Treatment of GERD
4885
Disease & Illness > Acid Reflux
Mar 1, 2007
Jack Smith
Treatment of GERD
Life style changes
Several changes in lifestyle, related to individuals? habits are recommended.
As mentioned before, reflux is more troublesome at night when the individual is lying down. Relief can be provided by elevating the patient?s upper body at night. This can be done by putting blocks under the bed?s feet on the head side. Also, reflux has been observed to occur less frequently when the patient lies on his left side rather than on the right.
Alterations in eating habits are also recommended. Certain foods aggravate reflux. These should be religiously avoided. Chocolate, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, peppermint, fatty foods, spicy foods, citrus juices, carbonated drinks and tomato juice fall in this category. Smoking should be completely stopped.
Reflux is more after meals when the stomach is distended with food. Hence, smaller and earlier evening meals are recommended. A smaller meal distends the stomach less and an earlier evening meal would mean that by bedtime, it has been digested and the stomach is empty. Therefore, reflux will be less bothersome when the patient lies down.
Antacids
Antacids are the chief form of treatments for patients of GERD. They neutralize the acid in the stomach, thus leaving no acid to reflux. However, their effect is brief as they empty out of the stomach quickly and subsequently, acid accumulates once again. An antacid, if taken one hour before a meal and then again taken approximately two hours after it, is most effective in reducing reflux.
Histamine antagonists
As mentioned above, antacids are effective for a very short duration. Hence, histamine antagonists were developed as a more long lasting remedy for treatment of acid-related diseases, including GERD. The chemical Histamine produces acid in the stomach. Histamine antagonists prevent histamine from doing its work.
Histamine produces acid, particularly after a meal. Therefore, histamine antagonists are best taken 30 minutes before a meal so that they at the peak of efficiency when most of the acid is being produced.
Proton pump inhibitors
A proton pump inhibitor or PPI was another type of drug developed for acid-related diseases such as GERD. Like the histamine antagonists, a PPI also blocks off the production of acid in the stomach. Moreover, it does so for a longer duration than the histamine antagonist. Also, unlike the histamine antagonist, the PPI protects the esophagus from acid, allowing for esophageal inflammation to heal. PPI?s are used when histamine antagonists are found to be inadequate.
Pro-motility drugs
Pro-motility drugs stimulate the muscles of the gastro intestinal tract. These include the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and/or colon. They heighten the pressure in the LES and boost the wave-like contractions of the esophagus. Both these effects reduce acid reflux.
Surgery
Surgery is very effective in relieving the symptoms of GERD and is resorted to when other means have proved to be inadequate. The surgical procedure that is undertaken to prevent reflux is known as fundoplication.
Endoscopy
In recent times, endoscopic treatments have been applied to deal with GERD. In the first type of treatment, the LES area is stitched, which tightens the muscle. In the second type of treatment, radio frequency waves are applied just above the LES. They cause a scar to form below the esophageal lining. When this scar shrinks, it pulls the surrounding tissue, thus tightening the LES area. There is yet another type of endoscopic treatment in which material is injected into the esophageal wall, in the LES area. This raises the pressure on the LES, thus preventing reflux.
Several changes in lifestyle, related to individuals? habits are recommended.
As mentioned before, reflux is more troublesome at night when the individual is lying down. Relief can be provided by elevating the patient?s upper body at night. This can be done by putting blocks under the bed?s feet on the head side. Also, reflux has been observed to occur less frequently when the patient lies on his left side rather than on the right.
Alterations in eating habits are also recommended. Certain foods aggravate reflux. These should be religiously avoided. Chocolate, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, peppermint, fatty foods, spicy foods, citrus juices, carbonated drinks and tomato juice fall in this category. Smoking should be completely stopped.
Reflux is more after meals when the stomach is distended with food. Hence, smaller and earlier evening meals are recommended. A smaller meal distends the stomach less and an earlier evening meal would mean that by bedtime, it has been digested and the stomach is empty. Therefore, reflux will be less bothersome when the patient lies down.
Antacids
Antacids are the chief form of treatments for patients of GERD. They neutralize the acid in the stomach, thus leaving no acid to reflux. However, their effect is brief as they empty out of the stomach quickly and subsequently, acid accumulates once again. An antacid, if taken one hour before a meal and then again taken approximately two hours after it, is most effective in reducing reflux.
Histamine antagonists
As mentioned above, antacids are effective for a very short duration. Hence, histamine antagonists were developed as a more long lasting remedy for treatment of acid-related diseases, including GERD. The chemical Histamine produces acid in the stomach. Histamine antagonists prevent histamine from doing its work.
Histamine produces acid, particularly after a meal. Therefore, histamine antagonists are best taken 30 minutes before a meal so that they at the peak of efficiency when most of the acid is being produced.
Proton pump inhibitors
A proton pump inhibitor or PPI was another type of drug developed for acid-related diseases such as GERD. Like the histamine antagonists, a PPI also blocks off the production of acid in the stomach. Moreover, it does so for a longer duration than the histamine antagonist. Also, unlike the histamine antagonist, the PPI protects the esophagus from acid, allowing for esophageal inflammation to heal. PPI?s are used when histamine antagonists are found to be inadequate.
Pro-motility drugs
Pro-motility drugs stimulate the muscles of the gastro intestinal tract. These include the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and/or colon. They heighten the pressure in the LES and boost the wave-like contractions of the esophagus. Both these effects reduce acid reflux.
Surgery
Surgery is very effective in relieving the symptoms of GERD and is resorted to when other means have proved to be inadequate. The surgical procedure that is undertaken to prevent reflux is known as fundoplication.
Endoscopy
In recent times, endoscopic treatments have been applied to deal with GERD. In the first type of treatment, the LES area is stitched, which tightens the muscle. In the second type of treatment, radio frequency waves are applied just above the LES. They cause a scar to form below the esophageal lining. When this scar shrinks, it pulls the surrounding tissue, thus tightening the LES area. There is yet another type of endoscopic treatment in which material is injected into the esophageal wall, in the LES area. This raises the pressure on the LES, thus preventing reflux.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Jack Smith writes about various GERD, acid reflux disease, and health topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intacked, the bio remains in full and the rel="nofollow" tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you Please Visit Beat Acid Reflux for more information and resources.
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
Air purifier have been around ince the Second World War, when the firt ever HEPA filter were ued to protect worker from airborne nuclear matter. Today air-purifier are found in hopital, home, office and even in car. We?ve been breathing the
Category:
Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is caused by a dysfunction in the sympathetic nerve chain. A patient suffering from hyperhidrosis will find himself sweating beyond the physiological need of the body to maintain a regulated temperature. The Body
Category:
Often performed to music, figure skating is an ice skating sport where individuals, duos, or teams perform moves like spins and jumps on ice. Figure skating can trace its origins to the mid-19th century. In 1902, the World Championship that used to
Category:
Have you ever wondered if what you know about leather furniture is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on leather furniture. Leather is the most durable fabric used for furniture today.
Category:
Video Editing Software Video editing software can be found with very little trouble now that you've arrived at software-spot. There are many different types of video editing software. Video editing software is any program that allows you
Category:
Winter is a spectacular time of the year. From dog sledding to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to snowmobiling, or just camping out in the woods, it?s a time when you can experience the hushed, serene world of white. However before planning any
Category:
Commonly referred to as vitamin B complex, se are water soluble vitamins, several of which are deemed extremely important for carbohydrate metabolism. The most important types, ir functions and sources are:- B1 or Thiamine helps in
Category:
Life style changes Several changes in lifestyle, related to individuals? habits are recommended. As mentioned before, reflux is more troublesome at night when the individual is lying down. Relief can be provided by elevating the
Category:
Today in our modern age we have just about every supplement possible. Every vitamin from a-z can be found in supplement form. Along with vitamins, herbal capsules and high concentrated of other things such as bee pollen and folic acid are common. Todays
Category:
Today, air pollution has become a distressing reality in most parts of the world. Ecologists never tire to remind us about the need to maintain the delicate environmental balance between humans and plants to ensure the healthy survival of the human
Category:
Up to 50 million Americans, including 2 million children, have some type of allergy. For most people, allergies are just an inconvenience. According to National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, y are a major cause of disability in
Category:
Considered to be one of the best aerobic exercises, cross country skiing is also called Nordic skiing or XC skiing. It involves the simultaneous use of ones arms and legs and making use of skiing equipment like boots, skis and poles. Cross
Category:
Body building requires alot of work dedication and of course a good idea of health and nutrition. One major aspect of body building includes diet and nutrition. Making sure the body has all the required amno acids, enzymes, proteins, carbs, minerals,
Category:
Winter sports and activities can be a lot of fun. It?s a splendid time of the year when it seems like you are enveloped by the pristine whiteness of the snow. But it is also a hazardous time of the year for the outdoor adventurer. One has keep warm
Category:
We naturally perspire, all through the day, to help our regulate its temperature. In fact sweating is necessary for the healthy physiological functioning of our bodies. It is a mechanism in which fluid containing salts is released, by which the
Category:
Often taken to treat ailments like colds, arthritis d osteoporosis, d sometimes taken to offset issues like stress, nervous tension d even memory loss, vitamins are commonly misused d their benefits misunderstood. Vitamins are not wonder drugs
Category:
Other links at Disease & Illness > Acid Reflux
First of all, you'll need to identify for sure if it's acid reflux. Here's how you tell. If you're laying there and you feel a burning in your throat, or if your stomach is upset, or you keep tasting the dinner you had earlier, there's a good
Category:
So how is Acid Reflux treated? One of the easiest cures for GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is referred to as life-style changes. This consists of a ixture of changing your routine, predoinantly changing your food intake. There are quite a few
Category:
If you suffer the discomfort of heartburn more than occasionally, you may have a more serious problem. After an especially spicy or heavy meal, even very healthy people can experience a bit of regurgitation of stomach contents. If this is rare, it's
Category:
Acid reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a physiological condition that causes the content of the stomach to reflux into the esophagus and throat. Although there are many factors that contribute to the development of acid reflux, the main cause
Category:
The formation gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease. Because
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68191
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
