Posts Tagged ‘conditions’

Acid Reflux Symptoms – Learn More About Acid Reflux

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the tube used to transport the food to the stomach from the throat is too weak and is not able to handle the acid, thereby producing some acid reflux symptoms. The food taken in is digested with the acid it produces and stores. The walls of the stomach should be strong enough for it to be capable of storing the acid without causing any damage. However, when the acid flows from the stomach into the esophagus, acid reflux occurs with different symptoms. Read on and learn about some of the acid refux symptoms.

Acid Refux Symptoms:

1. Heartburn – one of the main acid reflux symptoms, this burning sensation radiating from the stomach to the chest and throat is said to be experienced more often at night. This is supported by a certain medical study which also states that some activities may lead to the occurrence of heartburn, including the following:

Bending over; Lifting; After a heavy meal; Lying on back

2. Dyspepsia – dyspepsia is said to be experienced by 50% of the patients diagnosed with acid reflux. Dyspepsia is related to the following:

Pain and discomfort particularly in the upper part of the abdomen; Nausea after eating; Feeling of fullness

It should be noted however that even patients without acid reflux may experience dyspepsia.

3. Regurgitation – this is the condition when the acid backs up in the throat. In some cases, the acid regurgitates up to the mouth and comes out as a “wet burp”. In rare cases, the acid may forcefully come out as a vomit.

Less Common acid reflux Symptoms:

There are some acid reflux patients who do not experience the primary acid reflux symptoms. Rather, they experience not so common acid reflux symptoms such as:

1. Burning Sensation in the Chest – chest pain is characterized by the feeling that your food could not move from behind your breastbone. While this can be a symptom of acid reflux, chest pain can also signal other medical conditions such as angina and heart attack.

2. acid reflux Symptoms experienced in the throat – some of these are:

Acid laryngitis – this condition is characterized by dry cough, hoarseness, feeling of lump in the throat, and the need to clear the throat repeatedly Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) – in some cases, acid reflux may cause the patient to choke or have difficulty in swallowing the food, thereby causing severe chest pain. Persistent hiccups Chronic sore throat

3. Respiratory Symptoms and Coughing – Wheezing and coughing may also occur. In one medical study, acid reflux alone accounted for around 40% of chronic cough cases in non-smoking patients.

4. Chronic Nausea and Throwing Up – constant occurrence of nausea that often leads to vomiting or throwing up may also be one of the acid reflux symptoms. However, this isn’t always the cause as nausea and vomiting may also signal other medical conditions like gallbladder and pancreatic disorders, ulcers, and stomach cancers. Thus, it is necessary to always consult with your doctor whenever this symptom is experienced.

Learn more about Acid Reflux Symptoms. Stop by Barbara Thomson’s site where you can find out all the details about Acid Reflux Symptoms.

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Treatment Options For GERD

Monday, February 8th, 2010

When you suffer from acid reflux, you want something that’s going to work and quickly. There are many different treatment options if you suffer from acid reflux, also called GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease).

Some of the treatment options include lifestyle changes, over the counter medications and antacids, prescription medications and in some cases, surgery.

The basic lifestyle changes that might be recommended for people with acid reflux include losing weight if they are overweight, and changing their diet. Since some foods are more likely to cause acid reflux, these foods can be avoided so that the symptoms of acid reflux can also be avoided. Some foods to avoid include caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes and spicy foods.

Other treatment options include medications and antacids. Today, many medications that previously required a prescription are available over the counter without a prescription. Some of these you can take before you eat and get relief within an hour and others are medications that you can take at the beginning of the day to avoid acid reflux symptoms throughout the day.

Some people find that a simple antacid works for them and if you have relatively mild acid reflux, sometimes the simple option is the best and an antacid is adequate.

If antacids, change of diet and even non-prescription medications don’t work, many doctors will recommend prescription drugs. These drugs do require a prescription, but they are fairly easy to get, since most doctors are more than happy to provide them. There can be side effects to some of these medications, though, so not everyone can take them.

Sometimes you can’t use medication for a short period of time. Many people will stop taking medication once the symptoms go away, but as soon as they do, the symptoms come back. Prescription medication often has to be considered a permanent solution, especially if no lifestyle changes occur. Sometimes people take medication but also make lifestyle and other changes and are able to go off the medication successfully.

Finally, many people end up having surgery because other treatments have failed. Surgery is usually considered a good option if the patient has other medical conditions that might prevent the use of acid reflux medications or that might exacerbate the symptoms. Surgery is also often recommended for people who are young and have acid reflux and are looking at a lifetime of acid reflux treatment; for those people, surgery can provide a money-saving and lifestyle-saving option.

If you’re suffering from annoying acid indigestion then why not try a natural remedy for heartburn that’s safe and works every time.

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Can Children Really Get Acid Reflux?

Monday, June 15th, 2009

acid reflux symptoms are well known to occur in adults, but research has revealed that children can get acid reflux as well. As awareness of the symptoms and their potentially dangerous effects on the body, parents and doctors are investigating claims of acid reflux instead of simply brushing them off.

acid reflux can even occur in infants. Colic became a general term for a lot of the unknown discomfort an infant was having. More realistically, those babies had acid reflux and not colic.

The good news is the symptoms of acid reflux are universal. Activities such as eating, lying down horizontally and bending over are common causes of acid reflux in children and adults.

Its difficult to say if anyone ever outgrows acid reflux. Diet, eating habits and body chemistry play a large part in the elimination or perpetuation of acid reflux.

Watch your children carefully after they try new foods and listen to their complaints if they are in discomfort afterward. You may be able to treat their discomfort immediately without leaving home.

The foods your children consume are the biggest causes of acid reflux. Sugary drinks, some candies and even chocolate can trigger acid reflux. Diligent parents already make sure their children have a well rounded diet which will help minimize the negative effects of higher acid containing foods.

Whether your child suffers from acid reflux or not, make sure they are consuming enough water and milk on a daily basis. Spicy foods and caffeinated drinks are common causes of acid reflux in children.

Luckily, a lot of the causes of acid reflux in children can be eliminated at home. Incorporating a variety of low acid foods into their diet will reduce or eliminate the possibility for acid reflux. If and when it does happen, try treating it with a mild antacid (milk works great) and explaining to your child what probably caused the symptoms.

As your children age, their hormones can trigger acid reflux. If the child is going through puberty or a growth spurt they may experience more acid reflux symptoms than normal. By now though, both the child and parent should know what foods tend to trigger acid reflux for the child and try to minimize the consumption of those foods.

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Acid Reflux While Pregnant

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

Pregnancy causes significant and substantial changes in a womans body. Most of the changes are viewed as positive and exciting. Some of the changes may cause discomfort such as acid reflux and nausea.

Pregnancy triggers a lot of hormonal changes very quickly. Hormones will change the womans body chemistry, which requires the rest of the body to adapt to the changes. Hormones can also cause additional stomach acid to produce, causing acid reflux.

acid reflux is uncomfortable, no matter who you are. There is a huge selection of over the counter acid treating and eliminating products available, but they are all intended for temporary or intermittent use.

As the pregnancy progresses, the nutritional needs for mom and baby will also change. Consuming more food or different combinations of food can trigger acid reflux. As the baby continues to grow, it puts increasing pressure on the stomach. This is often the cause of escalating acid reflux symptoms. Treating the reflux as it occurs and eating foods low in acid will help reduce the symptoms.

Unfortunately, pregnancy and acid reflux are very common. Scientific studies have shown that antacids (taken as prescribed) will not cause harm to the fetus in any way. Many are high in sodium, so take that into account before making your purchase.

One of the best ways to combat acid reflux while pregnant is to avoid foods that contain a lot of acid. Citrus fruit and juices are very acidic and can trigger acid reflux symptoms. Eating more frequent and smaller meals allows the body to get its needed nutrition while not straining the digestion process. Almost all pregnant women consume more food than they would normally so smart food choices will benefit mom and baby both.

The human body is not built to take in large amounts of food at one time. The body works best when it receives a regular supplement of nutrients, which come in the form of food. Eating more frequent and smaller meals allows the body to digest the food properly. This also provides a great opportunity for pregnant women to inject healthy foods into their diet.

Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to reduce acid reflux during pregnancy. Gentle liquids like milk and even water can eliminate acid reflux. Orange juice, cranberry juice and pomegranate juice are wonderful for the body but can trigger severe acid reflux. Cutting these juices with water helps, as does reducing the quantity consumed.

Lying horizontally often triggers acid reflux. Even just a few inches of elevation will make all the difference. Unfortunately, pregnancy and acid reflux go hand in hand. Talk to your doctor about how to treat the acid reflux, and ways to prevent it. You may not be able to eliminate it altogether, but managing it properly will make the pregnancy much more comfortable!

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Do Children Get Acid Reflux?

Friday, June 12th, 2009

How often do you hear of children getting acid reflux? Granted, not often but they do. Research has revealed that not only do children get acid reflux, but the symptoms are the same as adults. As the public at large becomes more aware of this phenomenon, doctors and parents are able to detect and prevent acid reflux symptoms early thus avoiding internal damage caused by untreated acid reflux.

acid reflux can even occur in infants. Colic became a general term for a lot of the unknown discomfort an infant was having. More realistically, those babies had acid reflux and not colic.

Thankfully (or maybe not) the symptoms of acid reflux are very universal. The triggers for acid reflux are pretty universal too, provided they are kept in very broad categories. Activities like eating, bending over and lying down, for example are known to trigger acid reflux.

It’s hard to say if anyone really outgrows acid reflux symptoms. Diet and body chemistry vary too much to make an absolute statement. As children are introduced to new foods, their bodies may react to it by triggering acid reflux, nausea or some sort of allergic reaction.

When your children try new foods, observe them carefully for the next few hours to determine if they are experiencing any discomfort or a reaction to the new food. If they do have a reaction, try treating it with mild medication (antacid for acid reflux, allergy-related over the counter medication for an allergic reaction)

One of the biggest reasons children get acid reflux is from the food and drinks they consume. Sugary drinks and foods may trigger acid reflux, as may certain candies and chocolate.

Whether your child suffers from acid reflux or not, make sure they are consuming enough water and milk on a daily basis. Spicy foods and caffeinated drinks are common causes of acid reflux in children.

Because acid reflux is so common, it can almost always be prevented and treated at home. Eating a healthy diet will naturally balance out the acidity levels. If and when acid reflux does occur, treatment with a mild antacid usually does the trick.

As your children age, their hormones can trigger acid reflux. If the child is going through puberty or a growth spurt they may experience more acid reflux symptoms than normal. By now though, both the child and parent should know what foods tend to trigger acid reflux for the child and try to minimize the consumption of those foods.

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