Acid Reflux Disease or gastro-esophageal reflux is where the lower esophageal sphincter, located at the entrance of your stomach, does not close all the way, or it opens too often. This can cause the acid from your stomach to move up into your esophagus causing damage and heartburn.

Symptoms of acid reflux disease include:

• heartburn
• bloating
• dysphagia or narrowing of the esophagus
• bloody vomit or stool
• unexplained weight loss.

Frequent heartburn is a good indicator that you may have acid reflux. It is important to talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks.

Some of the contributing factors to reflux include: being obese or overweight, eating large meals before bed, pregnancy, drinking alcohol, coffee, tea, or eating foods like tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy or fatty foods, smoking, and some medications can even be the cause of your acid reflux symptoms. Understanding what contributes too, and what the symptoms are will help you manage your disease.

Along with education, natural remedies also exist to help you with reflux, some of these include:

• Milk and 7-up: The alkaline nature of the milk neutralizes the acid in the stomach and the carbonation of the 7-up helps release excess gas build-up. You would drink this tonic as often as necessary for immediate relief.
• Baking Soda and water: Three teaspoons combined in a half-glass of water will help keep the acid already in your esophagus to a minimum. Secondly, they provide a great cleansing action to help coat and protect the lining of your stomach, gut, and intestinal tracts. Persons who suffer not only from reflux, but upset stomach will also receive relief from this remedy.

Maintenance is also a critical factor in controlling your acid reflux disease:

• Herbal Teas: Teas not including caffeine or citrus will help regulate the amount of water, nutrients and natural antibiotics in your body. This is one of the first steps to long term maintenance of acid reflux disease.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This cider is used for long term maintenance of acid reflux disease, and shouldn?t be taken if you are currently experiencing an episode of reflux. Cider should be drank pure, or mixed with water to tolerate, and should be consumed before bed, before meals, or anytime in which you are not having an episode In the long run, the apple cider can help reduce the level of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, and will also help it breakdown foods and foodstuffs you consume.

Acid reflux disease is quite painful and often disrupts your life. The natural remedies mentioned above are only a temporary relief and should be discussed with your doctor prior to use. One should consider other mundane and physical conditions that can also prompt acid reflux, such as trigger foods, high stress environments, and eating proper portions of food. Acid reflux, like any other disease requires a maintenance plan, and is something that your doctor, dietitian or naturopath consultant should go over with you. For more information on ways to remedy your indigestion be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!