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.

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.