There is a close association with the problem of acid reflux and your gall bladder. As it is the bile that this part of your body stores, which will normally be released back in to the esophagus because a valve at the bottom is unable to close properly. Before we take a look at gall bladder disease (GERD) let us learn a bit about what the function of the gall bladder is.
Your gall bladder is a small pear shaped sack that is located between the lobes of your livers and directly below them. Within it you will find the common bile duct (a y shaped valve) that helps to carry bile from your livers and gall bladder into your small intestines.
When we eat food the fats contained within them are taken into a person's digestive system and a hormone is released. When this hormone is released the gall bladder then releases bile (that the liver has produced) and it works on digesting the fats you have consumed. This then allows the necessary nutrients within the fats to be broken down and so that they can pass through the intestinal wall into your bloodstream. These are then passed onto the cells within your body and which help your body to function correctly.
The problem is that if the valve in your gall bladder is not function correctly then this will result in a burning sensation in ones chest or throat. Although most mild forms of this condition commonly known as heartburn can be treated using antacid medications. For some people their condition becomes far worse and they begin to suffer with acid reflux instead.
Generally the first course of treatment for dealing with heartburn or mild forms of acid reflux is for a person to use antacid medications. These work by helping to neutralize the acids that are being produced in your stomach and which are able to gain access to your gall bladder. What you find taking these types of medications is that they help to relief the pain and discomfort that one feels from the acid reflux symptoms. However, if the condition is left untreated and it becomes much worse then other medication may well need to be prescribed by your doctor instead.
For those people who find that antacids are ineffective at treating their condition then they may well find that their doctor chooses to give them histamine antagonist medication instead. Although they work in the same way as antacids do, they are much more powerful kind of medication so they not only help to relieve the symptoms quickly, but generally for much longer as well.
But along with the medications you can buy over the counter or which your doctor prescribes some people prefer to use more natural remedies as well. The main reason for them doing this is because they are much less expensive to purchase, and they actually feel that they are a lot safer to use as well.
However, when it does come to treating the problems of acid reflux and your gall bladder before you do anything you should talk to your doctor first. They will be able to determine just what kind of problems you have and so will be able to come up with the best course of treatment for the condition.
Chronic heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) affects roughly 15 million Americans each year. Acid reflux can arrive like a stranger in the night. Sufferers may wake up with a sharp, burning pain in the chest that extends up the neck and into the throat. They may have coughing fits or asthma attacks resulting from the inhalation of excess acid or they may feel tired during the day, with bitter morning mouth and a sore throat that never really becomes a full-blown cold.
Some heartburn remedies simply involve a change in habits. One cause of this malady is over-eating, which makes it a big problem around holidays. "The holiday season is clearly one of the worst times of the year for patients with GERD," says William Chey, M.D., a University of Michigan gastroenterologist.
"The large amounts of food we eat during the holidays, and the types of food served during the holidays - especially fatty and caffeinated foods - can be a recipe for disaster for chronic heartburn sufferers." When we eat large amounts of food, the stomach stretches and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter naturally relaxes. Instead of three big meals or one big meal, try eating smaller meals continuously throughout the day to keep acid production normalized.
If you're a chronic sufferer, there are some basic foods you should avoid as much as possible. Fatty, greasy food can be a big problem, since the stomach needs to produce more acid to break down these substances. You know where that excess acid winds up -- coming back up the esophagus!
Less obvious culprits are caffeine in drinks, ice cream and chocolate, which may also exacerbate heartburn acid reflux. Red wine is a frequent cause of heartburn too, as are spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spearmint and pepper.
The time of day and post-eating rituals have a significant impact on heartburn and acid reflux. Dr. William Chey adds, "Gravity actually serves as an important barrier for acid reflux during the day. So when you lie down at night after eating a meal, you no longer have that gravity barrier to prevent acid reflux."
It's recommended that you try to remain relatively upright for two or three hours after eating. People who try lifting and bending immediately after eating a big meal typically have trouble with too. Avoid tight clothing that may worsen symptoms. Smoking also causes the esophagus valve to relax.
Acid reflux is a sneaky disease that comes on suddenly and requires immediate relief. Keeping some over-the-counter products like Alkaseltzer, Tums, Pepcid AC or Maalox in the cabinet can usually treat the average heartburn symptoms. However, chronic sufferers should see their doctor and look into Prilosec or Nexium for stronger treatment.
There is a lot of research that can be found online at WebMD.com to help people gauge which medications are safe for them. However, often times, trial and error reveals the best treatment.
Acid reflux can be so uncomfortable that some people go to the hospital, fearing heart failure. Others believe they may have food poisoning, asthma, a sleeping disorder or they have developed lactose intolerance. Isn't it comforting to know that it may just be a little bit of heartburn that can be treated with a number of over-the-counter medications?
Both M B Beam & Mike Selvon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
M B Beam has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Gall Bladder and Acid Reflux. To naturally and safely cure your acid reflux and heartburn, go to , or to learn more about how acid reflux affects your gall bladder, g. M B Beam's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
Mike Selvon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Camping, Allergies and Personal Desktop. Educate yourself further about from Mike Selvon articles portal. Your feedback is valued and appreciated at our. Mike Selvon's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.