7 Causes of Heartburn Acid Reflux

There is a common misconception that if you suffer from acid reflux, you must be what you eat especially
eating spicy foods or drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking. However, this is not totally true.

Dr. Anish Sheth, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Yale University stated that there are 7 causes of heartburn acid reflux and they are often lifestyle factors.

The following are the 7 possible causes.

1. Sphincter has low pressure
Acid reflux occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach pass up into the esophagus, and the sphincter muscle (the barrier between the two) has a defect, so it is unable to block the acid.

If the sphincter muscle has low pressure, it causes acid reflux.

“Some people just have a low pressure, and we don’t know why,” Sheth said. “Pregnancy can lower the pressure, as can blood pressure and depression medications. But, most of the time, we don’t know what causes it.”

For patients who suffer from a low-pressure sphincter, there is hope: a minimally invasive surgery known as fundoplication can provide relief.

2. Pregnancy

“Elevated progestin hormones cause the pressure of the sphincter to go down,” Sheth said. “And the increased pressure of the growing uterus predisposes the woman to acid reflux.”

The good news is that once the pregnancy is over, the symptoms of acid reflux are likely to disappear.

3. Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia is very common (at least 40 percent of Americans have them) and doesn’t necessarily cause acid reflux, Sheth said.

However, in a subgroup of patients with very severe reflux, a hiatal hernia – where the upper portion of the stomach moves upward into the chest – can cause acid to reflux, Sheth added.

Hiatal hernias can range in size from 1 to 4 centimeters. They can be repaired during fundoplication surgeries.

4. Gastroparesis
This is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents.

“Normally, the acid is produced and emptied into the small intestine, but if it sits in the stomach for longer, by sheer logic, it will come back up into the esophagus,” Sheth said.

5. Obesity
“Even though obesity is a lifestyle issue, it’s also something that can go overstated,” Sheth said.

“Obesity increases the pressure in the stomach area, so for people who don’t have the other medical causes, the sheer presence of obesity will cause them to have acid reflux.”

6. Bisphosphonates
This class of drugs prevents and treats osteoporosis in women and, occasionally, cause acid reflux in users.

“They stand out,” Sheth said. “They don’t necessarily cause reflux, but they can cause esophageal irritation, which can feel like heartburn.”

Sheth added it is always worth a quick review of any medication that you are taking long-term to see if acid reflux is one of its side effects.

7. Lifestyle
People who have heartburn "every now and then" may benefit from making lifestyle changes, Sheth said.

If they decrease their chocolate and/or caffeine intake (or other food or beverages that may irritate their symptoms), lose weight and stop smoking, they are likely to see a reduction in acid reflux symptoms, he said.

 It is better to take care now than regret later. By making some changes to your lifestyle, it can only improve your health and make life happier and easier for you. Try it today.

Salsa For Acid Reflux Heartburn Patients

One man's trouble with tomatoes has caused him to find a way around and in the end, a business is created.

Meet Duane Thompson. He loves eating tomato-based salsas but he had to struggle with indigestion and in the end, he sometimes suffered from acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.

Read the his full story on his new creation and how a business was born :-
More heart and soul, less heartburn - Hampton man's low-acid salsa recipe is now his business

5 Acid Reflux Medications: Which One is Best Suitable for You?

[FoxNews] Characterized by symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation, GERD is a chronic condition where the acidic contents of the stomach flow back up into the esophagus. This constant backwash of stomach acid irritates the lining of the esophagus, and sufferers are left “feeling the burn.”

According to Dr. Anish Sheth, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Yale University, by making some simple changes in the patients' diet and lifestyle, it helps them manage the discomfort of their acid indigestion,

 Sheth told FOXNews.com:

“Avoiding caffeine, eliminating fatty or acidic foods, losing excess weight and quitting smoking are all things patients can do to control their acid reflux.”

It is important to know the frequency of the symptoms and how the symptoms are affecting their lives.  Bear in mind that lifestyle modifications offer only temporary relief for patients suffering from more severe symptoms associated with GERD.

“If people are having symptoms on a daily basis or more than three times a week, we usually recommend they start medication,” said Sheth.

But with so many medications available, how do you know which one is right for you?

Antacids. Popular over-the-counter medications like Tums, Maalox, Rolaids and Mylanta neutralize stomach acid and provide fast-acting relief in mild or isolated cases of acid reflux. Some antacids come in liquid form to coat the lining of the esophagus and help reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. But they won’t aid in reducing inflammation of the esophagus associated with GERD.

“Most patients suffering from mild acid reflux will treat themselves with over-the-counter medications,” Sheth said. “Antacids are better for immediate relief – like after a big meal – because their effectiveness is short-lived in nature and only lasts for as long as it’s in the system.”

Remember that if you overuse the antacids, it can cause you diarrhea, constipation and, in some rare cases, an imbalance in electrolytes if the antacid contains calcium.

“You should see a doctor if your symptoms are not controlled by over-the-counter medicines because it could be a sign of a more serious condition,” Sheth said.

Oral suspension medicines. These medications, like Pepto Bismol and Carafate, are sometimes used to treat heartburn and indigestion as well as nausea, diarrhea and ulcers in the throat, stomach and intestines.

“Carafate is a liquid suspension that essentially coats the inside of the esophagus. It’s short-lived in its effectiveness because once the coating wears off it’s not going to do much,” Sheth said. “We really only prescribe it for people who have symptoms less than a couple times a week or month.”

Anti-gas, anti-flatulence. Some patients experience bloating when they get heartburn. For these kind of symptoms, over-the-counter products like Phazyme, Gas-X and Beano can aid in relieving pressure, bloating, and gas in the digestive tract. These medications usually come in tablet form and work by breaking up gas bubbles, making it easier to eliminate.

H-2-receptor blockers. Previously available only with a doctor's prescription, H-2-receptor blockers such as Pepcid AC and Zantac are now sold over-the-counter.

“H-2-receptor blockers work by shutting off the production of acid in the stomach,” Sheth said. “They are effective for mild reflux, they’re relatively inexpensive and can be used casually by people who only have symptoms a couple times a month.”

H-2-receptor blockers provide longer-lasting relief than antacids, but they do not take effect as quickly, so it is suggested that people take them 30 minutes before meals or before bed.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). These medications, which include Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium, block acid production and aid in healing damaged esophageal tissue, so they should be taken by people who are having more frequent, severe symptoms.

PPIs are usually taken under the care of a doctor to prevent acid reflux from recurring, but certain ones, like Prilosec, are now available over-the-counter.

“The standard of care for treating GERD and related digestive diseases has become proton pump inhibitors. And because they are so safe, these are the most common medicines,” Sheth said.

The majority of people who go on a PPI will get better, Sheth said. But there are other medications that can be prescribed by a doctor in the event that they don't.

REMEMBER THIS!

Pay attention to the frequency and severity of your symptoms. If need to, please see a doctor if your symptoms perverse or you suspect that you are suffering from GERD. Complications, including trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, anemia, and drastic changes in symptoms will definitely warrant an immediate visit to your doctor to do a thorough check up for GERD.

“GERD can cause a narrowing of the esophagus that leads to trouble swallowing,” Sheth said. “And in some patients, it causes a change in the lining of the esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus – a condition that can lead to cancer.”

[Source: Fox News]