April 27, 2011
Acid Reflux Foods to Avoid
Acid reflux is a hazard, to say the very least. Those suffering from acid reflux know firsthand what an inconvenience it is to enjoy a good meal only to have it followed by the pain and discomfort associated with this condition. It seems the body reacts in a harsh manner as a result of food consumption and many sufferers feel like they simply can’t win. You must eat to live but it feels as if eating is killing you. What acid reflux sufferers should know is that it’s not the fact THAT you eat that is causing your body great harm; it’s WHAT you’re eating that’s doing it.
A little about what’s happening to your body when you experience acid reflux just to offer background information. When you are suffering from acid reflux, the body is allowing acids and enzymes from your stomach that are used to aid in food digestion to escape the stomach and make way into the esophagus causing a burning in the chest and throat. The ring of muscle at the entrance of the stomach, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) normally closes immediately after food passes through to protect the esophagus from stomach acids. If the LES doesn’t close or it opens unexpectedly, the acids will likely escape resulting in acid reflux.
The great thing to know is that food is not your enemy. Well, not most foods. There are those foods that when ingested are more likely to bring on an acid reflux reaction and these foods should be avoided at all cost. Please do not, by any means stop eating altogether because your acid reflux is seemingly unbearable or you’re having difficulty swallowing due to dyspagia, which is a narrowing of the esophagus as a result of acid reflux. Not eating may mean no acid reflux but it also means that you may run the risk of many other illnesses. Keep in mind that eating is a great thing, especially when done often at small portions. Simply find the foods that work best for you. To include good foods, we must first eliminate bad foods. Here are a few suggestions:
Avoid foods that are obviously high in acid. Fruits such as tomato and lemons and high acid fruit juices including orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and lemonade should be avoided at all cost. Opt instead to drink lots of water and aloe vera juice. These liquids aid in digestion while stabilizing stomach acids. Also be weary of beer, coffee and soda, these drinks have high acidic levels. Try drinking vegetable juices if its flavor you’re looking for.
Avoid meats like marbled sirloin, chicken nuggets, buffalo wings and ground beef. These meats may be harder for your digestive system to break down and the hyperactivity of the digestive system can result in reflux.
This may be a tough one but grains like macaroni and cheese and spaghetti with sauce may not be the best for you; stand clear.
Shift your sweet tooth from brownies, chocolate, doughnuts and butter cookies and opt instead for non-acidic fruits. Not only will you notice an improvement in your reflux you may also notice a difference in your waistline.
For more information about acid reflux foods to avoid visit refluxremedy.com.
Filed under Acid Reflux, Acid Reflux Foods by admin
April 22, 2011
Preventing Acid Reflux
Acid reflux disease is a condition that plagues thousands of people every day. The awful thing about the condition is that it can take all the fun out of eating. Who wants to eat if the after affects are heartburn, belching, hiccups, regurgitation, coughing and sometimes nausea? It just doesn’t seem like the price you pay for good eating measures up to the benefit of eating at all. It’s true that the affects of acid reflux can vary from person to person ranging from mild discomfort in some to completely debilitating pain in others. All those suffering from acid reflux, no matter the extremity, can agree that if they could get rid of the condition altogether, it wouldn’t be too soon.
Acid reflux is a condition that if not properly tended to can lead to more serious conditions that can ultimately be life threatening. What happens with acid reflux is the acids found in the stomach that are used to break down foods for digestive purposes aren’t properly concealed in the stomach causing the acids to travel upward from the stomach into the esophagus resulting in acid reflux. The lower esophageal sphincter, LES, is a circular muscle valve that is located at the entrance of the stomach in the lower part of the esophagus. This valve’s job is to allow food and drinks to pass through from the esophagus to the stomach. Immediately after food and drinks pass through this valve, the valve is to close sealing off the stomach and the esophagus. This way, the acids that are rapidly at work digesting the food that has reached the stomach remain in the stomach so that there is no irritation caused to the esophagus.
A great way to control the hyperactivity of your stomach acids so that they are less likely to reach the esophagus resulting in acid reflux would be to prevent acid reflux triggers. There are several ways to prevent acid reflux. Below you will find a few:
- Eat smaller meals more times a day. The smaller your meals the more likely your stomach acids will be able to take on breaking down and digesting these meals without producing too much acid that may result in acid hyperactivity.
- Avoid foods that contain chocolate, citrus, caffeine, mint, garlic, onions and other foods that are high in fat. These foods have been known to weaken the LES muscle.
- Avoid sodas and alcoholic beverages, opt instead for water. Water is great at stabilizing stomach acids and aids in the digestive process.
- Try not to eat too close to bedtime. Give yourself at least two hours between the last meal of the day and the time you retire. This allows your body adequate time to fully and properly digest your foods.
- Relieve your stress. Stress is linked to many ailments and acid reflux is no exception. Stress can directly affect the digestive system so do your part to relieve stress through exercise, mediation, and rest.
Preventing acid reflux can be better for your body than taming it after it starts. If you are seeking more preventative methods feel free to visit refluxremedy.com
Filed under Acid Reflux by admin
April 21, 2011
Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Pain
Acid reflux is a pain, literally. Dealing with acid reflux can not only be an inconvenience to your day but can also cause great pain and discomfort to your body. Acid Reflux is a condition that causes damage to the lining of the esophagus as a result of the acid and enzymes used to breakdown foods in the stomach escaping the stomach reaching the esophagus causing burn and discomfort. The reactions from acid reflux range from belching and a hiccup sensation to heartburn. There are those instances when those suffering from acid reflux may feel a pain so intense that they mistake the acid reflux for a heart attack.
Many who suffer from acid reflux most notice symptoms after consuming foods that are reflux triggers. The pain from acid reflux can come gradually or it may be experienced as sharp or stabbing pain. There are several natural remedies for acid reflux. Different remedies tend to work for different people but you may want to try a variety to find the fit that?s best suiting for you.
Start by taking on your meals in smaller doses. It?s noticed that consuming meals in smaller doses allows the body to adequately break down your food and avoid hyperactivity. When food is overly consumed your body works extra hard to break down these foods to store necessities and get rid of waste. When the body kicks into overdrive an increase in acid tends to form allowing a greater possibility for the acid to escape from the stomach into the esophagus causing acid reflux.
- Try Baking soda. Baking soda, believe it or not, is a natural antacid. If you take a spoonful of baking soda, add it to water, stir briskly and drink it while the water fizzles you may notice an instant relief of the acid reflux buildup.
- Drink more water. This may seem like an overly obvious solution but you would be surprised to know how often the consumption of water goes ignored as the potential cure for many ailments. Water is great for neutralizing stomach acids. Be sure to drink lots of water before, during and after meals. Water aids is calming the acids by assisting in food digestion.
- Drink organic aloe vera juice. Aloe seemingly has countless healing powers. Drink 1 ounce of aloe vera mixed with 2 ounces of water immediately upon experiencing any signs of reflux. Drinking aloe vera juice beforehand can aid in digestion decreasing the chances of hyperactive acids. Aloe vera has also been known to soothe irritation in the esophagus after acid reflux ensues.
- Be sure to avoid trigger foods and try only consuming foods that are safe against acid reflux. Eat apples and bananas but stay away from tomatoes and lemons and oranges. Broccoli, carrots, cabbage, green beans and potatoes are also very good foods that generally cause no acid reflux. Keep in mind that trigger foods vary from one person to the next so you may want to keep a food log to determine which foods work best for you.
These are just a few suggestions of natural remedies for acid reflux. If you would like more information, feel free to visit refluxremedy.com today!
Filed under Acid Reflux by admin
April 20, 2011
Heartburn Acid Reflux
Oh, the dreadful heartburn! Those suffering from acid reflux know all too well how the onset of heartburn associated with acid reflux disease can stop you dead in your tracks. What is it about heartburn that causes it to happen at the most inopportune times (as if any time is the most opportune time for such a disgraceful symptom)? You’ve just enjoyed a perfectly delightful meal and then you pay for it. The taste of the food was so great that it overshadowed the possibilities of what was to come. Then the heartburn ensues. That tasty meal doesn’t seem so worthwhile after all, does it?
Here’s what’s happening to your body when this happens just so you can get a better understanding: When you eat, there is a valve that is also a muscular ring at the top of your stomach that is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES should close as soon as food passes through it. If the LES neglects to do so, or if the LES opens too often, this allows for the acids in your stomach to escape to the esophagus causing a burn that we refer to as heartburn. Though heartburn is generally felt in the chest and throat there have been cases where the burn makes its way to the abdominal region. If you experience this type of burn two or more times a week, you may suffer from acid reflux disease.
The cause of acid reflux heartburn varies from person to person. One of the main causes is a stomach abnormality called a Hiatal hernia. A Hiatal hernia occurs when the LES and upper part of the stomach move above the diaphragm which separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm assist in keeping acids in the stomach but if you are suffering from a Hiatal hernia the acids have room to move into the esophagus causing heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.
Other symptoms of acid reflux include, but are not limited to, regurgitation which is an expulsion from the mouth of recently consumed food and drinks. Regurgitation usually starts with a sour or bitter taste in the mouth that is followed by a heavy salivation of the mouth giving a clear sign that regurgitation is about to take place.
Dysphagia is also a symptom. Dysphagia is a narrowing of the esophagus that causes food and drink to feel like it is stuck in the esophagus with no way of passing through. Many people who suffer from this symptom develop a fear of eating which can eventually lead to other medical issues.
Nausea is another known side effect of acid reflux disease. Nausea can be due to hyperactive stomach acids which can also create an apprehension to eat.
If you notice any of these symptoms you may want to consider eliminating foods such as tomato, citrus, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy and fatty foods from your diet. Also, opt for water instead of reaching for carbonated or alcoholic drinks. These foods and drinks tend to be acid reflux triggers, so avoid them at all cost.
If you would like more information on heartburn acid reflux feel free to visit refluxremedy.com today!
Filed under Acid Reflux by admin