Little Known Complications From Acid Reflux Disease

Unfortunately, acid reflux disease can eventually become a much more serious, potentially life threatening problem if it is allowed to continue untreated.

The long term effects of acid reflux disease can potentially be quite serious. The esophagus can become scarred because highly acidic stomach fluids flush into it and burn its walls. As food continues to be digested it causes further damage to the esophageal walls and contractions by the muscles of the esophagus begin to weaken and slow down.

Even if babies and young children do not vomit despite their suffering from acid reflux disease, the acidic contents of their stomach might still be entering their windpipe, subsequently damaging the lungs. This could potentially lead to pneumonia, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If a child does vomit as a result of their acid reflux their growth could be stunted.

Erosive Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus that occurs when the cells that line the esophagus are damaged by highly acidic stomach fluids.

Esophageal bleeding, which is sometimes quite severe, can be brought on by inflammation caused by ulcers. If the bleeding becomes too heavy patients may require surgical or endoscopic treatments and blood transfusions to deal with a possible anemic reaction.

Ulcers and scar tissue make the food pipe narrower, making it difficult to swallow, causing wheezing and gasping for breath, and preventing normal digestion of food.

If the esophagus is severely scarred and consistently filled with stomach acids it can eventually cause esophageal cells to become cancerous, a condition called Barrett’s esophagus. Although only ten percent of individuals who suffer from acid reflux disease eventually go on to develop Barrett’s esophagus, this percentage is increasing.

Nerves located in the lower portion of the esophagus can also be affected by acid reflux causing an unpleasant feeling commonly referred to as heartburn. This can also be responsible for cough, a breathless feeling, and airway constriction since pain in the esophageal nerves can be transferred to other nerves.

Source by Frank Robson

Heartburn Nighttime Agony

Nighttime heartburn may be the most serious form of heartburn acid reflux. It is usually associated with chronic heartburn. Nighttime heartburn is not only very painful it can lead to a more serious condition. People who suffer from this condition frequently suffer from the lack of sleep and depression. Many suffers report getting less than 4 hours of sleep 3 or more nights a week. This can lead to problems with family relations and job performance. It can also place the individual at greater risk of an accident when driving or operating machinery.

In addition, most chronic nighttime heartburn suffers also have back and leg problems form sleeping in chairs or recliners in an effort to reduce the acid reflux that is associated with nighttime heartburn. All of these symptoms can gang up on a heartburn suffer to the point that they feel their life is not worth living. Depression is a serious disease that can further reduce the quality of life for the suffer. Many people with depression do not or can not seek the necessary diagnosis and treatment of heartburn. This leads to a never ending cycle of misery.

People with nighttime heartburn are also more likely to not respond to the symptoms of a real heart attack in a timely manner. They incorrectly assume that it is just another attack of heartburn. Any delay in seeking treatment for a heart attack can lead to increased heart damage and even death.

About 87% of all heartburn symptoms can be cured. The first and most critical step you must take is to see your physician for a diagnosis. The second step is to do research on heartburn on the internet and in your library. There are many home and natural remedies available that work very well. When it comes to disease, information is power, the power to solve your pain and agony. There are many knowledge sources of information available on line. Recently several good books have been written on heartburn and acid reflux that can be downloaded directly into your computer. These can be read on the computer or printed out. Now days there is little reason to suffer from nighttime heartburn. Make an appointment with you doctor today, it may save your life.

Source by Jim Kesel

A Simple Acid Relux Cure

Many people today are afflicted with heartburn. If they eat food that is too spicy, they get heartburn. If they sleep the wrong way, they get heartburn. If they eat too fast they get heartburn. There can be many causes for heartburn, also known as acid reflux, and the way heartburn affects people is variable as well. If this all sounds too familiar to you then you need a good acid reflux cure. You do not need to suffer unnecessarily.

Not all acid reflux cures work the same for everyone though. People have different lifestyles and because of that cures will have different effects on different people. Some people can use simple, alternative medical cures because they lead a relatively healthy lifestyle. Other people have had acid reflux problems for a longer time and may need a prescribed acid reflux cure from their family doctor.

Some acid reflux cures can be found in your own kitchen. Baking soda and water can alleviate the discomfort of heartburn for most people and costs next to nothing. Warm milk may help someone suffering from mild heartburn and help them sleep better in the evening. An over the counter acid reflux cure, in liquid or in pill form, may be the next step if simple home remedies do not work for you. However, if none of these remedies are working after being used for a period of a week or more it may be time to search out other options.

A little bit of research online may open your eyes to the many ways that acid reflux can be treated. You'll find home remedies and over the counter medicines that can be found in most drugstores, as mentioned above. You'll also find that there is a wide array of herbal remedies that claim to be proven natural remedies and 100% effective. An herbal acid reflux cure can be helpful and may work where other cures have not. You should remember that herbal remedies are not for everyone though. If you are pregnant, have an already existing condition like kidney disease, diabetes or other conditions, or are a child or older adult, you should speak to your doctor before beginning to use an herbal acid reflux cure. Many herbal remedies are not safe for people who have medical conditions that are being treated by a doctor.

You can improve your lifestyle today if acid reflux is compromising your ability to experience a full and active lifestyle. By learning more about cures and remedies you can find an acid reflux cure that will work for you. You do not need to suffer from acid reflux anymore.

Source by Liz Sun

Best Natural Cures For Heartburn

When it comes to using any kind of natural cures for heartburn it is best if they are used to treat the symptoms in the very early stages. Unfortunately if left untreated, it can become much worse and a person could in fact suffer from esophageal cancer later on.

There are various different natural cures for heartburn a person can use in order to treat this problem which you may want to try instead of relying on over the counter medications such as antacids. Below are some which you may find to be effective in helping to treat your heartburn.

Firstly it is important that you look at what you are eating and drinking and see which of these are actually causing the condition rather than preventing it.

Plus if you are someone who suffers from heartburn more than once or twice a week it is important that you make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. You should also discuss with your doctor that you are considering using natural ways of treating the problem and they may be able to suggest some treatments you may want to consider using. However below I'll take a look at various different natural products that you may want to try for yourself.

Fennel Tea

This is a very good natural cure for treating heartburn and the seeds used to produce this drink can be purchased from either a grocery or health food store as well as online. In order to make this tea you need to put 1 to 2 teaspoons of the seeds in 8 ounces of boiling water and allow it to see for a while.

Rhubarb

This particular natural cure for heartburn has been used by Native American Indians for centuries. It is believed that this particular natural cure helps to neutralize the stomach acids which cause the burning sensation that many people feel when suffering from this condition. Also it is believed that the saliva which our bodies produce as we chew food and especially when rhubarb is chewed is able to provide relief from the symptoms associated with heartburn.

Above we have looked at a couple of natural cures for heartburn but before you start using any it is important that you investigate all the ingredients carefully that can be used with this problem.

Source by Ricky Lim

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a condition that can affect anyone. The symptoms typically show up before the age of 30. Ulcerative colitis treatment may include prescription medications, vitamin supplementation, herbal remedies, special diets and even massage and chiropractic therapy. Ulcerative colitis is difficult to live with and for this reason counseling may be included in a complete treatment plan.

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea and blood in the stools. Symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. In severe cases of ulcerative colitis, when diarrhea is frequent, symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss and weakness. It is important to seek ulcerative colitis treatment before symptoms become severe. If ulcerative colitis is not treated, surgery may be necessary.

The specific cause of ulcerative colitis is unknown. It seems to "run" in families and it is suspected that the immune system of people with ulcerative colitis may be reacting to normal intestinal bacteria, causing inflammation. Pain and bleeding occurs because of inflammation and ulceration of the intestine. Ulcers are basically sores that form on the intestinal walls and inflammation means swelling. Medical ulcerative colitis treatment typically involves prescription drugs to reduce inflammation and promote healing of the ulceration. This type of ulcerative colitis treatment may or may not prevent symptoms from recurrent.

Ulcerative colitis has a tendency to be a chronic disease, meaning that symptoms often recur over time. Since the immune system is believed to play a role in the disease, drugs that suppress the immune system are sometimes prescribed for sever cases of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is designed to postpone the necessity for surgery.

A complete ulcerative colitis treatment plan may include vitamin supplementation, particularly D and B12. Iron supplements are sometimes recommended due to the loss of blood that may lead to anemia. It is known that a deficiency of Vitamin D in the diet often causes diarrhea and B12 is important to help the body effectively absorb iron and other necessary nutrients.

Also recommended for ulcerative colitis treatment is an extract from the aloe plant. The aloe plant is known to promote healing of wounds and is also an anti-inflammatory, meaning it reduces swelling. Other herbal remedies which promote healing and reduce swelling may also be helpful for ulcerative colitis treatment.

Dietary advice for ulcerative colitis treatment includes avoiding foods that may lead to cramping, such as milk and milk products if the patient is or may be lactose intolerant. At this time there is no specific diet that is recommended by all healthcare professionals for those who suffer from ulcerative colitis, but yogurt and yeast products are sometimes recommended. They contain small organizations called probiotics which may help the intestines maintain a natural balance between the helpful and harmful bacteria.

Chiropractic and massage therapies may be effective alternative or complementary ulcerative colitis treatment. One may think that only pain in the back or neck can be helped by chiropractic therapy, but misalignment of the vertebra can affect other parts of the body, without causing pain in the back. Chiropractors have a tendency to take more of a holistic approach to treatment than medical doctors. The belief is that mind, body and spirit are all connected and that it is necessary to treat the "whole" self rather than a single "part".

Those who suffer from ulcerative colitis, seek alternative therapies for many reasons. Standard medications may cause unwanted side effects. Chronic disease often causes emotional strain. But, with all of the ulcerative colitis treatment that is available today, most people with mild to moderate symptoms lead normal daily lives.

Source by Patsy Hamilton