Stop Acid Reflux Blog

There are some that wonder if there is a connection between acid reflux and sinus problems. Though there seem to be many who think so, there is no direct evidence that this might be true. However, due to the nature of acid reflux, and where it can cause problems within the body, the connection is not that far fetched. There are other things that occur due to acid reflux that many have never considered, and there may indeed be a connection between these two seemingly unrelated health issues.

Acid reflux is something that most people have had to deal with at one time or another. For most people, this is something that happens on occasion, and is usually the result of eating very spicy foods, and in some cases, drinking too much soda or even beer. These people are not chronic sufferers though, and usually something over-the-counter like Tums or Mylanta can clear up the pain. There are those, however, who have to take prescription medications to control this condition, and if they are not taking what they need, they suffer from the symptoms almost everyday no matter what it was that they ate.

Those with chronic acid reflux know the burning sensation they feel in the stomach and esophagus is related to stomach acid leaking up into areas where it is not meant to be. Quite often this is because the muscular valve between the stomach and the esophagus does not close as it should, and the acid splashes up into the gullet. This can cause burning and discomfort, and after a while, it can lead to tissue damage. Sufferers also notice that some foods make symptoms worse, but there are times when sleeping in the wrong position will be a problem. They notice off-shoot conditions, and some say that sinus problems are just one of those.

Some of the more common links are between acid reflux and asthma, problems with tooth decay, and for some, pneumonia. It would make sense to think that the acid can be a problem in other areas than just the esophagus. When the acid is moving up the digestive tract, it can reach your mouth, and would then have access to your sinus cavities. Though the stomach walls are designed to handle the acid with little problem, the rest of the body is not. This means that when acid reaches the mouth and the sinus cavities, problems are likely to occur.

If you think you are having issues with acid reflux and sinus problems, you should talk to your doctor about it. You should think about the time before you had a problem with your acid reflux to see if your sinus troubles date back before then. If they do, it is possible that they are not related, or that your reflux condition is making things worse. If you had no problems that you can remember, it might be possible that the excess acid reaching your mouth and sinus cavities might be the problem. Talk to your doctor about a stronger medication if the one you are using just isn’t working well enough.

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By Kathryn Whittaker. Sign up for a free newsletter at http://tinyurl.com/2yow72 that has proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on and discover more about acid reflux. In the newsletter you’ll also find more about the different kinds of acid reflux help and what to do if you have severe heartburn.

Nearly half of all Americans suffer from gastroesphageal reflux disease, with the biggest symptom being heartburn. But there are other symptoms of gerd that may cause misdiagnosis.

General Vascular and Thoracic Surgeon Ronald Kober is the answer to many patient’s prayers. “At least 40 to 50 percent of Americans suffer from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease,” says Dr. Kober.

Heartburn is the most common symptom of gerd. But about 20 percent of people with acid reflux have no symptoms of heartburn. “Frequently they’re misdiagnosed as having upper respiratory tract infections, asthma and sinusitis,” says Dr. Kober, which can be very dangerous. He says, “It can lead to significant complications, ulcerations and internal bleeding.”)) Dr. Kober says the worst complication is that it can lead to esophageal cancer.

But this disease is caused, not by what we eat, but by a malfunctioning valve that causes stomach acid to travel back into the esophagus. There is a cure, though … laparoscopic surgery to correct that malfunctioning valve. Dr. Kober says, “The results are excellent. About 97 to 99 percent cure of the reflux.” Plus, it’s minimally invasive.

But Dr. Kober adds: Living a healthy lifestyle can help decrease the symptoms of gerd. He says, “You certainly don’t need to smoke or drink coffee or tea, you don’t need caffeinated beverages.” And lay off the spicy foods and alcohol.

When you think of heartburn, you probably think of greasy food, not cancer. You may not know that chronic heartburn is linked to esophageal cancer.

Most people experience occasional heartburn. But when heartburn is severe or occurs frequently over an extended period of time, it is called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Over time, untreated GERD damages the lining of the esophagus. As a result, one in 10 people with GERD develop Barrett’s esophagus, a potentially dangerous change in the lining of the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus occurs when acid-resistant cells, similar to those found in the stomach and intestinal lining, grow in the esophagus.

“Many patients with Barrett’s esophagus experience no symptoms,” said Dr. Luis Peña, UK College of Medicine Assistant Professor, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition. “It is important to go to your doctor, if you are experiencing persistent or severe heartburn. If acid reflux is controlled, you may not develop Barrett’s esophagus.”

Preventing Barrett’s esophagus could be a matter of life or death: Those with Barrett’s esophagus may be 30 times more likely than the average person to develop esophageal cancer. Survival rates for the nation’s fastest growing cancer are staggering: Only 16 percent survive five years after diagnosis. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 14,000 will die from esophageal cancer this year.

It is standard to monitor Barrett’s esophagus for dysplasia, or abnormal cell changes, through endoscopy. During an endoscopy, the patient is sedated and a thin, lighted tube is inserted down the throat, allowing the doctor to examine the lining of the esophagus for abnormalities and to biopsy, or collect tissue samples for testing. In patients with high-grade dysplasia, 20 percent may develop cancer. Thus, serious measures must be taken.

Typically, this means undergoing an esophagectomy, the removal of the esophagus. But this procedure has its risks – complications such as problems swallowing and a three to 13 percent mortality rate, depending on the expertise of the surgical center.

“This is major surgery, and for some patients it is not an option,” Peña said. “If a patient is too ill or elderly to undergo an esophagectomy, we offer an alternative in photodynamic therapy.”

The University of Kentucky HealthCare Chandler Medical Center is one of only two centers in Kentucky offering photodynamic therapy, which reduces the incidence of esophageal cancer. The outpatient procedure involves injecting the patient with a photosensitizer intravenously. Two days later, the photosensitizer is activated with a laser, and abnormal cells are destroyed. The patient must return for an endoscopy in three months and the process can be repeated if necessary.

Although photodynamic therapy carries much less risk of death than esophagectomy, patients need to be aware of its risks. There is a 20 to 40 percent chance of stricture, an abnormal narrowing of the esophagus, which is treated with dilation. Patients will be severely light sensitive for four to six weeks after the procedure and must take care to cover their entire body before exposure to sunlight. They can gradually increase sun exposure as the photosensitizer dissipates from their system. Patients can expect chest pain and/or difficulty swallowing for a week or two after the treatment. Pain can be controlled with medication.

“Right now, we don’t have long-term data on outcomes,” Peña said. “In time, photodynamic therapy could become the first line of treatment, or a more widely used alternative to esophagectomy.”

(info from University of Kentucky)

A doctor reminded women yesterday to lead healthier lives after a recent survey revealed that women are more prone to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) than men.

Studies have shown that almost everyone experiences gastroesophageal reflux — the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus — at some point. The usual symptom is heartburn, the uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone, which most commonly occurs after a meal.

But for some people, acid reflux is frequent or severe enough to cause significant problems and to be considered a condition.

In a survey conducted last September by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, 78 of 1,042 respondents claimed to have been diagnosed with GERD. Of those, 56 percent were women.

Yen Chu-cheng (???), a doctor of gastroenterology and hepatology at the Tri-Service General Hospital, said that in the past, the ratio of men and women with GERD was three to one.

The sudden change in the percentages and the surge of women afflicted with GERD may be due to increased stress women must face in the office and at home, he said.

Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD, but people may also experience regurgitation of gastric contents into the mouth, chest pains or have difficulty swallowing, he said. Pulmonary complications, such as asthma, coughing or wheezing may sometimes occur, he said.

Yen said GERD can be caused by many factors, including stress, obesity and bad eating habits.

People who consume a lot of spicy foods, coffee and alcohol are likely to get GERD, he said.

However, Yen said, the disease can be effectively managed with medication and lifestyle modifications. Antacids are one option, or medications that stop acid production and help the muscles that empty the stomach, he said.

However, people must be careful in taking the medications because some can cause side effects such as constipation, diarrhea or irregular heartbeat, he said. ”

(info from http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/03/09/2003296443)

So you suffer from acid reflux, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) and heartburn but have severe reactions to all reflux medicines?

What can you do?

Change the way you eat. Eat very slowly. Fast eating distends the stomach and encourages stomach acid to spurt into the esophagus to cause heartburn. Lose weight if you need to. Fat compresses the stomach and leads to reflux of stomach juices. Don’t wear any constricting clothes or belts, for the same reason. Don’t ever lie down immediately after eating. Eat smaller but more frequent meals. Stay away from peppermint, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, citrus drinks and other acidic food and drink, tomatoes, spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine. Don’t smoke. Put 6-inch blocks under the posts at the head of your bed so gravity can keep stomach acid in the stomach during the night. Don’t eat within three hours of going to sleep.

If these steps fail, consider procedures that tighten the muscle sphincter (SFINK-tur) that shuts off the bottom of the esophagus. Some of these procedures can be done with a scope passed through the mouth. One employs radiofrequency energy to produce painless burns in the area of the sphincter. The scars that form after the burn tighten the lower esophageal region and keep it closed to stomach acid. Another scope procedure involves placing sutures in the lower esophagus via the scope. The sutures provide a barrier to stomach acid.

Of course, there is surgery for reinforcing the esophagus’s juncture with the stomach. It can be done either through a regular incision or with a laparoscope, which requires only a small cut in the skin.

For more info, check the ebook below.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is hard to diagnose because symptoms often mimic other ailments.

Many people recognize heartburn, gastric distress or a foul taste in their mouth as the typical and classic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which gastric contents such as acid and bile pass up into the esophagus.

However, many of us don’t realize that a feeling of “drainage” in the throat, a “lump” sensation in the throat, frequent throat clearing, intermittent hoarseness and sometimes mild difficulty in swallowing are hallmark signs of a different type of reflux.

The culprit behind this set of symptoms is laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), a disease that occurs when gastric contents travel up the esophagus and into the upper throat and voice box.

Diagnosis of LPR

Often, these atypical reflux symptoms occur in the absence of the classic symptoms. Therefore, they are mistaken for another disease process such as post-nasal drainage from either allergies or sinus problems. Because 75 percent of patients with LPR symptoms do not report having heartburn, the diagnosis of reflux is often overlooked.As a result, patients with LPR may be treated for chronic sinonasal problems unsuccessfully for long periods of time.

LPR is different from GERD in many ways. While GERD tends to occur while laying down, after meals and more often in obese people, LPR can happen while upright, intermittently throughout the day, especially during exercise. It can be just as common in thin as obese people.

The lower esophagus is more resistant to acid exposure than the delicate lining found in the vocal folds and upper throat. Therefore, even a small, infrequent exposure to acid can become a problem in the laryngopharynx.

Looking for excessive mucus from the nose and examination of the laryngeal area for signs of irritation from reflux can be extremely helpful in diagnosis. Esophagoscopy (endoscopy of the entire length of the esophagus) and placement of a pH-probe in the esophagus, looking for actual acid exposure, also can help in the diagnosis.

The particular technique used in performing this test and how the results are interpreted are important and can vary between clinicians. Some probes are not sensitive enough to diagnose LPR and are only accurate for diagnosing GERD.

Collaboration between an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat physician) and gastroenterologist is common in diagnosing reflux and associated swallowing disorders.

Requires aggressive treatment

Treatment of LPR requires a more aggressive approach than GERD. Because LPR happens intermittently throughout the day, reflux medications are often dosed twice daily rather than the traditional once-a-day dosing. In addition, reflux medications are typically trialed for three to six months at minimum before changing or adding other medications. This adds significant expense to medication costs for patients, but symptoms may not be controlled unless this more aggressive treatment regimen is followed.

Because the fundamental problem in reflux is a relaxation of the natural “valve” at the end of the esophagus that is supposed to prevent stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus, surgery to “wrap” the stomach tighter around the esophagus is an option. In most cases, this is considered after failure of medications.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux can be a frustrating disease for both doctor and patient alike. It can be very difficult to properly diagnose and can be equally troublesome to control.

In severe cases, it can cause chronic hoarseness, benign growths on the vocal folds and life-threatening narrowing of the breathing passages (tracheal stenosis).

Proper diagnosis and adherence to a more aggressive treatment regimen are the keys to treating LPR.

(info by Dr. Darrell Klotz from http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/states/north_carolina/counties/gaston/13576609.htm)

In december, we put a terrible strain on our stomachs. Holiday parties and family feasts mean overindulgence: rich food, and too much of it.

For millions of people this means heartburn. The newfangled term is acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

What this means in practical terms is that stomach acid splashes up into the esophagus, producing pain, burning and even scarring of the food tube. Experts estimate that 100 million Americans experience heartburn every month.

The most popular solution is to pop a pill. The manufacturers of acid-suppressing medicines like Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium (the purple pill) reinforce this approach.

There are other ways to reduce heartburn without potent medications. Diet does matter. Some people find that cutting back on carbohydrates helps. We have heard from readers of this column that the Atkins diet was surprisingly beneficial in reducing chronic reflux: “I lost my heartburn, even before the weight came off. I no longer need to take antacids.”

Some people find that particular foods give them grief. Tomatoes, salsa, soft drinks, coffee (even decaf), tea and orange juice are common culprits. Using a product like Prelief (calcium glycerophosphate) can reduce the acid in the foods without affecting stomach acid.

Others find that simple antacids relieve their discomfort. Old-fashioned calcium carbonate (Chooz, Maalox Quick Dissolve or Tums) usually works quite well for occasional indigestion. So does baking soda, for that matter. Half a teaspoon in 4 ounces of water is a time-honored recipe for heartburn.

Some people find home remedies do the trick. Chewing on gum or sucking on hard candy can stimulate the flow of saliva.

The most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is heartburn. It is something about 40 million Americans experience on a weekly basis.

Background: The most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is heartburn. It is something about 40 million Americans experience on a weekly basis. Heartburn is caused when acidic stomach juices flow backward into the esophagus. This typically occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the natural valve that keeps stomach acid in the stomach and out of the esophagus, relaxes inappropriately. That relaxation exposes the esophagus to the harsh acid from the stomach. In some GERD patients, heartburn may be accompanied by other GERD symptoms, such as regurgitation of gastric contents into the mouth, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Pulmonary manifestations, such as asthma, coughing or intermittent wheezing and vocal cord inflammation with hoarseness, occur in some GERD patients.

Treatment: Heartburn patients often take antacids to relieve symptoms. Liquid antacids tend to work better because they coat the esophagus and immediately neutralize the acid. Patients with constant heartburn who want the most effective medicine to suppress acid production should take a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor. There’s an over-the-counter version as well as about that other prescription medicines. These medicines are very effective at suppressing gastric acid so eliminate gastric acid but don’t’ keep people from refluxing gastric contents. Surgery can help patients, but many do not want to undergo such a drastic measure.

New treatment: There is a new option for patients that lies somewhere between medication and surgery. It actually replicates what is done in surgery and can be done on an outpatient basis in 30 minutes. It’s an endoscope procedure called the Plicator. The first step fo the procedure is to insert a guide wire. Then, doctors make dilation of the esophagus. An implant is released between the stomach and esophagus with a suture. The effects can be reversed if the patient so desires in the future.

Candidacy: Alfonso Torquati, M.D., an abdominal surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, says any patient who suffers from GERD can have the procedure. Patients, however, who are in the early stages of the disease and seem to be doing well on medication should not be considered for the procedure.

Under Study: The procedure is being studied in an international trial. Dr. Torquati says researches need to prove that the device is a good treatment for GERD and that it is something insurance companies would want to cover.

(info from http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=health&id=3656542)

Esophagus cancer associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing at a rapid rate, says a review article published in the November/December issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, published by the American Cancer Society .

The article says that esophagus cancer is increasing at a faster rate than melanoma and prostate cancer. The rapid progress of the condition can be gauged from the fact that the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinomas has jumped by a massive 600 percent as compared to the 1970s. In comparison, the incidence of gastric cancers in decreasing, the article says. However, despite the alarming increase, the actual cases of the cancer of esophagus is only 7,000 to 8,000 new cases per year in the United States. In contrast, the American Cancer Society says that 145,000 people are likely to develop colon cancer by the end of 2005. The problem here is that there are no screening techniques that can rapidly diagnose esophageal cancer. The main conditions responsible for the development of the cancer are GERD and Barrett’s esophagus. The latter is a condition where the lining of the esophagus changes to that of the intestine. This is a recognized a pre-cancerous condition. It is also theorized that obesity may play a role in the development of the cancer.

“People who get this cancer are those who have GERD and, in the U.S., probably 60 million people have reflux and about 20 percent of those have reflux on a weekly basis, and those are the ones who’d be most at risk to get this cancer,” said Dr. Rhonda F.

Souza, co-author of the report and associate professor of medicine at the Dallas VA Medical Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. “If you have chronic reflux, you need to pay attention, and if you have reflux and you have trouble swallowing, weight loss or bleeding, you should see a doctor. Those are alarm or early-warning signs.” There have been studies, which say that aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could prevent the progression of Bartlett’s into esophagus cancer, but they have not been convincing enough. It is recommended that men in the age group of 65-74 get regular endoscopies so that any tumor can be detected early and treated aggressively.

According to a recently published study, surgery to cure acid reflux disease, the most severe form of heartburn, has shown a high degree of long-term success.

The surgery, a laparoscopic procedure, in which a small tube is inserted into the abdomen, was carried out on a group of 1,340 people, and 93 percent have declared they are satisfied with the long-term results.

Acid reflux disease occurs when stomach acid moves into the esophagus after a muscular valve designed to prevent such leakage opens up.

Laparoscopic surgery for acid reflux involves strengthening that natural barrier by wrapping part of the stomach around the lower part of the esophagus.

In the study which was conducted at University Hospital, Angers, France, the patients were followed on average for more than seven years after the surgery.

Although almost 10 percent of the patients resumed taking heartburn medicine, in most no evidence of reflux recurrence could be found.

The report concluded that the results suggest that laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery is an effective long-term procedure, is well tolerated, and can be properly used in the treatment of acid reflux disease.

The study is published in the October issue of the Archives of Surgery http://archsurg.ama-assn.org/