Acid Reflux or GERD information,acid reflux causes, complications, gerd symptoms, acid reflux treatment, drug therapy, medication, nutrition, herbal treatment, and other information

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions as Affected by Probiotics



Antioxidant Property of OM-X Probiotic Capsules. Bioactive components of the human diet, such as antioxidants, contribute a significant "flinction" to several plant-based food products. Antioxidants are very important to human health because they play a vital role in reducing the risk of "radical-related" oxidative damage associated with many clinical conditions and degenerative diseases.
By Iichiroh Ohhira


Current 20th Century research focuses on the potential to influence, by dietary means, the functional level of antioxidants in the body. Western research has emphasized the importance of the established antioxidant micronutrients including vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene. Evidence tends to argue in favor of the possible protective mechanisms underlying the value of these nutrients in reducing the risk of several important degenerative diseases especially cancer, cardiovascular disease and ocular cataracts.



As has been establish by scientific research conducted by a team of Japanese research scientists, headed by Dr. lichiroh Ohhira (the award-winning microbiologist most celebrated as the inventor of OM-X Probiotic Capsules), consumption of OM-X Probiotic Capsules on a regular basis will enhance the capability of the human body to produce badly needed antioxidants. Antioxidants are particularly important because of the role they play in combating certain human degenerative conditions. Worldwide, only OM-X Probiotic Capsules provide the ingredients isolated by Dr. Ohhira and his team of scientists.

Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions and OM-X. The role of probiotics like OM-X in the prevention and treatment of certain conditions have now become evident from research on the microflora of the upper gastrointestinal tract with special reference to the lactic acid bacteria group (LAB). In fact, many research scientists are now convinced that probiotic products, such as OM-X, can assist in the treatment of certain diseases.

The normal microflora of the mouth, stomach and duodenum are a rich ecosystem of enormous complexity containing a large number of species of bacteria. The esophagus and mouth have similar bacterial populations. In a "fasting" condition, the stomach and duodenum contain very few microorganisms and those that are present are mainly derived from the oral cavity and throat The total population and species in the entire ecosystem show dramatic variations along the gastrointestinal tract with the highest concentration of microorganisms residing in the colon.

During fasting, the gastric juice contains only small numbers of bacteria and yeast ranging from 100 to 100,000 per ml. The predominant bacterial group found in the stomach and duodenum include Streptococci, Lactobacillus sp., Veillonelta sp. and Clostridium perfringens.

After a meal, the bacterial counts in the gastric juice increase 100 to 1000 fold. This dramatic increase in transient bacterial counts will return to baseline levels within one to two hours as a result of a decrease in gastric juice volume and pH, as well as the effects of gastric motility.

A wide variation of bacterial types occurs among individuals, however, the number of species and population of bacteria are relatively stable in healthy adults. Within the upper gastrointestinal tract, the normal established "resident" bacterial microflora may be altered by bacteria introduced into the body as a normal part of food ("transient" microflora) or as contaminants ("accidental" microflora). In the upper gastrointestinal tract, these transient bacteria have a much greater effect on the resident microflora because of the lower numbers of the latter being present.

In spite of its stability, the intestinal microflora can vary enormously in the stomach and duodenum dependent on host factors such as level of gastric acid secretion, bile salts, and mucous in the intestinal wall.

In addition, medications, diet, infections, age, stress and climate can also alter the microflora. The contents of microflora may also be influenced by bacterial interaction such as antagonism or symbiosis. Adaptation of intestinal microflora can occur to most substances that enter the intestines from the oral tract or the biliary system. This adaptation occurs within several days with the ability of intestinal microflora to metabolize these substances. Gastric acid inhibits the growth of microorganisms with the stomach of patients having no gastric acid showing an increased number of bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including lactobacillus, leuconostoc, lactococcus, pediococcus, and bifidobacterium are found throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The predominant population of lactic acid bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract is the lactobacillus species. Lactobacilli may colonize the mucosal surface of the duodenum as well as the stomach. For this to occur, lactobacilli must possess certain properties including adhesion, competitive exclusion ability and bacterial inhibitor production.

Only OM-X Probiotic Capsules provide live lactic acid bacteria that is "cultured" by Dr. Ohhira to be 6.25 times stronger than any naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria. Consequently, the "bad" bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract is destroyed or "inhibited" by the presence of the "good" bacteria contained in OM-X. Also, the special strains of OM-X's lactic acid bacteria, specifically TH 10, which is isolated from the Malaysian delicacy tempeh, are capable of inhibiting all harmful pathogenic bacteria living in the human "gut" including the MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Clearly, OM-X Probiotic Capsules, as developed by Dr. Ohhira, are the world's finest probiotic products. Only OM-X recognizes the challenges associated with maintaining and strengthening the microflora contained in the human "gut" so that the resident "good" bacteria make up at least 85 percent of the bacteria living in the "gut" and not more than 15 percent of "bad" bacteria reside in the human body.



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Herbal Teas for Acid Reflux Treatment



Herbal teas for acid reflux are very effective and also serve as an anti-cancer agent for your body. Tea has been used for thousands of years to soothe and ease a variety of health problems. Organic herbal tea also has been known to support wellness -- and is a good choice for those searching for a natural heartburn herbal remedy. That means that any herbal teas that you try must be caffeine-free. A few herbal teas for acid reflux:

  1. Green Tea is an excellent choice to help your body digest oily and spicy foods. It can also help calm an upset stomach. Green tea is widely known for its antioxidant properties, and may even help reduce your risk for gastric and esophageal cancers. Again, be sure to choose a green tea that is non caffeinated.
  2. Chamomile tea or Fennel is one of the most popular teas used. Not only that this herbal teas for acid reflux helps prevent acid reflux this could also help relieve indigestion, heartburn, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Chamomile is said to relieve esophageal irritation.
  3. Peppermint tea which is made from the mint leaves that are brewed. This helps calm heartburn, settle upset stomach and relieve gas pain. Although there were doubts that peppermint could help a person with heartburn, there’s also proof that it does. The oil from the peppermint helps stimulate the flow of bile to the stomach. Studies have also indicated that drinking peppermint, spearmint or other strongly spiced teas actually causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax even more, resulting in additional acid reflux and heartburn.
  4. Chicory Root Tea can also be used to make a great herbal tea. You boil a few cups of this and then let sit for a while. You can then drink the tea with honey if you wish.
  5. Marshmallow tea is make from the marshmallow plant root that is used in herbal medicinal products. It is said to ease bladder infections, coat and soothe the gastrointestinal tract, relieve sore throats, ease respiratory problems and promote healing of the urinary tract.
  6. Lavender Tea is a very special herbal tisane which has calming effects that helps relieve stress, fatigue, headache and insomnia.
  7. Black Tea which are highly concentrated in the tea, have been associated with a number of health benefits that include reduced the risk of stroke and heart disease. According to the USDA flavonoid database, both black and green contain 150 to 190 milligrams of flavonoids per cup. They also provide trace amounts of healthful minerals such as potassium and fluoride.
  8. Ginger Tea can help sooth acid reflux symptoms, and if you can find it in a tea, a cup after a meal might help your stomach settle down for the night. You can mix peppermint with aniseed and lavender for a great tasting and soothing blend. You should boil a few cups of water and a teaspoon of your herbal mix, then drain the herbs after sitting for about ten minutes. If you boil this tea and want to have it sweetened, you might try honey instead of sugar or artificial sweetener. We found a great inexpensive Ginger Tea by Botanic Choice that is perfect to ease these symptoms. Ginger is a natural wonder for occasional stomach upset indigestion and heartburn. It acts directly in the stomach to neutralize certain acids and toxins.
  9. Rooibos Tea contains no colors, additives or preservatives, making it a natural beverage. It contains no caffeine which makes it a perfect warming tea if you have heartburn. Studies also show that this tea contains anti - spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping and colic in infants.
There are lots of other type of herbal teas for acid reflux that are available but remember that there are some teas that you might be allergic to so in order to make sure that you’re safe to drink it better ask your doctor first. Using the herbal teas acid reflux treatment is a much safer and a natural way of curing or improving your lifestyle.

Instead of drinking coffee everyday try changing it to herbal tea still have similar effects but herbals teas gives you more benefits than health risk. Because too much coffee drinking is one of the major causes of acid reflux and by switching to herbal teas you could help your body be healthy.

Although more expensive, it may be worthwhile to get good quality organic herbs if your aim is to also help you detoxify and cleanse your body system.



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Study links Chronic Heartburn to Esophageal Cancer

Over the past 20 years, the incidence of esophageal cancer, a highly fatal form of cancer, has rapidly increased in the United States. A recent research study has linked chronic, longstanding, untreated heartburn with an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. As reported by Lagergren et al. in the study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients who experienced chronic, unresolved heartburn markedly increase the risk of esophageal cancer, a rare but often deadly malignancy. According to the study, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus was nearly eight times more likely among frequent heartburn sufferers (two times a week or more) compared to individuals without symptoms, while among patients with longstanding, severe and unresolved heartburn (e.g. frequent symptoms 20 years duration), the risk of developing esophageal cancer was 43.5 times as great as for those without chronic heartburn.

Persistent symptoms of heartburn and reflux should not be ignored. By seeing your doctor early, the physical cause of GERD can be treated and more serious problems avoided.

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Monday, January 14, 2008

Privacy Policy for acid-reflux-dd.blogspot.com

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at kletingkuning@gmail.com.

At acid-reflux-dd.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by acid-reflux-dd.blogspot.com and how it is used.


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These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on acid-reflux-dd.blogspot.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

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You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. acid-reflux-dd.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

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Sunday, December 9, 2007

Serious Complication of Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

The more serious long term complications of Acid Reflux or GERD is not treated effectively, the constant acid reflux can irritate the lining of the esophagus, and serious complication that may occur are :

A. Barrett's esophagus.

Acid Reflux or Heartburn that is severe or occurs frequently over a long period of time is a characteristic of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). If GERD is untreated, it can be harmful; the constant acid reflux will irritate the lining of the esophagus, and complications can occur. One of these complication is Barrett's esophagus.

Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food and saliva from the mouth to the stomach, changes so that some of its lining is replaced by a type of tissue similar to that normally found in the intestine. Those with Barrett's esophagus are 30 to 125 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than those without this condition.
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a serious condition in which changes occur in the cells that line the lower esophagus and cause the cells to become abnormal and precancerous.

B. Esophageal cancer.


The esophagus is a hollow tube that carries food and liquids from your throat to your stomach. Early esophageal cancer usually does not cause symptoms. However, as the cancer grows, symptoms may include painful or difficult swallowing, weight loss and coughing up blood.

Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the esophagus. Doctors cannot always explain why one person gets cancer and another does not. There is, however, a strong association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)and esophageal cancer.

C. Laryngeal cancer.

Laryngeal cancer may also be called cancer of the larynx or laryngeal carcinoma. Most laryngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, reflecting their origin from the squamous cells which form the majority of the laryngeal epithelium.

For the purposes of tumour staging, the larynx is divided into three anatomical regions: the glottis; the supraglottis epiglottis, arytenoids and aryepiglottic folds, and false cords); and the subglottis.

Researchers have reported that GERD is significantly associated with the development of laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx).

D. Erosive esophagitis.

Esophagitis is an inflammation and swelling of the esophagus, and is most often caused by acid-containing stomach contents refluxing back up into the esophagus.

Esophagitis means inflammation of the foodpipe. This is often characterized by redness of the lining of the foodpipe (erythema)and breaks in the lining of the foodpipe (erosions). One of the causes for the development of esophagitis is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

E. Esophageal strictures.

An esophageal stricture is a gradual narrowing of the esophagus, which can lead to swallowing difficulties. The esophagus is a relatively simple tubular structure connecting the throat to the stomach. The major functions of the stomach are to transport ingested food from the oropharynx to the stomach and to prevent regurgitation of food and gastric contents from the stomach back up into the esophagus.

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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Short Term Treatment of GERD or Heartburn

Below you will find various options for heartburn treatment and GERD/acid reflux treatment for short-term relief to 24-hour acid control :

A. Drug Medication.

These acid reflux medications for children include antacids and acid reducers such as:

  • Antacids . Antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach and provide prompt heartburn treatment and heartburn relief.
  • Maalox.
  • Mylanta.
B. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists
  • Axid oral. Nizatidine is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines and prevent them from coming back after they have healed. This medication is also used to treat certain stomach and throat (esophagus) problems caused by too much stomach acid (e.g., erosive esophagitis) or a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (acid reflux disease/GERD).
  • Carafate oral. This medication is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the intestines. Sucralfate forms a coating over ulcers, protecting the area from further injury. This helps ulcers heal more quickly.
  • Pepcid oral. Famotidine is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines. It may be used to prevent intestinal ulcers from returning after treatment. This medication is also used to treat certain stomach and throat problems caused by too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, erosive esophagitis) or a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (GERD).
  • Reglan oral. This medication is used to treat certain conditions of the stomach and intestines. Metoclopramide is used as a short-term treatment (4 to 12 weeks) for persistent heartburn when the usual medicines do not work well enough.
  • Tagamet oral. Cimetidine is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines and prevent them from coming back after they have healed. This medication is also used to treat certain stomach and throat (esophagus) problems caused by too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, erosive esophagitis) or a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (acid reflux disease/GERD).
  • Zantac oral. Ranitidine is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines and prevent them from returning after treatment. This medication is also used to treat and prevent certain stomach and throat (esophagus) problems caused by too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, erosive esophagitis) or a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux disease-GERD).
C. H2 blockers.

H2 blockers block stomach acid production and provide acid reflux treatment and relief of heartburn symptoms. However, they do not block acid as completely as proton pump inhibitors.

D. Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI).

Proton pump inhibitors are highly effective treatments and are used for long-term GERD or acid reflux treatment. Proton pump inhibitors control stomach acid and provide heartburn relief.
  • ZEGERID. Providing rapid release of the active ingredients and up to 24-hour acid control and heartburn relief.
  • Aciphex oral. Rabeprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach/intestinal and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, ulcers, erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
  • Nexium oral. Esomeprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, erosive esophagitis).
  • Prilosec oral. Omeprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, ulcers, erosive esophagitis, or Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome). Decreasing excess stomach acid can help relieve symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, and trouble sleeping.
  • Prevacid oral. Lansoprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, ulcers, erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
  • Protonix oral. Pantoprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

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Acid Reflux Repair - Endoscopic Suturing


Endoscopic Suturing Non-Invasive, Out-Patient Solution For GERD.

Endoscopic Suturing or Endoscopic Gastroplication is an exciting non-surgical method used by Dr. Anthony Starpoli to treat Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This treatment is a breakthrough alternative to life-long medical therapy or invasive and costly surgery.

A device, like a tiny sewing machine, is attached to the end of a standard, flexible endoscope or tube. The video endoscope allows the physician to place a suture (stitch) near the LES. Two stitches can be placed and tied together to create a pleat near the LES and treat symptomatic acid reflux.




The specific advantages of endoscopic suturing include :
  • Lower procedure cost than other treatment alternative.
  • The procedure can offer patients an alternative to expensive medications that often must be taken for the life of the patient.
  • It is an outpatient procedure.
  • The procedure does not require an incision and is more comfortable for patients than surgical alternatives.
  • Faster recovery time than surgical treatment.
The following patients should probably not undergo endoscopic gastroplication:
  • History of surgery of the esophagus or stomach.
  • Barrett’s Esophagus.
  • Esophageal motility dysfunction.
  • Inability to receive sedation.
  • Patients with a large hiatal hernia.
  • Morbid obesity.
  • Significant heart or lung disease.
The following patients may be considered:
  • Patients should show a good response to medical therapy.
  • Patients who are not markedly over weight.
  • Those with a small hiatal hernia.
  • Patients seeking an alternative to chronic medical therapy
learn more : in EndoCinch Clinic

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