Friday, August 01, 2008
By Jessica Ryen Doyle, Fox News

What goes up must come down.
But for the millions of Americans who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, that saying is of little comfort.
Commonly referred to as acid reflux, this annoying condition is usually accompanied by symptoms of heartburn and/or regurgitation, which can make for an irritating lifestyle.
“Acid reflux occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach pass up into the esophagus, and the sphincter muscle –- the barrier between the two –- has a defect, so it cannot block the acid,” Dr. Anish Sheth, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Yale University, told FOXNews.com. “The lining of the esophagus is not made to resist acid, it’s very different from the stomach. So acid reflux can cause ulcers and inflammation, and a whole host of other problems.”
Acid reflux can present itself with a variety of other symptoms. A chronic cough, worsening of asthma symptoms, constant throat clearing and a hoarse voice are all problems that patients with acid reflux have complained of.
1. Who is at risk for acid reflux?
There is really no rhyme or reason as to why acid reflux occurs, Sheth said, and it afflicts millions of people in the United States. Except for obese people, there aren’t any demographics for who are more at risk, he said.
“There are certain lifestyle things we tell people to avoid,” he said. “Alcohol consumption increases the risk of acid reflux, as well as caffeine. So do foods like chocolates and tomatoes, or tomato-based products. If you have mild symptoms, and can avoid these things, you might be able to avoid medicines.”
2. How is acid reflux diagnosed?
A new outpatient procedure allows the doctor to attach a capsule to the patient’s esophagus using an endoscopy, which involves sticking a tube down the patient’s throat. The capsule transmits wireless pH data to a beeper on the patient’s belt over the course of 48 hours, to give doctors a concise idea of how much acid is being washed up.
3. How is acid reflux treated?
There are three ways to treat acid reflux, Sheth said:
1. Lifestyle changes, which include adjusting your dietary habits and losing weight if you are obese;
2. Taking proton pump inhibitors, which are acid-reducing medicines like Nexium, Prilosec or Protonix;
3. Surgery. This is usually a last resort taken after medication and dietary changes fail. The procedure involves wrapping the top portion of the stomach around the bottom of the esophagus and securing it below the diaphragm.
By creating a tight sphincter, the food cannot reflux back into the esophagus.
4. Acid-reflux may cause other medical conditions
“The thing that should be taken away, is that acid reflux isn’t going to kill you,” Sheth said. “Why we actually look down your throat into your esophagus with a scope is because it can cause other problematic conditions.”
If left untreated, acid reflux can cause:
— Barrett’s esophagus. The cells that line the esophagus undergo a change, Sheth said. In a small percentage of patients, they can turn pre-cancerous; dysplastic, which is the earliest form of a cancerous lesion; or cancerous.
— Esophageal stricture. This is a narrowing in the esophagus that comes after a long period of irritation and leads to difficulty in swallowing, Sheth said.
— Esophageal cancer. If doctors can catch it early enough, surgery is still an option and patients have good outcomes, Sheth said. If patients wait until they have trouble swallowing, chances are the cancer is at a more advanced stage, and treatment could be less effective.

Technorati Tags: acid reflux cure, acid reflux treatment, gerd symptoms, gerds, symptoms of acid reflux

WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ — We have all experienced an upset stomach at one time or another from the foods we love to eat. However, when frequent heartburn and other discomfort are experienced, diet alone may not be the culprit. The symptoms may be indicators of a larger problem — one that is best addressed by talking to a doctor about what these symptoms could really mean. ??Those who experience heartburn at least twice a week, even after trying home remedies and a change in diet, could be suffering from a potentially serious condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), commonly referred to as Acid Reflux Disease. In fact, it is estimated that 6.1 million Hispanic-Americans in the United States suffer from GERD. ??GERD occurs when contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus. It is often mistaken for occasional heartburn, but frequent, persistent heartburn is actually the most common symptom of GERD. This misconception can be dangerous, as GERD is a chronic condition that, if left untreated, may potentially lead to more serious medical conditions, such as erosion of the esophagus. ??Fortunately, over the last three years, Hispanic-Americans have become increasingly aware of GERD, but there is still much work to be done to care for the health of Hispanic-Americans. ??GERD awareness is on the rise, but a need for doctor visits remains … ?A new survey evaluated how well 1,000 Hispanic-Americans understood GERD and its symptoms. The survey, conducted in April 2008, was designed to gauge whether or not progress in GERD education had occurred, building upon a similar survey conducted in 2005. Results showed that 69 percent of Hispanic-Americans are familiar with common terms used to describe GERD. This is a steady increase from the prior survey, which showed that only 34 percent were familiar with common terms to describe the condition. ??Unfortunately, despite improved awareness, the survey showed that the number of Hispanic-Americans consulting a doctor about their GERD-related symptoms has remained unchanged since 2005. More than half of the respondents who reported suffering from GERD — and knowing about the seriousness of the condition — said they have not consulted a doctor. This is an important and revealing statistic, as it is necessary to work closely with physicians to properly and effectively manage GERD symptoms. ??”The results from the follow-up survey are encouraging, as they demonstrate that Hispanic-Americans are taking a more proactive role in their personal healthcare, and becoming more informed about the prevalence of GERD in their community,” said Marta Illueca, MD, a specialist in Gastroenterology at AstraZeneca LP, who pioneered the original survey. “But with more than six million Hispanic-Americans suffering from a condition that can severely impact their daily lifestyles, it becomes increasingly imperative for us to understand the signs and symptoms of GERD and talk with our doctors to help diagnose and treat the disease.” ??Identifying and Treating GERD ?The new survey also revealed that Hispanic-Americans are now increasingly able to identify symptoms of the condition. Sixty-five percent of respondents said they, or someone in their household, currently suffers from GERD-related symptoms two or more times a week. ??GERD affects a significant portion of the Hispanic-American community, but anyone can develop the disease. In fact, approximately 60 million American adults experience GERD symptoms more than twice a week. Risk increases with age, but symptoms of the condition can be alleviated with proper treatment. Consulting a doctor, and staying updated on new information regarding the condition, are best for determining the right options for managing GERD symptoms. For more information about GERD, please visit http://www.GERD.com or http://www.familiassanas.com or call 1-866-271-7278. ??GERD AT A GLANCE ?Talk To Your Doctor If You Experience These Common GERD Symptoms: ?– Heartburn ?– Belching ?– Acidic or sour taste in the mouth ?– Hoarseness ?– Persistent coughing ??Common Treatment Options for GERD: ?– Antacids neutralize stomach acid ?– Mucosal protective agents protect the lining of the esophagus ?– Promotility agents cause the stomach to empty faster ?– Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the amount of acid the stomach makes ??These lifestyle changes have been shown to have a positive effect on symptoms associated with GERD in some patients: ?– Losing weight ?– Quitting smoking ?– Wearing loose-fitting clothing ?– Eating smaller meals ?– Raising the head of the bed when sleeping ?– Waiting at least 3 hours before lying down after eating ?– Avoiding certain foods and drinks, including: chocolate, peppermint, alcoholic drinks, caffeinated beverages, citrus drinks, tomato-based foods, high-fat and/or fried foods

Technorati Tags: acid reflux medicine, acid reflux treatment, gerd symptoms, gerd treatment, symptoms of acid reflux

Monday, August 04, 2008
By Jessica Ryen Doyle

When Debra Peterson tells her patients their worsening asthma symptoms may be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, they look at her with shock.
“People are surprised because we are not gastrointestinal doctors,” said Peterson, a family nurse practitioner with Advancements in Allergy and Asthma Care in Minnetonka, Minn. “However, we see a lot of association between asthma and acid reflux. In the 15 million [Americans] who have asthma, as many as 50 to 80 percent also have acid reflux.”
But many patients fail to recognize this association because the classic symptoms of acid reflux –- heartburn and/or regurgitation –- may be absent.
“There’s no clear-cut cause and effect,” Peterson said. “We do know that reflux can cause asthma if the reflux is aspirated into the lungs. Or, the acid in the esophagus can cause chest tightness. Also, if acid gets into the bottom of the esophagus, it can reflux up against the bronchial nerve, which causes the airways to narrow and a shortness of breath.”
Also, some asthma medications, including bronchodilators, such as theophylline, have been known to trigger acid reflux, Peterson said.
Peterson said she becomes suspicious of an acid reflux/asthma connection if the patient:
— Complains of a nighttime cough;
— Notices his asthma becomes worse after eating a big meal, drinking alcohol or lying down;
— Was diagnosed with asthma as an adult;
— Has poor asthma control, even when taking prescribed asthma medication.
Peterson’s patients often notice an improvement in their asthma once they start taking proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, Protonix or Prilosec, which are commonly prescribed for acid reflux and GERD.
“My patients will say, ‘Oh, that tightness in the middle of my chest isn’t there anymore,’” Peterson said. “When a patient thinks of reflux, they think of heartburn, or regurgitation, and they aren’t aware of the other atypical signs.”
If a patient’s asthma symptoms do not get better with PPIs, they are typically referred to a gastroenterologist.
“It’s not uncommon anymore to get referrals from allergists and pulmonologists,” said Dr. John Allen, chair of the American Gastroenterology Association clinical practice committee and medical director of Minnesota Gastroenterology in St. Paul, Minn. “I’ve seen it increasing over the last five years.”
For these patients, gastroenterologists often want to perform an endoscopy, which involves inserting a thin camera down the patient’s throat and into the esophagus. Once inside the esophagus, doctors can place a capsule that will record the patient’s pH levels over the course of the next 48 hours.
“Sometimes surgery is needed to tighten up the esophageal sphincter, which prevents the reflux of acid,” Allen said.
Scientists are still somewhat baffled by the association between the two conditions, but much research is being done.
Recently, researchers at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina conducted a study in an effort to find the link between the conditions.
Dr. Shu Lin, an assistant professor of surgery and immunology at Duke, found that the immune systems of mice produced changes that drive the development of asthma in mice once they inhaled small amounts of stomach fluid that backed up into the esophagus.
“This is the first experimental evidence in a controlled, laboratory setting linking these two very common conditions in humans,” Lin said in a study published online in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation. “These data suggest that chronic micro-aspiration of gastric fluid can drive the immune system toward an asthmatic response.”
“This does not mean that everyone with GERD is going to develop asthma, by any means,” said William Parker, assistant professor of surgery at Duke and co-author of the study. “But it may mean that people with GERD may be more likely to develop asthma. If there is an upside to this, it is that developing GERD is something we can pretty much treat and control.”
C

Technorati Tags: acid reflux disease, acid reflux heartburn, asthma gerd, gerd foods, gerd symptoms

There are many ways to treat acid reflux and alkaline diet is one of them. Alkaline diets help people suffering from acid reflux. Normal ph factor in saliva and  fluids is 7.4, which can increase. Then, you must eat more alkaline foods. In a test to measure the acid level, you must spit on a pH paper, and compare the colors to determine the acidity. Many foods avoid acid reflux, especially alkaline diets. Avoid olives and corn, red meat, fats, oils, tobacco, beer and coffee but eat celery, green beans and peas, which neutralize acidity. Surprisingly, you can eat mustard, chili pepper, and herbs, which are alkaline.  Milk is acid and can make it worse. Citric fruits produce an alkalinity effect on the stomach.  If you have this problem, consume calcium and sodium  in your diet.

Technorati Tags: acid reflux diet, acid reflux disease, acid reflux foods, diet for acid reflux, gerds