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[V103]Vinegar For Acid Reflux

by Frank Robson, Fra

One of the main reasons that people experience the caustic fluid backup that is characteristic of acid reflux is improper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES muscles. These muscles are found at the base of the esophagus and provide a method of opening and closing the passageway to the stomach. When the LES muscles are weakened, they are often unable to fully close. This can result in acid from the stomach finding its way up into the esophagus.

Abnormalities in the esophagus are another common cause. Several parts of the esophagus can be malformed, but the two most common ones are peristalsis and what is known as adult-ringed esophagus. Adult-ringed esophagus is a condition with small rings in the throat that stop a person from swallowing properly. Improper stomach function is yet another factor that can lead to acid reflux disease.

Over half of the people suffering with acid reflux have stomach muscles that are not able to respond quickly to stimuli. This can lead to extended time periods when the stomach is not emptied, which can in turn lead to a backing up of acid into the esophagus.

Hiatal hernias are another common problem. The hiatus is a hole in the diaphragm that helps to keep the passageway between the stomach and the esophagus secure. It's normally tight, but if it becomes weakened somehow the muscles can loosen and lead to a small part of the stomach actually protruding through the hiatus.

This condition is known as a hiatus hernia. These hernias are not responsible for acid reflux directly, but they can cause the LES muscles to not function properly, ultimately leading to reflux problems.

On top of all the previous causes, certain drugs can also play a part. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can sometimes lead to acid reflux, as well as aggravating the condition in people who already have it.

These are common drugs and are in a number of well-known brands such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve, and Nuprin. A recent study showed that people who were taking these drugs had twice as much chance of experience at least some symptoms of acid reflux disease.

Asthma and diabetes are two other things to consider when diagnosing the cause of acid reflux. At least half of all asthma sufferers are known to experience acid reflux, and we have not yet discovered which disease may be causing the other.

Diabetes sufferers need to be wary of their eating habits when it comes to acid reflux; many diabetics suffer from gastroparesis, a condition that causes a delay in the emptying of the stomach. This can cause a backup in the stomach and consequently an acid buildup in the esophagus.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, also referred to as acid reflux, is a physiological condition that causes the regurgitation of the stomach content into the esophagus and throat. Acid reflux is very common and may occur due to inappropriate diet, stress and unhealthy lifestyle. Some people are frequently confronted with acid reflux and in time they can develop serious complications. Physiological abnormalities seem to be the main cause for acid reflux (weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter, uncontrolled contractions of the sphincter, low pressure at the bottom of the esophagus due to abnormal positioning of the sphincter, etc). People who suffer from acid reflux as a consequence of physiological abnormalities can only overcome their condition through the means of ongoing medical treatment for acid reflux or surgery.

Surgery is a good way of overcoming the condition, but it is not appropriate for all patients. Surgery is recommended only in the chronic forms of acid reflux and for most patients, oral medical treatments for acid reflux provide satisfactory results. Combined with an appropriate diet, most treatments for acid reflux can ameliorate the condition within days.

The most common treatments for acid reflux consist of antacids, histamine antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, pro-motility drugs and foam barriers.

Antacids quickly neutralize the excess of gastric acid inside the stomach. Prescribed in most treatments for acid reflux, antacids are usually very efficient in controlling the levels of digestive fluids. Although antacids provide quick results, their effects are only temporary. The treatments for acid reflux that consist only of antacids can't control the secretion of stomach acid for more than a few hours. In order to maximize their effect and extend the duration of their action, antacids should be taken after every meal. Antacids are safe, easy to use and can be found in any drugstore. In the treatment for acid reflux, it is best to associate antacids with other medications that provide long-term effects (histamine antagonists).

Histamine antagonists have a longer effect than antacid medications and they are very reliable in the treatment for acid reflux. Among the histamine antagonists available in pharmacies, the most popular are: cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine, (Pepcid).

Proton pump inhibitors should be taken a few hours before meals. Proton pump inhibitors commonly prescribed in the treatment for acid reflux are omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and esomeprazole (Nexium).

Pro-motility drugs and foam barriers are not very popular in the treatment for acid reflux. Pro-motility drugs are experimental drugs and can be released only with medical prescription. They normalize the activity of the esophageal sphincter and increase the pressure at the lower end of the esophagus.

Foam barriers are tablets that transform into foam when they reach the stomach. The foam acts like a barrier against the digestive fluids, protecting the esophagus from being flooded with gastric acid. The tablets also contain substances that control the levels of gastric acid produced by the stomach.

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Both Frank Robson & Groshan Fabiola are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

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