The Connection Of Acid Reflux And Atkins Diet

Many people recommend the Atkins diet to lose weight. As the trend for a low carbohydrate diet emerged, many of those who have acid reflux and Atkins diet noticed that their acid reflux was markedly reduce after a few days of staying on the diet. This discovery prompted the study of acid reflux and Atkins diet connection.

Acid reflux is the occurrence of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus due to many factors. Some factors may include the malfunction of the esophageal sphincter or the position of the individual right after a heavy meal. Other reasons for this condition may be due to may weak muscles or the kind of food you have eaten.

How The Atkins Diet Works

The Atkins diet functions by reducing the ingestion of carbohydrates in order to stabilize the blood sugar level. This will create a natural break down of fat stores and also protein stores for the body to create energy. This means that the diet prompts the natural usage of reserved fatty stores in the body since there are not enough carbohydrates to turn into energy in the diet. Many swear by the efficacy of the Atkins diet while some others are skeptical regarding the idea behind it. Some doctors argue that the body might not necessarily burn the fat and protein reserves and the person will be severely malnourished in the end.

The connection of acid reflux and the Atkins diet lies in the food that the individual does not take in during the diet. Although, animal fat and meat are staples in the Atkins diet, the reduced amount of refined carbohydrates may also have an effect on reducing the instances of acid reflux symptoms. Studies about acid reflux and Atkins diet have been yielded conflicting results because fats and meats can also trigger the symptoms of acid reflux. Not everybody in the study about acid reflux and Atkins diet has yielded promising result regarding the effect of the Atkins diet on acid reflux.

Due to the conflicting results, many doctors still hesitate on recommending Atkins diet for acid reflux. More studies and research needs to be done regarding acid reflux and Atkins diet combination. Medical practitioners still recommend proper posture while eating and after eating as well as regulating what you eat and the amount of food that you ingest to reduce occurrences of acid reflux. The acid reflux and Atkins diet combination might be beneficial for some individuals but for some it may have no effect whatsoever.

Dealing With Acid Reflux and Back Pain

So it isn’t enough that you have acid reflux, but you have back pain too. People who are suffering from one of these problems let alone both often feel helpless and feel as though there is nothing they can do to find relief from their pain. There are solutions for acid reflux and back pain, and you just have to learn about what they are.

Your Options

One of the best treatments for acid reflux and back pain is quite simple – vinegar. For one of the most natural and safe ways of treating your acid reflux and back pain you simply drink a tablespoon of vinegar each day, preferably in the morning, and this helps by basically counteracting the overproduction of acid in your stomach.

Apple cider vinegar can replace regular vinegar if you wish, and you should take about a tablespoon of it before each meal. You should ideally begin to notice results within a few weeks, some after only days. It is important that you continue to take the vinegar on a daily basis however, even after you feel an improvement, otherwise your pain will most likely return.

Another effective treatment idea for acid reflux and back pain is to combine antacids and pain medication. The antacids will work for the acid reflux by neutralizing acid in the stomach, while the pain medication will help to offer relief from the pain in your back. Because antacids are such a mild form of medicine they can easily and safely be taken in conjunction with other medication, such as back pain pills.

For the back pain in particular, there are multiple over the counter and prescription drugs that are available. Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most commonly suggested, and typically begin to show results in as little as a few days.

Narcotic pain medications and muscle relaxants may also be used, but these should not ever be considered as a long term solution, and if used for a prolonged period of time they may actually end up making the condition worse.

Anyone looking to find relief from acid reflux and back pain should stay positive, knowing that there are effective solutions available. It is also important to not self treat, because only an experienced medical professional will be able to properly assess and diagnose your condition and deem which specific treatment would be most suitable. You also should stay in close contact with them afterwards, especially the time immediately after you begin treatment, so they can make sure that your condition is improving.

Acid Reflux Alternative Treatment: The Options

In almost all types of diseases, a number of treatment options are given out to patients. They are for people to choose from, and they all offer what suits the patient the best.

The acid reflux alternative treatment is really not a list in which you can choose something to ingest and make the heartburn go away. It is rather a procedure which you strictly do and follow everyday in order to achieve your goal. Although the acid reflux alternative treatment offers a long term goal, it has been proven to be supportive in the client's recuperation process.

Belching as an Acid Reflux Alternative Treatment

Belching is more commonly known as burping; the sound which we make when air passes upward from our stomach. The moment we chew and swallow our food, we also allow air to enter and build up in our stomach; this causes the "flap-like" valve to open and relax and allows food to back up in the esophagus. Before the air accumulates inside our stomach and lets the sphincter loose, we need to burp in order to push the excess air out of our stomach. This act effectively relieves us from heartburn. Another way of letting the air out of our stomach is by lying sideways or in a knee-chest position until the air escapes.

The Colon Cleansing Kit

One of the less popular acid reflux alternative treatment is colon cleansing, Unknown to many, this homeopathic way helps relieve a person from heartburn by removing accumulated waste inside our stomach. There is a need to have a "liquids-only" fasting, an intake of at least thirty grams of fiber per day, and frequent fiber drinks intake. By following these three, our stomach and colon are cleansed naturally and excess waste is being removed. However, this practice needs to be approved by a physician since prolonged usage of such technique could lead to dehydration.

Prim and Proper

The last acid reflux alternative treatment is proper posturing and proper chewing of food. When one gets very hungry, they tend to swallow the food instead of chewing it. When this happens, gas forms easily inside their stomachs causing the heartburn. You need to take time to eat and swallow in small portions; this would only allow a lesser portion of gas to enter the stomach. You need to apply mindfulness in eating; rather than inhaling it, savor and chew the food at a snail's pace.

While there are a lot of medicinal and herbal offers, why not try the alternative way? This may help you get pass through your problems in heartburn. A little effort and determination would certainly fix this burning pain.

Are Acid Reflux and Bad Breath Related?

Acid reflux and bad breath sometimes happen together and can cause you a lot of embarrassment. Imagine having heartburn after lunch and then having to give a presentation only to have the people nearest to you back away or tune out what you’re saying because of your bad breath.

Or imagine the embarrassment of acid reflux and bad breath during a date. There are many instances when acid reflux and bad breath can occur and none of them are ideal. There is a natural non-medicated way to achieve fresh breath. Medication for acid reflux is only a temporary fix and will not solve the problem in the long term.

Understanding the Problem

What do you think your acid juices taste like? If you have acid reflux you probably have a good idea. Every time your esophagus opens up and allows your stomach juices to enter your mouth you can taste that awful bitter liquid. Remember that taste and smell are connected; your sense of smell helps you to taste things. So if something tastes good it is likely to smell good, the opposite is true as well.

Once you have had an attack of acid reflux you are going to have bad breath. Add to this the conventional wisdom that what you eat influences how your breath smells and you can understand better why acid reflux and bad breath go together. Foods that cause bad breath can also cause acid reflux, eliminating or reducing these foods can help you improve an acid reflux and bad breath problem.

Small Changes

Antacids will help you with acid reflux and thus eliminate the problem of bad breath but do you really want to rely on medication all the time? Acid reflux and bad breath can be cured with small changes to your lifestyle rather than drastic ones. If you love spicy and garlic filled foods and eat them often it might be time to cut out these foods and only eat them in small portions occasionally.

Exercise is also a great thing to incorporate into your daily life. If you complain that you have no time to go to the gym then find ways of slipping it into your everyday life. Whether that’s using the stairs instead of the lift at work or walking your dog instead of hiring someone. Weight loss can help you solve the problem of heart burn so some extra exercise will no doubt help your acid reflux and bad breath problem.

Avoiding Acid Reflux and Diarrhea

Acid reflux in itself is unpleasant but acid reflux and diarrhea are two things that sometimes go together and make the experience even worse. Many people think that acid reflux and diarrhea always occur together when in fact this is not true. It is possible to eliminate both acid reflux and diarrhea by choosing the right treatment plan and changing your lifestyle. The treatment that you choose for acid reflux will largely determine whether you have diarrhea and acid reflux. You should also consider how to treat the root of acid reflux to eliminate the problem completely.

How to Avoid Diarrhea

Diarrhea is actually very serious, despite its common occurrence, it can be potentially life threatening. This is because constant diarrhea results in a loss of body fluids. Dehydration if not treated quickly can result in hospitalization or even worse. It is particularly worrying if the person afflicted is elderly. You should avoid a combination of acid reflux and diarrhea as the two together can cause a lot of discomfort.

You may have noticed that diarrhea usually occurs after you have taken an antacid to treat your acid reflux. This is because some over the counter antacids will cause diarrhea due to the inclusion of aluminum hydroxide in the list of ingredients. Buying a different antacid that has magnesium hydroxide will cause you to have the opposite problem that is constipation. You should buy an antacid that has both these ingredients to avoid the problem completely.

Solving Acid Reflux Problems

Occasional acid reflux or heartburn is not harmful or worrisome; as we age we are more likely to experience this. Cause for concern however is continued heartburn on a regular basis. This is indicative of an unhealthy diet that is difficult for your body to digest. Continued acid reflux can destroy or damage your esophagus and result in bleeding and problems swallowing.

Fatty food at every meal is not a good idea in many ways and is one of the causes of acid reflux. Cutting down on fatty foods will help the problem immensely. Heavy meals should also be avoided as this puts stress on your stomach, eat smaller meals to aid digestion and reduce acid reflux. Eating late at night is also something that you should avoid. If your acid reflux is triggered by certain foods, for example spicy foods, you should avoid these foods. Caffeine and smoking also cause acid reflux and you should avoid these habits to eliminate acid reflux and diarrhea.

How to Avoid Having an Acid Reflux Attack

Often confused with heartburn, acid reflux is a condition that occurs when acids from the stomach make their way back up and into the esophagus. Also known as GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disorder, this is a chronic condition that will become a lifelong problem once it begins, and which can result in serious damage to the body if left untreated.

Avoiding an Acid Reflux Attack

Although there is no surefire way to completely prevent or cure acid reflux, there are certain things that you can do to avoid having an acid reflux attack. One of the first and most important things you should do is make a list of the different foods that can aggravate your acid reflux and then avoid them as best you can in the future.

Citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, caffeine, tomato based foods, fatty and greasy foods, and spicy foods should all be avoided in order to prevent the onset of an acid reflux attack. Cola drinks, certain cold remedies and medications, weight control aids, and pain relievers can all also aggravate acid reflux.

Wearing loose clothing will also help you to avoid an acid reflux attack, as tight belts and clothing can press up against your stomach and force the acid in the stomach contents to make their way into the esophagus.

There is also the option of using enzyme therapy, which is quickly becoming a popular option among acid reflux sufferers around the world. It can be used to improve circulation in the body, help speed tissue repair, remove waste products from the body, build general resistance, and improve overall health.

All of these ideas will be effective in avoiding an acid reflux attack, but in most cases avoidance is not enough, and you will have to implement some form of medicine to help cope with your reflux.

A few of the most commonly used medications include Nexium Oral, Prevacid Oral, Zantac Oral, Aciphex Oral, Antacid Oral, Carafate Oral, Pepcid Oral, Prilosec Oral, Protonix Oral, Axid Oral, Reglan Oral, and Tagamet Oral.

Speak to your doctor to find which if any medication is going to be best for you and also how long you should take it for. Prescription drugs may offer relief but they should never be considered as a long term solution. Instead you should take the steps to avoid acid reflux attacks as best you can, as well as create a proper diet and exercise regime.

Acid Reflux Bacteria: Cancer Causing?

We never thought that a simple heartburn could result in many possible complications. Amongst these complications is the life threatening and debilitating illness, cancer. The mechanism for which it affects our gastrointestinal system could never be understood; but research shows that the bacteria flourishing both in the esophagus and the stomach could nonetheless lead to cancer.

There are two types of acid reflux bacteria that are proven harmful to our system. One is the cancer causing Helicobacter Pylori existing in the stomach walls and the other is a diverse bunch of organisms which thrives in the esophagus. Both organisms are related to stomach and esophageal cancers.

Barett’s Esophagus

Although it was not really proven that the bacteria residing in the esophagus can positively cause cancer, it was verified that it can otherwise contribute to the shifting of our normal esophageal cells. Instead of having a smooth cell lining, the esophagus is transformed into an abnormal and coarse wall. This process is usually seen in patients having reflux disease. Due to prolonged regurgitation, the lining of the esophagus is continually irritated leaving it into a condition called a Barett’s esophagus. Acid reflux bacteria then thrives into the esophageal lining contributing to further irritation and infection, thus leading to cancer.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is an acid reflux bacteria caused by prolonged regurgitation and prolonged irritation of the stomach wall. When people experience frequent heartburn, the stomach produces more acid leading to ulcerations in its walls. Having ulcers in the stomach walls cause such bacteria to thrive on it. Helicobacter Pylori is pathogenic in the sense that it invades the stomach’s normal flora, and is debilitating in the sense that it is proven to be the cause of gastric cancer.

Acid Reflux Bacteria and the Cancers Associated With It

Two complications of acid reflux disease are proven to be cancer-causing. One is cancer of the esophagus and the other is cancer of the stomach. Reflux may seem to be a simple problem since most people experience it from time to time; but we must remember that occasional reflux is different form frequent reflux. The latter suggests that it is important to consult the physician and have ourselves treated before any of the complications arise. Acid reflux bacteria can be easily treated with compliance to antibiotics; but cancer has no means of any cure. So before everything gets as worse as cancer, we might consider seeking the help of health professionals before everything gets too late.

Acid Reflux Caused by Gallbladder Stones: A Misconception

One of the symptoms of gallstones is an attack that is similar to acid reflux. These attacks are sudden and very painful and can often lead people to think that they have acid reflux caused by gallbladder stones. In fact there is no such thing as acid reflux caused by gallbladder stones.

However the similarity of the acid reflux and gallstone attacks will have you thinking that you have an extreme form of acid reflux. To make matters worse the causes and circumstances that gallstone attacks happen in can also lead to the conclusion that acid reflux is caused by gallbladder stones.

Symptoms

The symptoms that you will experience during a gallstone attack are intense pains in the upper part of your abdomen. This pain can last anywhere between a half hour and several hours. Pain is not limited to the upper abdomen and can sometimes be felt between the shoulder blades, near the right shoulder and sometimes near the pelvis. Pain is a symptom of acid reflux and so you might think that you are having very bad acid reflux caused by gallbladder stones.

These attacks usually occur late at night and may be accompanied by indigestion. Other symptoms that you may experience are gas, belching and an inability to digest fatty foods. In fact these attacks will usually happen after you have had a very fatty meal. These symptoms are similar to acid reflux symptoms and may again make you think that you have severe acid reflux. However acid reflux never lasts as long as gallstone attacks.

Some people have gallbladder stones with no symptoms at all. These are sometimes called silent stones and do not need to be treated. The existence of silent stones would seem to further prove that there is no such thing as acid reflux caused by gallbladder stones.

Treatment

Treatment of gallbladder stones is the way to get rid of gallstone attacks completely. There are several ways to treat gallbladder stones; first you can try the oral route whereby ursodeoxycholic acid is administered in an attempt to dissolve the gallstones. This treatment is not a 100% successful in completely eliminating the problem; once the medication is stopped gallstones have a possibility of forming again.

The other option is to have surgery that removes the gallbladder. This provides the patient with a 99% chance of gallbladder stones reoccurring. There are no real negative side effects to having your gallbladder removed.

Identifying And Avoiding Acid Reflux Causes

Whether you call it acid reflux, GARD, GERD, or just plain heartburn, knowing the causes of your acid reflux symptoms can help you avoid or alleviate them.

Foods That Cause Acid Reflux

The most common cause of acid reflux disease is found in the diet. Certain foods trigger acid production in most people. Examples of food and beverages that can cause acid reflux are:

>caffeinated beverages, like coffee, tea, and soft drinks containing caffeine;
>chocolate, which contains a compound that relaxes the esophageal muscle and permits acid to squirt back up into the esophagus;
>fried foods and foods with a high fat content, which slow down the digestive process;
>onions, garlic, and spicy foods, which can contribute to acid reflux; and
>citrus fruit juice, citrus fruit, and tomatoes, which are acidic.

By avoiding these trigger foods, most people can avoid many of the symptoms of acid reflux.

Behavior That Causes Acid Reflux

Just as certain foods can cause acid reflux, there are behaviors that either cause acid reflux or exacerbate the condition. Try to avoid the following activities:

>eating very large meals, which puts pressure on the lower esophageal muscle and increases the occurrence of acid backup;
>smoking cigarettes;
>eating too close to bedtime (acid reflux sufferers should stop eating at least three hours before going to bed); and
>wearing clothes that are too tight.

If you exhibit one or more of these activities, you might expect to have problems with acid reflux.

Physical Conditions that Cause Acid Reflux

Regardless of what triggers acid reflux to occur, the cause of acid reflux is the same: stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. The backup occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which holds acid in place, relaxes. The relaxation of the LES can be triggered by food, behavior, or other physical conditions. These conditions are:

>pregnancy, which can be a major cause of acid reflux; and
>hiatal hernia, which affects the operation of the diaphragm.

Treatment For Acid Reflux

Whatever the cause, acid reflux can be a serious disorder that requires medical attention. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent damage of the esophagus, so patients suffering from acid reflux should contact a doctor as soon as possible.

In addition to changing problem behaviors that may be causing acid reflux and cutting out the food and beverages that trigger the backup of acid into the esophagus, patients can often take a prescription medication or over-the-counter pill that will ease the symptoms of acid reflux. Most patients report immediate relief once they start a course of medication.

What Are Acid Reflux Allergies?

Some people develop acid reflux allergies due to a reaction that the stomach has to certain foods in the person's diet. Acid reflux allergies are triggered by the unfortunate reaction to something that you might have eaten. This does not necessarily mean, though, that acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused by allergies to foods. Only a few people may actually have food allergies that can trigger acid reflux allergies.

Acid reflux is the condition where some stomach acids or stomach contents back up into the esophagus causing heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms. Frequent occurrences of acid reflux can mean that there is something wrong with your esophageal sphincter or other tissues near this area. Some foods can trigger severe cases of heartburn or acid reflux resulting to the person taking medication to ease the discomfort and the pain.

Foods That Trigger Acid Reflux Allergies

We may have some notion that allergies usually manifest themselves through skin eruptions and hay fever symptoms. Actually, there are also some allergic reactions that can be triggered in the stomach which makes the stomach roil to an extent that gastroesophageal reflux disease manifests itself. Acid reflux allergies against certain foods may not be easy to diagnose because people may not expect the allergic reaction to occur in the stomach. Acid reflux allergies can actually be as easy to detect in simple blood testing against certain foods that can be triggers for an allergic reaction.

Cow's milk is one of the factors that can cause acid reflux allergies. Lactose intolerance can trigger heartburn symptoms on those who suffer from lactose intolerance. The reaction of the stomach and the body to cow's milk can easily trigger a host of reactions, one of which is acid reflux allergies, in a person. The stomach may react by inducing the vomit reflex which in turn can be easily controlled but can also cause the esophagus to be burned by the stomach acids or stomach contents.

Other foods that may cause acid reflux allergies or just plain old acid reflux in a person include fruits with a citrus base, chocolate, most dairy products and foods that are deep fried or too oily. Learning what foods can cause your acid reflux allergies will help you immensely in managing and dealing with this condition. Although, there is little difference between plain acid reflux and acid reflux allergies, other than the triggers, knowing what causes it is a step in the right direction.

The Best and the Only Way to Acid Reflux Cure

A number of websites have probably been opened and viewed from people all over the world; and their reason, the search for the cure of acid reflux. Many books and internet sources offer their own answers based on surveys and research. Some sources also offer answers from physicians and other health experts; but it keeps me wondering, do they all offer one same cure for acid reflux disease? Do they provide good answers to suffice the minds of the people looking up to them for a proper response?

The world is open to many possibilities and offers. You have to try each one until you get the best offer. Amongst the many offers in the world wide web, the most popular acid reflux cure are these: natural remedy, herbal remedy and pills. We will tackle all these in three separate issues.

Pills and Its Effects

What most doctors would suggest as an acid reflux cure would be medications. There are a number of medications available in the pharmacy; some are over the counter medications and some require a prescription. They vary from antacids to proton pump inhibitors which both stop or neutralize the acidity in the stomach. All these medications offer a relief from acidity, but not a cure for the disease. They only offer minimal irritation in the linings of your esophagus, but they do not stop the fluids inside your stomach from regurgitating. Apart from this, the pills, being drugs themselves, has side effects; and to name the few are dry mouth, headache, and further growth of bacteria in the stomach since it lessens the acidity inside. With the storm of acid reflux cure appearing both on television and on the internet, choosing the right medication would be a difficult task.

Choosing the Herbal Way

A handful of herbs have proven themselves beneficial in the acid reflux cure. The accepted herbal medications include chamomile, ginger and licorice. This form of acid reflux cure should be tried and tested first before you see if it even works. One person may be cured using chamomile, but others may not.

Chamomile gives the stomach a soothing effect; thus, lessening the irritation and the acidity on the walls. Ginger root has been used as a folk remedy for centuries now, and it has proven itself to be very effective. Licorice also minimizes the acidity and is safe to take indefinitely. Although herbal remedies proved themselves beneficial in many studies, they do not undergo the safety testing of the government; this however becomes the downside of choosing the herbal way to acid reflux cure.

Natural Remedy: The Best Acid Reflux Cure?

They say that nothing is as best as the natural way. The fact that natural remedy has been accepted worldwide makes it safe, affordable and easily attainable for people's use. In the acid reflux cure, the key to achieving wellness is through thorough elimination of alcohol, fatty food, and spicy food from your diet. Quitting smoking would also help a lot. An upright position after meals should also be considered. Eating healthy food such as apples and yogurt were proven to be effective in reducing the regurgitation symptoms.

There are still a number of ways to find your acid reflux cure the natural way. Trying one after another would guide you in finding your step to wellness. With strict compliance to the regimen, you can surely find your way out of this problem.

An Acid Reflux Diet that will Keep Symptoms at Bay

Heartburn is a common occurrence that will affect nearly everyone at one time or another. However, when heartburn becomes more frequent it can turn into acid reflux disease, which can become uncomfortable enough to get in the way of daily life and even cause damage to the lining of the esophagus if it is left unchecked. For some, keeping the painful symptoms at bay is as easy as developing an acid reflux diet that will eliminate heartburn triggers from the daily menu. There are a number of ways that you can create the best acid reflux diet for you by determining exactly what your heartburn triggers are.

The Typical Acid Reflux Diet
Some people will find that by eliminating the common culprits of heartburn from their food choices, they can create the most effective acid reflux diet. There are many potential heartburn triggers in the average diet, including fatty and fried foods and spicy fare. Specific foods to eliminate from an acid reflux diet are tomatoes and tomato products, chocolate, garlic, citrus fruits and onions. It is also a good idea to stay away from caffeine and alcohol, since these are know causes of heartburn as well.

You can also adjust your acid reflux diet from three large meals a day to six smaller ones. By not letting the stomach get too full, digestive acids have less of a likelihood of moving back up the digestive tract to cause heartburn symptoms. Lying down with a full stomach can also result in heartburn, so avoid eating too close to bedtime or taking a nap right after a meal.

Keeping a Heartburn Journal
For those who are having a tougher time pinpointing their heartburn triggers, it may help to keep a food journal before you determine the best acid reflux diet for you. For a couple of weeks, chart the food that you eat and the days that you experience heartburn symptoms. Through this process, you can figure out which specific foods are the culprits of your heartburn, so that you can eliminate them from your acid reflux diet. While this process may seem time consuming, it is well worth the effort if it can help you keep painful heartburn symptoms at bay.

Frequent heartburn is an uncomfortable condition that can cause damage to your esophagus over the long term if it is left unchecked. The good news for many is that by creating an acid reflux diet, you can avoid the trigger for your heartburn and keep your acid reflux under control.

The Lowdown on Acid Reflux Disease

Do you suffer from frequent bouts of heartburn – maybe two or three episodes every week? Do you often wake up at night to the all too familiar feeling of burning in your chest and an acidic taste in your mouth? Is your heartburn beginning to get in the way of your daily life? If you have answered yes to any or all of these questions, you may be suffering from acid reflux disease, which is also known as GERD.

Is Acid Reflux Disease Serious?
For most of us, the occasional bout of heartburn is nothing to worry about. We can simply take an antacid or two if the pain becomes particularly uncomfortable and go on our merry way. However, when heartburn evolves into acid reflux disease, and the episodes become more frequent, there is a possibility that the delicate lining of the esophagus can become damaged by the regular exposure to stomach acids.

Because of the potential for damage, it is a good idea to treat your acid reflux disease when it becomes a regular problem. There are many ways to keep these acids at bay, from changes to diet and lifestyle, to over the counter and prescription medications. For some, avoiding the triggers for the heartburn is sufficient for controlling acid reflux disease. This may include certain types of foods, smoking or overfilling your stomach with large meals.

Medical Options for Acid Reflux
If lifestyle and dietary changes are not sufficient for controlling your acid reflux disease, you can also try a medication. The most common over the counter medicine to treat heartburn is an antacid. These come under commercial names like Rolaids or Tums, and work by neutralizing the acid in the stomach. The best feature of antacids is that they go to work very quickly. However, they are not always the most efficient medication for acid reflux disease, since the benefits tend to be short-lived.

You can also choose an H-2-receptor blocker, like Tagamet, Pepcid or Zantac. The function of these medications is to reduce the amount of acid that is produced, to lessen the likelihood that acid reflux disease will flare up. These medicines take longer to begin working, but they will last longer. It is best to take an H-2-receptor blocker before eating a meal, since they will take about 30 minutes to begin working. Another good medication for acid reflux disease is a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec. This medicine will block acid production so any damage to the esophageal lining has time to heal.

Acid reflux disease can be an uncomfortable and potentially damaging condition. The good news is that there are many choices in treatment for this condition that will lead to more symptom-free days and a healthier digestive system.

Preventing Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

Acid reflux during pregnancy can be very uncomfortable for the mom to be because this can be frequent and also very inconvenient especially since there are a host of other uncomfortable feelings that some women experience during pregnancy. Acid reflux during pregnancy can be reduced just by following some simple instructions and guidelines. These guidelines will in no way endanger the mother of the unborn child.

Amount Of Food And Kinds Of Foods

The amount of food you eat can cause acid reflux during pregnancy especially in the later part of gestation. As you baby grows, the space in your abdomen is filled up by your unborn child. This makes the stomach capacity lesser because it could be squeezed between the baby and other organs. Since the stomach is highly flexible, it is likely to be moved when the baby moves, causing acid reflux during pregnancy after a heavy meal. Keeping meals small and just satisfactory can help to reduce acid reflux during pregnancy.

Some kinds of food can cause acid reflux during pregnancy. Chocolates, fatty foods, spicy foods, citrusy fruits and some tomato based foods can cause acid reflux during pregnancy and any other time. These foods, combined with other factors that can cause acid reflux must be avoided to reduce the occurrence of acid reflux during pregnancy.

Hormone Changes During Pregnancy

The hormonal changes that you go through during pregnancy can affect your muscles as well as the functions of the organs in your body. Acid reflux during pregnancy can be caused the weakening of the esophageal sphincter as well as the incapacity of the stomach to quickly and properly digest foods. Your stomach can also increase its production of stomach acids due to hormonal changes in the woman's body during pregnancy.

Position After Meals

A pregnant woman can be lazy at times and prone to sleeping or napping anytime of the day. The position that a pregnant woman holds after a meal can also cause acid reflux during pregnancy. Lying or sitting in a slouched position can affect the position of the stomach. If the stomach is pressed too tightly or the stomach is just level with the upper body, tendency is that the contents of the stomach might back track into the esophagus.

Even bending from the waist down can add pressure to your already bulging stomach and squeeze the stomach. This can cause symptoms of acid reflux during pregnancy and be quite uncomfortable for the mother to be.

Popular Acid Reflux Home Remedies

Acid reflux is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach finds its way back up into the esophagus and results in causing mild to severe pain. The liquid can actually end up inflaming and damaging the lining of the stomach and may even cause permanent damage.

This is actually a very common condition, one that is chronic which means that usually when it begins, it is a lifelong problem.

Acid Reflux Home Remedies

If you are one of the many people who suffer from acid reflux then you are surely aware of the various conventional treatments that are available on the market today. There are those people however who would rather a safer, all natural method and it is important that these people be aware of the many acid reflux home remedies which are also available to them.

Diet

There is nothing more important for people suffering from acid reflux than for them to pay close attention to their diet. There are certain foods and drinks which may aggravate your acid reflux and which therefore should be avoided as best as possible. Acid based and greasy foods are often aggravators, as are alcohol and caffeine.

You should begin meal planning so that you can avoid eating the wrong things and this is important because sometimes just changing your diet can be the key in controlling your acid reflux.

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar

Another of the most popular acid reflux home remedies is natural apple cider vinegar. It works because it has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, and it is actually the acid in the vinegar that helps to eliminate acid in your stomach.

Yogurt

Yet another of the acid reflux home remedies that you may want to try is yogurt. This is by far one of the most popular acid reflux home remedies, and even just a spoonful of cold yogurt can help to take the burning sensation caused by your acid reflux away.

The best idea is to talk with your doctor about your condition, because they will be able to assess your condition and determine which specific treatment is going to be best suited to you. This is important because there are some remedies, even some of the home remedies, which can actually make your acid reflux worse. It is also important and helpful for you to become more educated on the acid reflux condition and on what your options are in terms of treatment.

Dealing With Acid Reflux in Children

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when there is a backward flow of the stomach contents into the esophagus. It generally occurs because the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes more than it should and as a result harsh stomach juices are allowed to flow back up into the esophagus, resulting in pain.

For most people with acid reflux the discomfort caused by the condition can begin to affect the quality of life and even prevent people from taking part in activities that they once found enjoyable. Acid reflux is also often the cause of heartburn and can be very troublesome, especially if it is recurring and persistent.

Acid Reflux in Children

Although when most of us think of acid reflux we tend to think of it as an adult condition, acid reflux in children is also very common. In these cases the acid reflux typically begins in infancy, and there are certain symptoms that the child will usually experience at the onset of the condition.

Acid reflux in children often produces symptoms such as abdominal pain, chest pain, burning sensation in the esophagus, gagging or choking, bad breath, runny nose, nighttime cough, hoarseness, excessive salivation, and frequent ear infections.

Dealing With Acid Reflux in Children

The first suggestion to treat acid reflux conditions in children involves using antacids. These are very mild and work by neutralizing the acid in the stomach. Mylanta and Maalox are two of the most commonly used antacids, but your doctor may prescribe another brand.

Acid suppressors are also commonly used and these work by suppressing the acid production in your stomach. There are also acid blockers, which completely block acid production in the stomach. Prilosec, Prevacid and Aciphex are a few of the most effective acid blockers, and you can speak to your doctor for more information on this.

It is also important that you work with your child and ensure that they make appropriate lifestyle changes. Eating smaller and more frequent meals, limiting intake of acidic foods and beverages, elevating the head during sleep, avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, and wearing loose clothing – all of these ar e going to benefit the child and help them to find relief from their acid reflux.

Acid reflux in children can be a difficult condition to deal with, but with the right treatment the child can find relief from their pain and get back to living their normal life once again.

Dealing With Acid Reflux in Infants: The First Step

There are few conditions more difficult to deal with than acid reflux in infants. Especially for adults who have dealt with acid reflux in the past, it is incredibly hard to see your little one have to go through such intense pain, feeling as though there is nothing you can do to help them. If you want to be able to help your baby, it is important to learn more about acid reflux in infants and the treatments that are available.

Acid reflux in infants typically occurs during the first three months of life, and although it can get to be quite serious most babies do not need treatment because the reflux tends to go away on its own. However for a small number of babies, the symptoms of acid reflux continue and appropriate treatment will be needed.

Symptoms

There are some symptoms that are commonly experienced by infants with acid reflux, including frequent spitting up, irritability especially when feeding, hiccups, coughing, poor sleep habits, and bad breath, to name a few. You may also notice that they have difficulty swallowing, frequent ear infections, hoarse voice, or unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Dealing With Acid Reflux in Infants

If you determine that your infant does in fact have acid reflux, it is important that you get them treated as soon as possible. The treatment will depend on the severity of the problem more than anything, as well as on any allergies that your baby may have, and so on.

Antacids are usually the first step, and these are the mildest treatment available. They help by neutralizing the acid in the stomach, thereby helping to prevent it from making its way back up into the esophagus.

Acid blockers are another option, and these work by completely blocking acid production in the stomach. Because acid production is a necessary function of the human body however, it is important that these drugs not be used as a long term solution because they can end up causing serious damage and possibly even making the condition worse than it was to begin with.

Make sure that you discuss treatment methods for acid reflux in infants with your doctor, because you will have to deal with acid reflux differently with your infant than you would with an adult. They will be able to properly assess and diagnose the infant’s condition and determine which specific treatment would be most suitable.

Acid Reflux Information and Details

The sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus acts as a blockade to the fluids inside our stomach. It keeps the fluid inside from regurgitating back into the passageway for food. If by certain factors this "flap-like" barrier does not work as it should be, then the walls of our esophagus become irritated by the acid backing up to it. The symptoms now begin to appear and recur over a period of time.

Acid Reflux Information: Its Signs and Symptoms

The most distinctive symptom experienced by people is the burning pain at the chest area. This characteristic pain usually occurs after ingestion of a high fat meal. Others feel the pain at night since it awakens them during their sleep. Bending low and lying down may also contribute to the occurrence of heartburn. People experience different symptoms; some may not even have a reoccurrence at all. Although heartburn is very common to people of all ages, it is better to have yourselves seen by a medical specialist. After all, it is better to have things prevented than wait for the symptoms to get worse.

Acid Reflux Information: The Reflux Remedy

This acid reflux information on its remedy and cure is based on two principles: the herbal way and the medicinal way. A lot of people have claimed that they have experienced heartburn for a long time, but no medication has ever proven to cure their symptoms. However, health professionals would state that a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are a must in helping relieve the symptoms of this disease. While experts are busy looking for the best possible cure, experimental studies show that herbal medicines have done a great deal of help for those afflicted with this disease. The most popular herbal names mentioned are devil's claw, saffron, celery seed, peppermint, lavender and ginger. However, one must test each of these items carefully and see if it works for them anyhow. It is but hard to obtain acid reflux information regarding herbal remedy since it is not a proven fact by scientists. A try and test situation should be done and should better be upon the approval of your physician.

Acid Reflux Information: The Number One Cure

Almost all people agree that the best way to eliminate this disease is a change in lifestyle. If you are a smoker, quitting your habit would contribute much in eradicating the signs and symptoms. If you are an alcohol drinker, lessening or removing the alcohol from your diet would also be a lot of help. Although a number of websites and book sources offer their own acid reflux information, it is better to visit a physician and have yourselves checked. You will soon find out that you can treat the problem more easily and will suffer less from the symptoms created by acid reflux.

The Right Acid Reflux Medication For You

Acid reflux patients know how painful it is when acid backs up. There is a burning sensation at the base of the throat that no amount of water will relieve. Acid seems to defy gravity, seeping upward into the esophagus. Sufferers would do anything to make the pain stop, but there seemingly is nothing they can do.

Acid reflux is caused by a loosening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. The stomach has a heavy, acid-proof lining, but the LES is lined with soft, sensitive tissue that is susceptible to damage from stomach acid.

Fortunately, help is available in the form of acid reflux medication.

Over The Counter Acid Reflux Medication

Old-fashioned over the counter medications like Tums and Rolaids can provide temporary relief for the mild acid reflux symptoms that occur after eating spicy foods. If acid reflux is a rare occurrence for you, and you have only occasional episodes of acid backup, you may find that the relief these antacids offer is sufficient to alleviate your symptoms. Although these drugs are also touted as a safe source of calcium, they also contain aluminum and sodium, so they should not be taken with abandon.

Newer, more effective over-the-counter medication includes drugs like Zantaz and Prilosec.

H2 Blocking Acid Reflux Medication

H2 blocking acid reflux medication works by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces. These medications provide relief for longer periods of time than the relief generated by antacids, which neutralize acid already produced by the stomach.

Proton Pump Inhibitors

The most serious kind of acid reflux medication is the proton pump inhibitor, or PPI, family of drugs. These acid reflux medications prevent the stomach from producing acid. They should only be taken for a limited period of time, no more than eight weeks, because the production of stomach acid is a natural function of the human body and kills bacteria in the stomach.

Side Effects Of Acid Reflux Medication

All these medications are not without side effects. Some of these drugs are relatively new, so their long-term effects over decades have not been researched or assessed. The side effects of which medical science is now aware may include headache, dizziness, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Treating Acid Reflux Disease

If acid reflux medication is not effective, some patients may resort to surgery to correct the closure of the LES. Before resorting to surgery, patients should try changes to their diet and habits. Avoiding certain foods, like chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods and the like can help, as can wearing looser clothing and not eating three hours before bedtime.

The Seriousness of Acid Reflux Pain and How to Deal With it

Acid reflux is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in the world. It is a condition where gastric juices containing acid make their way back from the stomach and up into the esophagus. Typical symptoms of the condition include heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.

The Seriousness of Acid Reflux Pain

Although there are some cases of acid reflux that are so mild they are hardly noticeable, in most cases the acid reflux pain experienced is so intense that it is debilitating. For most people the discomfort can end up affecting the quality of life and everyday activities, which can obviously be quite troublesome.

It is hard to describe acid reflux pain, and unless you have experienced it for yourself you will really never understand just how intense and uncomfortable it can be. Heartburn is the main symptom, and is a burning feeling that rises from the upper abdomen up towards the neck. Heartburn can be so painful that the sufferer finds it difficult to eat, drink, or even just walk around, until they find a way to get relief.

The majority of acid reflux pain occurs in the upper abdomen and chest, and can radiate from here through the rest of the chest and even into the arms. There are also some uncommon symptoms that may occur in people suffering from acid reflux, such as a persistent cough, hoarseness and asthma symptoms.

Acid reflux pain can also end up causing complications, including erosive esophagitis, esophageal stricture, ulceration or Barrett’s esophagus, and possibly even esophageal cancer. Barrett’s esophagus is the most serious complication of chronic acid reflux syndrome and is a condition where there is a change in the membrane cells of the esophagus.

Dealing With Your Acid Reflux

It is obviously then very important that you deal with your acid reflux appropriately. Keep in mind that dealing with acid reflux is never easy in the beginning, and you may not even start to see results for a few months. Eating properly and getting enough exercise is definitely going to help you here, exercise in particular because it will give you energy and help your body to digest food more efficiently.

There are also certain medications that are available which can be used here, but remember that these are not intended to be long term solutions and you need to create a lifelong treatment plan instead to properly take care of your reflux.

Is Acid Reflux Surgery Right For You?

Are you considering surgery for your acid reflux symptoms? Acid reflux surgery is a last resort that should be contemplated only after you have tried other, more conservative treatment options for your acid reflux condition.

Conservative treatment that you should consider before having acid reflux surgery includes diet changes, behavior changes, and over-the-counter medicines.

Change Your Diet

You may be able to avoid acid reflux surgery entirely by changing some of the food you eat and the time when you eat them.

Food items and beverages that contain caffeine have been found to trigger acid reflux symptoms, causing the esophageal sphincter muscle to relax and allowing acid to escape from the stomach to the base of the esophagus, where it can do permanent damage to soft, delicate internal tissues.

Before you schedule acid reflux surgery, eliminate coffee, tea, and caffeinated colas. Chocolate, onions, garlic, and spicy food can also exacerbate an acid reflux condition.

Try Medication

Some patients feel as if choosing between taking medication all their life for acid reflux or having surgery for the condition is no choice at all. However, when you compare the potential side effects of taking medication with the potential side effects of having acid reflux surgery, taking medication is a clear winner.

The most commonly reported side effects reported by individuals taking acid reflux medication, like Prevacid, Prilosec, or Nexium, are nausea, diarrhea, headache, and abdominal pain. These side effects occur only in a small percentage of individuals who take these prescription medications. If these side effects occur, patients should discuss them with their doctors.

The potential side effects from any surgical procedure include infection, complications due to anesthesia (including death), and post-operative gas bloating and trouble swallowing.

The Surgery

The most common acid reflux surgery is fundoplication, which increases pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, enabling the sphincter to remain closed and form an effective seal between the stomach, with its fiery acid, and the esophagus, with its tender, sensitive lining.

While the surgery usually clears up the symptoms of acid reflux disease, approximately 18% of patients who have had acid reflux surgery require some form of acid reflux medication even after the surgery is complete; another 30% continue to have trouble swallowing and experience bloating. Furthermore, a 2002 study conducted in Sweden reveals that the procedure may not reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in patients who are at high risk for getting esophageal cancer.

If you are taking medication for acid reflux, and you symptoms persist, you may wish to discuss having acid reflux surgery with your physician.

Finding Proper Acid Reflux Treatment

Acid reflux is a very common and serious condition. It occurs when the lining of the esophagus is exposed to the backward flow of stomach acid. More specifically what happens is gastric juices containing acid travel, making their way back from the stomach and up into the esophagus.

Acid reflux can be a very serious problem and can end up affecting many aspects of a person’s life including causing sleepless nights and making them having to avoid daily activities that they once found normal.

Acid Reflux Treatment

Of course one of the most important issues to anyone dealing with an acid reflux condition is acid reflux treatment. There are basically three options that you have when it comes to acid reflux treatment: medications and surgery.

There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat acid reflux, and this includes everything from over the counter antacids to prescription drugs. Antacids work by neutralizing the stomach acid in the body, thereby lessening the chance of any of it being able to make its way up into the esophagus.

There are also H2 blockers which are commonly used to treat acid reflux, and which work by reducing the overall amount of acid that the stomach products. They offer longer lasting relief than antacids and are suitable for more serious and persistent acid reflux conditions.

Another effective acid reflux treatment is the PPI drugs that are often used, which are not a long term solution and should be used no longer than eight weeks. The PPI drugs that are used in this acid reflux treatment work by actually shutting down the pumps that produce the stomach acid, and because this is an essential function of the body you cannot stay on the drugs for an extended period of time.

It is important that you speak to your doctor about your condition as they will be able to make a proper assessment and decide which particular treatment is going to be most suitable for you. Even if you use natural or alternative methods of treatment these are still a form of medicine and so you will need to make sure that you use common sense.

Overdoing any type of treatment is not a good idea and may even result in making your condition worse. Also remember that by living as generally healthy a lifestyle as possible you will be doing yourself a great benefit and achieve relief from the pain caused by your acid reflux.

Identifying Your Acid Reflux Triggers

Have you ever experienced a burning sensation that runs from your stomach pit to your esophagus? Did you ever wonder how it happened and what triggered these “after –meals” sensation? This painful regurgitation is what we call Acid Reflux, or more commonly known as heartburn.

From time to time, people experience such sensation due to the acid reflux triggers. They are the ones responsible for the so-called burning sensation from the inside. The acid reflux triggers come in different forms and may be difficult to distinguish since there is no common symptom for everybody. Thus, trial and error should be done to clearly identify the indicators which generate heartburn.

Causes of Heartburn

Heartburn can be rooted to various factors. The acid reflux triggers include certain foods, body positioning, obesity, and lifestyle habits such as cigarette smoking. Again, determining which factor causes the symptoms to occur may be done by checking and eliminating which precipitates the onset of the symptoms.

Pinpointing the Acid Reflux Triggers

Since there are varying causes of heartburn, it would be helpful to have a checklist of the ingested foods of the day. If the food taken can be associated with the reflux events, then most probably this is what triggers your heartburn. Carefully and noticeably, you try ingesting one kind of food per meal and see if it causes the warning signs to reappear. Also, if you are a smoker experiencing heartburn, it would be favorable to discontinue smoking and see if the accompanying indicators of heartburn stop. Upright positioning for two to three hours after meals may also be helpful in preventing the reflux of food from the stomach. Thus, a way to identifying your acid reflux triggers may mean keeping a daily journal of what you eat and do and how you feel afterwards.

Avoiding Acid Reflux Triggers

The avoiding part comes last and the hardest of all. Most of the foods causing heartburn are the ones that pleases our mouth; thus, making it hard for people to avoid. However, we must remember the good that it brings if we can have full control over ourselves.

Most fast foods should be avoided since they contain a high amount of fat and oil, making them a very good candidate for an acid reflux trigger. Caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits and juices should also be removed from the diet since they are potential acid builders in the stomach. Spicy foods are also stomach irritants and should be undoubtedly exterminated from the diet.

Clearly, a number of ways can help solve the acid reflux problem. Determination, control over oneself and the will to stay healthy are needed to keep you focused on your goal. Believing that health is wealth can also be an unrelenting motivational factor to guide you in achieving wellness.

The Danger of an Acid Reflux Ulcer

Acid reflux is a condition in itself, but when left untreated it can result in an acid reflux ulcer and this will be even more serious, even potentially life threatening if it causes cancer to develop. An acid reflux ulcer is a small erosion or hole in the gastrointestinal tract, and which typically cause symptoms to affect the sufferer.

This includes a burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach, which can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, even months. There are some individuals who suffer with an acid reflux ulcer but who only experience pain after they eat.

One of the biggest problems that an acid reflux ulcer causes is an affection of the nerves surrounding it. The nerves, once they have been affected, often become agitated and can result in causing intense pain.

Treatment

Anyone with an ulcer wants desperately to find a treatment that is going to work for them and offer them relief. Self help is most important of all, and this means eating a healthy, well balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercise and water.

You should also avoid certain foods, those that are only going to aggravate your condition. Although the specific foods will vary from one person to another, spicy, fatty, greasy, sugary, and citrusy foods are all common aggravators and are best if avoided.

There are also various medicines that are available to treat an acid reflux ulcer. There are milder medicines such as antacids and H2 blockers, which are usually very effective for less serious ulcers, but there are also more powerful medicines called proton pump inhibitors which can actually completely stop acid production in the stomach.

Obviously this takes care of the acid reflux problem, but it is important that these drugs not be considered as a long term solution because acid production is an essential function of the human body.

It is important that anyone dealing with an ulcer keep in close contact with their doctor. This way the doctor can keep an eye on their condition and ensure that they are making improvement. Especially if you are put on any sort of medication, your doctor is going to need to keep a watchful eye on you and you are going to have to let them know if you ever experience any side effects as a result of the medication.

Acid reflux ulcers can be incredibly painful and it may seem as though there is nothing you can do to find relief, but there are solutions and ways to deal with your reflux.

Chest Burning and Acid Reflux: What it Means

Chest pains can be scary even if they are very minor pains; common sense tells us that we should not feel pain in this area. Sometimes chest burning and acid reflux go together and can be confused as related to heart disease. The first thing that separates the two is the sensation you feel. When you have chest pains related to heart disease the sensation is that of a stabbing pain. Chest burning and acid reflux mean that you will most likely feel a burning sensation that is more uncomfortable than painful.

Is it Dangerous?

Chest burning and acid reflux don’t always go together but when they do it does not mean that you have worse acid reflux than someone who does not have the same symptom. You should still have your chest pains checked out by a doctor to confirm that your chest pains are a symptom and not related to heart disease.

There are a few simple tests your doctor can perform to determine that the chest burning and acid reflux are occurring together and not related to cardiac disease. First your doctor will test the level of acid in your esophagus; if it is elevated then you are most likely suffering from acid reflux.

Another method to determine the cause of your chest pains will require you to take note of the symptoms that occur when you experience chest pains. For example did you experience a regurgitation of food, feel bile in your mouth? If you have other symptoms of acid reflux along with your chest pains then your doctor can rule out heart disease.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed with your doctor that you are indeed experiencing chest burning and acid reflux you can proceed to treat the acid reflux. Antacids are the usual route of treatment though proton pump inhibitors may also be used. There are of course other forms of treatment that require you to be proactive and change your lifestyle.

If you frequently consume alcohol then you should cut down on both the amount of alcohol you consume and the frequency of consumption. Smoking is also a trigger of acid reflux and if you have frequent attacks of acid reflux then you should cut it out.

Caffeine whether in coffee, soda, or any other form can also be a trigger. You don’t have to completely cut out these things but think about the frequency and amounts you are consuming these things, then start halving the amounts and see the difference that it makes to your health.

Learning About the Dangers of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a very common condition, but surprisingly then one that many people are not fully aware of. Also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD, acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates back up into the esophagus.

As a result of this the person may begin to feel heat and inflammation in the chest and throat area, similar to heartburn but much more intense. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin which are normally produced by the stomach but which can have a seriously damaging effect on the lining of the esophagus if they make their way back up.

Dangers of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition that must be taken very seriously, especially because there are many dangers of acid reflux that can develop. Depending on the severity of your condition there may be different dangers of acid reflux that you will have to be concerned with.

Coughing and asthma attacks are some of the most commonly occurring dangers of acid reflux, and these can develop because refluxed acid has the ability to stimulate nerves in the body, and aside from acid aggravating nerves linked to the lungs, aspiration can also occur.

Ulcers are another possibility here, and these can get to be incredibly painful because they can end up triggering additional inflammation and soreness. Ulcers are very common in acid reflux sufferers, and although they can be difficult to treat they can heal by forming scar tissue once the inflammation has been relieved.

One of the most serious dangers of acid reflux is a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus. This is a condition which usually occurs once the lower esophagus in the body has been damaged extensively, typically after a prolonged acid reflux condition that has gone untreated.

Dealing With Your Condition

Because all of these dangers are possible, it is therefore important to deal with your condition appropriately and immediately. Antacids are usually the first step, but most acid reflux sufferers find that the basic antacids are simply not strong enough to offer them any relief.

Traditional therapy would most likely include you being put on prescription drugs, but there are also alternative therapies that you can choose to go with and which can be just as successful. Elevating your head at night while you sleep, eating smaller more frequent meals, and using herbs will all help with an acid reflux condition.

Enzyme Supplements for Infant Acid Reflux: Helping Your Baby

Acid reflux in infants? Is such a thing possible? Sadly, yes. You may think that acid reflux only occurs in adults who have unhealthy eating habits. The sad truth is that your baby can have acid reflux even if you are breastfeeding. It has nothing to do with what you are feeding your baby but what happens after feeding.

Acid reflux occurs after a large feeding when the body is trying to digest the food and produces too much acid that can come into the esophagus. Fortunately enzyme supplements for infant acid reflux can help the condition.

The Importance of a Cure

Infant acid reflux should not go untreated as this can result in many problems for your baby. First of all your baby will be in a considerable amount of pain and discomfort. Secondly you have to worry about the possibility of blood loss and bloody stools. All the discomfort will lead to poor feedings and affect development.

So what can you do to cure acid reflux in infants? Antacids are really not an option here as you don’t want to be feeding your baby unnecessary chemicals. Add to that the fact that antacids are merely a band-aid, they cover the problem but do not actually help to heal acid and remedy acid reflux.

Enzyme supplements for infant acid reflux help the body to digest better. This will help to avoid the build up of acid in the body that leads to acid reflux. Enzyme supplements for infant acid reflux are natural and allow you to solve the problem without pumping your baby full of chemicals.

Talk to your doctor about enzyme supplements for infant acid reflux rather than the conventional use of antacids to solve the problem. There are certain enzymes that should be avoided when using enzyme supplements for infant acid reflux. Anything with hydrochloric acid should be avoided.

Discuss this option thoroughly with your doctor to determine dosage and what type of enzymes to feed your baby. You should also talk to your pediatrician about what foods you should cut out if you are breast-feeding to help your baby’s acid reflux.

You should also discuss how much to feed your baby. Over feeding and under feeding can both lead to problems with acid reflux. You should also try not to let your baby lie down right after a feeding as this can lead to acid reflux as well.

Learning About the Different Foods That Cause Acid Reflux

Sure there are tons of different medications and other conventional treatments available that can help with acid reflux, but if you want a permanent solution for your problem then you are going to have to learn about the different foods that cause acid reflux, so you can avoid them, thereby preventing aggravating your acid reflux.

There are hundreds of different foods that cause acid reflux, and this includes citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, chocolate, drinks with caffeine, fatty and fried foods, garlic and onions, peppermint, spicy foods, and tomato based foods.

The foods that cause acid reflux will vary from one person to another, so it if you find that your acid reflux becomes aggravated after meals, you are going to want to do a little trial and error in order to find out which specific foods are causing you to have problems.

You should also keep in mind that although most people agree that there are foods that cause acid reflux, there are others who do not believe that there are any foods that cause acid reflux and that the idea is nothing more than a myth.

Taking Care of Yourself

If you are one of the many people around the world presently suffering from acid reflux, there are a few things that you will want to take in order to find relief from your condition. One of the first things you will want to do to get rid of the lingering symptoms that are often a part of reflux is reduce your stress level.

Stress is one of the leading causes of acid reflux and so by being stressed out you will only be aggravating your condition. There are some easy ways to reduce stress in your life, such as laughing more, going out with your friends and family more often, taking a bubble bath, meditating, and taking part in yoga classes.

Wearing loose clothing is a good idea, as this will help you to reduce your discomfort. If you drink or smoke often you should try to stop or at least reduce the frequency in order to not only prevent your acid reflux from worsening but also strength your hard and reduce the erosion of the esophagus that comes with reflux.

Acid reflux can be a very difficult condition to deal with and can even result in depression but it is important to realize that there are some great solutions out there, things that you can do to find relief from the pain caused by your reflux.

A List Of Foods To Avoid With Acid Reflux

If you have acid reflux, you know that familiar feeling after you've eaten a meal or exercised. Your chest feels tight, and you feel a fire inside at the bottom of your neck that no amount of cold water can relieve.

Many sufferers turn to over-the-counter antacids, the kind that come in little rolls like breath mints. These products often provide relief for a few minutes, but soon the burning returns, seemingly worse than it was in the first place. Like many sufferers, you wish you knew which foods to avoid with acid reflux, to keep it from happening again.

Damage From Acid Reflux

Inside your body, acid reflux may be doing permanent damage to your esophagus. Over time, this damage can increase your risk for getting esophageal cancer. Some acid reflux sufferers must have their esophagus examined with a scope, like a tracheoscopy, every year, to inspect the sensitive tissue for damage that could lead to cancer. Learning to avoid certain foods with acid reflux consequences seems preferable to undergoing such an invasive, expensive procedure every year.

Foods To Avoid

With acid reflux, diet is key. Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle relaxes, loosening the seal between the stomach, where acid is stored, and the esophagus, where tender tissue need to be protected from acid. Certain foods encourage the sphincter muscle to relax, and should be avoided.

Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, and cola drinks, can contribute to the occurrence of acid reflux. Similarly, alcoholic beverages – including wine and beer – can cause acid reflux symptoms to flare up. These are all beverages, or foods, to avoid with acid reflux symptoms.

Sadly for many, chocolate can also cause acid reflux symptoms. Other foods that contribute to acid reflux are garlic and onions, as well as peppermint, spearmint, and hot, spicy foods. If you are plagued with acid reflux, these are foods to avoid.

Behavior To Avoid

Just as the wrong foods can contribute to acid reflux, there are certain behaviors that can also loosen the lower esophageal sphincter muscle and result in acid reflux symptoms. Pregnancy can temporarily cause acid reflux, but symptoms virtually always subside after the baby comes. Wearing tight clothing can also trigger symptoms or make them worse.

When you eat can be as important as what you eat when you are trying to avoid acid reflux. Sufferers should stop eating at least three hours before bedtime, as late-night eating has been known to exacerbate acid reflux symptoms.

The Most Effective Homeopathic Cures for Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter opens up spontaneously, and as a result allows contents from the stomach to be able to make their way back up into the esophagus. When acid reflux occurs the person is usually able to taste food or fluid in the back of their mouth, and typically will experience discomfort or pain in their stomach and chest area.

Diagnosis is the first step in treating acid reflux, and so you will need to get in to see your doctor to get their opinion and for a proper diagnosis. Once you have been diagnosed your doctor will begin to discuss with you the various different treatment methods that you can choose from.

Homeopathic Cures for Acid Reflux

Of course there are the standard, more conventional methods of treatment for acid reflux, but there are also many homeopathic cures for acid reflux that you can choose to use. The first place you should start is with your diet and making any changes where necessary.

You should be eating as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can, as well as whole grain breads and cereals and other foods that are high in fiber.

One of the best homeopathic cures for acid reflux is apple cider vinegar. Inexpensive and easy to take, apple cider vinegar is one of the oldest tricks in the book. It can also help with weight loss, constipation and heartburn.

Benefits

There are many benefits that are offered by the homeopathic cures for acid reflux. For one, because prescription medications can often have unwanted effects, people who want to avoid these unfavorable symptoms now have the option of using homeopathic cures for acid reflux which are side effect and symptom free.

If you are not sure which particular homeopathic remedy to try, speak to your doctor for more information or even better to a homeopathic medicine expert who will be able to discuss your options with you and, after completing a proper assessment, help you to decide which particular treatment they think would be the most successful.

Acid reflux can definitely be a serious and intensely painful condition, and often sufferers feel helpless because they try one method after the other and nothing seems to work. With homeopathic remedies you may actually have more luck than with the more conventional treatments, and not only that but you also will not have to deal with any unfavorable side effects.

Information on How to Stop Acid Reflux

The most important thing to acid reflux sufferers is learning how to stop acid reflux. Because it can be such a seriously painful and irritating condition, sufferers often find it debilitating and hard to even continue with their regular daily activities.

Acid reflux is a chronic condition which means that once it develops it will be a lifelong problem, and so although there is nothing that you can to in order to completely rid yourself of the condition there are ways to relieve the pain caused by your acid reflux and to start feeling like your regular self once again.

How to Stop Acid Reflux

The first thing that anyone interested in learning how to stop acid reflux should do is make a change in your diet. It is important that you start eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, and drinking lots of water, at least six to eight glasses every day.

You should also create a proper exercise routine for yourself, as it is critical that you stay physically active to keep your acid reflux under control.

If you find that you have tried the basic ways for learning how to stop acid reflux to no avail, then your doctor may suggest that you start on a medication. Most medications of acid reflux are taken once a day but your doctor may tailor this depending on the severity of your condition and how long you have been dealing with it for.

Prilosec is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for acid reflux. It works by healing the damaged tissues in the body caused by acid reflux for about two months, but after this it should be stopped and you should be switched to another medication. The reason for this is that Prilosec decreases the amount of acid produced by the stomach and if taken too long it can end up permanently faulting this necessary function of the human body.

Prevacid is another of the typically suggested prescription medications for acid reflux. If you want to know how to stop acid reflux then you will definitely want to speak to your doctor about the Prevacid drug that is relatively new.

Prevacid tablets can be swallowed by placing them under the tongue and allowing your saliva to dissolve it, as opposed to swallowing it whole. If you cannot handle taking a pill then you can always speak to your doctor about getting intravenous doses.

Relevant Information On Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition in which a person feels a burning sensation on the lower esophagus which can be the cause of great discomfort. Many individuals suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease. There is a lot of information on acid reflux because a good number of people suffer from this condition daily. Information on acid reflux may focus on the cause and the treatment of the condition as well as how to avoid it.

Information On Acid Reflux Causes

One of the main causes of acid reflux is the malfunction of the muscles in the region nearest to the stomach. This inability of the tissue of muscles to function properly can have many causes. Information of acid reflux causes have cited smoking and innate physiological deformities as the main causes of incapacity of muscles to function well. Other possible causes of gastroesophageal reflux disease can be the ingestion of a heavy meal and the position of the individual. Ingesting too much can give you a full stomach thus adding to the possibility of stomach acids backing up to the esophagus.

A person who suffers a lot from heartburn must have some information on acid reflux causes on which he will learn how to avoid it. The position one takes after a particularly heavy meal can also induce acid reflux. Lying down can cause some acids to escape the esophageal sphincter and burn the lower esophagus resulting in heartburn symptoms. Information on acid reflux clearly states to avoid a position where your stomach may be level to your head or lower than it. Bending right after a heavy meal can induce heartburn symptoms. Wearing tight fitting clothes at the waist can also cause acid reflux.

Information On Acid Reflux Treatment

Treating acid reflux can be as easy as popping a pill to reduce the production of stomach acids. Some information on acid reflux also cite some natural herbal remedies to calm the symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some treatments can be as easy as giving your stomach some time to digest your meal effectively before doing anything strenuous. Avoiding smoking is information on acid reflux that is very valuable. This is because smoking can cause muscles to constrict thus reducing the efficacy of the esophageal sphincter from closing properly after meals. Other information on acid reflux treatment can be just keeping your meals small but frequent. This is to avoid filling your stomach too much.

Do Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Really Work?

Many people are skeptical of natural remedies for acid reflux, thinking that there is no way they could work as effectively as the more conventional treatment methods that are available. This is actually a myth, and in fact, some of the natural remedies for acid reflux that are available have proven to be better than more conventional methods.

Ideas

There are some great ideas that you can choose to go with when it comes to natural remedies for acid reflux.

There are many advantages that you will receive by choosing to use natural remedies for acid reflux, including that you will not have to deal with the unfavorable and unwanted side effects that you would with other options.

A few of the best natural remedies for acid reflux include chamomile, meadowsweet, slippery elm, cancer bush, fennel, catnip, angelica root, ginger root, and aloe. Chamomile helps by relieving irritation in the esophagus, and is thought to have calming and relaxing properties. It also has the ability to reduce the amount of stomach acid and promote normal digestion.

Next to chamomile, slippery elm is the most popular of all natural remedies for acid reflux. It is such a specific remedy for helping acid reflux and similar conditions that it is really too bad doctors and hospitals do not prescribe it more.

One of the most favorable qualities of slippery elm is how quickly it works, and acid reflux sufferers can feel relief almost immediately. It is also a very safe herb so you do not have to worry as much about overuse.

Tips

There are a few things that you should keep in mind if you plan to use any natural or home remedies for your acid reflux. More than anything you need to realize that just because these herbs are helping relieve the pain you will still need to take other steps including making changes in your lifestyle in order to find a long term solution.

It is important that you eat a healthy, well balanced diet and get plenty of exercise if you want to have permanent relief of your acid reflux, and also stay away from foods that will aggravate your condition, such as tomatoes, mashed potatoes, French fries, ground beef, sour cream, cottage cheese, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, ice cream, and eggs. Also keep in mind that although herbal remedies are generally safe they are still a form of medicine and so you need to use common sense when starting on any of them.

Benefits And Features Of Nexium Acid Reflux

Fortunately for acid reflux sufferers, Nexium effectively treats the symptoms of acid reflux and provides relief for the pain and burning of heartburn.

What Is Acid Reflux?

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle connects the esophagus to the stomach. The LES forms a tight seal to keep stomach acid where it belongs – in the stomach. When the LES relaxes, acid bubbles up from the stomach and penetrates the esophagus, where it can damages the sensitive lining of the organ.

What Causes Acid Reflux?

A variety of foods, conditions, and behaviors can trigger an acid reflux reaction. Caffeine consumption, in coffee, tea, or chocolate, can cause the reaction, as can overeating, wearing tight clothing, or being pregnant.

What Helps Acid Reflux Symptoms?

To some extent, the heartburn and pain of acid reflux can be avoided by avoiding the foods and behaviors that cause the problems. However, this is not always possible. For example, overweight people who are undertaking a weight loss program may have acid reflux symptoms that persist until they can lose a certain amount of weight.

Taking Nexium for acid reflux is the perfect solution for people who find themselves in a situation where they need to treat their acid reflux symptoms. By taking the "healing purple pill," as Nexium is called, acid reflux sufferers can obtain 24-hour relief from heartburn symptoms.

What Is Nexium?

The official medical name for Nexium is esomeprazole magnesium. Nexium for acid reflux must be prescribed by a medical doctor; it is not available without a prescription. While Nexium treats acid reflux, it may also have a negative reaction when taken with certain other drugs, notably Coumadin, HIV medications that contain Aatazanavir, and drugs like ketoconazole, iron salts, and digloxin, which rely on the gastric pH being a certain level.

Unfortunately, like any drug, Nexium does have side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Most adults take 20 or 40 mg of Nexium for acid reflux once daily, and they get 24 hour relief. Notably, Nexium is gluten free. Persons with gluten intolerance have enough gastric distress to deal with without the added complications of gluten in their medication. Therefore, Nexium is proud to be gluten-free.

Healing Nexium

Acid reflux can cause severe damage to the esophagus. Nexium can heal this damage, usually within four to six weeks after beginning treatment.

Is Nexium right for you? Only you and your doctor can decide. If you have persistent heartburn two or more days per week, talk to your doctor about taking Nexium.

The Top Pharmaceutical Companies That Treat Acid Reflux Disease

For the millions of people suffering from acid reflux disease out there, it is important they be aware of the different pharmaceutical companies that treat acid reflux disease. This will be incredibly helpful in regards to their treatment, to ensuring that they get the best advice assistance with their condition as possible.

Top Pharmaceutical Companies That Treat Acid Reflux Disease

A short list of the top pharmaceutical companies that treat acid reflux disease includes GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Wyeth, Novartis, Aventis Pharma, Roche, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Bayer, Abbott, Lundbeck, and Schering Plough.

How the Pharmaceutical Companies That Treat Acid Reflux Disease Work

It is important to understand how these pharmaceutical companies that treat acid reflux disease work, especially if you are suffering from the condition yourself and want to find the best treatment and the best company to go to.

Often medication is the first choice, particularly for more serious conditions because patients want at least remote immediate relief. There are many over the counter and prescription medications that are presently available to treat acid reflux disease.

Proton pump inhibitors are a group of prescription medications that work by completely preventing the release of acid in the stomach. Because acid production is a natural and essential function of the human body however, these drugs should never be considered as a long term solution and should only be used for a total of six weeks at the very most.

There are also what are known as H2 blockers, which are medicines that help acid reflux by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces. Because these medications only decrease the amount of acid in the stomach and do not deplete it completely, they can be used for a longer amount of time but again should never be thought of as a permanent solution.

If you only have a mild case of acid reflux, antacids may be enough to help you find relief. They work by simply neutralizing the acid in the stomach, and provide immediate heartburn relief.

It is important that any and all acid reflux sufferers work together with their doctor, who will be able to properly assess and diagnose their condition and help them to find the best treatment for their particular needs. Acid reflux can get to be a very serious condition, if you let it, but there are things you can do to greatly relieve the pain caused by your reflux.

An Informative Guide on Preventing Acid Reflux

Acid reflux syndrome, also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease, is a disease that should never be ignored or mistreated. There are millions of people around the world who suffer from an acid reflux condition, and it is important that if you ever experience the symptoms of acid reflux you speak to your doctor as soon as possible.

Although there is no way to completely avoid getting acid reflux and no way to completely get rid of it, there are ways of preventing acid reflux.

Eating Smaller Meals

One of the worst things that anyone suffering from acid reflux can do is gorge themselves full of food. If you have larger, less frequent meals then you are going to be filling your stomach to the brim, which will result in more stomach acid and in a pushing on your stomach which will aggravate the reflux.

Instead, you should stick to eating smaller, more frequent meals, as this will greatly decrease the chance that some of the food you have eaten will make its way back up into the esophagus.

Avoid Eating Before Bedtime

Another idea for preventing acid reflux is to avoid eating the hour or two before you go to bed. This is a very effective way of preventing acid reflux because lying down with a full stomach can cause the contents of your stomach to press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter, which in turn will increase the chance of refluxed food.

Keep Your Head Elevated

While you sleep, and when you can while you are awake, you should keep your head elevated. This will help keep any stomach acid trying to make its way back up into the esophagus from making it all the way up. This will keep you from experiencing the pain of your reflux, especially during the nighttime which is when most acid reflux sufferers experience the most pain.

Another idea for preventing acid reflux involves you wearing loose clothing. Although it may seem like a pretty simple concept it is a great way of preventing acid reflux because it makes sure that your body is not restricted and that your stomach is not being pressed against. Clothing that fits tightly around your abdomen is only going to squeeze your stomach and force food up against the lower esophageal sphincter.

As a result of this, the food in your stomach is much more likely to reflux into the esophagus, resulting in pain.

How to Recognize the Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Most of us are familiar with the signs of heartburn, since the majority of folks suffer with a bout of it at one time or another. The all too familiar burning and pain just under your breastbone can become worse when you lie down or bend over. When you experience the discomfort, it is easy to take an antacid or two that will neutralize the acid and relieve the symptoms.

However, this is not the case for everyone. Some people will have frequent bouts of heartburn, or symptoms that are so severe; they cannot be effectively treated with the usual medications and lifestyle changes. These may be the symptoms of acid reflux, or GERD. If you suspect that you are experiencing symptoms of acid reflux, it is important to seek treatment since leaving acid reflux unchecked can result in complications and damage to the esophagus. So what are the signs to watch out for?

My Heartburn Occurs Often
Frequent heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux. If you are finding that your heartburn is occurring twice a week or more, you may be suffering from GERD. Heartburn that is more severe than it used to be, doesn't respond as well to medications or wakes you up at night may also be symptoms of acid reflux. It is possible that you will need to talk to your doctor about prescription medications if you have acid reflux, since over the counter remedies are not always effective enough for this condition.

Other Symptoms to Watch Out For
Acid reflux can result in damage to the esophagus, because the stomach acids that back up into this area during a bout of heartburn can damage the delicate esophageal lining. The symptoms of acid reflux in this case may include occasional heartburn with difficulty swallowing or a chronic cough. You may find that your asthma worsens when you lie down after a meal or that you become hoarse at night. Some people that are suffering from frequent heartburn will lose weight or their appetites because the foods they eat will often result in that painful burning sensation.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux, it is important to talk to your doctor about treatment options. For some, treatment may be as simple as an over the counter medication. Proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec will block acid production, and H-2-receptor blockers will reduce the amount of acid that is produced. If these treatments do not work effectively, your doctor can prescribe stronger medications and recommend additional lifestyle and diet modifications that may help.

Symptoms of acid reflux can be painful enough to get in the way of daily life, but there is help available. Talk to your doctor about your options today.

How Effective Is The Vinegar Acid Reflux Treatment?

Acid reflux is a condition that is also commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is an occurrence where stomach acids or stomach contents rise up and back out into the esophagus causing heartburn symptoms in an individual. There are actually many different kinds of treatments for this condition, some natural and other medical. One of the said natural treatments for acid reflux is the vinegar acid reflux treatment. This vinegar acid reflux treatment entails ingesting a diluted amount of apple cider vinegar to ease the acid reflux.

There are actually many other natural or herbal treatments and cures that claim to be able to control and ease acid reflux and its symptoms. Many traditional doctors prefer to give medicines because they have undergone extensive training in doing this while alternative treatments are just waiting to be discovered and used.

How The Vinegar Acid Reflux Treatment Is Supposed to Work

Although, common sense will tell you not to ingest anymore acidic foods in order not to aggravate the occurrence of acid reflux, alternative medicine practitioners encourage the ingestion of a diluted amount of apple cider vinegar for the vinegar acid reflux treatment. According to some alternative medicine practitioners, one of the causes of acid reflux may be the lack of natural stomach acids to digest foods effectively. Downing a diluted form of apple cider vinegar can add to the natural stomach acids and aid in the digestive process. At the same time, the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment can neutralize the acidity of the stomach.

The efficacy of the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment has brought about a lot of doubt and debate among many people. Some who have tried the vinegar acid reflux treatment swear that it can effectively control and settle acid reflux while others say that it has no positive effect whatsoever on them. The apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment specifies that apple cider vinegar be used instead of any other kind of vinegar, whether synthetic or natural.

There is actually nothing to lose by trying out the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment. You can even try this out repeatedly if you think that the apple cider vinegar acid reflux treatment may have worked for you. Many herbal and natural treatments and cures for acid reflux actually await those who suffer from it. It is just a matter of discovering what works for you and what does not.

What is Acid Reflux and Why do I Have It?

Acid reflux is also known as gastoesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This condition occurs when heartburn becomes a frequent occurrence, happening two or more times a week. Regular heartburn like this can become uncomfortable enough to get in the way of daily activities and even cause damage to the delicate lining of the esophagus. For these reasons, most people who suffer from frequent bouts of heartburn will ask their doctor what acid reflux is and what they can do to treat it.

The Heartburn Process
When we eat, the food passes from our mouth and throat, into our esophagus. This long tube will send the food down to the stomach, where it is broken down by the digestive acids in this organ to be absorbed into the body as nutrients or eliminated from the body as waste. To keep stomach acid where it belongs, there is a circular ring at the base of the esophagus known as the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. This LES contracts after food passes through so that it cannot return to the esophagus. However, when the LES cannot close properly, food particles and stomach acids can indeed come back up.

The esophageal lining is not designed to withstand the harsh acid from the stomach, which is why the painful burning results. This is what acid reflux is, and the longer it goes unchecked, the greater the likelihood that actual damage to that lining can occur. This damage can result in a condition known as Barrett's esophagus and increase the risk of esophageal cancer. While both of these conditions are relatively rare, it is still a good idea to understand what acid reflux is and how to treat it most effectively to avoid the risk completely.

Understanding Heartburn Triggers
The first step in understanding what acid reflux is will be to know why it occurs in the first place. Heartburn triggers can come in many shapes and sizes; from the foods we eat to the lifestyle choices we make. Common culprits include tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, garlic and onions. Fried and fatty foods can also cause heartburn. Smoking, eating large meals and eating too close to bed are other potential triggers. For some, pinpointing the triggers and avoiding them are enough to keep acid reflux in check. For others, medication may be necessary to control the symptoms and the potential for damage.

There are many over the counter medications that will treat acid reflux, including H-receptor-blockers like Tagamet and Pepcid, and proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec. While different medicines work in different ways, the basic idea is to alter the stomach acid so it cannot back up the digestive tract and cause damage. If you are suffering from frequent heartburn, it would be wise to talk to your doctor to find out what acid reflux is and how it can be treated.