September 22, 2011

What Is Acid Indigestion?

Acid indigestion, also known as heartburn, is a burning sensation in the chest after eating. It is caused by stomach acid coming back up, or refluxing, and reaching the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Acid indigestion is a fairly common condition, affecting nearly one-third of the population occasionally, while up to 10% of adults suffer from acid indigestion daily. It is very common in pregnancy as well, with 1 in 4 pregnant women reporting daily bouts of heartburn for at least some of their pregnancy.

Symptoms of Acid Indigestion
Acid indigestion is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack because the symptoms can be somewhat similar. If you have any suspicion that you may be having a heart attack and not heartburn, it is critical that you seek medical attention immediately.

The main symptom of heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the upper abdomen and chest which can sometimes radiate into the back, jaw and throat. The burning can get much worse when bending over, lying down or after a particularly heavy meal. Pain usually starts within 30-60 minutes of eating and tends to recede gradually as food is being digested.

Causes of Acid Indigestion
Heartburn occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) remains open or relaxes after eating, which allows stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. Certain foods can exacerbate or cause the loosening of the LES, including peppermint, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, alcohol and foods high in fat. Foods that are spicy or acidic can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause a worsening of your symptoms.

Putting pressure on the abdomen tends to increase the chance of acid indigestion, so it is important to avoid wearing tight clothing and be aware that coughing, bending, straining, having a hiatal hernia, being obese and being pregnant can increase symptoms of heartburn.

Certain medications can also cause trouble with acid indigestion, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and osteoporosis medication.

Treatment of Acid Indigestion
Many times, heartburn can be successfully treated by avoiding foods and activities that cause it and by taking over the counter medications such as antacids. Avoid eating large meals close to bedtime and try to stay upright for up to an hour after eating to help keep stomach acid where it belongs.

If home treatments are not offering relief, it may be time to talk to your doctor about prescription remedies to alleviate the pain and burning of heartburn. Prescription histamine-2 blockers, such as Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid and Axid, all work to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. Reglan is a drug that helps empty food and acid more quickly and also helps to tighten the LES. The third and last type of drugs to be used are the proton pump inhibitors, which prevent the secretion of acid altogether. Common brands include Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium.

When Is Acid Indigestion Serious?
If you experience acid indigestion two or more times a week, you may be experiencing a more serious condition known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD can be severe and can cause scarring of the esophagus. Please see your doctor if you are having repeated episodes of acid indigestion. Treatment to stop the erosion of the esophagus is important to prevent long term problems associated with GERD. Find more information on the causes and cures associated with acid reflux be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

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September 19, 2011

Acid Reflux Vomiting

People sometimes hear about acid reflux vomiting and dismiss it as a minor irritation. This is because they do not suffer from acid reflux. They do not know about the burning sensation others suffer in their chests or the sudden bouts of vomiting. They have not gone through life with the taste of acid and bile in the back of their throat. They probably do not know anyone who has had a hole eaten through the lining of their esophagus because of the constant presence of regurgitated stomach acid in their throat.

Acid reflux is a recurring physical phenomenon that involves the involuntary ascent of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. At the very least, this phenomenon causes a painful, hot sensation in the chest that some people will identify as heartburn. Sometimes the acid will rise higher and bring the taste of bile and stomach acid into the back of the palate. In very severe cases, people who suffer from acid reflux will need to periodically vomit the acid and the bile because the pressure of these fluids is so high.

Why this happens to some people and not to others is still mysterious to doctors. There appears to be a hereditary link. Certain foods also seem to trigger severe outbreaks of acid reflux. Many suggest that stress is a factor.

What physicians do know about acid reflux vomiting are the terrible effects of this syndrome. Even in so-called minor cases, which only cause occasionally disturbing heartburn in patients, the recurring presence of acid in the esophagus causes lasting damage. The acid from a person’s stomach is so strong that it can, over time, eat completely through the lining of the esophagus. Once it has done that, a victim of this condition will also begin vomiting blood. The acid will not stop there. It will now begin to eat away at any organ in the chest that it contacts, such as the lungs or the heart.

There have been a number of medical attempts at treating acid reflux vomiting. None have met with unqualified success. Nexium is a popular drug for treating this condition, but its success is limited.

Proponents of natural remedies point out that using Nexium or some other drug only adds more chemicals to a situation that is already overloaded with chemicals. Some homeopathic cures recommend the inclusion or elimination of certain foods in a person’s diet. Examples of foods that allegedly suppress acid reflux vomiting are an old combination of milk and the soft drink 7-up or the regular eating of fruits that will absorb the acid, such as apples. Some suggest that many cases of acid reflux are actually misdiagnosed hiatal hernias and recommend treatment for that condition to remove the symptoms of acid reflux.

As time goes by, more people and more physicians are taking acid reflux vomiting seriously. This condition affects millions of Americans. Each day researchers learn more about its destructive effects on human organs and quality of life. Hopefully, the days of quickly dismissing this serious malady as nothing more than a bothersome trait are long past. For ways to eliminate acid reflux from your life be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

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Gerd Natural Remedy

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which acid in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. It is also referred to as acid reflux or heartburn.

GERD can be treated with over-the-counter medications or prescription drugs. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend surgery. If you suffer from GERD, there may be a natural remedy that is effective for your condition.

Apple cider vinegar mixed with water is helpful for people suffering with GERD. You can drink milk to soothe the burning associated with acid reflux. Cumin mixed with water is also a remedy. Lemon balm, German Chamomile and ginger root mixed with honey are natural remedies to relieve the pain from GERD.

Meadowsweet tea reduces stomach acid. Peppermint tea is also helpful, but it should not be used by women who are breastfeeding.

Tea made from slippery elm bark can soothe the throat and cut down on the pain from acid in the esophagus. Swedish bitter and baking soda are also effective in treating GERD. Fennel seeds reduce the pain from acid reflux. Women who are pregnant should not consume fennel seeds in high doses.

Citrus fruits can increase the symptoms of acid reflux, but citrus peels are a remedy for the condition. Citrus peel supplements can be found in health food stores. You can peel citrus fruits and allow the peels to dry. The peels should be stored in the freezer or in a tightly sealed container. Chew them as needed for acid reflux.

Drinking water may be helpful because it reduces stomach acid. Use a filter on your home faucet because the chlorine in the water contributes to GERD symptoms.

There are some lifestyle changes you can make which may be a natural remedy for your GERD. Obesity is believed to contribute to acid reflux. The extra body fat in the stomach area forces acid back up into the esophagus. Because of the link between being overweight and acid reflux, losing weight may be helpful with relieving symptoms.

Avoid wearing clothes that are tight around the stomach area because they can force acid back up into the esophagus.

Consuming smaller meals may naturally reduce acid reflux. You should eat dinner several hours before going to bed and avoid snacking late at night.

Your sleeping position affects GERD. It is recommended that you sleep on a pillow to keep your upper body slightly raised. Lying on your side may also help with acid reflux problems.

Changing your diet can be a remedy. Cutting back on spicy foods or foods high in fat may be helpful. Coffee, alcohol, onions and garlic are believed to increase problems with GERD, so decreasing consumption of these items could eliminate your problems.

Smoking and other tobacco products should be avoided by people who suffer from GERD because they are believed to aggravate the condition.

Stress can lead to digestive problems. Try decreasing your stress level with meditation or yoga. Getting more sleep at night will also reduce your stress level and possibly decrease GERD issues. Try visiting Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com for more natural GERD remedies today!

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GERD Pillow

GERD or Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease is a very dangerous condition that can result in discomfort or in more chronic, serious conditions, for instance Barrett?s Esophagus or esophageal cancer. GERD can be controlled by changing habits and by the use of the GERD Pillow.

Acid reflux starts with the symptoms of stinging pain at the back of the breastbone. Over 60 million adults in America endure acid reflux, and in at least 90 percent of these cases show a link to precise foods. Most people experience acid reflux at night while they are trying to sleep.

The most everyday sign of GERD is acid reflux which occurs when sphincter of the lower esophagus is weak or opens incorrectly and lets stomach acid into the stomach.

This condition can be found in babies and young children but is most likely to occur among pregnant women and older people.

Reports have indicated that people can eliminate acid reflux by ending the practices that cause it. This means to discontinuing the use of refined sugar and animal fat, stopping smoking, and doing away with alcohol and caffeine. Other bad practices are eating late and sleeping on one?s stomach. Both of these routines cause acid reflux to increase.

Using a GERD pillow and sleeping an the left side will help alleviate heart burn.

People can reduce the risk of GERD by changes in daily routine and by natural medicine. However, those who are not prepared to take the steps to treat acid reflux may have to turn to Proton Pump Inhibitor drug (PPIs) which stops the cells in the stomach from producing more acid. Prior to taking the drugs, the patient must be certain that his stomach is producing too much acid. A shortage of acid can produce similar acid reflux signs.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Drugs can have many serious and negative consequences. According to tests in Denmark, people who have had one heart attack are 30% more likely to have another heart attack when receiving PPIs, even if they are using the GERD pillow. PPIs can result in a artificial condition known as acid rebound. In addition, PPIs can cause people to have heart inflammation and palpitations as a result of lowering nutritional enzyme partners. It reduces oxygen to unsafe levels. PPIs also lessens the amount of nutrients absorbed, boosts bacteria inflammation in the stomach and obstructs the function of the liver.

Another symptom of acid reflux is the acid reflux cough. This begins in the diaphragm and the throat and is the cause of unceasing coughing. It lasts during the day and diminishes in the evening. One of the best ways to handle the cough is to eat at least three hours before sleeping. If the patient can stop producing acid in the stomach, that reduces the cough along with taking medicine. Professionals recommend amending the nutrition as the natural way to stop the acid reflux cough.

If a person sleeps raised with a pillow on his left side, tests have shown that this will decrease acid reflux. The slope prevents the stomach acid from reentering the throat and shields the esophagus from acid. It also helps with the sleep apnea condition and eliminates snoring. Find the GERD pillow that is right for you by visiting Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

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