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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.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Acid Reflux Relief logoThe role of H2 receptor blockers in acid reflux relief

Reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus is known to produce inflammatory changes in the esophageal lining. There are two components in that content responsible for such a damage. These are the hydrochloric acid and a biologically active substance called pepsin, an enzyme which digests protein. Both of acid and pepsin contribute to esophagitis. Inside the stomach acid is mainly produced to activate pepsin from a precursor known as pepsinogen. That reveals the dual effect of the stomach acid in relation to esophageal damage. The first effect being direct and the second indirect through the activation of pepsin which in turn irritates the esophagus.
It is well evident from the previous facts that reduction of acid production prevents damage of the esophageal lining. Acid is produced by cells lining the stomach known as parietal cells. These cells have chemical pumps called proton pumps which moves hydrogen ion from the inside of the parietal cell into the stomach lumen against a concentration gradient. Before this pumping activity the cell responds to signals initiating the process. These signals are: 1- Acetylcholine, a chemical substance released at the nerve endings supplying stomach glands, 2- Gastrin: a local hormone released from capillaries adjacent to stomach glands, and 3- Histamine: a biologically active chemical produced by specialized local cells in the stomach wall. These signals act upon specific sites in the membrane enclosing each parietal cell called receptors and each receptor is named after the name of stimulus which acts upon. Accordingly there are Aceylcholine, Gastrin and histamine receptors.
Acetylcholine is released through the various neurological mechanisms which follow food intake and its digestion. Gastrin is a local hormone produced by G cells located in the wall of the distal part of the stomach called the antrum in response to the chemical effect of digested proteins. Histamine is released mechanically by distention of the stomach and chemically by products of protein breakdown.
Theoretically speaking, we can block acid production by preventing the stimulatory effect of Acetylcholine, Gastrin and Histamine upon the parietal cells. Acetylcholine has well known antagonists but they have generalized effects as Acetylcholine is a universal neuro-transmitter. So far no Gastrin blocker is yet available. In 1964 the role of histamine as a parietal cell stimulant was discovered, however the use of traditional antihhistamine did not reduce acid secretion. That led scientists to postulate the existence of two histamine receptors, the one acted upon by traditional antihistamines (H1) and the other residing in parietal cell wall (H2).

acid reflux relief by h2 blockers image
H2-receptor antagonists have some similarity in structure to histamine, consequently they compete with its molecules and combine with receptors instead, of course they don't have the functional activity of histamine. Fortunately, this binding effect is simultaneously accompanied by a reduced stimulating effect of both Acetylcholine and Gastrin upon the parietal cell.
Examples of H2 receptor blockers include: Cimitedine (Tagamet),Ranitidine (Zantac), Nizatidine (Axid) and Famotidine (Pepcid).
They are equally effective, and the standard dose for mild to moderate acid reflux is: 400mg, 150mg, 150mg and 20mg respectively. This dosage is given twice daily for 6-12 weeks. Approximately 50% of patients with esophagitis heal on this regimen. However a high relapse rate of 50% has been reported within two months. Maintenance treatment is indicated in severe esophagitis associated with complications and if symptoms are relapsing immediately after treatment stops. The dosage may be given three times daily in some cases for proper relief of symptoms and healing of complications.
Generally speaking they are more effective than antacids but less effective than proton pump inhibitors.
Together with other measures for acid reflux relieve such as dietary control and lifestyle modifications, they have proven efficacy in mild to moderate symptoms. They are available as over the counter and prescription forms and have relatively lower cost.

Posted by SSS at 9:10 AM

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