GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is caused when the opening between the esophagus and the stomach becomes looser or relaxes at the wrong times. Normally, this opening allows food to travel only from your esophagus into your stomach. A muscular valve, called a sphincter, normally keeps stomach contents, including stomach acid, in the stomach.
When the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus (becomes loose or relaxes at the wrong time, the stomach contents can flow up from the stomach into the esophagus. This irritates the esophagus, which doesn't have a special lining to protect it from acid like the stomach does.
Over production of acid in the stomach is often the cause. The first line of defense is diet. Next is medication to reduce the acid in the stomach. Best known of these are Cox2 inhibitors, and PPIs-protein pump inhibitors. They inhibit the production of acid in the stomach. Prescription medications include Nexium and Protonix which are longer term, but take awhile to work. OTC medication can provide immediate, though short term relief. There are a bunch of them including Tums; Pepcid; Zantac, Mylanta. Try them and see which one works best for you. I use Nexium and Pepcid Complete.
2007-02-25 11:41:14
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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i produced acid reflux disease when i was 14. i got so depressed due to abuse that was occurring that i stopped eating. within 2 weeks i had acid reflux and now i can't get rid of it.
you can acid reflux from not eating, stress, having other stomach problems i just hope no one gets it the same way i did.
2007-02-25 11:31:17
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answer #3
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answered by misbehaveing 2
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Check out this webpage:
http://improvedhealthandfitness.com/The_Main_Causes_of_Acid_Reflux.html
Hope it helps...
2007-02-26 03:45:56
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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