New Tool May Help to Detect Reflux in Children

New Tool May Help to Detect Reflux in Children
Scintigraphy may become the newest tool to detect acid reflux in children. Research from Pakistan shows scintigraphy to be highly effective at safely diagnosing reflux, while delivering smaller doses of radiation as compared to the more traditional barium x-ray test.   Scintigraphy is a diagnostic test in which a 2 dimensional picture is obtained through detection of radiation emitted by a radioactive source given to the body (the...

Diagnosing Reflux in Kids – One Simple Question

Diagnosing Reflux in Kids – One Simple Question
In spite of the fancy technology available to quantitate and qualitate reflux in kids, its identification remains what we call a clinical diagnosis. That means that as physicians we make the diagnosis by talking to patients. As pediatricians we depend on a parent's input to help round out the symptoms described by a child.   But many times when I directly ask parents about symptoms of heartburn they immediately dismiss the idea. ...

Nexium Approved for Children – 5 Reasons It’s Important

The FDA recently approved the use of Nexium in children down to age one year. What does this mean for kids and how will it change the way we look at reflux?   1. Awareness. The education for physicians and direct-to-consumer advertising that we all expect from Astra-Zeneca should raise awareness that reflux is alive and well in childhood. Amen.  2. Comfort. FDA approval is often the stamp of approval that some doctors need... Complete news...

Economic Impact on Food Choices

Economic Impact on Food Choices
As food prices climb, I encourage you to avoid the pressure to choose cheaper, processed, additive-dense foods for you or someone you love who may have acid reflux. The phrase that describes this exchange is "trading down" food choices and this phrase is already being used by politicians to describe one way in which some American families are adjusting to a slower economy.   It's no secret that natural food stores such as Whole Foods...

Five Signs of Childhood Acid Reflux That You May Overlook

The younger your child, the harder it may be to recognize the signs of acid reflux. Here are five common signs that can be an indication of acid reflux: 1. Dental Enamel Loss When reflux reaches the mouth it can eat away at a child's dental enamel and predispose him or her to tooth decay. If you suspect reflux in your child, ask your dentist to look for signs of reflux damage in the teeth. In addition to treatment of the reflux... Further reading...

The TRUTH Behind Your Acid Reflux Disease

Get the FACTS on How to Limit and Stop Acid Reflux Disease from
an Ex Acid Reflux Sufferer and Qualified Nutritionist.

Acid reflux disease, or GERD - gastro-esophageal reflux disease
as it is known, is caused by the coincidence of two medical
conditions. The first condition contributing to acid reflux
disease is the backward flow of food and acid from the stomach to
the esophagus. Nonetheless, the reflux does not always result in
symptoms of GERD or changes in the organic tissues, and can
happen in healthy individuals as well, when it is referred to as
"physiologic gastroesophageal reflux".

The second factor encouraging GERD is a malfunction of the LES,
the lower esophageal sphincter. The LES is a circle of muscle of
3-4 cm, some two to three times thicker than the proximal
esophagus and acting as a valve between the esophagus and the
stomach. When acid reflux disease occurs, the LES fails to close
correctly and stomach contents is pushed back into the esophagus.
With symptoms of the disease after this process, this is then
called gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

The typical sensation of acid reflux disease is persistent (twice
weekly or more) heartburn. Heartburn is the burning feeling in
the chest or the throat, when the stomach contents is pushed back
to the lining of the esophagus. As people in good health may also
have light reflux, occasional heartburn is common as well and
does not immediately mean gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Other sufferers of GERD may also feel chest-pains or suffer from
coughs, hoarseness in the morning, vocal changes, problems in
swallowing (notably lumpy foods), lasting earache, burning pains
in the chest, nausea or sinusitis. Some sufferers describe
sensations of food being stuck, choking or tightness in the
throat. This is caused by the continual flow back of stomach
contents in contact with the esophagus, resulting in swelling of
the esophagus due scars from histological damage.

Acid reflux disease left untreated can have serious health
consequences. These include constriction, bleeding, ulcers and
spasms of the esophagus. When the acid from the stomach gets to
the trachea as well as the upper esophagus, several severe
conditions such as asthma, sinusitis and pneumonia can occur.
Some patients can develop a condition known as Barrett's
esophagus, where abnormal shapes and colors of cells occur in the
esophageal lining. This is an initial stage before esophageal
cancer, notably in adults over 60 years old.

There are three options for treating acid reflux disease:
surgery, medical therapy and holistic therapy that includes
changes in diet and lifestyle and taking specific herbal
supplements. Using surgery merits very careful consideration,
given that certain underlying conditions can be complicated, such
as constriction and muscular contraction disorders. PPIs and H2
blockers are among the options for medical intervention in cases
of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. While it is possible to
apply prescribed medications or acid blockers like these,
remember that the results are sometimes only temporary and that
conventional medicine can lead to serious side effects.

>From an overall point of view, GERD is an alarm signal pertaining
to a significant imbalance internally that must be correctly
resolved. For this reason, alternative medicine such as
homeopathic remedies, herbal medicine, changes in lifestyle as
components of a full holistic plan are clearly recommended for
sufferers of acid reflux disease.

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Jeff Martin is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist,
health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book,
"Heartburn No More- Open The Door To an Acid Reflux Free Life".
Jeff has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been
featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of
websites worldwide. http://www.acidrefluxatoz.com