Causes of acid reflux

Acid reflux is a harmful chronic disease which can be caused by many different factors. In this article, we’ll do an in-depth examination of what may be causing acid reflux disease.
One of the main reasons that people experience the caustic fluid backup that is characteristic of acid reflux is improper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES muscles. These muscles are found at the base of the esophagus and provide a method of opening and closing the passageway to the stomach. When the LES muscles are weakened, they are often unable to fully close. This can result in acid from the stomach finding its way up into the esophagus.
Abnormalities of the esophagus are another reason why people are afflicted with acid reflux disease. Several different parts of the esophagus may be malformed, but two of the most common abnormalities that lead to acid reflux are peristalsis and a condition known as adult-ringed esophagus. In an adult-ringed esophagus, there are small rings in the throat which can cause an inability to swallow properly. Improper functioning of the stomach is another factor that can be responsible for acid reflux. Over fifty percent of all acid reflux sufferers have impaired stomach muscles that have difficulty responding quickly to stimuli. This can cause an extended period of time before the stomach is emptied of its contents, often leading to an acid backup in the esophagus.
Hiatal hernias are another reason that one may experience acid reflux. The hiatus is a hole that is located in the diaphragm, helping to secure the passageway between the esophagus and the stomach. The hiatus is usually tight, keeping the organs separate. However, if the hiatus is weakened, it can loosen up and lead to a small part of the stomach actually protruding through the hole. When this happens, a hiatal hernia is said to have occurred. While hiatal hernias are not fully responsible for acid reflux, they can lead to a lack of functioning in the LES muscles, which, as discussed previously, leads to acid reflux.
In addition to all of the aforementioned reasons that one may develop acid reflux, the role of certain drugs may also play a hand. NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be responsible for the development of acid reflux and a worsening of the condition in those who already have it. These drugs are quite common, and some of the most recognized brands of NSAIDs include Motrin, Nuprin, Advil, and Aleve. A recent research study showed that people who regularly took these medications were as much as two times as likely to experience some symptoms of acid reflux.
Asthma and diabetes are two other things to consider when diagnosing the cause of acid reflux. At least half of all asthma sufferers are known to experience acid reflux, and we have not yet discovered which disease may be causing the other. Diabetes sufferers need to be wary of their eating habits when it comes to acid reflux; many diabetics suffer from gastroparesis, a condition that causes a delay in the emptying of the stomach. This can cause a backup in the stomach and consequently an acid buildup in the esophagus.

Acid reflux facts

The more you know about a disease, the more preventable you can make its effects on your health. Acid reflux is present in at least thirty five percent of all overweight people and is also a problem for a vast demographic. The more you know about acid reflux, the better chance you have at not triggering its effects. In this article, we’ll go over some tidbits of information that we found pertinent enough to discuss regarding acid reflux.

- More than sixty million Americans experience heartburn due to acid reflux at least once per month. That represents roughly one fifth of the entire American population! Also, approximately twenty five million Americans, or one twelfth of the total American population experience the harmful effects of heartburn/acid reflux on an every day basis.

- Acid reflux can be more harmful to your mental health then you may know. Roughly eighty percent of all acid reflux sufferers experience symptoms of the disease at night, with about seventy five percent of all acid reflux cases waking the afflicted person up due to the heartburn. This can cause many problems during the day, including increased irritability, lack of proper concentration, and an increased risk of being in an accident involving an automobile.

- While heartburn is technically un-curable, there are things that you can do to help offset the chance of you getting this disease. If you worry that you are at risk for an acid reflux condition, it is important to review the types of foods that you are eating and change your habits to lessen the number of acid-creating foods you ingest.

- Smoking and alcohol usage can really contribute to an acid reflux problem. When you have a smoking habit, the acidity in your stomach is increased, which can cause any reflux that is already occurring to be more damaging to the esophagus. Also, nicotine is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which, when operating incorrectly, is one of the leading causes of an acid reflux condition. Alcohol performs much of the same process on the lower esophageal sphincter, causing it to relax and allowing reflux to creep into the esophagus.

- While acid reflux is a disease that can affect anybody, there are some demographics which face a higher risk of developing it. Overweight people put pressure on their stomach while sleeping due to the weight of the abdomen, and this can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter to a point where acid reflux occurs. This same risk also occurs in pregnant women; the additional weight of the baby can put a lot of added pressure on the stomach. The elderly also need to watch their lifestyle habits to ensure that they do not become afflicted with acid reflux.

- When acid reflux is left untreated, it can lead to many serious consequences. Due to the fact that acid is continuously in the throat, many problems can arise, including Barrett’s esophagus, erosive esophagitis, esophageal strictures, and in the most extreme cases, esophageal cancer.

Acid Reflux and Voice Disorders

Sometimes when a person is suffering from acid reflux, they may experience symptoms that may appear at first to be a cold or flu. People develop a cough, their throat may feel sore, and they may lose their voice altogether. When a person has a cold, these symptoms may last for a few days, but will disappear. But if these symptoms persist, they may be a sign of acid reflux. Along with voice loss, a person may have stomach aches, headaches, and may feel a burning sensation whenever they eat foods that are high in acid, grease, and fat. Acid reflux disease may be to blame and can lead to other problems if left untreated.
Acid reflux can cause the throat to become very sore. This happens when stomach acid leaves the stomach and travels to the lungs and even to the esophagus. The acid can become mixed with saliva which can affect the throat. This will cause a person to lose their voice. Another way acid reflux can cause a voice disorder is when the acid causes shortness of breath. This will limit the amount of air needed to speak. The vocal chords will be strained because of the extra work they have to do to when a person tries to speak. Over time, a person’s vocal chords can become damaged and which will affect the voice. Their voice will either become thin and barely audible or it will become deeper.
Acid reflux can hurt not only a person’s throat and vocal chords; it can also hurt a person’s lungs and other organs including the heart. There are many ways to help a person who is suffering from acid reflux. A person will have to change their diet in order to stop the effects of acid reflux. Eating foods that do not contain acids, including certain fruits and other foods, is a good idea. A person will also have to avoid alcohol and only have a glass of wine occasionally. This will lead to less acid production and will hopefully help a person’s throat to heal.
The vocal chords will need to be looked by a doctor who may have to perform surgery because sometimes when vocal chords are damaged, growth can occur. Tiny polyps may form which can make the voice scratchy and hurt when one speaks. Only a doctor will be able to diagnose this problem. If one’s vocal chords hurt for more than a few days, it is important to see a doctor so that they can find a solution to the problem before it gets worse. Sometimes if a person waits too long, surgery will not be able to be performed because the added damage surgery might cause.
Acid reflux is a common disorder that can be helped, though not cured. Medications and diet will make a difference. A person’s voice may be affected so it is important to see a doctor before the symptoms get worse. Only a doctor will be able to determine if a person has acid reflux and only a doctor will be able to prescribe medication.

A surgical option for acid reflux

Those with acid reflux know that the problem is one that will stay with them for life. Caused by a lack of strength of the lower esophageal sphincter, acid reflux causes harmful fluids to rise from the stomach into the esophagus, causing corrosive damage due to the stomach acid found in the liquid. In addition to the possibility of developing serious health conditions such as erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer, patients afflicted with acid reflux have to deal with the agony of heartburn on a daily basis.

But all of that may change. There is a new surgical procedure that is finding its way into clinics across the nation which may help to snuff out acid reflux for those who undergo the surgery. Known as the Plicator procedure, this treatment option requires a mere twenty minutes and is an outpatient procedure. Does it sound too good to be true? Here’s a simple explanation of what exactly happens when one undergoes a Plicator procedure.

- The Plicator, which is a small electronic device, is placed on the end of an endoscopy tube. Endoscopies are a simple procedure performed by doctors in which a tube is lowered into the digestive tract via the mouth while the patient is in a state of conscious sedation.
- The Plicator travels through the digestive tract until it reaches the stomach. Once the Plicator is firmly in place in the stomach, it is maneuvered so that it can grab the tissue that is located in between the stomach and the esophagus. The Plicator then closes its arms, causing it to crimp the tissue. A single suture is placed to secure the fold that was made by the Plicator.
- As a result, the area between the stomach and the esophagus now has a much tighter opening. This can aid the lower esophageal sphincter in being able to successfully open and close the passageway between the stomach and the esophagus.

That’s all there is to it! People who undergo the procedure generally experience no ill effects, and can often return to regular levels of activity the following day. Research studies were conducted at several institutes to help determine the efficiency of the procedure when it comes to relieving heartburn. The studies showed that the need for prescription heartburn medications was eliminated in 70 percent of all patients who underwent the procedure! Also, 80 percent of all patients undergoing the surgery saw a lessened amount of reflux post-procedure. After undergoing the surgery, patients are often advised to follow a diet of soft foods for a few days while the suture sets.

The effects of the surgery can be seen almost suddenly; within a few days of the surgery, most people are able to wane themselves off of their heartburn medications. People who have the surgery performed commonly experience sore throats or abdominal pain after the procedure, but these problems usually clear up within a few days. For more information regarding the Plicator procedure, you can visit http://www.ndosurgical.com/patient_portal/plicator_procedure.htm

Four Reasons Why Ignoring Your Acid Reflux Can Be Dangerous

If you have symptoms of acid reflux then you shouldn’t ignore them. You should see your doctor right away to receive treatment. Acid reflux can lead to four major complications if it is not treated right away by a medical professional. These complications include esophageal cancer, Barrett’s esophagus, esophagitis and esophageal strictures.
Esophageal cancer is a tumor that starts to grow on the lining of the esophagus. This tumor can eventually grow through the wall of the esophagus which can then cause cancer to spread to other parts of the body through the blood or the lymphatic system. The symptoms of esophageal cancer include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, the inability to swallow solids and eventually liquids, painful swallowing, food sticking in the esophagus, weight loss, regurgitation of food and vomiting of blood or the passing of blood in bowel movements. To diagnose esophageal cancer a doctor will perform four possible tests including endoscopy, barium x-rays, computed tomography and a CT scan. The treatment of esophageal cancer depends largely on what stage it is in at the time the doctor diagnosis it and whether or not it has spread to other organs.
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the esophagus changes and some of its lining is replaced by a form of tissue usually only found in the intestine. This process can also be called intestinal metaplasia. Barrett’s esophagus can lead to a rare cancer known as esophageal adenocarcinoma. Barrett’s esophagus is commonly associated with acid reflux. The average age of a person with Barrett’s esophagus is sixty, but this is often because it is difficult for doctors to tell when the process actually started and it is believed it can start earlier in life. It can only be diagnosed through endoscopy or biopsy and even then it can be extremely difficult to diagnose. Most of the time by the time it is diagnosed it is to late to start treatment.
Esophagitis is an inflammation and swelling of the esophagus. This is commonly caused when the acid in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. If left untreated this condition can become very uncomfortable for an individual and it can eventually lead to difficulty swallowing, ulcers in the esophagus or scarring of the esophagus. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, burning sensation in esophagus, acid reflux and oral lesions. A doctor will perform an endoscopy, barium x-ray, biopsy or culture to diagnose. Once it is diagnosed it can be treated through medications that reduce the acid caused by acid reflux disease or through the use of antibiotics in the infection is becoming more severe.
Esophageal strictures in the gradual narrowing of the esophagus are a concern as well. These strictures are caused by the scar tissue that builds up in the esophagus. Acid reflux can often cause the tissue scarring that leads to this condition. If the condition gets worse it can lead to inflammation. Symptoms include difficulty or discomfort when swallowing, regurgitation of food and weight loss. A barium x-ray or endoscopy is done to diagnose the condition. Treatment includes the stretching of the esophagus, the prescription of proton pump inhibitors or surgical treatment.

Basic information about Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the medical term for what we know as acid reflux. Acid reflux is a disease which occurs when the stomach releases the liquid that is found inside of it back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation and damage to the esophageal lining. The acid that is regurgitated most often consists of a few compounds: acid, bile, and pepsin. Stomach acid is used in the digestion of food and can be a major irritant to the esophagus due to its tendency to damage tissues. Bile is created in the liver and may be backed up into the stomach, causing it to be released by acid reflux. Pepsin, the last common compound, is actually an enzyme which helps to kick-start the stomach into breaking down proteins.
Once a person becomes afflicted with acid reflux, they usually face the disease for the rest of their lives. Esophagitis that is caused by acid reflux can also be expected to be a life-long problem. Once treatment for acid reflux has begun, a patient is usually advised to continue taking the medication for as long as they want to prevent the disease from affecting them. One thing that may shock you is that everyone actually experiences this regurgitation frequently, as was shown in a research study. However, those who are afflicted with acid reflux are known to have a higher acid content in the fluid that is brought into the esophagus than the fluids of a person that doesn’t have the disease. The fluid also often stays in the esophagus for longer periods of time in those who have acid reflux.
Our bodies do the best that they can to prevent acid reflux from actually causing harm. During hours in which a person is awake, the reflux is usually remedied by a simple swallow. Also, the saliva generated in our salivary glands contains bicarbonate, which is a neutralizing agent to the effects of acid. When we sleep, however, we are usually horizontal, causing acid to rest in the esophagus for more extended periods of time, leading to greater damage. There are many reasons that someone may suffer from acid reflux, and the same person may experience several of the different problems throughout the course of their illness. Acid reflux leads to heartburn, which is pretty much the defining characteristic and symptom of reflux. The pain felt through acid reflux can be similar to angina, which is a serious heart condition. For that reason, you should go to a doctor if you experience heavy heartburn to determine what the cause is. Acid reflux is most commonly experienced after eating a meal, since this is the period of time in which reflux is most likely. People who are afflicted with acid reflux may also experience full regurgitation of fluid, leaving a nasty taste in their mouth and esophageal damage. Nausea occurs in some people with reflux, and it may be accompanied by full-out vomiting. Heartburn and nausea are the two most common reasons people discover that they are afflicted with reflux. If either of the symptoms sound like something you may be experiencing, it’s important to get a hold of a health care professional so they can help you to eliminate the problem.