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Defining
Acid Reflux and
Indigestion
Have you
heard of acid reflux? You likely have. You
might even think you might be suffering from it
yourself. There are many symptoms and signs
that go along with acid reflux and indigestion.
The best source you can have is your doctor.
However if you are interested in doing the
research yourself, you can find a wealth of
material on the Web on acid reflux and
indigestion. Take a look at how most people
define acid reflux and indigestion and think
about if you need to discuss your symptoms
further with your medical
professional.
When you
start talking about acid reflux, the word GERD
might pop up as well. GERD, which is short for
gastroesophageal reflux disease, is when the
acid from your stomach is regurgitated into
your esophagus. This can create a bad taste in
your mouth, a burning sensation in your throat,
and more. The process associated with GERD is
very harmful. Although many people choose to
simply live with the unpleasant effects, there
are things that can be complicated when you
deal with GERD over a long period of
time.
One of the
complications can be erosion of the esophagus.
This can lead to Barrett’s disease or other
problems with your esophagus. In addition, your
esophagus can stay corroded and bothered which
is called esophagitis.
The thing to
remember about acid reflux is that it can and
should be treated. If you choose not to treat
it, you should know it will not go away and
might even get worse. You should take your
medication as directed to control your symptoms
and keep complications from
arising.
Indigestion
Indigestion
is often grouped into the same category with
acid reflux however they are not exactly the
same things. Those with indigestion can also
have acid reflux. Indigestion is often seen as
being a milder form in fact. However, most
people will indigestion will experience
different symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms of those with
indigestion are gassy episodes, discomfort in
the chest and neck area, and nausea. While the
symptoms can feel similar, the causes are often
different as well. One of the main reasons
people feel indigestion is because of their
eating habits.
One thing people with indigestion often do is
eat too quickly. They may not give their food
enough time to go through the digestive system
after each bite. So, you may want to take your
time when you eat to avoid the symptoms that go
along with
indigestion.
Another
reason many people have indigestion is because
they eat too much at one time. If you tend to
overeat, you will likely get indigestion. Try
to eat half as much as you typically do and see
if your symptoms cease a
bit.
The bad news
is that both acid reflux and indigestion are
both bothersome conditions that can strongly
affect your life. However, the good news is
that the symptoms can be treated through
lifestyle changes and medication. So, attack
your acid reflux and indigestion head on and
take control of your life
again.
A surgical option for acid
reflux
Those with acid
reflux know that the problem is one that will
stay with them for life. Caused by a lack of
strength of the lower esophageal sphincter,
acid reflux causes harmful fluids to rise from
the stomach into the esophagus, causing
corrosive damage due to the stomach acid found
in the liquid. In addition to the possibility
of developing serious health conditions such as
erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and
esophageal cancer, patients afflicted with acid
reflux have to deal with the agony of heartburn
on a daily basis.
But all of that
may change. There is a new surgical procedure
that is finding its way into clinics across the
nation which may help to snuff out acid reflux
for those who undergo the surgery. Known as the
Plicator procedure, this treatment option
requires a mere twenty minutes and is an
outpatient procedure. Does it sound too good to
be true? Here’s a simple explanation of what
exactly happens when one undergoes a Plicator
procedure.
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The
Plicator, which is a small electronic
device, is placed on the end of an
endoscopy tube. Endoscopies are a
simple procedure performed by doctors
in which a tube is lowered into the
digestive tract via the mouth while the
patient is in a state of conscious
sedation.
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The
Plicator travels through the digestive
tract until it reaches the stomach.
Once the Plicator is firmly in place in
the stomach, it is maneuvered so that
it can grab the tissue that is located
in between the stomach and the
esophagus. The Plicator then closes its
arms, causing it to crimp the tissue. A
single suture is placed to secure the
fold that was made by the Plicator.
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As a
result, the area between the stomach
and the esophagus now has a much
tighter opening. This can aid the lower
esophageal sphincter in being able to
successfully open and close the
passageway between the stomach and the
esophagus.
That’s all there is to it! People who undergo
the procedure generally experience no ill
effects, and can often return to regular levels
of activity the following day. Research studies
were conducted at several institutes to help
determine the efficiency of the procedure when
it comes to relieving heartburn. The studies
showed that the need for prescription heartburn
medications was eliminated in 70 percent of all
patients who underwent the procedure! Also, 80
percent of all patients undergoing the surgery
saw a lessened amount of reflux post-procedure.
After undergoing the surgery, patients are
often advised to follow a diet of soft foods
for a few days while the suture sets.
The
effects of the surgery can be seen almost
suddenly; within a few days of the surgery,
most people are able to wane themselves off of
their heartburn medications. People who have
the surgery performed commonly experience sore
throats or abdominal pain after the procedure,
but these problems usually clear up within a
few days. For more information regarding the
Plicator procedure, you can visit
http://www.ndosurgical.com/patient_portal/plicator_procedure.htm
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