Acid Reflux Relief: esophagitis

What is acid reflux relief?

In medically oriented terms, antonyms of the word relief include pain, distress or damage. That links its meaning to both subjective and objective aspects. Subjective, denoting sensations experienced by the sufferer such as pain and objective, meaning physical findings detected by specialists which are either functional distress or organic damage. Actually relief is related to control measures and it quantitatively signifies removal of an unpleasant existence or reduction of its magnitude. The definition of relief, therefore encompasses alleviation of pain, relaxation of distress and healing of damage. Acid reflux on the other hand has two sides; the subjective side (symptoms) which reflects the symptom of heartburn and the objective side (signs) that reflects the functional and/or organic signs of esophageal changes. Acid reflux relief is therefore a broad term that covers all the measures used to control symptoms and signs of acid reflux disease. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter remains closed except during swallowing. This prevents the passage of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus. If the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weakened or relaxed, stomach acid may back up into the esophagus. Frequent acid reflux can irritate and inflame the lining of the esophagus, causing symptoms and signs of acid reflux. A better understanding of relief would thus entail knowledge of some aspects of normal structure and function, so that changes in the disease and its control could be easily considered. Actually acid reflux relief involves both preventive and curative measures, and in addition to treatment; orientation with the causes, symptoms and complications of acid reflux are essential for proper management. Acid reflux relief includes: dietary changes,lifestyle modifications, specific medications and surgical operations.Basic knowledge of the underlying causes and progression of acid reflux and answering frequently asked questions about its relief; add to the depth of understanding.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Acid reflux relief prevents complications

Why should you treat heartburn?
The goal of treatment is not only to relieve the symptom of heartburn. Of course symptomatic treatment would be all that is needed when heartburn is not associated with acid reflux disease. That means in the functional stage or when there is acid reflux alone.
When the disease develops (the organic stage) with changes of esophagitis diagnosed by the physician, the aim is to heal or cure these changes simply because all the complications of acid reflux disease are a sequel of untreated esophagitis. To avoid such complications as ulcers, strictures, Barrett's esophagus or even cancer you should start treatment. The use of proton pump inhibitors for example reduces acid production and promote healing of esophagitis since acid is its main causative factor.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Progress of acid reflux disease

Untreated acid reflux is a progressive disease. Early stages characterized by episodes of heartburn are not associated with any signs of damage. later on signs of inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) are evident.
Barrett's esophagus is a warning sign because it is considered a precancrous stage. To understand Barrett we should recall the normal cellular lining of the esophageal lumen which is a specialized type with characteristic number, shape and cell arrangement. This particular type is partly replaced by a cellular pattern characteristic of intestinal lining membrane. Such a cellular modification is a sort of adaptation to damage induced by acid reflux.
Later on acid reflux disease may be complicated by malignant transformation or cancer on top of Barrett's esophagus called Adenocarcinoma.
To summarize:
Acid reflux: only symptoms(e.g heart burn).
Acid reflux disease: evidence of esophageal damage.
Complicated reflux disease: Barret's esophagus which may result in cancer.