Acid Reflux – HeartburnSite.com

Acid Reflux and Heartburn – What’s the Difference?

People suffering from acid reflux consume acid reflux medication in order to control the condition. This type of medication can be taken in two ways. First, it can be taken as oral medications, by drinking the medicine as pills or dissolvable tablets. Second, acid reflux medication can also be applied to the skin, for topical use. Topical acid reflux medication usually comes in the form of creams, ointments, and gels. Both types of acid reflux medications have similar effects in that they counteract the harmful effects of acid reflux has on the esophagus, stomach, and pancreas.

Some common medications used for acid reflux are Pepcid, Protonix, Prilosec, and Maxolon. Pepcid, Protonix, and Prilosec contain the alpha antagonism enzyme. This enzyme occurs naturally in the stomach and the intestines and it results in acid reflux by weakening the muscle that separates the stomach contents from the acid content of the esophagus. Maxolon and Protonix contain the beta2 antagonism enzyme, which results in less acid reflux. Another acid reflux medication, Digoxin, decreases the acidity of the esophagus, which helps reduce the symptoms of heartburn. However, some patients may experience adverse side effects from these medications.

How does one person treat acid reflux? There is no single drug that can cure acid reflux syndrome. The acid reflux condition varies from one patient to another; thus, the acid reflux medications that work best for one patient may not necessarily work for another. It is important to note that the effectiveness of acid reflux drugs differs from one person to another.

Is there a way to determine if acid reflux has caused my heartburn or if I’m just experiencing acid reflux symptoms? The only way to tell for sure is with the help of endoscopy. Endoscopy is a procedure wherein a doctor inserts a light into your esophagus to get a closer look at your stomach. If the endoscope detects the presence of gastric acid in your stomach, then it means that you have experienced heartburn. In this situation, the doctor will recommend you to undergo some lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and reducing your alcohol intake. These factors are considered preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

There are people who experience acid reflux on a more frequent basis and they choose to undergo proton pump inhibitors or PCOS for short. Although acid reflux and heartburn are synonymous, it is still best to consult your doctor before taking any form of medication. In women, acid reflux and heartburn usually occur during pregnancy. This is because the placenta is developing and thickening due to the amniotic fluid that surrounds the developing fetus.

There are also conventional medications for acid reflux disease. Although these medications are effective in relieving symptoms, there is no cure. However, these medications can provide relief from the discomfort that accompanies acid reflux by giving the patient a more comfortable and relaxed state. If you experience acid reflux and heartburn, you can always consult your doctor and ask for medications and treatments.

Common Causes of Acid Reflux and How to Get Relief

By Mikael G.J.

If you were to type common causes of acid reflux into your favorite search engine you would definitely not be the first person to do so. There are thousands of searched queries for this health related conditions which means just one thing – it is extremely common and a lot of people are suffering from it.

But what are the most common causes of acid reflux so you can do something about it?

Acid reflux is the term given when a part of the acid content in the stomach moves up the esophagus and into the gullet which is the part of the mouth which is supposed to work the other way by moving your food from the mouth to the stomach.

Hydrochloric acid is present in the stomach in order to help to digest the food we eat more efficiently and protect against bacteria.

Although the majority of people suffer only with mild symptoms, there are some reports which suggest that as many as 60 million Americans who suffer every month and around 15 million people who suffer with the problem every single day.

There are several things which can cause or contribute to acid reflux. Some are related to medical conditions and others are more directly linked to lifestyle choices. Some people may find that they suffer from heartburn which is associated with particular types of food or drink but severe acid reflux may also be linked to other medical reasons which are not so easy to fix.

A hiatal hernia can often lead to heartburn or acid reflux as well as pregnancy, but let’s take a look at some of the things which can be changed in order to reduce the occurrence of this problem.

Obesity

Obese people are known to suffer more with this type of problem. If you are obese and you have problems with acid reflux, it is just one more important reason to change your lifestyle with the aim of losing some of the excess weight.
Smoking

Both active and passive smoking can also be a contributing factor to this condition. There are many reasons to stop smoking and this is just one more.

High salt intake

Although we all need a certain amount of salt in our diets, too much salt is definitely a bad thing.

Low physical exercise

If you increase your amount of daily exercise it can help a lot. It can help to reduce the likelihood of suffering with these problems and it can also help you to lose weight which in itself is another way to improve the situation.

Medication

Some drugs can have an effect on acid reflux, particularly antihistamines, sedatives, painkillers, anti depressants and drugs which are prescribed for asthma sufferers.

Low dietary fiber

If you don’t have enough fiber in your diet it can lead to heartburn and acid reflux. Be sure to eat more leafy greens and vegetables that increase your daily fiber intake.

These are some of the most common causes of heartburn, so if you are suffer regularly, you can use these tips to finally get some relief from acid reflux and ultimately, change your overall health in the process.

Common Acid Reflux Drugs For Temporary Relief

By Mikael G.J.

There are millions of Americans putting up with acid reflux, GERD and heartburn on a daily basis. The condition is characterized by common symptoms such as a burning sensation in the chest or throat area, along with regurgitation.

The constant backwash of the stomach acid content irritates the lining of the esophagus. This leaves the sufferer with a burning sensation in the chest or throat areas. We will highlight some of the most common acid reflux drugs being used to relieve these irritating symptoms.

There are simple changes that a patient can make to his or her diet in order to minimize the irritation caused by acid reflux. It basically comes down to how frequently the person has the symptoms and how the symptoms would affect their day to day lives.

Eliminating fatty and acidic food from their diet, avoiding caffeine, quitting smoking and losing excess weight are some of the most important lifestyle changes that a person can make to control their condition. These lifestyle changes can help people who are suffering with minor symptoms of GERD.

But what if you have more severe GERD systems that affect your day to day life? If you have symptoms more than three times a week, it is considered a sign of severe GERD. This is when you need to consult your physician as soon as possible. Your physician will prescribe medications to get some relief.

There are over the counter antacids such as Maalox, Tums, Mylanta and Rolaids that are helpful in neutralizing the stomach acid and providing fast acting relief. Some antacids come in liquid form to coat the lining of the esophagus and prevent it from coming into contact with stomach acid.

Antacids are good for immediate relief, but their effectiveness is short-lived. Patients should not over use antacids since it can cause diarrhea, constipation and imbalance of electrolytes in some rare cases.

Oral suspension medicines are the other common drug class recommended for heartburn. Pepto Bismol and Carafate are some of the common oral suspension medicines for heartburn. These medicines help coat the esophagus lining preventing it from coming into regular contact with stomach acid. This will help reduce the symptom of heartburn and irritation.

Anti-gas, anti-flatulence medications are recommended for patients who experience gas and bloating as a result of acid reflux. Gas-X, Beano and Phazyme are over the counter medications that are effective in this regard. These medications can help relieve gas, bloating and pressure in the digestive track.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are another common drug class used to treat acid reflux. Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid are some of the common PPIs on the market. These drugs would block excess acid production in the stomach and aid in healing the esophagus. These are prescribed for patients suffering with severe GERD symptoms.

Acid reflux is a condition that affects millions of Americans on a daily basis. There are so many effective over the counter medications for the condition. We have highlighted some of the most important acid reflux drugs to relieve the symptoms quickly and effectively.

Is Heartburn Different From Acid Reflux?

By Mikael G.J.

When you get that burning sensation in your esophagus, do you know what is causing it? You need to know exactly what your condition is before you can treat it, but acid reflux and heartburn have many of the same symptoms. The important differences lie in how often the discomfort occurs.

The technical cause for heartburn is when stomach acid migrates up from the stomach, and the most common reasons that people experience it include eating too much, tight clothing and advancing pregnancy.

All of these circumstances constrict the stomach, resulting in some stomach acid rising into the esophagus and the uncomfortable, burning sensation that follows.

The normal function of the esophagus is to carry food that has been chewed and swallowed to the stomach. Food enters the stomach by passing through an esophageal sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus, and the muscle should then close so the food stays in the stomach.

If this lower esophageal sphincter muscle does not function properly, too much pressure on the stomach can force acid back through the valve. This defective valve is why some people experience heartburn more more frequently than others. Certain studies found a connection between stress and heartburn or acid reflux.

The technical term for acid reflux is gastrointestinal reflux disease, and is more commonly referred to as GERD. This condition is more serious than the occasional heartburn some people have since it occurs on a more regular basis, and at least once or twice in a week. Also, over-the-counter medication such as antacids are not effective in relieving the discomfort.

Frequent bouts of GERD can damage the esophageal lining if the condition is not treated, and this can lead to ulcers, bleeding, scar tissue and even esophageal cancer. The most obvious difference between heartburn and GERD is how often the burning sensation occurs.

If someone is suffering from GERD, it is essential that they begin proper treatment promptly. A healthcare provider should be consulted if heartburn is a problem more than two times a week on average.

Proper treatment of GERD includes prescription medications and lifestyle modifications. Substantial weight loss which can be accomplished through diet changes to include foods that are less rich and lower in fat.

Smokers should also quit smoking, and if GERD continues to be a problem, surgery is sometimes necessary to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

The Causes Of GERD Are Not What You Think

By Mikael G.J.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that is highly common in the United States. When one has this condition, the valve separating the esophagus from the stomach allows acid into the unprotected esophagus, often causing an unpleasant sensation.

Between 10-20% of people experience weekly symptoms, and $13 billion in prescription pharmaceuticals were spent treating this condition. The identification of the causes of GERD is a matter of some controversy right now which has significant implications in how the disease is treated.

Most people believe that GERD is caused by too much stomach acid. The vast majority of medicines that are given to people to treat GERD lower stomach acid.

While these are effective, there is a lot of evidence that the exact opposite scenario is true. Too little stomach acid could be causing GERD, and treating it with most prescription pharmaceuticals could make the condition worse in the long run.

The first thing someone should notice with regards to the too much stomach acid hypothesis is that most people experience dramatic drops in stomach acid when they age.

As a result, one would expect that GERD would become less and less of a problem if the high stomach acid cause hypothesis were correct. However, the exact opposite is observed. The incidence of GERD actually increases as one ages.

Why are young people not getting GERD in huge numbers given their large amounts of stomach acid? The main reason is that the valve separating the stomach from the esophagus normally works.

If it fails at all, then it does not matter if you have a little stomach acid or a lot. It is going to cause a problem. The reason why is the esophagus just is not protected against the corrosive effects of the acid.

This fact also explains why many people get systemic relief from pharmaceuticals. By dramatically decreasing the stomach acid that is flowing into the esophagus, one will get less symptoms. However, if the valve is not functioning well, there will always be small amounts of acid corroding the esophagus.

Recent evidence indicates that even silent GERD, that is when symptoms are not noticed, is dangerous and can even lead to a much greater risk of esophageal cancer.

The underlying dysfunction of the valve is believed to result from the unnatural expansion of pressure in the stomach, which pushes stomach juices out of the valve.

There appear to be two things that cause this increase in pressure. The first is an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut, and the second is the accumulation of improperly digested carbohydrates.

Both of these underlying issues actually can be the result of lower stomach acids. Bacteria cannot survive well in the stomach when the pH drops below 3. If one weakens the acid of the stomach, then this bacteria will overgrow causing increased stomach pressure.

The presence of undigested carbohydrates also helps to feed such bacteria. The reason that the carbohydrates are undigested also largely relates to the fact that the stomach acid is not powerful enough to quickly reduce them.

As a result, when people consume medicines such as proton pump inhibitors, they could be temporarily relieving their GERD symptoms while weakening their stomach acid, which is only making the underlying problem worse.

In contrast, many physicians have found that providing hydrochloric acid supplementation to boost the acid content of the stomach actually resolves the disease.

Thus, understanding the causes of GERD has very important implications towards changing our current treatment paradigm. If you currently suffer from GERD, you should seriously consider going off the prescription medications and taking actions to increase the acid content of your stomach.