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Gerd Pillow Wedges
Filed under Wedge PillowsJan 2Gerd Pillow Wedges as a Treatment For Acid Reflux
Do you suffer from acid reflux or frequent heartburn? The burning sensation at the back of your throat or down by the breat bone can be quite painful. Most physicians will first recommend lifestyle modifications for treatment of acid reflux. Preventative measures are the preferred method of relief.
The minimum you can do to at least ease your GERD problem is to change your pillow for the start. Soft and flat pillow is something you should consider getting rid of. Gastroesophageal reflux disease also known as GERD is caused by mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux in the esophagus which results in heartburn. Flat pillows will only make the way for the acid to reach your throath much easier. It is an unneccessary risk you are taking there. Even if you have a custom firm pillow at home, this will not make you sleep better. The wedge form of a pillow, especiall of a Gerd pillows wedges is made to support the main part of your entire back and spine in a way the gastric reflux never lifts up your throath.
Lifestyle Modifications
* Avoid soft drinks that contain caffeine. Other foods to avoid are chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, acidic foods like oranges, canned tomatoes, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels and sprouts.
* Milk and milk-based products contain calcium and fat, so should be avoided before bedtime.
* Avoiding food for 2 hours before bedtime and not lying down after a meal are frequently recommended lifestyle modifications.
* Elevation to the head of the bed is the next-easiest to implement. Products are also available as seen on tv that will elevate the head of your bed through the use of an anti-GERD pillow wedge. This is an ideal low cost solution for relief from acid reflux.
You shouldn’t try to accomplish the correct elevation by placing cinder blocks or with other items: plastic or wooden bed risers which support bed posts or legs. Elevation wedges made of memory foam are smarter to use. They are quite ceap too.
The height of the elevation is critical and must be within the range of 6 to 8 inches in order to be as effective as possible in hindering the backflow of gastric fluids. Elevating the bed is also known as "positional therapy".
Most frequently used gerd pillows wedges for stopping that hearburn are those from SISSEL Sit Special collection of medical wedges – Anatomically shaped pillow wedge made of polyurethane foam.
Drug treatments
A number of drugs are registered for the treatment of acid reflux, and they are among the most-often-prescribed forms of medication in most Western countries. They can be used in combination with other drugs, although some antacids can impede the function of other medications.
* Antacids before meals or symptomatically after symptoms begin can increase the pH and reduce gastric acidity. Alginic acid may coat the mucosa as well as increase the pH and decrease reflux.
* Gastric H2 receptor blockers such as ranitidine or famotidine can reduce gastric secretion of acid. These drugs are technically antihistamines. They relieve complaints in about 50% of all acid reflux patients.
* Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole are the most effective in reducing gastric acid secretion, as they stop the secretion of acid at the source of acid production, i.e. the proton pump.
To maximize effectiveness of this medication the drug should be taken a half hour before meals. Prokinetics strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and speed up gastric emptying. Cisapride, a member of this class, was withdrawn from the market for causing Long QT syndrome.
If one implements pharmacologic therapy in combination with food avoidance before bedtime and elevation of the head of the bed over 95% of patients will have complete relief.
By: Heather Colman
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This article is Copyright 2006, Heather Colman. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and this entire resource box is included. Find more acid reflux resources at acid-reflux-press.info.
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