Non acid reflux

[Guest guest]

I FOUND THIS ARTICLE ON NON-ACID REFLUX:

Acid reflux clearly is injurious to the esophagus. What about non-

acid reflux? As previously discussed, there are potentially injurious

agents that can be refluxed other than acid, for example, bile.

Esophageal acid testing accurately identifies acid reflux and has

been extremely useful in studying the injurious effects of acid.

Until recently, however, it has been impossible or difficult to

accurately identify non-acid reflux and, therefore, to study whether

or not non-acid reflux is injurious or can cause symptoms. A new

technology allows the accurate determination of non-acid reflux. This

technology uses the measurement of impedence changes within the

esophagus to identify reflux of liquid, be it acid or non-acid. By

combining measurement of impedence and ph it is possible to identify

reflux and to tell if the reflux is acid or non-acid. It is too early

to know how important non-acid reflux is in causing esophageal

damage, symptoms, or complications, but there is little doubt that

this new technology will be able to resolve the issues surrounding

non-acid reflux.

WHAT I FOUND INTERESTING WAS THIS PART OF THE ARTICLE:

One of the more interesting theories that has been proposed to

explain some of these questions involves the reason for pain when

acid refluxes. It often is assumed that the pain is caused by

irritating acid contacting an inflamed esophageal lining. But the

esophageal lining usually is not inflamed. It is possible therefore,

that the acid is stimulating the pain nerves within the esophageal

wall just beneath the lining. Although this may be the case, a second

explanation is supported by the work of one group of scientists.

These scientists find that heartburn provoked by acid in the

esophagus is associated with contraction of the muscle in the lower

esophagus. Perhaps it is the contraction of the muscle that somehow

leads to the pain. It also is possible, however, that the contraction

is an epiphenomenon, that is, refluxed acid stimulates pain nerves

and causes the muscle to contract, but it is not the contraction that

causes the pain. More studies will be necessary before the exact

mechanism(s) that causes heartburn is clear.

http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/page8.

htm

HERE'S MORE INFO. I FOUND:

Antacids don't work for these patients with non-acidic reflux. And

even though they don't have inflammation or pain associated with

acid, they still have bothersome symptoms that affect their quality

of life. "

Typical reflux symptoms are heartburn, an acidic taste in the mouth,

chest discomfort, a sensation that food is stuck after being

swallowed and chest pain. Atypical reflux symptoms include asthma,

laryngitis and chronic cough.

Patients with symptomatic non-acidic reflux disease typically are

candidates for a laparoscopic surgical procedure in which the upper

part of the stomach is wrapped around the bottom of the esophagus.

Doctors also can determine if endoscopic reflux therapies, generally

designed to tighten or thicken the junction of the esophagus and

stomach, could help patients with symptomatic non-acidic reflux.

Guerra

Orlando, Florida

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> I FOUND THIS ARTICLE ON NON-ACID REFLUX:

Interesting info.

notan