stomach acids

April 14, 2011

Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms

Acid reflux disease is a condition that occurs when the enzymes and acids in the stomach are hyperactive and escape the stomach making their way to the esophagus causing the esophagus and the chest and even the abdominal region to burn. This is what is known as heartburn. There is a ring shaped valve that is located at the bottom of the esophagus, top of the stomach. This valve is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The job of the LES is to allow food to pass through the esophagus to the stomach. Immediately after food passes through the esophagus, the valve is to close quickly and tightly allowing for the stomach acids to work at digesting the food that has been passed to it. When this valve neglects to close, or if this valve opens too frequently there is a possibility for acid to escape the stomach and reach the esophagus causing acid reflux.

When the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm, this can cause acid reflux, as well. This is known as a hiatal hernia. The diaphragm helps to keep acids in the stomach. If you are suffering from a hiatal hernia, stomach acids can move into your esophagus causing acid reflux symptoms.

Symptoms for acid reflux can vary from person to person. Out of the thousands of people that suffer from acid reflux every day, there are those who refer to the symptoms they experience as mild or a little uncomfortable while others report a debilitating pain.

Symptoms for acid reflux include, but are not limited to:

  • Heartburn: Heartburn is the most common acid reflux disease symptom. When the nerve fibers of the esophagus are stimulated by the stomach acids that have reached the esophagus there is a burning sensation that we refer to as heartburn. Heartburn may start as high as the throat and can make its way down into the lower abdomen. Though most sufferers experience heartburn as a burning sensation, there are those who have reported a sharp, stabbing or pressure-like pain in the chest that can often be confused with experiencing a heart attack. There are rare instances where heartburn may be felt in the back.
  • Regurgitation: Regurgitation happens when consumed foods and liquids are expulsed from the mouth via the stomach and esophagus. In this instance, the acids, liquids and sometimes food, travels from the stomach through the LES to the upper esophageal sphincter (USE) and enters the throat. There may be a sour of bitter taste in the mouth followed by heavy salivation which inevitably leads to regurgitation. If this happens often, the acids that reach the mouth may cause erosion of the teeth and gums.
  • Nausea: Nausea is a symptom that is less common but when experienced can result in vomiting. There is no known reason why there are some acid reflux sufferers that experience heartburn while others are nauseated. These two symptoms rarely occur together.

These are the most common acid reflux disease symptoms. For more symptoms of treatments be sure to visit www.refluxremedy.com

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Treating Acid Reflux

If you suffer from acid reflux you likely will do anything for a cure. You’ve frankly had enough punishment when all you’ve done was eat. That’s what you’re supposed to do, right? So why is it that every time you consume one of your favorite foods you are met with an ungodly burning sensation that can start in the lower abdomen and resonate all the way to the throat? It just doesn’t seem worth it. If this is the price that you must pay for simply eating, you’d rather not eat at all. Then what do you do? There is no alternative so you just bite the bullet, eat the foods you love and deal with the suffering when it arises. There just has to be another way.

Great news for you, there is. There is a way to treat acid reflux so that you may continue to provide your body with the nutrients it needs from food without suffering consequences for eating. First you should understand what the body goes through that causes your acid reflux. Your acid reflux is a result of hyperactive acids and enzymes in your stomach that escape the stomach when the valve that is the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) neglects to close after food passes through it. When this valve remains open, the acids that should remain in the stomach make their way to the esophagus causing heartburn, nausea, regurgitation and other acid reflux symptoms.

There are triggers that are more likely to onset acid reflux if you neglect to avoid them at all cost. Though there are treatments to soothe acid reflux after it arises, it is much better to stop acid reflux before it gets started. Try preventative care. Be mindful of what you eat. Keep a food log. In this food log write down what eat and see if acid reflux happens after eating these foods. If you notice that certain foods are causing you to experience acid reflux eliminate these foods from your diet immediately.

If you are actively experiencing acid reflux here are a few ways to treat it:

  • Drink water. Drinking water is more vital to getting your control of your acid reflux than you can imagine. Water aids in food digestion while stabilizing stomach acids. Opt for water in place of carbonated drinks.
  • Chewing gum, believe it or not, is also good. Chewing gum is a great digestive aid. Chewing gum causes the raid production of saliva which acts similar to water by diluting stomach acids ultimately lessening the likelihood of acid reflux.
  • Try ginger. Ginger consumed in any form has been known to work wonders for acid reflux disease. Put ginger in a tea, have it candied if it?s easier to consume that way for you or visit your local vitamin shop and have it in capsule form.
  • Eat apples. Apples are great at eliminating acid reflux. Keep an apple on you at all times and just watch the benefits.

If you are interested in more treatments please feel free to visit refluxremedy.com for a more thorough guide today.

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April 7, 2011

Chronic Acid Reflux

Chronic acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition that primarily affects the stomach and the esophagus. Chronic acid reflux disease is a result of an improperly functioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle. This muscle is located at the top of the stomach and at the bottom of the esophagus. The sole purpose of this muscle is to act as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus protecting both from potential hazards. Mechanically, food travels from the mouth, down the esophagus in hopes of smoothly transition to the stomach. When food is traveling down the esophagus the LES opens up allowing the food to travel into the stomach and the muscle closes immediately after the food passes through.

When the LES malfunctions the muscle isn’t properly closing after food passes or it is opening too frequently. The open LES allows for stomach acids to leak up into the esophagus causing what is known as heartburn or acid reflux. If this happens occasionally, there is no need to be alarmed as your acid reflux is not chronic. If this heartburn happens two or more times a week you are likely suffering from chronic acid reflux. If not properly tended to, chronic acid reflux disease has been known to cause more serious health conditions.

It is not really clear as to why some people suffer from chronic acid reflux while others never seem to have a problem. Many speculate that a hiatal hernia is a great contributing factor. A hiatal hernia is a stomach abnormality that occurs when the LES and the upper part of the stomach move above the diaphragm. A major function of the diaphragm is to serve as the muscle that helps keep acids in your stomach. If you are suffering from a hiatal hernia the acids in your stomach acids can move up into your esophagus causing acid reflux symptoms.

There are many other factors that can lead to chronic acid reflux. Most of these factors are related to your daily diet. There are certain foods and drinks that can trigger acid reflux in those that are prone to the condition. If you are likely to drink soda, coffee or other caffeinated drinks you may want to eliminate these drinks and opt instead for a glass of water. Drinking water before, during and after meals works wonders for aiding in the digestive process. It also soothers the esophagus if you are experiencing heartburn.

Fried and fatty foods, though tasty, can be extremely hazardous not only in terms of acid reflux, but also in terms of health. Try eating healthy and see if your chronic acid reflux persists. Salads, vegetables and hearty fruits are always great alternatives.

See if you can eliminate bad habits. If you are a smoker, stop. If you notice that you are an overeater or that you are overweight, do what you can to control portions and lose weight. Eating smaller portions several times a day should ultimately help.

Make the necessary changes to nip your chronic acid reflux in the bud. Your health will thank you for it.

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April 6, 2011

What Is Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a disease plaguing thousands of people every day. Acid reflux, simply stated, is what happens when the acids from the stomach that are used to breakdown and digest foods escape the stomach and leak into the esophagus causing what is commonly known as heartburn.

How does acid reflux happen?

Acid reflux happens when the circular ring, which is also a muscle, located at the entrance of your stomach and the lower part of your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn’t adequately serve its purpose. The purpose of the ring is to allow for the passing of food from the esophagus to the stomach. As soon as the food passes through, the LES is suppose to close, only opening if there is more food that needs access. If the LES neglects to close all the way or if it opens too often, the acid that is produced by your stomach to break down food can escape your stomach and make its way into the esophagus resulting in heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. If this happens rarely, you should not be alarmed. However, if this occurrence happens two or more times a week you may be suffering from acid reflux disease.

Another cause of acid reflux disease is an abnormality of the stomach known as a hiatal hernia. This type of hernia occurs when the LES and the upper part of the stomach move above the diaphragm which is suppose to separate the stomach from the chest. The muscle that is the diaphragm serves as a sort of blockade helping to keep stomach acids in the stomach. With a hiatal hernia, acids may travel to the esophagus causing acid reflux disease.

Symptoms of acid reflux disease vary from person to person. While there are those who may experience acid reflux symptoms mildly, there are others that find acid reflux disease symptoms to be quite debilitating. The most common symptom of acid reflux disease is heartburn. Heartburn may be described as a burning or discomfort in the chest. This burning and discomfort has also been known to travel to the throat and lower abdomen. In rare instances, there have been reports of heartburn making its way to the back.

Regurgitation is also a symptom. Regurgitation happens when acids and undigested, recently consumed food and drinks travels up from the stomach into the esophagus and exits the body from the mouth. This symptom has been known to be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth as well. Bloating, burping, hiccups, dysphagia (a narrowing of the throat), and in some cases nausea are also known symptoms.

There are ways to lessen the likelihood of acid reflux. The best way to rid acid reflux would be to change how and what you eat. Try eating smaller meals several times a day as opposed to large meals that may overwork stomach acids during digestion. Drink water instead of carbonated, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Eat at least two hours before bedtime, and if you are a smoker, quit. Also keep a food log. If you notice that some foods are triggers for acid reflux, eliminate these foods from your diet.

These are just a few suggestions. For more information on acid reflux disease feel free to visit refluxremedy.com.

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