Acid reflux disease is a condition that occurs when the enzymes and acids in the stomach are hyperactive and escape the stomach making their way to the esophagus causing the esophagus and the chest and even the abdominal region to burn. This is what is known as heartburn. There is a ring shaped valve that is located at the bottom of the esophagus, top of the stomach. This valve is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The job of the LES is to allow food to pass through the esophagus to the stomach. Immediately after food passes through the esophagus, the valve is to close quickly and tightly allowing for the stomach acids to work at digesting the food that has been passed to it. When this valve neglects to close, or if this valve opens too frequently there is a possibility for acid to escape the stomach and reach the esophagus causing acid reflux.

When the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm, this can cause acid reflux, as well. This is known as a hiatal hernia. The diaphragm helps to keep acids in the stomach. If you are suffering from a hiatal hernia, stomach acids can move into your esophagus causing acid reflux symptoms.

Symptoms for acid reflux can vary from person to person. Out of the thousands of people that suffer from acid reflux every day, there are those who refer to the symptoms they experience as mild or a little uncomfortable while others report a debilitating pain.

Symptoms for acid reflux include, but are not limited to:

• Heartburn: Heartburn is the most common acid reflux disease symptom. When the nerve fibers of the esophagus are stimulated by the stomach acids that have reached the esophagus there is a burning sensation that we refer to as heartburn. Heartburn may start as high as the throat and can make its way down into the lower abdomen. Though most sufferers experience heartburn as a burning sensation, there are those who have reported a sharp, stabbing or pressure-like pain in the chest that can often be confused with experiencing a heart attack. There are rare instances where heartburn may be felt in the back.
• Regurgitation: Regurgitation happens when consumed foods and liquids are expulsed from the mouth via the stomach and esophagus. In this instance, the acids, liquids and sometimes food, travels from the stomach through the LES to the upper esophageal sphincter (USE) and enters the throat. There may be a sour of bitter taste in the mouth followed by heavy salivation which inevitably leads to regurgitation. If this happens often, the acids that reach the mouth may cause erosion of the teeth and gums.
• Nausea: Nausea is a symptom that is less common but when experienced can result in vomiting. There is no known reason why there are some acid reflux sufferers that experience heartburn while others are nauseated. These two symptoms rarely occur together.

These are the most common acid reflux disease symptoms. For more symptoms of treatments be sure to visit www.refluxremedy.com

While most organs of the body are neutral or alkaline, a highly acidic stomach is needed in order to digest food. People are biologically equipped with gastric acid that breaks down food once it enters the stomach. When food is chewed and swallowed, the food travels through the esophagus and into the stomach. The essential nutrients are still too course and complex to be absorbed into the blood stream and effectively utilized by the body. The digestive juices of the stomach aid the body in extracting the necessary vitamin and mineral elements, while leaving behind the waste.

Composition

The stomach is a vital organ that is comprised of a mixture of acidic liquid components. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the main component of gastric acid, along with substantial portions of potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl). This corrosive compound has a pH of 1 to 2, and can be dangerous in any other part of the body. The blend of acids provides the perfect balance for breaking down all kinds of carbohydrates and protein. To protect itself from its own acid, the stomach is lined with a bicarbonate base at the mucosa layer. This base neutralizes the acid that contacts the stomach directly.

Production

The stomach wall is lined with several layers, one of which features parietal cells that secrete gastric acid into the lumen of the stomach. Secretion occurs in three phases: the cephalic, gastric and intestinal. Stomach acid production is controlled through hormones and the visceral nervous system. Stomach acid formation occurs naturally based on the amount of food deposited in the stomach. Larger quantities of food will cause the stomach to produce greater amounts of gastric acid.

Food Break Down

Gastric acids activate enzymes like pepsinogen, subsequently modifying into pepsin, which deconstructs proteins into peptides. Peptides, polymers of amino acids, allow the body to use the amino acids beneficially. Stomach acid also serves as a defense system against harmful germs and bacteria found in foods and beverages. The high acidity kills most dangerous microorganisms and bacteria, eliminating the strain on the immune system. Once completely broken down, the particles are transferred to the large and small intestine where nutrients are extracted and waste is passed through to the rectum.

Acid Reflux

When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), located above the stomach, abnormally fails to tighten properly, or is constantly opened, the risk of stomach acid ascending through the esophagus is increased. If the acid travels to the esophagus this may cause intense heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a disease that affects millions of people. The acidity of the gastric acid creates a burning sensation that can be irritating and very painful. Regurgitation, a symptom of GERD, causes people to be orally exposed to gastric acid and experience a sour and sometimes bitter taste in their mouth.

For more information on how stomach acid affects heartburn and acid reflux, visit refluxremedy.com.

If you constantly have a burning sensation in your chest, hiccup or belch frequently, particularly after a heavy, fatty meal, you may be experiencing heartburn, an ordinary symptom of GERD. Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a condition that stems from frequent acid reflux caused when the lower esophageal sphincter operates outside of the ordinary. Instead of tightening to restrict the influx of stomach acid and food that once passed through the esophagus, the loose sphincter or muscular ring allows acid to enter up the esophagus and cause inflammation. When the acid makes contact with the esophagus, a burning feeling begins, and is commonly referred to as heartburn.

Main Symptoms

Heartburn, sometimes referred to as acid indigestion, is primarily felt behind the breast bone but may spread to other nearby areas including the throat and neck. This pain is usually paired with belching. Heartburn is widespread and affects about 40% of the population. Although heartburn alone does not reflect that GERD is present, people that suffer from heartburn several times per week probably have GERD or acid reflux disease.

Gastric acid regurgitation is often associated with heartburn and is a chief symptom of GERD. Regurgitation can be uncomfortable because the acidic content of the stomach has the ability to burn and irritate the esophagus. When this occurs, the esophagus may become inflamed and limit the access of food to the stomach and create pain with swallowing.

Less Obvious Symptoms

Some symptoms of GERD are less-common and may go accidentally unnoticed as a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Chest pain, abdominal discomfort and nausea are among the symptoms that are often misinterpreted as symptoms for other medical conditions and diseases such as a heart attack. The simultaneous onset of these symptoms may be signs of Dyspepsia, where a general stomach ache occurs. Other symptoms for GERD are not typical at all but can serve as a warning sign. These atypical symptoms include but are not limited to asthma, sinusitis, a persistent cough, laryngitis and dentine hypersensitivity.

Defensive Treatment

Regulating the symptoms of GERD can be done through diet and habit. Eating meals that are less acidic a few hours before bed is a great way to reduce heartburn. Refraining from alcohol, fattening meals and chocolate can limit the frequency and intensity of heartburn and GERD. Over the counter medications like ibuprofen found in Advil and other pain relievers can exacerbate the symptoms of GERD. Drinking large amounts of water can neutralize the acidity of the stomach’s natural juices. Preventing GERD may be easier than treating it.

If you are not incorporated in your daily lifestyle and gastroesophageal reflux disease goes untreated, this may lead to gastritis and other complications of the esophagus. This can eventually cause difficulty with breathing and swallowing, essential everyday functions.

The Reflux Remedy Report contains more information on the symptoms for GERD and can assist you in determining your risk level. Go go to refluxremedy.com to view additional tips and methods of treating these symptoms.

Heartburn, by far, is one of the main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux. Heartburn symptoms are not to be expected of all people who suffer from acid reflux or GERD. Experiencing heartburn does not necessarily mean that these digestive conditions are present. The following symptoms of heartburn are the most common and suggest that GERD or acid reflux has already developed.

Burning Sensation (Throat): When gastric acid backup into the esophagus, this can create a painful, burning sensation in the throat, especially at the highest part of the neck. This feeling becomes more painful while eating or drinking.

Burning Sensation (Chest): The chest is usually the site where an intense burning sensation is felt. At the sternum and esophagus, you may feel acidic liquids burn and irritate these areas.

Chest Pain: This occurs often while experiencing heartburn. This symptom is typically triggered by physical maneuvers that include lying down, bending over or eating a heavy meal. Chest pain can be mild to severe, depending on the type of meal eaten, your weight and other factors.

Chronic Coughing: Some cases of heartburn encompass a chronic cough. This persistent cough is as a result of the acid that has refluxed into the esophagus. A chronic cough can be disruptive to everyday behaviors and lifestyle, sometimes limiting your function at work or socially.

Sore Throat/Hoarseness: A sore throat is another symptom of heartburn. The acid that reaches the throat from the stomach burns and forces the throat to become inflamed. This irritation discourages people from speaking or even eating certain foods, as it can be painful. If you are required to speak a lot in your profession or at home with your family, this can become very inconvenient.

Difficulty Swallowing: Dysphagia, a common condition, typically occurs in conjunction with heartburn. This condition includes difficulty in swallowing solid foods and causes you to feel like food has become lodged in your throat or esophagus. In severe circumstances, this may feel as though you are choking.

Bitter Taste: Stomach acid refluxes through the esophagus and into the throat. This creates a foul smelling odor within the mouth. The acid usually tastes bitter or sour, and can be unpleasant. The bitter and sour taste may prevent you from desiring certain foods. These foods can possibly taste terrible to you because of acid reflux.

The symptoms and occurrence of heartburn are sometimes mistaken as a signal of digestive disorders. There are circumstances in which chest pain reflects a cardiovascular problem, and could lead to a heart attack if not taken seriously, or assumed to be related to acid reflux. Although all these symptoms can alert you to the fact that you are experiencing heartburn, they do not all have to occur in order to for heartburn to be the cause.

If you are searching for a remedy for the many symptoms of heartburn, visit refluxremedy.com today and find out how you can naturally control and free yourself of this debilitating condition.