 |
| Acid Reflux |
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid Reflux develops in a person
when the hydrochloric acid present in a person's stomach rises to the
esophagus. It is a tube that helps connect the throat and stomach. When the
esophagus valve that connects the esophagus and stomach does not close
properly. Gastric juice ends by extending the pipe upward. When inappropriate
levels of acid are left in the stomach, it results in various unpleasant
symptoms.
Acid Reflux Disease is a condition that has received a lot of
attention in the media over the years. Medications for this disease are
advertised in magazines and promised to relieve symptoms on television so that
you can live your life as you always have. But in media headlines, many people
at this place are asking "What is acid reflux?"
There is some misunderstanding as
to what it really is. Many people think that this is just a bad case of
heartburn and while it may be one of the first symptoms it is much more serious
than stomach gas. What starts as heartburn gets progressively worse, as it is
due to the reactivation of stomach acid and bile, which is not protected from
the corrosive effects of the esophagus. This is what gives it its medical name;
Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Resurgence of stomach contents in
this reflux or esophagus causes a myriad of symptoms. This rebound, however, is
not the real cause of GERD. The stomach contents do not flow back into the
esophagus because there is a set of sphincters that are believed to prevent
this from happening.
These three sphincters;
Anti-reflux barrier (ARB), lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and
gastroisophageal valve (GEV) are responsible for keeping the stomach contents
in the stomach. When one or all of these sphincters become weak or fail, they
cannot cause gastric acid to flow back into the throat. This failure is the
cause of acid reflux
disease.
Heartburn is usually the first
symptom most people experience with the condition. Heartburn may be accompanied
by burning or pressure in the upper chest. There will be a bitter taste in the
back of the throat followed by a painful burning and then swallowing problems.
If your symptoms have progressed to this point and you have not seen a doctor,
it is important to make an appointment as soon as possible.
If you leave acid reflux untreated, it can soon damage the esophagus and throat.
Stomach acid will damage the lining of the esophagus which leads to
esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus. The larynx can also be damaged,
causing voice problems and hoarseness. Further damage to the throat may be a
chronic cough, choking and nausea and vomiting after eating.
If the lower part of the
esophagus continues to decline, cellular changes may occur, known as Barrett's
esophagus. This pre-fatal condition greatly increases the risk of developing
esophageal cancer.
If you have symptoms, but are not
sure what acid reflux is, it is
important to visit a doctor. The sooner you are diagnosed and the longer your
chances of not suffering from complications are treated the better that the
disease can leave it untreated.
If you want to know more about Acid Reflux,
you can visit our website or you can also call on +919015100300.
Read More:
No comments:
Post a Comment