Acid Reflux » GERD

Chronic Cough: A Cough Linked to GERD or Acid Reflux

tuan megai — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:32:30 +0000

Chronic Cough

Chronic cough is described as a kind of cough that constantly recurs. It is not considered as a type of ailment but it is believed that this is an indication that you are suffering from other kinds of diseases. It is a kind of condition that prompts anyone to consult their physicians. Learn whether it is a cause or it is caused by acid reflux.

Sources of chronic cough

The most normal sources of chronic cough include the following:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux. This causes chronic cough due to the acid that progress toward the rear through the esophagus. Reactions lead to contraction of the air passage. Simply put, the air passage is blocked by the stomach acid thus resulting to chronic coughing.
Sinus conditions. This problem is often hard to identify. An individual will be required to undergo CT scan to properly diagnose the problem.
Contamination which include bronchitis or pneumonia. This is also tagged as another cause of chronic cough due to the virus, bacteria or fungus that affects the air passage or even the lungs. Viral contaminations do not usually react to antibiotics. This is the reason why some persons with asthma commonly have prolonged coughing even if the contamination had been cleaned.
Medications. Medicines like inhibitors given to persons with hypertension can also result to chronic cough.
Other causes. In some very exceptional cases, chronic cough is caused by breathing polluted entities through your lungs and is very common in children. It may also be a result of excessive cigarette smoking.

If you are suffering from chronic cough, it is advised that you should submit for an x-ray to determine its real cause. Your doctors will then be able to diagnose your condition. In like manner, he may be able to recommend treatment for your existing ordeal.

Treatments for chronic cough

The medication given to persons with chronic cough is established according to its source. On the other hand, there are individuals who are given some medicines with guaifenesin or dextromethorphan to relieve symptomatic cough. Individuals suffering from chronic cough are also advised to consume a lot of water or use an inhaling steam. Taking cough lozenges are of great help as well. In some serious conditions a physician may give the patient codeine – a medication considered successful in suppressing cough.

The treatment for chronic cough will vary according to the ailment or symptoms being experienced by the individual. For instance, take a look at the following:

People with asthma are given bronchodilators and steroids to reduce the possible irritation of the air passageways.
For individuals with GERD or acid reflux, treatment involves keeping away from foods that can enhance reflux. The patient is advised to evade from eating prior to bedtime. Raising the pillow when sleeping and taking medicines like Pepcid, Tagamet or Zantac will also lessen stomach acidity.

For persons with sinus condition, decongestants and antihistamines are recommended to cure the signs of post nasal drip.

Questions to Ask your Doctor: Helping You Gather Acid Reflux Facts

tuan megai — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:25:24 +0000

A patient always wants to know more about his condition. All of us have our own concerns depending on the existing medical illness we have. In view of acid reflux facts, there are pertinent questions you may commonly ask your doctor. Below is a list of what will help you during your consultation with your health care provider.

Questions to ask your doctor about acid reflux

In order for you to understand all the things concerning the so-called acid reflux disease, you can try to ask your doctor some questions regarding the matter. It is important that you should learn all the facts regarding this condition so that both you and your doctor can come to a perfect decision on what to do with your problem and how to treat it. Here are some of the good questions to ask your doctor:

Complications and foundations of acid reflux. In your opinion, why do you believe that acid reflux disease is the source of my dilemma? What other circumstances aside from GERD might be the foundation of my difficulty?
Diagnosis. What examinations could be applied to analyze GERD and to rule out other kinds of circumstances? What do you think is the best kind of test to diagnose the disorder? Why do you want to perform these specific examinations? Are there any side effects I will experience from these types of examinations?
Medications. What are the medications for acid reflux? Which medication are you prescribing? Is it better than other kinds of medications?
Side effects on medications. What kinds of side effects shall I anticipate from these treatments? Is it essential to perform some types of checking in order to keep an eye on its side effects?
Drug interactions. Will there be any drug interactions from the present medicines I am taking-in with the drugs you will be prescribing for GERD?
Existing medical conditions. Do I have certain medical problems that may cause difficulties for the proper analysis and medication for my GERD?
Lifestyle changes. Is there a need for me to alter my lifestyle and eating habits?
Total elimination of GERD. Can I anticipate for the possibility of my GERD to disappear in time? Is there a possibility that other problems will build up in my system?
Follow-up. What indications should I be alarmed about?

Since your health is your primary concern, it is vital that you should discuss everything with your physician. Inform your physician of the vitamins, herbs, and medicines you are presently taking so that he can evaluate your condition properly. There are particular vitamins and non-prescription drugs that can be the cause of your problem especially if you are already using it for a long period of time. Everything that you will discuss with your doctor can help both of you achieve the best medications to resolve acid reflux. This may even lead you to the road of full recovery especially if you will follow the advice of your physician.

Lower Esophageal Sphincter: Its Link to Acid Reflux

tuan megai — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:20:41 +0000

Esophageal Sphincter

The esophagus is a muscular tube that is around 10 inches long which connects the back of the mouth to the stomach. In the act of swallowing, food begins its passage through this portion of the alimentary canal to undergo digestive processing. The movement of food from the esophagus into the stomach is controlled by the opening and closing of a muscular ring called the cardiac sphincter.

The most important function of the esophagus is to maintain stomach stuffs such as food, acid and bile. The function of the esophagus is maintained through the help of two muscles or regulators known as the upper and lower esophageal sphincters. However, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is considered as the vital of the two muscles because it has the one that keep away the stomach contents from moving back and forth from the stomach into the esophagus.

How LES Functions

The lower esophageal sphincter is situated underneath the esophagus. It is considered as the soaring force among the esophagus and stomach. It is comprised of muscles at the base of the esophagus and diaphragm. By the time it closes, no amount of food and juices or other stomach contents can move up into the esophagus.

LES begins its work as the food moves down from the esophagus by the process known as esophageal contraction. This contraction begins during the swallowing of food. By the time swallowing comes to an end LES closes to maintain the food in the stomach. Additionally, the gastro-esophageal flap valve at the LES usually closes automatically as soon as your stomach is full.

Temporary LES regenerations

It is a common occurrence for the LES to unlock irregularly even without the presence of swallowing. This is known as transient LES relaxations which usually happen following a meal when your stomach is already filled with food and other stuff like air that was ingested. Majority of these regenerations happen to make way for the air to come out of your stomach thus resulting to constant burping especially after meals due to the movement of food and stomach acid into your esophagus. The occurrence of temporary LES regenerations usually happens when you are lying down.

If your esophagus functions normally, tough esophageal tightening begins to push back refluxed stomach stuff in the stomach to clean the esophagus from acid. Additionally, your saliva has the capacity to counterbalance any gastric acid residue that may damage the inside layer of your esophagus. In view of this, heartburn indications may not be experienced during transient LES relaxations.

A lot of individuals experience irregular heartburn. However individuals who encounter recurrent heartburn indications have the ability to go through regular transient LES relaxations unlike those people who do not have or have only irregular heartburn indications. For individuals suffering serious GERD, their LES may be irregularly low pressured.

The function of the LES should be fully supported in order not to result to acid reflux. You have to research more about this thing for you to understand what it is about. Ask your health care provider about it.