Health and Diet Blog

Himanshu Joshi asked:




Acid reflux disease is a condition in which the stomach acids abnormally reflux into the esophagus. This phenomenon is irregularly experienced by most people, most especially after eating.

Our body uses gastric and stomach acids to break down the food that we eat. Normally, after the digestion in the stomach, the food is delivered by the digestive muscles to the intestines for extra digestion. But in patients who have acid reflux disease, the acidic stomach contents are moved back to the esophagus, which then causes inflammation. Cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, pregnancy, and fatty foods are some factors which worsens acid reflux conditions.

Our present knowledge about acid reflux based on medical researches tells us that this disease is common in men as it is in women. There is no sexual preference. Moreover, the prevalence of acid reflux is more frequent in people of 40 years of age or more.

Symptoms of acid reflux may be typical or atypical. But based on the diagnosis of acid reflux patients, only 70% of those who have this disease manifest typical symptoms.

Typical or esophageal symptoms concern indicators which are related with the esophagus. Such symptoms include the following:

Heartburn. This is a condition in which the patient feels a painful burning feeling in the esophagus. The pain often develops in the chest and may swell to the neck or throat. This is most probable to occur in relation with these activities: after a heavy meal, lifting, bending over, and lying down. Based on one study, about 75% of acid reflux patients experience this symptom at night. These nigh-time patients also tend to experience more harsh pain than those whose symptom occurs at other times.

Dyspepsia. Researches show that about half of acid reflux patients have dyspepsia. This is a syndrome which consists of pain and distress in the upper abdomen, nausea after a meal, and stomach fullness. It is not a rule however, that those who have dyspepsia have acid reflux.

Regurgitation. This is when the gastric contents back up into the pharynx and sometimes as far as the mouth. In cases where the acids have spilled into the tracheobronchial tree, respiratory complications can be stimulated.

There are many instances, though, that acid reflux patients do not manifest symptoms such as regurgitation and heartburn. Instead, they experience atypical or extraesophageal symptoms which include the following:

Throat Symptoms. Although it does not commonly happen, acid reflux patients suffer from symptoms that occur in the throat. Hoarseness, the feeling of having a lump in the throat, dry cough are undergone by those who have acid laryngitis, a throat symptom. Patients can also have difficulty in swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia. In critical cases, the food may get trapped in the throat or even choke, which can result to a severe chest pain. Other throat symptoms are chronic sore throat and persistent hiccups.

Vomiting and Nausea. When a patient suffers from nausea which persists for weeks, he may have acid reflux. There are few instances where vomiting can occur as often as once a day.

Respiratory Symptoms. Coughing and wheezing are counted as respiratory symptoms. These result from the overrunning of the stomach acids into the tracheobronchial tree creating bronchoconstriction.

Acid reflux disease can last for several months if not given proper medical attention. Drug treatment may only be required for a short time. But when the symptoms tend to repetitively occur, the drug treatment may have to be reapplied.

Jennifer Jolan asked:




Here’s how to melt fat away with just your hand. Yeah, you heard right. This isn’t some sort of joke or advertising type of gimmick. It’s the real deal. You’ll see why when you read the rest of this.

You’re probably skeptical… and I would be too because of all the outrageous claims you get bombarded with each day that are just plain ludicrous.

Anyway, you can melt fat away using your hand by doing belly rubs. Bell rubs you say? Yeah.

Here’s exactly what you do… the nitty-gritty details.

Rub your hands together to create heat energy. Do this for 15 or maybe 20 seconds. Once you’re done, take 1 of your hands and rub small circles around your belly button… right over your belly fat.

It’s best to do this lying face up on a bed or wherever, but you can also do is standing up or sitting down. I however prefer to do it lying down.

Each belly rub should last about 30 seconds. Then you rest for a moment and rub your hands together and repeat. Keep repeating for a total of 3-4 minutes. Ideally, do these twice a day… once in the early morning and once late at night.

The belly rubs work at melting fat away because the heat in your hand passes right through your skin and into belly fat deposits. Essentially what the heat does is that it melts away fat for energy and excretion. The fat cells simply get flushed out of your body.

Try it for yourself for a few days and see if you can melt fat away with just your hand and a little time.

Juliet Cohen asked:




Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Over the course of a lifetime, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is a cancer of the breast tissue, which can occur in both women and men. Breast cancer may be one of the oldest known forms of cancer tumors in humans.Worldwide, breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and colon cancer). Breast cancer kills more women in the United States than any cancer except lung cancer. Today, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be a result of damage to DNA. How this mechanism may occur comes from several known or hypothesized factors (such as exposure to ionizing radiation, or viral mutagenesis). Some factors lead to an increased rate of mutation (exposure to estrogens) and decreased repair (the BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53) genes. Alcohol generally appears to increase the risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer can also occur in men, although it rarely does. Experts predict 178,000 women and 2,000 men will develop breast cancer in the United States. There are several different types of breast cancer. First is Ductal carcinoma begins in the cells lining the ducts that bring milk to the nipple and accounts for more than 75% of breast cancers. Second is Lobular carcinoma begins in the milk-secreting glands of the breast but is otherwise fairly similar in its behavior to ductal carcinoma. Other varieties of breast cancer can arise from the skin, fat, connective tissues, and other cells present in the breast. Some women have what is known as HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2, short for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, is a gene that helps control cell growth, division, and repair. When cells have too many copies of this gene, cell growth speeds up.

Causes of Breast Cancer

Simply being a woman is the main risk for breast cancer. While men can also get the disease, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men. The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. Nearly 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women age 50 or older. About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are linked to changes (mutations) in certain genes. The most common gene changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relatives can be from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family. Woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of getting a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from the first cancer coming back Many experts now believe that the main reason for this is because they have faster growing tumors. Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian women have a lower risk of getting breast cancer. Certain types of abnormal biopsy results can be linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.Women who have had radiation treatment to the chest area (as treatment for another cancer) earlier in life have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer

Some pregnant women were given the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) because it was thought to lower their chances of losing the baby. Recent studies have shown that these women (and their daughters who were exposed to DES while in the uterus), have a slightly increased risk of getting breast cancer. Use of alcohol is clearly linked to a slightly increased risk of getting breast cancer. Women who have 1 drink a day have a very small increased risk. Those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 1½ times the risk of women who drink no alcohol. The American Cancer Society suggests limiting the amount you drink.Being overweight is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, especially for women after change of life and if the weight gain took place during adulthood. Also, the risk seems to be higher if the extra fat is in the waist area. Breast-feeding and pregnancy: Some studies have shown that breast-feeding slightly lowers breast cancer risk, especially if the breast-feeding lasts 1½ to 2 years. This could be because breast-feeding lowers a woman’s total number of menstrual periods, as does pregnancy. Women who began having periods early (before 12 years of age) or who went through the change of life (menopause) after the age of 55 have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

1.Lumps.

2.Rash.

3.Breast Pain.

4.Cysts.

5.Nipple Discharge.

6.Inverted Nipple.

Treatment of Breast Cancer

1.Hormonal therapy (with tamoxifen).

2.Chemotherapy.

3.Radiotherapy.

4.Surgery.

Vincent Platania asked:




The stories surrounding nutmeg tell of its ability to enhance a man’s virility.  Young men were told by monks in the sixteenth century to keep some nutmeg oil on hand so that they could put the oil on their genital area and it would serve to strengthen their masculinity.  Men have been known to keep nutmeg under their armpits to attract a collection of admirers. 

This interesting spice also has some health benefits as well.  It has been used to keep away boils, broken bones and rheumatism.  It was believed that the spice could keep the plague away during Elizabethan times and became a very highly valuable spice.

Nutmeg comes from a tree that grows in Moluccas in an area of Indonesia that is called the Spice Islands.  The fruit that grows from the tree is the nutmeg seed.  The fruit is small, about the size of an egg.  The seed has inside a yellow fruit that when it is cut in half there is a red covering inside.  This is sold as mace when it is dried.  Underneath this is a nut, which is the actual nutmeg. 

Spices have been shown to contain many health benefits and nutmeg falls into this category.  It has been used to treat conditions such as gastroenteritis, dysentery, vomiting, indigestion and bloating.  It has also been used in India’s Ayurvedic medicine to treat many digestive conditions, premature ejaculation and urinary incontinence.  It can help with the treatment of arthritis, neuralgia, muscle pain, rheumatism and poor circulation.

Some have even said that the oils that come from the nutmeg can cause hallucinations.  Don’t worry, though, this will not happen when you add it to your custard.

Nutmeg is best known as an addition to sweet recipes like puddings and pies.  It can also be used on meat dishes for an extra added zip that will leave your guests wondering what your secret is.  Vegetables are not immune to the benefits of the spice.  In fact, nutmeg can be used on almost anything you cook.

It works especially well with cheese dishes and is often a part of a soufflé recipe.  Put it in your soups for a little kick. Egg dishes respond very well to the addition of nutmeg.  And of course, don’t forget the eggnog.  The aroma of nutmeg is as delicious as its taste.  Many people will come running to your table ready to try the dishes that you created with the addition of nutmeg.  Feel free to experiment a little bit with the occasional dash of nutmeg in your favorite recipes.  It will bring out a flavor that most people will know but might not be able to identify.  It will be your little secret.

If you want to find some high quality nutmeg you should check out www.rawleigh-products.com for some of the best nutmeg.  This company uses a special technique to preserve the natural flavorings of the spice and deliver to you a fantastic spice.

Juliet Cohen asked:




Fibromyalgia is an illness that causes chronic pain in muscle s and ligament s. Fibromyalgia, also known as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis, fibrositis, and myofibrositis. It is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. Fibromyalgia also causes people to have trouble sleeping and feel very tired all the time. Fibromyalgia tends to occur in women much more often than in men. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of people with fibromyalgia are women between the ages of 30 and 60 years. The term “fibromyalgia” means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Fibromyalgia must be diagnosed through a process of elimination. In other words, before a complaint can be labeled fibromyalgia, it must first be determined that there is not some other cause. Most patients with FMS say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn.

While fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, its cause is currently unknown. Symptoms usually arise between the ages of 20-55 years, but the condition also may be diagnosed in childhood. Many other symptoms also occur in people with this disorder. Symptoms may come and go. In general, fibromyalgia is strikes women seven times more often than men, according to a 1998 National Institutes of Health report. Some people with fibromyalgia also experience depression, tension and migraine headaches, irritable bowel and bladder, chronic fatigue syndrome and temperomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (characterized by pain in the jaw). Therefore, fibromyalgia is different from many other rheumatic conditions. In those diseases, tissue inflammation is the major cause of pain, stiffness and tenderness of the joints, tendons and muscles, and it can lead to joint deformity and damage to the internal organs or muscles.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

The common causes and risk factor’s of Fibromyalgia include the following:

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known.

Disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause rather than just a symptom of fibromyalgia.

Family History: If a parent, sibling, or other relative has fibromyalgia, one is more at risk for developing the condition.

A viral or bacterial infection.

Emotional trauma and stress.

People with insomnia or other sleeping disorders such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Some sign and symptoms related to Fibromyalgia are as follows:

Muscle pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Poor sleeping.

Frequent urination.

Dry mouth.

Headaches and migraines.

Feeling of pain, burning, aching, and soreness in the body.

Pain in the knees and kneecap area.

Sense of tissues feeling swollen.

Numbness, tingling and feeling of cold in the hands and feet.

Irritable bladder and urinary complaints.

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Here is list of the methods for treating Fibromyalgia:

Antidepressants known as tricyclics are commonly prescribed for the treatment of fibromyalgia, primarily to reduce sleeplessness and muscle pain.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other forms of counseling, including hypnotherapy.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Muscle relaxers such as Flexeril may be used to relax muscle spasms in specific locations without affecting overall muscle function.

Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) may help.

Vitamins , dietary supplements , and herbal products.

Some methods of stress reduction to consider include biofeedback, deep breathing, meditation and massage therapy.

Roger Thompson asked:




It is very important to be able to notice the early signs of genital warts, not only because they are so contagious and thus can be spread to a partner so easily, but also because they are such an alarmingly common problem in the world today. Genital warts are actually considered as being one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases in the world.

While in women genital warts tend to grow on the vulva, and the area between the external genitals and the anus, in men they are typically found on the tip of the shaft of the penis and on or around the anus. However they can also develop in and around the mouth of a male or female if they have come in contact, namely had oral sex with, someone who has the disease. Only by noticing the early signs of genital warts right away will you be able to get proper treatment at the right time, and this is why even if you have been with a partner for a long time and even if you use protection, you should still always keep an eye on these areas and make sure that there is nothing to be concerned about.

By recognizing the early signs of genital warts, you will then be able to notify your doctor and they will be able to properly diagnose and assess your condition and then from there determine which treatment is going to be best suited for you and your condition. There are several options to choose from here, one of the most common involving the use of liquid nitrogen. This is the treatment method that works basically by freezing and then burning off the warts, and although it will usually be a bit uncomfortable, there is generally little to no actual pain involved in the process. It is important that you never try to take care of the warts yourself and not use over-the-counter medications, because these are usually not intended for use in the moist tissues of the genital areas.

The best way to be able to spot early signs of genital warts is to understand the causes, because this way you will know what to avoid and when you should watch out for them. Genital warts are caused by a virus known as HPV, which infects the top layers of your skin, and although there are actually more than 100 different types of the virus, only certain types are able to cause warts.

For information related health care medical and related jobs visit http://www.idohealthcare.com

Juliet Cohen asked:




Gardner’s Syndrome is a genetics condition. Gardner’s syndrome is characterized by the occurrence of many polyps in the colon together with tumors outside the colon. The further colonic tumors may consist of osteomas of the skull, thyroid cancer, epidermoid cysts, fibromas and sebaceous cysts. The numerous polyps in the colon predispose to the growth of colon cancer. The polyps most frequently start to form at teenage years. And colon cancer generally arises 10 to 15 years there after. The standard age of diagnosis of familial polyposis is 25 years of age, with cancers developing at age 20 to 30.

However, cancers may occur anywhere from late infancy to the sixties. The reason of Gardner syndrome is inherited, with autosomal dominant bequest. A gene known as the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) is nearby in over 80% of those with this disease. A person with the disease thus has a 50% chance of passing the gene on to each of their children. Most people who obtain the gene almost always manifest the disease although the expression of the disease can vary markedly from person to person. Gardner’s syndrome has vanished as a separate entity. It has been merged into familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

It is at this time considered basically a phenotypic variant of FAP. There are no specific symptoms. If the polyps become very large, they may cause intestinal bleeding, Intussusception, or Intestinal Blockage. People with this disease also have a superior risk of developing dermoid tumors, abnormalities of the retina, skin tumors, and bone tumors. Polyps are found in the stomach in over half of those affected with this disease. However, stomach polyps usually do not become cancerous. Treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of Gardner syndrome depends on the symptomatic or cosmetic nature and the location of the cysts.

Treatment is related to that employed for ordinary cysts and engages excision or utilize of intralesional steroids if the cysts are inflamed. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is helpful in several cases refractory to more conservative treatment choices. Sigmoidoscopies will be wanted afterward to make sure no cancer develops in remaining parts of the intestine. This will be determined by one’s primary care doctor and the surgeon who performed the surgery. Periodic upper endoscopy is utilized to make sure that cancer does not develop in the stomach or intestine, and will require to be continued even after the colon is removed.

Raj Kumar asked:




Fractures, bone pain, foot or leg cramp during post menopause can also be referred to as Osteoporosis. Bone strength slowly decreases and causes the skeletal system to become more fragile. Bone density represents about 70 percent of the bone’s strength. When osteoporosis exists, the bone become porous, giving the body a greater chance to have fractures, bone pain, foot or leg cramps.

Post menopause is the final phase of the transition of your body caused by hormone levels changing with your age. Most women over the age of 50 should consider having a test done that measures the density of your bones.

Considering having a bone density test done by a physician is a diagnostic test that will measure the amount of minerals left in your bones allowing the doctor to determine whether or not osteoporosis has set in.

These tests have been debated as to whether or not your physician has enough evidence to administer the proper medication to treat these symptoms. The testing is very valuable because it will give your doctor the proper information to administer hormone, and/or drug treatment.

There is a number of prescription drugs used to treat these symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one way to treat these symptoms. Replacement hormones consist of synthetic estrogen, and or, progestin. These hormones replace a woman’s depleting hormones allowing the body to be relieved of the symptoms of menopause. These replacement hormones, if taken up to five years after menopause begins can stop the effects of osteoporosis. It is estimated that HRT can give a 50 to 80 percent decrease in vertebral fractures, and a 23 percent decrease in non-vertebral fractures if taken with a five year use. There are side effects to HRT which include bloating, nausea, breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding, fluid retention, weight gain, depression, and a possible increase of migraine headaches.

Herbs have also been used to treat osteoporosis such as Vitex, also known as chaste berry. This herb is known to even out hot flashes, mood swings, and restore vaginal lubrication.

The symptoms of fractures, bone pain, foot or leg cramps are feelings of power surges throughout the body, and can be very uncomfortable.

Along with the hormone/drug treatment, there are also natural ways to fight fractures, bone pain, foot or leg crams during post menopause.

By drinking milk, eating calcium rich foods, such as broccoli, deep green leaf lettuces like kale, and taking calcium supplements. Doctors recommend that you take 1,500 mg., along with magnesium because it will work with your body to help you absorb the calcium better. Foods to avoid during this time are caffeine, including chocolate, alcohol, and spicy foods. You can also increase your diet with foods like soy tofu, and soy products because they are rich in isflavones. By utilizing these mediums you can delay the natural causes of fractures, bone pain, foot or leg cramps, during post menopause because when you lose bone density, you can not get it back.

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Hannah Bajor.C.N.M.,M.S.N. Pregnancy Success & Health Coach asked:






What is implantation bleeding?



It is not unusual that some women experience implantation bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy. Any vaginal bleeding outside implantation bleeding of pregnancy is classified as a threatened miscarriage, meaning the pregnancy is threatening to miscarriage. About 25% of all pregnancies are actually miscarried but 50% of all threatened miscarriages settle down and a normal pregnancy happens.



When does implantation bleeding occur?



Implantation bleeding occurs very early in pregnancy as a direct result of the fertilized egg (your growing baby) burying and snuggling its way into the lining of your womb. Implantation bleeding occurs about 10-14 days after the egg has been fertilized or when conception occurred. This is also around the time when your menstrual cycles would be expected.



Signs of Implantation Bleeding:



Signs of implantation bleeding can vary from one pregnant woman to another. It normally mild in nature and is much lighter than a normal menstrual period.



The color of implantation bleeding:



The color of implantation bleeding can vary form bright red to brown implantation bleeding. Bright red implantation bleeding means that there is an active area of bleeding within the womb and blood is flowing from the site of implantation to the vagina very quickly. It may indicate that implantation has just occurred.

Brown implantation bleeding is the color of old blood. When you get brown implantation bleeding it normally means that when the fertilized egg buried it way into the womb, a little blood was released. The bleeding that occurred at the moment of implantation stayed in the womb for some time so by the time you see it on your underwear or when you wipe yourself it showed up as brown implantation bleeding.



How long does implantation bleeding last?



Most cases of implantation bleeding last for a few minutes to a few days. If implantation bleeding lasts more than a few days then it may be a sign of vaginal infection or a threatened miscarriage.



How heavy is implantation bleeding?



Heavy implantation bleeding is unusual. The only thing you might notice with implantation bleeding is a pinkish or brown discharge when you wipe yourself after you go to the bathroom.



Cramps with implantation bleeding:



Cramps with implantation bleeding can happen. You may even experience cramps with or without bleeding. The reason you may experience cramps with implantation bleeding is because as the fertilized egg buries into your womb, it caused the muscle of your womb to contract. These contractions press on nerve endings and may result in mild to moderate menstrual like pains for 24-48 hours.



What to do if you have signs of implantation bleeding:



Don’t panic if you have any of the above signs of implantation bleeding. Remember 50% of all cases of implantation bleeding end up in a normal pregnancy.

Know your blood type. Depending on your partner’s blood type and if you are a rhesus negative blood type then it may be necessary to have an Rh-immune globulin injection within 24 hours of any pregnancy bleeding.

If you suspect you may be pregnant and your bleeding is from implantation bleeding then do a home pregnancy test. This home test should remain positive. If it is positive and you do not know your blood Rhesus factor, then call your provider for consultation for possible Rh-immune globulin.

Never insert a tampon, douche, or have sexual intercourse while you are bleeding.

Keep track of whether the bleeding is increasing or decreasing and how many pads you are using.

If you feel your pregnancy bleeding is heavier or lasting longer than the above ranges then call your health care provider for consultation immediately.

Bleeding during pregnancy is scary. Your fear is picked up by your unborn child. Intra uterine fear can stay with your child for a lifetime, so constantly reassure your baby that he or she is wanted and loved. Want to know more about how pregnancy is like from your babies viewpoint then check out my Birth, A Conscious Choice. at http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com

You may also be very interested in an amazing message that was telepathically dictated to me for humanity from my son when he was seven-weeks old. Yes you read correctly! I have the ability to communicate with baby’s emotions from inside and outside the womb. Down load this AMAZING MESSAGE FREE at http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com/Message_For_Humanity.html

If you wish to ask me a personal question about your pregnancy or an issue in your life then visit http://www.PregnancySuccessCoach.com/Ask_Hannah_Section.html

Hannah Bajor. C.N.M.,M.S.N.

Certified Nurse Midwife

Pregnancy Success Coach

Aaron Devito asked:




Acid reflux disease is a condition in which the stomach acids abnormally reflux into the esophagus. This phenomenon is irregularly experienced by most people, most especially after eating.

Our body uses gastric and stomach acids to break down the food that we eat. Normally, after the digestion in the stomach, the food is delivered by the digestive muscles to the intestines for extra digestion. But in patients who have acid reflux disease, the acidic stomach contents are moved back to the esophagus, which then causes inflammation. Cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, pregnancy, and fatty foods are some factors which worsens acid reflux conditions.

Our present knowledge about acid reflux based on medical researches tells us that this disease is common in men as it is in women. There is no sexual preference. Moreover, the prevalence of acid reflux is more frequent in people of 40 years of age or more.

Symptoms of acid reflux may be typical or atypical. But based on the diagnosis of acid reflux patients, only 70% of those who have this disease manifest typical symptoms.

Typical or esophageal symptoms concern indicators which are related with the esophagus. Such symptoms include the following:

Heartburn. This is a condition in which the patient feels a painful burning feeling in the esophagus. The pain often develops in the chest and may swell to the neck or throat. This is most probable to occur in relation with these activities: after a heavy meal, lifting, bending over, and lying down. Based on one study, about 75% of acid reflux patients experience this symptom at night. These nigh-time patients also tend to experience more harsh pain than those whose symptom occurs at other times.

Dyspepsia. Researches show that about half of acid reflux patients have dyspepsia. This is a syndrome which consists of pain and distress in the upper abdomen, nausea after a meal, and stomach fullness. It is not a rule however, that those who have dyspepsia have acid reflux.

Regurgitation. This is when the gastric contents back up into the pharynx and sometimes as far as the mouth. In cases where the acids have spilled into the tracheobronchial tree, respiratory complications can be stimulated.

There are many instances, though, that acid reflux patients do not manifest symptoms such as regurgitation and heartburn. Instead, they experience atypical or extraesophageal symptoms which include the following:

Throat Symptoms. Although it does not commonly happen, acid reflux patients suffer from symptoms that occur in the throat. Hoarseness, the feeling of having a lump in the throat, dry cough are undergone by those who have acid laryngitis, a throat symptom. Patients can also have difficulty in swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia. In critical cases, the food may get trapped in the throat or even choke, which can result to a severe chest pain. Other throat symptoms are chronic sore throat and persistent hiccups.

Vomiting and Nausea. When a patient suffers from nausea which persists for weeks, he may have acid reflux. There are few instances where vomiting can occur as often as once a day.

Respiratory Symptoms. Coughing and wheezing are counted as respiratory symptoms. These result from the overrunning of the stomach acids into the tracheobronchial tree creating bronchoconstriction.

Acid reflux disease can last for several months if not given proper medical attention. Drug treatment may only be required for a short time. But when the symptoms tend to repetitively occur, the drug treatment may have to be reapplied.