Monday, August 10, 2009
Acid reflux
GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Volunteer for our clinical trials and research studies on GERD, heartburn and acid reflux
GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease and refers to the backward flow of acid from the stomach up into the esophagus. GERD, also known as acid reflux disease or persistent heartburn, is a chronic disorder affecting over 15 million Americans.
GERD may cause the following symptoms, often severe enough to diminish the quality of life for those who have the disease:
Burning chest pain behind the breastbone moving toward the neck and throat often lasting as long as two hours. It may be improve or be worsened by eating food
Bitter or sour taste of acid in the back of the throat
Trouble swallowing
Cough or wheeze
Upset stomach
Hoarse voice or sore throat
GERD is diagnosed by a gastroenterologist through physical examinations, x-rays and endoscopies, and acid studies.
Complications of GERD may include severe chest pain sometimes mimicking a heart attack, a narrowing or obstruction of the esophagus, vomiting , shortness of breath or development of Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-malignant condition of the esophagus.
GERD is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid to reflux, i.e. flow backward into the esophagus. The prolonged contact of these acidic digestive enzymes injures the esophagus and produces a burning discomfort. Current GERD treatment includes taking medication and making the following lifestyle modifications:
Avoid foods and beverages which contribute to acid indigestion: chocolate, coffee, peppermint, greasy or spicy foods, tomato products and alcoholic beverages.
Stop smoking
Avoid tight clothing
Reduce weight if obese
Avoid eating 2-3 hours before going to sleep
Elevating the head of the bed
Living with GERD, acid reflux disease and persistent heartburn can cause pain and discomfort and impede your normal, everyday activities. Frequently, GERD symptoms will not be reduced by lifestyle modifications and over the counter medications. However, GERD research and clinical trials are offering hopeful insights and innovative treatments that can help decrease and neutralize stomach acids, protect the lower esophageal sphincter and improve gastric emptying.
Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved with good heartburn treatment, including a few lifestyle changes. Follow these suggestions to significantly reduce the occurrence of acid reflux symptoms.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Large meals expand your stomach and increase upward pressure against the esophageal sphincter.
Limit your intake of acid-stimulating foods and beverages.
Eat foods that rarely cause heartburn and avoid those foods that will often cause heartburn.
Don't lie down for about two hours after you eat.
Gravity helps to keep the stomach juices from backing up into the esophagus and assists the flow of food and digestive juices from the stomach to the intestines.
Elevate your head a few inches while you sleep.
Lying down flat presses the stomach's contents against the LES. With the head higher than the stomach, gravity helps reduce this pressure. You can elevate your head in a couple of ways. You can place bricks, blocks or anything that's sturdy securely under the legs at the head of your bed. You can also use an extra pillow, or a wedge-shaped pillow, to elevate your head.
Maintain a reasonable weight.
Obesity increases abdominal pressure, which can then push stomach contents up into the esophagus. According to some statistics, approximately 35% of overweight persons experience heartburn. The good news is that for many people, as little as a 10% decrease in weight will improve their heartburn symptoms.
Don't smoke.
Nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid. Read this article to learn other ways smoking can worsen heartburn.
Don't drink alcohol.
If you still want to drink alcoholic beverages, follow these tips.
Relax.
While stress hasn't been linked directly to heartburn, it is known that it can lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn. Follow these relaxation tips to alleviate stress, and thus make stress-related heartburn less likely.
Don't wear belts or clothes that are tight fitting around the waist.
Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen will squeeze the stomach, forcing food up against the LES, and cause food to reflux into the esophagus. Clothing that can cause problems include tight-fitting belts and slenderizing undergarments.
Keep a heartburn record.
Record what triggered your acid reflux episodes, the severity of each episode, how your body reacts, and what gives you relief. The next step is to take this information to your doctor so the both of you can determine what lifestyle changes you will need to make and what treatments will give you maximum relief. To get you started, you can use this Heartburn Record
Acid reflux video