Acid reflux can cause frequent and painful heartburn symptoms in people who suffer from this debilitating condition. Nearly 20% of Americans suffer from this persistent condition that affects sleep, mood, nutrition, and overall quality of life. Doctors prescribe expensive drugs or offer invasive surgeries to help solve these problems, but these costly options frequently fail to solve the problem. Fortunately there are a number of acid reflux home remedies that can help ease these problems. A summary of some of these safe and inexpensive home remedies is included below.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Those with acid reflux may strongly object to the idea of consuming vinegar. Indeed, it does seem that vinegar would be more likely to exacerbate heartburn problems. However, apple cider vinegar has unique properties that make it valuable in the treatment of acid reflux and heartburn. It contains certain enzymes that stimulate the digestive process, reducing the production of stomach acids. When purchasing apple cider vinegar to use for acid reflux treatment, it is important to purchase raw, organic vinegar, as more processed varieties may no longer contain the necessary enzymes. To use this remedy, simply add a tablespoon of vinegar to a glass of water and sip throughout any meal.

Ginger Root

Ginger root has many valuable medicinal qualities. In addition to absorbing stomach acid and decreasing nausea, ginger root may also help to relieve stress. Ginger root can be purchased fresh or dried in any grocery store. Simply adding it to foods may help relieve problems. For more potent application, ginger tea or dried ginger capsules can be purchased at a health food store. Taking the capsules or sipping a cup of this tea after dinner can help relieve heartburn symptoms.

Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are another home remedy that can be found in any grocery store. This lovely smelling herb is frequently consumed after meals in India. This tradition may stem from the fact that fennel seeds soothe the stomach and reduce gastrointestinal muscle spasms. Chewing a handful of these seeds after meals is a tasty way to reduce acid production and stomach pains.

Anise and Lavender Tea

Consuming a soothing combination of anise and lavender tea may help reduce stomach acid production. To prepare this hot drink, simply mix equal parts of aniseed and dried lavender. Add a teaspoon of this mixture to two cups of boiling water and steep for three to five minutes. Use a piece of cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to filter the herbs from the water. Natural sweetener, such as honey or agave, may be added to the drink. Consuming eight ounces of this tea in the morning and evening may help to relieve negative acid reflux symptoms.

While acid reflux can be a painful and aggravating condition, there is no reason to stress about its treatment. Safe and easy to implement home remedies may be used alone or in combination to produce an effective treatment. To read about more natural acid reflux solutions, download the Reflux Remedy Report at refluxremedy.com today!

Protonix is a medication used to treat acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when acids from the stomach go into the esophagus. This can sometimes cause heartburn, which is the burning feeling in the chest that happens when acid arises from the stomach into the esophagus. Protonix treats acid reflux by reducing how much acid is created in the stomach. With any medication, however, there are risks, and Protonix has many side effects.

It is common for users to have different side effects and experiences when taking a medication. Some individuals will have very minor, if any, reactions to a medication, while another person might have a severe response. While drug companies list potential side effects of their drug, it is important to know that an individual may experience a side effect not listed. The most common minor side effects of Protonix are nausea, dizziness, gas, headache, diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting.

The following are more serious side effects that have been reported by users taking Protonix: swelling of the face, mouth, lips, eyes, hands, tongue, or throat; major allergic reactions like hives or difficulty breathing; chest pain; bone pain; irregular or fast heartbeat; dark-tinged urine; fever, chills, and sore throat; unexpected bleeding or bruising; yellowing of the skin or eyes; blistered, peeling, red, or swollen skin; abnormal fatigue; and visual changes.
In addition to the potential side effects, there are other unusual ways that Protonix can possibly affect the user. When given to animals in research trials, Protonix has produced stomach cancer. At this time, no one knows if this medication will create the same result in humans. Another problem with this medication is that with the long-term use of Protonix, the body can find it more difficult to absorb vitamin B12. This can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.

The severity of many of the side effects will depend on the demographic of the person taking the drug. For example, fractures to hips, spine, and wrists will be more prevalent in Protonix users who are 50 years of age and older or who take the medication for more than a year. The risks associated with Protonix will increase the longer you take the medication. For instance, individuals who are on Protonix long-term can have the lining of their stomach weaken.

While Protonix was created to help treat acid reflux and its associated symptoms, the long list of potential side effects can be intimidating. Many of the side effects are serious and increase in severity the longer a person uses the medication. There are some potential side effects that are even life-threatening. If you have reservations about taking Protonix due to its side effects but want to ease troubling acid reflux symptoms, compare some therapeutic alternatives and download the Reflux Remedy Report at refluxremedy.com today!

There is a muscle that is located above the stomach and just below the esophagus. It is called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. This muscle acts as a link between the esophagus and stomach, allowing food to pass from one to the other during the process of digestion. Some people have or develop a weak LES, which can be harmful. A dysfunctional LES sometimes allows stomach acid to leave the stomach and travel up the esophagus and even to your throat. This is harmful because stomach acid is corrosive and irritating to areas that are not naturally protected against it. When stomach acid and food is regurgitated or brought up to the esophagus, this is called acid reflux. Frequent acid reflux— acid reflux that occurs more than a few times per week is commonly classified as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Stomach acid in the esophagus can cause a burning sensation, commonly known as heartburn.

Causes

• Unhealthy behaviors can promote acid reflux and GERD. Habits like smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can encourage the development of GERD. You should also practice eating lighter meals. Don’t eat a meal right before going to bed because this promotes gastric acid production.
• Some foods can cause acid reflux. Try to avoid foods that have a lot of caffeine, garlic and onions. You should also eat meals that are low in fat, because this is easier for the stomach to break down. Fatty foods require more gastric acid to digest.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause acid reflux. These over the counter drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, all found in many readily available pain killers. Vitamin supplements that have too much potassium, calcium and iron can contribute to GERD.
• Medical conditions can also increase your chances of developing GERD. People that are pregnant, have diabetes, obese or have respiratory problems are more likely to develop GERD.

Symptoms

• The main symptom of GERD and acid reflux is heartburn. Heartburn is experienced by about 40 percent of the population. The occurrence of heartburn doesn’t necessarily mean that GERD is present. If you have persistent heartburn, then you may be suffering from GERD.
• Regurgitation is another symptom of GERD. When acid and/or food back up into the throat, this is called regurgitation. This may be joined with burping and a bitter taste. Regurgitation causes painful irritation in the esophagus and throat.
• Other less common symptoms of acid reflex and GERD include nausea, chest pain and abdominal pain. Atypical symptoms include having asthma, laryngitis, a persistent cough and sinusitis.

Management and Treatment

• Diet is a contributing factor for acid reflux and GERD. Eliminate fattening foods and alcohol from your diet. You should eat a balance of acid and alkaline forming foods. Meals should not be eaten right before bed. Make sure that you drink a lot of water along with aloe juice, papaya and ginger. For more treatment methods and information visit www.refluxremedy.com today.

Acid reflux is a condition or disorder that happens as a result of having a lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, that is dysfunctional. The LES is a major part of the digestive system. Whenever you eat or drink something, it has to travel through your esophagus and pass the lower esophageal sphincter to get to your stomach for digestion. Without being able to reach your stomach, the food you eat could not be digested and used as nourishment for your body. The LES is like a muscular ring that sits at the bottom end of the esophagus. It is close to the diaphragm, near the opening to the stomach. The LES opens when food needs to enter the stomach. It then closes after the food has gone into the stomach. When you have a dysfunctional LES, it may remain open even after the food has gone through.

A weak LES allows stomach acid to travel through the diaphragm and into the esophagus. Stomach or gastric acid is very corrosive because it is needed to break down foods for the digestive process. The digestive process is necessary for your health and survival because this is what provides your body with the right proteins, nutrients and minerals. When there is stomach acid in your esophagus, and even your throat, this can become a very serious problem. The acid could irritate your esophagus and cause tremendous pain.

When stomach acid makes contact with your esophagus, this is very hazardous to your overall health. Since the esophagus lacks the protective lining that the stomach has, it is vulnerable to acidic substances. If stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, this is referred to as acid reflux disorder. Acid reflux disorder can be caused by many different things. You may develop acid reflux disorder if you are pregnant. The development of the fetus causes the other organs to shift to accommodate the growing baby. When this happens, the stomach acids have a higher chance of seeping through the diaphragm and into the esophagus.

Acid reflux could also happen because of having a hiatal hernia. This is when the stomach moves above the diaphragm near the esophagus or chest cavity. This is an abnormality. Acid reflux can also be caused by the type of food you eat as well. Consuming foods that are high in fat put you at risk for developing acid reflux. Foods that are spicy or acidic tasting are not necessarily foods that will cause you to have acid reflux. Acidic foods can only be classified based on their characteristics once digested in the stomach.

The time you eat meals is also essential to preventing acid reflux. If you eat a meal right before you go to sleep, this can cause more stomach acid to produce right before you lie down. Lying in a horizontal position also increases the likelihood of the gastric acids passing through the diaphragm. To learn more about reflux acid symptoms and treatments, visit www.refluxremedy.com today for more information.