| When food enters the stomach it will secret | | | | likely offenders of an attack. A health care provider |
| hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin to begin | | | | prescribes drugs when a controlled diet offers no |
| digestion of its content. The second sphincter at the | | | | help. |
| lower part of the esophagus, bordering the stomach, | | | | Studies also show that acid reflux or GERD is |
| remains closed until food reaches it. However, in | | | | common and might be overlooked in infants and |
| some individuals the muscle tone of that sphincter is | | | | young children. The condition can result in recurrent |
| poor and remains open - allowing stomach contents | | | | vomiting, coughing and respiratory problems. Children's |
| to reenter up the esophagus and into the throat. This | | | | immature gastrointestinal systems are commonly to |
| condition is called acid reflux. | | | | blame. Almost all infants grow out of GERD by the |
| Acid reflux, or gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), is | | | | time they are 12 months old. Even so, you should talk |
| the most commonly used name for a disease that | | | | to your child's physician if the problem is frequent and |
| results in damage of the esophagus. Stomach | | | | causes discomfort. |
| digestive juices containing hydrochloric acids and the | | | | There are a number of popular used drugs for GERD |
| protein digesting enzyme pepsin are forced to return | | | | such as over-the-counter antacids. These are based |
| back into the esophagus, as a result of esophageal | | | | on aluminum, magnesium and calcium salts and include |
| sphincter weakness. The role of the sphincter is to | | | | Mylanta and Maalox (magnesium-aluminum based). |
| prevent the stomach contents from moving back in | | | | Long-term intake of antacids can increase the risks |
| the esophagus and the occurrence of acid reflux. | | | | of osteoporosis. However a good diet, exercise and |
| Digestive juices from the stomach, when gushing | | | | vitamin-mineral supplements can help reduce loss of |
| back, irritate and inflame the area and - with time - | | | | bone density. Individuals suffering acid reflux could |
| scar the esophageal wall. Acid reflux is a chronic | | | | also look into natural remedies for relief from |
| health condition, with a long-term repercussions. | | | | symptoms. |
| Treatment for acid reflux can only help short term | | | | Some prescription medications act as H2 blockers or |
| and commonly antacids are used to ease the pain | | | | as receptor antagonists. They inhibit stomach acid |
| and symptoms from acid reflux or GERD. Antacids | | | | production. With less stomach acid, there is also a |
| are usually helpful in short-term cases and infrequent | | | | lesser chance of stomach content entering into the |
| attacks, but they can't provide a long-term relief. A | | | | esophagus. Popular prescription drugs include Pepcid |
| diagnosis of acid reflux is performed by gastroscopy, | | | | AC and Zantac. Other prescription medications include |
| a medical examination using a flexible, thin fiber-optic | | | | proton pump inhibitors such as Prevacid and Prilosec. |
| instrument coupled to an eyepiece and light source | | | | They achieve acid reduction in the stomach by |
| called gastroscope. | | | | altering the normal processes of production and |
| Change of dietary and drinking habits - several foods | | | | regulation in the stomach. |
| and alcoholic beverages are known to cause it-can | | | | Sometimes drugs are necessary for treating acid |
| help people to reduce acid reflux and in mild cases to | | | | reflux. However it is important, regardless of the |
| actually eliminate its effects. Individuals suffering acid | | | | method of treatment you choose for your reflux |
| reflux can keep diaries to identify and track down | | | | symptoms, to first consult your health care provider |
| what kind of foods they have eaten in the past are | | | | for a qualified opinion. |