A person suffering from chronic Acid Reflux disease, must be very alert about the possibility of it degenerating into something, that is life threatening.

The long term effects of acid reflux disease can potentially be quite serious. The esophagus can become scarred because highly acidic stomach fluids flush into it and burn its walls. As food continues to be digested it causes further damage to the esophageal walls and contractions by the muscles of the esophagus begin to weaken and slow down.

Even if babies and young children do not vomit despite their suffering from acid reflux disease, the acidic contents of their stomach might still be entering their windpipe, subsequently damaging the lungs. This could potentially lead to pneumonia, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If a child does vomit as a result of their acid reflux their growth could be stunted.

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Stomach fluids that reflux into the esophagus damage the cells lining the esophagus. The body typically then reacts with inflammation and this is called Erosive Esophagitis. .

Ulcers and the additional associated inflammation gives rise to bleeding into the esophagus. Sometimes, the bleeding can be severe and may cause severe anemia and require transfusions of blood and endoscopic or surgical treatments.

Ulcers and scar tissue make the food pipe narrower, making it difficult to swallow, causing wheezing and gasping for breath, and preventing normal digestion of food.

Finally, a long standing scarred and ulcerated Esophagus, constantly awash with gastric acid reflux, often causes a change for the worse, in the nature of the cells lining the Esophageal wall. These cells then become pre-cancerous, and finally cancerous. This condition is referred to as Barrett’s esophagus, which occurs in approximately 10% of patients with Acid Reflux. Today, we find an increase in the frequency of those diagnosed with Barrett’s Esophagus.

Finally, there are a bunch of nerves in the lower part of the Esophagus, which get disturbed by the Acid Reflux flushing back. This sometimes result in a pain we call heartburn; other times, these nerves transmit the disturbance to some other nerves, that cause constriction of the lung airways, and cough, causing the patient to get breathless.

Whether you call it acid reflux, GARD, GERD, or just plain heartburn, knowing the causes of your acid reflux symptoms can help you avoid or alleviate them.

Foods That Cause Acid Reflux

The most common cause of acid reflux disease is found in the diet. Certain foods trigger acid production in most people. Examples of food and beverages that can cause acid reflux are:

>caffeinated beverages, like coffee, tea, and soft drinks containing caffeine;
>chocolate, which contains a compound that relaxes the esophageal muscle and permits acid to squirt back up into the esophagus;
>fried foods and foods with a high fat content, which slow down the digestive process;
>onions, garlic, and spicy foods, which can contribute to acid reflux; and
>citrus fruit juice, citrus fruit, and tomatoes, which are acidic.

By avoiding these trigger foods, most people can avoid many of the symptoms of acid reflux.

Behavior That Causes Acid Reflux

Just as certain foods can cause acid reflux, there are behaviors that either cause acid reflux or exacerbate the condition. Try to avoid the following activities:

>eating very large meals, which puts pressure on the lower esophageal muscle and increases the occurrence of acid backup;
>smoking cigarettes;
>eating too close to bedtime (acid reflux sufferers should stop eating at least three hours before going to bed); and
>wearing clothes that are too tight.

If you exhibit one or more of these activities, you might expect to have problems with acid reflux.

Physical Conditions that Cause Acid Reflux

Regardless of what triggers acid reflux to occur, the cause of acid reflux is the same: stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. The backup occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which holds acid in place, relaxes. The relaxation of the LES can be triggered by food, behavior, or other physical conditions. These conditions are:

>pregnancy, which can be a major cause of acid reflux; and
>hiatal hernia, which affects the operation of the diaphragm.

Treatment For Acid Reflux

Whatever the cause, acid reflux can be a serious disorder that requires medical attention. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent damage of the esophagus, so patients suffering from acid reflux should contact a doctor as soon as possible.

In addition to changing problem behaviors that may be causing acid reflux and cutting out the food and beverages that trigger the backup of acid into the esophagus, patients can often take a prescription medication or over-the-counter pill that will ease the symptoms of acid reflux. Most patients report immediate relief once they start a course of medication.

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Nearly all of us experience heartburn at one time or another. There is an all too familiar burning in the chest that may be accompanied by an acidic taste in the mouth. For most, we can pop an antacid or two and be done with it. However, other people will find that heartburn is occurring much more frequently – perhaps twice a week or more. When heartburn becomes a regular problem, it is known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or acid reflux. Acid reflux by itself is not serious, but frequent bouts over long periods of time can result in damage to the lining of the esophagus. Because of this, it is important to find effective treatment for acid reflux to keep the acid at bay.

Why does Acid Reflux Occur?
When you eat, food travels from the mouth, through the esophagus and into the stomach. In the stomach, digestive acids will break the food down so that nutrients can be absorbed into the body from the intestines and waste can be eliminated. At the base of the esophagus, there is a circular ring that is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is responsible for closing the opening between the esophagus and the stomach once the food passes through. When the LES doesn’t close properly, food particles and digestive juices can back up into the esophagus. Since the esophageal lining is not designed to withstand the harsh acids, burning and discomfort can result. Frequent bouts result in acid reflux, and often require treatment to protect this delicate lining.

How is Acid Reflux Treated?
The most common way to treat heartburn is with an over the counter antacid that will work quickly and effectively. However, acid reflux may require a different type of medication that will either treat the heartburn for a longer period of time or prevent it from occurring in the first place. For longer relief, many people turn to H-2-receptor blockers like Tagamet and Pepcid. These medications actually reduce the amount of acid that is produced in the stomach to provide longer relief. Another option is a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec. These medicines will block the production of acid, giving the lining of the esophagus time to heal.

Acid reflux can be an uncomfortable condition that may cause damage if it is not managed carefully. If you suspect that you are suffering from acid reflux, talk to your doctor about your best options in treatment today.

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