Stomach: A Slice of Orange - November 2012 - The fire in your belly

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 11 • NOVEMBER 2012

A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health

THE FIRE IN YOUR BELLY • What goes down…

• Get rid of GERD • GERD in children

The fire in your belly

I

am a man of high pain tolerance. Like many of you, I can go to work even while suffering from a headache or backache. However, there is one pain that can literally put me down—the pain of heartburn. The pain can be so intense that my hands turn cold and sweaty, I can’t breathe, and I get dizzy as I clutch my chest.

Heartburn is termed as such because it is a burning sensation in the general area

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of the heart, just behind the breastplate to the upper middle abdomen (the pain occasionally radiates upward to the neck, throat, or back). However, the term is a misnomer, as the pain has nothing to do with one’s heart.

A SLICE OF ORANGE

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 11 • NOVEMBER 2012

Instead, heartburn is a symptom generally associated with a disorder called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a common disorder, affecting one in every five to 10 adults.

Lower esophageal sphincter

GERD in children Up to a third of children, including infants, have GERD. Most children will outgrow their reflux by their first birthday. However, some will not outgrow the condition, especially if there is a family history of GERD present.

Esophagus

GERD is difficult to detect in children, since they cannot describe what they feel. Also, their symptoms can range from repeated vomiting, spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems such as wheezing. Others simply cry inconsolably or refuse food.

When GERD interrupts their feeding, it can lead to failure to gain adequate weight. Bad breath, and belching or burping are also common symptoms.

Stomach

What goes down…

and damaged, leading to strictures, difficulty

As we have learned in elementary science,

swallowing, or even esophageal cancer.

For children with the following symptoms with no clear cause, it is best to consult a pediatrician, who can then assess and treat the problem, and prevent long-term complications.

when we swallow food, the food goes from our throat to our acidic stomach through a

GERD develops as a result of either one of

muscular tube called the esophagus. While

two factors, or both: 1) excessive acid in the

the stomach has protection against acid, the

stomach either as a result of excessive pro-

esophagus does not. A muscular sphincter

duction or poor drainage into the intestines;

at the lower end of the esophagus prevents

and 2) relaxation of the LES resulting in re-

stomach acids from entering the esophagus.

flux. GERD is also common among pregnant

This sphincter is called the lower esophageal

women, as the enlarging womb presses on

sphincter (LES), and it relaxes when we swal-

the abdominal organs, forcing stomach acid

low to let food through, but shuts closed after.

to reflux into the esophagus.

In a person with GERD, stomach acids go up

Once GERD develops, symptoms that follow

the esophagus (and sometimes up the throat

include:

and mouth), a process known as reflux. The

• Heartburn. The pain of heartburn may

acid irritates the esophagus, causing pain.

get worse as you lie down and the

If reflux and heartburn persists for years, the

contents of the stomach flow towards

esophagus can become permanently eroded

the esophagus.

• Regurgitation (a sensation of food or

acid flowing up to the throat)

• Pain or difficulty swallowing • Sore throat (as a result of acid

irritating the throat)

• Increased salivation • Nausea • Chronic cough, hoarseness, or

asthma, resulting from the acid in the

throat eventually irritating the larynx

• Erosion of dental enamel and tooth hypersensitivity • Sensation of choking, foreign object in throat.

A SLICE OF ORANGE

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 11 • NOVEMBER 2012

However, for most people, only one or a few

• Avoid alcohol. Not only does it stimulate

• Avoid wearing tight clothing around

of these symptoms may occur, and only after

acid production, but it can also erode the

having the condition for years.

stomach’s protective lining.

pressure.

Get rid of GERD

Aside from these, other lifestyle changes

For those with severe GERD, lifestyle changes

While GERD can be severe, you do not need

that can help are:

may not be enough. When this happens, you

to turn to medicines at once. There are a num-

• Chew gum. This stimulates saliva

should first consult a physician. He or she

ber of lifestyle changes you can do to help

production, which is alkaline. Avoid

may then request for some tests to be done

ease heartburn:

peppermint gum, since peppermint can

first to evaluate the acidity in the esophagus

be a trigger.

and the tone and structural integrity of the

the abdomen to lower abdominal

First of all, you have to prevent hyperacidity,

LES, as well as other conditions that may be

a condition that many people suffer from. Life-

causing the GERD.

style changes to prevent hyperacidity are: • Avoid caffeine, which stimulates

Your physician may also prescribe medica-

tions. While over-the-counter antacids may

acid production.

• Avoid nicotine, which stimulates acid

work for some people, many people may

production and relaxes the LES.

need more powerful medications that do not

• Relax and combat stress. Stress not

• Sleep on your left side. The junction

just neutralize acid, but also suppress acid

only stimulates acid production, but

of the stomach and esophagus is on

production. Other medications protect the

also lowers your stomach’s protection

the right side of your body. Sleeping

esophagus, while others increase acid drain-

versus acid.

on your right makes acid pool on the

age into the intestines. However, these medi-

• Eat small meals. Eating big meals

LES. Another way to help gravity

cations should only be taken under a doctor’s

stimulates excessive acid production.

work for you when sleeping is raising

supervision and prescription.

It also increases the pressure

your head up 30 degrees using

in the stomach, which may then force

pillows. This keeps your stomach

In patients with very severe GERD, surgery

acid into the esophagus.

below your esophagus.

can be performed to strengthen the LES or de-

• Avoid acidic and rich foods, or foods

• Lose weight. Studies show that

activate the stomach’s acid production. Know

that trigger reflux. The most common

being overweight contributes to

that there are many things that can help you

triggers are fatty foods, tea, onions,

increased pressure in the stomach

douse that fire in your chest and break free

peppermint, and chocolate.

and relaxation of the LES.

from heartburn.

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The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.

Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2012 ActiveLink

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A Slice of Orange

is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.

Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD