AcnGastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)e

Welcome to the Affordable Drugs GERD information page. GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you have GERD you know the pain and discomfort it can cause. The first step in resolving this pain and discomfort is educating yourself about the condition. You can learn about GERD symptoms, GERD diet and GERD treatments right here. You can also find the best prices available on GERD medications. The information contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.

What is GERD? (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

If you are bothered by frequent heartburn and other digestive tract problems, you may want to consider the idea that you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly shortened as GERD. "So exactly what is GERD?" you might be wondering. Like any medical term, the name doesn't tell the average patient a whole lot about what the causes, symptoms, and treatments for GERD are.

What happens in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

If you are affected by this condition, you will notice heartburn and other series of digestion-related effects much more frequently than most members of the population. Essentially what happens in this disease is that the bottom of the esophagus (the tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach) does not stay closed like it should, allowing digestive acids from the stomach and food to rise up the throat. This does occasionally happen to everyone, making the question "what is GERD?" a little more confusing, as you have to differentiate between GER (typical 'acid reflux') and the full disease, which is a recurring and persistent problem that can lead to serious health problems.

Symptoms of GERD

Again, note that for these symptoms to suggest gastroesophageal reflux disease, they should be persistent. Everybody experiences these symptoms from time to time. Persistent means that it occurs at least twice a week, and does not go away quickly. The main symptom is heartburn, or "acid indigestion," which may be experienced as a burning sensation in the lower-to-mid chest area, just behind the breast bone. Heartburn may also be experienced as a burning sensation in the abdomen. Note that not all sufferers of this disease experience any heartburn. Other symptoms include:
* Difficulty swallowing
* Dry cough
* Asthma-like symptoms

A lifestyle change may help

If you've asked "what is GERD?" and these symptoms sound like what you're experiencing, you should discuss things with your doctor. However, even before you see your doctor, try the following lifestyle changes to reduce the amount of reflux and heartburn.
* If you're a smoker or a drinker, quit both. Alcohol and cigarettes can cause more reflux.
* Cut back on caffeine and chocolate, as they can also cause you more discomfort.
* Avoid spicy or acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomato-based foods.
* Avoid anything garlicy, or that is fatty or fried.
While these changes will likely not get rid of gastroesophageal reflux disease entirely, they can provide a measure of comfort by reducing your symptoms. Obesity and pregnancy may also worsen the symptoms you experience.

How else can GERD be treated?

If a lifestyle change doesn't get rid of your gastroesophageal reflux disease, then your doctor may suggest further home treatment via the following methods:
* Don't lie down after you've eaten for a few hours, as being horizontal will likely worsen your symptoms.
* Eat small frequent meals instead of few large ones. The less food in your stomach the less upset it will be.
* Raise the top of your bed so that it is at an angle, or try using extra pillows to prop up the upper half of your body when sleeping.
If these changes still don't help, medications or even surgery to close the bottom of your esophagus more properly may be recommended.

GERD Causes

The causes of GERD, which is persistent heartburn or acid reflux, begins with the esophagus. The function of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) is to open and close the lower tip of the esophagus, thus stopping the stomach contents from transferring into the esophagus. The LES is comprised of muscles and hormones, and these muscles, like any other muscle in the body, can weaken. Once weakened, the LES is not able to close all the way after eating and stomach acid can back up into the esophagus. There are many issues that can affect the function of the LES and become GERD causes:

1. Improper Functioning of the Stomach - If the nerves and muscles of the stomach do not function as they should, the stomach cannot digest food and stomach acid quickly enough to allow the stomach to empty as soon as it should. This increases pressure in the stomach, thus increasing the threat of acid reflux.

2. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications - Some drugs can be the causes of GERD. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin can add to the severity of GERD. People who use these drugs are much more apt to have GERD.

3. Esophageal Abnormalities - There are certain unusual symptoms of GERD like hoarseness, coughing, and the sensation of a lump in the throat that indicate that there may be an abnormality in the esophagus. Spontaneous muscle action is one of these abnormalities.

4. Hiatel Hernias - The esophagus fits through a hole in the diaphragm to join the stomach. If this hole gets weak or grows, the stomach can protrude into the esophagus. This condition is known as a hiatel hernia and can impair the proper functioning of the LES.

5. Asthma - Over fifty percent of people with GERD have asthma. However, there is some question as to whether asthma is one of the causes of GERD or a result of GERD. Coughing attacks can add pressure inside the chest and trigger reflex. Some studies show that asthma medications dilate the airway, thus relaxing the LES and setting off reflux.

6. Pregnancy - Though not one of the most common causes of GERD, pregnancy can increase the chances of having GERD. The hormone progesterone relaxes the LES.

GERD Diet (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), better known as acid reflux, can often be treated with lifestyle modifications. One such modification is a special diet. Just as certain foods triggered deterioration of the esophageal lining, other foods can help nourish the esophagus and prevent further damage. A healthy GERD diet involves avoiding certain foods, choosing other foods, and adopting particular eating behaviors.

First, people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease should avoid consuming alcohol, coffee, and excessive amounts of vitamin C. Each of these substances stimulates gastric acid secretion. High-fat meals should also be avoided; fats reduce the effectiveness of muscles in the esophagus, so acid cannot be adequately expelled. Carbonated beverages, chocolate, milk, and peppermint are also believed to irritate the esophageal lining. Finally, cruciferous vegetables -- cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and their close relatives -- may interfere with healthy gastroesophageal reflux behavior.

A healthy GERD diet, therefore, is more basic than acidic. Spicy foods and beverages are excluded, and fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content -- such as oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes -- are limited. Some acceptable low-acid fruits include apples, bananas, melons, and pears. Those who crave citrus might be able to handle tangerines, which have less acidity than oranges.

As for the other food groups, the GERD diet includes only those breads and protein products that are low-fat. This is because fat interferes with the muscles of the esophagus. Not surprisingly, desserts should also be made with little or no fat when possible.

To make the most of the GERD diet, a person with gastroesophageal reflux disease should stop eating at least two hours before bedtime. This is because the position of the body is more esophagus-friendly when a person is upright; gravity constricts the esophagus when a person lays down. Also, people with acid reflux disease find it beneficial to eat several small meals instead of one large meal. By eating less food at a time, they produce less acid with each meal.

By adopting healthy eating behaviors and the GERD diet, some patients nearly overcome their acid reflux disease. They are eventually able to enjoy certain "forbidden fruits" in moderation.

Consider a GERD Diet To Curb Your Symptoms

Many of those that suffer from GERD are looking for a diet that can help alleviate and/or eliminate the symptoms. Perhaps one of the biggest concerns that people who are looking for a GERD diet have is whether or not they will have to give up the foods they love in order to live a life free of the painful symptoms. Another concern is that they are afraid that the pain they feel may actually escalate into a larger, more serious problem. All sufferers of GERD should adopt some sort of diet plan that helps curb the amount of GERD instances they have.

To serve as a reminder, GERD is the inability of your body to properly digest the food you eat, as it stays in the stomach half-digested. Because the stomach feels that there is not enough acid for the digestion process, the stomach produces an excess amount of acid in an attempt to digest more. This eventually leads to damage to the stomach lining and the esophageal wall. The key to finding the right GERD diet is in finding the foods or combinations of foods that are less likely to cause this scenario to happen in the first place.

The proper diet for GERD is one that consists of foods that are common and a part of the basic food groups. Though many people fear a highly restrictive diet when trying to address their problem with GERD, the reality is that GERD diets are not as restrictive as most people think. Some examples of the foods that can be eaten with such a diet are:

Any Low Fat Meat Products
Turkey
Fish
Vegetables

Bread is also OK, but only if it is made from low-fat or skim milk.

The primary goal of the GERD diet is that you do not consume any foods that trigger your symptoms. Do not eat spicy foods or anything that has a high, acidic content. The tricky thing is that each sufferer has different reactions to foods - some may react negatively to spicy foods, some may not, or some may have a delayed reaction.

Recently, studies have discovered that the following foods could be used in GERD diets:

broccoli
cabbage
potatoes
carrots
beef
egg whites
cheese
potato chips
some salad dressings

It has been discovered that these foods, and some of those related to them, actually help to relieve any GERD symptoms you may encounter as they occur.
There are a wide variety of fruits which are also helpful, such as bananas, melons, berries and apples. By all means, GERD sufferers should abstain from citrus fruits due to the high, acidic content present in them.

The best thing for GERD patients should do before trying any diet program is consult with a doctor or dietitian for the best, updated discoveries. A doctor or a dietitian can put together a helpful meal plan for you which consists of a balanced, tasty GERD diet based on GERD-friendly foods. As long as you follow your diet plan closely, you will find that you have reduced your symptoms greatly in a relatively short period of time.

Gerd Treatments

Treatments for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease

A variety of GERD treatments are available to the gastro esophageal reflux disease sufferer. Treatments for GERD fall into 3 classifications: Lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery.

Lifestyle

Treating GERD can be as simple as a change in everyday lifestyle. Making some simple changes in one's diet and every day habits may significantly reduce the onset of gastro esophageal reflux disease. Weight loss, elevation of the head during sleep, and avoidance of food two hours before going to bed, have all produced supported results in the treatment of GERD.

Positional Therapy
Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated at least 6 to 8 inches may prevent the backflow of gastric fluids at night. In some cases, even a higher incline has produced greater results in treating GERD. Some suggestions for raising the head of the bed would include a therapeutic wedge pillow, a mattress lifter, or bed risers that can be placed under bedposts. Simply using pillows to raise the head will only put pressure on the stomach and will not achieve the desired result. It is important that the entire upper body be elevated. Another possible method of positional therapy that has produced some results in the reduction and relief of nighttime gastro esophageal reflux disease is sleeping on the left side.

Diet and Lifestyle
Perhaps one of the simplest treatments for GERD is lifestyle change, specifically in diet and dietary habits. Since the backflow of gastric fluids is worse after meals, it stands to reason that one can benefit from dietary changes. Following are some suggestions for changes in dietary lifestyle that may prove beneficial in treating GERD:
-Don't eat anything or consume any dairy products within the 2 hours before bedtime
-Reduce or avoid coffee, carbonated drinks, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages
-Avoid peppermint and chocolate
-Avoid acidic foods such as tomatoes or citrus fruits and juices
-Eat smaller meals, even if it means eating more frequently
-Cruciferous vegetables should be avoided. These would include cabbage,
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or cauliflower.
-Avoid foods high in fat
-Avoid spicy foods

Smoking can also encourage the onset of gastro esophageal reflux disease, and should be avoided or stopped. Stopping smoking can be extremely difficult once it has become an addiction. Many stop smoking aids are available to encourage and assist the smoker in quitting.

Chewing Gum
Another possible method of treating GERD is gum chewing. While this is not a scientifically proven approach to GERD treatments, the bicarbonates produced in saliva can neutralize the acid in the esophagus, thus reducing the amounts of gastric backflow.

Medications

A number of prescription and over-the-counter medications have been approved in treating GERD. While some of these medications are available both as prescriptions and over-the-counter, prescription medications contain a higher dosage level and are generally more effective.

Over-The-Counter Medications
-Antacids have been proven to reduce gastric acidity when taken before meals or after symptoms have occurred.
-Gaviscon is an algenic acid that decreases reflux by coating the mucosa and increasing pH.

Prescription Medications
-Proton Pump Inhibitors stop acid formation at its source and are perhaps the most effective of all treatments for GERD. These medications include:
-Zegerid
-Protonix (pantoprazole)
-Prilosec (omeprazole)
-Prevacid (lansoprazole)
-Nexium (esomeprazole)
-Aciphex (rabeprazole)

-H2 Receptor Blockers are antihistamines that reduce the secretion of gastric fluids. These medications are available as both over-the-counter and prescription drugs and include:
-Zantac (ranitidine)
-Tagamet (cimetidine)
-Pepcid (famotidine)
-Axid (nizatidine)

-Promotility Agents may prevent acids from gathering in the stomach for long
periods of time by stimulating the gastrointestinal tract muscles. Promotility
agents include:
-Reglan (metoclopramide) (This drug has serious possible side effects)
-Propulside (Removed from the market in 2000)
-Motilium (domperidone)  (Available in Canada)

Surgery

If none of the above medications are effective in treating GERD, surgery is indicated to stop gastro esophageal reflux disease. The surgery performed is referred to as fundoplication, or simply reflux surgery. Surgery is effective in most cases and should be discussed with a physician.
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Acne Treatments - Over the Counter

There are dozens of over the counter acne treatments available to treat mild to moderate acne. Making a decision that can effectively treat acne can be difficult and confusing. The best method to choose an over the counter acne treatment that will work is to understand the active ingredients in the medication and how they work with the skin.

Some over the counter acne treatments are intended to cleanse the skin of oil and dirt, some are intended to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and some are formulated to kill the bacteria that cause acne flare ups. Over the counter treatments will not usually combine more than one active ingredient and each will have mild to moderate side effects and should not be over used. Using the products more often than indicated on the label will not produce faster results, as acne can often takes weeks to begin clearing.

Benzoyl peroxide is commonly known to be one of the most effective active ingredients used to treat mild to severe acne. Benzoyl peroxide kills the active bacteria that cause acne, Propionibacterium acnes, and is available in strengths from 2.5 to 10 percent. Over the counter acne treatments with Benzoyl peroxide should be used with care as they can cause skin dryness and sensitivity to sunlight. 

Over the counter acne treatments containing salicylic acid are available in strengths from 0.5 to 2 percent and are used to prevent the build up of dead skin cells inside pores. It is also used to breakdown whiteheads and blackheads associated with acne. Being an acidic active ingredient, products containing salicylic acid can cause a burning sensation and temporary redness.

Alcohol or acetone may also be found as an active ingredient in over the counter acne treatments to remove dirt and oils from the pores of the skin. Generally, astringent liquids and cleansers contain alcohol or acetone. These treatments should also be used with care as they can cause excessive dry skin and sensitivity.

Any over the counter acne treatments should be selected in the lowest active ingredient dosages to avoid lessen the side effects. If the lowest dosage is not working after a period of a few weeks, a product with a slightly higher percentage of active ingredients should be selected. All acne treatments such as cleansers, toners or astringents should be used in conjunction with an oil free moisturizing product to lessen the side effects of dryness or redness.

Acne can be a difficult and confusing medical condition to treat with over the counter medications. It will usually take some amount of experimentation to find an effective treatment method. Thorough research should be done into each over the counter acne medication prior to selecting a course of treatment. Although over the counter medications are less potent that prescription medications, they should not be combined for faster results.

Acne Treatments

Acne Treatment Prescription Overview

Acne treatments vary in strength, duration and type, but all are designed to treat specific incidences of acne. Depending on what type and level of acne you have, and how your body reacts to medication, a doctor may prescribe either a single medication or a combination of several different medications to treat your acne. While some treatments can be taken orally, other treatments are applied topically. 

There are a few general categories of prescribed acne treatments, including oral contraceptives, oral antibiotics, an oral retinoid, and topical retinoids, antimicrobials, and other topical applications. Many of these treatments are dangerous for pregnant women, young children, and women who are considering becoming pregnant. Therefore, the prescription that you receive will be based on a number of factors, including your age, your desire to bear children, and the success or failure you have experienced with prior acne medication.

Additionally, the combination of some topical applications and oral antibiotics can actually increase the resistance of some forms of bacteria to the treatment. Here is a brief description of the benefits and side effects of each category of acne treatment.


Oral Contraceptives: For Mild to Moderate Acne

Oral contraceptives have a long-term, preventative effect on acne due to the contraceptive's suppression of overactive sebaceous glands. However, oral contraceptives are not recommended for severe acne, and have dangerous side effects for women, especially those over the age of 35 who have a history of migraines and blood-clotting problems. Women who smoke are also strongly encouraged not to take oral contraceptives.

Oral Antibiotics: For Moderate to Severe Acne

Like other antibiotics, acne antibiotics can diminish in their effectiveness because the bacteria being attacked by the antibiotic builds up a resistance. This resistance can require increasingly stronger dosages of antibiotics or an entirely different variety of antibiotic to effectively treat the acne. Therefore, oral antibiotics are generally only recommended in cases of moderate to severe acne, and should not be used for milder forms of acne. Patients with recurring acne who opt for an oral antibiotic cure will usually have to switch antibiotics roughly every six months. 
There are several major varieties of oral acne antibiotics, including erythromycin and tetracycline. Erythromycin is a broad-based antibiotic that not only destroys P. acnes, the primary bacteria that causes acne, but numerous other types of bacteria. Because of this broad-based destructive power, erythromycin can occasionally cause gastrointestinal irritation by attacking bacteria in this region of the body. 
Tetracyclines are targeted toward diminishing acne pustules, and come in two primary synthetic forms, minocycline and doxycycline. Doxycycline excels at preventing inflammation, while minocycline generally avoids building antibiotic resistance, and is recommended when other courses of oral antibiotics have outlived their usefulness. However, tetracyclines are powerful, and not for use in children under 8, as they can stunt growth and stain teeth. Because of tetracycline's growth-stunting properties, pregnant women should absolutely not ingest tetracyclines.


Oral Retinoid: For Severe Acne Only

Isotretinoin is for the most severe forms of acne, and should not absolutely not be ingested by pregnant women, or women who are planning on bearing children due to its extremely strong, potentially disfiguring nature. Available in both capsule and liquid forms, isotretinoin is generally used when all other methods of prescribed acne treatment have failed. Isotretinoin treats severe nodular acne.

Topical Applications: For Mild to Moderate Acne

Retin-a, a topical application, comes from Vitamin A, and is for relatively mild acne such as white heads and black heads, the technical terminology for which is "comedones." Additionally, Retin-a takes anywhere from 6 to 9 weeks to become visibly effective, but works best with consistent applications over the course of a year. The side effects of retin-a include skin flaking.

Topical Antimicrobials: For Mild to Moderate Acne

The topical antimicrobials are suited best to treat mild to moderately severe inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. The most prevalent of these is Azelaic acid, which is based on an acid that naturally occurs in the skin. Although the process of how azelaic acid works is not precisely known, scientists believe that the azelaic acid helps to cure acne by reducing the bacteria P. acnes, leading to a reduction in skin shedding and inflammation.
Another excellent topical antimicrobial for treating inflammation is sodium sulfacetamide, although some patients object to the corresponding sulfur smell. This particular sulfur smell is generally confined to the older versions; newer versions have reduced the smell and gritty texture of this topical treatment. Clindamycin also reduces inflammation, although it is an antibiotic and should be used with care so as to not build up resistance.
Benzoyl peroxide does not reduce inflammation, but does kill the bacteria P. acnes, and is available in a variety of strengths. However, if used in combination with an antibiotic, benzoyl peroxide can contribute to the build-up on antibiotic resistance. Side effects include the occasional allergic reaction and bleaching of hair.

Topical Retinoids: For Mild to Moderate Acne

Tazarotene and adapalene are among the topical retinoids available by prescription. In general, topical retinoids can cause sensitivity to the sun and skin irritation. However, much like retin-a, they are excellent for the removal and prevention of blackheads and whiteheads. 
Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid and excels in unclogging pores, which prevents the subsequent appearance of comedones. Although it takes between 8 and 12 weeks for results to show, adapalene is the best choice for pregnant women. 
Tazarotene, which also clears pores, should not be used by pregnant women or women who are considering becoming pregnant because of its potentially severe birth defects.