Page 112 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2018

HEALTHY LIVING G.E.R.D. Lifestyle Changes
can Alleivate Acid Reflux
story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Memorial Hospital
at Gulfport
The many sufferers of acid reflux probably won’t celebrate November as Gastroesopheagal Reflux Disease Awareness Month, but they may want to mark its observance by learning more about it. The problem is that stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.
Alfred McNair Jr., M.D., a gastroenterologist with Memorial Digestive Health Center, says there are many risk factors. “A lot of it is caused by our American diet with the number one offenders being fried and spicy food and food with a high fat content,” he said. “Number two is obesity, which is prevalent
in our area, and number three is pregnancy, which is usually not long term. Diabetes, smoking and dipping tobacco are also risk factors.”
The most common symptoms
are heartburn and coughing, but
there can be pain swallowing, vomiting, asthma, dental erosion,
and chronic sinusitis, and it can
affect breathing and may lead to pneumonia. Complications fall
into two categories, including chest pain and scar tissue which causes a stricture in the esophagus, according to Dr. McNair. “It can be devastating in some people, including young men who can develop Barrett’s Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous condition,”
Alfred McNair Jr., M.D.
he added.
There are simple ways to alleviate
acid reflux such as avoiding milk, alcohol, chocolate and high-acid foods at night. “Depending on what causes the problem, losing 10 percent of
your body weight helps and lifestyle changes can help,” he said. “It will
surprise you how not eating late at night, elevating your bed and not wearing tight clothes can help.”
Although age is a factor in causing acid reflux, it happens to younger people, even babies. “It’s common
in babies from newborn to age two, and parents have to be careful with them,” McNair said. “It’s not as common from age two through 13, but it’s common again with teenagers. We can see it throughout a person’s life.”
Over-the-counter antacids give relief but do not stop acid reflux
or control the complications. “The drug sucralfate coats the esophagus and H2 inhibitors such as Tagamet control the symptoms,” McNair says. “The new treatment is Linx, a ring
made of tiny magnetic beads that wrap around the lower esophagus; it does well to control the symptoms. Less than 10 percent of patients need surgery if they do what they’re asked to do in combination with a change in lifestyle.”
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