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Getting Relief from Acid Reflux
Article
Volume 3 2000
Heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux, plagues approximately 44% of Americans at least once a month. Another 14% of adults report using over-the-counter antacid medications at least twice a week. Fortunately, for such a common condition, there are a wide variety of highly successful, extremely safe treatments for acid reflux.
Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Acid Indigestion...What's the Difference?
There are many terms associated with this common condition: heartburn, acid indigestion, and acid reflux. While sometimes used interchangeably, these terms represent different aspects of the condition. The term acid reflux represents the actual process that occurs inside the body. During acid reflux, stomach acids are pushed back up through the lower esophageal sphincter, burning the esophagus. The resulting, burning sensation in the chest and/or throat is referred to as heartburn or acid indigestion.
What is GERD?
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, represents a range of potentially serious conditions which can result from chronic acid reflux. These may include esophagitis (inflammation or scar tissue in the esophagus), Barrett's esophagus (pre-cancerous changes in the tissue of the esophagus), esophageal cancer, atypical chest pains, and other ailments, such as laryngitis, asthma or chronic coughing due to acid reflux. An upper endoscopy, performed in the office or at a hospital, is the best way to diagnose Barrett's esophagus. This relatively simple procedure takes about 15 minutes, and sedation is given to minimize any discomfort. Those diagnosed with esophageal stricture who find it difficult to swallow can usually benefit from a simple procedure known as esophageal dilation (stretching). The procedure also takes approximately 15 minutes and is performed in a hospital under sedation.
Chest pains are only diagnosed as symptoms of GERD after their doctor performs a thorough examination of the heart. If a cardiological evaluation finds no potentially related causes of the pain, then a gastroenterologist may order a 24 hour esophageal PH study. During the study, the patient keeps a diary of chest pain occurrences throughout a normal day, while a device monitors the PH balance of the esophagus. After the 24 hour period, the times of recorded chest pains are compared with the timed PH results to determine a correlation between the two. If the PH levels are acidic at the time of reported chest pains, then a positive GERD diagnosis is given.
"Patients who have chest pain should not assume they have GERD," said Dr. Marvin Chinitz, Gastroenterologist at MKMG. "It is critical that they consult their primary care physician and/or a cardiologist first, to rule out any heart related causes."
Risk Factors
Though acid reflux can often occur without an obvious or specific cause, there are several risk factors that have been proven to increase the risk of acid reflux. Smoking is a major cause, since it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus which keeps stomach acid from backing up). What's more, smoking also significantly increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Another major cause of acid reflux is obesity, because an enlarged belly can push stomach acids upward. Pregnancy can also precipitate more acid reflux, due to the increased pressure of the fetus on the belly, as well as increased levels of hormones that relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Certain foods are also known to cause acid reflux, such as caffeine, citrus fruits, tomato sauces and fatty foods. Eating large meals can also cause heartburn. Many people with GERD also have a hiatal hernia, in which the top part of the stomach has risen into the chest.
Medications and Treatments
For many people with occasional heartburn symptoms, over-the-counter drugs such as Tums, MaaloxTM and RolaidsTM can provide sufficient relief. These antacids neutralize stomach acid almost immediately, but the effects only last about 20 minutes.
Those who experience more frequent symptoms which are not sufficiently treated by antacids may find relief using H2 blockers. These medications are available over-the-counter (i.e., Zantac, Pepcid, Tagamet, and Axid) as well as by prescription in stronger doses. H2 blockers reduce the production of stomach acid by 50 - 85% and have several advantages over simple antacids: they provide more lasting results, and can prevent heartburn before it occurs.
People with the most severe cases of acid reflux may still get heartburn while taking H2 blockers. For these patients, medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can usually provide a cure. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (i.e., Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix and Aciphex) are available by prescription only and reduce the production of stomach acid by 95 - 99%.
"These medications are all extremely safe, with very rare side effects," said Dr. Chinitz. "They all can be taken daily, for an unlimited duration."
As an alternative to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a gastroenterologist may recommend surgical tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent acid from backing up into the throat. Patients who choose this surgery also have their hiatal hernias corrected during the same surgical process.
"Fortunately, the vast majority of people with heartburn can find relief," said Dr. Chinitz. "When following a healthy lifestyle and diet is not enough, the wide range of medications available can usually relieve all symptoms."
For more information on acid reflux or GERD, or to make an appointment with an MKMG Gastroenterologist, call 242-1370.
Back to Nexium and Proton Pump Inhibitors Articles
References:
2000
www.mkmg.com/articles/heartburn.htm
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| GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease
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GERD
Causes of GERD
Diet for GERD
Infant GERD
Children 1 - 11 Years Old
Medication for GERD
Symptoms of GERD
GERD Surgery
GERD Treatment
Heartburn
Causes of Heartburn
Symptoms of Heartburn
Heartburn Medications
Heartburn Remedy
Can Flatulence Be Controlled
Lump In Throat
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Remedies for GERD
Acne
Hair Removal
HGH
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