If you suffer the discomfort of heartburn more than occasionally, you may have a more serious problem. After an especially spicy or heavy meal, even very healthy people can experience a bit of regurgitation of stomach contents. If this is rare, it's simple heartburn and nothing to worry about. But if it's a familiar sensation for you, you could be suffering from acid reflux or more officially called gastroesophageal reflux disease. You can use the acronym GERD for short.
You know how strong stomach acid is. Really strong! Terrible to the taste. Imagine what it does to the esophagus over time if stomach contents back up? Not a pretty picture. The stomach also contains pepsin for breaking down proteins and bile that may have backed up from the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). These are not as damaging as the acid, but they are harmful, and the three substances together make for an unhappy combination in the esophagus. It can become inflamed and develop ulcers. When this happens, the condition is called esophagitis. So, it's one disease causing another, sort of a domino effect. This can even erode the enamel on your teeth. Yuk! Think of the dental bills!
While learning about your symptoms and what they might mean is always a good idea, it's not a good idea to diagnose and treat yourself when it comes to acid reflux. It could delay getting on a proper course of treatment that will lead to recovery. The good news is that this condition is highly treatable. But first, a doctor needs to examine you to determine exactly what is going on in your digestive system and why.
Some of the possible culprits of acid reflux are:
a malfunctioning esophagus either because its sphincter valve (where it connects to the stomach isn't working correctly) or because it does not contract properly and move food along the tract, the way it's supposed to;
a bulging of the stomach into the chest area, correct name is a hiatal hernia;
improper emptying of the stomach, so it sits in the stomach instead of being pushed to the small intestine, similar to a clogged drain. This is sometimes called "weak stomach" because the stomach muscles are not contracting properly. In a normal stomach, tiny electrical impulses contract it about three times a minute. This grinds the food and helps push it along through the entire digestive system.
Sometimes a person can have GERD without any heartburn symptoms though. Another telltale sign is halitosis, however this doesn't mean everybody with halitosis has acid reflux though.
Extremely important, if you suspect you have acid reflux, or even suspect you may have acid reflux, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she has the expertise and diagnostic tools to get to the root of the problem and advise a workable course of treatment. Do not suffer alone, & do not prolong the inevitable, you need to see a doctor.
The secrets of acid reflux GERD will be revealed here. Listen. Many people from all walks of life suffer from the persistent pain of acid reflux--GERD. It is a worldwide scourge and if not treated early, more severe conditions can take place. The lucky ones will have very mild cases of acid reflex from time to time. This disorder also is prevalent among pregnant women.
Did yuou ever get a sour and bitter taste in you mouth from regurgitating your food? That is when the food that is supposed to stay in your stomach, refluxes, or backs up and goes the wrong way. It can interrupt your sleep and be very unfortable and if not treated properly can cause damage to your food pipe or espohagus. Unlike your stomach, the food pipe has no protection from stomach acid and the acid is what causes the pain that many people call heartburn.
What induces Acid Reflux Gerd?
Many foods have been blamed as the cause of acid reflux diseas or GERD. Some of these foods are: * Garlic * Onions * Alcohol * Spicy foods * Fatty foods * Caffeine All these and more have been linked to acid reflux or GERD
Look. Somemedications may not do what you expect them to do and instead of keeping you from regurgitating they may do just the opposite
During pregnancy there are many changes going onin the body that make one prone to acid reflux disease of GERD. Another factor is weight. If you are obese, you are also prone to acid reflux disease or GERD. Diabetics are alos at risk for acid r eflux disease or GERD. Try to eat a normal diet and acid reflux may be held at bay.
Some forms of acid reflux or GERD are caused by a hernia. The hernia drives up stomach acid into the food pipe or espohagus. It is very painful and debilitating and may require surgery to correct the hernia which should cure the acid reflux or GERD in many who have successful operations.
Attainable respite From Acid Reflux--GERD
Many people cannot get a good night's sleep because of acid reflux as the stoach acid keeps refluxing up the food pipe or esophagus. Some find relif by propping up their upper body with pillows so that the head is higher than the stomach. This may not work for everybody, but some find that this keeps the stomach acid in the stomach and not in the food pipe.
Your doctor is the best source for relief from acid reflux or GERD. There are medications by prescription that can kill the pain and stop the symptoms from occurring. Some over-the-counter medication may be effective also.
In some cases, symptoms control can be accomplished with a diet shift that may also help alleviate pain management. Finding the right diet can mediate the situation. This is an empirical operation and may take a lengthy period of time to ascertain which nutrients to include or exclude from the diet.
A doctor must be available to supervise the situation because acid reflux--GERD is a painful and traumatic condition. Remember. The secrets of acid reflux-GERD can be demolished by a visit to your doctor and shifting your diet. Some medications may help also.
Both Tyson J Stevenson & Alan Dicalux 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.
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