GERD Explained in Simple Terms

The stomach is well able to withstand the stomach acid.
Its part of its job, but the lining of the esophagus is not designed to handle the return of the acidic mixture of stomach contents which back up into it with reflux.

Remember that your stomach acid is more potent than battery acid and will damage the lining of the esophagus.

Imagine a valve at the bottom of your esophagus which lets food through to the stomach. This valve is called the lower esophagael sphincter (les)

Normally this valve operates only one way, but when it is weak, it can allow food and acid from the stomach back up into the esophagus and thats when your problems begin.

What is GERD

GERD Why heartburn symptoms are often worse at night

Heartburn or GERD is often worse at night, when they can also interrupt your sleep and may affect your ability to function the next day.
Because swallowing and saliva help keep acid reflux in check, as you swallow less often when sleeping, reflux at night may lead to damaging acid exposure in the esophagus.

If your night time heartburn is caused by erosive GERD, a condition in which sores develop in the lining of the esophagus, medication should be sought.

Pantoprazole Sodium marketed under the name of protonix may be of assistance, but seek medical advice first, as only your doctor can tell if you have erosive GERD.

Let me know if you try it and it eliminates the nightime heartburn of erosive GERD that may keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.

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What is Barretts Esophagus
Barretts esophagus begins as persistent GERD, (gastroesophageal reflux disorder), generally in males. GERD is the reflux of acid type liquid from the stomach to the esophagus , and is usually associated with heartburn…acid reflux.

There are two requirements for the diagnosis of Barretts esophagus.
To meet these requirements, an endoscopy of the esophagus is undertaken.

In this procedure, a tube is inserted via the mouth and down the esophagus to view and biopsy the lining of the esophagus.

During endoscopy of the lower esophagus, an irregular pink lining is seen as replacing the regular whitish lining of the esophagus. This irregular lining is seen to outstretch just a couple of inches up the esophagus from the gastroesophageal junction where the esophagus joins the stomach.

If biopsy of this abnormal lining shows the presence of intestinal type cells that are named goblet cells, because of their profile, Barretts Esophagus is the likely diagnosis.

Acid Reflux Treatment

Protonix is a new prescription drug being recommended to treat and assist healing of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ( Often described as GERD ) which occurs when the lining of the esophagus ruptures.

It has been reported that it is beneficial in the treatment of acid reflux or frequent heartburn.

Healing within eight weeks from commencing treatment has been claimed, although doctors may extend the dosage beyond this period to assist the healing process or to prevent a recurrent symptoms of acid reflux.

The most frequently reported side effects following treatment with protonix were diarrhea and headaches.