Understanding Acid Reflux

Here is some basic acid reflux information, before we get into other resources you can pursue:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as acid reflux, occurs when stomach contents rise back into the esophagus, causing irritation to the esophageal lining. The stomach contents will generally consist of acid, bile, and pepsin. The acid is manufactured in the stomach to aid with the digestion of food. Bile, which may or may not be included, is created by the liver. Pepsin is an enzyme that helps to break down the proteins in the stomach contents.

The primary reason for the rise of stomach acid into the esophagus is a weakened or damaged esophageal sphincter. Its the function of the sphincter to seal off the stomach and prevent the acid from rising, similar to the way a value seals off the flow of water. When it fails, acid enters into the esophagus, and sometimes can rise all the way back to the mouth.

If this is a common occurrence, meaning it happens once or twice a week, it needs your attention.

Sources of Acid Reflux Information

As with any other serious condition, if you’re suffering from acid reflux your first stop should be with your doctor. A good physician can be your most valuable source of acid reflux information. And there simply is no substitute for professional medical advice. Your doctor can recommend a course of treatment specifically designed with you and your circumstances in mind.

But if you’re simply looking for general acid reflux information to better understand the condition, the Internet can be a gold mine. A simple Google search for acid reflux reveals over 3 million websites that can provide valuable insights into this disease. All of this Internet acid reflux information should be considered with caution. For example, you’ll likely hear the praises of apple cider vinegar for alleviating acid reflux, yet little research has been done in this area and you’re just as likely to hear that it made symptoms worse.

Here are some highly respected sources you may want to visit:

• WebMD – heartburn/GERD Health Center
• eMedicine – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Medicinenet – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• The Mayo Clinic – Heartburn
• MedLine Plus – GERD

acid reflux during pregnancy isn’t a universal experience among pregnant women, but it occurs often enough that old wives tales have grown up around it. For Instance, they used to say if a pregnant woman had acid reflux the infant would be born with a full head of hair. Wives tales aside, this condition during pregnancy can be unbelievably miserable and is often sited as one of the worst side effects.

Understanding The Causes

The body naturally increases its levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. One of the reasons for the increase of these two hormones is to assist the body in relaxing the muscles of the uterus so that it can dilate as the baby grows. Unfortunately, these hormones also are inclined to relax the muscles in the lower esophageal sphincter, which serves as a valve between the stomach and the esophagus. When this sphincter is relaxed it leaves an opening for stomach acids to rise into the esophagus, hence the experience of acid reflux.

The diaphragm is the muscle group that divides the chest from the abdomen. In turn, this force is passed to the stomach and the esophagus. This force becomes more than the esophageal sphincter can manage, it misfunctions, and the contents of the stomach are allowed to enter into the esophagus, damaging the lining.Women often don’t experience this until late in their pregnancy.

So you have two natural processes occurring during pregnancy that tend to advance the onset of acid reflux.

Steps You Can Take To Control Your Acid Reflux

While it would be easy to just visit your doctor and receive a prescription for your acid reflux, this isn’t always possible. You have to be reasonable about what goes into your body while you’re pregnant. Even over the counter gastric antacids can be misused during pregnancy, so before you start taking them make sure you check with your physician for the proper acid reflux treatment.

Fortunately, there are some primary steps you can take to minimize the occurrence of acid reflux.

First, some primary physical exercises such as yoga and stretching can your body flexible and more adaptable to the changes it’s experiencing. This helps get rid of some of the force on the esophageal sphincter that naturally takes place during pregnancy. Try wearing loose clothing too.

Second, what you eat can impact not simply the severity of your heartburn and acid reflux, but also how often your episodes occur. You’ll want to restrain your consumption of spicy foods, even though research seems to suggest that these foods may not be a direct contributor when it comes to acid reflux. More important, you’ll want to eliminate or dramatically restrict your intake of dairy products, alcohol (which you shouldn’t be drinking during pregnancy anyway), caffeine, fried foods, potatoes and onions, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and chocolate. These are common reflux triggers, though every person reacts to them a bit differently. You may discover that dairy products don’t bother you, but caffeine sets off a response that’s nearly unbearable.

Third, your eating habits also play a role. Eating smaller meals during the day can make sure that there’s not too much force on the esophageal sphincter. Overeating is an invitation for the stomach contents to rise back into the esophagus. Chew your food thoroughly. Allow at least three hours between your final meal and when you go to bed. Don’t refuse your cravings, they perform an essential function during pregnancy, but always keep your servings small.

Fourth, do your foremost to maintain a good posture throughout the day. As we’ve remarked previously, when the esophageal sphincter malfunctions acid reflux is frequently the consequence. So good posture is one more measure you can take to help keep the pressure away from your sphincter. You might also want to look around for an incline pillow for sleeping at night. This will keep your head and upper body raised, making it more difficult for stomach contents to rise into the esophagus.

Fifth, there are natural acid reflux treatments you can take to neutralize your stomach acids. Of course, it’s best to always check with your doctor first. Ginger, for instance, is believed to be good at absorbing stomach acids. Indian gooseberry has also been shown to significantly reduce acid secretions. Chamomile, gentian, and orange peel extract are some others you might want to investigate.

So, how can you be positive that your nagging cough is not cold or flu related? If your cough isn’t accompanied by other general symptoms of a cold or bronchitis, this is an indication that something else is creating the problem. Though you can experience an acid reflux cough without experiencing any of the other symptoms of GERD, if you’re experiencing both, then it’s time to visit with your doctor. He can help you discover whether or not your cough is acid reflux associated.

If you’re like most people, before you head off to visit the MD you prefer to be relatively sure that there’s a fundamental problem. So, here’s another clue that your cough might be related to acid reflux. Most people will turn to cough syrup when they have a nagging cough. Surprisingly, an acid reflux cough probably won’t respond to cough syrup. Yet, it may very well respond to an antacid. So, if your cough syrup isn’t working but your antacid is, then you have a definite indication that it’s not your standard cough.

Even though antacids may help, in some cases they may not be strong enough. If that’s the case, your doctor may want to prescribe something stronger. If your acid reflux is severe, this may include a proton pump inhibitor such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, or Aciphex. These medications are designed to block acid production, which allows the lining of the esophagus an opportunity to heal. Side effects, however, can include abdominal pain, diarrhea and headaches.

If your acid reflux is comparatively mild, all it may take to put an end to your chronic cough are some lifestyle alterations. For example, it helps if you eat six smaller meals during the day instead of three big meals. Because people generally sleep in a prone position, which places more pressure on the esophagal sphincter, it’s wise to wait at least three hours after eating before you go to bed at night. You’ll want to avoid foods that are commonly associated with GERD, such as chocolate, dairy products, fried foods, and citrus fruits. These little modifications may very well be all you need to put an end to your acid reflux cough.

A nagging cough rarely leads sufferers to think of acid reflux. This is attributable to the fact that there appears to be a lack of a relationship between the two. A cough is far more frequently a symptom of the common cold or long time smoking or a case of bronchitis or pneumonia. It’s rarely thought of as an acid reflux cough.

The truth, however, is that acid reflux is the third leading cause of a chronic cough, following on the heels of bronchial asthma and post-nasal drip (when the sinuses produce too much mucus).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the medical term for what we know as acid reflux. Acid, bile, and pepsin make up the content of the regurgitated liquid. These liquids are used in the process of digesting your food. Because they are acid based, they can severely irritate the esophagus lining.

The symptoms of acid reflux include nausea, belching, a sore throat, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, a pain in the chest that’s often mistaken as a heart attack, and in some cases chronic coughing. In fact, nearly three out of every four sufferers experience night time symptoms (such as coughing, snoring, and chest pain) that are not usually considered typical acid reflux symptoms. One of these is a nagging cough. When stomach acid rises to the vocal cords and is passed to the lower airway, a chronic cough can result.

Even in relatively small quantities, this can touch off an acid reflux cough. Because there’s so little stomach acid involved, often no other reflux symptoms are apparent, and the connection between the two goes unnoticed. In fact, they may not even have heartburn in the conventional sense, considering that there’s little or no damage to the lining of the esophagus when the acid level is so small.

Yes, it’s not uncommon to find acid reflux in children. In fact, even very young children can experience it. Which creates a bit of challenge for parents. How can you tell if your child is suffering from the condition?

Some children are born with digestive problems. Others develop problems early in life and find themselves dealing with them throughout their lives. Unfortunately, very young children are unable to tell you how they’re feeling and where it hurts. As a parent, you have the responsibility to keep an eye on their behavior and draw your own conclusions.

If your child complains or becomes upset when it’s time to go down for a nap, this may be an indication that there’s a problem. If they wear a pained expression or are visibly uncomfortable within three hours of a meal, this too may be an indication of a problem.

Don’t be afraid to ask if their food ever comes back up into their mouth, or if they ever feel a burning sensation in their chest. This can be particularly helpful for children who are old enough to verbally describe how they’re feeling, even if it’s a description that requires some deciphering on your part. For instance, your child might describe his or her pain simply as a tummy ache.

If you suspect your child is experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux in children, your pediatrician should be able to run some tests that will confirm whether or not that’s the case.