Acid reflux is a condition in which some of the esophageal muscles don’t work properly, which allows stomach acids to rise up in the esophagus. Individuals with the disease experience heartburn and could be at risk of developing more severe health complications.

Approximately 1 in 14 people who reside in the U.S. suffer from acid reflux on a daily basis.

In an effort to better detect the cause of acid reflux, a team of researchers performed upright and horizontal screenings of 49 patients who have been diagnosed or have shown symptoms of the condition. They examined how esophageal muscles were able to perform and how the condition was affected by in both positions.

The investigators discovered that seven patients who experienced a mild case of acid reflux also suffered from esophageal motility, a lack of muscle strength in the esophagus. A total of 19 patients with a moderate case were diagnosed with the complication while lying down, and 10 individuals with a severe case of acid reflux all suffered esophageal motility while lying down.

Researchers concluded that discovering that these symptoms become worse while lying down may prove beneficial to developing medicines, which could improve long-term relief in acid reflux patients.

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Pepcid is a H2 blocker. H2 blockers, also called H2-receptor antagonists, are medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces by blocking one important producer of acid: histamine2. Pepcid has been used to treat active duodenal ulcers, active benign gastric ulcers (collectively known as peptic ulcers), and GERD.

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Find out more below about the reasons and what fast relief is possible

Heartburn can be extremely problematical- both painful and fatiguing. People in general suffer from some degree of heartburn. Medical data indicates that most people get occasional heartburn at some time in their life. However many of these heartburn episodes go away by themselves or with the help of a minimum of medication. Severe heartburn is a sign of a more advanced illness known to medical personnel as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Here, conventional medicine is often weak in providing any positive benefit for severe Heartburn cases.

What is the real, underlying problem?

The weakening or the instability of the muscle separating the esophagus from the stomach means that stomach juices including acid reflux back into the esophagus. Ulceration of the esophagus is then the result because of the acid corrosion caused by the acidic stomach matter. The root of the problem is therefore typically the sphincter or one-way muscular valve that should block off the stomach from the esophagus. In severe cases, there may even be a pre-cancer condition known to doctors as Barrett’s esophagus, and which necessitates immediate medical attention.

Other problematical factors of heartburn

It is sometimes incorrectly identified as asthma, which makes the situation that much more, complicated. This is because if the backward reflux of acid contents reaches the upper part of the esophagus, then the result may be fits of wheezing, hoarseness and drive coughing.

Which people are more at risk of contracting heartburn?

There are several medical conditions that will bump up the risk of serious heartburn. Risk factors include hernias and diabetes as well as incorrect eating, such as too much fast food. Diseases of the auto immune system such as Raynaud Phenomenon, sceloderma and the CREST syndrome can all negatively impact this condition.

The right heartburn remedy

Because they do not take into consideration the long term causes, and may even have serious drawbacks when they are taken, conventional medicines may even worsen the situation. And as most medications prescribed by physicians target only the symptoms of heartburn, they only really have a role to play in short term relief.

Heartburn sufferers are advised to limit or avoid intake of food that is fatty, high in caffeine, high in alcohol content, in chocolate, mint or sherbet, as well as eating less of the acid-type foods such as tomatoes, oranges, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Recent investigations have suggested that a correct diet, a healthy lifestyle and a holistic program which may include herbs and vitamins supplements are what is required to permanently cure severe GERD-related heartburn.

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Thus, only surgery can help to solve the problem. But, it does not stop the symptoms.

According to Dr. Mary Maish, UCLA Center for Esophageal Disorders, the new research shows a stomach wrap or a fundoplication is more effective than heartburn medications to treat severe acid reflux.

Through five tiny incisions, Dr. Maish is able to surgically enter the area where the esophagus meets the stomach.

“This allows us to take that part of the stomach and push it behind the esophagus and wrap it all the way around so that creates a 360 degree wrap,” said Dr. Maish.

Following the fundoplication procedure, patients are asked not to eat any solid foods for about six weeks. After that they can eat anything they want within reason.

This procedure was a lifesaver because chronic heartburn was causing precancerous changes in the esophagus. With the newly created valve the damage was reversed.

And now, after the procedure, heartburn acid reflux patients can now enjoy those foods which are forbidden for them previously.

[Source: ABC News]

My view: This only applies to patients who have chronic GERD, heartburn or acid reflux. If yours is not severe, it is better to try natural remedies to get rid of your heartburn symptoms for life. It is safer and cause no health to your life unlike the heartburn acid reflux pills.

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Drinking carbonated beverages everyday can lead to more than just a bad case of heartburn. In fact, research is finding that frequent consumption of these beverages over time, can actually dramatically increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer was a disease that was non-existent two generations ago, now it’s becoming a common concern. Researchers in India discovered a link between the rise in carbonation consumption and esophageal cancer in America over the past two decades. They found that the average consumption of carbonated soft drinks sky rocketed from less than 11 gallons per year in the late 1940’s to nearly 50 gallons per year by 2000. They also found that since the 1980’s, esophageal cancer has increased by more than 565% among white American men.

Studies have concluded that soft drinks have a direct link to gastric distension, a condition that brings on reflux. It was found that the consumption of liquid from a single standard soda can cause acid levels to remain elevated in the stomach for more than 52 minutes. Thus, if a person were to drink one can of soda a day, for a year, that would add up to more than 32,000 minutes of the esophagus being exposed to elevated acid levels.

Furthermore, the lower esophagus has a much higher chance of being damaged by soft drink consumption than by other non-carbonated beverages. For instance, if you were to drink 8 oz. of a carbonated beverage, your stomach might distend to 16 oz., instead of only distending by 8 oz. when drinking the same amount of water.

The distending that carbonation causes to the stomach results in acid reflux. Recurring acid reflux dramatically increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer, and drinking carbonated beverages increases gastric pressure, which may lead to an increase in reflux.

How exactly does acid reflux and esophageal cancer result from drinking carbonated beverages? The following is a basic breakdown of what occurs:
• The carbonated beverage is ingested
• The carbonation induces a burp – otherwise known as acid reflux
• The burp goes up through the esophagus and carries acid with it
• Over time the carbonation causes mechanical damage to cells causing lesions. Mechanical cell damage increases the risk of cancer.
• Frequent drinking causes a radical increase in the mutation of cells and excessive level of free radicals which can eventually lead to cancer.

Carbonated beverages don’t only include soft drinks like cola, root-beer and ginger ale. Any beverage with carbonation can cause acid reflux. Other beverages that contain carbonation include:
• Soda water – regular or flavored water with carbonation
• Beer
• Champagne
• Fruit juice

To find out if a beverage is carbonated, “carbonated water” is usually listed in the ingredients.

If you suffer from frequent acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), it’s a good idea to eliminate carbonated beverages from your diet altogether.

However, if you really enjoy drinking carbonated beverages, and aren’t ready to go cold turkey, here are some tips for you to keep in mind when it comes to limiting your carbon consumption:

• Take one sip at a time – Don’t gulp down your drinks as this encourages burping, making it more likely for the esophagus to become irritated.
• Limit your intake –Treat yourself to one drink once in a while; don’t make it apart of your daily diet.
• Buy bottles, not cans – If you purchase soft drinks, avoid buying cans and opt for a bottle instead. A bottle will allow you to control the amount you drink without making you feel obligated to finish the whole drink as you would with a can.

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Millions of people suffering from indigestion, gas, bloating, heartburn and acid reflux are addicted to antacids and have taken them for years.

Watch this video as Dr Whiting explains all about it.

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Q: I am a non-smoker and yet I have had a persistent cough since last year. I cough very badly, especially at night when I go to bed. My throat feels so itchy that I feel like I am choking myself. I can cough till tears run from my eyes or till I vomit.

Sometimes, even during in the day, I cough,too. I have consulted three GPs and was referred early this year to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist who said my cough is due to gastric reflux. I was given omeprazole to treat the reflux. Unfortunately, I do not feel any improvement. Is it safe to take omeprazole for a long period of time? I was asked to take one pill twice a day.

Should I see a gastroenterologist too?

A: Chronic cough is usually due to sinusitis, allergic conditions, hypersensitivity of the airways following an infection or gastric acid reflux or stomach acid reflux.

It is always necessary to check the nose and throat and this is best done with the use of an endoscope which is inserted via the nose to the throat area to view the lower throat and voice box areas. Typically, one can detect sinusitis with this method.

In your case, it appears that sinusitis was excluded. Hence the remaining possibilities would be allergic reactions possibly to food, or just hyper-reactivity of the airways following an infection.

The hyper-reactivity may go on for several weeks or even several months. During this time, it should be treated symptomatically. This means that medicine is given to reduce the cough itself. It is much like when you have a headache and painkillers are given to reduce the pain. At the same time, reflux medication such as omeprazole is advised for use up to eight weeks.

If the cough persists, then it would be fair to test for food allergies.

There are three main causes of chronic cough: Lung problem, ENT diseases and the less well recognised and under diagnosed Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Gerd), that is, reflux of acid from the stomach back to the oesophagus.

Acid causes either direct irritation of the airways or spasm of the airways from nerve reflex leading to coughs that typically worsen at night while one is sleeping.

Acid blocker is commonly prescribed to reduce acid reflux, thus reducing the cough. However, generic omeprazole is usually not strong enough to suppress acid effectively especially in GERD.

If symptoms persist despite completing a three- to four-week course of omeprazole, a stronger and more effective acid blocker will be needed.

Further evaluation by a gastroenterologist is recommended, as endoscopy or acidity tests should be done to assess the extent of GERD. Moderate to severe acid damage to the oesophagus may need a stronger and longer duration of acid suppression especially in patients with chronic cough.

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Today, let’s watch this new tool in the fight against Barrett’s Esophagus. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that radiofrequency ablation, or RFA, is helping those whose chronic acid reflux has turned into Barrett’s Esophagus.

There are different types of antacids that work in different ways. You should talk to your doctor before taking an antacid.

To manage an ulcer, an antacid may need to be taken in conjunction with an antibiotic.

If one needs more calcium to help strengthen bones, one should prefer an antacid that contains calcium carbonate.

In some, antacids may have minor side effects such as nausea, headache, diarrhea or constipation.

So, it is important to  read the label carefully to make sure that one is not allergic to any of the ingredients. People with kidney disease may not be able to take all types of antacids.

Besides that, an antacid may interact with other medications and causes other problem. Hence, it is still important to consult your doctor before taking any drug for your acid reflux problem.

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