Reflux symptoms in the esophagus, such as heartburn, are primarily caused by rising stomach acid.[1] Chronic acid exposure leads to sensitized pain receptors in the esophagus. They become hypersensitive and respond to stimuli that would typically not cause any problems, and as a consequence, people get heartburn.[2] Acidic Foods Can Cause Heartburn. Once the pain […]
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A diet for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) should meet three criteria: The food should be low in acid and fat, and at the same time, improve digestion. Low-acid diet for LPR Acid activates pepsin, which promotes inflammation.[1] While acidic foods do not cause reflux, they massively exaggerate the symptoms. They add fuel to the fire. For […]
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The pH is a measure of acidity. Acids play a crucial role in the development of acid reflux symptoms. What is the pH value? The pH indicates how acidic or basic (alkaline) something is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. The smaller the value, the more acidic, and the higher the value, the […]
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LPR stands for laryngopharyngeal reflux. The term reflux describes the backward or return flow of stomach acid. Reflux is often associated with heartburn, the result of stomach acid irritating the throat. In LPR, stomach acid flows not only back up to the esophagus (food pipe) but also further up to the throat. The problem is […]
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This is the fourth and final part of my interview series with Dr. Mark Noar about the link between gastric motility and acid reflux. In the previous parts we discussed some foundational factors: gastric motility, gastroparesis, and pyloric outlet obstruction. Now we will discuss how all those things paint a complete picture of a patient’s […]
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Basically, gastroparesis means delayed gastric emptying. Gastroparesis can lead to a host of symptoms. Bloating, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and acid reflux, are just a few of them. I interviewed expert gastroenterologist Dr. Mark Noar, to find out about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of gastroparesis. Interview on Gastroparesis & Reflux In a few sentences, […]
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The pyloric sphincter sits at the bottom end of the stomach. It controls how fast food enters the intestines. It is surprisingly common for the pyloric sphincter to be too tight. Some common medical terms for that are pyloric obstruction, pyloric stenosis, and gastric outlet obstruction. If the pyloric sphincter is obstructed, it can cause […]
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The term “gastric motility” refers to the movements of the stomach. Without this motility, it would be much more difficult for the stomach to digest and move food into the intestines. Understanding gastric motility is crucial when it comes to diagnosing and treating many digestive diseases, including acid reflux and LPR. I spoke to gastric […]
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I’ll never forget my first time. It was when I was at university and sharing a house with other students. Our dinner routine was always the same: cook together, eat together, and sprawl on the sofa – or even fall straight into bed. Lying on the sofa one evening, I felt a sudden, sharp pain in my […]
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Have you seen a doctor about your acid reflux? If yes, he’s probably prescribed you a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs work by reducing the production of stomach acid. Some well-known brands are Nexium, Protonix, and Prilosec. The problem is, heartburn medications are handed out like Tic Tacs, often without addressing the cause of the acid reflux. They […]
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