Acid reflux disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, affects no fewer than 20% of the American populace on a regular basis. When the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, does not close completely, or if it opens too frequently, the acids that are produced by the stomach creep up into the esophagus, resulting in the uncomfortable chest pain known as heartburn. Other symptoms can include wheezing, dysphagia, dry cough, or problems affecting the ears and the vocal cords. But how does the acid reflux sufferer get relief? Read on for tips about controlling acid reflux and making life more comfortable.

Several lifestyle choices can trigger acid reflux, such as obesity and smoking, but it can also occur if you consume a large meal or lay down immediately after eating. Pregnant women are susceptible to acid reflux as are people who take ibuprofen, aspirin, or blood pressure or muscle relaxing medications, and foods such as garlic, tomatoes, citrus, chocolate, or fatty or spicy foods can also trigger an attack. People suffering from hiatal hernias are prone to acid reflux due to the dislocation of the upper stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter; this can force acid into the esophagus, causing the acid reflux symptoms to rear their heads.

There are a number of different therapies that can treat acid reflux disease, ranging from prescription or non-prescription drugs to herbal therapies. These various treatments effectively treat the symptoms of acid reflux as well as heal any sort of abrasions that result from the excessive acid, and they can also prevent any further complications related to the disease. People who suffer from relatively mild acid reflux disease can keep it at bay with a few simple actions: avoid eating two to three hours prior to lying down for the night, consume snacks throughout the day in lieu of heavy meals, elevate the head of the bed, stop smoking, and lose weight through diet and exercise. Antacids are also helpful to neutralize the stomach acids, but they can have some side effects if they are used with frequency.

For people who suffer from very severe acid reflux, their physician might prescribe stronger medication. An H2 blocker, such as Pepcid or Zantac, can help to reduce the acid formation in the esophagus; however, if these drugs are unsuccessful in treating the issue, the next step might be a proton pump inhibitor, such as Nexium, Prevacid, or Prilosec. These drugs will reduce the stomach acid, and most of them are available over the counter, eliminating the need to obtain a prescription. Another option is a prokinetic agent, such as Reglan or Urecholine, which can give the patient immediate relief by emptying the contents of the stomach more quickly and strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter, but this drug carries along with it more potential side effects. People suffering from the effects of acid reflux should consult their physician; this disease is easily treatable, and it should be treated sooner rather than later to prevent any damage to the esophagus.

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Acid reflux, or the occurrence where stomach acid rises from the stomach into the esophagus, occurs in most adults throughout their lifetime. While most adults will occasionally develop heartburn as the result of eating something spicy or that does not agree with their stomach, some individuals who have chronic acid reflux might develop GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The question of what causes GERD to develop often seems to point toward coffee and other caffeinated beverages as a potential culprit.

The Myth
For many years, the idea that coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages cause the development of acid reflux disease or GERD was common. Part of the myth stems from the idea that coffee is highly acidic. Since coffee has a high acid content, it causes more acid production in the stomach which results in acid reflux.

The other part of the myth comes from the idea that the caffeine in coffee relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, so the acid in the stomach comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn.

The Truth
The truth about coffee as it relates to acid reflux is that it will aggravate acid reflux disease or GERD in patients who already suffer from the conditions. However, coffee is not the reason acid reflux originally develops. According to the British Medical Journal, heavy coffee drinkers who drank an average of around seven cups of coffee per day were actually 40 percent less likely to develop GERD and acid reflux when compared to those who did not drink coffee.

Though coffee actually helps protect against GERD before it develops, patients who already have problems with heartburn will find that coffee further aggravates the problem. Coffee is highly acidic, so those who have damage to the esophagus from acid reflux will feel uncomfortable drinking the coffee and might even feel pain. It will also relax the lower esophageal sphincter, so if acid reflux is a problem already it might cause further reflux problems.

A healthy adult who does not have problems with GERD or acid reflux will not need to worry that drinking a cup of coffee each day increases their risk of later developing GERD.

Stopping Acid Reflux
Before acid reflux becomes a serious problem, it is possible to fix the problem and coffee is actually part of the solution.

The website refluxremedy.com points out that acid reflux actually stems from an unhealthy lifestyle. The only way to stop acid reflux from developing is by improving your lifestyle habits. Part of the improvement begins with drinking more coffee.

Coffee is beneficial for your heart, lowers the risk of developing GERD or acid reflux and helps improve your cognitive abilities. While it helps, coffee alone will not prevent GERD.

Combine coffee with eating smaller meals and getting regular exercise to prevent the development of GERD. Around 30 minutes of exercise a day along with small and healthy meals will lower body weight and improve your overall health. Eventually, healthy habits will also eliminate acid reflux.

Conclusion
Coffee is surprisingly helpful in preventing acid reflux disease or GERD. Drink up and enjoy your cup of java.

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Perhaps for acid reflux symptoms, especially heartburn, the age-old adage crediting an apple a day with keeping the doctor away might ring true. For, contrary to popular opinion, acid reflux is not simply caused by too much acid in the stomach. What?s more, for frequent or severe symptoms, popping antacids or taking prescription drugs is unlikely to bring lasting relief in the form of a cure.

Heartburn occurs when stomach juices containing acid move upwards into the esophagus, the tube connecting throat and stomach. When the sphincter muscle at the tube?s base relaxes or fails to close tightly behind food passing into the stomach, digestive acids can reverse direction; moving upward, they create searing, burning pain equated with being on fire, hence the term heartburn. Frequent occurrences not only damage the esophagus, but the cumulative effects begin to sabotage everyday activities, including restful sleep. As these symptoms often inspire scurrying for pharmaceutical relief, over- the- counter and by prescription, sometimes with unwanted side-effects, examining some natural approaches makes sense.

Increasingly, results indicate that making dietary and lifestyle changes may greatly relieve symptoms, but more importantly perhaps, provide the basis for curing a grave problem. Indeed, when pronounced heartburn occurs more than twice a week, it is diagnosed as the more serious gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, for short. Thus, an apple in place of an Rx may prove important in finding solutions for various forms of acid reflux plaguing over 40% of American adults.

Diet alterations, an easy place to begin, comprise a significant natural treatment option for reducing heartburn symptoms. Not only are there certain foods to avoid, but also tried-and- true tips for when and how to eat the preferred selections. Instead of skipping meals, then wolfing down super-sized ones, 4 or 5 evenly-spaced small meals seem more suited to preventing an overfilled stomach. Big meals, conversely, contribute to increased stomach volume and pressure that may cause acidic contents to splash upwards towards the esophagus. When big meals are unavoidable, nevertheless, putting space between them and bedtime is best.

Most importantly, a high-fiber diet should be the mainstay of reflux sufferers. With whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, primarily unprocessed plant-foods, the focus of their eating regimes, sufferers are 20% less likely to experience acid reflux symptoms, regardless of body weight. That is certainly one promising reason to eat more apples.

On the other hand, high-fat dairy products and meats like ice cream and hamburgers, extremely irritating and acid forming, should be avoided. Choose instead such items as turkey, skim-milk, low-fat yogurt and cheese. Likewise, greasy, peppery, or fried concoctions which weaken the esophageal sphincter muscle and permit the upward movement of stomach acids are unworthy choices. Additional muscle-weakening foods from which to abstain include chocolate, peppermint, caffeine, alcohol. In terms of beverages, drinking water at meal?s end dilutes and washes down any wayward stomach acids. Conversely, alcoholic drinks, coffee of all sorts, caffeinated tea, and colas may incite heartburn because of their tendency to increase stomach acid content; and juices in the tomato or citrus families can irritate an already damaged esophagus. Sodas, likewise, are poor choices; they bloat the abdomen, creating undue stomach pressure causing acids to splash upwards, the opposite direction desired.

Finally, while dietary changes often reduce the problem, they won’t cure acid reflux for good. That is where some other proven natural methods, not expensive symptom-masking drugs, might be worth a try. Undoubtedly, though, a better diet is integral to being in control of acid reflux, providing a firm foundation upon which to build its cure. After all, while alleviating symptoms is desirable, a temporary or ‘quick fix’ does not equal a lasting remedy. For more diet suggestions for acid reflux sufferers visit Reflux Remedy at www.refluxremedy.com today!

Acid Reflux is a condition that is all too common in individuals today. Also known as Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, it occurs when the liquids in the stomach back up into the esophagus. This reflux of stomach acid causes pain and can become a chronic condition. By making changes in diet, having patience and using some natural remedies, individuals can stop acid reflux.

Extra weight presses on the abdomen pushing the stomach upward and aggravating acid reflux. Overweight individuals should work to lose pounds and then maintain a healthy weight. A good strategy for weight loss should work slowly, causing 1-2 pounds to be lost each week. Avoid wearing tight clothes while losing weight. They press on the abdomen and lower esophageal sphincter muscle increasing reflux.

Some foods and drinks seem to trigger heartburn. They are different for each individual, but common ones are fried, fatty foods, tomato sauce, chocolate, alcohol, garlic, onion, and caffeine. Along with eating smaller meals, limiting or avoiding these foods can alleviate acid reflux to a point where other remedies aren?t necessary.

A detoxifying diet: drinking 1 gallon of water a day along with quality probiotics in high doses can restore normal stomach function for many people. Those who suffer from acid reflux need to drink more water than others to dilute stomach acids and normalize their pH.

Using two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily has the potential to make the entire body healthier. It may seem odd to many, recommending an acidic remedy to help an acid problem, but this works for people who have suffered with acid reflux. Everybody?s body is different. If ACV doesn?t work, there are many other remedies that might help.

Some herbal remedies that lessen the effects of acid reflux are licorice, slippery elm, chamomile and marshmallow. All these have provided relief when taken regularly in liquid, capsule form, or as tea. Any herbal product can interact with other medications. A doctor can recommend a safe dosage to use when trying an herbal remedy.

Relaxation techniques can calm an individual?s anxiety and stress. This may also reduce acid reflux. Different relaxation techniques such as guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation are taught by trained instructors as part of exercise classes or through other resources.

Acupuncture is an ancient process involving inserting needles at specific places on the body. One small study showed that acupuncture did help people with heartburn that had persisted in spite of medical intervention. This treatment may also help those who have tried other natural remedies without positive results.

Seventy-five percent of people with gastric problems test positive for Helicobacter pylori, the only bacteria stomach acid can?t kill. The wormwood herb: Artemisia asiatica and garlic have compounds which optimize bowel flora and kill this pathogenic organism. Garlic cloves must be crushed or chewed in order for the active ingredient?allicin?to become available for use by the body.

Natural remedies may work better for one individual than another. Be patient, and try more than one option to find the remedy that will stop acid reflux. For more information on curing acid reflux naturally be sure to contact Reflux Remedy at www.refluxrememdy.com today!