Causes of Acid Reflux And Acid Reflux Remedies
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
It’s not rare to see acid reflux and its treatments in the headlines. If you’re afflicted with this common disorder, it’s important to discover more about it, its causes, and what you can do to deal with it. Of course, the first step would be to go see your doctor.
What Is acid reflux?
acid reflux is the common term for gastric reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD. We all have a barrier, at the base of the esophagus, where it connects to the stomach, that prevents acid from the stomach from backwashing into the esophagus. Some people have a good barrier that keeps out all the acid. However, others have a barrier that lets acid in. acid reflux occurs when digestive acid passes from the stomach to the esophagus.
Common Symptoms of GERD
Burning, painful and persistent heartburn is the main symptom of acid reflux. Some patients experience the following symptoms: difficulty swallowing; chest pain and esophageal inflammation with GERD. Not every episode of heartburn is associated with acid reflux; patients who experience heartburn more than once a week are considered however to be at high risk for developing GERD.
Other symptoms of gastric reflux may include burning chest paints, chronic ear aches, a persistent cough, hoarseness and other changes of the voice, sinusitis or nausea. People suffering from GERD may have one or more of these symptoms.
Which Foods May Cause GERD?
Here are some foods and food-related behaviors that are believed to contribute to gastric reflux and its symptoms. For acid reflux sufferers, problematic foods include milk, and dairy products, coffee, carbonated soft drinks, foods high in fat, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, tomatoes, oranges, and cruciferous vegetables.
Eating behaviors that exacerbate GERD are eating excessively large meals and eating within two or three hours of bedtime.
Relieving Your Symptoms by Changing Positions
Positioning has an impact on the symptoms of GERD. In fact, many acid reflux sufferers find that changing positions while they sleep can help them relieved the symptoms of their disease. For example, patients sleeping on their left side and sleeping with their head in an elevated position have noticed a drastic reduction of their nighttime episodes and symptoms of acid reflux. Head elevation can be accomplished with risers, wedges, or a bed wedge pillow. Try to aim at a minimum incline of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) and you can go even higher for greater relief.
Posture also plays a very important role in inhibiting acid reflux. If you slouch, you restrict the path between the stomach and the esophagus, which the esophageal muscles to spasm, and to block gas and acid.
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