Acid Reflux Expert Todd Eisner shares Acid Reflux management news and commentary at AcidRefluxConnection.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66 http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66 http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/44291/reflux-pregnancy Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:58:00 -0000 Todd Eisner Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in up to 50% of pregnant women. As in the non-pregnant patients, reflux occurs when there is a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure or an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The two major factors that promote gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women are changes in hormones and the growing fetus. Changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone result in a decrease in the lower esophageal... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/44291/reflux-pregnancy http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/40111/answers-questions Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:56:00 -0000 Todd Eisner Dr. I have throat pain, hoarseness and an earache that won't go away. I do suffer from heartburn. Can the throat and ear pain be a result of GERD?   While it is not uncommon for gastroesophageal reflux disease to cause sore throat and hoarseness as well as ear pain and even ear infections, other more serious conditions need to be excluded. You can try maximizing treatment of acid reflux with twice a day proton pump inhibitors. If your... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/40111/answers-questions http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/42921/answers-questions Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:54:00 -0000 Todd Eisner I have been experiencing a lot of difficulty swallowing and underwent an endoscopy that was normal. What can this be? While it was correct to undergo an upper endoscopy to look for structural lesions to explain difficulty swallowing such as cancers and strictures, the workup should not stop there. You may have a motility disorder of the esophagus, where abnormal contractions of the esophagus can effect swallowing. This can be evaluated at... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/42921/answers-questions http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/34838/answers-questions Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:46:00 -0000 Todd Eisner My doctor has recommended that I have my hiatal hernia repaired. I am waiting to see a surgeon. Is this a good idea, and what should I ask the surgeon?   Although rarely necessary, at times, surgical repair of a hiatal hernia is the right choice in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. There are two types of hiatal hernia. In the much more common, sliding hernia, in which the stomach slides below the esophagus into the chest... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/34838/answers-questions http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/38652/acid-gallbladder Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:09:00 -0000 Todd Eisner There is no relationship between acid reflux and gallbladder disease, other than the fact that the diseases can give similar symptoms and therefore can be difficult to distinguish from on another.   While classic acid reflux disease will cause heartburn, at times it may only cause upper abdominal pain. When it does, the pain is usually located in the upper epigastric area, the region just below the breastbone in the center of the body... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/38652/acid-gallbladder http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/36488/eisner-questions Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:16:00 -0000 Todd Eisner My 9 year-old has been diagnosed with GERD. Is it safe for him to be on Nexium?   Yes. Earlier this year, the FDA approved Nexium for short-term use in children ages 1-11 years for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Both the liquid and delayed-release pill forms were approved. As opposed to children ages 12-17, the approved dose for younger children is 10-20 mg a day, for eight weeks. Most common side effects were headache... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/36488/eisner-questions http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/34060/answers-questsion Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:01:00 -0000 Todd Eisner When is the best time to take my Aciphex?     Typically, the best time to take Aciphex and other proton pump inhibitors for gastroesophageal reflux disease are best taken in the morning. By doing so, acid suppression for 24 hours is commonly achieved. While most patients only need once a day therapy, some patients will need a second dose, usually before dinner. First generation proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, Prevacid and... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/34060/answers-questsion http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/17632/dr-eisner-gerd Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:42:00 -0000 Todd Eisner Dr. Todd Eisner answers some questions readers have posted in the last few weeks. Find new information on natural remedies for heartburn, common reactions to GERD drugs and what coughing up blood could really mean.   1. Hi, I'm 25 years old & have recently been diagnosed with acid reflux. I've been put on omeprazole, which in my opinion has done nothing to help my symptoms, which are a tightness in my throat, pressure like swallowing... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/17632/dr-eisner-gerd http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/31955/questions-hiatal Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:52:00 -0000 Todd Eisner I suffer from reflux, underwent an upper GI series, and have been told that I have a paraesophageal hiatal hernia. I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist, but my internist said that I might need surgery. My symptoms aren't that bad. Should I be concerned?   Hiatal hernias are defects in the diaphragm that allow the stomach to slide up into the chest. While they can cause heartburn, generally this is controlled with medications... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/31955/questions-hiatal http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/28712/answers-questions Tue, 27 May 2008 05:07:00 -0000 Todd Eisner Could marijuana smoking be the cause of GERD?   The effect of marijuana on the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease is controversial. A study in 2002 showed that animals given a synthetic marijuana-like substance had an 80% reduction in transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is felt to be a significant cause of reflux. By reducing these relaxation episodes, symptoms of reflux should actually improve... http://www.healthcentral.com/acid-reflux/c/66/28712/answers-questions