February 21, 2011
Acid Reflux Disorder
Acid reflux disorder is a condition that can occur when you have a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that does not operate as it should. The LES is a crucial component of the digestive system. Food that is headed to your stomach when you eat has to pass the LES to enter the stomach for digestion. The LES serves as a muscular ring at the end of the esophagus, right next to the diaphragm and stomach opening. For food morsels to get to the stomach, the LES has to open. Usually, the LES closes after each portion of food goes to the stomach. If your LES is weak, it does not close tightly enough to prevent stomach acids from getting into your esophagus.
Stomach acid is the last thing you want near your esophagus. Stomach acid is used to digest foods. The digestive process may begin in your mouth, but it is in the stomach that most of the work takes place. Gastric acids help to break down foods into smaller particles so that the intestines can absorb and distribute the proteins and minerals that are essential for your body. The acidity of stomach acid is very high and it can only be tolerated in the stomach. The stomach wall and lining is equipped to handle the corrosive nature of stomach acid.
Once stomach acid gains access to your esophagus there can be a problem. The esophagus doesn’t have the same protective lining that the stomach has. When acid that comes from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, this is called acid reflux disorder. Acid reflux disorder can be a challenge for many people. By being more aware of acid reflux you will be able to identify the causes, signs and treatment options.
Causes: The cause of acid reflux may stem from other conditions. Being pregnant, obese, having a hiatal hernia or diabetes can contribute to acid reflux disorder. These conditions change the dynamics of the body, especially the stomach. When pressure is added to the stomach, there is a shift of the stomach. When food is digested irregularly, this can trigger acid reflux. Food is a big factor. Eating foods just before bed, lifting heavy objects or eating fatty foods can put you at risk for acid reflux disorder.
Signs: Symptoms of acid reflux disorder include heartburn, nausea, regurgitating food, chest pain, dysphagia, burping and an awful bitter taste in the mouth. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux disorder and can cause you to experience a burning feeling in your chest and throat. Signs in children may include respiratory problems that include a chronic cough, wheezing and asthma-like symptoms.
Treatment: Holistic remedies for acid reflux are highly suggested as a method of controlling symptoms. Drinking aloe juice, lots of water, and eating papaya will reduce the production of gastric acid in the stomach. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating less fattening meals and reducing alcohol intake are great techniques. Remember that effective treatment varies for each individual.
For more information on acid reflux disorder, review The Reflux Remedy Report to get all of your questions answered.
Filed under Acid Reflux by admin
February 16, 2011
Burning of the Throat
Feeling a burning sensation in your throat could mean a couple different things. Regardless of the cause, feeling burning in your throat is very painful and unbearable. One of the main reasons that people experience burning of the throat is because of heartburn. Heartburn is a primary symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux. Having heartburn does not absolutely indicate that you have GERD, but it is a very common sign. Frequent heartburn is probably a more accurate sign that you have GERD.
Acid reflux and GERD is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is not working exactly as designed. The LES is a muscle that is circular that wraps around the bottom base of the esophagus. This muscle is supposed to let food into the stomach. If a LES is not working correctly, this can fail to stop acid in the stomach from getting into the esophagus. Stomach acid is caustic because this is what is used to digest the food we eat. Foods cannot fully decompose and go through the digestive process without gastric acids. This is the only way that food can become beneficial to our bodies. Without stomach acid, we could not utilize the nutrients found in food.
Stomach acid’s corrosive nature works well in the stomach because the stomach is built for that kind of exposure. The esophagus however, is not. The esophagus is not prepared to handle contact with stomach acid because it is more sensitive to the substance. Acid in the esophagus and throat is uncomfortable. The acid causes swelling, bruising and inflammation, creating a burning feeling that is annoying, uncomfortable and inconvenient. Stomach acid in your throat will make your breath smell and have a sour or bitter taste.
In addition to the burning sensation of the throat, heartburn has other symptoms. Chest pain, sore throat, hoarseness and chronic cough are a few. People that suffer from burning of the throat probably suffer from burning in the chest too. The stomach acid that burns the throat also burns the esophagus, which is located in the chest cavity. This location makes the chest feel soreness.
Considering that the burning pain you feel may be as a result of acid reflux disease or GERD, to relieve yourself of this sensation, there are some things that you can do. Try to drink as much water as possible. Water will help to dilute and weaken the acid. To prevent heartburn from occurring, eat less fattening foods and meals without caffeine, alcohol and garlic. Consuming smaller meals will decrease acid creation in the stomach. Figure out which food causes you to have heartburn, the main symptom of acid reflux. Try not to eat these foods too much. Digesting aloe juice, papaya and ginger are also ways to keep acid reflux at bay so that the burning sensation will not occur.
If you are experiencing burning of the throat and want to find out about how you can treat and prevent this, review The Reflux Remedy Report today.
Filed under Burning Throat by admin
January 28, 2011
Remedy for Heartburn After a Meal
If you often experience heartburn after eating, you may be searching for remedies to help relieve that pain. Heartburn can be a debilitating condition and can cause damage to your esophagus if it happens frequently. This damage can lead to chronic cough and ulcers if left untreated. So, dealing with your heartburn is often the only way to prevent future issues down the road.
There is no one remedy for heartburn after a meal. Some people find success with some methods, while others have better luck with other methods. However, there are plenty of things to try, most of which are natural and fairly low impact on your wallet and lifestyle.
First of all, if you’re regularly experiencing heartburn after a meal, analyze what you’re eating. Some foods are known to spark heartburn in most people. Things like caffeine, garlic, onions, citrus and alcohol should probably be avoided if you’re frequently experiencing heartburn after a meal. However, everyone is different, and what bothers someone else may not bother you, so keep close track of what you eat. That way you’ll be able to easily identify what set off your most recent episode of heartburn and adjust your diet accordingly.
Second, adjust your intake of food. If you eat smaller meals you’ll be able to better control acid production in your stomach. Large meals prompt the digestive system to produce excess amounts of acid to better break down all that food. So, just eat less more often to get the same amount of food in your system over a longer period.
Third, don’t eat right before bed. It may be tempting to eat a big, heaping helping of comfort food and curl up for a nap on the couch, but you might regret it when that heartburn comes calling. When it comes to heartburn, gravity is your friend. It helps to keep food down in your stomach, where it belongs. When you lie down right after eating, food and acids can mingle in your esophagus, which is painful and irritating to the area, causing heartburn. So, try not to eat less than two hours before you go to bed, and that’ll solve that problem.
If you’ve done all these things and you’re still experiencing heartburn after a meal, there are still some things you can try. For instance, papaya has been found to contain digestive enzymes that help your body to break down the food you’ve eaten and keep excess stomach acids down to a minimum, preventing heartburn. Chew a tablet after meals to help prevent acid buildup and subsequent heartburn pain.
Additionally, if you get heartburn after a meal, try drinking a nice tall glass of water when it strikes. As simplistic as this may sound, it really does work. The rush of water to your stomach will help to dilute stomach acids and flush your digestive tract, removing irritants and thus relieving heartburn pain.
Of course, there are many other things you can do to help get rid of your heartburn pain after a meal. If you’re still looking for just the right remedy for heartburn after a meal, visit refluxremedy.com today and get on the right track to be free of your acid reflux.
Filed under Heartburn Remedies by admin