Reflux pains

Hi there.
Not my useual subject today,something from Canada.com. quite an intersting subject, take a look

"The Facts on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is the backflow of stomach contents (including stomach acid) upward into the esophagus, which is the swallowing tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach. The lining of the stomach protects the stomach from the effects of its own acids. Because the esophagus lacks a similar protective lining, stomach acid that flows backward (refluxes) into it causes heartburn (also called dyspepsia).

Many people experience heartburn occasionally; however, people who get severe heartburn several times a week are considered to have GERD. The condition affects 29% of people in Canada.

Causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
GERD occurs when the sphincter, a valve (called the lower esophageal sphincter or "LES") that normally keeps acid in the stomach, isn't functioning properly. Acid that moves from the stomach into the esophagus damages its protective lining and causes inflammation and pain. Risk factors are characteristics that may increase your chance for developing a condition. Risk factors for GERD include:

age (over 50 years old)
being overweight or obese
eating and drinking certain types of foods and drinks (see below)
having excess abdominal mass
pregnancy
smoking
taking certain medications (e.g., NSAIDs, ASA, corticosteroids)
The following foods can cause symptoms of GERD, but may not necessarily cause GERD itself:

alcoholic drinks
chocolate
coffee, tea, cola
foods with high acid content (e.g., tomatoes, orange juice)
fried or fatty foods
garlic
onions
peppermint
spicy foods
Some researchers believe that GERD is associated with a condition called hiatus hernia in which a portion of the stomach lining pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. People with severe GERD almost always have a hiatus hernia.

Symptoms and Complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
The main symptom of GERD is heartburn, a burning pain behind the breastbone that can travel to the back of the throat. The pain can last up to two hours and is often worsened by eating, lying down, or bending over.

Because heartburn and a heart attack have similar symptoms, it is important to note their differences. For someone having a heart attack, burning pain travels progressively down the left arm or both arms. For someone with GERD, the burning pain is localized to the upper chest. In addition, exercise may worsen the chest pain for someone having a heart attack (or someone with heart disease), while rest and certain medications may help to relieve it. On the other hand, the burning pain associated with GERD is usually not affected by physical activity. In any case, even people with characteristic features of GERD may require tests to ensure the symptoms are not being caused by a heart attack.

Other symptoms of GERD include a sour or bitter taste in the throat or back of the mouth, belching, and upset stomach or vomiting. Symptoms of GERD are generally worse after meals.

If GERD is not well managed, other complications can arise over time. These include:

esophageal strictures (scarring of the lining of the esophagus) that reduce the diameter of the esophagus, making swallowing difficult
pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), which affects the vocal chords and can alter a person's voice and speech
dental problems such as an increased risk of cavities or teeth damage, due to the acid reflux
asthma, especially in adults
Barrett's hyperplasia or Barrett's esophagus, which occurs when abnormal healing takes place after an ulcer has destroyed an area of the esophageal lining. The usual lining is replaced with tissue like that found in the stomach or intestine. People with this condition may be at a higher risk of developing cancer of the esophagus over time.
In this factsheet: The Facts on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Symptoms and Complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Diagnosing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Treating and Preventing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Diagnosing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Only people with severe chronic heartburn are likely to be tested for GERD. Doctors will often take a series of X-rays of the stomach to look for other possible problems, such as peptic ulcers. There are also tests to measure the pH (acidity) of the esophagus and the internal pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The most important diagnostic tool is the endoscope, a fibre-optic tube passed down the throat that permits the doctor to see the inside of the esophagus.

People who have had regular or daily heartburn for five years or more should be tested for Barrett's esophagus. Many doctors check their patients who have this condition every year or two, looking for changes that may eventually develop into cancerous growths.

Treating and Preventing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Most symptoms of GERD can be managed with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Surgery is reserved for people with severe complications but is needed only rarely.

Medications that can be used to reduce stomach acid include antacids and H2-antagonists (e.g., cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine).* For people with more severe conditions or ulcers, or for people whose symptoms do not improve with these medications, another group of medications called proton pump inhibitors may be used (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole).

For some people, a group of medications called prokinetic agents are used to help move the stomach content through the bowels and prevent any backward flow (e.g., metoclopramide, domperidone).

In addition to medications, symptoms of GERD can be improved further by making one or more lifestyle changes, such as:

eat meals earlier, especially dinner
eat smaller meals more frequently, instead of two or three large meals
avoid lying down within two or three hours after meals
reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
stop smoking
lose excess weight
exercise regularly
place the head of your bed six inches higher than the foot of the bed
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about these treatment options.

If you have GERD, the medication your doctor recommends will depend on the severity of your symptoms and condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about which medication or combination of medications is appropriate for you.


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*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist."

Although this is not a normal back pain related subject, I hope it is of interest and value. General health can and does have an impact on back pain.
For more information on back pain pleas goto: www.backpainloss.com and have fun
Be well
Paul