Acid Reflux And Parkinson

By Author: mkhan215
Total Articles: 6
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Heartburn, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) or only simple heartburn occurs quite frequently in most people, but Parkinson's disease patients are more prone to developing this disorder. There are a selection of explanation why this is certainly so.
What makes Acid reflux disease Occur?

When food is swallowed, it moves down with the esophagus (food pipe) into the stomach. The esophageal sphincter, situated relating to the esophagus as well as stomach, opens permitting this procedure to take place and closes returning so your food isn't going to go back on the esophagus. In this manner, the esophageal sphincter provides a one way-valve.

In common situations, reduced esophageal sphincter (LES) becomes weak, in order that the contents of the stomach push against it and provides rise to some a sense of fullness, or even the stomach acids may regurgitate or flow back to the esophagus over the weakened sphincter and result in a burning sensation inside the throat. If your condition is mild, the person may suffer from heartburn occasionally, however if this heartburn occurs frequently, the client is alleged ...
... to be affected by GERD.

How come Parkinson's disease Patients more Susceptible to acid reflux disease?

* There's slower action from the nerves supplying the gastrointestinal tract in people encountering Parkinson's disease, so that movement of food during the process of digestion is slowed down. Food vacationing in the stomach for long causes acid and gas build-up.

* The esophageal sphincter is generally weakened inside of a Parkinson's patient.

* Parkinson's disease drugs (anticholinergics and dopamine) might cause or aggravate heartburn.

Symptoms of acid reflux

* Heartburn - a burning sensation while in the chest, under the sternum (breast bone), usually after a meal. This may be worse at nighttime or on lying down. It can be aggravated with a heavy meal or on bending or lifting a heavy weight from a meal.
* Belching or burping.
* Regurgitation of food.
* Nausea / vomiting.
* Difficulty swallowing.
* Heart problems.
* Chronic cough.
* A sore throat.
* Hoarseness.

Diagnosis of Heartburn in Parkinson's disease

Diagnosis usually can be made on the basis of warning signs. If required, the subsequent investigations might be done:

* Esophageal gastroduodenoscopy - to detect warning signs of acid reflux and changes in the esophagus.
* Barium swallows - to detect signs of regurgitation.
* Manometry - to measure pressure with the sphincter muscle.

Management of Acid Reflux in Parkinson's disease

Certain dietary and changes in lifestyle can help.

* Avoid rich, spicy or acidic food and caffeinated drinks.
* Avoid eating anything for a variety of hours before bedtime.
* Eat small frequent meals.
* Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
* Avoid resting, bending or strength training from meal.
* Shed pounds if obese.
* Avoid wearing tight clothes or belts.
* Raise head-end from the bed.
* Some new Parkinson's disease drug therapy in case the symptoms are severe.
* Medication for example antacids, histamine H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors or maybe a prokinetic drug like metoclopramide could help. Always confer with your doctor about drug interactions prior to starting any medication.
* Alternative therapies, including homeopathy and herbal treatment should be done only after talking to the supervising doctor.
* Surgery - an operation called fundoplication can be done in the event the symptoms are severe and all sorts of anything else fail.