Burning esophagus is also known as heartburn, pyrosis and acid indigestion. It is classified as a burning sensation in the chest originating just behind the breastbone in the esophagus. The sensation usually rises in the chest and spreads to the throat, neck and in some cases even to the jaw. Those who suffer from occasional heartburn should not be alarmed; over-the-counter medications and changing your lifestyle can be just the remedy required. Those who experience more severe heartburn should make changes to their lifestyle and seek more intensive medical help.

In most cases heartburn is associated with the regurgitation of gastric acid which is also one of the significant indicators of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Burning esophagus is also an indicator of ischemic heart disease, so doctors have to be sure that they don’t misdiagnose patients who think they have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Symptoms of heartburn include: a burning pain in the chest that is usually experienced after eating and tends to occur at night, pain that sharpens whenever you bend over or lay down. You should seek immediate medical attention when you experience acute chest pain and other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, pain in the arm and/or jaw as well as chest pain. Chest pain is especially important as it could mean that you’re having a heart attack. You should be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor if your heartburn flares up more than twice a week, if you have trouble swallowing or if your symptoms continue despite using over-the-counter medications.

There are certain kinds of drink and food that have been known to cause heartburn. The include: alcohol, chocolate, black pepper, coffee, fatty food, ketchup, fried food, orange juice, onions, mustard, peppermint, soft drinks, tomato sauce and vinegar.

Antacids such as Maalox, Gelusil, Tums, Rolaids and Mylanta can provide you with rapid and temporary relief, but antacids alone will not heal an inflamed esophagus that has been eaten away by stomach acid. Overuse of these over-the-counter medications can cause unfortunate side effects such as constipation or diarrhea. Medications called H-2 receptor blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac 25, Zantac 75, Zantac 150), nizatidine (Axid AR) or famotidine (Pepcid AC). While these don’t act as quickly as antacids do, the relief they provide is longer. Even stronger versions of H-2 receptor blockers are available in prescription form.

For those who subscribe to an alternative medication lifestyle, there are some natural remedies that can help with heartburn. Aromatherapy, gentle exercise, hypnosis, music, massages and relaxation techniques can all be used to combat heartburn.

Lifestyle changes that can reduce heartburn include: maintaining a healthy weight, avoid tight clothing, eating smaller meals, avoiding food and drink that trigger burning esophagus, not lying down after meals and elevating the head of your bed. These small changes can have a large impact on your heartburn flare-ups. For more information on soothing and/or eliminating a burning esophagus be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Talk with your doctor today if you experience constant and acute heartburn as it may be an indication of a more serious medical condition.

There are millions of Americans that suffer from acid indigestion on a regular basis and many do not know what triggers it or how to treat it. While there are many different triggers, they are not always the same for everyone. Indigestion for some people may be triggered by eating spicy foods, while the trigger for other people may be stress. Some other popular foods that can cause indigestion are caffeine, chocolate, fried foods, alcohol, tomato-based foods, and citrus. Along with certain foods and stress causing indigestion for people, it can also be caused by wearing tight clothing or eating too close to bedtime.

While these triggers can vary from person to person, the treatments for indigestion are usually similar for all people that are affected. For the food items that can be triggers, you can simply avoid them or consume them less often in order to control the indigestion. If eating too close to bedtime is causing the discomfort, then it is recommended that you eat at least two hours prior to going to bed. This will allow the foods to fully digest prior to you going to bed.

Along with these options, it is also possible for exercise to aid in the pain of indigestion. Often times the people that suffer the most with indigestion are the people that are overweight. Perhaps this is because some of the foods that are most likely to cause the problem are foods that are not healthy and have a higher fat content. The easiest exercise for most people to do is to go for walks regularly. Walking just thirty minutes a day can help a person to lose a considerable amount of weight. Keeping active will also help your body to feel healthier. When you keep your body functioning properly, the odds of having the recurrent indigestion will be considerably lower.

For more information on the causes of acid reflux visit refluxremedy.com today!

Hiatal hernia is not a condition that is well accepted by the medical community, but affects an estimated 15 percent of Americans, though the actual numbers are suspected to be much higher. Most people suffering from Hiatal hernia aren’t aware of it, and may attribute the symptoms to things that are far more innocuous. A Hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach, in whole or in part, protrudes up through the natural opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus.

Causes of Hiatal hernia are many, and easy to overlook. Lying down sooner than 3 hours after eating, smoking, drinking alcohol, consuming refined sugar, placing strain on the abdomen, using poor posture and improperly lifting heavy weight, can all contribute to the development of a Hiatal hernia.

When the stomach is capable of changing positions and moving up and down through the hiatus, this is called a sliding Hiatal hernia. With proper awareness, care and effort, this can potentially be corrected. A Hiatal hernia can take on a malignant and dangerous form, however, called a strangulated or paraesophageal Hiatal hernia. This is where the stomach becomes stuck in the hiatus and cannot move back down. In some cases, blood flow may be entirely cut off from the portion of the stomach that is stuck above the hiatus. In these cases the condition can be life threatening, and emergency surgery is an absolute must.

Both a sliding Hiatal hernia and a strangulated Hiatal hernia may present similar symptoms, but those of strangulation are much more severe. Symptoms of a strangulated Hiatal hernia usually include severe pain in the chest, nausea and dry heaving and vomiting. It is, perhaps, unsurprising that these symptoms are known as a false heart attack. Other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, chronic, uncontrollable acid reflux and pain in the stomach. Please be aware that strangulation is a dangerous situation and warrants a trip to the emergency room immediately!

Strangulation means that the blood flow to a portion of the stomach has been cut off, and may cause death of tissues if not taken care of immediately. To repair a strangulate Hiatal hernia, a surgeon will move the stomach back down to the proper location and stitch the hiatus closed around the esophagus. Unfortunately, a great number of people experience further or worsened problems after this surgery due to internal scarring.

Obviously, the best policy for dealing with a strangulated Hiatal hernia is to avoid getting it in the first place. Avoid lying down immediately after eating. Try to keep from drinking liquids, especially cold ones, half an hour before, during and after meals. Learn the proper way to lift weight, prevent strain on the abdomen and make an effort to maintain good posture. Make certain to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable, use lots of spices like cinnamon, turmeric and cayenne, and consider taking digestive enzymes. It is also important to avoid stress, as it tends to make the body’s muscles tight and prone to injury, and avoid straining during bowel movements.

Find out everything you need to know about strangulated Hiatal Hernia by visiting Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Gastroesophageal reflux or GERD is a medical condition that causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus or throat. GERD coughing is common since stomach acid is not only irritating to the esophagus, it is also irritating to the delicate tissues of the throat as well. Although not all cases of acid reflux result in GERD coughing, it is very common. Other signs and symptoms of GERD include frequent throat clearing, a burning sensation in the chest area or throat, persistent heartburn and even chest pain.

Sometimes, symptoms of GERD can be so severe, that they actually can mimic a heart attack. When symptoms of chest pain occur, it should never be assumed that the symptoms are related to acid reflux disease or GERD. When in doubt, a medical evaluation should be sought to make sure the symptoms are not cardiovascular in nature. To ease symptoms of GERD coughing, drinking plenty of fluid can help dilute stomach acid so that they are not as irritating. In addition, over-the-counter acid inhibitors can also help reduce symptoms.

Home remedies that are effective in reducing GERD coughing and other symptoms include elevating the head of the bed when sleeping. This helps prevent the backflow of stomach acid from migrating into the throat. In addition, avoiding certain foods such as chocolate, peppermint and highly spiced and fatty foods can reduce symptoms. Smoking and drinking alcohol can also exacerbate acid reflux symptoms, so cutting down can be beneficial.

Excessive weight can worsen GERD, as can certain medications. These include beta blockers, which relax the lower esophageal sphincter or LES, allowing stomach acid to backflow into the esophagus. Other medications that tend to relax the LES include narcotic pain relievers and anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax and Ativan. In addition to over-the-counter acid blocking medications, antacid tablets can help neutralize stomach acid.

When symptoms of GERD coughing and other acid reflux symptoms occur, the physician may recommend diagnostic testing to determine the extent of the condition. Medical tests that may be recommended include an upper GI series or endoscopy, and a blood test that can check for a condition called h pylori. This bacterium can promote the development of stomach ulcers and cause symptoms similar to those of GERD. In addition, the physician will want to determine if the esophagus has been damaged by acid erosion, and if so, what the extent is. A condition called Barrett?s esophagus can cause significant symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, GERD coughing and heartburn. In addition, untreated Barrett?s may increase the risk of esophageal cancer in certain individuals.

It is important to note that when symptoms of GERD occur, and particularly GERD coughing, remedies such as cough medicine will be ineffective in treating the condition. Unless efforts are made to specifically alleviate the migration of stomach acid into the throat, coughing and pronounced throat clearing will persist. Although GERD is seldom a serious medical condition, symptoms can be intrusive and prevent the enjoyment of certain foods. When home remedies for GERD are ineffective for treating symptoms, the physician can implement an appropriate treatment plan that may include prescription medication, dietary changes and a weight loss program. For more information on the causes and cures of GERD coughing be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxrememdy.com today!