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Acid Reflux Disease and Gerd Treatment

Learn about acid reflux and GERD symptoms and treatment

Acid reflux (also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, GORD or GERD) is a disease of the lower oesophagus (foodpipe) and stomach. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for disagree periods of moment, or does not end decently and abdomen contents climb upward into the esophagus. GERD affects almost one third of the grownup population of the United States to some level at least formerly a month. The principal symptom of GERD in adults is regular heartburn, too called acidic indigestion burning-type pain in the lower region of the mid-chest, and in the mid-abdomen.

Acid reflux is extremely common: as many as one in five people experience Acid reflux symptoms at least once a week, and one in ten people have acid reflux symptoms every day.

Symptoms

Heartburn. Heartburn is the primary symptom of GERD. It is a burning sensation that radiates up from the stomach to the chest and throat. Heartburn is most likely to occur in connection with the following activities:

* After a heavy meal.
* Bending over.
* Lifting.
* Lying down, particularly on the back.

Eating large meals, eating soon before bedtime cause of acid reflux. Some other factors that can make heartburn suxch as, certain foods, such as fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomato sauce, carbonated beverages and mint. One of the simplest treatments for GERD is referred to as life-style changes, a combination of several changes in habit, particularly related to eating. Coffee, alcohol, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements stimulate gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can cause evening reflux. Avoiding alcohol and spicy, fatty or acidic foods that trigger heartburn.

Treatment

* Acid suppressants, such as histamine2-receptor antagonists (blockers). Histamine is a chemical released in the body under different conditions, but particularly during inflammation. In the stomach it can release more acid, so blocking it reduces acid production.
* Proton pump inhibitors, which reduce the production of acid in the stomach by acting on cells in the stomach wall that make acid and release it into the stomach.

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Article Details
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Author:Ricky Hussey
Publication:Health, general community
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Mar 15, 2008
Words:379
Previous Article:Hypertension - How to Treat High Blood Pressure
Next Article:Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Help for Ibs Treatment



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