Acid Reflux Treatments Today Do you suffer from acid reflux or frequent heartburn? The burning sensation at the back of the throat or down by bone breat can be very painful. Most doctors recommend changes first lifestyle for the treatment of acid reflux. Preventive measures are the preferred method of relief.
Lifestyle modifications
* Avoid beverages containing caffeine drinks. Other foods to avoid are chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, acidic foods like oranges, canned tomatoes, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts.
* Milk and milk products contain calcium and fat, should be avoided before bedtime.
* Avoid food 2 hours before bedtime and not lying down after a meal are often recommended changes in lifestyle.
* Raising the head of the bed is the next easiest to implement. The products are also available as seen on TV that will elevate the head of your bed through the use of an inflatable mattress lifter. It is an economical solution ideal for low relief of acid reflux.
You can also achieve the correct elevation by placing blocks of concrete as described above or with other elements: bed risers, plastic or wooden support posts or legs bed, pillow bed corner.
The height of the elevation is critical and must be in the range of 6 to 8 inches in order to be as effective as possible by preventing the discharge of gastric fluids. Elevating the bed is also known as "positional therapy".
Drug Treatments
A number of drugs are approved for the treatment of acid reflux, and they are among the forms most commonly prescribed drug in most Western countries. They can be used in combination with other drugs, although some antacids can impede the function of other drugs.
* Antacids before meals or symptoms of early symptoms can increase pH and reduce gastric acidity. Alginic acid may coat the mucosa and the increase in pH and decrease reflux.
* Gastric H2 receptor inhibitors such as ranitidine or famotidine can reduce gastric acid secretion. These drugs are technically antihistamines. They relieve complaints in about 50% of all patients with acid reflux.
* The proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole are more effective in reducing gastric acid secretion, as they stop the secretion of acid at the source of acid production, ie the proton pump.
To maximize the effectiveness of this medication the drug should be taken half an hour before meals. Prokinetic strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and accelerate gastric emptying. Cisapride, a member of this class, was withdrawn from the market because of long QT syndrome.
If one implements pharmacologic therapy in combination with food avoidance before bedtime and elevation of the head of the bed more than 95% of patients had complete relief.
Surgical treatment
The standard surgical treatment, sometimes preferred to the longstanding use of drugs, is the Nissen fundoplication. The upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to strengthen the sphincter and prevent acid reflux and hiatal hernia repair. The procedure is often done laparoscopically.
An obsolete treatment is vagotomy, the surgical removal of the branches of the vagus nerve that innervate the mucosa of the stomach. This treatment has been largely replaced by medication.
Disclaimer
The information presented here should not be construed as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from acid reflux, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options.
Posted on March 18, 2010.
