Causes of Acid Reflux

There are many different factors that can contribute to the development of acid reflux disease. If you have this disease, it was probably caused by a combination of issues surrounding your digestive system. Digestion is one of the most important processes of the body. Whenever you eat food, the process begins. Food that is swallowed goes down your esophagus, past the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and into the stomach. The LES opens and closes to allow food to enter the stomach. If you have a LES that is weak, you may develop acid reflux. A weakened or dysfunctional LES will not close normally. If it remains open, this can permit stomach or gastric acids to go up the esophagus. Other causes of acid reflux disease include pregnancy, hiatal hernia, obesity, diet, behaviors and certain medications like diabetes. Respiratory diseases can also contribute to acid reflux.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Heartburn is the major symptom of acid reflux. When stomach acid reaches the esophagus and throat, this causes irritation. Stomach acid is used to break down foods for the extraction of nutrients. This acid is too corrosive for other parts of the body. When stomach acid travels to other areas, this can cause you to feel a painful, burning sensation in your chest area.

Dysphagia is another symptom of acid reflux. This is when you have the feeling that food is stuck in your throat. You may also have difficulty with swallowing.

Regurgitation is also a sign of acid reflux. Food can also escape from the stomach through the LES and into the esophagus, causing discomfort. People with acid reflux disease may feel nauseated and uncomfortable. Nausea is related to another symptom which is excessive burping and vomiting. Wet burps also allow gastric acid to reach the esophagus and throat.

Bloating is yet another symptom. Bloating will cause you to feel pain and fullness in your abdomen. Bloating can trigger chest pain and hiccups as well.

Treatment for Acid Reflux

There are several treatment options for acid reflux. Some treatments are preventative while others offer a solution for acid reflux that is already present. These measures can help to prevent you from developing acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The easiest ways to combat acid reflux is to have lifestyle changes. You should try not to eat meals right before you go to bed because this increases gastric acid production at a time when your body will be horizontal. In this position, the acid can easily escape through a weak LES and get into the esophagus. Eating smaller meals is best for preventing acid reflux. Larger meals encourage acid production. You should also be careful about the kinds of food you eat. Fattening foods are not ideal. Stay away from caffeine, garlic, onions and alcohol. Aloe juice, water, ginger and papaya enzymes have been known to neutralize stomach acid, promote digestion and reduce the discomfort caused by acid reflux disease.

Acid reflux is a condition that plagues thousands of people every day. This condition is a result of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) neglecting to close as soon as food passes through it or the LES opens too often. The LES can be best described as a ring of muscle that is at the entrance of the stomach. When there is a malfunction and the LES opens without merit it allows for the acids and enzymes of the stomach to escape the stomach and travel upward to the esophagus where it can cause a burning sensation. If this isn’t a rare occurrence but instead happens about two times a week you are likely suffering from acid reflux disease also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

A few common symptoms that may be associated with acid reflux disease include:

• Heartburn: This is the most common symptom of acid reflux. Heartburn is generally experienced in the chest but there have been cases where sufferers have reported burning in the abdomen and throat cavities. Heartburn is usually experienced as a pain that starts lightly and developments into a more pronounced sting. There are instances, however when the heartburn stabs often giving the affect that one is suffering from a heart attack.
• Trouble swallowing (dyshpagia): Dysphagia occurs when there is a narrowing of the esophagus. When this happens there can be great difficulty swallowing food and drinks. The difficulty associated with eating and drinking often causes sufferers to neglect eating and drinking which can cause an onset of several other illnesses.
• Regurgitation is another symptom of acid reflux: A sufferer is warned that regurgitation may commence when there is a sour or bitter taste in the mouth as a result of acid reflux. This bitter taste is often followed by the regurgitating of foods and liquids that were recently consumed.

These acid reflux symptoms drive most sufferers to seek out immediate reflux relief. There is no one medication or relief method that works for everybody. Sufferers are encouraged to find the medication that works best for them. Some forms of medication that can assist in treating acid reflux may be found below.

• Start by drinking more water. Water works wonders not only for acid reflux but also for overall health. Be sure to consume lots of water daily, especially before, during and after eating. Increasing water intake helps to dilute stomach acids which in-turn eliminates the risk of reflux.
• Look into taking reflux antacids. There are several different over the counter acid reflux antacids on the market. Try Maalox, Alka-Seltzer and Imodium to just name a few. Before considering trying the over the counter drugs you may want to exact all natural remedies beforehand.
• Try baking soda. Baking soda is a natural antacid that has been known to be just as effective as unnatural over the counter drugs. Drop a spoonful of baking soda into a glass of water and drink it down while it fizzles. Works wonders.
• Drink aloe vera juice. Aloe vea juice, much like water has several health benefits when consumed in healthy portions. Try this out as a means to stabilize your stomach acids while soothing your esophagus.

If you’re looking for more medications for acid reflux do not hesitate to visit refluxremedy.com.

The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) is a muscular ring around the bottom part of the esophagus.? The function of the LES is crucial to the digestion process. As part of the job, the LES opens the door for consumed foods to access the stomach from the esophagus and effectively closes the door behind it. If the LES fails to close the door tightly or at the right time, food and acid in the stomach can gain entry into the esophagus. When the LES malfunctions, this creates several problems for your digestive system.

A lower esophageal sphincter that isn’t performing at the optimal level can lead to acid reflux disease. Acid reflux disease occurs when the acid and food reflux into the esophagus. Unfortunately, there are several symptoms of acid reflux ranging from heartburn to dysphagia. These symptoms have different effects on the body and don’t necessarily have to take place at the same time. Experiencing one or more of the following symptoms can indicate that you have reflux acid symptoms.

Heartburn: The most recognizable reflux acid symptom is heartburn. Heartburn can be identified by a burning feeling in the chest, neck and throat. The burning feeling stems from the location of acid in the esophagus that has travelled from the stomach. Heartburn usually occurs after a meal and when lying down due to the lack of gravity needed to keep the acid trapped within the stomach.

Nausea: Another reflux acid symptom is nausea. Nausea is a feeling that can be uncomfortable. Nausea has different effects on everyone but primarily causes you to feel like vomiting. People who are nauseated usually lose their appetite and can only ingest light, neutralizing foods. Feeling like you have a buildup of gas is also a sign that you are nauseated.

Burping: While burping is a normal method that the body employs to expel gas, burping can be a sign of acid reflux. Usually, the gastric acid that takes the journey up the esophagus causes you to belch. Burping forces the gastric acid out of the esophagus and into your mouth, causes burning and leaves behind an awful taste.

Chest Pain: The burning sensation prompted by heartburn normally affects the chest in addition to other chest pain. This chest pain is caused by an esophagus that has been inflamed by stomach acid that has refluxed. An inflamed esophagus radiates pain to the surrounding areas of the torso, especially the chest.

Dysphagia: If you have difficulty swallowing your food, this could be as a result of dysphagia, a reflux acid symptom. Dysphagia causes you to have an uncomfortable feeling during and after meals. People experiencing dysphagia often feel like food has lodged in their neck or throat.

Reflux acid symptoms should be taken very seriously. Determining if you suffer from acid reflux will help you to treat the disease and its symptoms. To find out more about reflux acid symptoms and what you can do about them, visit refluxremedy.com today for more information.

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.