Warning-Treating Your Acid Reflux Symptoms May be Dangerous!

Reflux prescriptions make hip fractures far more likely according to recent research. This is because reducing acid also reduces the calcium we can absorb from food. Since calcium is also essential in reducing Reflux, heartburn, and GERD, it is predictable than long-term use of these drugs actually exacerbates reflux. Alternatives for reflux treatment are limited, but some do exist, especially, optimizing calcium intake.

Warning-Treating Your Acid Reflux Symptoms May be Dangerous!

A prominent medical study in 2007 found that all common acid reflux prescriptions, including Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec make hip fractures far more likely. Nearly 50% more hip fractures occurred after just one year of taking the most effective "proton pump inhibitor" drugs! 17190895 (Reference number, see below) This is shocking news, because one in five people dies after a hip fracture, according to Dr. David Forcione; and it can be presumed that the risk becomes greater with every year that reflux drugs are taken. It now seems that reflux drugs, which act by limiting the acid we produce, thereby limit the amount of calcium we absorb (calcium reacts with acids), imperiling our bones to a startling degree.

Yet both the new and old drugs do not stop reflux, heartburn, or GERD since reflux is "primarily a motor disorder." 15729198 They only reduce the amount of acid within the fluids that come up. Also, older drugs were found to thin bones less only insofar as they were less effective in reducing acid in the first place, so switching back to such drugs as Zantac doesn't help you avoid osteoporosis any more than reducing the dosage of the more recent drugs would.

But there may be worse news hidden in this new study. It may even be that the most profound and common long-term side-effect of reflux drugs is... worse reflux over time! This is because calcium is essential in controlling reflux, not just neutralizing the acids in it. Calcium seems to increase gut mobility 15628717 and have anti-inflammatory action as well as immediately neutralizing acids. 17201221 So if modern acid reflux medications are indeed reducing our calcium intake, then more and worse reflux may be an all-too predicable consequence of taking those drugs for long periods. These drugs may actually be helping to cause the problem they are being prescribed to cure.

Calcium and magnesium are a common treatment for acid reflux, and not just because the calcium we've just eaten combines with acid to neutralize it in the stomach. Calcium is available in our body also helps us deal with acid reflux into the stomach to be released and neutralize it, and improve the mobility of the intestine and more. Therefore taking calcium long before an episode of acid reflux helps, but only if the calcium is absorbed, needless to say; and current acid reflux medications are helping to prevent that. If over time we have less calcium in our body thanks to reflux drugs such as proton pump inhibitors or older drugs such as Zantac, still worse reflux months or years later may be a likely result. Sadly, the new finding about hip fractures may also explain why so many people who start taking acid reflux drugs end up staying on them year after year, and even decade after decade.

Other conditions can also be strongly affected by calcium deficiency, including epilepsy, anxiety, and muscle spasms. So combining reflux medication with these conditions may not be advised. It is also known that low acid interferes with natural B-12 absorption.

So what to do if you have reflux? The first thing: take all the calcium and B-12 you should (which for almost everyone means taking calcium/magnesium supplements). Note, however, that if you are still taking reflux drugs, these may prevent you from absorbing any calcium from these supplements, as well. At a minimum, it's worth finding out, in consultation with your doctor, whether taking substantial calcium supplements will allow you reduce your dosage of reflux drugs such as PPIs, or help you withdraw from them. If reflux drugs are indeed addicting, then only being off them for some time, during which calcium can be replaced; will tell you if you truly still need them. You should expect a transition period during which reflux is more noticeable because it's now more acidic, before things get better. Take a probiotic as a precaution, because your digestive system may need a whole new kind of bacteria to deal with a more acid enviroment, and because probiotics have been recommended as a treatment for acid reflux symptoms.

Do consider the possibility that your reflux is being caused by other medications you are taking. Asthma medication, anti-depressants and aspirin-class NSAID painkillers can all cause reflux, and taking female hormones may do so. Also, any drug which is a sedative or tranquillizer may slow the peristaltic waves within the esophagus that clear food. Lose weight if you can, since extra pounds worsen reflux.

Other ways of helping acid reflux:

1. Make sure you are getting enough fiber, since this also helps intestinal mobility.
2. Raise the head of your bed a few inches, and do not use abdominal muscles when you rise from bed - roll onto your left side and use your uppermost arm to raise your upper body.
3. Be certain to drink a full glass of water after taking any medication, as this limits damage to the esophagus.
4. Exercise! Short term strenuous exercise can cause reflux, but as you learn to "isolate" abdominal muscles and not clench them unnecessarily as you move (a lot easier as other muscles such as leg muscles become stronger) you'll have far less reflux.
5. Limit smoking, alcohol, chocolate, coffee and tobacco and if you do take them, try to do so only in the morning, since these stimulants may possibly cause reflux by altering the stomach and intestine's daily cycles. The good news is that if you've improved these habits since you started taking reflux drugs, the only thing now causing your reflux, might be the acid relux drugs themselves!
6. PhotoperiodEffect.com describes some of our daily rhythms and new knowledge about how to optimize them. Since jet lag can cause reflux, it is wise to establish a healthy rhythm of day and night, with sufficient darkness, and this site will tell you how to do this, including some tips based on new research you won't have heard of, including using only red light if you need to get up in the middle of the night.

Reference numbers such as 17190895 are "PMID"s. Copy them into the search box at the government web site Pubmed.com to retrieve an abstract of the relevant medical research study.

(This article was first published on January 15, 2007 and last revised Feb 2, 2007.)

New scientific discoveries in chronobiology are illuminating the connection between light, darkness, and our health. PhotoperiodEffect.com has much more free information, including how to use these new discoveries to improve your health.

Russell Johnston also has a hobby site: BestPaperAirplanes.com

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Symptoms of Acid Reflux

You are probably reading because you are suspecting that you might have an acid reflux problem. To begin with, acid reflux is a disease that when not treated in an early stage will cause an even more problems such as cancer at its worst. Acid reflux is the cause of too much acid that is not digested properly.




Symptoms of Acid Reflux

You are probably reading because you are suspecting that you might have an acid reflux problem. To begin with, acid reflux is a disease that when not treated in an early stage will cause an even more problems such as cancer at its worst. Acid reflux is the cause of too much acid that is not digested properly. Well, there should not be any problem with that except when the barrier at the base of the esophagus that is connected in your stomach fails to do its job of preventing acid to back wash into the stomach and upstairs to the throat. It is really not a good feeling though because it can be irritating most of the time.

To give you an idea, here are the following symptoms of reflux:

1.      Excessive accumulation of phlegm

If you do not have a cough and there is an excessive deposit of phlegm in your throat, it could mean that you have an acid reflux. But then again, you must try to get a check-up in order to be sure that it is indeed acid reflux. Sometimes a cough or sore throat just because he is someone with mucus accumulation in. Usually, it will only take about 3 days and you will start to cough. Hence, if a week has passed by and you do not have a cough and yet the phlegm is still there you see a doctor immediately to determine and point out the problem. Who knows? Maybe acid reflux will be ruled out as well.

2.      Lump in the throat

Have you experienced a day in your life wherein there seems to be a lump in your throat? It is a very irritating feeling. It seems like that there is something stuck in your throat that no matter how hard you swallow, it is there and sticking like a bubble gum. This is one symptom of acid reflux. So take note of that.

3.      Lingering taste of food

This probably the most uncomfortable feeling that reflux might cause to its victim. The taste of the food you last ate should be gone after a couple of hours. But when you have reflux the food that you have eaten for the last 5 hours or so is still lingering especially when you burp. It is a feeling of acid mixed with the food and it is really an absurd feeling.

If you would like further information on holistic remedies for gastricreflux, visit http://www.endacidrefluxtoday.com to attain permanent results and get rid of your gastric reflux now!

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The Signs And Symptoms Of Silent Acid Reflux

Choking often occurs with night time acid reflux, but silent acid reflux can also cause choking, coughing, and other throat related issues. Although commonly referred to as silent reflux, the actual term for this particular form of acid reflux is Laryngopahryngeal reflux (LPR). What is LPR?




The Signs And Symptoms Of Silent Acid Reflux

Choking often occurs with night time acid reflux, but silent acid reflux can also cause choking, coughing, and other throat related issues. Although commonly referred to as silent reflux, the actual term for this particular form of acid reflux is Laryngopahryngeal reflux (LPR).

What is LPR? Laryngopharyngeal reflux is similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in that it occurs when the lower esophagealsphincter (LES) weakens and opens, allowing acid to reflux into the esophagus. However, the main difference is that the primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, while the primary symptoms of LPR typically occur in the throat.

Most people are aware that acid reflux usually occurs when the LES,the lower sphincter in the esophagus located between the esophagus and stomach, malfunctions. However, what is not as commonly known is the esophagus actually has another sphincter called the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The UES is located where the esophagus meets the throat. When both the LES and UES fail, silent acid reflux is the result.

What is the difference between LPR and GERD? As was previously mentioned, LPR results when stomach acid makes it past both of your sphincters and pools in your throat, or reaches your mouth or the back of your nose. GERD is when acid makes it past the LES and remains in the chest and does not pass through the UES.

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which occurs after a person has experienced repeat episodes of reflux, and the acid has burned away the protective lining that coats the esophagus.Although some LPR sufferers experience heartburn, this isn't a common symptom, because the refluxed digestive juices do not remain in the esophagus long enough to cause damage. This is often why LPR is referred to as silent acid reflux, because most people don't associate the symptoms they experience from laryngopharyngeal reflux with acid reflux.

What are the symptoms of LPR? Symptoms almost always occur in the throat and are usually felt because, unlike the esophagus, there is no protective lining in the throat.

Common symptoms that may be experienced include:

o Chronic cough

o Asthma-like symptoms

o Regurgitation

o Sour or bitter flavor in the mouth

o Frequent need to clear the throat

o Consistent mucous in the throat

o Burning sensation or pain in the throat

o Sore throat

o Hoarseness and possible loss of voice

o Difficulty swallowing

o Post-nasal drip

o Pain in the ear and/or consistent ear infections

o Nausea

o Heartburn

A silent acid reflux sufferer may experience some or all of these symptoms.

What should I do if I think I have LPR? Well there are a lot of acid reflux remedies but if you think you may be suffering from laryngopharyngeal reflux, you should visit your doctor for an examination and diagnoses. Your general practitioner (GP) may send you to an otorhinolaryngologist (a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating ear, nose and throat disorders,also known as an ENT specialist).

You can expect to have different tests done, such as a fiberopticendoscopy, a special test that is designed to visualize the full length of your throat, and is often used to diagnose LPR. Other tests you may experience for further diagnosis include barium swallow or dual pH probe studies. It is imperative that you have LPR diagnosed and treated, because it can cause just as serious damage as untreated GERD.

What is the best acid reflux treatment? Silent acid reflux is primarily treated with the same methods as GERD. The reason is because the goal is to reduce acid to treat symptoms and prevent acid reflux from occurring. Thus, treatment typically involves lifestyle changes (I.E. eliminating foods and beverages that trigger acid reflux, quitting smoking, losing excess weight, not eating before bed,etc.), and may include antacid medication or surgery depending on the severity of LPR and the frequency of acid reflux attacks.
Remember that you should always consult your doctor first before starting any method of acid reflux treatment. Do not self-diagnose silent acid reflux, because the symptoms you are experiencing may be related to another condition altogether. Always seek a professional diagnosis.

Still looking for information on Acid Reflux? Check out AcidRefluxFix.com a website specializing in FREE consumer acid reflux information!

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A Look at the Different Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux symptoms vary in degrees of discomfort, from person to person, and within different age groups. The most common and persistent symptom is a burning sensation centered in the middle of the chest and/or throat, brought on by stomach acid that churns up onto the lining of the esophagus.





A Look at the Different Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux symptoms vary in degrees of discomfort, from person to person, and within different age groups. The most common and persistent symptom is a burning sensation centered in the middle of the chest and/or throat, brought on by stomach acid that churns up onto the lining of the esophagus. This is due to the relaxing of the esophageal sphincter (valve), which remains open when it should be closed. Acid reflux also leads to one of the most unpleasant symptoms known as regurgitation of acid into the mouth, often due to overeating, or bending down after a meal.

People who suffer from acid reflux disease, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, exhibit symptoms that are chronic, persistent, and have a debilitating effect on their daily lifestyle. Though heartburn is the most common of the acid reflux disease symptoms, other signs may also manifest themselves. These symptoms include wheezing, coarseness in the throat, breathing problems, acid regurgitation, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry coughing, interrupted sleep, tightness in the throat, and halitosis (bad breath).

The risks for acid reflux disease increase, as most potential health problems, with age. Children also suffer from this disease, with symptoms that range from recurring coughing, vomiting, and breathing problems.

Don't be confused by the term heartburn. Many believe that acid reflux symptoms affect the heart or mistakenly diagnose heartburn as a heart related problem. When in reality, the heart in not effected by acid reflux. The reason for the confusion lies in the fact that the heart is located near the pain center, when, actually, the esophagus is positioned behind the heart. One more thing to keep in mind is that acid reflux does not normally flare up during or beginning physical exertion, like many heart problems do. Again, always consult a physician on treatment options whether you experience signs of acid reflux or possible heart related problems.

Acid Reflux Info provides comprehensive information about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid reflux. Acid Reflux Info is the sister site of Pain Relief Web.

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