How to Calm the Raging Inferno of Acid Reflux
Rita Kennon

How to Calm the Raging
Inferno of Acid Reflux


More than 60 million people suffer with acid reflux disease every week of their life. Acid reflux is a very unpleasant and annoying condition. It is not considered to be a severe condition such as acid reflux, unless it occurs over twice a week over a time span of several months.

If acid reflux disease goes untreated for a prolonged period of time, it can cause permanent damage to the esophagus.

Acid reflux disease is caused by acid from the stomach washing back up into the esophagus repeatedly. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak and relaxed.

The main cause of the relaxed esophageal sphincter muscle is high fat foods which have been shown in studies to temporarily weaken the esophageal sphincter muscle.

The most common symptoms of acid reflux disease are a burning sensations in the chest, a sour acidic taste in your mouth, sore throat, and bad breath. Usually laying down right after eating will make symptoms worsen.

Many people suffering from acid reflux have found relief in positioning their bed in an upright position. They usually do this by putting 4 to 6 inch blocks under the 2 bedposts at the head of the bed.

The answer to most people who suffer with acid reflux disease is to reach for an antacid. These are o.k. for short term use, but reducing the acid in the stomach is not the answer.

In recent research, results indicated that reducing the acid in the stomach can cause several other diseases. So, what can you do? When you have acid reflux you absolutely have to have relief- and the quicker the better.

To start with, you can use these tips to help wean yourself off of the antacids for good. Lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping keep the flames at bay.

Things such as quitting smoking, drinking, and reducing stress will set you on the right road. Then, making changes in your diet is the best thing you can do to keep acid down in the stomach where it belongs.

The first thing to do is start eating foods that are high in fiber. Then make sure that you eat smaller meals so you won’t overfill the stomach, causing sloshing of the fluids in the stomach up into the esophagus.

Eat more complex carbohydrate foods and lay off of the fried fatty foods. Last of all, but not least it will help you tremendously if you can start an exercising program.

The most common foods that are known for causing acid reflux are fried foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Smoking also causes the esophageal muscle to relax causing a problem for acid reflux sufferers. There are even some medications that can cause problems for some patients with acid reflux disease.

Be sure to consult with your physician concerning interactions of medications he has prescribed. A physician administering an acid reflux treatment usually prescribes various drugs as a first line of defense.

The stomach is designed to be very acidic with a pH of 3.0 or less. When your stomach has the proper pH, it digests your food so that it is broken down into vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are absorbed.

When the acid is reduced greatly in the stomach by antacids, it leaves too little acid for the functions in which it was designed for. Vitamins and minerals are severely depleted in cases where the patient continues over long periods of time to consume antacids.

Herbal supplements have rapidly gained popularity over the past decade because they are safe and affordable solutions for chronic health problems. Herbal supplements are a natural and effective solution for revitalizing your health.

There are several herbs that are well known for alleviating heartburn. One of my favorites is a very refreshing drink- ginger tea. As always, consult your physician before taking any treatment of any kind.

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Does Your Morning Coffee Cause You Pain or Discomfort?
Emily Clark

Does your morning coffee cause you pain? Are you frustrated when a night out dining with friends ends in discomfort instead of relaxed conversation? Do you carry antacids with you every day?

Heartburn is more than just a nuisance. It can detract from enjoying a meal, force you to change your routine and hang over your every decision - what to eat, what to drink, when to lay down.

What is this monkey on your back and how can you find relief?

WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN?

Heartburn occurs when the acid content of the stomach makes its way back into the esophagus. A burning sensation and even a bitter taste are experienced by heartburn sufferers.

If you are suffering more than twice a week you may have acid reflux disease - also known as GERD. Why is this important?

Not all heartburn is caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Occasional heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors but if you have regular episodes there are things you can do to help.

WHAT CAN I DO?

If you have regular heartburn the first thing you should do is stay away from regular use of antacids. Antacids can relieve the pain of occasional heartburn, but because they are designed to neutralize the acids in your stomach they can cause the stomach to create MORE acid - a cycle called acid rebound. Some medications can also cause diarrhea or constipation or even increase the risk of food poisoning by inhibiting the growth of good bacteria.

Watch out for trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, minty, spicy or tomato-based foods as well as fatty or fried foods, onions or garlic.

Being overweight or smoking also increases the risk of GERD and lifestyle changes may help to control the symptoms.

Activities such as lying down after a meal, bending forward, lifting heavy items or eating large meals can bring acid reflux on. Avoiding these activities after a meal, eating smaller portions and raising the head of your bed several inches may help.

Some natural products such as orange peel extract are being researched for their abilities to curb heartburn.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anyone. But it should be noted that pregnant women, children, overweight individuals and smokers are all likely candidates.

Young babies have immature digestive systems. National Digestive Diseases (NDDIC) says that most children outgrow GERD by the time they are one year old. However, because the symptoms are painful precautions like frequent burping and keeping the infant upright for 30 minutes after eating can reduce the occurrence.

Older children may have to take similar precautions in diet and activity as adults. You should always consult your doctor when you suspect GERD to avoid future complications.

Being overweight or pregnant increases the pressure in the abdomen. 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn at some time during their pregnancy.

If you suspect GERD it is important to contact your doctor as there can be harmful side effects of persistent heartburn including scaring of the esophagus, asthma, erosion of the teeth and even increased risk of esophageal cancer. Frequent, persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other serious conditions and should be checked on by a professional.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

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Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.