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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.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Acid Reflux Relief logoAcid reflux disease facts

The diagnosis of GE reflux based on symptoms alone is correct in only approximately two thirds of patients because the symptoms are often nonspecific and can be caused by other conditions.

The three characteristics of the LES that maintains its resistance or barrier function to intragastric and intraabdominal pressure challenges are pressure, overall length, and length exposed to the positive pressure environment of the abdomen.

An important complication of GE reflux is the development of reflux-induced respiratory symptoms either with or without heartburn.

Antireflux surgery improves respiratory symptoms in nearly 90% of children and 70% of adults with asthma and reflux disease.

Factors predisposing to the development of Barrett's esophagus include early-onset GERD, abnormal lower esophageal and esophageal body physiology, and mixed reflux of gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus.

PPI therapy, both to relieve symptoms and to control esophagitis, is an acceptable treatment, although most patients will require life-long treatment.

Progression of nondysplastic Barrett's epithelium occurs with 5% to 10% of patients per year progressing to dysplasia and 0.5% to 1% per year progressing to cancer

The standard of care of the treatment of confirmed Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia is esophagectomy because approximately 50% will harbor invasive cancer

Three factors predictive of a successful outcome following antireflux surgery are (a) an abnormal score on 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring; (b) the presence of typical symptoms of GERD, namely heartburn or regurgitation; and (c) symptomatic improvement in response to acid-suppression therapy prior to surgery.

Posted by SSS at 4:52 AM