Acid Reflux: Some Effective Treatments When Suffering From Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition in which the stomach contents (solid or liquid) leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This action can damage the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Knowing the different signs and symptoms of acid reflux is the first step in knowing how to prevent this from happening. 
 

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a condition wherein the stomach acids tend to go back up the esophagus because of the malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscles that is supposed to keep the food and acids in the stomach. And because the esophagus does not have the protective lining such as that in the stomach, it tends to get irritated by the stomach acids, and if this happens too often might lead to scarring the sensitive tissues of the esophagus.

ALSO READ:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001311/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gerd/DS00967

There are many causes for having acid reflux disease, and one of the most common, and often neglected is the intake of large meals and improper eating habits. Sometimes eating a lot will cause digestive problems such as indigestion, as well as acid reflux. This is due to the fact that your system exerts extra work in order to digest a heavy meal. Thus, it is more advisable to divide meals into small, frequent ones.

10 Other Causes of GERD

• Improper eating habits
• Alcohol
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Scleroderma
• Smoking
• Certain medications
• Acidic Food
• Open lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
• Hiatal Hernia

5 Effective treatments

• A change in lifestyle
• A change in diet and eating habits
• Elevate the body when lying down
• Proper medications
• Regular exercise for increase in metabolism

Several changes in eating habits and the foods you eat will inevitably lessen the effects of GERD. Reflux will always be frequent after meals, because of the movements of the stomach in digesting the food. Taking small frequent meals is also advisable since smaller meals will lessen the distention in the stomach. Certain foods like chocolate, peppermint, alcohol and caffeinated drinks should also be avoided since they reduce the pressure in the lower esophageal lining.

Acid Reflux Remedies – Natural Home Remedies from on Vimeo.

Becoming aware of what the disease is can be a great help in order to prevent further damage caused by this behaviour of the digestive tract but these are only a few of the many possible treatments for acid reflux. Hopefully you now know what to tell others when they ask you “what is acid reflux?”