Let Me Tell You About Acid Reflux
Although many people call the condition where the stomach contents want to flow back up the esophagus, heartburn, it is more commonly called acid reflux. This complaint affects the food pathways or digestive tract but is often called other names. In order to assimilate the food we eat, our stomach dissolves it with a strong acid. When stomach contents try to go back up the esophagus, it causes the feeling of heartburn.
Normally, when food is swallowed, the lower esophageal sphincter valve will open to allow food to enter the stomach for digestion but with this condition the valve does not close properly. However there are times when the lower esophageal sphincter does not remain closed, when this happens acid from the stomach can reflux or flow back into the esophagus. This condition is also known as GERD which is the shortened version of the correct medical name: gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Although the real cause of acid reflux disorder has not yet been found, it is thought that eating the wrong foods could be to blame; overeating could also add to the problem and cause unnecessary stress on the stomach and its ability to process food.
Many people that overeat find they have this condition because their eating habits affect the stomach walls and place pressure on the muscles surrounding them. Something has to give; this being the acid which returns or refluxes back up the esophagus bringing with it the very unpleasant heartburn. Reducing the amount of pressure on the esophageal valve will lessen the chance of stomach acids forcing their way back up the digestive tract. To prevent this from happening you should eat small meals throughout the day. The importance of your stomach’s health cannot be underestimated for long term good health. The stomach carries out not only the breaking down of food but processing it into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body.
A short term solution may appear to be the drugs that are easily purchased over the counter but guidance is needed. However, these can interrupt natural body processes and cause other health problems. It may take a while but the best solution is to make adjustments to your drinking and eating habits which may have caused the acid reflux condition. Within a few months you should find your stomach has had a chance build up its resistance considerably. Once you reduce or eliminate your heartburn disorder, you can start to eat some of the foods that you had to eliminate.
Other factors can also create a predisposition for acid reflux and these include:
<ul> <li> Smoking</li> <li> Allergic reactions to certain types of food</li> <li> Prescription medicines</li> <li> Too much alcohol</li> * Sleeping after a meal</li> </ul> Changes in lifestyle are generally all that is required to make a big difference to your life. The thought of reducing the incidents of heartburn should be sufficient incentive. It only requires a little effort on your part to dramatically reduce the number of occasions when you suffer the pain of acid reflux; you may even cure the disorder completely. It really is a decision only you can make!
Get the Acid Reflux Guide: I Just Threw Up In My Mouth