acid reflux treatment and asthma


Posted on January 29, 2012 by treatacid

Not a great many people realise that there is a link between acid reflux and breathing disorders such as Asthma.

If you’re on this blog then you probably have a very good idea what acid reflux is all about. If not then make sure that you find out as much as possible about the condition by reading through the many acid reflux articles on the blog. Make sure that you’re as informed as you possibly can be about the condition before you read on.

Asthma is also a very common medical condition that can occur at any age. Basically the tubes inside the lungs can dilate, become smaller, and this will make breathing difficult. But there has been recent evidence to show that there may be a link between these two very different problems.

It has been shown that when you suffer from one condition such as acid reflux then the asthma can get worse and vice-versa. Moreover, when one condition is treated then the other condition may also show signs of improvement.

At least that is the theory when tested on adult patients.
Up to 70 % of those with asthma also have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which occurs when food and stomach acids leak back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

Recent work has also taken place to see if treatment for one condition could also help children who suffer from both acid reflux and asthma. The results of the research did not show any improvements for the children who had both acid reflux and asthma.

In fact, in many cases children suffered worsening of the asthma when taking acid reflux medication.

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GERD and foods to avoid

Posted on September 16, 2011 by treatacid

So you’re wondering what types of food you should eat if you have displayed the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD and foods to avoid and what foods you can safely eat.

Before we take a look at the foods you should really seek to avoid if you have GERD let’s make sure that we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet so to speak.read our review of heartburn no more

WHAT DO THESE LETTERS ACTUALLY REFER TO?

GERD is an acronym for Gastroesophageal reflux disease. That’s a bit of a mouthful eh! Now can you see why we refer to it as (GERD)? There are a few other abreviations that you will come across as you research GERD. For example, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is known as  (GORD), gastric reflux disease, or commonly acid reflux disease or heartburn.

Don’t get too hung up on the terminology at this stage. Basically they are one and the same. In effect it is chronic symptoms or mucosal injury caused by stomach acid impending up from the stomach into the esophagus, a characteristic symptom of heartburn.

GERD is frequently produced by variations in the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, together with abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which normally holds the top of the stomach, closed; impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or a hiatal hernia.

What we are concerned mainly on this page is GERD and foods to avoid. This is because it is widely held that certain foods are seen to exasperate and heighten the symptoms of GERD. I perhaps should point out that this fact is perhaps based more on anecdotal evidence rather than proven scientific fact. From my own experience however, I found that when I eat a meal that was largely spicy and hot in flavour then the pain would increase. This was especially so at night. This lead me never to eat too close to bed time. There are certain medical studies that show you should really avoid eating at least two hours before going to bed. This seems to me to be sound advice anyway. You really will sleep far better if your digestive system is resting just like the rest of your muscles.

It’s a bit of a myth to think that if you drink a glass of milk this will elevate heartburn. It’s said to “line the stomach”. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. Drinking milk will only increase the level of acidity in your stomach. Milk is extraordinarily difficult to digest. The milk drunk by infants is not the same by the way, as cow’s milk.

In the next post I will provide a list of foods that you should consider avoiding if you have GERD.

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Acidity Symptoms – signs you need to look for

Posted on September 6, 2011 by treatacid

Acidity symptoms or acid reflux symptoms are quite common in the western world, largely due to diet. Acidity symptoms are also referred to as heartburn. So let’s make sure that we know what we are all talking about as we set out this short report.

The aim of this brief article is to explain in simple terms the symptoms of common acidity. Of course by symptoms we mean what are the major signs of acidity,read our review of heartburn no more or if you are suffering from acid reflux or heartburn what should you expect to experience as the normal, everyday symptoms.

Common Acid Reflux Terms:

  • Acid Reflux
  • GERD
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Heartburn

Before we move any further in this discussion let me state as I always do: please book an appointment with your regular physician and never rely wholly on information gleaned from the internet, no matter how well it is presented, even if it’s found on this site. That said, of course you can research and if conducted in the right manner your investigation will only add to your recovery.

Your digestive system produces powerful, potent acids as a natural course of digestion. This acid is not ordinarily a problem. Your digestive system really is amazing. It has the ability when all is well to deal with the dangerous acids produced by the stomach. In normal circumstances, when your body is well and functioning correctly, you will never experience acidity symptoms. It’s only when things are not right and need examining that we experience the pain of acid reflux and acidity.

Stomach acidity – the causes:

  • spicy food
  • Over-eating
  • missing meals
  • not eating for extended periods
  • excessive Stress
  • General Lack of exercise
  • Lack of sleep
  • Being overweight
  • Too much alcohol
  • Too much of caffeine
  • smoking
  • Pregnancy
  • Poor attention to chewing of food

The most common and frequent symptoms of acidity are:

  • Heartburn
  • Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Regurgitation
  • Pain with swallowing (odynophagia)
  • Nausea
  • Chest pain
  • Excessive salivation

 

Also acidity will also display some of the following symptoms:

  • Headache to the front of the head
  • Severe stomach
  • gas in the stomach
  • bitter taste in the mouth.
  • Burping, Belching and Flatulence
  • feeingl that you want to heave but you can’t specially upon waking up in the morning.
  • In some cases, although it is quite rare, severe hyperacidity can cause:
  • Nausea, vertigo and disorientation.
  • Feeling much weaker after 6:00 pm.
  • Palpitation which will lead to nervousness and sometimes panic attack.
  • Dry mouth and Always thirsty
  • Always weary, no energy.
  • Some people become irritable and easily get angry.
  • Mentally active but physically frail.
  • Feeling of hotness in the eye part and nose.
  • Can’t sleep well.
  • Constantly urinating from time to time.
  • Always have intense dreams, nightmares etc.
  • Cold feet and hands
  • Sweaty palms.
  • Cannot focus well.
  • Feeling sick all the time.
  • Your health is largely not 100% fit

These then are the most common acidity symptoms reported to doctors. But really the number on thing to make sure that you gets your symptoms diagnosed by a regular practitioner.

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acid reflux without heartburn – Is this possible?

Posted on September 2, 2011 by treatacid

What are the symptoms of GERD and can you have this problem with out heartburn?

Question: Dear TreatAcid I think that I have acid reflux but is it possible to have acid reflux without heartburn? In fact I haven’t yet paid a visit to my doctor although I was planning to book in to see her next week.

Answer: Here’s how to works in my case. Most of the time I have no heartburn or at the least a little bit of acid at times. It may be because I am usually sleepy and not too sure about what is happening exactly. Then, I get the feeling of acid rising in my esophagus. No when I’m laying down completely alert, no difficulties. It’s only when I’m about to fall asleep. It also doesn’t seem to wake me up when I am asleep.

Answer: you will find that the core indicator of GERD/acid reflux in adults is repeated incidents of heartburn, also known as acid indigestion—burning-type pain in the lower part of the mid-chest, behind the breast bone, and in the mid-abdomen. Most children under 12 years with GERD, and some adults, have GERD without heartburn. Rather, they may experience a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.

Here’s a similar question that was posted recently:

Can someone please give me some advice? Over the past few weeks I’ve had mild pains in my stomach. This together with a little chest pain has caused me to seek help from my doctor. Following the consultation he said it was Acid Reflux or something along those lines and gave me some omeprazole pills to help the acid in my stomach. Being slightly paranoid and such as I am, I investigated Acid Reflux on the internet and found out its really common to get heartburn along with this problem. The thing is, I have no (or very very little) heartburn really. Is this a good or bad thing?

The fact remains, it is possible to have symptoms of acid reflux without heartburn but as always my advice is, seek out as much information as possible but  please follow up with a prompt appointment with your regular GP.

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What is Acid Reflux?

Posted on August 18, 2011 by treatacid

What is Acid Reflux? Identification in 5 Steps

If you’ve arrived here is quite likely that you would need an answer to the question “what is acid reflux?”

If that’s the case then please read on. Not only will you discover a definition of the condition but, when you click through to the resource links, you will understand how to deal with your read our review of heartburn no moreacid reflux pain in the best possible way and I believe, just as so many others, the best way to deal with acid reflux is through a natural cure.

Okay – Lets begin “What is Acid Reflux?”

Your digestive system produces extremely powerful and complex juices in order for you to be able to digest food. In fact these stomach juices are really acids, powerful acids at that. In fact these acids would cause serious burns to your skin if they were to come into contact with it.

Under quite normal circumstances these acids are contained completely in the stomach – no problem so far. There are occasions however, when your stomach juices will seep out of the stomach completely. When they do they will flow into the oesophagus. Now the oesophagus is the tube that connects the stomach to the mouth.

Its not Normal for your stomach acids to find their way into your throat and when they do this can cause enormous pain and suffering. Quite simply your throat is being burned with strong acids.

The burning pain of acid in the oesophagus is known also as heartburn or GERD. I’ll explain GERD in a little more detail later. There is also a great deal of information about the condition on this website. Use the navigation menu on the right of the page to access more information as you seek to find out as much as you can about acid reflux or heartburn.

How often do acid reflux symptoms appear?

Well the answer to this question is that it all depends on the individual who is suffering. For some people acid reflux pain is a daily problem and they face the trauma of the condition constantly. Often suffers will experience acid reflux in the night. This is quite common too. The reason for nighttime instances of acid reflux is because as you lie down it becomes easier for acid to seep out of your stomach an into the oesophagus.

Not everyone who suffers with acid reflux experiences the pain every day. For some an attack may come once a week or even less, maybe once every month or every six months. Once you get the condition sort and under control there really is no normal reason why you have to continue with the pain of acid reflux. You’ve made a great start today by seeking an answer to the question what is acid reflux but the next thing you need to do is fix the problem.

My number one recommended product to cure your acid reflux is the Internet’s greatest selling e-book on the subject. The great thing about this product, written by a world-renowned expert on the condition, is that if you don’t like it you can get a full refund. The Internet’s largest seller of digial information, Clickbank, underwrites the guarantee.

I’ve purchased dozens of products through the Clickbank interface and there have been a few occasions where I have sought a refund. I can say categorically that I’ve always had 100% rapid refund on purchased. In fact the refund has always been instant.

Why its Vital that You Cure your Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition that will actually get worse in a great many case if you don’t get it fixed. You see there is a type of acid reflux condition that can degenerate into what doctors refer to as erosive esophagitis. This is where the stomach acids have been wearing away at the esophagitis for some time and the condition has been allowed to progress unchecked.

If you feel that your acid reflux has deteriorated into erosive esophagitis then your doctor will give you an internal examination that may be through a simple endoscopy. You physician can then proceed with an appropriate course of treatment for the problem.

So today your question on what is acid reflux may have been the first step towards an effective cure for acid reflux. The next step should be to take a look the recommended product and see if it’s right for you.

To your health

Peter

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acid reflux symptoms in women – WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Posted on August 13, 2011 by treatacid

Okay in this short report we’re going to take a quick examination of acid reflux symptoms in women. After blogging for several years about acid reflux and acid reflux symptoms it’s actually subject that comes up on a weekly basis.

We know that acid reflux is really painful. We know that a great many people, both men and women suffer from the condition and for some reason its far more common in the USA than in most other countries. In fact the reasons are quite easy to understand actually. The overriding factor leading to increased acid reflux symptoms in women and men in the USA is down to lifestyle and lifestyle is a choice, albeit it’s a choice that is often taken unaware and in response to local and national conditions and culture.

 

The major symptoms of acid reflux in women:

 

The main symptoms that are reported by women when it comes to signs of acid in the gut are:

 

  • Heartburn
  • Regurgitation
  • Chest pain
  • Hoarseness
  • (In severe cases), bleeding in the stomach caused by acid erosion of the esophagus

 

When reading through the signs of acid reflux in women please bear in mind that if you have ever suffered from hiatus hernias then your chances of displaying the signs of acid reflux are greatly increased. Don’t forget, as always, you need to check these symptoms with your regular physician. Gaining information, no matter how helpful or well written will never, ever be a substitute for the considered professional views of a qualified and experienced medical practitioner.

 

Severe cases of acid reflux disease may even require surgery to repair the damage to the esophagus. This article looks at facts about acid reflux, and its symptoms in women. Of course the more you know more about this condition, the more you can take specific action to avoid setting off the symptoms, and you can be armed with more information for your next doctor’s visit. The easiest lifestyle change you can make to stop the pain of heartburn is to avoid the foods that give you acid reflux in the first place. Cutting back on the use of acid causing food products or completely eliminating them can help reduce the effects of acid reflux.

 

So how about some ways to cut back on these symptoms? Many people swear by natural remedies. However, just be aware that natural remedies can also be potent and you should make sure that you follow all instructions on the manufacturers pack. Yes, natural products are manufactured too.

 

Dandelion root for example is often considered a cure for stomach acid. But you should note that not everyone who suffers from acid reflux and GERD can take dandelion root to treat their symptoms because there is a risk that this herb will increase stomach acid production, which can cause symptoms to become more frequent or worsen. If you avoid eating more than is necessary, the risk of stomach acid reflux is reduced.

 

Pregnancy and acid reflux

 

Many women report symptoms of acid reflux during pregnancy when you think about the situation in a little more detail its not really surprising eh! However You may not be able to completely eliminate your acid reflux during pregnancy but you can rest assure that, barring any major complications, your health and that of your baby, are not at risk. To avoid such side effects when looking for relief from the symptoms of menopause, women should try more natural, herbal remedies.

 

So there you have it, a simple explanation of acid reflux symptoms in women. Please remember that if you suffer from acid reflux or heartburn two or more times a week, you may have a condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and under these circumstances you really ought to make arrangements to see your doctor. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for more than 10 years may increase the risk of Barrett’s Esophagus.

 

Make sure that you do not worry unduly about these symptoms. Acid reflux can be experienced by anyone at any time by anyone. By anyone I mean children and women too. You see acid reflux was at one time seen to be a condition suffered mainly by men. Now of course this is not true. Women also often suffer acid reflux much more than men, especially during pregnancy. Acid reflux disease in NOT just a man’s problem, ask any women who had a baby and she will be able to explain to you the reality of acid reflux symptoms in women.

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What is GERD? What you really need to know…

Posted on July 27, 2011 by treatacid

What is GERD?

Its important to know the answer to this question if you think that you are suffering from the symptoms of GERD. You must also make a visit to your doctor at the first opportunity. However, to start of here’s a short report that aims to explain what is GERD…

Heartburn or acid reflux, often called gastroesophageal reflux disease

Acid reflux is caused by stomach acid

Simple graphic showing the way that acid reflux pain develops.

(GERD) occurs when stomach acids travel support into your esophagus, causing a distressing burning sensation called heartburn.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is ordinarily the result of the LES malfunctioning because of physiological reasons.

The Montreal definition includes a measure of symptom severity by stating that GERD is

“A condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications.”

Severe, long-standing GERD can damage the esophagus and cause a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus wherein the normal lining of the esophagus is replaced by a lining more like that of the stomach or intestine.

Anything that causes the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus (the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) to relax, or anything that increases the pressure below the LES, can cause GERD. The causes of GERD include an abnormal lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, abnormal esophageal contractions, and slow emptying of the stomach.

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The internets #1 acid reflux guide

Symptoms of GERD were strongly associated with increased BMI, carbonated soft drink consumption (possibly due to low pH), snoring and daytime sleepiness, insomnia, hypertension, asthma, and usage of benzodiazepines ( TABLE 5 ).

It was noted that the association of hypertension with night-time heartburn likely is a reflection of factors associated with hypertension rather than hypertension itself. Patients’ quality of life and ability to function is negatively impacted by factors associated specifically with nocturnal episodes of GERD. Patients who experience GERD primarily at night may complain of sleep disturbances.

Problems in spontaneous muscle action (peristalsis) in the esophagus commonly occur in GERD, although it is not clear if such occurrences are a cause or result of long-term effects of GERD. Genetic factors may play an especially strong role in susceptibility to Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition caused by very severe GERD. Persistent GERD, however, may be due to various conditions, including abnormal biologic or structural factors.

 

A high body mass index (BMI) may lead to a reduction in LES pressure and is a risk factor for GERD. Social habits such as smoking and alcohol use are often cited as risk factors for GERD; however, data to confirm this premise are lacking.

Several other factors and the presence of some pulmonary disorders may be specific predictors and indications of nighttime GERD episodes. At least half of people with asthma also have GERD. Some experts speculate that the coughing and sneezing accompanying asthmatic attacks cause changes in pressure in the chest that can trigger reflux. Many other drugs can cause GERD, including but not limited to the following: calcium channel blockers (used to treat high blood pressure and angina), anticholinergics (used in drugs that treat urinary tract disorders, allergies, and glaucoma), beta adrenergic agonists (used for asthma and obstructive lung diseases), dopamine (used in Parkinson’s disease), bisphosphonates (used to treat osteoporosis), sedatives, antibiotics, potassium, or iron pills. Certain asthma drugs that dilate the airways may relax the LES and contribute to GERD. On the other hand, GERD has been associated with a number of other upper respiratory problems and may be a cause of asthma, rather than a result.

 

The presence of at least one esophageal or non-esophageal sign and symptom should prompt consideration of GERD as the cause, and discussion with the patient may help classify GERD further. The patient’s history is the primary focus of the diagnostic workup and the physician should explore patient risk factors for GERD.

For patients with atypical symptoms of GERD, the history is especially important to determine the diagnosis. Differences in rates of acid secretion and clearance and the time since food ingestion affect symptoms, potentially leading to differing presentations of GERD associated with daytime and nocturnal episodes. In this way a hiatus hernia is associated with all the potential consequences of GERD – heartburn, esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer and dental erosion.

Studies have failed to confirm evidence, however, that it is a common cause of GERD, although its presence may increase GERD symptoms in patients with both conditions. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), common causes of peptic ulcers, may also cause GERD and increase severity in people who already have GERD. In a 3-year study of 25,000 people, NSAID users were twice as likely to have GERD symptoms as non-users.

So to summarise: GERD, acid reflux and heartburn are synonymous and are all caused by the insurgence of stomach acid into the oesophagus.

GERD

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Rcid Reflux Symptoms in Babies

Posted on July 12, 2011 by treatacid

You may, like many others, be totally surprised to learn that babies can suffer with acid reflux.

So what are the acid reflux symptoms in babies? Let me say first of all that if you are all concerned about your baby, put your mind at ease and call your general practitioner.  That’s going to be far better than having something going wrong. That said, it may be useful at this moment to see if your child has acid reflux symptoms in babies.read our review of heartburn no more

Another thing to be aware of is that acid reflux symptoms in babies is not at all easy to recognise but your baby may be feeling sick and off its food.

The most common signs and symptoms of acid reflux in babies include frequent spitting up or vomiting, sudden or constant crying, frequent hiccups, refusing to eat or do not have good appetite, aching of the back when feeding, frequent coughing and irritability when feeding. On the other hand, some cases acid reflux in babies display more severe signs and symptoms such as spells of not breathing, difficulty.

Nevertheless since these signs and symptoms of acidic burn in babies are not exclusive to this sort of ailments, one shouldn’t assume that the baby has acid backwash if one or two of these symptoms are present. Note that babies do suffer from many types of illnesses so it is important to consult a pediatrician immediately if you happen to detect something else in the way that your baby behaves.

If you’re young parents who are having your baby for the first time, it is vital that you find out more about how babies behave in their early days. Understanding the wants of your baby is critical. Note that the more that you understand your baby, the better you will be able to look after your newborn.

There are plenty of books and reading materials about babies so it’d be a good idea for you to get a book that will help you to understand your baby better. Apart from books and reading materials, you can ask for some tips about how to take care of your baby from friends and kin who have already got kids. When dealing with eventualities like acid backwash in babies, it’s best to talk to your pediatrician. Never self-medicate your baby. Always remember that when it comes to the health of your baby, you shouldn’t take any probabilities.

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Why you must seek Acid Reflux Treatment

Posted on May 25, 2011 by treatacid

Acid reflux treatment is a must for those suffering with this debilitating condition. At times the pain can quite literally be unbearable. Read our acid reflux treatment product review: Heartburn No More…

The disease is quite simple to understand really. It occurs whenever the tube (the oesophagus) that is used to take the food from the throat to stomach is not able to cope with the stomach acid.

 read our review of heartburn no more

The food in taken by you is digested by the stomach with the help of an acid formed and stored by it.  The stomach walls are built strong enough to store that acid without causing damage.

For several reasons whenever acid flows back into the oesophagus from stomach it creates heartburn, which is widely considered the first symptom of acid reflux or GERD.  It leaves a constant chest burning feeling.  You may find these acid reflux symptoms happening to everyone once in a while, but when it happens frequently over a episode of 2 to 3 times in a week with no noticeable relief even after medication, then you have may have acid reflux or GERD.  A change in diet intake can give you relief to an extent from acid reflux attack, but if it reoccurs then one needs medical attention.

You will find a great deal of useful information on acid reflux treatment on this blog but please ensure that you also follow up with a visit to your regular medical practitioner.  Read our acid reflux treatment product review: Heartburn No More…

Here are a few other sites of interest:


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