Acid Reflux (GERD)

Diet Nutrition and Lifestyle forr Teens

2008-02-13T00:16:00.000+08:00

If you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), changes in lifestyle and eating habits may help your symptoms. Try the following:

* Eat smaller meals more often
* Limit foods that are spicy or contain lots of acid (pickles, tomatoes, citrus).
* Tried chewing gum.
* Drink lots of water when symptoms arise.
* Avoid drinking alcohol
* Avoid cigarettes and all types of tobacco smoke.
* Avoid carbonated drinks, chocolate, caffeine, and foods that are high in fat (For example, pizza and french fries).
* Elevate the head of the bed with books or bricks about 30 degrees during sleep.
* Avoid tight waistbands.
* Lose weight
* Avoid eating or drinking 2-3 hours before bedtime.
* Avoid eating large meals before periods of heavy or stressful activities

Signs and Symptoms and Diagnosis for Teens

2008-02-13T00:01:00.000+08:00

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs when stomach contents go up into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), during or after a meal. In some children, the stomach contents go up the mouth (regurgitation) and are swallowed again. Other symptoms include hoarseness, recurrent pneumonia, cough, wheezing and difficulty or painful swallowing.

The doctor or nurse can talk with you about your child’s symptoms, do a physical examination and recommend tests to determine if reflux is the cause of symptoms. These tests check the esophagus, stomach and small intestine to see if there are any problems. However, treatment is sometimes started without the need for any tests. Common tests are:

* Barium (a chalky drink) is swallowed and X-rays show the shape of the esophagus and stomach. This test can find a hiatal hernia, blockage and other problems.
* Endoscopy: After the patient is given a sedative medication so they are asleep, a small flexible tube with a very tiny camera is inserted through the mouth and down into the esophagus and stomach. The lining of the esophagus, stomach and part of the small intestine can be examined and biopsies (small pieces of the lining) can be painlessly obtained. The biopsies can later be examined with a microscope, looking for inflammation and other problems
* Esophageal pH Probe: A thin light wire with an acid sensor at its tip is inserted through the nose into the lower part of the esophagus. The probe can detect the amount of stomach acid coming up into the esophagus and can tell if there acid in the esophagus.

Worrisome Symptoms of Reflux Disease in Children

2008-02-10T17:15:00.000+08:00

(2 - 12 Years Old) (Symptoms experienced by your child.)
1. Repeated vomiting associated with
Blood
Green or yellow fluid
Weight loss or poor weight gain

2. Frequent sensation of food or liquid coming up into the back of the throat or mouth

3. Frequent discomfort in the stomach or chest

4. Swallowing problems
* Discomfort with the act of swallowing
* Pain with swallowing
* Sensation that food gets stuck on the way down

5. Breathing Problems
* Wheezing
* Chronic cough or recurrent pneumonia
* Hoarseness
* Asthma

If you have concerns, speak to your healthcare provider.

WHAT’S UP WITH MY KID’S STOMACH?

2008-02-02T00:13:00.000+08:00

Reflux and your Child (2 -12 year olds)
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs during or after a meal when stomach contents go back into the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Most children are able to decrease their reflux with lifestyle and diet changes:

* Have your child eat smaller meals more often
* Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bed time
* Avoid carbonated drinks, chocolate, caffeine, and foods that are high in fat (french fries and pizza) or contain a lot of acid (citrus, pickles, tomato products) or spicy foods.
* Avoid large meals prior to exercise
* Help your child lose weight if they are overweight
* Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke
*
Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees

Most children with GER will be helped with the treatment mentioned above. If symptoms are severe or persistent then your primary care provider may consider treatment with a medication or referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Psychosocial Issues

2008-02-02T00:04:00.000+08:00

Ger and GERD obviously have consequences for the children so afflicted, however an often overlooked consequence is what happens to the primary caregiver. If treatment for the conditions is ineffective or the children go untreated it is likely that the patient’s condition will lead to some level discomfort for the primary caregiver(s). Pediatric GERD caregivers are likely to experience report sleep loss and some level of psychological and physical stress as a result of ineffective or inadequate treatment of GERD. The effect on the caregiver can be profound and affect all aspects of their normal routine from sleep, and professional activities to family relationships and normal social interactions.

Medical Therapy

2008-01-22T00:44:00.000+08:00

The treatment of reflux depends upon the infant’s symptoms and age. Some babies may not need any treatment, as GER can resolve in many cases without treatment. Healthy, happy babies may only need the feedings thickened with cereal and to be kept upright after they are fed. Over feeding can aggravate reflux, and your health care provider may suggest different ways of handling the problem. For example, smaller volume with more frequent feeding can help decrease the chances of regurgitating. If a food allergy is suspected they may ask you to change the baby’s formula (or modify the mother’s diet if the baby is breastfed) for one to two weeks. If a child is not growing well, feedings with higher calorie content or tube feeding may be recommended.

When a child is uncomfortable, or has difficulty sleeping, eating or growing, the doctor or nurse may suggest a medication. Different types of medicine can be used to treat reflux by decreasing the acid secreted by the stomach. One class of these medications is the H2-blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid) and nizatidine (Axid). Another type of medication is the proton-pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex) and pantoprazole (Protonix).

Very rarely do infants have severe GER that prevents them from growing or cause breathing problems. In some of these infants, surgery may be the best option.

Diet Nutrition and Lifestyle

2008-01-22T00:37:00.000+08:00

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs during or after a meal when stomach contents go back into the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. GER occurs often in normal infants. Most infants with GER are happy and healthy even though they spit up or vomit. Spitting up tends to peak at 4 months and most infants stop spitting up by 12 months of age. If your baby is spitting up without discomfort and is making appropriate weight gains, then he or she is probably a normal spitter. Things that you can do at home to help reduce spitting up:

Avoid overfeeding

1.	Don't feed the baby again after he or she spits up - wait until the next feeding.
2.	Consult your doctor to see if the baby is taking appropriately sized bottles or nursing the appropriate amount of time. For formula fed infants, feedings can be thickened
3.	For formula fed infants, try a hypoallergenic formula for 2 weeks
4.	Keep infant upright for at least 30 minutes after meals
5.	Avoid car seat positioning in the home Avoid tight diapers and elastic waistbands
6.	Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke

Most infants with GER will be helped with the treatment mentioned above. If symptoms are severe or persistent then your primary care provider may consider treatment with a medication or referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Signs and Symptoms and Diagnosis for Infants

2008-01-16T00:54:00.000+08:00

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs when stomach contents come go into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), during or after a meal. Most infants with GER are happy and healthy even though they spit up or vomit. An infant with GER may experience:

Spitting
Vomiting
Coughing
Irritability
Poor feeding
Blood in the stools

GER occurs often in normal infants. More than half of all babies experience reflux in the first 3 months of life. Only a small number of infants have symptoms due to GER. Most infants stop spitting up between the ages of 12 to 18 months.
In a small number of babies, GER may result in symptoms that are concerning. These include problems such as

Poor growth due to an inability to hold down enough food
Irritability or feeding refusal due to pain
Blood loss from acid burning the esophagus
Breathing problems

Each of these problems can be caused by disorders other than GER. Your health care provider needs to determine if GER is causing your child’s

For more information click on the links below go to the Patients and Parents site and check out the resources on Infant GER below

Genetics

2008-01-15T23:39:00.000+08:00

In the past several years, there have been a number of research studies suggesting that GERD may be an inherited disease. In 2004 CDHNF kicked-off Family GERD Week with the release of findings from a survey of 200 pediatricians and family practitioners to determine their understanding of the possible genetic basis for GERD.

It revealed that 89 percent of the physicians surveyed believe that GERD may be an inherited condition, and over 70 percent of respondents also recognize that serious complications from heartburn, such as erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer, also likely have an inherited basis. However, only 48 percent of respondents routinely inquire about family history. The survey clearly showed that while the genetic relationship of these diseases is still being studied, it is necessary for physicians to be more cognizant of family history when diagnosing patients with GERD.

Heartburn and Indigestion during Pregnancy

2008-01-11T01:58:00.000+08:00

Many women have heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Although this is not usually a sign of a serious problem, it can be uncomfortable or painful.

Heartburn occurs when digested food from your stomach, which contains acid, is pushed up toward your esophagus. This causes a burning sensation behind your breastbone or a burning sensation that starts in your stomach and seems to rise up. You may also have a sour taste in your mouth or a feeling that vomit is rising in your throat.

Normally, food moves down a pipe (called the esophagus) between your mouth and your stomach. When you're not eating, a circular valve around the bottom of your esophagus closes off the connection between your esophagus and your stomach. This valve keeps the acids in your stomach from rising up.

When you swallow, the valve relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow through. If the valve relaxes when you're not eating, the acids from your stomach can flow back up into your esophagus, irritating it and causing a burning sensation.

Several things can cause the valve to relax more easily, such as:

Greasy or fatty foods
Chocolate or drinks containing caffeine
Onions, garlic or spicy foods
Certain medications
Eating a very large meal
Lying down after eating

During pregnancy, hormones relax the muscles in your digestive tract, including the valve in the esophagus. This allows stomach acids to more easily seep back up the esophagus, especially when you're lying down. Heartburn can be worse in the second and third trimesters, when your growing uterus presses on your stomach. This sometimes pushes food back up into the esophagus.

Pregnancy hormones also slow down:

muscles that push food from your esophagus into your stomach
muscles that contract to digest food in your stomach, which slows down your digestion

These changes can also lead to indigestion, which can make you feel very full, bloated or gassy.

When to seek medical advice

2008-01-07T00:02:00.000+08:00

Most problems with heartburn are fleeting and mild. But if you have severe or frequent discomfort, you may be developing complications that need more intensive medical treatment and prescription medications. Talk to your doctor if you have:

Heartburn several times a week
Heartburn that returns soon after your antacid wears off
Heartburn that wakes you up at night

You may need further medical care, possibly even surgery, if you experience any of these:

Symptoms that persist even though you're taking prescription heartburn medications
Difficulty swallowing
Regurgitated blood or black material
Stool that's black
Weight loss

Risk factors

2008-01-06T23:59:00.000+08:00

Conditions that cause difficulty with digestion can increase the risk of heartburn. These include:

Obesity

Excess weight puts extra pressure on your stomach and diaphragm — the large muscle that separates your chest and abdomen — forcing open the lower esophageal sphincter and allowing stomach acids to back up into your esophagus. Eating very large meals or meals high in fat may cause similar effects.

Hiatal hernia

If this protrusion of part of your stomach into your lower chest is large, it can worsen heartburn by further weakening the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy results in greater pressure on the stomach and a higher production of the hormone progesterone. This hormone relaxes many of your muscles, including the lower esophageal sphincter.

Asthma

Doctors aren't certain of the exact relationship between asthma and heartburn. It may be that coughing and difficulty exhaling lead to pressure changes in your chest and abdomen, triggering regurgitation of stomach acid into your esophagus. Some asthma medications that widen (dilate) airways may also relax the lower esophageal sphincter and allow reflux. Or it's possible that the acid reflux that causes heartburn may worsen asthma symptoms. For example, you may inhale small amounts of the digestive juices from your esophagus and pharynx, damaging lung airways.

Diabetes

One of the many complications of diabetes is gastroparesis, a disorder in which your stomach takes too long to empty. If left in your stomach too long, stomach contents can regurgitate into your esophagus and cause heartburn.

Gastric outlet obstruction

This is a partial blockage caused by scarring, an ulcer or a growth near the valve (pylorus) in the stomach that controls the flow of food into the small intestine. It can keep this valve from working properly or can obstruct the release of food from the stomach. Food doesn't empty from your stomach as fast as it should, causing stomach acid to build up and back up into your esophagus. This usually causes more signs and symptoms than just heartburn, such as abdominal pain, difficulty eating, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, consult your doctor.

Delayed stomach emptying

In addition to diabetes or an ulcer, abnormal nerve or muscle functions can delay emptying of your stomach, causing acid backup into the esophagus. Medications may also lead to delayed stomach emptying. These include narcotics, some antidepressants and antihistamines.

Connective tissue disorders. Diseases such as scleroderma that cause muscular tissue to thicken and swell can keep digestive muscles from relaxing and contracting as they should, allowing acid reflux.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. One of the complications of this rare disorder is that your stomach produces extremely high amounts of acid, increasing the risk of acid reflux.

Chronic Reflux Often Leads to Sleepless Nights

2008-01-06T01:35:00.000+08:00

HealthDay

By Robert Preidt

Thursday, October 18, 2007

THURSDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Along with typical symptoms such as acid reflux, the less typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- such as coughing, choking, wheezing, choking, snoring, sore throat, and chest pain -- can cause people significant sleep problems, according to a new U.S. survey.

The poll of 701 GERD patients found that sleep impairment was much more common among those with GERD (41.9 percent) than among people without GERD (19.4 percent), and that about half of people with nighttime GERD reported sleeping poorly often or most of the time, compared to 36.7 percent of those with daytime GERD.

Among GERD patients, 74 percent reported at least one nighttime atypical symptom. For almost every atypical symptom in the study, more than 20 percent of GERD patients reported that the symptom occurred frequently -- more than two nights a week.

The survey also found that GERD patients with atypical symptoms were more likely to suffer sleep problems than GERD patients with typical symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation.

The percentage of GERD patients who reported sleeping problems was much higher for those reporting eight out of nine of the atypical symptoms included in the survey than for these without atypical symptoms.

The findings were presented this week at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, in Philadelphia.

Know the Symptoms of Acid Reflux In Babies

2008-01-06T01:22:00.000+08:00

It’s very frustrating to be a parent or caregiver whose baby is upset and crying if you don’t know what is wrong. Your infant does not have any other way to communicate yet, so crying is the main sign of hunger or discomfort. Learning about all the various issues that the average baby or toddler may suffer from can help, however, as the more you know, the more you can help your child to feel better. One subject that many parents and caregivers don’t know much about is how to recognize the symptoms of acid reflux in babies.

Yes, even tiny infants can suffer from acid reflux. In fact, it’s quite common, as the digestive symptom in infants is not yet fully developed. They also have no capacity yet to tell when they are full, nor to communicate this to their caregivers. What this means is that babies cannot always keep the foods and liquids they’ve been fed inside their stomachs. In addition, most infants spend a majority of their time lying down, which, as any adult sufferer of acid reflux will tell you, only aggravates the symptoms of acid reflux. In babies this is no different, so if your child seems to be suffering from acid reflux-related discomfort, try putting him or her in a seat or carrier that allows an upright position for a larger portion of the day.

It is very important to know the symptoms of acid reflux in babies, as failing to deal with them can lead to failure to thrive, due to the baby not getting enough nutrition. Allowing the esophagus to be continually exposed to the stomach acids can also lead to tissue damage or even scarring, and possibly to breathing problems later in life.

But it can be difficult to tell the difference between normal infant vomiting & crankiness and the more serious symptoms of acid reflux in babies. It’s perfectly normal for babies to spit up their food, due to the same immaturity of the digestive system that causes the symptoms of acid reflux in babies in the first place. And since they cannot yet communicate, they are unable to express just why they may be feeling uncomfortable or even in pain. If your infant’s vomiting seems to be occurring after every meal, or if he or she is also having breathing difficulties, you should consider that these might be symptoms of acid reflux, and see your pediatrician.

Treatment of the symptoms of acid reflux in babies may range from simply feeding your baby different foods and adjusting his or her sleeping conditions to prescription medications. Whatever treatment your doctor prescribes, be sure to follow instructions carefully, as symptoms of acid reflux in babies can quickly lead to more serious conditions.

Are Too Many Babies Taking Antireflux Medications?

2007-12-28T05:57:00.000+08:00

Spitting up is a common, albeit messy, part of being a baby. But some little ones have a harder time keeping their early diets down than others. So, infants these days are often prescribed medications to help keep their spit-ups — and the discomfort that can come with them — at bay. But now a new study is questioning whether many of the babies taking these drugs really need them.

Focusing on 44 infants with ongoing spitting up or vomiting problems, researchers used a test to measure the reflux (or regurgitation) of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. What they found: The vast majority of the babies couldn't technically be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition that's different from regular old reflux. Reflux is very common in infants, but it usually doesn't cause any health problems and stops before a baby's first birthday. Doctors diagnose GERD when a child's reflux is causing complications, like irritation of the esophagus due to refluxed stomach acid, poor weight gain, or breathing problems due to spit up spilling over into the child's lungs.

Although almost all of the 44 babies tested were on antireflux medications (42, in fact), only 8% of them could be considered to have GERD. And when the babies who didn't appear to have the condition after all were taken off the medications, the reflux symptoms in most of the babies improved or didn't get any worse.

So, why the large number of babies getting antireflux medications? The researchers say the high number of prescriptions could be because:

Primary care doctors don't have a simple way to distinguish simple reflux from GERD, so they may prescribe the medication to see if it helps.
Parents may become anxious and worried about their baby's ongoing problems and request a prescription. (The researchers note, though, that parents' reports of vomiting and spitting up are often highly exaggerated — often as much as five to six times more than the amount the baby is actually throwing up.)

Do You Really Need Acid Reflux Drugs?

2007-12-17T00:48:00.000+08:00

If you, like millions of people, suffer from the pain and discomfort of acid reflux disease, your doctor may have suggested medications to help ease your symptoms. Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a painful condition that occurs when stomach contents re-enter the esophagus, due to a weakness of the esophageal sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus. Stomach acids can be dangerous and cause damage to the throat and larynx if left untreated, so it is important to see a doctor to diagnose and treat your symptoms.

Often the use of an acid reflux drug can help to stop the pain and other symptoms almost immediately, bringing welcome relief. Some types of acid reflux drugs cause the production of less acid in the stomach, and some cause the acid to become less strong.

However, while there are many types of acid reflux drug that your doctor may prescribe, prescription medications can be expensive, and sometimes have unwanted side effects. And many people simply want to avoid ingesting chemical medications, preferring a more natural approach wherever possible. Luckily there are many alternatives to acid reflux drugs. Some simple changes in lifestyle may avoid the need for acid reflux drugs. These changes include a special diet to avoid aggravating the acid reflux disease.

One step to take if you wish to avoid taking acid reflux drugs is to eat smaller and more frequent meals. Eating large meals tends to cause the stomach to produce too much acid, while waiting too long between meals can also allow the acids to further irritate the already-sensitive esophageal tissues. You will often notice a bitter taste in the back of your throat in this case.

Eating different foods may also help. Avoid foods that are very spicy, or high in fat. You may also find it helpful to avoid or cut back on alcohol, caffeine, and smoking. Learn which foods are naturally acidic, such as tomatoes, and avoid them while treating your acid reflux disease.

Finally, lying down after meals can almost always make acid reflux symptoms worse. Avoid after-dinner naps, and do not eat directly before bedtime.

If you follow these simple changes, you may find that there is no need to take an acid reflux drug. However, if our symptoms do not improve, check back with your doctor, as acid reflux symptoms can be damaging in the long run.

Acid Reflux Relief Can Be Dangerous

2007-12-04T01:09:00.000+08:00

Yes, even the very thing that’s supposed to bring you relief from the discomfort and pain of acid reflux symptoms can sometimes hurt you further. You should realize that taking strong prescription medications can have serious side effects, and are not usually made of natural ingredients but of chemicals that can have unexpected impact on the body. As well, they tend to only treat the symptoms, and not correct the problem that is causing the symptoms in the first place. While you may be glad of the temporary acid reflux relief, medications may not be a long-term solution.

The problem in acid reflux is that the body is failing to close off the esophagus from the stomach, so that foods you eat begin to mix with stomach acids as they should, but then sometimes begin to come back into the throat. Most medications taken for acid reflux relief just make the stomach produce less acid, so that it doesn’t hurt the esophagus as much. But you need the stomach acids to digest your foods properly. The natural balance of your digestive system is upset by this, and while you may get some temporary acid reflux relief, in the long run you can create more problems for yourself.

Antacids - Acid Reflux Relief or Not?

Antacids are named to indicate that they are used for acid reflux relief, but are they? They work by neutralizing stomach acids, but then your body ahs a hard time digesting some foods, and also in getting the proper nutrients and vitamins out of the foods you do digest. Antacids make it especially difficult for your body to absorb vitamin B and iron, which are very important for your health. It won’t do you much good to be free of acid reflux symptoms only to get sick from something else.

Antacids are best left for use for occasional heartburn. For permanent acid reflux relief, try changing your diet to include less acidic foods, do not eat large meals, avoid fast foods and any foods that are high in fat or sugar, and avoid very spicy foods. These changes may also help you lose weight, which is great because weight loss is also recommended as a step toward acid reflux relief. Cut down or avoid drinking alcohol and coffee, and stop smoking. These will bring you the acid reflux relief you are looking for

Acid Reflux Food Plans

2007-11-29T23:41:00.000+08:00

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux, and while there are many medications that may help to treat the symptoms, most just offer relief from the pain. Antacids, meant for heartburn, can make the problem worse in the long run, as the stomach acids are needed to digest the foods you eat. Actually curing the underlying problem can be more difficult, but is not impossible. When suffering from acid reflux food that you eat will often make the problem worse. Learning which foods to avoid can be very helpful, so you may wish to develop a personal acid reflux food plan, as well as incorporating a few other simple lifestyle changes that may help you to feel better.

Your Acid Reflux Food Plan

The first step in your own acid reflux food should be to notice which of the foods you presently eat tend to make your symptoms worse. Commonly these will include spicy and high-fat foods, as well as foods high in acidity, such as tomatoes or other fruits and vegetables. Eating a lower-fat diet, avoiding very spicy choices, and choosing different vegetables will help quite a lot. Eating more whole grains is very helpful, and avoiding fast foods should be included in any acid reflux food plan.

Other items that are known to exacerbate acid reflux include alcohol and caffeine. Try cutting down on drinking alcoholic drinks and coffee, and you may find it makes a big difference. Stopping smoking will help as well; while this is not food, it still affects your health.The timing and frequency of your meals is also important. If you eat just three large meals a day it probably makes the symptoms worse. Try eating more meals per day, but smaller meals each time. Eating too large an amount at one sitting makes your stomach produce more acid, which is the last thing you want. Eating more frequently means your stomach won’t have to be totally empty for very long, which can sometimes also cause pain, because it means there is nothing to mix with the stomach acids and keep them from burning your throat.

These lifestyle changes that start with an acid reflux food plan can bring welcome relief from the pain and distress of acid reflux. Remember to check with your doctor before making any major changes to your diet.

Making Your Acid Reflux Recipes Healthy

2007-11-21T02:07:00.000+08:00

It’s not enough to make a recipe that won’t worsen your acid reflux; you also need it to be nutritious, especially if you’re hoping to improve your general health. Goof foods to include in an acid reflux recipe include a lot of fruits and vegetables. Among fruits, apples and bananas are usually best, as they are not acidic. There are lot of vegetables to use, such as cabbage, green beans, carrots, broccoli, and peas. Potatoes, a favorite among many people, are also good, but should be baked, roasted, or added to soups, not fried as that adds too much fat. Lean meats will not hurt, and while egg yolks tend to be avoided in a good acid reflux recipe, egg whites or egg substitutes are okay. And finally us low-fat or fat-free dairy products and whole grains. You will notice that many of these foods are similar to a diet intended for weight loss – this is true, and coincidentally losing weight is also helpful in reducing the symptoms of acid reflux.

Acid Reflux Recipe #1: Vegetable Broth

A good acid reflux recipe is a basic vegetable broth, which is a good basis for soup stock to be used in other recipes, as well as being delicious on its own. Commercial vegetable broths often contain a lot of ingredients that you want to avoid. Chop two cups each of celery leaves and beet tops, carrots, and potato peelings (the red-skinned kind is best.) Next add three chopped cups of celery, one small diced onion, a grated or sliced zucchini or squash, and maybe a bit of parsley. Cover with boiling water and simmer for half an hour. You can eat it as it is as a soup, or strain to use as clear stock. This recipe is rich in minerals and gentle on your digestive system, as well as delicious.

Acid Reflux Recipe #2: Lentils and Rice

Rinse one pound of organic lentils and boil with eight cups of water. To this you will add one diced onion, three cloves of garlic, which you can chop or put through a garlic press, two chopped or grated carrots, and two stalks of celery sliced thinly. Next you should add a bay leaf and some thyme to taste. With a lid on the pot, simmer until the lentils are tender; this should take about twenty minutes or so. Stir a few times while it simmers, and add more liquid if it is needed as the lentils absorb the water. When it is done, remember to remove the bay leaf.
Separately, prepare some brown rice – the package will have directions, but the usual ratio is a little over twice as much water as rice, i.e. two and a quarter cups of water to one cup of rice. When both the rice and lentils are done, serve by plating some rice and spooning lentils over top. Add salt and pepper to taste. You may wish to garnish with fresh parsley.

Acid Reflux Diet

2007-10-30T06:47:00.000+08:00

* First of all, try to eat small, frequent meals instead of three big meals a day. Small amounts of food each time would exert less workload on the stomach and therefore requires less acid secretion for digestion. Make sure to include foods that are high in complex carbohydrates in each meal. These foods, such as rice, breads and pasta, are able to tie up excess stomach acid and are often easy on the stomach.
* Avoid high-fat meals such as those from the fast food chains. High fat foods will remain in the stomach longer, thus causing the need for more stomach acid in order to digest them.
* But remember, don't overeat! Eating too much of any foods will stimulate the stomach to secret more acids for digestion.
* Avoid or limit alcohol
* Maintain upright position during and at least 45 minutes after eating
* Try elevating the head of bed six to eight inches when lying down.

Don't think that beverages just quickly flow through your stomach without affecting acid production. Surprisingly, a lot of beverages stimulate acid secretion such as beer, wine and pop. The worst of all is beer. It could double your stomach acid within an hour.

Acid Reflux Diet

2007-10-21T01:59:00.000+08:00

Many people take over-the-counter antacids for a quick ease of acid reflux, but for most people, a proper diet is the best solution for overcoming acid reflux.
Acid Reflux Diet Myth

* Myth 1: Drink milk

A lot of people try drinking milk to ease acid reflux before sleep. But often, milk ends up causing acid reflux during sleep. To understand the whole situation, we have to realize that the problem roots from eating too much at dinner time. Eating a big meal at dinner causes excess stomach acid production. Drinking milk could be a quick fix to the acid reflux problem. Unfortunately, milk has a rebound action and would eventually encourage secretion of more stomach acid, which causes the acid reflux. To solve the problem, try adjusting your diet by eating a small meal at dinner and have a small snack such as crackers before sleep.

* Myth 2: Avoid coffee, citrus fruits and Spicy food

We have been told for years that coffee, acidic fruit as well as spicy foods can aggravate acid reflux. Therefore, we should avoid these in our daily diet in order to reduce acid reflux. A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in May 2006 showed that none of these myths hold true. Researchers from the Stanford University found that the only two behavioral changes can reduce symptoms of acid reflux - eating less and elevate your head while sleeping.

Signs of Acid Reflux

2007-09-24T16:48:00.000+08:00

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) but not everyone knows all of the signs of acid reflux, as there are several. The most common one, which almost everyone knows about, is the extreme heartburn that happens after you eat, especially if you eat too much rich food. While this is sometimes just regular heartburn, in a lot of cases if you experience this often, it may actually be a sign of acid reflux.

The commonly seen heartburn or chest pain is sometimes mistaken for an actual heart attack, because it can be so severe and is in the same general region of the body. If you have such serious pains, don’t be too certain it’s a sign of acid reflux: go and see a doctor to be sure. Many people each year mistake the symptoms of actual heart attacks with acid reflux, as well as the other way around. But mistaking a real heart attack for acid reflux can be quite deadly. Don’t worry about being embarrassed in the emergency room – it’s better to be safe than sorry. As well, even acid reflux can be quite dangerous if left untreated, so it’s important to see a doctor either way.

Signs of a heart attack may include pain in the arm, and feeling worse after exercise. Signs of acid reflux most often come following eating certain things (like spicy or very fatty foods) and tend to get worse when you lie down after eating. If you know you have signs of acid reflux and have been diagnosed by a doctor, you may feel more able to tell the difference between them.

There are other signs of acid reflux, beyond the commonly known heartburn, and most of these are not mistaken for heart attacks but overlooked entirely or not known to be associated with acid reflux. These may include a bad taste in the mouth, sore throat, a feeling that food is coming up the throat, and tooth damage even when you are taking good care of your oral hygiene. All of these are due to stomach acids entering the throat or even the mouth, where they can do a lot of damage. It is important to deal with acid reflux, because if it goes on too long it can lead to scarring of the esophagus, bleeding ulcers, and even cancer of the throat. Luckily there are many treatment options available.

Sore Throats

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If you have ever experienced acid reflux, you know that the symptoms can be very

uncomfortable. When the esophageal sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus is not

functioning properly, the stomach acids entering the esophagus from the stomach cause a

burning of the esophageal sphincter, and can also lead to irritation and pain of the rest

of the esophagus as well. The top of the esophagus is commonly known as the throat, which

is why acid reflux and sore throats often go hand in hand.

Some people do not realize they are suffering from acid reflux and sore throats seem like

they might just be a symptom of a cold or the flu, and so they drink tea to soothe their

throats, and perhaps take painkillers. Leaving acid reflux untreated can damage your

esophagus if it becomes more acute, however, causing scarring to the throat or even

bleeding ulcers in the stomach and digestive system. How can you tell if your sore throat

is caused by acid reflux? It may be worsened by lying down, and probably feels more

irritated after eating a meal, which is when acid reflux usually asserts itself. If you

think you are experiencing acid reflux and sore throats, see your doctor. There are several

solutions he or she may suggest.

Chest Pain

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Almost every acid reflux sufferer experiences severe chest pains. It is so common to experience chest pain due to acid reflux that sometimes when people are actually having a heart attack they think it’s just acid reflux again and therefore don’t go to the hospital or get proper medical care.

Chest Pain or None in Acid Reflux – What’s the Difference?

In acid reflux sufferers who have chest pains, there doesn’t seem to be a difference in levels of acid, nor in the levels of aggravation of acid reflux when compared to acid reflux sufferers who don’t have chest pain. Right now it’s a mystery to doctors as to why some people experience acid reflux and chest pain while some only have the acid reflux. But dealing with the acid reflux is the same either way.

Acid reflux and chest pain can be dangerous if it’s not treated right, as well as being terrible uncomfortable. When acid leaves the stomach, is gathers in the esophagus or alimentary canal. The acid has to be neutralized, or eventually it will damage the esophagus and you’ll get bleeding ulcers – painful! So doctors are cautious to check the acid levels in the stomach and esophagus both before the treatment and during it, to make sure no damage is being done.

Dealing with Acid Reflux and Chest Pain Quickly and Easily

As soon as you are diagnosed with acid reflux and chest pain, you can get treatment that will relieve your symptoms and make you feel much better right away. Whether you are choosing traditional medications, or alternative treatments like herbal medicine, you’ll find the best first step is to stop smoking or drinking alcohol. It’s also important to eat small meals and snacks, more than three times a day. This will ensure that your stomach is never empty – an empty stomach will tend to produce more acid later when you do get to eat – and more acid is the last thing the acid reflux and chest pain sufferer wants! Try carrying small snacks with you at all times, because you never know when you might find yourself in a long meeting or heavy traffic.

In combination with your prescribed medications, if you eat smaller, more frequent meals, and stop drinking and smoking, you’ll find your acid reflux and chest pain much easier to manage.

Surgery for Acid Reflux Disease or GERD

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There are many medications today to help relieve Acid Reflux, perscription and over the counter. For people with chronic acid reflux disease, these medications are sometimes just not enough and surgery may be their best chance for relief. The surgery can be done laparoscopically, but many patients don't want such a drastic procedure performed. Fortunately, a new less invasive outpatient surgery is available for acid reflux sufferers called the Plicator procedure.

Acid Reflux happens when the stomach contents refluxes back up into the esophagus because of a weak valve connecting the esophagus to the stomach. Surgery can correct this problem by tightening the valve to prevent the backup from the stomach to the esophagus. Until now, this procedure has been performed laparoscopically, which means a tiny camera/scope is inserted through a small incision which transmits images to a video monitor for the surgeon to see in order to perform surgery. General anesthesia is required for this type of surgery. Many patients are uncomfortable with such an invasive procedure.

The new less invasive surgery involves an instrument called the Plicator. This device enters the body by a tube down the throat. The surgeon uses it to grab, fold to tighten, and suture the stomach tissue without any incisions. This outpatient procedure requires the patient to be under conscious sedation instead of general anesthesia, and takes less than 30 minutes. Recovery time is a day or so, and patients can then stop taking antacid medication. The success rate of the Plicator procedure is now about 80% but it may need to be performed again after a few years to retighten the valve.