acid reflex - symptoms and diet

[iris f.]

hello

I've been suffering for a while from "attacks" of pains that start in my back and than spread to my chest, making it hard to breath. It happens especially at nights, when I lie down, but sometimes I feel it in a milder form during the day. My doctor says it's probably acid reflex.



My questions are:

1. Could you specify the various symptoms of this desease?

2. What could cause it?

3. What can I do? What diet should I take?

4. Is it chronc, or might irt dissappear after a while of the right diet?



thank!

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

Dear Iris,

Acid reflux is a condition in which acid from the stomach refluxes into the chest.  Symptoms of a burning in the chest behind the breastbone or in the pit of the stomach are common.  Many will also notice that food will regurgitate.  Supraesophageal symptoms of voice hoarseness, a fullness in the throat, shortness of breath, asthma, pneumonia or chest pain can occur.  These latter symptoms can sometimes be the only presentation of acid reflux.



For about 80% of individuals with acid reflux the cause is inappropriate relaxation of the barrier (lower esophageal sphincter) between stomach and esophagus.  For the rest of patients there is a low pressure sphincter.



It is suggested that individuals with reflux eat 3 small meals aper day, not lie down for at least 3 hours after eating, avoid coffee tea, alcohol and fatty foods and not smoke.  However, for some of these recommendations there is not a lot of scientific proof.  Although you may see some benefit from lifestyle modifications reflux is a recurrent condition.  About 7% of Americans have daily symptoms but 40% will have symptoms monthly.



If lifestyle modifications do not provide relief, you should see your physician.  There are a number of successful approaches to relieve reflux.



This information is presented for educational purposes.  Ask specific questions to your personal physician.

[Judi Wade]

I do have problem like that as show above for long time  i do taken prodnix for my stomach   also my belly bloat real badly, even tho i do follow on my diet  i am overweight myself  i find it so hard for me to lost weight  i will need about 100 lbs to lose.

[bj]

HELLO



please can you help me, I had a nissen fundoplicatio 17 months ago and a few months later had a dilation, the almost 3 months ago I had a gastric peg tube put in to help rid my stomach of air.  

And yet I still have severe chronic pain in my upper right abdoman quarter that works to the chest and down my arm and up my neck.  I can not burp or throw up.



Can you send me a list of all the complications that you may be aware of.  I am disabled and can no longer work.  I am on the max antidepressants and now I have lost my medical ins.  I a waiting to here on SSDI as I have gone through my savings and 401k.   Please help me



Thank you

BJ

[amanda]

i am 22 years old and i get acid reflex really bad. what can i do to get rid of it.

[debra]

Could you specify the various symptoms of this desease?

[Steve Einspahr]

Dear Sir or Madam:



I have been told I have acid reflex.  I am currently in the Marine Corp as an infrantry marine.  Now these attacks happen once to twice a day and been takin meds. for them the last 3 years and I still get these major attacks. Feels like someone stapping me in the chest.  My body goes in like shock,can't breathe, can't even hardly move.  There is no pattern when this happens just while I am sitting down or when I but on a bullet proof vest.  When ever there is pressure on my chest I feel a little attack.  Does this sound like acid reflex?  Also should I be discharged out of the Marine Corp?  Can they discharge me?  I reqested to get scoped and got deneid  three times for the fact they don't want to officalyl have on paper acid reflex is what I have.  Well I have taken up alot of your time.  Please answer these questions



                                           Sincerely,

                      

                                         Steve Einspahr



p.s. respond to:



***@****

[Rita]

I need to know the symptons of acid reflex

[Anonymous]

the various symptoms may include vomiting and an upset stomach

the things that may cause this pain is greasy foods and drinking alchoholic beverages

the only things that you can do are changing your diet to healthier foods than what you eat and taking heart-burn medications

it may last for perhaps a few weeks after you start medications, and changing your diet.  also excercising may lessen your pains.

[Mike Jackson]

My acid reflex can act up at anytime,making me feel at times like I'm having a heart attack. It started Dec. 1997 where it was thought it was my heart and I was in the cardiac unit for 1 1/2 days in the hospital, only it was acid reflex. Cut down on coffee (1 cup ONLY),cokes (I can rarely have one now),chocolate,

spicey foods. Acid reflex is simply the stomach putting out too much acid. The bowels cannot release such hot acid, so it can go up the throat,making you feel (or could) like you're going to throw up. Eventually, it comes out as diarrhea and has the same symptoms as the flu. It will NOT go away. The number #1 reason I was told is STRESS, years of it. Prevacid can be taken and can help;I miss prescription-strength Tagament.

[Donna RoyaltyI]

I would like a list of foods that I can eat for acid reflex.

[dbnm]

I've had a cough for about now 5 months, I went to the doctor to check it out. After long x-rays and some other tests it doesn't seem like I have any long problems that could cause that cough.  Base on that and the look of my throught the doctor thinks it may be acid reflex. The things is that I do not have any disconfort besides the cough (which happens mainly at night), no burning feeling in my chest.  Could this be acid reflux even when I don't have the regular symptoms that comes with it?

Sincerely,

M. Suarez