Home :: Medical Health Information :: Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux

Occasional heartburn is a common condition that's caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. The pain is often described as a burning feeling, rising from the stomach into the chest. Occasional heartburn can be treated with over-the-counter medicines like antacids and may not require medical attention.

NutraMD Antacid Essential Nutrients® supplement  Buy Now!

Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), is often mistaken for occasional heartburn because heartburn is its most common symptom.  But unlike occasional heartburn, the heartburn symptoms of acid reflux disease usually occur 2 or more days a week for at least 3 months and can damage your esophagus.

Acid reflux disease occurs when the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus is frequent enough to impact your daily life and/or damage the esophagus. At the top of your stomach is a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally opens and closes allowing food to enter. It also prevents the acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. With acid reflux, or GERD, the LES opens at inappropriate times, allowing acid from the stomach to get into the esophagus, where it doesn't belong.

Acid reflux disease can also lead to more serious medical conditions that require hospitalization and even surgery. In some acid reflux patients, acid can be regurgitated into the lungs, causing wheezing or cough. Acid reflux in the throat can cause sore throat. If acid reaches the mouth, it can dissolve the enamel of the teeth. Severe, persistent reflux can lead to changes in the cells that line the esophagus which is called a Barrett’s esophagus.  This is important to monitor as Barrett’s esophagus can change into cancer of the esophagus. Millions of people have acid reflux disease and suffer from its most common symptom - frequent and persistent heartburn. Acid reflux disease can be treated and controlled. Visiting your doctor to make the proper diagnosis, taking medicine as prescribed and making relevant changes to your lifestyle can help you work toward relieving your symptoms and maintaining a healthy digestive system.

Acid Suppression for Ulcer Risk

If you're like many people who suffer with chronic pain – from arthritis, an injury, or other causes – you might be continuously taking a pain medication commonly referred to as NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), a type of medication such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. While these medications are effective in helping relieve pain and inflammation, clinical studies have shown that continuous use of certain types of these prescription and over-the-counter pain medications can raise your risk for stomach ulcers, by weakening the stomach lining and allowing stomach acid to cause an ulcer. You could be at greater risk for developing a stomach ulcer if you're over 60, or have a history of stomach ulcers, and you are taking ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin for chronic pain. Not all ulcers cause symptoms, and only your doctor can tell if you are at risk for this problem.

Ulcers

A peptic ulcer occurs on the lining of the stomach or duodenum, which is the beginning of the small intestine.  Duodenal ulcers are usually due to Helicobacter pylori infections or medications such as NSAIDs.  Gastric ulcers can be from the same things, but also may be cancer related, so it is very important to have any ulcer diagnosed and treated properly.  Peptic ulcers are common as 1 in 10 Americans will develop an ulcer at some time in his or her life. Peptic ulcers are not caused by stress or eating spicy food, but these can make ulcers worse.

NutraMD Antacid Essential Nutrients - Buy Now!
Read more...
Related product.