RedGage

After I began taking my medications for my chronic disease, I started having real problems with acid reflux. Sometimes I would have a sour salty taste in my mouth. Usually, I would have heartburn. After I complained, my doctors decided to give me a protein pump inhibitor. It was a strong prescribed medication (Prevacid). It only took a day before the pain in my stomach and esophagus quieted.

Because I was very naïve about heartburn and acid reflux and because the only information my doctors gave me was that acid reflux could cause cancer, I decided to do a little research on the subject.

The Stomach

The stomach makes a strong acid to breakdown food particles. Sometimes when a person eats food that have a high acid content, the acid will go up the esophagus. Because the esophagus is not lined like the stomach, a person will feel the backed up acid as heartburn. When the stomach sphincter (above the stomach) doesn't stop the stomach acid, it is called acid reflux.

Some backed up acid is normal.  But, if you have acid reflux or heartburn more than two times a week, then you need to go see the doctor. When you have these symptoms often, you might have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). GERD is a chronic condition, which if not treated can cause cancer.

The Symptoms

Here are the main symptoms of GERD. Not everyone will have all of the symptoms.

• Heartburn: a burning sensation in the middle of the chest
• Regurgitation: the stomach acid washes up to the mouth
• Dysphagia: difficulty Swallowing:
• Water brash: the mouth saliva tastes sour or salty

Treatments

There are several treatments that can help a person with GERD. Some of these include the following:

• Lifestyle changes: lose weight, quit smoking, don't eat three hours before bedtime, etc
• Antacids: Reduce acid production
• Medication to protect the esophagus
• Medication to cause the stomach to empty faster
• Acid-suppressive agents: like protein pumps inhibitors. Some of these can be found OTC or prescribed

GERD is definitely a painful condition. Even though it can be fairly normal, if it happens to you more than two times a week, you should have it checked out. One Wegener'sGranulomatosis patient was having problems with regurgitation. Her only symptom was that she was coughing a lot when she went to bed. When her doctor started treating GERD, she began to sleep better.

So get that problem checked out. You'll be glad you did.