| |
GERD, Acid Reflux and Heartburn
By Fern Kuhn, RN
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can occur when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not shut the proper way and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, back into the esophagus.
The LES is a ring of muscle at the lower part of the esophagus which acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries the food from the mouth to the stomach.
When the food is refluxed back, the stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus. This causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. You may taste this fluid in back of the mouth. This is called acid indigestion.
Occasional heartburn is does not mean that you have GERD. Though if heartburn occurs more than twice a week, this may be considered GERD. GERD can gradually lead to more serious health problems.
Anyone, including infants, children, men, women, pregnant women, can devekio GERD.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
The main symptoms are persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation or reflux. Some people may have GERD without heartburn symptoms. Instead, they feel like they have pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning, or having a problem swallowing.
You may feel like you have something that may be stuck in your throat or like you are choking. Your throat may also feel tight. GERD can, as well, can exhibit a dry cough and bad breath.
No one knows why people get these symptoms of GERD. A hiatal hernia may contribute to GERD. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach, above the diaphragm, the muscle wall separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps the LES which acts like a valve from keep acid from coming back up into the esophagus.
When a hiatal hernia is present, it is much simpler for the acid to come up. In this path, a hiatal hernia can cause acid reflux. A hiatal hernia can happen in people of any any age, including infants.. Many healthy people over 50 may have a small hiatal hernia.
Other factors that could contribute to GERD are:
* alcohol consumption
* obesity
* pregnancy
* smoking
Also, certain foods may be associated with acide reflux events, including
* citrus fruits
* chocolate, drinks with caffeine
* fried foods
* garlic and onions
* strong mint flavorings
* spicy foods, like hot sauce
* tomato-based foods, like pizza, chili, pasta sauce
About the Author
Copyright 2005
Fern Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes
http://www.acidrefluxandgerd.com
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/2899/1.html
| If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/2899/1.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
| Some other articles by Fern Kuhn, RN | Oral Diabetic Medications That May Cause Hypoglycemia
Oral diabetic medications that can cause low blood sugar or hypoglycemia
The following sulfonylurea medications for diabetes can cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar as a side effect.
* Glipizide (Glucotrol)
* Glyburide (such ...
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar), Diabetes Testing and Driving
Because hypoglycemia can effect your driving performance (even modestly low blood sugar can do this), if you are at all prone to hypoglycemia, I ...
Diabetes Testing - What is Your Control Solution For
You might have heard that the many advances occurring with some of the blood glucose meters allow you to perform blood test monitoring on different parts of your body, like the palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, or ...
Accu-Check Aviva Glucometer - New For Diabetes Testing
Now you can help make every test strip count as you can test right the very first time.
The wide-mouth strip quickly sucks on the tiny blood drop, helping 97% ...
STAT-LET™ Auto Safety Lancets - Makes Diabetes Testing Easy
Stat Medical Hardware, Inc (SMD) was founded in 1988 and is a leader in developing and distributing innovative medical devices. Their emphasis is on lancets, lancing devices and clinical, capillary blood sampling devices.
...
Do You Worry All The Time - Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Do you worry all the time?
Do the following symptoms bother you?
**I never stop worrying about things big and small.
**I have headaches and other aches and pains for no reason.
...
|
|
| |
|
