Science Takes a Stand: Treatment for your Acid Reflux
Acid reflux can be difficult to deal with, especially if you love food. Often referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, acid reflux occurs when food in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This may not seem dangerous, but if you take into account the fact that the stomach uses very strong acids to make its enzymes work, then you can understand what kind of damage GERD can cause. The acidified food from the stomach can burn through the protective mucosal lining of the lower esophagus, weakening, even destroying it; and making it more prone to ulcers and cancers.
One of the telltale signs of acid reflux is a burning sensation behind your ribcage, which is brought about by the acidic food wreaking havoc on your lower esophagus. This condition, often referred to as heartburn, can then be followed by stabbing chest pains that occur over a long period of time. Other symptoms of GERD may include difficulty swallowing, damage to the voice box leading to changes in voice and constant hoarseness, frequent coughing, sinusitis, and nausea.
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Potential acid reflux treatments
If you think that you have acid reflux or GERD, then you may need to consult with your physician, who can carry out a series of tests to make a complete diagnosis of GERD. Such tests can include x-rays, endoscopy, and other procedures that may or may not involve carrying out biopsies on your esophageal tissues. If a positive diagnosis is made, then you will need to undergo lifestyle changes and treatments to keep your acid reflux at a minimum. The potential acid reflux treatments can include the following.
1. You will have to shift to an acid reflux or GERD diet, which involves removing spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, and an excess of vitamin C supplements as a precaution. You will need to avoid fats and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower; and you will need to eat smaller meals so as to avoid overloading your stomach. If you smoke, your doctor will also require you to quit, as nicotine and other toxins in tobacco can exacerbate your acid reflux problem.
2. You may also be prescribed physical therapy to improve your posture, as slouching and other bad posture habits can exacerbate the symptoms of GERD. Body positions that involve constricting the digestive system or squeezing the esophagus all contribute to acid reflux, so you will need to do exercises to keep your body straight.
3. There are also certain drugs that are designed to reduce the amount of acids that your stomach secretes. Such drugs will block the activity of cell surface molecules in the gastric lining. These molecules are called the proton pumps, as they function with the help of positively-charged hydrogen ions; hence, the use of proton pump inhibitors as medication. However, these drugs can have serious side-effects.
4. Physicians will often recommend antacids for milder versions of GERD, as these can increase the pH of the stomach and reduce the organ's resulting acidity. Such antacids, however, should not contain calcium, as these can make GERD worse.
5. For moderate cases of GERD, physicians can recommend alginic acid, which can coat the stomach and lower esophageal mucosal linings, allowing the cells in them to regenerate and be repaired. Aside from protecting the delicate mucosal lining of the stomach and lower esophagus, alginic acid can also decrease the probability of acid reflux.
1. You will have to shift to an acid reflux or GERD diet, which involves removing spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, and an excess of vitamin C supplements as a precaution. You will need to avoid fats and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower; and you will need to eat smaller meals so as to avoid overloading your stomach. If you smoke, your doctor will also require you to quit, as nicotine and other toxins in tobacco can exacerbate your acid reflux problem.
2. You may also be prescribed physical therapy to improve your posture, as slouching and other bad posture habits can exacerbate the symptoms of GERD. Body positions that involve constricting the digestive system or squeezing the esophagus all contribute to acid reflux, so you will need to do exercises to keep your body straight.
3. There are also certain drugs that are designed to reduce the amount of acids that your stomach secretes. Such drugs will block the activity of cell surface molecules in the gastric lining. These molecules are called the proton pumps, as they function with the help of positively-charged hydrogen ions; hence, the use of proton pump inhibitors as medication. However, these drugs can have serious side-effects.
4. Physicians will often recommend antacids for milder versions of GERD, as these can increase the pH of the stomach and reduce the organ's resulting acidity. Such antacids, however, should not contain calcium, as these can make GERD worse.
5. For moderate cases of GERD, physicians can recommend alginic acid, which can coat the stomach and lower esophageal mucosal linings, allowing the cells in them to regenerate and be repaired. Aside from protecting the delicate mucosal lining of the stomach and lower esophagus, alginic acid can also decrease the probability of acid reflux.
Further acid reflux treatments
6. Some antihistamines can also function to reduce the secretion of acid by your stomach. These receptor blockers can include the drugs famotidine and ranitidine.
7. A potential acid reflux treatment can be the prokinetics, which are drugs that can strengthen the muscles of the lower esophagus and speed up the exit of food from the stomach, giving it less time to return to the lower esophagus. Recent studies have shown, however, that some prokinetics have dangerous side effects. Some drugs of this class have already been withdrawn from the market, so you may want to consult further with your doctor on whether he or she can still prescribe prokinetics for your particular GERD case.
8. Some drugs are designed to be taken in conjunction with anti-GERD drugs in order to keep the digestive muscles working properly. Such drugs may include sucralfate, which can speed up esophageal healing due to damages from acid reflux. Sucralfate should be taken frequently in order to keep the delicate mucosal linings constantly protected.
9. Surgery is a treatment of last resort for people suffering from severe GERD. Some surgical procedures are designed to strengthen the lower esophagus to keep acidified food from moving back up from the stomach. This can be done by a Nissen fundoplication, which involves wrapping the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter. Other surgical treatments are currently being studied for effectiveness and safety.
Whatever acid reflux treatment you choose, always consult your doctor before you undertake them to treat your particular case of GERD. You may have existing medical conditions that may need to be taken into account, as some medications can interfere with GERD treatments.
As always, do a lot of research and do not be afraid to ask questions about your acid reflux. In addition to the above treatments, there are various powerful and proven natural methods for curing acid reflux. If you wish to find out more about these natural and side-effect-free methods, please check out the section below on recommended treatments.
7. A potential acid reflux treatment can be the prokinetics, which are drugs that can strengthen the muscles of the lower esophagus and speed up the exit of food from the stomach, giving it less time to return to the lower esophagus. Recent studies have shown, however, that some prokinetics have dangerous side effects. Some drugs of this class have already been withdrawn from the market, so you may want to consult further with your doctor on whether he or she can still prescribe prokinetics for your particular GERD case.
8. Some drugs are designed to be taken in conjunction with anti-GERD drugs in order to keep the digestive muscles working properly. Such drugs may include sucralfate, which can speed up esophageal healing due to damages from acid reflux. Sucralfate should be taken frequently in order to keep the delicate mucosal linings constantly protected.
9. Surgery is a treatment of last resort for people suffering from severe GERD. Some surgical procedures are designed to strengthen the lower esophagus to keep acidified food from moving back up from the stomach. This can be done by a Nissen fundoplication, which involves wrapping the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter. Other surgical treatments are currently being studied for effectiveness and safety.
Whatever acid reflux treatment you choose, always consult your doctor before you undertake them to treat your particular case of GERD. You may have existing medical conditions that may need to be taken into account, as some medications can interfere with GERD treatments.
As always, do a lot of research and do not be afraid to ask questions about your acid reflux. In addition to the above treatments, there are various powerful and proven natural methods for curing acid reflux. If you wish to find out more about these natural and side-effect-free methods, please check out the section below on recommended treatments.
Recommended treatments for acid reflux and GERD
- Cure Your Heartburn
- A Canadian researcher has discovered a new solution guaranteed to solve your acid reflux problems! The system is so simple you can start today.
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- Simple methods for combating Acid Reflux once and for all with 100% guaranteed natural strategies.
- Heartburn No More
- A former heartburn sufferer reveals the only holistic system that will show you how to permanently cure your acid reflux and achieve lasting freedom from digestive disorders.
A useful video on YouTube
News on acid reflux treatment
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by Juliette_Butler
Hi, my name is Juliette Butler. I am an author specialising in digestive disorders such as heartburn, acid reflux and GERD. I am of French origin, but...
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