Is there a cure for Acid Reflux?

 

Acid reflux or GERD is an important health issue. It can affect both women and mens health. In this condition, there is reflux of acidic contents from the stomach into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which remains tightly closed, prevents reflux and opens when peristaltic waves herald the imminent arrival of swallowed food. When the LES becomes faulty acid reflux will result. This is called GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Is it possible to cure your acid reflux? If there is true lower esophageal incompetence, then there is no cure. In LES incompetence, you need maintenance acid suppressant treatment such as omeprazole, or surgical treatment like fundoplication will relieve your symptoms if very severe or you develop secondary problems.

However, the effeciency of the LES can be affected by several factors. Consider eliminating these factors that may impact on acid reflux before seeing your doctor or taking over the counter acid suppressants. Sometimes all you need is a change of lifestyle.

A contributory cause of acid reflux is obesity. This is especially so in the apple type distribution of weight. The extra weight increases bulk in the upper abdomen and makes effective discharge of food from the esophagus into the stomach difficult. In addition hiatus hernia is more common in obese individuals. A hiatus hernia can weaken the LES. Losing weight is an important aspect of GERD treatment.

Wearing tight fitting clothes can cause acid reflux especially if it is two sizes too small. The pressure exerted on the stomach may trigger back flow into the esophagus. Your acid reflux will improve if you wear loose clothes.

Large volume of food in the stomach will put pressure on the LES and can cause acid reflux. It has happened to us all at some time or other. The large volume also increases gastric clearance time allowing more opportunity for reflux. Eating smaller portions more frequently will counter this problem.

Certain foods can affect GERD. Cow’s milk protein intolerance can cause esophagitis. It is called Allergic Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This is controlled by removing cow’s milk protein from the diet. Other foods that can affect the LES include fats, coffee, tea, alcohol, and some spices.

The lower esophageal sphincter can be affected by some drugs and cause acid reflux. These drugs include broncho-dilators such as theophylline, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), tri-cyclic antidepressants ie amitryptilline and drugs for Parkinson’s disease.

GERD symptoms are affected by female hormones. Women on hormones, in a Scandinavian Study had showed a greater risk. These drugs include the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The peristaltic waves in the esophagus can be slowed down by sedatives and tranquillisers and can affect proper discharge of food from the esophagus.

If you are on medication and you have GERD, opt for liquid medication. Certain drugs ie tetracycline are corrosive to the lining of the esophagus. Tablets and capsules (gelcaps) can lodge in the esophagus. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water to wash the medication down. Avoid taking medication while lying down. GERD patients should always take medication sitting up or standing and avoid lying down immediately after.

Nicotine in corrosive to the esophageal lining and also relaxes the LES. Stop smoking and your GERD might improve.

GERD risk is increased by certain exercises. This is the case in competitive weightlifting and cycling. Joggers can develop acid reflux symptoms.

If by eliminating all the risk factors, your symptoms disappear, then you have actually cured your acid reflux. However, if the symptoms persist, the next step is a visit to your doctor.

 

What is Obesity?

Obesity definition is very straightforward. Obesity is simply defined as being overweight. It entails that huge amounts of fat are stored in your organism, which contributes to the excess body weight. An individual’s weight has to be in balance with his or her height, which entails within the body mass index (BMI). The perfect BMI goes between 18.5 to 24.9. So, in clinical terms Body mass index of 30 and above is outlined as obesity.

Obesity can be harmful on the general health and lifestyle of a person. Individuals who are fat become very inactive as they realize it hard to take part in plenty of everyday activities. They cannot move easily, they are all the time tired and they are exposed of becoming ill with different sorts of illnesses ranging from cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, and lots of others.

What are the causes of obesity

As already identified that most general reasons for obesity may be idle lifestyle, high intake of calories and scientific reasons as well (such as psychiatric, medical and genetic causes). As previously mentioned, a inactive and unmoving way of living is the first on the list of factors which cause obesity. An individual finds it difficult to do exercises or go in for some sport, which bit by bit has negative influence on his weight turning him into an obese person.

It is genetics which is another cause of obesity. It has been discovered that the gene for obesity has been transmitted from generation to generation. Therefore, the kids whose parents are obese show a tendency to be obese. Individuals who have genetic factors to become obese find it hard to lose weight in the long term.
Furthermore, some psychological problems can cause obesity. It means that people tend to overeat when they are hopeless, anxious, indignant, even fatigued with something that, consequently, leads to obesity. Besides, several diseases and conditions like Cushing’s syndrome, Hypothyroidism, Depression, and different neurologic problems cause glutting which successively causes storing of too much fat in the organism.

However, the most frequent reason why people overeat is that they lack time to take healthy food snce they are stuffed with lots of responsibilities. Wild schedules have given to the ingestion of fast and processed food, which, on one hand, don’t contain sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals and, on the other, has too much calories.

So, how can a person get rid of obesity?

Obese people mean that they will be fat always and that they will never slim down. Of course this is nonsense, and the solution does exist. You may easily cure obesity if you are disciplined, have a strong will, and if you stick to the regulations which you must follow before you decide to go on a diet. It is most important to discern the problem and then go to your doctor who will give you professional advice considering your obesity problem.

Luckily, there are great numbers of weight loss programs today, which give extraordinary results. Or you might even opt for some different methods that fulfill your requirements, among which some may be very extreme like obesity operation or ingestion of anti-obesity drugs.