If you are among the estimated 15 million Americans who suffer from the symptoms gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) each day, you may be prescribed famotidine, a generic medication used to treat conditions that cause an excess production of...
Your digestive system is composed of your esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, colon and rectum. It is a vital component necessary to digest the food you consume. In some cases, you may develop certain digestive problems, such as...
Gastric reflux, medically known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, refers to a chronic disease in which stomach acid moves up the digestive tract. The Mayo Clinic says that signs of gastric reflux include chest pain, trouble swallowing, a...
The digestive system functions to break down large food particles into small molecules the body can absorb. The organs of the digestive system include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. Many...
Hives are weal-like, patchy formations that commonly erupt on the upper chest though they can affect the entire body. Also called urticaria, hives develop when blood vessels in the body leak fluid into the skin. This is a histamine-type reaction...
There are two main classes of drugs for the treatment of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. According to RxList.com, H2 antagonists work by blocking one of the main producers of acid in the stomach called histamine 2. The...
Whenever a drug is created by pharmaceutical companies, they have a monopoly on the drug for a set period. The idea is to allow them to recoup their research funds, plus make a profit for the creation. The patent on any drug is 20 years, but since...
Yogi Ginger Tea is promoted as a digestive aid, but if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, you will find that not all substances that help with digestion are good for your condition. You need to avoid peppermint, an...
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid enters the esophagus. There are multiple causes, yet smoking, pregnancy, drinking alcohol and eating highly acidic foods are the most common culprits. Any grocery store has multiple remedies for acid reflux...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux, is a disease in which the stomach contents travel back up the esophagus. The symptoms of the disease include heartburn, regurgitation, increased salivation and belching. Several medications are used...
Gastritis, or acid stomach, is inflammation in the stomach. It is caused by factors which enable the acidic environment of the stomach to damage and inflame the stomach wall. Causes include infections, alcohol and medications, traumatic injuries,...
Reflux laryngitis is the back flow of acid from the stomach into the voice box. The treatment of this condition is primarily medication with changes in lifestyle and surgery when the medical treatment is unsuccessful.
Acid reflux (which is related to another condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a common condition that, aside from causing pain and discomfort, can lead to more serious problems. Untreated acid reflux can lead to ulcers in the esophagus...
If springtime gardening is always followed with a runny nose or if you constantly sneeze while visiting that friend with the cute pet, you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), 54.6 percent of...
Heartburn is a symptom of a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn causes a bitter or sour taste in the mouth and throat, and it is usually accompanied by pain in the lower chest. Although it is not...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) results when stomach acid frequently comes in contact with the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It occurs when the esophageal sphincter relaxes more regularly than it...
Most babies have some degree of reflux, which is the involuntary passage of stomach content back into the esophagus. A group of babies will develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where they'll have symptoms of pain, colic-like crying,...
Milk is sometimes mistaken as a possible natural treatment for heartburn. Unfortunately, milk contains substances, such as fat, protein and calcium, that the stomach needs to produce stomach acid to digest properly. For those already suffering...
Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are medicines that help reduce the acid production in the stomach. PPIs work by interfering with the mechanism that pumps acid into the stomach, states the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse....
While most people associate a glass of wine at the end of the day with comfort and relaxation, for some, the beverage instead prompts feelings of heartburn due to acid reflux. Thankfully, there are some easy remedies for this uncomfortable...
In infants, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause spitting up or projectile vomiting after feeding. This happens because there is a problem with the muscle at the end of the esophagus leading to the stomach. The muscle has problems...
A hiatal hernia occurs when a small section of the stomach pokes through the part of the diaphragm where the esophagus and stomach come together. Many people who have small hiatal hernias are asymptomatic and are not even aware that they have a...
Heartburn is a common malady that occurs most often when acid from the person's stomach flows the wrong way, namely up into the esophagus. This occurs because the esophageal sphincter that is supposed to close to prevent it does not work properly....
Helicobacter pylori, also known as H. pylorus, is a bacterium that infects the lining of the stomach and upper portion of the small intestine. The bacterial infection leads to conditions such as stomach ulcers and an inflammation of the stomach...
Peptic ulcers are sores that can develop on the stomach, esophageal or intestinal lining. They are usually caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Ask your doctor to administer a test to detect H. pylori antibodies if you have...
Histamine is a body chemical that is released in response to digestion in the stomach or as an immune response, such as an allergic reaction. Usually, these types of body reactions are self-limiting and in response to a need. However, blockade of...
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that plays key roles in the formation of red blood cells, neurological function and DNA synthesis. It is obtained from a variety of animal food sources, including red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and dairy...
Acid reflux can cause nagging, burning discomfort, and taking one of the many over-the-counter medications for this problem doesn't always help. According to the Mayo Clinic, gastroesophageal reflux happens when a muscle at the bottom of the...
ED, or erectile dysfunction, is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection that makes sexual intercourse possible. It is different from other problems that interfere with intercourse, such as a lack of desire, and is not considered normal at...