Researchers used molecular imaging to examine the esophageal muscles of 49 participants who were believed to be suffering from GERD. It was reported that strong evidence suggested poor esophageal muscle tone was a factor in the acid reflux. This poor muscle tone may, researchers speculated, be partly responsible for allowing stomach acids to blow back up into the esophagus, regardless of how much stomach acid is present.

If these findings can be confirmed, new medications for treating GERD may be developed that address esophageal muscle tone. Members of the Society for Nuclear Medicine who reviewed the study of esophageal function, speculated that physicians may develop treatment plans that combine medications to reduce acid production with ways to improve esophageal muscle tone in the future, offering more long-term relief for GERD patients.

People who are hospitalized for any reason while taking a proton pump inhibitor, may be as much as 74% more likely to become infected by the Clostridium difficile bacteria. More commonly known as C. difficile, this intestinal infection is very hard to treat and can result in severe diarrhea or, in more severe cases, colon removal. Proton pump inhibitors suppress the production of stomach acids that are believed to help protect against the bacteria.

Other studies suggest that taking proton pump inhibitors may increase your risk for pneumonia and bone fractures, including spine fractures.

The question experts are now proposing is no whether or not proton pump inhibitors are effective in treating heartburn symptoms, but whether or not some patients are considering lifestyle and dietary changes before turning to medication.

Obesity, for example, can contribute to frequent heartburn. Losing weight has been shown to be an effective treatment for many people who suffer from heartburn or GERD, as has exercise, low-fat diets, high fiber diets, and eating smaller meals more slowly.

In fact, high levels of stress are something that need to be addressed if you want to say (or get) healthy. Stress has been directly linked to a number of serious health risks and chronic illnesses, including:

• Heart disease
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Headaches
• Depression and anxiety
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Ulcers
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Accelerated aging

Stress has even been linked to an increased risk for premature death. In other words, learning to manage your stress better can actually help you live longer. What can you do to keep stress levels in check?

Breathe deeply. It sounds simple enough, but learning and practicing deep breathing techniques is a great way to relax your mind and your body, which can prevent or reverse many of your body’s reactions to stress.

Get some exercise. Physical activity is a great way to relieve stress. It also reduces your risk for diabetes, obesity and other stress related illnesses. If you need an immediate stress reliever, take a 5 minute break to go for a walk.

Acid reflux, specifically, describes stomach acid that flows back into your esophagus from your stomach. Some people experience acid reflux after a large meal or meal that is high in fat or contains spicy foods. For many people, simple lifestyle changes can prevent acid reflux from occurring on a regular basis. Some ways to prevent acid reflux without medical intervention include:

• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating smaller portion sizes
• Avoiding tight clothing
• Avoiding lying down for 2 to 3 hours after a meal
• Avoiding foods known to trigger acid reflux, including fatty and fried foods

Acid reflux is one of the most common symptoms of GERD. People who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease experience acid reflux or heartburn two or more times per week and are often unable to find relief with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications. GERD is usually caused by a weakened lower esophageal sphincter, the valve responsible for preventing the backflow of acid into the esophagus.

If lifestyle changes and antacids don’t resolve your acid reflux, or if your acid reflux symptoms get progressively worse, you should talk to your doctor about GERD. Additional treatment options are available, including prescription medications and surgery that can address the underlying causes of your reflux.

GERD occurs when acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus, and the presence of these digestive juices can cause an unpleasant odor. The best way to treat halitosis caused by GERD is to prevent acid reflux in the first place. Some ways to prevent acid reflux include:

• Avoiding cigarettes and alcohol
• Avoiding foods that trigger reflux, including fatty, spicy or citrus foods
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large meals
• Eating more slowly and chewing properly
• Losing weight

If these lifestyle changes do not resolve acid reflux or the associated bad breath, over-the-counter antacids such as Tums or Alka-Seltzer may help neutralize the acid in your stomach. You can also get H2 blockers, such as Pepcid AC, without a prescription. These medications are designed to reduce the production of acid in your stomach. Your doctor may also prescribe proton pump inhibitors, which prevent acid production more effectively than H2 blockers. In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to resolve your GERD and related bad breath.

Acid reflux, or stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus from the stomach, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve between the esophagus and stomach, isn’t able to keep digestive juices in the stomach. This may happen because the valve itself is weakened or because there is additional pressure on the stomach, possibly due to obesity or a hiatal hernia. If the stomach acid flows all the way into the larynx, it can cause reflux laryngitis.

The most common symptoms of reflux laryngitis are heartburn and hoarseness, but you may also experience difficulty breathing or a feeling of having something stuck in your throat. If these symptoms are present, your doctor may prescribe treatment for the underlying GERD before doing additional testing.

Treatment options for GERD include:

• Lifestyle changes: Eating smaller meals, losing weight, quitting smoking, or avoiding foods that trigger heartburn can help ease symptoms of GERD.
• Medication: Medicinal options include over-the-counter antacids, proton pump inhibitors and H2-blockers.
• Surgery: A fundoplication procedure can strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter.

If you experience frequent symptoms of GERD, you should contact your doctor. In addition to increasing your risk for reflux laryngitis, GERD can also increase your risk for certain types of cancer if left untreated.

How does GERD cause coughing?

Frequent acid reflux, when stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus from the stomach, can cause coughing in two ways: esophageal-tracheobronchial reflex and aspiration.

• Esophageal-Tracheobronchial Reflex: Stomach acid refluxing into certain parts of the esophagus can trigger irritant receptors, signaling the brain to cough. If acid is reaching this part of the esophagus regularly, you may experience frequent coughing.
• Aspiration: In some cases, a small amount of the stomach acid that is refluxed can actually enter the bronchial tubes or lungs. Your body’s natural response to this type of aspiration is coughing.

If you have a frequent cough that may be caused by GERD, the best way to resolve your symptoms is to address your GERD. GERD can be treated by making lifestyle changes, taking prescription medications designed to reduce acid production in the stomach, or having surgery. Your doctor can help you determine the best treatment options for you.

In many cases, a pain in your chest is caused by a problem with your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. This tube is located very close to the heart in your body, so problems here may mimic cardiac pain.

Some digestive problems that can cause chest pain include:

• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). This is a condition in which acid reflux occurs two or more times per week. Stomach acid flows back into the esophagus from the stomach, causing irritation to the esophagus. In some cases, this irritation can result in chest pain commonly known as heartburn.
• Achalasia. This is an esophageal contraction disorder that can cause chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation. These problems occur because something is disrupting the normal rhythmic contraction of the esophagus that moves food into the stomach.
• Esophageal Hypersensitivity. Some people have an increased sensitivity to stomach acid in the esophagus and may experience severe heartburn or chest pain any time reflux occurs.

These conditions can often be treated with lifestyle changes or prescription medication. You should contact your doctor if you have chest pain. If your chest pain is accompanied by shortness of breath or pain in your arm or jaw, it may be the result of a cardiac problem and you should seek medical attention immediately.

GERD patients experience acid reflux, or stomach juices flowing back into the esophagus, frequently. This repeated exposure to damaging acids erodes the lining of the esophagus, making it more susceptible to irritation from certain medications. Because of this increased sensitivity, GERD patients should talk to their doctors before taking:

• Antibiotics
• Osteoporosis medications such as Fosamax, Boniva, or Actonel
• Iron and potassium supplements
• Anti-inflammatory pain relievers, including ibuprofen and aspirin

Some medications have also been shown to increase the frequency of acid reflux, which is of particular concern for GERD patients. These medications include:

• Anticholinergics used to treat IBS or overactive bladder, including Ditropan
• Calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and quinidine, which are often used to treat high blood pressure or other heart conditions
• Narcotic pain relievers, including Vicodin and Lortab
• Progesterone
• Medications prescribed to help with insomnia or anxiety, including Valium and Restoril
• Theophylline, which is often used to treat respiratory conditions

If you suffer from frequent heartburn or have been diagnosed with GERD, always ask your doctor how new medications can affect your condition.

4 Daily Habits To Prevent Heartburn

1. Eat small meals: While eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner may sound like the norm, eating smaller meals six times a day is actually better for your digestive system, and eating large meals increases your risk for heartburn.
2. Eat slowly: Taking the time to chew your food properly can help prevent heartburn because it allows saliva to start the process of digestion, which means your food will need to spend less time sitting in your stomach.
3. Don’t eat late: Late-night snacking can lead to heartburn because you may not be giving gravity enough time to pull the digestive juices down into your digestive tract. Avoid lying down for at least two hours after you’ve eaten, which may also mean holding off on a mid-day nap.
4. Avoid alcohol: Alcohol relaxes your LES, the valve between your stomach and esophagus that is supposed to prevent acid reflux and heartburn.

Although these tips can help you avoid heartburn, you should talk to your doctor if you are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux two or more times per week. This may be a sign that you’re suffering from GERD, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated.