If you suffer from acid reflux, damage to the esophagus is an eventuality that you may have to face. Contrary to what many people think, acid reflux can cause a lot more than heartburn and the occasional sour or burning sensation in the throat. In more severe cases, the acid that makes its way into the esophagus can also cause severe damage to the lining, resulting in potentially long-term effects. And if the condition is left untreated, the patient is at risk for developing Barrett’s esophagus, which is a potentially serious precancerous condition. In order to prevent these and other instances of acid reflux damage to the esophagus, early diagnosis and treatment is essential.

One of the easiest ways to prevent potential acid reflux damage is by simply changing your diet. It would be best to avoid foods that cause the over-production of stomach acids such as chocolate, coffee, tomatoes, and spicy foods. Another good idea is to reduce your intake of fatty foods and replace them with foods that have complex carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta. These carbohydrates bind to the stomach acid, reducing the risk of? acid working its way into your esophagus.

Coffee should be avoided as mentioned previously, especially due to its caffeine content. Nicotine is another culprit, and this along with caffeine can cause a person to produce excessive stomach acids. Alcohol is one other contributor to acid reflux damage to the esophagus, and it actually causes harm in two ways. For starters, alcohol consumption in itself causes excessive stomach acid production, but it also causes the sphincter at the opening of the esophagus to relax at the same time, causing even more harm.

You could also try to lose weight as a means to reduce the risk of esophagus damage. Every bit of excess weight in your midsection causes pressure and results in the stomach acids being pushed up into the esophagus, causing that familiar burning sensation and potential long-term damage.

It would also be a good idea to eat smaller meals more frequently instead of your usual three or four large meals per day. With less food in your stomach, your body won’t produce the same amount of stomach acid, reducing the chances that it will make its way into your esophagus.

While there are many over-the-counter medications commonly prescribed for acid reflux damage to the esophagus, it may be beneficial for you to look into the natural remedies offered by www.refluxremedy.com. Presenting a number of totally natural solutions and preventions of acid reflux damage to the esophagus, these products help you avoid the toxin build up that can potentially occur from years of taking anti-ulcer medications. If you are serious about getting rid of your acid reflux for good, the site is well worth a look.

12,000 Americans die each year from esophageal cancer, and its primary warning symptom is acid reflux. Acid reflux is a ?warning symptoms? of possible Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Keep in mind that acid reflux is a symptom and not a disease. Unfortunately because most people put of treating the root cause properly it winds up doing harm to the esophagus.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when the esophagus gets irritated and inflamed from acid reflux splashing up from the stomach.

The stomach produces hydrochloric acid after a meal to aid in the digestion of food. The stomach is naturally protected from this caustic digestive acid. The outer lining of cells in your stomach creates massive amounts of mucus.

However the cells lining the esophagus (throat) do not make this protective mucus coating, leaving it vulnerable to up surges of acid rebound.

Acid reflux, or rebound, is more commonly referred to as heartburn simply because the base of your esophagus is located behind your heart.

If you?ve ever experienced a bad case of acid indigestion, you?ve felt this burning sensation behind your heart at the bottom of your esophagus.

When the ?warning symptoms? are ignored, the stomach acid rebounds higher and higher up the esophagus chemically scalding the delicate cells along your throat, inside your mouth and even up into your sinus tissues.

You may wonder how it can surge up the esophagus and the truth is it shouldn?t ever do that because there is a ?safety valve that?s supposed to prevent acid reflux from erupting all the up the throat.

This seal or safety valve in the base of your esophagus is called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). It?s designed to open when you swallow food or drink, allowing food stuff to enter your gut. After the food leaves the esophagus it?s supposed to close, sealing off and guarding your throat, mouth and sinus tissue, as well as keeping your food down where it belongs.

The problem is after proper treatment of your acid reflux is delayed for a long time, the corrosive stomach acid that has been pushed up against it and eventually weakens the muscle response of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Once the acid has had an opportunity to weaken the esophagus?s safety valve (LES), digestive juices and acids then begin leaking into the vulnerable esophageal tube area.

Eventually this develops into Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), which erodes and mutates the cells of your throat often leading to throat cancer and sometimes death.

Approximately 30% of adults in the US experience this Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) on a monthly basis and about 10% of adults in the US go through this weekly. Shockingly, these days even children and infants develop Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), thanks to lack of common sense when it comes to dietary habits in America.

Fatty fried foods, alcohol, cigarettes, certain pharmaceuticals, lack of exercise and poor posture even play a role.

I found plenty of natural alternatives millions of people are discovering that help reverse Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), simply because acid reflux is primarily a nutritional deficiency, not a drug shortage.

OTC drugs have been found to actually make acid reflux worse, so my advice is if something you took didn?t work, keep trying new things, like eating an apple for instance, that works well for millions of people-in-the-know.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass?

Health Ecologist

An unfortunate condition often signified by the stresses of modern day is acid reflux and the disease GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). This is caused by a failure of the esophagus’ sphincter, which is responsible for keeping acid down in the stomach and not up in the throat. Symptoms include frequent painful heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, regurgitation of acid, chest pain and tightness, bad breath, and frequent swallowing.

Another GERD-related disease has arisen in recent medical news and it goes by the name of acid reflux and exertion. It has been called EAGER (exertion associated estro-esophageal reflux), by Dr. Steven Peikin, a Professor of Medicine at Robert Woods Johnson Hospital. EAGER is excessive acid related to physical activities, most often the types associated with exertion, such as running or jogging, or any activity that will have you bouncing up and down.

In a recent study (sponsored by Pepcid), it was noted that 75% of baby boomers, men and women alike, experience heartburn at least occasionally, with 31% reporting instances of heartburn at least weekly. The same study indicates that occasional sufferers of heartburn will experience it 15% of the time when they exercise, with weekly sufferers likely to experience heartburn 45% of the time when they are exercising. An estimated 16 million Americans have their exercise interrupted by heartburn that may be caused by acid reflux and exertion, with non-sufferers getting to exercise 106 times a year, and sufferers only 85 times per year, on average.

It is an unfortunate, ironic symptom, the fact that many people who seek exercise as a means to improve their health are often prevented from effective exercise because of a health problem. It is often the jostling of the body that causes the stomach contents, including corrosive stomach acid, to move vigorously within the confines of the stomach. It may jostle stomach acid even more energetically up against the esophageal sphincter, causing it even further stress, especially in a GERD sufferer. A ?normal? person will probably not be affected by this jostling, but it can wreak havoc in the stomachs of GERD or acid reflux sufferers, adding acid reflux to their list of ailments.

The usual remedies may help with GERD symptoms, and therefore may help with EAGER symptoms (acid reflux and exertion): Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol; try chamomile or peppermint tea after meals; limit meals to smaller portions several times a day instead of a couple of big meals; avoid fatty and salty foods; try Aloe Vera gel or Milk of Magnesia as stomach balms. Specifically for EAGER sufferers, try less strenuous exercises (that would have you bouncing up and down less) such as swimming or bike-riding.

These homeopathic remedies may be tried first, in lieu of a prescription, if your doctor okays it. Be aware that OTC acid reflux, GERD and heartburn medications are only recommended for a limited amount of time (usually two weeks). After that time, it is recommended that you take a break before starting the regimen again. Even Rolaids or Tums are not recommended for extended use. If you do try an OTC remedy or have a prescription, make sure it has an acid reducer in addition to a stomach soothing agent.

If you suffer from acid reflux or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), then you are already aware of its painful effects. Even more disruptive than pain, it can cause a variety of unwanted physical and emotional responses. If you are a sufferer, you are familiar with the burning in your chest, upset stomach, nausea, and acid in your throat. Often, taking drugs such as Nexium, Tagamet, Omeprazole, Prevacid, Prilosec and Zantac provide only temporary relief. Indeed, these drugs are only intended to be taken for two weeks at a time, with a substantial break in between. Perhaps you’ve even been that person who constantly chews Tums or Rolaids, hoping for some relief from the burning. There is a psychological component to acid reflux that has been researched and documented. Researchers have determined that acid reflux and anxiety attacks may be related, simply because of the stress and terrible feelings it can cause.

This stress manifests itself in acid reflux sufferers as anxiety, which may even cause greater agitation of the esophagus, stomach and throat. Relaxation techniques have been shown to relieve acid levels in patients, which may be of benefit to anyone who is suffering not only from the acid reflux symptoms, but additional the anxiety and in some circumstances even panic attacks. The unwanted symptoms from acid reflux and anxiety attacks can be increased through lack of sleep. Acid back-flow, which occurs in the prone position one assumes when sleeping, can lead to emotional and psychological as well.

Anxiety can be felt as anxiousness, nervousness, sweating, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, anxious thoughts or actions, inability to sleep, or the feeling that the world is about to end. When you add a physical component such as acid reflux to this mix, you can aggravate both conditions, each feeding off the other, causing heightened symptoms. It can be severe, as the insomnia is caused by the acid that is flowing up into your throat and mouth. Severe burning may occur when stomach acid hits parts of the body it was never intended to meet. Stomach acid is corrosive and causes many problems when it is introduced into the body. This vicious cycle, however, can be abated.

Patients can be taught muscle relaxation techniques to combat the anxiety that aggravates acid reflux and GERD symptoms. Such relaxation eases the anxiety to the point where acid triggers are eased, thereby offering relief from further stomach and esophagus troubles. You can learn to relax your muscles and your emotional state to achieve peace of mind. A holistic approach to acid reflux treatment is possible with simple relaxation and stretching techniques. Acid reflux and anxiety attacks do not have to go hand in hand, but when they do, know that relief is available from a natural, easy-to-access source: your own body.