Treating GERD
GERD is a medical condition which causes great discomfort. It is a chronic
condition and hence the disease will often remain for the rest of
one's life. So the treatments given for acid reflux are to reduce
discomfort and prevent further complications rather than treating
the condition on the whole. The treatment can improve the patient's
quality of life without much effort. Very rarely do you require
changing your eating habits and lifestyle.
Acid reflux is often more severe and problematic at night. This is because
of the lack of gravity. During daytime, acid reflux is pulled back
from the oesophagus into the stomach due to gravitational force.
Hence there is less pain and discomfort when sitting or standing.
To avoid discomfort and pain due to acid reflux while you sleep,
you can sleep in an elevated position. This helps the reflux flow
back from oesophagus into stomach. This helps to keep you free from
pains and also prevents the damage caused to the oesophagus due
to acid content. To get an elevated position you can lift your bed
slightly up supporting it with some block of books or any other
material or you can even sleep on pillows such that an elevation
is formed. All that is required is your head has to be higher than
your feet. Also, sleeping on the left side causes less uneasiness
from acid reflux as compared to sleeping on the right side.
There are some foods and drinks that weaken the LES muscles. This
in turn increases acid reflux and complicates the condition. Hence
such foods or drinks have to be avoided completely. Some of them
are chocolate, alcohol, spicy and acidic foods and citric juices.
Intake of fatty foods has to be reduced to avoid symptoms of acid
reflux. Smoking can also create problems and hence needs to be avoided.
Consumption of antacids prescribed by the doctor helps in neutralizing
the acidic contents in the stomach. The amount of acid produced
in GERD patients is higher than normal people and intake of antacids
reduces the acid produced in the stomach by neutralizing it. This
reduces painful sensations and heartburn.
Antacids are helpful in reducing acid content in stomach for a
short period of time. Hence they need to be taken frequently to
maintain the effect. There are a number of drugs developed which
are known as histamine antagonists. These medicines block the acid
producing agents in the stomach thereby decreasing the acid reflux.
Pro-motility drugs are also available which strengthen the contractions
of muscles by working on pressure in lower oesophageal sphincter.
This in turn reduces the acid reflux.
There are numerous treatments available to help you relieve the
symptoms of GERD. Your physician will be the best to guide you and
prescribe treatment based on your condition. With proper treatment
you can reduce the discomfort and pain caused by GERD.
Acid reflux news on the Web
What can I do about my heartburn? I keep having this terrible heartburn. It hurts to elevate my legs. Food feels like it's coming back up, and it burns very badly. Sometimes it makes me cough. What should I do? |
Eat it, clean with it, kill weeds... With the current harvest of cucumbers and fresh salad greens, vinegar is used by local cooks, to bring out the best in these vegetables. It’s also time to make pickles and pickled beets, which could not be accomplished without this pungent liquid. |
Selena Gomez cancels all shows before Musikfest But her sold-out performance in Bethlehem on Aug. 14 seems safe. Disney star Selena Gomez, who headlines this year's only sold-out concert at Bethlehem's Musikfest on Aug. 14, has canceled all her shows before that date, saying she strained her vocal cords. |
Gut Instinct: Get Shorted It was an oven-like afternoon at Coney Island, and hell had seemingly frozen over. “I have $40 toward the first round of tortas and huraches,” my friend Matt said. |
9/11 responders aid bill nears vote in House The House on Wednesday is expected to take up the measure, sponsored by New York Democrat Carolyn Maloney, to provide health care for more of the 9/11 first responders and others sickened by toxins emanating from the ruins of the World Trade Center. |
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