GERD incidence rates for various countries?

Esomeprazole is a medication used to treat gestational acid reflux disease (GERD). Buy esomeprazole tablets and feel better today!

Question:

> Mark, everbody is completely well, right up until the day they get sick… > The mechanism behind TILESR’s is that the LES inappropriately get a signal > to relax. There are several things that can initiate this. Most frequent is > simply a full stomach. There are some foods/substances that can cause this > such as nicotine, alcohol, caffiene, and some spices. There is some > speculation that it can be induced by stress, but this link has not been > demonstrated. > The cause? It just happens. Some people are genetically prone to it. In your > case, I would suspect that GERD runs in the family. > HMc

Thanks again. It seems your suspicions could be correct… I just spoke with my father and found out that he has had GERD for a while. I always remembered him popping a lot of Antacids when I was a kid but I never made the connection. thanks for the insight. Mark

Response:

> It seems your suspicions could be correct… > I just spoke with my father and found out that he has had GERD for a > while. > I always remembered him popping a lot of Antacids when I was a kid but > I never made the connection.

Indeed, like a lot of medical conditions, people may have had problems in your family for years, but it was never diagnosed.  While nobody in my family had ever had heard of "GERD", quite a few of my relatives have had chronic "heartburn." That, and sometimes people don’t talk about their medical problems, even to relatives.  A friend of mine came down with Crohn’s disease, and only after the diagnosis and surgery did she discover that her father and grandfather both had the same disease (although neither of them had required surgery).  And I didn’t find out that red-green colorblindness ran in my mother’s family (or that I had it myself) until I had my medical exam for the Naval Academy, which rather put a damper on things… (yes, you can get quite far in life before you realize that you are red-green colorblind). — Richard W Kaszeta http://www.kaszeta.org/rich

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks for the reply. I had not considered the link between obesity > and Gerd as I am not overweight (probably closer to underweight) > So what originally causes the lower esophageal sphincter to not > function correctly? > It seems strange to me that all of a sudden one’s LES can stop working > correctly (as was the case with me…out of the blue one day a year > ago) > In my case, I am not overweight. I am realtively young(23). I do not > smoke or drink. I never eat fast food, or fatty foods. I dont eat > chocolate…or candy…etc The only meats that I eat are chicken and > fish. > but…I have had problems with stress in the past. > Is it possible for stress alone  to cause the LES to not function > correctly?

Mark, everbody is completely well, right up until the day they get sick… The mechanism behind TILESR’s is that the LES inappropriately get a signal to relax. There are several things that can initiate this. Most frequent is simply a full stomach. There are some foods/substances that can cause this such as nicotine, alcohol, caffiene, and some spices. There is some speculation that it can be induced by stress, but this link has not been demonstrated. The cause? It just happens. Some people are genetically prone to it. In your case, I would suspect that GERD runs in the family. HMc

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The mechanism behind TILESR’s is that the LES inappropriately get a signal >to relax. There are several things that can initiate this. Most frequent is >simply a full stomach. There are some foods/substances that can cause this >such as nicotine, alcohol, caffiene, and some spices. There is some >speculation that it can be induced by stress, but this link has not been >demonstrated. >The cause? It just happens. Some people are genetically prone to it. In your >case, I would suspect that GERD runs in the family. > A hiatal hernia will exaggerate them, also.

Actually, a hiatus hernia would affect LES resting pressure, but usually wouldn’t contribute to inappropriate LES relaxation. The latter are neurally mediated. Here are the basics: The LES is the barrier between the stomach and esophagus. Reflux occurs when intragastric pressure exceeds intraesophageal pressure, and when that pressure gradient is greater than the pressure of the LES. Therefore, anything that increases that gradient might promote reflux. Also, anything that causes lower pressure in the LES would facilitate reflux (at lower pressure gradients). Obese people (and pregnant people) have higher intrabdominal pressure due to the intrabdominal fat (baby), so that gradient is greater, more likely to exceed the LES pressure and cause reflux. That intrabdominal pressure goes even higher when that person bends over. When lying down, gravity now has no contribution to the pressure gradient. So reflux is more common when lying down, or when bending over. Additionally, some people (fat or thin) have a low LES resting pressure, so that pressure gradient between stomach and esophagus needs to be less for reflux to occur. And, some people have more active transient LES relaxation in response to full stomach, nicotine, alcohol etc. So, you could be a thin person, but have a low LES resting pressure (such as with hiatus hernia), or very active TLESR’s and get bad reflux. It is more common in obese people because of their higher intrabdominal pressure. And, it’s also true that the intrabdominal fat can push upward and aggravate a tendency to hiatus hernia, which in turn can lead to lower LES pressure, which in turn can lead to reflux. So, how do we cure GERD? (CURE, not just treat the symptoms with prilosec). We either have to lower intrabdominal pressure, increase LES pressure, or stop the TLESR’s. Or any combination of the three. If an obese person with GERD loses a lot of weight, their intrabdominal pressure goes down and their GERD will very likely go away. This is one reason why obesity surgery cures GERD. If a person with GERD has a Nissen fundoplication, that will increase the resting LES pressure and splint its relaxations, and GERD is cured. If a person with GERD has a Stretta procedure, that will increase LES pressure, AND it will ablate afferent nerve fibers that contribute to TLESR’s, and the GERD is cured. Medical antisecretory treatment only decreases the amount of acid present in the stomach. It doesn’t stop the reflux. In fact, reflux still occurs, but the refluxate is highly alkaline. This alkaline reflux doesn’t cause symptoms, but still has the capacity to severely damage the esophagus over time (Barrett’s esophagus). Medical treatment may very well not do anything to lower the risk of esophageal cancer. As I have said before, symptom management with antisecretory medication may be entirely appropriate if it   a) controls the symptoms to the patient’s satisfaction, and     b) there is not evidence of  Barrett’s esophagus. HMc

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Obesity is a very substantial contributing factor to GERD. Since obesity is > so rampantly epidemic here in the US, it’s not surprising that GERD is too. > Likewise, there is some correlation between lower incidence of GERD and > lower incidence of obesity in countries where the amount and type of food is > less obesity-inducing. > Diet does not cause GERD. GERD is caused by a dysfunctional lower esophageal > sphincter. That dysfunction causing reflux symptoms is exacerbated by the > increased intraabdominal pressure associated with obesity. > So, to the extent that diet contributes to obesity, GERD is indeed > diet -associated, and the classic American diet definitely makes it more > common in the US. > HMc

Thanks for the reply. I had not considered the link between obesity and Gerd as I am not overweight (probably closer to underweight) So what originally causes the lower esophageal sphincter to not function correctly? It seems strange to me that all of a sudden one’s LES can stop working correctly (as was the case with me…out of the blue one day a year ago) In my case, I am not overweight. I am realtively young(23). I do not smoke or drink. I never eat fast food, or fatty foods. I dont eat chocolate…or candy…etc The only meats that I eat are chicken and fish. but…I have had problems with stress in the past. Is it possible for stress alone  to cause the LES to not function correctly? thanks, Mark

Response:

Does anyone have any info on what countries have what incidence rates for GERD (not sure if I am wording this correctly). I remember reading somewhere that in Africa for instance GERD is pretty rare… It would be interesting to take a look at countries where GERD is relatively rare, and see if the native diet has anything to do with it… Mark

Response:

> Does anyone have any info on what countries have what incidence rates > for GERD (not sure if I am wording this correctly). I remember reading > somewhere that in Africa for instance GERD is pretty rare… > It would be interesting to take a look at countries where GERD is > relatively rare, and see if the native diet has anything to do with > it…

Obesity is a very substantial contributing factor to GERD. Since obesity is so rampantly epidemic here in the US, it’s not surprising that GERD is too. Likewise, there is some correlation between lower incidence of GERD and lower incidence of obesity in countries where the amount and type of food is less obesity-inducing. Diet does not cause GERD. GERD is caused by a dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter. That dysfunction causing reflux symptoms is exacerbated by the increased intraabdominal pressure associated with obesity. So, to the extent that diet contributes to obesity, GERD is indeed diet -associated, and the classic American diet definitely makes it more common in the US. HMc

Response:

Acid reflux and diabetes connection?

Nexium is a medication used to treat gestational acid reflux disease (GERD). Buy order Nexium and feel better today!

Question:

Happy Birthday Chuck, how old are ya? — Cheri >Thanks Sleepy. My wife gave me a beautiful card that she make herself

on a

Response:

Chuck, I hope you have a very Happy Birthday and many more that are healthy and full of joy. Diana

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Happy Birthday Chuck, how old are ya? > — > Cheri >Thanks Sleepy. My wife gave me a beautiful card that she make herself > on a

Response:

>Chuck, I hope you have a very Happy Birthday and many more that are >healthy and full of joy.

Me tooooo!  Sorry so late!!  Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuuuuu! Don’t eat too much cake!  <G> Linda Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet /server irc.undernet.org — /join #Diabetic-Talk More info: http://www.diabetic-talk.org/

Response:

63 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Happy Birthday Chuck, how old are ya? > — > Cheri >Thanks Sleepy. My wife gave me a beautiful card that she make herself > on a

Response:

Chuck, I didnt know it was your birthday until 11 pm on the l9th,  Hope you had a great day,  Many happy returns of the day. Loretta — In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This post not CC’d by email >Is there an acid reflux and diabetes connection? >I have periodic bouts with acid reflux. I take the meds for a couple of >weeks and it seems to go away for a time. My doctor said that it is not >unusual for diabetics to have nerve damage in the esophagus and the >valves that are supposed to keep things in place. Often if have food, >liquid and even saliva go "down the wrong pipe". >Is this unusual? I have no apparent nerve damage anywhere else. >Chuck >-

Heartburn-help.com

Question:

http://www.heartburn-help.com has a very active message board for heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. Several people posting on the board have had corrective surgery for Gerd and are answering questions.

Response:

>http://www.heartburn-help.com has a very active message board for heartburn >and Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. >Several people posting on the board have had corrective surgery for Gerd and >are answering questions.

is it possible to merge it  with this newsgroup ?

Response:

I’m hoping to be able to post in this group as I have had corrective surgery however have had complications with the surgery and now have to have another operation and have alot of indigestion and heartburn. — Rose I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and Future. "Stop Child Abuse"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> http://www.heartburn-help.com has a very active message board for heartburn > and Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. > Several people posting on the board have had corrective surgery for Gerd and > are answering questions.

Response:

Hi Rose Sorry to hear your not doing well. What was the surgery for and what went wrong? Casey

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m hoping to be able to post in this group as I have had corrective surgery > however have had complications with the surgery and now have to have another > operation and have alot of indigestion and heartburn. > — > Rose > I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and > Future. > "Stop Child Abuse"

Response:

Hi Casey, I had a Nissan Fundoplication done to help with my GERD.  I had a few ulcers on my oesophagus and the valve that shuts off the oesophagus to the stomach was actually totally burnt out.  So a wrap was made from my stomach to rebuild the valve. It was fantastic for the first year but then something just didn’t feel right.  As a mother, my kids always go to doctors when they have the sniffles but me… well I put it off for a while, so when I went back to see the surgeon and he did an endoscopy again he found that the wrap has come away and has risen into the chest wall.  My diaphragm has ripped and it all needs to be repaired again. So the heartburn, constant reflux is back and on the 20th May I will have to undergo the operation again and repair the diaphragm too but this time it will be open and not laparoscopic.  The incision will be from my breast bone to my bellybutton so I am scared.  I have no choice but to have it as it is a mess in there. I see you are in the land of Oz as I am too.  I live in WA.  So do you suffer heartburn?  I am a 33 year old mum of 2 kids, 9 & 11 y/o — Rose I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and Future. "Stop Child Abuse"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Rose > Sorry to hear your not doing well. > What was the surgery for and what went wrong? > Casey > I’m hoping to be able to post in this group as I have had corrective > surgery > however have had complications with the surgery and now have to have > another > operation and have alot of indigestion and heartburn. > — > Rose > I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and > Future. > "Stop Child Abuse"

Response:

Hi Rose Yep I have been suffering this pathetic disease for about 15 years now. You must be feeling very uncomfortable at the moment. I have been putting off having the operation for some time now but I think it is inevitable that I have it done. I hope and pray all goes well for you and that the op is a complete success, please keep us informed. Bye for now Casey – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Casey, > I had a Nissan Fundoplication done to help with my GERD.  I had a few ulcers > on my oesophagus and the valve that shuts off the oesophagus to the stomach > was actually totally burnt out.  So a wrap was made from my stomach to > rebuild the valve. > It was fantastic for the first year but then something just didn’t feel > right.  As a mother, my kids always go to doctors when they have the > sniffles but me… well I put it off for a while, so when I went back to see > the surgeon and he did an endoscopy again he found that the wrap has come > away and has risen into the chest wall.  My diaphragm has ripped and it all > needs to be repaired again. > So the heartburn, constant reflux is back and on the 20th May I will have to > undergo the operation again and repair the diaphragm too but this time it > will be open and not laparoscopic.  The incision will be from my breast bone > to my bellybutton so I am scared.  I have no choice but to have it as it is > a mess in there. > I see you are in the land of Oz as I am too.  I live in WA.  So do you > suffer heartburn?  I am a 33 year old mum of 2 kids, 9 & 11 y/o > — > Rose > I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and > Future. > "Stop Child Abuse" > Hi Rose > Sorry to hear your not doing well. > What was the surgery for and what went wrong? > Casey > > I’m hoping to be able to post in this group as I have had corrective > surgery > > however have had complications with the surgery and now have to have > another > > operation and have alot of indigestion and heartburn. > > — > > Rose > > I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and > > Future. > > "Stop Child Abuse"

Response:

If you are in WA Casey, the best surgeon for this procedure is Professor Fletcher at Kaleeya hospital & Fremantle Hospital.  He trained with the guy that invented the procedure. — Rose I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and Future. "Stop Child Abuse"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Rose > Yep I have been suffering this pathetic disease for about 15 years now. > You must be feeling very uncomfortable at the moment. > I have been putting off having the operation for some time now but I think > it is inevitable that I have it done. > I hope and pray all goes well for you and that the op is a complete success, > please keep us informed. > Bye for now > Casey > Hi Casey, > I had a Nissan Fundoplication done to help with my GERD.  I had a few > ulcers > on my oesophagus and the valve that shuts off the oesophagus to the > stomach > was actually totally burnt out.  So a wrap was made from my stomach to > rebuild the valve. > It was fantastic for the first year but then something just didn’t feel > right.  As a mother, my kids always go to doctors when they have the > sniffles but me… well I put it off for a while, so when I went back to > see > the surgeon and he did an endoscopy again he found that the wrap has come > away and has risen into the chest wall.  My diaphragm has ripped and it > all > needs to be repaired again. > So the heartburn, constant reflux is back and on the 20th May I will have > to > undergo the operation again and repair the diaphragm too but this time it > will be open and not laparoscopic.  The incision will be from my breast > bone > to my bellybutton so I am scared.  I have no choice but to have it as it > is > a mess in there. > I see you are in the land of Oz as I am too.  I live in WA.  So do you > suffer heartburn?  I am a 33 year old mum of 2 kids, 9 & 11 y/o > — > Rose > I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies and > Future. > "Stop Child Abuse" > > Hi Rose > > Sorry to hear your not doing well. > > What was the surgery for and what went wrong? > > Casey > > > I’m hoping to be able to post in this group as I have had corrective > > surgery > > > however have had complications with the surgery and now have to have > > another > > > operation and have alot of indigestion and heartburn. > > > — > > > Rose

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > I pray for our Future – Children with Strong, Healthy Minds, Bodies > and > > > Future. > > > "Stop Child Abuse"

Response:

Diabetic diet and GERD

Question:

I have been told that I am in the ‘borderline’ diabetic range after I received the last few blood tests.  My doctor had me go to diabetic counseling and she told me to stay on the diabetic diet for 3 months and then retest my blood.  I am very willing, but I also have GERD, am on Prevacid each day, and the diet frequently is very irritating to my system.  I find it difficult to eat so much at dinner without having extreme heartburn all night.  Previously, I had a very small, high carb dinner and ate nothing at all after 7:00 pm.  I definitely cannot have the recommened PM snack without being sick all night.  By the way, I am 50 years old, very thin, in extremely good physical shape(lot of exercise), and eat a very healthy diet.  I just cannot manage to spread the calories out during day without becoming extremely ill. My digestive system works a lot better when I eat more of my calories earlier in the day.  When I talked to the dietician about my problem, all she could say was that I should spread my calories evenly throughout the day. Does anyone else have a similar problem?  I’m so discouraged.  After 2 years of  barely being able to eat, I finally figured out how to control my GERD.  And now it’s back with a vengeance.  Len

Response:

You might also try posting your message on the www.heartburn-help.com web site. Just click on the blue button marked New Message Board. Hawk

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have been told that I am in the ‘borderline’ diabetic range after I > received the last few blood tests.  My doctor had me go to diabetic > counseling and she told me to stay on the diabetic diet for 3 months and > then retest my blood.  I am very willing, but I also have GERD, am on > Prevacid each day, and the diet frequently is very irritating to my > system.  I find it difficult to eat so much at dinner without having > extreme heartburn all night.  Previously, I had a very small, high carb > dinner and ate nothing at all after 7:00 pm.  I definitely cannot have > the recommened PM snack without being sick all night.  By the way, I am > 50 years old, very thin, in extremely good physical shape(lot of > exercise), and eat a very healthy diet.  I just cannot manage to spread > the calories out during day without becoming extremely ill. My digestive > system works a lot better when I eat more of my calories > earlier in the day.  When I talked to the dietician about my problem, > all she could say was that I should spread my calories evenly throughout > the day. > Does anyone else have a similar problem?  I’m so discouraged.  After 2 > years of  barely being able to eat, I finally figured out how to control > my GERD.  And now it’s back with a vengeance.  Len

Response:

Bread worsens reflux

Rabeprazole is a medication used to treat gestational acid reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers. buy rabeprazole and feel better today!

Question:

Hi    I’m a fellow sufferer of GERD for the last 3 yrs. I’m taking Pepcid 40 mg twice daily and Motilium 10 mg 1/2 hr before meals.The PPI’s don’t seem to work on me and I stopped the now banned Propulsid when it started to give me palpitations.It was a good effective drug except for the cardiac effects. Anyways, we all know about foods that exacerbate reflux: high fat, citrus, spicy, acidic…..but has anyone here have the experience of starches and carbs triggering a flare. I have noticed that bread, especially dense, chewy, crusty (read yummy) breads will send me into a flare along with potatoes and other starchy foods. I thought carbs would be the easiest to digest, but I find lately I can have an occasional fix of Kentucky Fried and fries without much problem but bread leaves me suffering for 2 days. Would this intolerance be part of GERD or is there something else brewing? Roseanne

Response:

I have heard of wheat allergy… but dont know a lot about it. Could this be a possibility?? But that wouldnt explain the potatoes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi >    I’m a fellow sufferer of GERD for the last 3 yrs. I’m taking Pepcid 40 mg > twice daily and Motilium 10 mg 1/2 hr before meals.The PPI’s don’t seem to > work on me and I stopped the now banned Propulsid when it started to give me > palpitations.It was a good effective drug except for the cardiac effects. > Anyways, we all know about foods that exacerbate reflux: high fat, citrus, > spicy, acidic…..but has anyone here have the experience of starches and > carbs triggering a flare. I have noticed that bread, especially dense, > chewy, crusty (read yummy) breads will send me into a flare along with > potatoes and other starchy foods. I thought carbs would be the easiest to > digest, but I find lately I can have an occasional fix of Kentucky Fried and > fries without much problem but bread leaves me suffering for 2 days. > Would this intolerance be part of GERD or is there something else brewing? > Roseanne

Response:

>Anyways, we all know about foods that exacerbate reflux: high fat, citrus, >spicy, acidic…..but has anyone here have the experience of starches and >carbs triggering a flare. I have noticed that bread, especially dense, >chewy, crusty (read yummy) breads will send me into a flare along with >potatoes and other starchy foods.

When you say "bread", I am wondering if perhaps it is the dryness that is contributing. People with GERD have problems with motility of the esophagus, and bread can be hard to swallow. Or you could be allergic to wheat. But that does not explain the potatoes. >Would this intolerance be part of GERD or is there something else brewing?

I am not sure what you are asking. GERD is a symptom, not a disease. But this definitely could be relevant. CW http://www.volare.net/gerd

Response:

>I have heard of wheat allergy… but dont know a lot about it. >Could this be a possibility?? But that wouldnt explain the potatoes.

LOL, you said it before I did. I think it’s the dryness factor. She said she can easily digest KFC french fries. I have never heard of a potato allergy, besides. CW http://www.volare.net/gerd

Response:

<<GERD is a symptom, not a disease.>> Hmmm Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease.? Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

>I have heard of wheat allergy… but dont know a lot about it. >Could this be a possibility?? But that wouldnt explain the potatoes. > LOL, you said it before I did. > I think it’s the dryness factor. She said she can easily digest KFC french > fries. > I have never heard of a potato allergy, besides. > CW > http://www.volare.net/gerd

My daughter has a potato allergy. I too had never heard of a potato allergy until my daughter tested slightly positive on skin tests at age three.When we took it totally out of her diet 80 % of her eczema disappeared and now at age 16 it’s gotten worse to the point of breaking out in hives if she has any potatoes. She is also allergic to tomatoes with the same reaction and these two veggies are in the deadly nightshade family along with green peppers. Roseanne

Response:

also the same family as chillies, solanum is the family.  They all contain a rather large amount of chemicals called alkaloids. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >I have heard of wheat allergy… but dont know a lot about it. > >Could this be a possibility?? But that wouldnt explain the potatoes. > LOL, you said it before I did. > I think it’s the dryness factor. She said she can easily digest KFC french > fries. > I have never heard of a potato allergy, besides. > CW > http://www.volare.net/gerd > My daughter has a potato allergy. I too had never heard of a potato allergy > until my daughter tested slightly positive on skin tests at age three.When > we took it totally out of her diet 80 % of her eczema disappeared and now at > age 16 it’s gotten worse to the point of breaking out in hives if she has > any potatoes. She is also allergic to tomatoes with the same reaction and > these two veggies are in the deadly nightshade family along with green > peppers. > Roseanne

Response:

><<GERD is a symptom, not a disease.>> >Hmmm Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease.?

Well, yes, I should’ve put "GERD" in quotations, as it should be. The term is grossly inaccurate IME. CW

Response:

Funny, I was just having a similar conversation on another board.  Slow gastric emptying has been known to contribute to GERD.  namely, if the flood flows too slowly out of the stomach, it exerts more pressure to push acid up, also there’s just more "stuff" in your stomach to be refluxed.  So basically, any food that you happen to have trouble digesting quickly qould contribute to GERD. Do you feel "full" more when you eat these foods than the ones that don’t exacerbate the GERD?  If so, its probably the slow digestion thing rather than an allergy.  I’ve heard of lots of people described eating starches (potatos, pasta, etc.) as like having a brick in their stomach, so I imagine many people have trouble digesting them quickly. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Anyways, we all know about foods that exacerbate reflux: high fat, citrus, >spicy, acidic…..but has anyone here have the experience of starches and >carbs triggering a flare. I have noticed that bread, especially dense, >chewy, crusty (read yummy) breads will send me into a flare along with >potatoes and other starchy foods. >When you say "bread", I am wondering if perhaps it is the dryness that is >contributing. People with GERD have problems with motility of the esophagus, >and bread can be hard to swallow. Or you could be allergic to wheat. But that >does not explain the potatoes. >Would this intolerance be part of GERD or is there something else brewing? >I am not sure what you are asking. GERD is a symptom, not a disease. But this >definitely could be relevant. >CW >http://www.volare.net/gerd

Response:

laproscopic fundoplication

Question:

So what are the current views on this surgery? I have had it up to my sphincter with meds (pun intended). 1. How long (on average) can I expect to be recuperating and able to return to work… 2. Any serious side effects… 3. Will I be able to burp afterwords… Thanks in advance for all advice Ed W

Response:

Ed, You are going to have to do some hard searching for yourself because you will probably get a wide range of answers in this area. While I haven’t had the operation, I did come very close to calling the surgeon to make an appointment (Feb 1997). Thankfully, I was able to use Ginger Root Juice to get my esophagus back in condition so I could continue eating. Over time I was able to change some of my lifestyles and I have been able to avoid the operation. As to the operation, common sense tells me that no doc can replace or strengthen a muscle (specifically the LES) by wrapping part of your stomach around the lower part of your esophagus. I think all the docs can do is wrap the upper part of the stomach around the LES and lower esophagus and make the esophagus tighter. However, just making the esophagus tighter can have some bad affects on your ability to swallow. And as you question, some people who have had the operation complain of not being able to burp or throw up. If the docs would be honest with you they would tell you that when the operation was first started about 30 years ago all of the operations were 100% wraps (the wrap is where the docs take the upper portion of the stomach that has pooched up into your chest and wrap it around your lower esophagus). Later some docs discovered the 100% wrap didn’t work. Then the docs started experimenting with 90%, 80%, 70% wraps. You might ask your prospective surgeon what % wrap he intends to use on you and what criteria he used to determine what % wrap to use. Could make for some interesting conversations. Personally I don’t see how a doc can determine what percent wrap to use. And no matter what % wrap they do use, it can’t possibly replace the function of a muscle. Now, I don’t mean to sound like I know it all. I don’t!! But, I do know that some very simple lifestyle changes can make some big improvements to your GERD problem. One very simple one is just by standing erect and walking right after a meal will help tremendously. Most people (like I did for years before I learned) will go sit in a recliner or slouch in a chair right after eating and that causes the food and acid in your stomach to press up against your LES and causes it to weaken over the years. Other changes to your lifestyle that will help is to raise the head of your bed frame, not just prop up your head. A world of difference. And since your stomach is the seat of your emotions, your emotional state of mind, being negative, mad, angry, etc. etc. can have a very bad affect on your digestive system. And these changes I suggest won’t have an over the night affect or over the week or month or even years. It has taken years for your LES to become weakened to the point that you have continual heartburn and so it will probably take many days, weeks, or even years to correct the problem. But, like most people, most of us aren’t willing to make the changes. Most people want instant gratification. Pop a pill. Have the operation. Etc. etc. Think about it. For your sake. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>So what are the current views on this surgery? I have had it up to my >>sphincter with meds (pun intended). >>1. How long (on average) can I expect to be recuperating and able to >>return to work… >>2. Any serious side effects… >>3. Will I be able to burp afterwords… >>Thanks in advance for all advice >>Ed W

Response:

>So what are the current views on this surgery? I have had it up to my >sphincter with meds (pun intended).

     I recently asked my Dr. about this procedure. His answer was that the failure rate for Dr.s who have done this surgery a lot was still 30%. It could actually make your situation worse. He said to wait a few years and then reconsider. Personally I can live with the way things are now rather than take the risk of surgery. In the meantime I’m working at "behaving" myself with diet, etc. Debi

Response:

Ed I believe everthing Bill Postin said is correct. I would like to emphasis the need to keep your stress and anxiety levels low, the more you get anxious the worse you symptoms. Everbody handles their problem differently. Do your best to make yourself as comfortable as posssible and learn to accept your condition. I take my drugs and they help, but anxiety + GERD dont mix. Cheers KC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >So what are the current views on this surgery? I have had it up to my >sphincter with meds (pun intended). >1. How long (on average) can I expect to be recuperating and able to >return to work… >2. Any serious side effects… >3. Will I be able to burp afterwords… >Thanks in advance for all advice >Ed W

Response:

Stress has a profound effect on how bad my reflux is. If I have to drive in Manhattan I find myself holding my stomach in. This puts pressure on the diaphragm as you stated and then the reflux is worse. I force myself to relax and breath deeply. Bio feedback would be an excellent way to actually learn how to relax the stomach muscles. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

mailing list?

Question:

Is there a mailing list or listserver for GERD? Elaine

Response:

>Is there a mailing list or listserver for GERD?<

There is a mailing list for the www.heartburn-help.com web site along with a popular message board. From that site you can link to a Barretts Esophagus Onelist that also deals with Gerd. Hawk Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

Thanks for the info.  I find e-mail more enjoyable because I am not tying up my phone line.  I can download my messages and then get off line to read them.  I’ve signed up now. Elaine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Is there a mailing list or listserver for GERD?< > There is a mailing list for the www.heartburn-help.com web site along with a > popular message board. From that site you can link to a Barretts Esophagus > Onelist that also deals with Gerd. > Hawk > Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

Pepto-Bismol and GERD

Rabeprazole is a medication used to treat gestational acid reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers. Buy aciphex rabeprazole and feel better today!

Question:

Hi John and welcome to the newsgroup. Prilosec is still called Losec is many other countries. It looks like Paul is posting from the UK which is one of those counties. But you bring up a good question. What is the shelf life of Prilosec? I located the following storage information but nothing on shelf life so far. Storage: Store Prilosec Delayed-Release Capsules in a tight container protected from light and moisture. Store between 15

Taking Prevacid and other medication and food

Question:

Recently, I was having problems with chest pains, particularly after hiking on a hot and humid day near Augusta, GA.  I had also had chest pains when not hiking.  The MD determined that it was acid rather than cardiovascular, and then gave me some prevacid, which, after several hours relieved the problem.  I have taken the 30 mg dose.  I took the dose for three days, with success, except for one day, when the pains returned upon walking. I have skipped a day, not taking prevacid.  Is there a problem if I skip it if I am not having acid reflux pains? I have also been drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, when seems to be helpful.  Will doing so interfere with the prevacid.  Also, will taking such preparation as Mylanta or pills containing simethicone interfere with prevacid? This coming weekend, I might be going deep sea fishing off the NC coast. I am prone to sea sickness and might take dramamine and ginger.  Will any of these interfere with prevacid?  Will sea sickness aggravate the acid problem? I look forward to your responses. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

> Recently, I was having problems with chest pains, particularly after > hiking on a hot and humid day near Augusta, GA.  I had also had chest > pains when not hiking.  The MD determined that it was acid rather > than cardiovascular, and then gave me some prevacid, which, after > several hours relieved the problem.  I have taken the 30 mg dose.  I > took the dose for three days, with success, except for one day, when the > pains returned upon walking.

Moses here: It sounds like your in an early stage of GERD. > I have skipped a day, not taking prevacid.  Is there a problem if I >skip it if I am not having acid reflux pains?

I not completely sure. It seems a lot poeple damaged even when their not to aware of it. > I have also been drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, when seems > to be helpful.  Will doing so interfere with the prevacid.  Also, will > taking such preparation as Mylanta or pills containing simethicone > interfere with prevacid?

Why would you want to take simethicone? Having "gas"? Some who have become H. pylori postive also seem to become more lactose intolerant. The alumium hydroxide ihn the Mylanta would worry me for I would think it might cause absorptions problems. Alumium hydroxide has the property of binding to both acids and bases. Yet, I don’t think it is a real problem since if I recall correctly the drug trails allowed the use of antacids. And alumium hydroxide is the principle one most used. OK, here it is but this a Prilosec information insert not Prevacid info insert. > This coming weekend, I might be going deep sea fishing off the NC coast. > I am prone to sea sickness and might take dramamine and ginger.  Will > any of these interfere with prevacid?  Will sea sickness aggravate the > acid problem?

I’d take the drug early enough so if you throw up, the capsule contents were already well into the small intestine. A couple of hours before boarding the boat. That way you would be less likely to vomit out part of the time release granules. Happy Sailing… over and out ….Moses Clarke Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

> > I have skipped a day, not taking prevacid.  Is there a problem if I >skip it if I am not having acid reflux pains?

Prevacid stops the production, repeat PRODUCTION, of stomach acid. It is not doing anything to correct the causes of why you have too much stomach acid. You must begin to rebuild your digestive system if you want a permanent solution, (other than taking a pill every day that will eventually lead to more problems). I would begin by taking an achidolphilus supplement.  You should also use some digestive bitters and/or enzymes.  You didn’t get this way overnight and it is going to take a while to rebuild. > I have also been drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, when seems > to be helpful.  Will doing so interfere with the prevacid.  Also, will > taking such preparation as Mylanta or pills containing simethicone > interfere with prevacid?

No it will not, but you shouldn’t need mylanta with this.  Instead of simethicone, try some herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or something with cinnamon. Mitzi Miceli http://www.angelfire.com/ms/herbals Herbal information, herbs, vitamins, supplements, and more! Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Moses here: Mitzeli, the problem isn’t excess acid, it is that the acid isn’t staying were it is supposed to be. A person with acid relux has a weaken lower esophageal sphinter that leaks. It permits the back flow of less than 2.0 PH gastric juices up the esophagus. Acid so strong it would burn your skin if left on it. The idea is shut down the acid production so as to make the reflux none damaging. You should have suggested a powerful vitamin B-12 supplement as low to no acid reduces absorption of this nutrient. If GERD type is untreated peppermint tends to worsen the problem as it is said to relax the LES. Chamomile is said to be good? I suspect alginate would be good for this to, though it’s popularity pasted  more than 20 years ago…. so try to find it. Do recall you what it is used for in a popular over-the-counter med and what it was used for 20+ years ago by alt/health food types? Two answers required. Ho Ho Sincerely Moses Clarke mitzeli> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > I have skipped a day, not taking prevacid.  Is there a problem if I > >skip it if I am not having acid reflux pains? > Prevacid stops the production, repeat PRODUCTION, of stomach acid. > It is not doing anything to correct the causes of why you have too much > stomach acid. You must begin to rebuild your digestive system if you > want a permanent solution, (other than taking a pill every day that > will eventually lead to more problems). > I would begin by taking an achidolphilus supplement.  You should also > use some digestive bitters and/or enzymes.  You didn’t get this way > overnight and it is going to take a while to rebuild. > > I have also been drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, when > seems > > to be helpful.  Will doing so interfere with the prevacid.  Also, > will > > taking such preparation as Mylanta or pills containing simethicone > > interfere with prevacid? > No it will not, but you shouldn’t need mylanta with this.  Instead of > simethicone, try some herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or > something with cinnamon. > Mitzi Miceli > http://www.angelfire.com/ms/herbals > Herbal information, herbs, vitamins, supplements, and more!

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Moses here: I didn’t cross post. Why is this posting on sci.med? It was only to be on the heartburn forum. Grrr Sincerely Moses Clarke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Recently, I was having problems with chest pains, particularly after > hiking on a hot and humid day near Augusta, GA.  I had also had chest > pains when not hiking.  The MD determined that it was acid rather > than cardiovascular, and then gave me some prevacid, which, after > several hours relieved the problem.  I have taken the 30 mg dose.  I > took the dose for three days, with success, except for one day, when > the > pains returned upon walking. > Moses here: > It sounds like your in an early stage of GERD. > I have skipped a day, not taking prevacid.  Is there a problem if I >skip it if I am not having acid reflux pains? > I not completely sure. It seems a lot poeple damaged even when their not > to aware of it. > I have also been drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, when seems > to be helpful.  Will doing so interfere with the prevacid.  Also, will > taking such preparation as Mylanta or pills containing simethicone > interfere with prevacid? > Why would you want to take simethicone? Having "gas"? Some who have > become H. pylori postive also seem to become more lactose intolerant. > The alumium hydroxide ihn the Mylanta would worry me for I would think > it might cause absorptions problems. Alumium hydroxide has the property > of binding to both acids and bases. Yet, I don’t think it is a real > problem since if I recall correctly the drug trails allowed the use of > antacids. And alumium hydroxide is the principle one most used. OK, here > it is but this a Prilosec information insert not Prevacid info insert. > This coming weekend, I might be going deep sea fishing off the NC > coast. > I am prone to sea sickness and might take dramamine and ginger. Will > any of these interfere with prevacid?  Will sea sickness aggravate the > acid problem? > I’d take the drug early enough so if you throw up, the capsule contents > were already well into the small intestine. A couple of hours before > boarding the boat. That way you would be less likely to vomit out > part of the time release granules. > Happy Sailing… over and out ….Moses Clarke > Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Moses, I don’t know why it happened either, but I for one am thrilled.  I’ve suffered with acid reflux for the past two years and am on Prevacid for it. I never knew that alt.support.heartburn existed. Thank you.  :-) Marlynn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Moses here: I didn’t cross post. Why is this posting on sci.med? It was > only to be on the heartburn forum. Grrr > Sincerely Moses Clarke > > Recently, I was having problems with chest pains, particularly after > > hiking on a hot and humid day near Augusta, GA.  I had also had > chest > > pains when not hiking.  The MD determined that it was acid rather > > than cardiovascular, and then gave me some prevacid, which, after > > several hours relieved the problem.  I have taken the 30 mg dose.  I > > took the dose for three days, with success, except for one day, when > the > > pains returned upon walking. > Moses here: > It sounds like your in an early stage of GERD. > > I have skipped a day, not taking prevacid.  Is there a problem if I > >skip it if I am not having acid reflux pains? > I not completely sure. It seems a lot poeple damaged even when their > not > to aware of it. > > I have also been drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, when > seems > > to be helpful.  Will doing so interfere with the prevacid.  Also, > will > > taking such preparation as Mylanta or pills containing simethicone > > interfere with prevacid? > Why would you want to take simethicone? Having "gas"? Some who have > become H. pylori postive also seem to become more lactose intolerant. > The alumium hydroxide ihn the Mylanta would worry me for I would think > it might cause absorptions problems. Alumium hydroxide has the > property > of binding to both acids and bases. Yet, I don’t think it is a real > problem since if I recall correctly the drug trails allowed the use of > antacids. And alumium hydroxide is the principle one most used. OK, > here > it is but this a Prilosec information insert not Prevacid info insert. > > This coming weekend, I might be going deep sea fishing off the NC > coast. > > I am prone to sea sickness and might take dramamine and ginger. > Will > > any of these interfere with prevacid?  Will sea sickness aggravate > the > > acid problem? > I’d take the drug early enough so if you throw up, the capsule > contents > were already well into the small intestine. A couple of hours before > boarding the boat. That way you would be less likely to vomit out > part of the time release granules. > Happy Sailing… over and out ….Moses Clarke > Share what you know. Learn what you don’t. > Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

> >I would begin by taking an achidolphilus supplement. > What does acidophilus do to the lower oesophageal sphincter, that > prevents acid reflux?

Again, we have someone with a lack of basic physiology knowledge pushing supplements as a cure. >You should also >use some digestive bitters and/or enzymes. > What sort of enzymes?

Ahhhh….Propulsid??  :-) >You didn’t get this way >overnight and it is going to take a while to rebuild. > How does it rebuild?

WHAT does it rebuild? How does it prevent Barret’s esophagus and esophageal cancer?>> >No it will not, but you shouldn’t need mylanta with this.  Instead of >simethicone, try some herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or >something with cinnamon. > What will they do?

Sooth the stomach….and she forgot ginger. — Edward J. Mathes, RPA-C Physician Assistant Internal Medicine Opinions above are mine and mine alone. Opinions above are NOT medical advice. If you don’t like these opinions, make up some of your own. My spelling, syntax, denotation and grammar are perfect.  It is my typing that is bad. Get Paid to Surf the Web:  http://alladvantage.com/go.asp?refid=ARG-758

Response:

>> > I have skipped a day, not taking prevacid.  Is there a problem if I > >skip it if I am not having acid reflux pains? >Prevacid stops the production, repeat PRODUCTION, of stomach acid. >It is not doing anything to correct the causes of why you have too much >stomach acid. You must begin to rebuild your digestive system if you >want a permanent solution, (other than taking a pill every day that >will eventually lead to more problems). >I would begin by taking an achidolphilus supplement.  

What does acidophilus do to the lower oesophageal sphincter, that prevents acid reflux? >You should also >use some digestive bitters and/or enzymes.  

What sort of enzymes?  What will they do to increase the tone of the lower oesophageal sphincter? >You didn’t get this way >overnight and it is going to take a while to rebuild.

How does it rebuild? > > I have also been drinking small amounts of aloe vera juice, when >seems > > to be helpful.  Will doing so interfere with the prevacid.  Also, >will > > taking such preparation as Mylanta or pills containing simethicone > > interfere with prevacid? >No it will not, but you shouldn’t need mylanta with this.  Instead of >simethicone, try some herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or >something with cinnamon.

What will they do? Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.

Response:

Suggestion for Spam thread

Question:

It appears that this newsgroup is now starting to be the target for spam. As you can see they will use any clever means to get you to go to their web site etc. I would suggest that any information dealing with heartburn be posted directly on this newsgroup. In this way we do not have to feel tempted to take a "look" just in case it is real information. I wouyld suspect that the best offense would be to  totally ignor any spam that is listed here. All newsgroups are plagued with spam and posting responses here only adds to the clutter and does nothing to stop the spammers. Some of you may be talented enough to know how to figure out which server the spammer is using and may want to copy what they have posted and forward that to the server manager.  This has caused some spammers to loose their account with that server. The reality of it all is they are generally up and running on another server in a matter of minutes. Perhaps we could keep this thread going for a little while in order to list any other suggestions that may help the regular users of this board deal successfully with spam. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://members.aol.com/HawkTear/index.html

Response:

I believe you are right Hawktear…we should just ignore them.   We who deal with GERD have enough to worry about already without getting upset about something like that (which in my case only makes the GERD worse). BTW…I must admit I have not checked DejaNews for old posts but has anyone here ever undergone an internal cleanse and if so did it at all help with the reflux?  Thanks Be Well Cathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->It appears that this newsgroup is now starting to be the target for spam. As >you can see they will use any clever means to get you to go to their web site >etc. I would suggest that any information dealing with heartburn be posted >directly on this newsgroup.

Response: