Millions of people are being struck with acid reflux disease - adults, children, and even infants cannot escape from its affliction. Basically, the acid reflux or heartburn pertains to the disease caused by the release of stomach acids into the esophagus and throat.
The process occurs when relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing the stomach acids to flow into the esophagus.
Many conditions have been contributed to this. People with increased anxiety, lack of exercise, and unhealthy diet. All of these have an effect on the body, the body increases the production of acid, therefore, resulting in acid reflux disease.
The symptoms of the acid reflux come in various forms,burning sensation, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, headache, bloating, and insomnia. These are all indications that acids had already invaded the esophagus.
The only way to battle the disease is to reduce the entire amount of stomach acid. This disorder can be treated and maintained with the proper diet and changing eating habits.
If the repeated occurrence of acid in the esophagus is not treated immediately, the person affected by acid reflux will continually suffer from the pain, sleepless nights, and over time, can cause esophagus cancer.
There are many medicines on the market today that treat acid reflux. Some people, those with a minor acid reflux condition, can get by by using antacids, such as Rolaids, Tums, Mallox, Alka Seltzer, etc.
Foaming agents can be used in the treatment of acid reflux. These include medications such as Gaviscon. This medication works by coating the stomach with a foam substance to prevent acid reflux. These are usually only prescribed when it is known that no damage has occurred to the esophagus.
In more severe cases of acid reflux H2Blockers are used to control the symptoms. H2 Blockers consist of cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR), and ranitidine (Zantac 75) all these medications hinder acid production. Depending on the strength needed whether or not you will need a prescription. Over the counter (OTC) drugs shouldn't be taken for more than a couple weeks at a time. These drugs only work on half the people who have GERD.
Proton pump inhibitors work much better than H2Blockers and relieve symptoms in most cases of GERD. These medications include, omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prvacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and esomeprazole (Nexium) are all available by prescription only.
There are other drugs being used out there, pro kinetics for one, but with side effects and their usefulness being limited, we are going to skip over that for now. Feel free to look up more on this yourself.
My choice of treating acid reflux symptoms is by going the natural way. There are many ingredients that can be found in your kitchen. Fresh fruits and vegetables, different spices and herbs.
One of the main contributors to acid reflux is over eating. It is best to eat several smaller meals than to eat one large meal. Eating the wrong foods contribute to acid reflux disease. Spicy foods, tomato based foods, alcohol, and citrus fruits are just a few of the foods that cause acid reflux.
Watch what you eat and how you eat it will greatly reduce your symptoms of acid reflux disease.
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