Cure for Acid Reflux – Acid Reflux Diet and Acid Reflux Remedies

Archive for October, 2010

Acid reflux doesn’t just occur out of nowhere. It has causes, and one of which is poor eating habits. Studies show that people of all age groups, even babies and children can develop the said condition. In fact, children and infants are more likely to acquire acid reflux; however, most of them outgrow it. Gastro-esophageal reflux or simply acid reflux also happens to adults. This is easily acquired by people who are fond of eating heavy meals and foods with high acid content as well as those who had previously suffered from the condition. Yes, recurrence of acid reflux, even after treatment and recovery, is possible each time one goes back to poor eating habits.

Poor mealtime schedules, unbalanced diet, are among the major causes of acid reflux. When one takes in too much food at a single meal, the stomach lining is forced to secrete too much acid to digest the food, which in turn might cause abnormalities in digestive processes. One abnormality which is distinct to acid reflux is the travelling back of food from the stomach to the throat. Though the condition can be easily acquired, a lot of those who suffer from it rarely take it seriously because of the fact that its causes and symptoms cannot be explained.

People who suffer from mild acid reflux undergo medication and devise a well-planned diet to avoid symptom recurrence. However, those with severe acid reflux find it a must to go through surgeries. Various surgical procedures are offered to cure acid reflux. Among the safest and most effective ones is Intraluminal Endoscopic surgery and Laparoscopic anti-reflex surgery or Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication.

Fundoplication or medically called Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication is probably the most popular type of surgical procedure for acid reflux. The procedure is done by constricting esophageal walls and amplifying pressure to its muscles. Increased pressure will stop the food from the stomach to travel upwards to the throat. A different is to have the valve of the esophagus constricted thus sort of closing down the esophagus to avoid gastric juices to creep through it.

Another surgical procedure that most acid reflux patients undergo is the intraluminal endoscopy which is somewhat similar with fundoplication. The only difference is that in intraluminal endoscopy, a tiny optical tool called the endoscope is inserted inside the body to view the internal organs which aids in the surgical procedure. The good thing about this type of procedure is that it is quick and precised thus employing little risks to those who go through it. After the procedure, the patient is suggested, though not required to go through a post-operation treatment to help the person recover quickly.

Breakthroughs in medical technology make it possible for various conditions such as acid reflux to be treated. It widens the options for acid reflux patients as they can now choose to undergo medication, merely follow a strict meal plan or go through surgical procedures, whichever they found to be appropriate. However, surgery is highly suggested who have persistent acid reflux and for those who want to permanently be freed of the condition.

Normally, when we eat, the food we intake will automatically proceed to the intestines for further digestion. But, with the people with Acid Reflux, the food will go back to the esophagus with the gastric acid which results in the inflammation of the throat and the esophagus. This is also accompanied by severe pain on the torso and abdomen because of the gastric acid. Vomiting, dyspepsia and regurgitation may occur. Also some respiratory-related indicators are considered.

GERD is an example of chronic health condition. Once it is in the body, it will continually to be there and will remain until the right cure is implemented. Because sometimes symptoms occur repeatedly, medication should be also done recurrently.

Gastric acid that goes back to the esophagus is actually normal. But when excessive gastric acid accompanied by the food approaches the esophagus, stays there for a long time and eventually hurts you much because there is already an inflammation, you likely have Acid Reflux Disease.

Our body has its own built-in mechanisms to prevent these abnormalities. A very good example is our salivary glands. Salivary glands are located on our tongue. It releases saliva which contains bicarbonates that helps to break down the food we in take. When we swallow, the food with saliva on it will go down the esophagus and will continually digest the food.

Bicarbonates have also the ability to neutralize the gastric acid in our stomach. Studies show that occurrence of the disease is very minimal when it is in daytime. It is because at this time, we are awake, the metabolisms are working, and we are usually in upright position and continually burn the fat. Unlike when it is at night time, we slow down and when we sleep, burning the food stops.

The usage of saliva, swallowing and gravity can only occur when the person is on an upright position. That’s why it is advisable that when the night is approaching, only eat small amount of food and as much as possible, eat earlier to give our body some time to digest what we eaten. Sleeping immediately after meals would tend to make the food stay longer in stomach and also in esophagus that will damage its walls.

Acid Reflux is more prone to pregnant and obese people. Increased hormones on pregnant women and high levels of fat on obese causes more pressure on the abdominal section. This pressure pushes the food and the gastric acid up to the esophagus. On pregnant women, there is more pressure on their abdomen because of the developing fetus in their womb.

The easiest cure for this disease is the proper positioning of pillows. It is considered easy because almost all the people have their own pillows at home. This cure was one by elevating the head and the torso when sleeping. Elevate the head and torso as much as 6-8 inches. This position effectively prevents the gastric acid from reaching the esophagus. With these simple positioning, mild relief will occur eventually.

Many are not aware that Acid Reflux can also happen to children. Acid Reflux or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is an occurrence that the food we ate will eventually go back from the stomach to the esophagus.

Cathy is an example. She noticed that her 11 year-old-child is coughing periodically, day time and night time. She consulted the doctor. The doctor’s diagnosis is that the child is suffering on an allergy that’s why the child is experiencing short dry coughs. But after some tests, it was found that it was not an allergy. Cathy suspected that his son’s asthma is related to Acid Reflux.

Medical tests and experiments have found that Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) which is a disease that pushes the gastric juice and the food that was eaten back to the esophagus which eventually reaches the throat not only happens on adults but also on children. This disease can be hardly noticed on children.

Because a baby’s digestive system is not yet fully developed, symptoms of GERD are sometimes seen. This occurrence should stop when the baby reaches one. On some children, coughing and being sick are normal signs of growing up. But sometimes, it is also a sign that the child is already suffering from Acid Reflux.

If the baby seems like finding it hard to eat and swallow and showing noticeable weight-loss, maybe the baby is already experiencing GERD.

There are some tips to prevent an infant to suffer on this disease. Always remember that when feeding them, make sure that the baby is in an upright position so that the milk he/she is drinking will not go back to his/her esophagus. Another one is that after feeding the child, don’t lie him/her down immediately. Let the baby to be in an upright position for about half an hour. Also, help the baby to burp after and while feeding so that the air on his/her stomach will go out.

For children age 3 and up, don’t let them always intake carbonated drinks, coffee and tea. Carbonated drinks contains carbon dioxide which when reached the stomach, the child may experience stomachache. It also adds pressure inside the stomach that pushes up back to the esophagus. This could lead to Acid Reflux. They should also avoid foods with high acid content like citrus fruits. Fatty and fried foods are also big no’s on children. Chocolates and spicy foods also trigger GERD. By ignoring these foods, risk of having GERD will be lessened. After their meals, don’t let them bend because it also increases the pressure inside the stomach.

Like on the case of adults, children should also undergo proper and healthy diet. Small amount of meals on several times a day is a big help. Also, raising the head on the bed using a pillow for about 30 degrees will lessen the risk.

Prevacid, proton inhibitors and H2 blocking agents are medicines that are usually taken by patients with Acid Reflux. These can be bought on drug stores. These medications are mostly effective.

In extreme cases, medicines just won’t work. The doctor will then recommend undergoing a surgery. If still this option didn’t work, there’s the Esophageal Reflux Surgery. This surgery is done repeatedly as the child gets older.

When the child is showing signs of difficulty in breathing, vomiting yellowish or greenish materials with streak of blood which looks like coffee grounds, it is strongly recommended to send your child to a doctor for immediate medical attention.

This disease shouldn’t be ignored. When not treated immediately, the disease will be more painful and worse, create other complications.