitis can cause bleeding, strictures and Barrett's oesophagus. 3 to 5 % of Barrett's Oesophagus develops adenocarcinoma. This condition is diagnosed by biopsy at endoscopy. Bear these facts in mind if your symptoms persist.
Dr. Phil Hariram has spent 27 years in General Practice. He has seen the significant changes that has transformed Acid Reflux treatment. His blog http://www.acidrefluxguru.com provides up to date information on all aspects of Acid Reflux. Dr. Phil Hariram. http://www.acidrefluxguru.com

Inner Contentment - Can Acid Reflux Come From Bulimia?

        

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Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is a psychological eating disorder whereby the subject will eat large quantities of food and then purge what they've eaten from their bodies. This desire to be rid of the food they've just eaten stems from a persons self-image of themselves being either overweight or simply not thin enough. First recognized as a serious medical condition in 1979 bulimia continues to plague many people (mostly young women) all over the world. In severe cases bulimia can prove to be fatal.

So how are bulimia and acid reflux related?

Well when a bulimic wants to purge the food from their stomach they resort to either vomiting or using powerful laxatives. The vomiting reflex is far more common as it provides them with an immediate way to get rid of the food. This then allows them to binge again shortly afterwards and then continue the purging process several times in a row.

The Potential For Damage

What most bulimics never stop to consider is the damage they're doing to their body. When a person vomits food is not the only thing forced through the esophagus - stomach acid is also present. Some bulimics can binge and purge several times per day which means that their esophagus is exposed to strong stomach acid over and over again. This continued exposure to stomach acid can leave the esophagus raw and worn down. This can then lead to one of the more serious diseases caused by acid reflux such as Barrets Esophagus.

How Bulimia Can Cause Heartburn

Another issue is that if you continually force the body to produce extra stomach acid during these binge/purge phases then this can form a "pattern" for the body. Your body can "learn" to expect certain situations to occur and if you get it into the habit then it will produce more stomach acid than it actually needs on an ongoing basis. This will then lead to acid reflux which, of course, will just make a bulimics life far worse. Vomiting will then become extremely painful.

Other Complications

Acid reflux is not the only problem that can arise from bulimia. If the body is starved of proper nutrients then organs can start to slow down and malnutrition can set in. This leads the bulimic into a further psychological downward spiral whereby the bingeing/purging process can actually increase in frequency and severity. Severe bulimia can result in death but this is often very hard to explain to anybody with an eating disorder.

Is There Hope?

Bulimia can be treated but it's a two-part process. Firstly medication will need to be prescribed to prevent vomiting and promote a healthy and constant appetite in the sufferer. Far more serious are the emotional issues that cause bulimia in the first place. Any person with an eating disorder should also receive psychological therapy as part of their healing process. Trained counsellors can get to the root of the problem if you'll let them. Bulimics who don't take part in the psychological healing process often run the risk of simply getting into the same old habits all over again.

If you can categorize yourself as a bulimic then it's time to stop and take a quick review of your life. Do you really want to cause harm to your body? Why would you deliberately go about causing yourself potentially permanent pain? With the right help you can have a second chance at life and really enjoy your life too.

Jill Seimer shares healthy lifestyle tips at RefluxLife.com She recently published natural healing for heartburn with her own experiences on natural cures for acid reflux.

Acid Reflux and Looking Younger!

        

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Many people suffer daily from the effects of acid reflux, to one degree or another. Unfortunately, the constant strain of this condition on the body can lead to premature aging.

The reflux of stomach gas and fluids during the night, even on a modest level, inhibit proper sleep patterns. It is a known fact that sleep is the most important factor affecting the aging process. If you do not get enough quality sleep at the r.e.m. level, you face each day with low energy, which can be described as a form of chronic fatigue. This syndrome will eventually drag you down and make you feel and look older than you should. It may even shorten your life. Many people are not even aware that they suffer from this condition.

Acid reflux or gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes and allows gas and fluids from the stomach to move upward into the esophagus. The LES is a ringed muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. It opens in order to allow food to enter the stomach, and then closes in order to keep the digestive fluids where they belong. It is when this muscle is too relaxed or damaged, that the contents of the stomach can escape up into the esophagus thereby causing acid reflux.

The medical community would have us to believe that drugs are the only answer to the problem of gerd. Of course this is not true. Antacids are, at best, a temporary fix and are loaded with harmful ingredients such as sodium and aluminum. PPI drugs (proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium and Prilosec should only be used for eight weeks, at most. It says so right on the label. Furthermore, these drugs only mask and hide the symptoms and they have hundreds of harmful side effects.

The acid reflux condition can be the result of poor eating habits or even the aging process itself. We all know that certain foods can trigger indigestion; tomato sauce, raw garlic and onions, chocolate, coffee and alcohol. The ingestion of these foods can make you acidic in nature, resulting in acid reflux. Yet most of us can?t resist one or more of these items on a daily basis. Besides eliminating ?trigger? foods from our diets, there are many natural herbs and supplements that can be helpful in staving off this malady.

Chronic indigestion can also be caused by a lack of hydrochloric acid. Some people produce insufficient amounts of stomach acid as they grow older. Besides the proper digestion of food, hydrochloric acid is necessary to keep harmful bacteria, which are found in the digestive track, in check. Without this defense, infections can develop which make the acid reflux condition even worse. This particular condition can be improved with hydrochloric acid supplements, or even ingesting small amounts of apple cider vinegar. Although these conditions are different in nature, they both cause acid reflux and can result in premature aging.

Other things that should be considered in dealing with this condition are:

* Smoking cessation (Smoking creates an acidic body)
* Loosing weight
* Eating small portions of food throughout the day
* Chewing food well and eating slowly
* Eating at least three hours before retiring

There are many subtle changes in lifestyle which can remove the threat of the acid reflux condition. By eliminating this unnecessary and harmful strain on the body, one can live a more healthy life. Getting better quality sleep will increase your chances of retaining life-force, which means living a longer and more youthful existence.

? 2006 Wind Publishing

For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Charles Stewart Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux disease by natural means and has written an extensive report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies. For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Acid Reflux, Sometimes Called GERD

        

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If you suffer the discomfort of heartburn more than occasionally, you may have a more serious problem. After an especially spicy or heavy meal, even very healthy people can experience a bit of regurgitation of stomach contents. If this is rare, it's simple heartburn and nothing to worry about. But if it's a familiar sensation for you, you could be suffering from acid reflux or more officially called gastroesophageal reflux disease. You can use the acronym GERD for short.

You know how strong stomach acid is. Really strong! Terrible to the taste. Imagine what it does to the esophagus over time if stomach contents back up? Not a pretty picture. The stomach also contains pepsin for breaking down proteins and bile that may have backed up from the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). These are not as damaging as the acid, but they are harmful, and the three substances together make for an unhappy combination in the esophagus. It can become inflamed and develop ulcers. When this happens, the condition is called esophagitis. So, it's one disease causing another, sort of a domino effect. This can even erode the enamel on your teeth. Yuk! Think of the dental bills!

While learning about your symptoms and what they might mean is always a good idea, it's not a good idea to diagnose and treat yourself when it comes to acid reflux. It could delay getting on a proper course of treatment that will lead to recovery. The good news is that this condition is highly treatable. But first, a doctor needs to examine you to determine exactly what is going on in your digestive system and why.

Some of the possible culprits of acid reflux are:

a malfunctioning esophagus either because its sphincter valve (where it connects to the stomach isn't working correctly) or because it does not contract properly and move food along the tract, the way it's supposed to;

a bulging of the stomach into the chest area, correct name is a hiatal hernia;

improper emptying of the stomach, so it sits in the stomach instead of being pushed to the small intestine, similar to a clogged drain. This is sometimes called "weak stomach" because the stomach muscles are not contracting properly. In a normal stomach, tiny electrical impulses contract it about three times a minute. This grinds the food and helps push it along through the entire digestive system.

Sometimes a person can have GERD without any heartburn symptoms though. Another telltale sign is halitosis, however this doesn't mean everybody with halitosis has acid reflux though.

Extremely important, if you suspect you have acid reflux, or even suspect you may have acid reflux, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she has the expertise and diagnostic tools to get to the root of the problem and advise a workable course of treatment. Do not suffer alone, & do not prolong the inevitable, you need to see a doctor.

Tyson J Stevenson creates useful articles & reviews on a wide variety of health related subjects. Expect to see his name often. View further samples of his work at HubbuH or at Acid_Reflux

Acid reflux chokes me awake at night

        

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Drew Harris http://www.acid-refluxsite.com

Acid reflux has forced me to suddenly wake up countless times, in a state of panic, choking on my own acid and gasping for breath.

Nothing can really describe the burning bile feeling, or the taste it leaves in your mouth as you try not to gag and throw-up. I have had to stick a pinch of toothpaste into my mouth and leave it there to try and cut the bile taste.

I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia as a teenager, which may contribute to acid reflux. The burning acid had left me alone for most of my 20's. However, a high stress job and a subsequent gain in weight and lack of exercise brought the acid reflux back on with a vengeance in my 30's.

When I started having almost constant waves of heartburn and acid indigestion, sitting upright at my desk, I knew it was time to see the doctor.

At that time, I had never heard of acid reflux.

He told me that more than 60 million people suffer from frequent heartburn, acid indigestion or GERD (Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease).

Acid reflux describes the regurgitation of acid back up the throat. It can also lead to more serious medical conditions that may require hospitalization.

My doctor explained this happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the mouth, which is called acid indigestion. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems.

When I finally went and saw my doctor, I was having almost constant heartburn and acid indigestion.

He further explained that symptoms are usually worse at night when the person is lying flat and acid flows easily from the stomach back up the esophagus.

Anyone, including infants, children, and pregnant women, can have GERD.

I was told to make some lifestyle and dietary changes. They included:

1. Using a wedge pillow to elevate my body at bedtime 2. Eating plenty of fiber and drinking lots of fluids. 3. Eating small meals and eating slowly. 4. Not lying down for at least 1-2 hours after eating. 5. Losing extra pounds. Added weight causes extra pressure on your stomach and can irritate symptoms. 6. Wearing loose clothing. Tightly fitting clothes put extra pressure on your stomach. 7. Not exercising for at least one hour after eating. 8. Avoiding the following: alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages, spices, fried and fatty foods, tomato products, citrus, and peppermint.

I am a non smoker and I don't drink that much. I do drink a fair bit of coffee however. The real culprit for me though has been drinking fruit juice of any kind before bed. When I have, my acid reflux has been significantly worse.

As I have made many of these changes to my lifestyle, I have seen some relief.

The elevated pillow works wonderfully. I have also started taking proton pump inhibitor medication, which reduces acid production in my stomach. I have been told surgery may be an option down the road.

Drew Harris owns and operates Acid-refluxsite.com, a one-stop-shop directory for those looking for information on acid reflux and its related issues. Multiple pages of resources, referrals and expert articles. http://acid-refluxsite.com