Is Acid Causing Heartburn and a Stomach Problem?

Heartburn sufferers may have a natural solution to the problem. Do you have frequent heartburn and the medication you take just covers it up? Do you feel some relief at first, but it just comes back either within minutes or at a different time? Do you want to relieve these heartburn symptoms permanently? There may be a natural way to get rid of heartburn for good.

What Causes Heartburn

Heartburn is caused by the stomach acids getting into the esophagus which causes a burning sensation. There is a muscle that is supposed to prevent the stomach acid from entering the throat by only opening when people swallow to allow food and liquid to go into the stomach for digestion. The problem is that sometimes this muscle opens when there is no eating and allows stomach acid to escape which is the burning sensation acid reflux sufferers feel.

Consider all of the things that are done before acid pain occurs in order to find out the cause of the problem. Some common causes of heartburn can easily be avoided once the source of the problem is known:

1. Common acid pain causes include eating too fast and not chewing enough. Saliva helps breakdown the food in the mouth before it gets to the stomach, and if one is eating really fast then they are not chewing enough and the larger pieces that are swallowed force the stomach to produce more acid in order to break down the food for digestion.
2. Eating right before bedtime can cause problems because when lying down the stomach acids can get into the throat easier than when standing up. Try not to eat for three hours before lying down for a nap or the night.
3. Being overweight can cause problems because there is more pressure on the stomach. Visceral fat-fat that grows on the organs and intestines-can push against other organs and hurt the acid process in the body.
4. Even though exercise helps maintain weight, try not to eat for at least two hours before exercising to avoid heartburn.
5. Take an over the counter or prescription medicine, such as Prilocsec, to control pain.

Consider what is eaten that causes these painful symptoms. Green peppers and spicy food are problem areas for many people when it comes to acid production, but every person is different. Write down what you ate every time heartburn occurs and avoid those foods to see if they are the cause. Then you will know what foods trigger your heartburn symptoms so that they can be avoided. Look at the list created over a period of time to be sure that is not more than one food or a combination of foods that is causing the problem.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is a common problem that many people have. Try solving the acid pain problems from a preventative point of view and then one can avoid the behaviors and triggers that cause them to get heartburn so that they will not have to worry about medications and remedies that only help temporarily.

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Gastritis: Understanding and Preventing

Who has never felt the sensation of burning, heartburn and pain in the stomach? Popularly known as gastritis and even nervous gastritis, it is directly related to the symptoms described. These items above are part of a group that shows two diseases: a functional dyspepsia and reflux disease.

The dyspepsia can be described as a disturbance in the digestive system, which complicates the process of digestion. Reflux is a return of gastric acid from the stomach to the esophagus. The reflux happens due to an imbalance in the functioning of the valve that controls the passage of food from one organ to another. As the valve does not close right, the liquid passes into the esophagus and thus their walls. This causes heartburn and burning, since there is no protection against the inner wall acidity, such as the stomach.

What is Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation that affects the wall of the stomach and can be divided into two: acute and chronic. In the acute form, the gastritis appears suddenly, causing nausea and vomiting. Generally the duration is three days, can be triggered by alcohol, drugs based on acids, anti-inflammatory factor or the stress.

Chronic gastritis, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is made in this context. This type of gastritis is long term and is usually asymptomatic. The transmission may be via water and food contaminated by bacillus. The only way to identify this type of gastritis is by endoscopy and biopsy.

How to Deal with Gastritis

A healthy diet is still one of the main forms of treatment.

Although, the food is not the main cause of the development of gastritis. They have key role, both in aid of treatment and in prevention.

Some foods should be avoided, causing an increase in the release of gastric juice or facilitate the occurrence of reflux of it: milk and some types of cheese, fatty foods, and industrial embedded, concentrated juices, alcoholic drinks and stimulants.

You should also consume: diluted juice and much water, fruit, gelatin, milk derivatives and light, lean and white meat.

Eat slowly and chew food are habits that help. The intake of water, natural foods, whole grains and light products, is at the top of the list of habits. Practice them!

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Gastritis: Symptoms and Treatment

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or burning sensation, postprandial fullness (feeling fullness or gas after a meal). The symptoms of gastritis are non-specific, which means they may be present in other conditions.

Gastritis can be caused by multiple agents and can be classified into acute and chronic. Among the most common causes of acute gastritis are: NSAID´s, biphosphonates, potassium, macrolide, alcohol, stress, viruses and bacteria. Chronic gastritis is usually cause by Helicobacter pylori.

Treatment of Gastritis

Treatment of gastritis depends on its etiology. First it has to be diagnosed. The diagnosis is made endoscopically and microscopically. If it is caused by something the patient is taking, the treatment is to discontinue the agent. If the biopsy reveals pylori, it can be treated with antibiotics.

Medications sometimes are needed for the treatment of gastritis if discontinuation of the offending agent or eradication Helicobacter pylori does not completely cure the symptoms. Medications used include antacids such as Mylanta, acid blockers such as Zantac and proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Aciphex , Nexium and Prevacid.

Some people have used natural remedies for gastritis with good outcomes. The most important of all is to follow a well balanced diet and avoid foods that can irritate the stomach and worsen symptoms. Foods to avoid include alcohol, coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine, and tobacco. Natural remedies for both acute and chronic cases include coconut and rice water. Some people also use the herb call Marigold whose scientific name is Calendula officinalis and its Indian name is Saldbargh or Zergul (Source : home-remedies-guide.com). It is believed that this herb has wound healing and antiseptic properties.

Seeking the Help of a Gastroenterologist

My advice as a gastroenterologist is that if you are suffering from gastritis you should try keeping a log of the foods that provoke episodes of gastritis and then avoid these. Avoid excessive alcohol intake, caffeine and spicy foods. Some cases of gastritis are worsened by constipation. My recommendation is to eat yogurt every day to keep regular bowel movements. And YES, in some people, gastritis is activated by stress so avoid stressful situations if you are one of them. In my experience, the symptoms of gastritis are difficult to treat so be patient it will get better.

 

Source:

1. McNally Peter et al, GI/Liver Secrets third edition
2. Home-remedies-guide.com
3. MayoClinic.com

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Gastritis Symptoms and Treatments

Gastritis is a medical term which means that you have inflammation in the lining of your stomach.

The common symptoms of gastritis are, (1) feelings of indigestion in the stomach, (2) upset stomach, (3) no appetite, (4) vomiting, (4) feeling bloated and belching, (5) feelings of fullness in the stomach, and (6) weight loss that is unexplained.

What is Acute Gastritis

When a person has acute gastritis, it causes a lot of burning and discomfort in the stomach, whereas in chronic gastritis there is sometimes no symptoms or you lack appetite. Gastritis can be serious enough however, to cause bleeding. The blood can pass through stool or you may vomit it back up. If this serious symptom happens, you need to run to the doctor quickly and have it checked out since it is nothing to ignore.

The most common complication of gastritis is that it can cause not only bleeding, but stomach ulcers. This is the most important of reasons to have it treated.

Medications are Available

There are many medications out there that will help your gastritis pains. One of the drugs that you might be able to use is proton pump inhibitors like Nexium, which hold down the acid production in the stomach by blocking pumps that control the acid formation in your stomach.

Sometimes it is the bacteria H. Pylori that can bring on gastritis. If this has been determined, then two antibiotics will be prescribed to stop the infection along with a proton pump inhibitor.

Acid blockers also help a person with hyper acidity or gastritis. These are drugs like Gamete, Zaneta, or else Ax id. These medicines are only given if you have trouble getting complete relief from taking regular antacids.

Manta, and other antacids such as Maalox can also help with breaking down the acid in the stomach so that you have faster relief from your stomach pain from gastritis.

Treatment of Gastritis

Also, when treating your gastritis, there are things you can do at home to help yourself. Your diet should include foods that are free of high acid contents, and eating smaller portions also helps. Stuffing yourself full to the max will only make matters worse.

Keep your weight within a good normal range. Obesity causes more stomach-related problems than anything else.

Stress management and exercise is also important. Exercise helps the digestive system to work more efficiently and helps the intestines to move your food through your body in a more efficient manner. Stress reduction is also important since this can also conjure up acids in the stomach, causing them to work overtime.

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Few Words About Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining, caused by a number of different factors, and damage can occur in forms of light to the lesion inflammation and ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. In any case, it is not a disease with which to reconcile and accept the situation as it is because the consequences of gastritis can be serious and far-reaching.

Symptoms and Causes

The symptoms of gastritis are abdominal pain or discomfort, weakened digestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

One of the causes of gastritis is the stress, stressful lifestyle, emotions that are not recognized, the manner in which we accept and embrace the emotions of our environment. Psychosomatics plays a major role in the etiology of gastritis.

The emphasis is, if it is gastritis, which has a psychosomatic basis, to alleviate the symptoms and not the permanent resolution of gastritis – it will permanently get rid of work on your emotions and purpose and help relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation, tai chi, and more)

Other Causes

Other causes of gastritis, but stress, modern medicine according to microbial infections (especially Helicobacter pylori), a long-term use of medication (usually nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-analgesics – aspirin, ibuprofen, ketonal and others).

Alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and fizzy drinks contribute to reinforce the symptoms as well as food that is difficult to digest with acid imbalance, expelled from the body creating balance too much stomach acid and the amount of them should be avoided.

In the event that confirmed the presence of H. pylori doctor will usually resort to antibiotic therapy, which takes at least 14 days and includes high doses of antibiotics and drugs that reduce stomach acid secretion (proton pump inhibitors).

Other drugs that alleviate symptoms include:

– Antacid: calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide with aluminum salts

– H2 receptor antagonists-ranitid, cimetidine, famotidine

– Proton pump inhibitors-omeprazole

As far as food is best to turn to those foods that will not cause symptoms and is generally to foods rich in fiber and lean foods, prepared in olive or other cold pressed and unrefined oil, and not to enter a substance that may irritate the stomach. As each of us a world in itself so I will know the best food that suits him and which I therefore do not adjust your diet.

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Does Your Baby Have Acid Reflux?

Ways to help your baby with acid reflux rather than medicine.

I have two children that have and do both suffer from “Acid Reflux”. Most people don’t realize that acid reflux hurts a baby more than it would hurt us. As it may not really be too painful for us, it is extremely painful for a baby. Not all babies suffer from it, and some babies have it worse than others may. Some people may believe that their child has colic rather than acid reflux due to all the crying the child may do.

Ways to determine if Acid Reflux is what your child has:

-Spitting up frequently or vomiting

-Your child may cry a lot and seem to be in pain

-Your child may hiccup more often

-Your child pay be refusing to eat / loss of appetite

-Your child may seem irritable while eating and arch his/her back

-Wet burps

-Frequent coughing

-Difficult sleeping

-Hoarse voice

However, some children show more frightening signs such as spells of not breathing, may seem to be having a hard time swallowing and respiratory problems such as pneumonia, wheezing, asthma and bronchitis. If you are experiencing problems such as these I would contact your pediatrician just to be positive that this is what is wrong with your child.

There are plenty of things to try and do to treat Acid Reflux rather than going right for the medicine as most doctor perscribe Zantac.

-If your child is formula fed you may want to try to switch to a more sensitive formula.

-Hold your baby upright during feedings, and for atleast 30 minutes after feedings.

-When you put your child to sleep, position your child on his back, and elevate the head of the bead. This will keep stomach contents where they belong.

-Do not overfeed your child. Smaller, but more frequent feedings. About every two to three hours when the child is awake will reduce the occurrence of reflux.

-Adding cereal to the formula or breastmilk (you will pump and add the cereal). It makes it thicker and will hold down better in your child’s belly.

-Giving your baby their bottle right out of the refrigerator and cold may help.

-A lot of people seem to think that Playtext drop-ins bottles and liners also helped their baby decrease the amount of acid reflux they were having.

If nothing that you do seems to work, your pediatrican may suggest something else, such as medicine and such.

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Can Vitamin C Help Cure Gastritis?

Gastritis is a common medical condition that affects millions of people. It is an inflammation within the lining of the stomach that is possibly caused by infections, irritants, backup of bile into the stomach and autoimmune disorders. People who have gastritis may develop peptic ulcers that eat away at the stomach lining and may affect the small intestine. If ulcers develop and are untreated, bleeding may occur. In many cases, no specific cause for the inflammation is found and no permanent damage is done to the stomach lining. The most common signs and symptoms associated with gastritis are heartburn, hiccups, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and dark colored stool.

Gastritis and Infection

As mentioned, gastritis can be caused by infection. The infection could be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Irritation to the stomach lining is another common cause for the development of gastritis. This irritation can be caused by many things. The long-term use of medications, including aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications, can cause an irritation. Consumption of alcohol, coffee and acidic beverages are also causes. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to gastritis. Many times when patients are stressed, their body will secrete gastric acid. This acid will irritate the lining of the stomach, causing gastritis.

Diagnosing gastritis consists of several tests that must be performed. Usually, the first test is an endoscopy of the stomach. During this procedure, a small tube is inserted down the throat into the stomach. A small camera is located at the tip of the tube, allowing doctors to visualize the walls and lining of the stomach. A biopsy may be taken at the same time if necessary. Other tests include stool tests, blood tests and breath tests. The stool test is helpful to determine if blood is present. Many times, a biopsy of the esophagus will be taken to determine the exact cause of the discomfort being experienced. Once the diagnosis of gastritis is made, there are various preventative methods and treatments.

Lifestyle Changes

It is suggested patients make lifestyle changes and avoid the use of irritants that could cause attacks of gastritis. Removing these irritants will help prevent the formation of ulcers. Many times, just removing these irritants from the patient’s life will cure the gastritis completely. In some cases, medications will be prescribed to relieve symptoms and treat infections or complications from present ulcers. Many patients opt to use herbal remedies to control gastritis. These herbs include asparagus, bitter chamomile, fennel, ginger, licorice, rhubarb and sandalwood. It is advised to keep your diet bland to reduce any further irritation to the stomach. Salt and spices will cause irritation and increase inflammation. Most patients are told to steer clear of salt. Some patients have found that eating a banana in the morning will help to reduce the acid in the stomach.

Aside from herbal cures, vitamins play a large role in relieving symptoms of gastritis. Vitamin C is one of the recommended vitamin supplements to use. Many people with chronic gastritis have a low level of vitamin C. this powerful vitamin is an antioxidant and neutralized acids in the stomach. In studies, the vitamin C reduced the infection caused by H. pylori, one of the most common infections causing gastritis. Vitamin C also absorbs iron and calcium salt in the body. These aggravate the digestive process. An increase of vitamin C can ease the process and calm the irritation in the lining of the stomach. Though it is not a cure for gastritis, vitamin C will make a significant difference for those who suffer with chronic gastritis.

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