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.

A well functioning digestive tract requires that each component run smoothly. The minute you put food in your mouth, the digestive process begins. Chewing your food alerts the stomach that gastric acid needs to be produced to break foods down into smaller pieces. After food is chewed, you swallow the food, passing it down to your esophagus. The food travels within the esophagus and eventually goes into the stomach. The pathway between the esophagus and stomach is regulated by the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that opens and closes to let food exit the esophagus.

A strong LES is ideal because it tightly closes and prevents stomach acids from escaping into the esophagus. When acid goes into the esophagus, this is considered reflux. A weak LES is the main cause of reflux. Reflux can be induced by many things ranging from anatomical irregularities to unhealthy habits. Learning about the causes of reflux can give you the warning signs to help you prevent the disease.

The food you eat can prompt acid reflux to occur. Foods that are high in fat increase the potential for reflux. Specific foods can trigger reflux. Foods that trigger reflux in you may be harmless in someone else. Common foods that trigger reflux include garlic, onions, caffeine, chocolate and alcohol. Spicy or acidic tasting foods don’t necessarily cause reflux.

Pregnant women have a higher risk of refluxing acid. The development of the fetus causes movement of other organs in order to give the baby enough space. The stomach, in an effort to make room for the ever expanding womb, will move and compress. When that movement is coupled with pressure from the baby, the stomach is vulnerable to having gastric acid escape to the esophagus, causing reflux.

Pain relieving medications can have a negative effect on your digestive system. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are terrible for preventing reflux. These drugs include ibuprofen and aspirin. Surprisingly, taking certain vitamin supplements can promote reflux. Avoid ingesting iron, calcium and potassium tablets.

Obesity can cause reflux. This health condition is characterized by being excessively overweight. Additional weight that presses on the stomach, builds pressure. If the stomach cannot maintain its normal size and pressure, gastric acid can be pushed out through the esophagus and cause irritation and inflammation. Hiatal hernia and diabetes can trigger reflux as well.

Behavioral routine can affect reflux. Smoking tends to make the LES lose strength. If you eat a meal only a few hours before bed, this can allow acid to easily leave the stomach because you are now in a flat position. Lifting things that are heavy and drinking alcohol can generate reflux.

Usual symptoms of reflux are heartburn, dysphagia, nausea, chest pain, regurgitation, sore throat and hoarseness. There are natural treatments for reflux that take into account specific symptoms. The best way to handle acid reflux is to find out what foods, conditions and habits may be the cause.

For more information on the causes, symptoms and remedies for reflux, visit refluxremedy.com today.

To find a heartburn natural cure, you really don’t have to look much further than your own home and pantry. Sometimes the easiest methods are right at your fingertips and are just waiting for you to try.

Reactive Cures

If you already have heartburn, you will want a more reactive solution to help get rid of your pain as soon as possible. Try one, or even a combination, of these techniques to help put out your heartburn fire.

• Try eating an apple after meals. People with frequent heartburn have found some success with this simple course of action.
• Similarly, a handful of almonds after meals can help ease heartburn.
• Fennel or chamomile tea is also good for calming an upset stomach due to heartburn.
• Ginger is excellent for settling stomachs and has been used for ages for just that purpose. You can try it in tea or as candied ginger with much the same effect.
• Often a tall glass of water is all it takes to get rid of unwanted heartburn. The liquid helps to wash acid, and the pain that goes along with it, away.
• Papaya can help to dissolve food in your stomach and keep acid production from getting out of hand. It contains enzymes that help break foods down, making the digestive process go that much more smoothly.

Proactive Cures

If you’re fairly prone to heartburn, you may want to take a more proactive course of action, and prevent heartburn before it has a chance to take hold.

• Stress can be blamed for all kinds of health related ailments, including heartburn. For the most natural cure of all for your heartburn, simply calm down. That can be easier said than done when there’s a deadline looming, bills to be paid, kids to discipline, and other problems waiting in the wings to rear their ugly faces. However, they will always be there, and how you deal with them can help you to live a longer, happier and healthier life. So, relax. Start treating yourself to regular massages. Add exercise to your daily routine. Make a habit of listening to soothing music at work. Do whatever it takes to keep your stress levels down and your heartburn will stay away.
• Food is a major cause of heartburn, so try these simple techniques when consuming food to keep it in check.
• Be careful of what you eat, and avoid foods that you know will upset your heartburn. Don’t have a clue what causes your heartburn? Think it happens randomly? It may not be as random as you think. Start keeping a log of your meals, and the next time you get heartburn you’ll be able to narrow down the cause. This method can help you to easily identify relationships between food and heartburn, so that you can alter your diet accordingly.
• Don’t over eat. Eating one large meal a day can be harmful to your digestive tract as it scrambles to break all that food down. Try eating smaller meals spread out over the course of the day instead of one or two large meals. That way your body won’t overproduce acid and you can eat without fear of impending heartburn doom.
• Don’t eat before bed. If you still have food in your stomach when you lie down, it makes it difficult for the body to keep that food where it is. This means acids and food escape and can irritate your esophagus. To keep that from happening, don’t eat less than two hours before you lie down, even if it’s just for a nap.

These are only a few of the ways you can approach a heartburn natural cure. For more tips and tricks, visit refluxremedy.com today and get on your way to being heartburn free holistically!

GERD and heartburn tend to go hand in hand, although just because you have heartburn doesn’t mean you have GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused by a weakening of the muscles surrounding the esophagus and diaphragm that keep food flowing in one direction. When these muscles get too weak, food and stomach acids are allowed to flow up into the esophagus where they don’t belong. Prolonged, frequent, or chronic exposure to stomach acids can cause GERD and long term damage to the esophagus.

People who suffer from heartburn more than twice a week are often diagnosed with GERD. Other symptoms of GERD include regurgitation of bile, hiccups, belching and a general feeling of discomfort in the stomach.

Causes of GERD and Heartburn

GERD and heartburn tend to have very different causes. GERD is caused by aging, is a condition you are born with, or can be the result of a recent bad stomach bug that caused prolonged periods of vomiting or straining of stomach muscles.

Heartburn is caused by any number of things, including the food you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, your lifestyle, how much stress you’re feeling, what type of clothes you wear, and whether or not you smoke.

Help for GERD and Heartburn

Because heartburn is often the result of GERD, they can be treated in much the same way. If you have either GERD or heartburn or both, you should avoid foods that spurn heartburn for you. If you don’t know what those foods are, keep a log of what you’re eating and then you’ll be able to look back and point directly to what caused your most recent episode. Then, moving forward you can avoid that food.

You should also modify the amount of food you consume at any one time. GERD complicates the digestive process because of the weakened muscles, so eating less in each sitting makes digestion easier for your body. To compensate for the loss of food, eat more often.

Additionally, work towards de-stressing your life. While day to day activities cause normal amounts of stress, and sometimes it can’t be avoided, due to things like death, breakups, kids, finances, etc., you do have control over the way you respond to certain stress triggers. If you need help learning how to cope with life’s stressors without causing your body harm, consider seeing a therapist. They can help you learn healthy ways to purge stressful reactions from your life. Stress is known to result in too much acid in the stomach, causing heartburn and pain and doesn’t allow GERD to heal at a normal rate, so reducing stress can be extremely beneficial.

Another thing you can try is modifying when you eat. Take strides not to eat right before bed, as that gives food and acids easy access to your esophagus, especially where GERD and the weakened muscles meant to keep food down are involved. Try not to eat less than two hours before you lie down for a nap or get into bed and you should have better luck keeping GERD and its symptoms away.

GERD and heartburn are often closely associated with one another. For more information on these two conditions, how they’re related, and how you can naturally cope with them, visit refluxremedy.com today.