The Dangers Of Acid Reflux Surgery

Surgery for acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a process of medical intervention designed to calm acid reflux symptoms and is also suggested by doctors as an extreme solution in the case of severe GERD. Under usual circumstances, this surgery is rarely done. It is recommended for the most part to those patients whose condition no longer responds to medication or changes in lifestyle.

Conventional wisdom is a strong supporter of the surgical approach because gastroesophageal reflux disease is perceived to be a local problem with immediate causes to be tackled. The perspective then focuses on the local causes of acid reflux where it occurs when the one-way valve at the lower end of the esophagus (the LES or lower esophageal sphincter) fails to shut and so stomach contents goes back up into the esophagus. When this food and acid meets the esophagus lining, the burning sensation known as heartburn occurs in the chest and/or the throat.

Nissen fundoplication is the surgery that is standard for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The whole operation is often accomplished with a laparoscopic (where small incisions allow surgery that is minimally invasive) technique for the surgery, but can be done as well as traditional open surgery.

During this operation, the surgeon folds parts of the stomach (the gastric fundus) around the lower esophagus to reinforce the natural valve linking the stomach and the esophagus. In doing this the refluxed stomach content no longer comes in contact with the esophagus.

Regrettably, fundoplication has several possible complications, such as nausea, camps in the abdomen, gas bloat syndrome, glutition problems and others. Another clear disadvantage of the surgical solution to GERD resolution (tackling local immediate causes) is that it ignores and does not properly treat several essential internal factors and co-factors creating the so-called environment that triggers acid reflux.

During a period of one year up till late 2005, a treatment was available as an alternative to acid reflux surgery. A spongy material called Enteryx was injected during endoscopy into the lower wall of the esophagus. In 2005 the FDA recalled Enteryx however after a death and several injuries. The Enteryx marketer Boston Scientific Corp. was criticized by the Food and Drug Administration for "ongoing systemic violations" of standards of quality control and said that no new products from the company would find approval before the problems were corrected.

This case can be construed as evidence for the dangers associated with surgical procedures for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease. There is fortunately an alternative to acid reflux surgery that is much safer.

Were you aware that your painful, uncomfortable GERD symptoms could be permanently cured using a program that is all-natural and holistic? This program comprising homeopathic cures, herbal cures, and changes to diet and lifestyle with detoxification, can resolve the internal problem of acid reflux forever with no potential surgical complications or side effects from drugs.

Information: heathocrates

All about fiber

Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet, but how many know why that's the case? Or how best to get it? Here's what you need to know:

How to get fiber in your diet

Forego the juice in favor of whole, unrefined plants. Legumes are the best source of fiber. Fiber binds and adds bulk to food, so juice doesn't have much fiber in it. Even 100% juices are really just a sugar water with some vitamins. And our internal calorie counters aren't as good at remembering the liquid calories we've consumed; that is, we recognize the food we eat, more so than what we drink, as calories consumed. And liquid calories often enlarge our carbon footprints more so than whole fruits and vegetables (especially if the latter are purchased from a local farmer's market) since liquid calories require processing.

Why we need fiber

Fiber is thought to help prevent colon cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, constipation, diverticulosis, and hemorrhoids. It speeds the flow of waste through the intestines so toxins and carcinogens have less contact time with your body. Also, because fiber adds bulk to food, it will helps one to feel satiated quicker in a meal so you'll consume less calories. And fiber itself won't be adding any pounds to the scale since it's a carbohydrate that the body can't digest.

How much fiber you need

According to the Harvard Nutrition Source, most adult women should shoot for over 20 grams of fiber a day; men should shoot for over 30 grams.

So this morning, pour yourself some whole grain cereal, bite into a piece of fruit, maybe skip the juice, and know you're doing something good for your body.

This article is a reprint of http://www.diverticulitis-diverticulosis.com/search?updated-max=2009-05-21T12%3A38%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7 The time or date displayed reflects when an article was added to Google News. ‎Jun 24, 2009‎

How are diverticular disease and diverticulitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing diverticular disease and diverticulitis.

As there are several illnesses and conditions with similar symptoms, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), diagnosis of diverticular disease is not easy. A doctor can rule out other conditions by having some blood tests done.

Colonoscopy - the doctor has a look inside the patient's colon by using a colonoscope - a thin tube with a camera at the end. The colonoscope enters the patient through the rectum. Before the procedure begins most patients are given a laxative to clear their bowels. A local anesthetic is given before the procedure starts. The aim of the colonoscopy is to see whether any diverticula are present.

Barium enema X-ray - a tube is inserted into the patient's rectum and a barium liquid is squirted into the tube and up the rectum. Barium is a liquid that shows up in X-rays. When the inside surface of organs that do not show up on X-ray are coated with barium, they become visible. The aim here is to see whether the X-ray may confirm the presence of diverticula. The procedure is not painful.

Diagnosing diverticulitis

If a patient has a history of diverticular disease, the GP (general practitioner, primary care physician) will be able to diagnose diverticulitis by carrying out a physical examination and asking the patient some questions regarding symptoms and his/her medical history. A blood test is useful, because if it reveals a high number of white blood cells it probably means there is an infection.

Patients who have no history of diverticular disease will need additional tests. There are other conditions which may have similar symptoms, such as a hernia or gallstones. A computer topography (CT) scan may be used, as well as a barium enema X-ray. If the patient's symptoms are severe the CT scan may tell whether the infection has spread to another part of the body, or whether there is an abscess.

For a full information on colonoscopy visit www.colonoscopy.org