| There are many people who are being diagnosed | | | | of medicine is best used 1/2 hour before a meal |
| with GERD. As strange as this may sound, GERD | | | | so it can get to work and be ready for the food |
| is commonly known as Acid Reflux Disease. I | | | | digestion process. These same medicines can be |
| have a nephew who complained of nausea in the | | | | taken just before bed to help reduce the amount |
| morning, stomach aches and a sore throat. After | | | | of harmful acids being produced. |
| going to the doctor he was diagnosed with | | | | Newer medicines have been created that work |
| gastroesophageal reflux disease, (GERD). This is a | | | | differently than these acid neutralizers just |
| medical condition where the liquids from the | | | | mentioned. Known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI), |
| stomach go back up into the esophagus. The liquid | | | | these drugs actually block the production of |
| contains stomach acids and can inflame and | | | | antacids into the stomach. Since the acid |
| damage the lining of the esophagus. Fortunately, | | | | production is turned off, it will help prevent acid |
| treatment is available for GERD. By changing your | | | | from going up the esophagus and promote healing |
| diet, taking the right types of medicines and | | | | from the burning and inflammation that is caused |
| modifying your sleeping habits, your GERD | | | | by Acid Reflux. Brands like Prilosec, Nexium, |
| symptoms could diminish. | | | | Protonix and Prevacid are all PPI type drugs and |
| Diet: | | | | usually involve a doctors script. |
| Certain foods can promote GERD. They reduce | | | | Sleeping Habits: |
| the amount of pressure in the lower esophageal | | | | Believe it or not, the way you sleep can promote |
| muscle and cause the "reflux" to occur. Avoiding | | | | GERD. Laying flat on your back allows the |
| the following foods will help: Chocolate, | | | | stomach acids to easily evacuate up into your |
| peppermint, alcohol, Fatty Foods, caffeinated | | | | esophagus. Elevate your bed where your head is |
| Drinks and even smoking. At meal time, try eating | | | | positioned. Using a simple bed pillow to elevate |
| smaller meals earlier in the evening. The smaller | | | | your head won't help. You need to elevate your |
| meals will help keep the acids from going up the | | | | upper body too. There are special wedge pillows |
| esophagus. By eating earlier, you stomach will | | | | available that are designed to do just this. Do a |
| have had a chance to fully digest your food. | | | | Google search for "mfasco wedge pillow" and you |
| Chewing gum can help reduce acid in the | | | | will find wedge pillows in different sizes. A direct |
| esophagus by increasing saliva production. Once | | | | link for a Foam Bed Wedge Pillow For Acid Reflux |
| swallowed, the saliva helps neutralizes acid in the | | | | is here. Notice the pillow is large enough for you |
| esophagus. | | | | to rest your shoulders and upper body. The |
| Taking the Right Medicines: | | | | bigger the pillow, the better. For about 25 - 30 |
| Don't take plain old antacid tablets. These will only | | | | dollars you can sleep better at night. |
| help for a very short time. There are two types | | | | As always, consult your doctor about your health. |
| of medicines on the market today specifically | | | | Do not self diagnose and always read the |
| designed to help the symptoms of GERD. The | | | | directions, warnings and instructions on any |
| first medicine developed specifically for the | | | | medication you take. The symptoms you are |
| treatment of acid related disorders was Tagamet. | | | | experiencing could be a more serious problem not |
| This product and others like it (Zantac, Axid | | | | related to GERD. Having said that, the simple |
| & Pepcid) were designed to neutralize acids in | | | | changes to your diet, sleeping habits and the right |
| the stomach. Your stomach will continue to | | | | medicines could significantly help your Acid Reflux |
| naturally produce acid, but these products will | | | | Disease. Seek help and feel better. |
| counter-act that acid by neutralizing it. This type | | | | |