What Is Gerd?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because digestive juicescalled acidsrise up with the food.

The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects at least an estimated 5% to 7% of the global population – men, women, and children. (Prevalence based on once per day heartburn.) heartburn and/or acid regurgitation experienced weekly has been found to occur in 19.8% of individuals.[1]

Anyone, including infants and children, can have GERD. If not treated, it can lead to more serious health problems. In some cases, you might need medicines or surgery. However, many people can improve their symptoms by
Avoiding alcohol and spicy, fatty or acidic foods that trigger heartburn
Eating smaller meals
Not eating close to bedtime
losing weight if needed
Wearing loose-fitting clothes

What are the symptoms of uncomplicated GERD?
The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are primarily heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. Other symptoms occur when there are complications of GERD and will be discussed with the complications.

What causes heartburn and GERD?
To understand gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, it is first necessary to understand what causes heartburn. Most people will experience heartburn if the lining of the esophagus comes in contact with too much stomach juice for too long a period of time. This stomach juice consists of acid, digestive enzymes, and other injurious materials. The prolonged contact of acidic stomach juice with the esophageal lining injures the esophagus and produces a burning discomfort.

Pathophysiology
The physiological and anatomical factors that prevent the reflux of gastric juice from the stomach into the esophagus include the following:
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) must have a normal length and pressure and a normal number of episodes of transient relaxation (relaxation in the absence of swallowing).
The gastroesophageal junction must be located in the abdomen so that the diaphragmatic crura can assist the action of the LES, thus functioning as an extrinsic sphincter. The presence of a hiatal hernia disrupts this synergistic action and can promote reflux.

Complications of Long-Term GERD

If gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD – also referred to as acid reflux disease) is not treated effectively, the constant acid reflux can irritate the lining of the esophagus, and serious complication can occur.
The more serious complications of GERD that may occur are Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, erosive esophagitis, and esophageal strictures.

Management of GERD with chest pain
Coronary artery disease should be given ample consideration early in the diagnostic protocol in patients presenting with chest pain because the implications of this diagnosis are more profound than are those of GERD. Patients with unexplained chest pain should be considered to have a cardiac cause for their pain until proven otherwise, and should be evaluated by an ECG and Exercise stress test before a GI evaluation.

By: James Sameul

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Natural Reflux Treatments For Gerd

For those who suffer the effects of GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) finding a natural reflux treatment can make life with this condition much easier. The natural treatment choices for acid reflux disease normally consist of lifestyle changes or modifications that usually start with diet.

One of the first things you should do if you suffer from GERD is keep a food diary for 2 to 4 weeks. Keep track of what you eat and which foods appear to cause symptoms. This will give you a good idea as to which foods to avoid. Knowing this can go a long ways towards the mitigation of your symptoms.

There are also a wide variety of foods that are known to exacerbate the symptoms of GERD. Chocolate, peppermint, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol all cause the stomach to secrete excess acid which worsens the problem. Fatty foods, spicy foods, and acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits should also be avoided.

Another natural reflux treatment that has worked to calm the stomach and reduce the secretion of gastric acids is the use of apple cider vinegar. To do this simply take a table spoon of the vinegar and mix it into a glass of water and drink it. This can be done as symptoms begin to appear or it can be taken as a preventative during a meal.

Many people suffer the most from GERD at night when they lay down to sleep. The reason for this is that gravity is no longer working to keep your stomach contents down. It is much easier for stomach acid and bile to move back up into the esophagus when lying down. The best way to combat this problem is to elevate your upper body using pillows or a pillowed wedge designed for this task.

Chewing gum is also a great way to mitigate the effects of acid reflux. What many people don’t realize is that saliva is a natural anti-acid and chewing gum increases the amount of saliva that gets swallowed. This calms the stomach and neutralizes excess gastric acids.

GERD is a serious condition and it is important that you talk to your doctor about it. It needs to be properly treated to prevent the more dangerous complications it can bring about. Part of this should include natural reflux treatment based upon lifestyle changes to diet.

By: Andrew Bicknell

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For more information about acid reflux treatments please visit the websiteAcid Reflux Disease by clicking here.

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Acid Reflux Natural Cures – 10 Secrets To Help You Cure Your Gerd By Tonight

Is there more than one cure for acid reflux? Yes, because every person’s body is different, there are more than one acid reflux natural cures to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

If you are finally realizing that antacids are doing more harm than good, maybe it is time you try an acid reflux natural remedy. Because today, there are thousands of people trying to find reflux relief because antacids won’t do the trick anymore.

If you would like to say good-bye to reflux for good, here are 10 secrets antacid and prescription drug companies hope you never read.

10 Secrets about an Acid Reflux Natural Cure

1. Acid reflux is typically caused by a damaged esophagus or a damaged sphincter (flap that keeps stomach acids down). If you would like to cure acid reflux permanently, you need to heal your esophagus and sphincter.

2. Antacids are a band-aid which neutralize your stomach acid. Because antacids or prescription drugs can do nothing for your sphincter or esophagus, they will only work for a time being. Most natural health experts believe that these drugs can do more harm than good if used regularly.

3. Read the label of the antacid you are taking. Most antacids have a warning to take for only 2 weeks because they can actually harm you after a period of 14 days. The best advice for antacids would be to never use them but to treat your reflux naturally.

4. Cures like using 13 pillows while you sleep are ridiculous quack remedies. Because natural health is now researched (for the most part), you should only try remedies that are researched and proven.

5. My dad cured his acid reflux with an apple. After a near-fatal stomach surgery for reflux, my dad starting eating apples regularly. Whenever he feels an attack coming on, he takes a slice of apple and the reflux is gone. It may work for you!

6. Natural remedies could be the best way to treat your reflux. There are at least 3 researched remedies that are more effective than antacids because they treat the esophagus and sphincter. And the only reason why these remedies are not recommended by doctors is because most medical schools don’t teach any natural remedies.

7. Many people take Prilosec, Prevacid, or Nexium (prescription drugs) which help treat symptoms. But long term use can cause the body to produce a hormone called gastrin. Gastrin over-production has been shown to cause cancer. Make sure you read the labels of prescription meds and don’t take any longer than stated!

8. In the case of acid reflux, we have found that 97% of sufferers can cure acid reflux naturally (over 1000 sufferers tested). If you are part of that 3% who cannot, you may need to discuss options with a doctor and use prescription medication.

9. Your diet has been shown to help and hurt your reflux problem. Mainly, you should avoid crunch foods for at least the first couple days of treatment (allow tissue to heal), avoid spicy and acidic foods, and limit your coffee intake. You may also wish to chase every meal with a tall glass of water.

10. Finally, we also suggest trying at least 3 Acid Reflux Natural Cures. All 3 cures are researched and step by step to avoid any confusion. But the best part is they are 100% guaranteed to work. Visit Acid Reflux Natural Cures today.

Cure Yourself in 24 Hours

Hopefully these 10 secrets have shown you that you can cure yourself at home with simple natural remedies. By using step by step remedies and these secrets, you can actually cure yourself permanently in a matter of 24 hours Guaranteed. To learn about a 100% satisfaction guarantee (that lasts up to 6 months), please visit our website now. We promise you will not be disappointed. All remedies are currently 50% off!

By: Joe Barton

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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

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