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
Anti-Hypertensive Drugs To Enhance Esophageal Contraction (Medical News Today)
Nifedipine, a calcium-channel blocker, was shown to decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure and increase esophageal acid exposure time, while atenolol, a b1 blocker, was shown to inhibit relaxation of the smooth muscle of the esophagus. However, the influence of these anti-hypertensive drugs on the segment of esophageal body contraction using high-resolution manometry was not fully ... |
Dr. Paul Donohue: Dark beer won't prevent colon cancer (Detroit News)
Dear Dr. Donohue: Several years ago, I read that dark beer prevents colon cancer. Since then, I've been drinking Guinness, one of the darkest I know of. I drink two bottles a week. Recently I read an article that said any type of beer could cause many types of cancer. Is there any truth to either? |
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