The condition acid reflux, commonly referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), has a number of symptoms. If these symptoms persist, this can lead to scarring of the esophagus lining, irritation, inflammation, ulcers and even cancer of the esophagus.

Symptoms

Symptoms of acid reflux can vary from person to person.

• Heartburn: Heartburn is a main symptom of acid reflux. A burning feeling in your chest and throat can signal that you have heartburn. Heartburn that takes place three times a week or more is a sign of GERD.
• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing is the hallmark of dysphagia. Those suffering from dysphagia feel as though food is stuck in their throat or neck.
• Regurgitation: Vomiting or constant burping are characteristics of regurgitation. When acid refluxes and makes its way to the mouth, this can leave a sour taste in your mouth.
• Nausea: Having an upset stomach can point toward acid reflux. Feeling uneasy or unsettled in your stomach can be a reflection of the stomach acids that have exited to the esophagus.
• Sore Throat/Hoarseness: Neck and throat irritation is common and can cause you to have a sore throat or become hoarse.

Causes

There is more than just one cause for acid reflux. Most of the common causes have the same negative effect on the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The LES is the entrance point for foods after you chew and swallow. When the food goes down the esophagus, it must cross through the LES to reach the stomach. An LES that is weakened does not effectively safeguard your esophagus from coming into contact with gastric acid and bile.

• Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol can irritate the esophagus and increase the burning sensation caused by heartburn.
• Smoking: Smoking diminishes the strength of the LES which is needed to block stomach acid.
• Hiatal Hernia: A shift in stomach and esophagus placement can make the LES weak and allow acid to reflux.
• Pregnancy: Extraordinary hormone levels and a compressed stomach can cause acid to reflux

Home Remedies

There are several nontraditional cures for acid reflux that consist of natural ingredients.

• Ginger tea or root is great for naturally absorbing stomach acid and has a soothing effect.
• Apple cider vinegar, although it has an acidic pH on its own, is not acid forming once digested. Apple cider vinegar has an alkaline quality after it is broken down in the stomach.
• Fennel seed is a natural herb that aids the digestive process by regulating stomach spasms that may contribute to GERD.
• Aloe consumed as a juice is great for acid reflux because it relieves heartburn and settles the stomach.
• Papaya contains an enzyme that naturally helps to digest your food, preventing the stomach from having to produce a lot of gastric acid.
• Drinking water frequently can help to neutralize stomach acid as well.

Handling your acid reflux can be a challenge if you don’t have all the tools for treating this disease. For more information on homeopathic cures for acid reflux, review the Reflux Remedy Report or visit www.refluxremedy.com today.

Although heartburn is more common in the latter portion of pregnancy, heartburn and early pregnancy is not unheard of. The raging hormones and odd cravings can often add up to heartburn trouble. So, how can a pregnant woman safely relieve her heartburn? There are certainly plenty of things she can try!

First off, since heartburn may plague you throughout your pregnancy, you may want to take some steps to avoid it altogether. Try avoiding specific foods that commonly cause heartburn, like garlic and highly acidic fruits like lemons and oranges. With all your cravings, you may even encounter some unusual triggers of your own. You may want to keep track of what you’re eating so that you know what exactly is causing your heartburn.

Second, try snacking more instead of gorging on huge meals. This will help your stomach process nutrients easier, and reduce the amount of acid present in your stomach at any one time.

Third, resist those midnight snack urges. Lying down right after eating is bad news when it comes to heartburn. It allows stomach acids to travel up into the esophagus which causes pain, irritation and damage over a long period of time. Try not to eat less than two hours before bed or nap time in order to allow food to pass completely out of your stomach, and eliminate the possibility of acids making their way north.

Fourth, try to relax as much as possible. Especially in the early months when there is so much excitement going on, relaxation can be difficult to achieve, however reducing stress is essential to having a healthy pregnancy. Not only can stress contribute to heartburn, but it can also play a part in high blood pressure and early deliveries, so calm down. Take a walk, join a yoga class, read a book, meditate, get a massage, just do something that will help you maintain your mental health, so that your physical health isn’t worsened by some outside factor that you’re worrying about.

What can you do if you’re already experiencing a fierce bout of heartburn but don’t want to harm the fetus by taking harsh medications to stem the pain? There are many natural remedies for heartburn you can try when you’re in any stage of your pregnancy, even the early months.

Probably the easiest way to literally wash heartburn away is by drinking a tall glass of water. This helps to flush your digestive system of extra acids and dilute any acids that remain, providing you with heartburn relief.

You can also try ginger. Whether you drink it in the form of tea, or eat it as candied ginger, it has helped many people get over all kinds of stomach ailments naturally, including heartburn.

Papaya is also helpful when dealing with the effects of heartburn. It harbors enzymes that help your body to break down food and make it more easily digestible. This prevents the buildup of acids and pressure that result in heartburn and indigestion pain.

For more information on heartburn and early pregnancy, and relieving your heartburn pain naturally, visit refluxremedy.com now!