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Heartburn / GERD Spotlight10

What Are Your Top Heartburn Causes?

Sunday April 17, 2011

For some people, food is their top cause of heartburn. For others, exercise or going to bed too soon after eating causes the most heartburn for them. What are your top heartburn causes? Share your story about what most often causes your heartburn.

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Are Proton Pump Inhibitors Effective in the Treatment of GERD in Children?

Thursday April 7, 2011

In a new study, researchers reviewed 12 clinical trials that studied the effectiveness of medications for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants, children, and teens. The researchers found there was wasn't enough evidence to show that these medications, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), were that effective in treating symptoms of GERD in infants. For older children and teens, these medication appeared to be more effective in treating the symptoms.

This researchers, in an article published in the journal, Pediatrics, stated that there isn't enough data yet to tell whether or not there is any long-term benefits or safety to using PPIs in children. However, this doesn't mean PPIs should never be used to treat GERD in children, according to lead researcher Dr. Rachel J. van der Pol, of Emma Children's Hospital in Amsterdam.

There are other physicians who appear to disagree with this research. Dr. Steven J. Czinn at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore who also chairs the American College of Gastroenterology's Pediatric Gastrointestinal Committee, stated "I would caution against drawing conclusions from a review of 12 studies." He added that there were hundreds of studies on GERD treatment of children, but only a dozen fit the researchers' criteria.

Those involved in this new study do state that further research is needed to study the effectiveness of GERD treatment in infants and children.

More details on this study can be found on the Pediatrics Journal website.

PPIs include Aciphex, Dexilant, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix .

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"Why Do I Still Have Heartburn?"

Thursday March 31, 2011

You are at your ideal weight, have been following a low-acid diet, are avoiding the foods that can cause heartburn, and are taking antacids -- but you still have heartburn. Why?

Despite doing everything right, there are a few reasons why you may still be suffering from heartburn. Here are some of those reasons you may still have heartburn.

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Causes of Heartburn

Tuesday March 22, 2011

You've just enjoyed a big meal and are relaxing in front of the TV when it happens. A burning sensation begins to build in the upper abdomen, behind the breastbone, and makes your chest feel like it's on fire. The burning and pain may travel from your diaphragm all the way to your throat, and may be accompanied with a sour taste and the sensation of food re-entering your mouth.

You're suffering from severe heartburn.

Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It's a digestive problem that occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, causing irritation. Most people suffer from heartburn occasionally, usually after a meal. For others, heartburn occurs more often, and is considered chronic.

The following is a list of causes or underlying conditions that could possibly be the cause heartburn.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux disease, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus.

Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, and up into the chest. This opening is called the esophageal hiatus or diaphragmatic hiatus.

Peptic Ulcers
Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric or stomach ulcers, and those in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers, and both are usually referred to as peptic ulcers.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
There are two sphincter muscles located in the esophagus: The lower esophageal sphincter and upper esophageal sphincter. When the lower esophageal sphincter is not functioning properly, there is a backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, and can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If the upper esophageal sphincter doesn't function properly, acid is allowed into the throat and voice box. When this happens, it's called Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, or LPR.

Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents.

Pregnancy
Even for women who have never experienced it before, heartburn may occur for the first time while they are pregnant.

Asthma
Studies have shown that approximately 75% of asthma patients also suffer from GERD. It has also been found that asthmatics are twice as likely to have GERD as non-asthmatics.

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