A hiatal hernia is an abnormality in which part of your stomach pushes up, protruding through the diaphragm. The esophageal hiatus, a hole in the diaphragm that allows the esophagus to pass through to connect with the stomach, is typically larger in individuals with hiatal hernias allowing the stomach to pass through, or herniate through the hiatus into the chest.

While many hiatal hernias are small and go unnoticed, some become rather large and create digestive problems. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, can develop because of the open position of the sphincter of the stomach allowing acid to travel up into the esophagus. This flow of acid can cause heartburn, esophageal spasms, inflammation, and ulcers in the esophagus.

The best way to self treat a hiatal hernia is to pay close attention to the foods that you are putting into your body. A healthy diet that is hiatal hernia-friendly can help ease many symptoms that are incurred by the hernia. Staying away from certain foods can create less irritation and help support comfortable digestion. Foods that are high in fat and sugar, acidic foods, and certain beverages should be avoided whenever possible.

When preparing or eating meat, one should choose a less fatty meat like a lean cut of beef, skinless chicken breast, or fish. Eating high fat meats can wreak havoc on your digestive system. Being careful of how much spice, marinade, and sauce is being used during the preparation is an important factor, as these, too, can irritate the hernia.

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a nutritious eating regimen, but certain fruits can irritate a hiatal hernia. Citrus fruits such as oranges and limes should be avoided to prevent irritation. Choose fruits like pears, apples, bananas, and peaches. It is also wise to avoid tomatoes, as they contain a high level of acid. Also keep in mind that the same rules apply to their juices. While apple juice is fine to drink, grapefruit juice will cause irritation to the esophagus.

Healthy grains should be consumed on a daily basis. Oatmeal, wheat bread, brown rice, low sugar whole grain cereal, couscous, and barley are just to name a few healthy grain options. Grains are an important part of one’s diet and contain numerous vitamins and minerals to keep the body healthy. However, one should try to bypass enriched white grains such as white bread and white rice, as they lack nutrients and break down too quickly.

One’s tolerance to lactose will decide what foods should be avoided in the dairy isle. However, individuals that tolerate lactose well should choose low-fat or fat-free cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, and milks over their full fat versions. Desserts like ice cream, and sugary rice pudding may cause irritation due to the high amounts of sugar in these foods. Consuming a no sugar added version is the best route to take.

While water should be the beverage of choice, some do not enjoy drinking it. When deciding on a beverage, steer clear of coffee, soda, and alcohol, as they tend to irritate a hiatal hernia. Also, teas that contain rosemary are known to reduce heartburn and indigestion.

While having a hiatal hernia can be rather painful and frustrating, eating a healthy diet can help lessen the severity of its symptoms. For more information on foods to avoid visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Acid reflux, more commonly known as heartburn, is a painful and pesky problem that affects millions of Americans. Although it is not a serious disease, it is annoying and gets in the way of social activities, work and even sleep. There are several causes of acid reflux, which is most commonly caused by food. But there are other, more serious causes too and if you experience acid reflux very often, consult your physician.

1. Food- acid reflux is most commonly caused by eating spicy food, especially late at night without leaving ample time for the food to digest. When you sleep, remnants of this food can back up into the lower esophagus causing a painful burning sensation in the chest. To counter this, eat spicy foods earlier in the day and pair it with a dairy product, like milk or yogurt, which counteract the effects of the spices. Also, over-the-counter medications such as Maalox, TUMS or Pepto Bismol can give some relief. Other foods that commonly contribute to acid reflux include alcohol, any strong flavors like onion or garlic, soda, coffee and other caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits and tomato-based foods and fried foods.

2. Hiatal Hernia- this is a stomach abnormality in which the stomach and lower esophagus move around within the chest cavity. This can cause acid to back up into the sensitive esophagus and cause the characteristic burning sensation.

3. Pregnancy- increased pressure on the stomach and lower abdominal area can cause acid to back up into the esophagus. The higher levels of hormones can also add to the condition.

4. Smoking- inhaling smoke and other harsh chemicals can eat away at the protective mucous lining of the esophagus, increasing its sensitivity to acid and irritation.

5. Loose esophageal sphincter- there is a muscular gate that connects the esophagus to the stomach to allow the passage of food. In normal individuals, this gate only allows for one-way passage and then closes tightly so that food does not back up. In individuals who suffer from acid reflux, this sphincter is not as tight as it should be and allows food and acid to reverse direction and enter the esophagus. In some cases, corrective surgery is needed to reverse this problem and tighten the sphincter.

6. Laying down or going to sleep too soon after eating- you should allow at least thirty to forty-five minutes for digestion after eating before laying down or going to sleep if you are prone to experiencing acid reflux. Sit up straight and allow gravity to work to keep food and acid in the stomach.

7. Not drinking enough water after a meal- saliva is a natural digestive and is needed to begin and continue the process of digestion. If a person is dehydrated, however, this decreases the production of saliva and can slow the digestive process down, increasing the chances of acid reflux. Be sure to drink a glass of water after a meal, and maybe two if it was a spicy meal.

There are several acid reflux triggers. The trick is to find your triggers and avoid them at all cost. For more information on acid reflux triggers visit Reflux Remedy at www.refluxremedy.com today!

The ugly sensation of the regurgitation that leaves the mouth and throat with a horrible burning sensation is an experience people that suffer from acid reflux face quite often. It causes you to drink water, milk, juice, or anything that might relieve the burning and make the nasty residue go away. Sufferers of the medical problem known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease have long sought a permanent cure.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)which is commonly known as acid reflux, is caused when stomach contents ?burp? back into the throat. The regurgitated contents can burn and damage the lining of the throat. The regurgitated contents generally include acid that the stomach uses to digest food and might also have bile from the small intestine. The acid produces the strong burning sensation while the bile leaves a horrible rancid after taste. Acid reflux can create problems with inflammation of the throat, esophageal cancer, ulcers and lung infections.

Night time is when sufferers experience their worst problems with chest pains and acid reflux. A person is likely to wake up thinking they are having a heart attack. The pain can be severe. There are various medical tests and examinations that can be performed to determine if a person has GERD. Physicians normally treat the problem pharmacologically with Nexium, Prilosec, Zantac, Prevacid, Protonix, or Reglan. However, prescriptions are designed to cure symptoms. They do not cure the problem.

To cure GERD or acid reflux, sufferers are turning to natural remedies. A red delicious or Fuji apple eaten at night is a very effective method to protect against acid reflux. In keeping with the apple cure, numerous people attest to the success of taking apple cider vinegar. You must use organic acv as it is unpasteurized. To begin, mix 2 teaspoons of acv in 8 oz. of water. Over time, increase the acv to 2 tablespoons in 8 oz. of water. Apple cider vinegar can also be combined with honey before ingesting.

Pickle juice, lemonade and lemon juice are also highly recommended by sufferers. The recommended amounts to be taken vary from a couple of swallows of the juice to a glass of lemonade. The times to take it also vary from early morning to afternoon. You will have to experiment to find which works best for you.

The use of acidophilus is also advocated by users. Several methods are suggested for this technique. It can be taken in the morning, before a meal, or after you eat. Sufferers also cite the use of a little baking soda in water as providing instantaneous relief but this does not appear to actually serve as a cure.

The consensus of long term sufferers of GERD is that prescription products do not cure the problem and quite often do not help. The use of the above mentioned natural remedies or other methods such as dietary changes, mustard, licorice root extract and aloe vera are proving to have long term positive effects on problems created by acid reflux. Essentially, natural remedies appear to be a better alternative than prescription medications.

For additional information on cures for GERD visit Reflux Remedy at www.refluxremedy.com today!

Heartburn is an unfortunate and painful condition that many people live with day in and day out, and while there are many medications and remedies for the onset of heartburn, the best results come through preventing heartburn before it starts. Eating and drinking habits, stress and activity levels can all contribute to the severity and frequency of onsets, but when recognized and addressed, these aspects can be much more effective than most medications or even diet changes.

Heartburn is the result of stomach acids backing up into the esophagus, resulting in the familiar burning sensation; in reality, this is more than just a sensation, the stomach acids are actually irritating and burning the wall of the esophagus. In severe and long-term cases, scarring and extensive burning can result, which is the condition known as acid reflux. Acid reflux requires prescription medication, often to reduce acid production, however, most cases of common heartburn can be actively prevented from reaching the severe stage.

Watching What you eat and Drink

Watching what you eat and drink is quite obvious, and while avoiding certain foods and drinks is recommended, it is the quantities of these foods and beverages that is typically the ultimate cause of heartburn. Two of the biggest culprits are coffee and soda, both of which are not terrible in small servings, but when over-indulged, can be lasting sources of heartburn. Reducing intake to one cup of coffee or one can of soda a day will have dramatic, nearly immediate, effects.

Foods, particularly spicy ones, are also the bane of those suffering from recurring heartburn; spicy foods themselves, in small servings, can be moderated and offset by taking an oral antacid before eating. Another handy tip is to drink more water with meals, as this not only helps with proper digestion, but avoids adding further sources of irritation.

Timing is Everything

Another commonly overlooked aspect that contributes to heartburn is the particular time you eat, and eating just before laying down is almost guaranteed to bring on a painful attack. Those suffering from heartburn often have a condition that allows stomach acids to leak into the esophagus, such as a relaxation of the sphincter muscle at the entrance to the stomach. Eating causes the stomach to increase production of digestive materials, and if you lay down too soon after eating, much of this leak out to burn the esophagus.

Taking a simple, over-the-counter antacid in the mornings, before eating and before bed, in conjunction with the above-mentioned strategies, can make a significant difference in heartburn occurrences. Taking an active stance against the causes of heartburn is not only the best way to reduce instances of it, but it can also help you to decide if prescription medication is necessary. If these particular steps are taken and frequent heartburn continues, medical attention may be the only option available, but it is much more likely that paying attention to what you eat and drink, as well as when you do, will be enough to substantially relieve most cases of recurring heartburn. For more information on curing heartburn be sure to contact Reflux Remedy at www.refluxremedy.com today!