Heartburn - Is it Heartburn or GERD?

Do you experience frequent heartburn? You should ask your doctor whether something more serious might be going on, even if the antacids you take knock it out quickly. Of particular concern is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly. The LES is basically a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. When it doesn't close tightly, stomach contents can leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The result? For many folks, it's the chronic pain of heartburn.

Not One Symptom

Heartburn is the main symptom of GERD, but it is important to know that some people can have the disorder without feeling any acid indigestion. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes that other symptoms may include pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning and trouble swallowing. You may even feel as though you are choking or have food stuck in your throat. GERD can also cause a dry cough and bad breath. And as bad as these symptoms make you feel, the potential repercussions are, alas, even worse: bleeding, ulcers, scars from tissue damage, difficulty swallowing, and, possibly, cancer.

What Causes GERD?

Though no one knows for sure what causes GERD, researchers have discovered that one contributing factor may be a hiatal hernia. This happens when the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest is forced out of position and ends up above the diaphragm. The diaphragm usually helps the lower esophageal sphincter keep acid from coming up into the esophagus, but the hernia interferes with this, and reflux is the result.

Other recognized potential triggers include: alcohol use, excess weight, pregnancy and smoking.

In addition, acid reflux may be triggered by eating certain foods such as citrus; chocolate; caffeinated drinks; fatty and fried foods; garlic and onions; mint and mint flavorings; spicy foods; and tomatoes and tomato-based foods such as spaghetti sauce, chili and pizza.

What Can Be Done?

The first step is to go see your doctor. An exam can help determine whether you are suffering from simple heartburn or GERD. According to NIDDK, over-the-counter (OTC) antacid medication may help people in the short term.

However, if it's GERD, prescription medication might be your best bet. Your doctor may prescribe meds that are more effective than OTC ones; he or she may also perform tests to help determine the best treatment course for you. You'll want to get to the doctor sooner rather than later, since GERD is a very treatable problem. Whether you have heartburn or GERD affects your treatment. If you're not sure, see your doctor. ©REMEDY, Spring 2007

Finding Relief From Acid Reflux Disease

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux disease which can range from a hoarse throat in the morning to symptoms that might have you rushing to the doctor thinking you are having a heart attack!

This very common chronic condition, sometimes referred to as heartburn by every day folks and often called gastroespohageal reflux disease or GERD by your doctor is not only very uncomfortable, but it can also lead to very serious problems due to the stomach acids burning your esophagus if left unchecked over long periods of time. This condition called Erosive Esophagitis can be serious and some doctors think it may even be linked to esophageal cancer

If you have ever felt that burning in your throat or tasted the bitter sour taste in the back of your mouth then you won't be surprised to learn that acid reflux is caused by stomach acids, and sometimes food, backing up into your esophagus. There is a muscle in between the stomach and esophagus and this muscle acts like a valve that lets food enter from the esophagus into the stomach but is supposed to only open one way so that food and stomach acids cannot back up. However, in many people this muscle does not function properly and the result is acid reflux.

There are many ways to treat acid reflux but you will want to visit a health professional to get a good diagnosis before you choose the right path for you to take. Usually treating acid reflux is an ongoing process and your doctor might suggest medicines such as pump inhibiters that reduce the amount of acid produced or he may leave it to simple dietary and lifestyle changes such as avoiding some foods and sleeping on an incline

No matter what your doctor suggests, it's in your best interest to find out what foods trigger bouts of heartburn for you. Try keeping a food diary and noting what you eat, when you eat it and how you feel shortly after. This will tell you what foods you might think about avoiding. Typically fatty and fried foods cause acid reflux. Other foods you might want to avoid include chocolate, tomotoe based foods, peppermint, citrus and spicy foods.

Other things you can do to reduce the effects of acid reflux disease include wearing loose clothing (especially around your stomach area) and not eating for several hours before bedtime.