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What is gerd

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groovey
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2007
Posts : 127
Posted 9/4/2008 8:55 AM (GMT -7)
I have noticed that lost of forum members mention gerd.What is this and what are the symptoms...thanks groovey
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Red_34
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 23581
Posted 9/4/2008 9:03 AM (GMT -7)
GERD is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease meaning it's a more advance version of acid reflux and can cause extensive damage to the esophagus and/or cancer if not properly treated. Stomach acid washes back up into the esophagus and over time can cause erosion.
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Red_34
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 23581
Posted 9/4/2008 9:06 AM (GMT -7)
Oh forgot to mention that GERD can affect more then just the esophagus. The stomach acid can backwash causing PND, hoarse voice and sometimes (not sure?) it can aggravate asthma.
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AnmlCrazey
New Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 14
Posted 9/8/2008 8:18 PM (GMT -7)
I can tell you a whole lot about GERD and asthma!! I should be a pro on this by now, since I have been suffering for over a year now, with both. GERD, can in fact affect asthma, because the low spinchter in the throat opens up and allows acid to come into the esophagus, which then affects the throat and the lungs. I am living proof of asthma getting worse withe GERD, actully just recently I went to the ENT doctor about a month ago and found out the acid eroded my throat espically while being on 40mg of nexium a day. I was recently boosted up to 80mg of Nexium a day, which is the only thing that kills it. My asthma was out of control and I have having frequent attacks and laryngospasms due to GERD as well. Since, I have gotten the acid under control, if I have an asthma attack, it isn't as severe as it has been, but sure scary enough to scare me! Also, of course stay away from spicy, fried foods, and basically a bland healthy diet and exercise. Hope this has helped! Here is an article, I recently wrote about GERD and Asthma:

 

How can GERD affect ASTHMA?

In the chest pressure changes happen during breathing. The high pressures may cause the stomach to move up the esophagus and resulting in reflux symptoms. Refluxed acid from the stomach can be aspirated into the airways and lungs, making breathing difficult and causing the patient to cough.

Acid reflux can cause asthma symptoms in two ways. First it can cause people to breathe little droplets of acid into their lungs without them knowing it. The acid can aggravate the fragile pulmonary lining and cause spasms in the bronchi and airways, which can result in an asthma attack. Second, recurring episodes of acid reflux can cause digestive acid to melt away the esophageal lining and expose some parts of significant nerves that are connected to the lungs. The irritation of the nerve endings that are connected to the lungs. The irritation of the nerve endings have also been observed to set off the constriction of airways, which could then result in an asthma attack.

Studies have been shown that asthma attacks can be connected with acid reflux if their asthma began after reaching adulthood. Acid reflux is also suspected if asthma symptoms become more evident after eating, at night, or after laying down for awhile. It can also be evident if the typical asthma treatments do not work.

 

What to do if you have GERD and ASTHMA?

There are many things you can do if you have GERD and ASTHMA. You first need to work with you physician and discuss the treatment options available, which will suit your needs the best. It is important to take your medication your doctor prescribes consistently. This also applies to both those prescribed for asthma and GERD. It is important to control your exposure to asthma and heartburn/acid reflux triggers are, and how best you can avoid them.

The next step is to take a few preventable steps to control the GERD symptoms. Here is a list of helpful hints which decrease your chances of having GERD episodes.

 

1. Sleep with your head and shoulder on an incline.

Lying down flat presses the stomach’s contents against the LES. With the head higher than your shoulders helps reduce this pressure, and keeps stomach contents where they belong. You can elevate your head in a couple of ways. You can place bricks, blocks, or anything that is sturdy securely under the legs at the head of your bed. You can also use a wedge-shaped pillow to elevate your head.

 

2.Sleep on your left side

Studies have shown that the position aids in digestion and helps with the removal of stomach acid. Sleeping on the right side has been shown to worsen heartburn.

 

3. Eat at least two to three hours before lying down

If you take naps, try sleeping in a chair. Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to press harder against the LES, increasing the chances of refluxed food.

 

4.Avoid foods that are known to lead to GERD

(See GERD Triggers Page for a list of foods)

They include foods that can trigger your GERD, either by increasing acid production and gastric pressure or by loosening the low sphincter muscle. Also avoid foods at dinnertime, you will increase your chances of having nighttime heartburn. If you aren’t sure what foods trigger your heartburn symptoms, try keeping a heartburn record for a week.

 

5.Eliminate late-night snacking

Have your last snack no later than two hours before bedtime.

 

6.Stop Smoking

Nicotine can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to stomach contents entering the esophagus, with heartburn as a result. Smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid.

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AnmlCrazey
New Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 14
Posted 9/8/2008 8:31 PM (GMT -7)
another helpful list of foods that are safe to eat or stay away from!

 

Foods that are known to cause heartburn or acid reflux:

Fruit: orange juice

Lemons

Lemonade

Grapefruit juice

Cranberry juice

Tomato

Vegetables: mashed potatoes

French fries

Onion, raw

Meat: Ground beef, chuck

Marbled sirloin

Chicken nuggets

Buffalo Wings

Dairy: Sour Cream

Milk Shake

Ice Cream

Cottage Cheese, regular

Beverages: Liquor

Wine

Coffee, decaf. Or regular

Tea, decaf. Or regular

Fats/Oils: Salad dressing, creamy

Salad dressing, oil &

Vinegar

Sweets/Desserts: Butter cookie, high

Fat

Brownie

Chocolate

Doughnut

Corn chips

Potato chips

Foods that are known to cause little or no GERD

Fruit: apple, fresh

Apple, diced

Apple juice

Banana

Vegetables: baked potato

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Green beans

Peas

Meat: ground beef, extra lean

Steak, London Broil

Chicken breast, skinless

Egg whites

Egg substitutes

Fish, no added fat

Dairy: cheeses, feta or goat

Cream cheeses, fat free

Sour cream, fat free

Soy cheese, low fat

Grain: bread, mult-grain or white

Cereal, bran or oatmeal

Corn bread

Graham crackers

Pretzels

Rice, brown or white

Rice cakes

Fats/Oils: salad dressing, low fat

Sweets/Desserts: cookie, fat free

Jelly beans

Red licorice

Potato chips, baked

Foods to be eaten with discresction

Fruit

Orange juice, low-acid
Apple cider
Peach
Blueberries
Raspberries

Strawberries
Grapes
Cranberries, dried

Vegetables

Garlic
Onion, cooked
Leeks
Sauerkraut
Scallions

Meat

Ground beef, lean
Chicken salad
Scrambled eggs, in butter
Eggs, fried
Fish, fried
Tuna salad
Hot dog, beef or pork
Ham

Dairy

Yogurt
Milk, 2 percent or skim
Frozen yogurt
Cottage cheese, low-fat
Cheddar cheese
Mozzarella cheese

Grains

Garlic bread
Muffin
Granola cereal

 

Beverages

Non-alcoholic wine
Beer

Non-alcoholic beer
Cola
Root beer

Fats / Oils

Ketchup

Desserts

cookie, low-fat

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groovey
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2007
Posts : 127
Posted 12/10/2008 8:50 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Anmlcrazy....wow thanks for your info on Gerds.I really have taken on board what you have said and in particular looked at the foods I eat ...fruit in particular...I stuff myself with it as we are told to have our 5 a day...I will try to modify all the foods you state should be eaten with discretion and those known to cause acid reflux as I really dont want to add this condition to my asthma...so far no signs of it yet!!!! you are a star and thank you...keep well and happy Grooveyxx
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Razzle
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 4415
Posted 12/10/2008 5:44 PM (GMT -7)
Peppermint also can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which then makes it easier to have symptoms of GERD.
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AnmlCrazey
New Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 14
Posted 1/3/2009 8:36 PM (GMT -7)
Hey Groovey,

I am so glad that I could be help to you. I used to check this post all the time, but no one ever seemed to respond, so I forgot LOL. Well I have learned the hard way about GERD and asthma and they are not fun. Your very welcome, I just do not want anyone to go through what I have and if I can help it makes my day smilewinkgrin . Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

Andrea

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Chartreux
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2006
Posts : 9664
Posted 1/3/2009 8:57 PM (GMT -7)
Nice list Andrea,
However, as every person is different and can have gerd brought on
by foods that they says are not supposed to cause gerd: example carrots
make my gerd worse and lead into asthma. So you pretty much have to find
out what can bring on your gerd symptoms and lemons in moderation do not
bother me at all, but you have a good list Andrea and nice explanation.
Also, if you go to the GERD forum here you can pick up more info on this topic
and that there is a licorice remedy you'll be able to find that can help most people.
Other than that nicely done Andrea and Sherry.
Nice to meet you Andrea and welcome.
Soft hugz
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AnmlCrazey
New Member
Joined : Feb 2007
Posts : 14
Posted 1/7/2009 7:06 PM (GMT -7)
Wow, I never knew anything about carrots. Well since, I have been very careful about what I eat now, the throat spasms have stopped, but I am also on 80mg of nexium a day. I agree everyone is different, it took me awhile to figure out a lot of my tirggers. Licorice, that is a new one, I should check into it. Thanks!

Andrea
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Gordon22
New Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 8
Posted 1/14/2009 5:42 AM (GMT -7)
gastroesophageal reflux disease = GERD There are a lot of meds for treatment of GERD ( I find some at Costmeds.com)

Post Edited (Gordon22) : 11/5/2009 12:39:42 PM (GMT-7)

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