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gastroesophageal reflux disease

A: i have that problem b4. need to quit smoking if u do, for the nicotine acidic effect or something. that got me to quit smoking too. curry, oily and hot & spicy foods should be avoided, for some time at least. avoid caffein in tea and coffee as well, and carbonated drinks with gas!!.. drink a lot of water. but do get pro advice on your situation if u r having the symptoms
…”Spicy foods do not cause GERD, although they do seem to worsen GERD symptoms in some people. Food (in general) can make GERD worse. This is because food fills the stomach and induces more transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, all meals stimulate acid production in the stomach to aid digestion and can increase reflux into the esophagus in GERD sufferers. Any very large meal might be expected to produce heartburn in some people. The spicy food story is so compelling, however, that GERD sufferers often relate a spicy (or greasy) meal to their symptoms. Often they are told to avoid certain foods whether or not these foods have anything to do with their symptoms. In this way, many GERD sufferers end up on a very restricted diet or end up blaming their symptoms on dietary indiscretion. If avoiding spicy foods and/or other dietary advice helps, that’s great. If it doesn’t, GERD sufferers shouldn’t feel that they are doing something wrong. They should seek medical advice on managing their disease.
Smoking doesn’t cause GERD and there is little evidence that smoking significantly worsens GERD. Stopping smoking is a good idea anyway..” unquote

Q: do a lot of people get Gastroesophageal reflux disease?
i’m doing a project in science and i need to know what percent of the american population get this disease

A: yes, especially the 50+ crowd

Q: Will there ever be a cure for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?
Will there ever be a cure for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? I have had to take a mega-dose of an extremely expensive prescription medicine, twice-daily, for eight years to control my acid reflux. Will there ever be a permanent cure? I spoke with one of the nation’s leading gastroenterologists about two years ago and he told me that the ring that they can surgically insert near the sphincter connecting your stomach and esophagus may exacerbate the problem, is flaky, and is not permanent fix. Is there any hope?
Enzymes don’t work for me…

A: It’s funny, you’d think in this day and age they’d at least have a cure for GERD! But all we can do is try to keep the acidity of the reflux down so it doesn’t do more damage to the esophagus. My son has terrible reflux and takes Prevacid twice a day and now he has a polyp under his vocal cord from all the reflux.

Q: What is actually Gastroesophageal reflux disease?

A: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux in the oesophagus.[1]

This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the oesophagus and the stomach. This can be due to incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter, transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation, impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the oesophagus, or a hiatal hernia. Respiratory and laryngeal manifestations of GERD are commonly referred to as extraesophageal reflux disease (EERD

Signs and symptoms
[edit] Adults

The most-common symptoms of GERD are:

* Heartburn
* Regurgitation
* Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)

Less-common symptoms include:

* Pain with swallowing (odynophagia)
* Excessive salivation (this is common during heartburn, as saliva is generally slightly basic[2] and is the body’s natural response to heartburn, acting similarly to an antacid)
* Nausea[3]
* Chest pain

GERD sometimes causes injury of the esophagus. These injuries may include:

* Reflux esophagitis—necrosis of esophageal epithelium causing ulcers near the junction of the stomach and esophagus.
* Esophageal strictures—the persistent narrowing of the esophagus caused by reflux-induced inflammation.
* Barrett’s esophagus—metaplasia (changes of the epithelial cells from squamous to columnar epithelium) of the distal esophagus.
* Esophageal adenocarcinoma—a rare form of cancer.[3]

Several other atypical symptoms are associated with GERD, but there is good evidence for causation only when they are accompanied by esophageal injury. These symptoms are:

* Chronic cough
* Laryngitis (hoarseness, throat clearing)
* Asthma
* Erosion of dental enamel
* Dentine hypersensitivity
* Sinusitis and damaged teeth[4]

Some people have proposed that symptoms such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, recurrent ear infections, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are due to GERD; however, a causative role has not been established.[3]
[edit] Children

GERD may be difficult to detect in infants and children. Symptoms may vary from typical adult symptoms. GERD in children may cause repeated vomiting, effortless spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems. Inconsolable crying, failure to gain adequate weight, refusing food, bad breath, and belching or burping are also common. Children may have one symptom or many — no single symptom is universal in all children with GERD.

Common symptoms of Pediatric Reflux

* Irritability and pain, sometimes screaming suddenly when asleep. Constant or sudden crying or “colic” like symptoms. Babies can be inconsolable especially when laid down flat.
* Poor sleep habits typically with arching their necks and back during or after feeding
* Excessive possetting or vomiting
* Frequent burping or frequent hiccups
* Excessive dribbling or running nose
* Swallowing problems, gagging and choking
* Frequent ear infections or sinus congestion
* Babies are often very gassy and extremely difficult to “burp” after feeds
* Refusing feeds or frequent feeds for comfort
* Night time coughing, extreme cases of acid reflux can cause apnoea and respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia if stomach contents are inhaled.
* Bad breath – smelling acidy
* Rancid/acid smelling diapers with loose stool. Bowel movements can be very frequent or babies can be constipated.

theres alot more info from the source i got this from , here is the link,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease

Q: What are some nursing care(actions/interventions) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
GERD is a disease that is defined as the backward flow of gastric contents from the stomach into the esophagus. GERD is often found with a sliding hernia, although not always found together.

A: 1. What is GERD?
GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroesophageal reflux describes a backflow of acid from the stomach into the swallowing tube or esophagus. This acid can irritate and sometimes damage the delicate lining on the inside of the esophagus. Almost everyone experiences gastroesophageal reflux at some time. The usual symptom is heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone, most commonly occurring after a meal. In some individuals this reflux is frequent or severe enough to cause more significant problems, that is a disease. Thus, gastroesophageal reflux disease is a clinical condition that occurs when reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus is severe enough to impact the patient’s life and/or damage the esophagus.
For more information about GERD and an educational multimedia walk-through, refer to the Introduction to GERD.

2. I have never heard of GERD. Is it a new disease?
No. GERD has probably been around as long as heartburn. The term is relatively new (about 20 years), however, and has really come into common usage over the past few years. GERD is often called “reflux,” “reflux esophagitis,” or sometimes even “hiatus hernia” (although hiatus hernia is a specific diagnosis that may or may not have anything to do with GERD). GERD is the preferred term because it accurately describes the problem – reflux of stomach acid up into the esophagus where it can produce symptoms and sometimes damage. Many patients and health care professionals are not familiar with GERD and its potential consequences, and thus may not have heard the term previously.

3. What are some symptoms of GERD?
The four major symptoms of GERD are:

Heartburn (uncomfortable, rising, burning sensation behind the breastbone).

Regurgitation of gastric acid or sour contents into the mouth.

Difficult and/or painful swallowing.

Chest pain.

Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. In some patients it may be accompanied by other GERD symptoms, such as regurgitation of gastric contents into the mouth, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Pulmonary manifestations, such as asthma, coughing, or intermittent wheezing and vocal cord inflammation with hoarseness, occur in some GERD patients.
In addition, acid can be regurgitated into the lungs in some GERD patients, causing wheezing or cough. Acid refluxed into the throat can cause sore throat. If acid reaches the mouth, it can dissolve enamel of the teeth.

4. How do people get GERD? What causes GERD?
GERD is caused by reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. In most patients this is due to a transient relaxation of the “gate” or sphincter that keeps the lower end of the esophagus closed when a person is not swallowing food or liquids. This transient relaxation happens a few times each day in people without GERD. Why it happens more frequently in GERD patients isn’t known. The esophagus is not able to cope with acid as well as the stomach and is easily injured. It’s the acid refluxing into the esophagus that produces the symptoms and potentially damages the esophagus.

5. How many people are afflicted with GERD?
Recent statistics from the US Department of Health and Human Services indicate that about seven (7) million people in the US alone suffer from GERD.
(Source: Digestive Diseases in the United States: Epidemiology and Impact, National Digestive Diseases Data Working Group, James E. Everhart, MD, MPH, Editor, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, NIH Publication No. 94-1447, May 1994)

6. Who is afflicted with GERD?
GERD afflicts people of every socioeconomic class, ethnic group and age. However, the incidence does seem to increase quite dramatically above the age of 40. Greater than 50 percent of those afflicted with GERD are between the ages of 45-64 (both male and female).

7. Do children get GERD?
Yes. GERD is most common in adults over age 40 but virtually anyone can get GERD, even infants.

8. What is the difference between GERD and GORD?
The British spelling of esophagus is oesophagus. Hence, GERD is GORD in many European countries.

9. What is the difference between heartburn and GERD?
GERD is a disease and heartburn is its most common symptom. Heartburn is defined as a rising, burning sensation behind the breastbone caused by reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Nearly everyone has or will experience heartburn on occasion. Frequent heartburn that disrupts one’s lifestyle suggests the diagnosis of GERD.

10. What is the difference between GERD and a hiatus hernia?
Hiatus hernia refers to dislocation of the stomach through the “hiatus” of the diaphragm and into the chest. This is a common condition that increases in frequency with age. It may or may not be associated with GERD. When GERD is severe enough to be complicated by erosive esophagitis, seen as breaks in the lining of the esophagus, a hiatus hernia is usually present. However, most patients with a hiatus hernia do not have GERD.

11. What is endoscopy and when is it used in GERD patients?
Endoscopy is a diagnostic test wherein a thin, flexible tube is swallowed by the patient to allow the physician to directly inspect the lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This procedure can be used to identify complications of GERD and to take small samples (biopsies) for further analysis. GERD patients who have certain symptoms, such as difficulty in swallowing or painful swallowing, should be considered for endoscopy. Patients who fail to respond to therapy are also candidates for endoscopy. Some physicians advocate endoscopy for all patients with long-standing GERD in order to rule out Barrett’s esophagus.

12. What are the complications of GERD?
Only a minority of patients develop complications of GERD. These complications include breaks in the lining of the esophagus (esophageal erosions), esophageal ulcer, and narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture). In some patients, the normal esophageal lining or epithelium may be replaced with abnormal (Barrett’s) epithelium. This condition (Barrett’s esophagus) has been linked to cancer of the esophagus and must be carefully watched. Lung (pulmonary) aspiration, asthma and inflammation of the vocal cords or throat may also be caused by GERD.

13. What makes GERD symptoms worse?
The major factor is meals. Meals stimulate the stomach to produce more acid that can reflux up into the esophagus. In some patients, lying down or taking certain medications can worsen acid reflux.

14. Does eating spicy food cause GERD or make GERD worse?
Spicy foods do not cause GERD, although they do seem to worsen GERD symptoms in some people. Food (in general) can make GERD worse. This is because food fills the stomach and induces more transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, all meals stimulate acid production in the stomach to aid digestion and can increase reflux into the esophagus in GERD sufferers. Any very large meal might be expected to produce heartburn in some people. The spicy food story is so compelling, however, that GERD sufferers often relate a spicy (or greasy) meal to their symptoms. Often they are told to avoid certain foods whether or not these foods have anything to do with their symptoms. In this way, many GERD sufferers end up on a very restricted diet or end up blaming their symptoms on dietary indiscretion. If avoiding spicy foods and/or other dietary advice helps, that’s great. If it doesn’t, GERD sufferers shouldn’t feel that they are doing something wrong. They should seek medical advice on managing their disease.

15. What about GERD and smoking?
Smoking doesn’t cause GERD and there is little evidence that smoking significantly worsens GERD. Stopping smoking is a good idea anyway.

16. Do any medications make GERD worse?
Yes. Medicines that delay emptying of acid from the stomach or that increase acid backup into the esophagus can worsen GERD. If you have, or suspect you have, GERD and you require medication for other conditions, you should make sure you inform your doctor about all medications you are taking including prescription and over-the-counter medications.

17. What should people with GERD avoid?
GERD is a disease that is caused by gastric acid. However, certain foods can trigger symptoms in some patients. Lying down after a meal, wearing tight-fitting clothing, and even performing certain activities, such as bending over, can also trigger symptoms in patients. A good way to identify these “triggers” is to keep a diary of GERD symptoms noting when they occur. If symptoms follow a pattern and occur after certain foods or activities, these foods or activities should be avoided. A diary will also help patients continue to enjoy those foods or activities that do not seem to provoke symptoms, so that their lifestyle is not restricted unnecessarily. Patients should review their symptoms with their doctor, who can evaluate their condition and advise an appropriate treatment plan.

18. Can GERD cause cancer?
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. It is thought that this replacement may be an attempt by the body to protect itself from further injury by acid. The risk of esophageal cancer appears to increase significantly in patients with Barrett’s esophagus. The only way to diagnose Barrett’s esophagus is by endoscopy. Some studies suggest that intensive treatment of Barrett’s esophagus can reduce the amount of abnormal lining in the esophagus. It is not yet clear whether such treatment will prevent esophageal cancer in GERD patients, but this is under active investigation.

19. Are there long-term consequences of GERD?
Long-standing GERD can lead to damage of the esophagus. This damage usually consists of breaks in the lining of the esophagus. In some cases ulcers can develop. In some patients, such damage can result in scarring and narrowing of the esophagus, making swallowing painful or difficult. A condition called Barrett’s esophagus is thought to result from long-standing GERD in some patients. Barrett’s esophagus is a risk factor for the development of esophageal cancer. In some patients, acid backup caused by GERD is thought to result in damage to the vocal cords or teeth and may even cause asthma.

20. Is there relationship between GERD and asthma?
Many investigators believe that there is a link between asthma and reflux of stomach acid up into the throat and then down into the lungs in some patients. It appears that some patients who suffer from asthma might benefit from treatment of GERD. This is a topic of active research at the moment.

21. Can GERD cause inflammation of the throat?
In some patients, acid can reflux into the throat causing inflammation of the back of the throat which can lead to pharyngitis, or into the vocal cords, which can lead to laryngitis and hoarseness. Although there are many other causes for sore throat and laryngitis, GERD should be suspected in a patient with chronic sore throat or other GERD symptoms or when no other cause can be found.

22. Can GERD be cured?
Unfortunately, GERD, in general, cannot be cured at present. In some cases, it may be a temporary condition associated with a specific aggravating factor such as pregnancy. In such cases, GERD will go away on its own when the pregnancy has ended. In most cases GERD is a chronic condition. However, it can be effectively managed with medications and lifestyle modifications in almost everybody. In severe cases, surgery is an option. Surgery does not cure the underlying problem, but wraps part of the stomach around the lower end of the esophagus to help keep acid from getting back up into the esophagus. A doctor can evaluate the condition and advise on an appropriate treatment plan.

23. I think I have GERD. What should I do?
See your doctor. Your doctor can establish the diagnosis and work with you to get you symptom-free. Primary care and physicians of many specialties are becoming increasingly familiar with GERD. Gastroenterologists and some gastrointestinal surgeons are usually very familiar with GERD and its treatment.

24. Where can I go for more information about GERD?
If you think you might have GERD – see your doctor who can determine if you have GERD and, if so, can evaluate its severity. Additional information is also available from the following organizations:

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
National Office
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-654-2055
E-mail the AGA at info@gastro.org
AGA Home Page: http://www.gastro.org

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
P.O. Box 342260
Bethesda, MD 20827-2260
301-263-9000
ACG Home Page: http://www.acg.gi.org/

Q: Is Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) related to respiratory system?
If yes,how?What will be the consequences if GERD remains untreated?

A: Asthma attacks can be brought on by GERD. Small amounts of stomach acid that don’t even cause heartburn can leach up and enter the respitory tract and cause an asthma attack. Some asthmatics get an attack right after eating, no matter what they ate, this is why.

Q: Both my children were born with Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD?
Both my children were born with silent reflux disease. Its non projectional , but just rises in falls in esophagus . My question is is there a cause for this? I drank alot of pop pregnant and smoked. I know its horrible and very selfish, but I need to own up now as to why my children suffer for it, and definitely change my lifestyle to better theirs. Thanks. serious answers only. I am not a child we needs to be scolded for poor decisions on my behalf ..I just want to know if I caused it.
Real mature way to be . No I didn’t drink. Get a hobbie
I don’t understand with lack of weight gain. My girl was born 7lbs 12 ozs’ and my boy was 8lbs 3 ozs…
They never had a problem with gaining weight….both my children were chubby babies.

A: Yes, and you drank booze too, didn’t ya.

Q: Gastroesophageal reflux disease?
i think i have gerd i have a constant senzation of something in my throat like phlegm and i have hard nausea.thats what my doctor thinked i have.i will take an x-ray
and i burp a lot
i also have diarrhea

A: Sounds like GERD symptoms, but you really need to get that check by a doctor.

I have GERD – do your symptoms get worse when lying down at night? That is a good indicator. there are a couple things (if it really is GERD) to help alleviate the symptoms.

- don’t eat before going to bed (at least a few hours before)
- Avoid acid foods including tomatoes, grapefruit, orange juice
- Take an over the counter acid reducer (I take a tagamet every evening before bed)

Q: Simple question FOR Genius. About GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
Why we sometime will experience bitter taste when gastric juice refluxes out to oral seen gastric juice is acidic?
I want to know why the patient will experience the bitter taste. Not others unrelated thing. I know gastric juice is acidic, and acid is sour in taste. But why the tongue will sometime taste bitter? Please refer my question before you answer it!

A: This is becuase it is bile acid and acids will have a bitter taste, here is some more information that may help you.

I am not a doctor, so either way you will want to talk to them, but this is what I have to say as a long time sufferer of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.)!

Three part answer: information, what not to do, and what to do!

INFORMATION!!!!!!
I have a very severe case of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.). I have had to go to the hospital for some of the heartburn that I have had because the pain can become overwhelming or your breathing can be effected. It can be caused by Smoking, Drinking Beverages with caffeine (My case with hereditary), Drinking Beverages with Alcohol, Stress, Anxiety or can be Hereditary

The good thing about G.E.R.D. is that it can be a temporary thing and can be cured. It is never a permit thing even if you end up with it for the rest of your life it has the ability to be cured.

G.E.R.D. is caused by too much acid being created in your stomach. This can lead to or cause ulcers, esophagus damage, heartburn and/or damage in the mouth. . Other symptoms that can be found in a few cases are dizziness, tingling in limbs, numbness of Limbs, Chest/Back pain focused on the left side (in most cases), and shortness/difficulty breathing.

WHAT NOT TO DO!!!!!!!!
In most cases, stress is a factor to the reflux if you watch what you eat and reduce some of the stress it will help. If you watch what you eat for about a week you should find relief, if you do not then that is when you definitely what to listen to the doctor. Things to watch for are as follows:

Fatty Foods
Citrus Foods
Foods That Contain Grease
Fried Foods
Chocolate (including any Coco)
Caffeine
Smoking
Alcohol
Tomato Based Products
Lactose
Roughage (Berries and Nuts)
Onions

WHAT TO DO!!!!
The two foods that I recommend is Black strap Molasses and Raw honey. The apple is better for night time reflux while these will work for just about all of it. What you will do is take about a tsp. of whatever one you chose. Molasses being the better because of strength and nutrition, but must be use to the taste. What the substance will do is stick to the sides of the esophagus and do two things, one is heal and the other is protect.
On the healing end, both substances have a healing property in them, and as they sit on the walls of the esophagus they will heal it. This is also helpful if you have a sore throat in the morning from refluxing.
On the protection end, both substances are high in sugar and when acid that is refluxed comes up to that the sugar will neutralize it and it will not longer be a problem at that point.

I would also look to putting Cinnamon and Ginger in you diet, they have been know to help with digestion and will help you reduce the amount of acid needed to brake down food, therefore causing you to reflux less.

Q: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
I was diagnosed with GERD a few years back but I have to wonder if it really is GERD….I take prilosec (prescription) everyday and never miss a dose, they say my chest pain is due to my esophagus spasming from the heartburn…is it possible to have the chest pain from an esophagus spasm if ur not feeling any heartburn? The pain in my chest feels like a spidering of nerves into my back and happens every so often uncontrollably and I haven’t noticed it happening specifically after meals or activity it just happens…does this happen to anyone else? I found out about it by going to my ER, I literally felt like I was (what I had thought) having a heart attack but apparently didn’t.

A: In bad cases, you certainly can get esophageal spasm. And yes, it can feel exactly like heart pain.
Have you been evaluated by a GI (stomach specialist)?

Q: 10 week old with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Our pediatrician prescribed AXID for our son yesterday. Does anyone have experiance with this? If so, how long does it take before it starts to work? When I asked the pediatrician she said it takes a few days before we should notice a differance. However, he has had 2 doses so far (every 12 hours) and he is (finnally) calm this morning.

I was just wondering if anyone else who has been on this medicine noticed a differance with in 24 hours, or did it take a few days for you?

Thanks in advance for your info :)

A: Both of children had the reflux and I noticed with thin the first twenty four hours a huge difference in the way that they were feeling and how they ate. It was wonderful that they were finally getting to keep the food down and sleeping and just being alot happier, I only had to keep them on it until they were six months old and by that time they were both back to normal and no more special formula or medicine and it was great, hope everything works out for you and good luck.

Q: i think i may have gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease).any suggestion?
last year i had ulcers,i took prilosec for 6 weeks ,and after i m done i was better ,but few month ago i started to feel uncompfortable with a heartburn ,especially when i go to bed,i took tums ,maalox and other medecines with no use,i dont have any insurance or medicaid ,so i asked a friend about it and i was told it;s a heartburn,so i started to take zintac 150 twice a day ,and i felt fine since that.but 3 days ago i felt sick,chest pain ,sore throat ,difficulty in swallowing(like if there is a needle in my throat),sour taste in my mouth,pain in my right ear.do i have gerd ? i will go to a doctor next week ,i just get worry about it ,so i decided to ask for advice.(seriously please)thanks a lot

A: You may have GERD; one of the symptoms of GERD is heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain.

Interestingly, ear pain can happen in GERD. Why? Cranial nerve X (the Vagus nerve) is the longest nerve in your body. It passes from your esophagus to your ear, so esophageal trauma can cause related ear pain. The vagus nerve is the yellow nerve in this image http://www.edgarcayce.org/health/database/chdata/data/images/vagus.gif.

GERD happens when your lower esophageal sphincter http://www.nbc10.com/2006/0209/6867277.jpg doesn’t close and stomach acids back up into your esophagus, causing many of the symptoms you’re experiencing. The acid will erode and inflame your esophagus and may lead to a precancerous condition called Barrett’s Esophagus if the GERD isn’t treated.

How is GERD treated? Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium, AcipHex, Protonix, and Prilosec are used to stop the production of stomach acid. Prilosec is available over-the-counter; the others are prescription only. Zantac is a histamine-2 blocker; it reduces your stomach acid.

Tums and Maalox are antacids, which act to neutralize stomach acids, and are not very effective against GERD.

If your esophagus is damaged, it may take up to 8 weeks to heal, so if you begin medications you must be patient. Sometimes you have to switch medications if one doesn’t work well.

GERD is also treated by modifying your diet http://www.midwestgastro.com/diet_nutrition/GERD.html, http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs03.htm.

Your physician may prescribe PPIs based on your symptoms, or he/she may do a test called a barium swallow. You drink a thick chalky substance and are x-rayed to see if the substance is regurgitated.

Q: What kinda diet i have to maintain for “Esophagus Reflux” or “GERD”?
lately, i learnt that im suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), what diet i have to follow?

A: The diet is not the issue. GERD is caused by a weak sphincter muscle where food goes into the stomach. The acid can cause changes in the esophagus that may lead to cancer, so you should try to get a handle on it.

Avoid eating before lying down or going to bed. If you eat food with high acid content (tomatoes or tomato sauce, for example, or lemons or lemonade), it will make the acid damage worse, but not by a lot.

Drinking soda (anything that fizzes when you open it, even beer) will make the GERD worse, so aim for water or flavored water or Crystal Light or similar preparations, especially before lying down.

Raise the head of your mattress (put a pillow under the top end underneath the mattress or buy or make a wedge to put there) so the acid will not get up too far.

Take something like Pepcid Complete or Prilosec OTC, but understand that they diminish the acid output of cells in the stomach. which will grow more cells to make up the difference, so if you stop, the acid problem will be worse. It’s better to take the Pepcid Complete only when you need it, rather than regularly.

If you have not had an examination of your esophagus for possible precancerous conditions, you should have one as soon as possible.

Q: So I think I have reflux?
Is there only one kind of reflux and is it called Gastroesophageal reflux disease? I read on Wikipedia that excessive vitamin C promotes it. I really really like juice and there’s a lot of vitamin C in it so if I stop drinking so much juice, will it make my reflux stop? Thanks.

A: Probaly not, alot of foods and allergies can alos provoke it. You should talk to your dr about some meds or try like prilosec otc. Or if you do not like taking meds trying cutting one thing out at a time and see if it slows down some

Q: What are the benefits of switching from coffee to black tea in the morning?
I have a weak heart I have to take care of combined with a history of Gastroesophageal reflux disease which seemed to disappear after I found out I had celiac disease, so I switched.

I was just wondering if it’s really worth it because.. I love coffee.

A: I used to drink black coffee not alot, but then I stopped drinking caffiene so I rarely drink it now. If I were to drink tea, I would put cream and sugar in it. I’m not sure what the benefits would be though.

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