Why are there so many people all off sudden with acid reflux disease?

Question

Why all of sudden are there so many people with this problem? I mean 20 years ago, yes there were people with heartburn, but it seems like within the last 5 years millions and millions of people are getting this disease. What's causing it? Is this wave of diagnosis isolated to the U.S., or are Europe and other areas also seeing the same issue? Why isn't anyone researching why this is such a widespread problem that came about so quickly?

I don't think it's just fast food. I know several people who never have fast food, and are careful what they eat, and they still have severe acid reflux.

I know drug companies are making tons of money off this, but this isn't a made-up disease. It can keep you up all night and it can destroy your esophagus. Millions of people have this moderately-serious medical condition, and no one seems to have any serious answers on where it comes from, and why so many people have it all of sudden.

Well no one really gave me an answer as to what is causing this epidemic besides poor eating habits. But Americans have been eating poorly for decades, it doesn't really explain why there is this rash outbreak of Acid Reflux in the past 5 years (or why there isn't more research going into the cause, instead of just treating the symptoms)

Answer 1

Here are some interesting tidbits I gleaned from the Wikipedia article on acid reflux (also known as GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Foods
Certain foods and lifestyle are considered to promote gastroesophageal reflux:

Coffee, alcohol, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements are stimulants of gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can promote evening reflux. Calcium containing antacids are in this group[3].
Foods high in fats and smoking reduce lower esophageal sphincter competence, so avoiding these tends to help, as well. Fat also delays emptying of the stomach.
Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of GERD, as it means there is less food in the stomach at any one time.
avoid eating for 2 hours before bedtime
avoid soft drinks that contain caffeine
avoid chocolate and peppermint
avoid spicy foods
avoid acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes(okay when fresh.)
avoid cruciferous vegetables: onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts
milk and milk-based products contain calcium and fat, so should be avoided before bedtime.

However, following this list of foods directly is not 100% accurate for some have a more serious case of GERD than others. Thus, it is up to an individual to decide which foods bother tham and which ones do not. But practical advice offered by many sources is to avoid food for a minimum of 2 hours before bedtime and, also, not lying down after a meal.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I'll stick my nose in here. For me, it was partially the food. I adore ketchup (think it should be its own food group personally), spicy foods, Coca Cola, and sugar free gum made with Sorbitol, all VERY bad news when it comes to stomach acids.

However, my story does not end there. I am under EXTREME stress right now and have been for the last 3 years. We know the acid reflux began before that (I was hospitalized with acid-reflux induced pneumonia 4 years ago), but it wasn't until my throat started closing I really noticed. Stress is a huge complicating factor -- it makes the acid churn even more. Add to that is a poor diet (1 meal a day), too many caffeinated and carbonated drinks to keep me going, incredible work hours, and you have a recipe for acid reflux. I happily pay my $125 month for Prevacid -- I have an open throat, a semi-calm stomach, and no more adult-onset asthma (guess where that came from?) or pneumonia.

Answer 4

You can get rid of acid reflux and heartburn with this natural method http://acidreflux-cure.info
Usually, heartburnThe most common symptom of acid reflux disease (also known as gastroespohageal reflux disease, or GERD). Heartburn feels like a burning pain in the center of the chest. It is caused by acid from the stomach backing up into the esophagus. is a symptom of acid reflux disease (GERD) Also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Describes the condition of backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus which frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes more often than it should and/or at inappropriate times. The symptoms of acid reflux disease typically occur on 2 or more days a week.. And if you suffer from persistent heartburn on two or more days a week—and you’ve treated it and changed your diet—it could be due to acid refluxBackflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Acid reflux frequently happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes more often than it should and/or at inappropriate times. This allows harsh stomach juices to back up into the esophagus. disease. But only your doctor can tell you if these are signs of acid reflux disease.

Answer 5

Its more about the foods that we eat, right now while gerd is on the rise, so is obesity, see the comparison. However there are a large amount of babies with gerd, for instance my youngest has it. His however is from immature nerves to keep his esophogus closed, and well he wil lnot have gerd when he is over 2 years old.

The problem is also on the rise because of the rise in the population.

A lot of the gi docs are calling any heartburn problem gerd, I have a hiatal hernia (from weight gain) and they say also I have the diagnosis of gerd, well the gerd is secondary to the hiatal hernia not that I have gerd itself by itself. If a patient has an ulcer, the docs are saying they also have gerd... and do forth. A lot is a secodnary diagnosis, and anymore to get insurance to pay for meidications like prevacid which is sooo expensive you have to have a well defined diagnosis.
Prevacid cost at least 150-300 dollars a month for a prescription.

so, its not really an epidemic, its the population rise, the drs way of diagnosing diseases, and more and more people going to the dr.

Answer 6

Hello,
The most common symptom of GERD is persistent heartburn. Heartburn is experienced as an unpleasant and painful burning sensation in the esophageal area.

If you have already been diagnosed with GERD / acid reflux you can also try out this natural remedy http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=568
Cheers ;)

Answer 7

Its the "disease dijour" ....the drug companies have worked hard to find a pill to help this problem and now they are advertising the crap out of it...kick backs to Dr. who prescribe it even. Free gifts to the nurses like pens and pocket calanders.

When the drug companies come up with the next round of meds to cure or help something that will be advertised to death too...then whatever is next will be the disease dijour.
NOt to mention we are a fast food culture and that cant bo good for our bodies.....oh wait its not its been proven already. Im sure that has something to do with the upswing in gastric ailments.
20 years ago mothers cooked at home for thier families now its ..."lets all pile into the family mini van and get a happy meal for the kiddies and a super sized number 1 for Mom and Dad.

Answer 8

fast food..we have eaten to much of it..also the taking of tum/Rolaids/ and other medications for immediate relief with no long term help. the stomach has a pH that has to be maintained..when a person thinks he is having an acid problem in reality he needs more acid added. this causes the stomach to think its job of digestion is done. killing the acid making process of the body only creates a idea that the body needs to create more acid. a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar before each meal...restores the stomach pH and allows it to cut off it excess acid making process...drugs that can be taken for this problem..stop the symptoms..hurting but don't correct the disease..

Answer 9

Because the majority of people in the US don't eat properly. Too much, (yeah, mega size that McDonalds, fat laden, carbohydrate meal cooked in hydrogenated oil, with that bucket of acid filled, & fake sugar, diet coke for me please?) fat & carbs to go. Not enough time. Stupid people dumping raw sewage on one of the best veggies in the world in the cause of 'organic' farming.
It is healthy if you dry the maure first idiots!

Read: Eat Right For (4) Your Blood Type. Dr Peter D'Adamo. It will show you that we are what we eat in most cases.

Answer 10

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