Acid Reflux » Acid Reflux Complications

Sore Throat: A Look into an Acid Reflux Complication

tuan megai — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:24:02 +0000

Sore throat or pharyngitis is a symptom of many illnesses including colds, influenza, tonsillitis, quinsy, diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and syphilis. It may also be due to heavy smoking or cold damp weather. At times, it is also one of the acid reflux complications just like pneumonia. Temporary relief may be obtained by swallowing honey or sucking soothing lozenges.

Certain kinds of viruses are the most usual source of sore throat and influenza. Few of these viruses can also develop both mouth and throat wounds. Breathing using your mouth can also develop throat dehydration and swelling. Fluid in the sinus is also another source of sore throat.

Other causes of sore throat

Severe ailments like cancer or AIDS can also cause sore throat especially if it is already happening for several weeks. Other causes include:

Bacteria. The two most common bacteria that cause sore throat are Streptococcus and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Arcanobacterium is the source of sore throat affecting adults and is frequently characterized with tiny red rashes.
Medications. There are certain medications like antibiotics, drugs used for chemotherapy, and other forms of medications used in dealing immunity may also cause sore throat due to Candida which is called thrush.

Treatments for sore throat

Natural remedies perform at the comfort of your own homes are considered great help in managing sore throat. These include rinsing your mouth with salt and water solution, using mouth sprays and sipping soothing lozenges. These natural home remedies will only give you momentary assistance in alleviating the soreness. Other treatments include:

Humidifier. This can aid in alleviating the signs of sore throat, much so if the condition is due to breathing by mouth and dehydrated air.
. These medicines are useful in managing sore throat.
Afrin. This is a form of nasal spray that is recommended for adults to relieve nasal decongestion. This must be used only from two to three days to help the person avoid breathing from their mouth. You should not utilize this product for a longer time because it may lead to addiction.
Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Sudafed. These are medicines to help alleviate sore throat. It is advised that you should consult your doctor prior to taking these medicines, especially if you have heart ailments or hypertension.

It is time for you to see your doctor if you had direct contact with persons who have strep throat. When your sore throat is accompanied with high temperature, inflamed glands, or white blotches at the back of your throat, then you have to do the same. Consulting your doctor immediately when you have sore throat is the best thing you can do to avoid further health complications.

It is also advised to check with your health care provider if you have acid reflux. This may further develop into sore throat in no time. You need to be aware of other things that link acid reflux to sore throat.

Pneumonia: Learning More about This Acid Reflux Complication

tuan megai — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:09:46 +0000

Although pneumonia is usually described as any infection or inflammation of the lungs, its use is restricted to an acute and rapidly developing lung disease. At times, it may also be a complication of acid reflux. This is because pneumonia is often triggered by coughing due to refluxed acid.

Pneumonia

One or both lungs may be involved, which may be due to a primary or secondary infection. The type of pneumonia which is caused by pneumococcus bacteria is considered a rare case but it is still a very serious illness, especially if the person is very old or still very young. The more prevalent type of lung inflammation is known as viral pneumonia.

Pneumonia which occurs among young adults is caused by various viruses and other microorganisms that are smaller and less dangerous than bacteria. The onset of these infections is gradual and the symptoms are less acute and less debilitating than those of bacterial pneumonia. There is a general feeling of fatigue accompanied by headache, pains in the joints, and dry cough which eventually becomes loose enough to expel some of the congestive mucus. A chest x-ray may be necessary for diagnosis.

Symptoms and complications of pneumonia

The typical symptoms of pneumonia may include dry and itchy throat, dry cough, loss of appetite, mild fever, pain beneath the breastbone, and chills. The main danger is that the person is more likely to be stricken by bacterial infection of the lungs ad bronchial tubes. These kinds of infections sometimes need hospitalization.

Diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia

The doctor usually examines the patient by detecting if there is a presence of rough breathing or cracking sound. This can help him determine that something is wrong in his patient’s respiratory organ. In order to help him assess the condition of the patient, chest x-ray may be recommended. He may also request for some other laboratory tests to be done like:

Sputum Test. This is a test wherein samples of sputum will be examined under the microscope to determine the real cause of pneumonia. It can tell whether pneumonia is due to fungi, bacteria or virus. It is very important that as soon as the sputum sample is obtained, it must be immediately brought to the laboratory to avoid contamination from other non-infectious bacteria.
Blood Test. This is usually recommended to determine the total count of white blood cells. This can determine how severe the pneumonia is and if it is caused by bacteria.
Bronchoscopy. This is a process which involves putting a small, elastic and lightweight tube in the mouth or nose of the patient. The patient is usually given local anesthesia for this kind of procedure. Through this process, the breathing passageway of the patient can be precisely scrutinized and samples from the contaminated area can be acquired.

Although antibiotics do not attack the organisms that cause viral pneumonia, they are usually prescribed to ward off bacterial infection during lowered resistance. Bed rest may be recommended especially if there is fever. All symptoms usually disappear in about a week if there are no complications. The only safeguard against viral pneumonia is the maintenance of good health habits and avoidance of exposure to contagion. Treating possible causes such as acid reflux may be necessary.

Otitis Media: One of Acid Reflux Complications

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:05:46 +0000

Otitis media is another term for middle ear infection. It is actually one of the complications of acid reflux because refluxed acid is said to affect the area without reaching the throat. When one happens to understand the anatomy of the ears, one will understand what the disease is all about.

There are different types of otitis media. Alongside the types are other disorders of the middle ear. It also has causes and symptoms to take note of. There is nothing much to worry about because it is treatable. Below, you will find all these facts.

Types of otitis media

There are two forms of otitis media. These are:

Severe Otitis Media. This kind of middle ear infection commonly starts quickly and on a brief period. It is characteristically connected to a build-up of liquid in the mid section of the ear accompanied by indications of ear contamination such as stuffed eardrum. Pain, punctured eardrum, emission of pus and the presence of fever accompany the condition.
Chronic Otitis Media. This is described by a constant irritation of the mid section of the ear and usually occurs for a month. It can result to further injury in the middle of the ear and eardrum. It is not usually accompanied by pain or fever. Individuals with chronic otitis media may also experience constant ear force for a long period and there may be a temporary loss of hearing.

Causes and symptoms of otitis media

Otitis media or middle ear infection is caused directly by bacteria or viruses. Indirectly it may result from the presence of pneumonia, influenza, measles, mumps or scarlet fever.

Small children who have middle ear infection are difficult to deal with. They are usually irritable, finicky, or they may experience sleeping and eating difficulties. Much older children may experience earache. Fever may also be felt by both young and older children.

Individuals with middle ear infection may suffer temporary hearing loss throughout the contamination. This is due to the emission of pus which results to ear ache and shuddering of the eardrum that moistens because of pus discharge. Serious ear contamination may result to the shattering of the eardrum due to the pus discharge that pumps out from the mid section of the ear going through the ear canal.

Treatment for serious otitis media

The medication for serious otitis media differs according to the age and signs of an individual. Antibiotics are the most common medications given as an initial treatment for otitis media. It is normally administered for at least 10 days. Around 10% of children react to antibiotics within 48 to 72 hours during the treatment. Individuals with otitis media must be given immediate attention by a trained physician to avoid further damage to the ears.

This acid reflux complication may change the lives of a lot of individuals. It is best to treat acid reflux immediately so it will not result to otitis media. It pays to focus on the real cause of the problem.