Acid reflux

[DandyDon]

If you aspirate gastric fluid (suck it down your windpipe), it's going to cause violent coughing and possibly laryngospasm, but that would be very rare.

I've had a mild hit of that from such. Back to rule #1: Hold the reg in your mouth and puke that fluid out thru it. I think it is natural to lift your head up in such a challenge, which helps.

Even at best, if I don't take acid reflux OTC meds before diving, I get sour stomach problems migrating to my mouth. Hiatal hernias are pretty common, really, especially among the average overweight USAmericans population.

At least eat a few Tums before each dive. Couldn't hurt. I always have a plastic bottle in my dive bag.

 

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

especially among the average overweight USAmericans population.

.

i dont have any problem there at least.

 

[TSandM]

Please note that Tums are calcium based and therefore not really the best acid-neutralizing medication you could use. Magnesium compounds are better, but cause diarrhea if used to excess. Most OTC antacids nowadays contain either calcium or aluminum. It is difficult to find a pure magnesium product any more.

 

[Cacia]

Is there anything adults take, like Reglan to increase the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter? ...of course that could induce Warhammer I suppose. Peristalsis at depth...

My son had life threatening events as an infant due to severe GE reflux and the low ph hitting his cords....

I would think prn over the counter Prilosec would fix Harry up?

Mine is caused by "immoderate" eating on the surface interval. I am ravenous after the first dive for some reason and tend to eat insane things like huge lemon grass chicken sandwiches with massive amounts of fresh cilantro....no mystery there!

 

[TSandM]

Well, an OTC PPI was my first recommendation. An H2 blocker like Zantac would be the second line. Antacids (in the sense of acid neutralizers) would be third. To my knowledge, propulsive agents like Reglan have not been shown to be useful in GE reflux.

 

[vladimir]

Heh, well, milk coats the stomach and sooths it. Calcium can help prevent muscle spasms, and possibly the heart irregularity which may ocassionally accompany it. As long as milk is consumed slowly, it will not throw clots (curdle). However, it is not for all races, Asians, etc. Milk is basic and certainly is not a secreatogogue for acid. Certain calcium supplements such as dolamite may cause this. Acid reflux may not stop breathing on land but the Scuba diver can only breath through the mouth and reflux can stop breathing, particularly when the diver is horizontal and gets a good shot. Yes, it is called a spasm.

Taking those drugs which TSM mentioned, for a transient problem, is a personal decision.

I'm truly curious, Pescador; what motivates you to post what seems to be a lay opinion on a medical question after two physicians have weighed in? I see this on the Scubaboard frequently. Perhaps one of the things that makes these forums so popular is the idea that all opinions are equal?

 

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

am i wrong in my understanding that there is no true sphincter in the esophagus but the hiatus of the diaphragm that does that duty? both present?

 

[DocVikingo]

There are a number of magnesium and aluminum-based OTC products available, including: Di-Gel, Maalox, Magnalox & Mylanta.

Magnesium hydroxide products such as Milk of Magnesia are also available OTC, but as TSandM indicated laxative effects can be a problem.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[adurso]

Try Nexium

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Harry,

The esophagus is muscular all the way along. Where it runs through the hiatus in the diaphragm the opening is tight and holds it above the stomach. At this juncture the esophageal wall is thickened and the muscle forms a sphincter. You can view LES here ----> http://www.gicare.com/pated/eiegnmle.htm.

Regards,

DocVikingo