Most people have heartburn every once in a while, but patients with acid reflux disease experience it more than twice a week. Gone untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems and can become uncontrollable. As a matter of fact, it could even lead to chest pains and other serious life threatening consequences, such as a heart attack. This of course does not happen to everyone and the experts are still debating on the reason why the pain caused by acid reflux disease and its association with chest pains is so evident in some and totally absent in others.
One thing for sure is that acid reflux disease is caused by the acidity accumulated in the esophagus. No one really knows the cause of acid reflux disease. When an upper part of the stomach is above the diaphragm, the diaphragm is not able to keep the acid from rising up into the esophagus, thus contributing to acid reflux. Acid reflux disease can occur in people of any age and any gender.
The intense acidity could be very damaging if not cured on time and lead to painful bleeding ulcers which are difficult to take care of. The best thing to do is to carefully control the levels of acidity and have appropriate medication to relieve the problem.
Once you have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, and you have been given a certain medication by your doctor, there is usually fast relief from the pain. The important thing in this phase is to stop smoking if you are a smoker and to quit drinking alcoholics together with tea or coffee for a while. Ask your doctor advice on what diet to use and the frequency you should be eating during the day. Most important of all, do not take any medication without eating first. Certain foods can aggravate your heartburn symptoms, and it's best to limit or avoid completely those foods and drinks that result in acid reflux. There are some foods that should be avoided entirely, as they are usually responsible for a higher occurrence of heartburn.
Treatment for acid reflux disease is very personal; what works for one patient will be ineffective for another. Some patients are told to eat several small meals rather than fewer large meals and to avoid eating at least two hours before falling asleep. And of course you should also avoid foods that are known to trigger heartburn and should take an antacid whenever symptoms begin. Sleeping with the head and shoulders elevated will reduce the chances of acid reflux disease.
If you are having problems with conventional medicine, there are alternative cures for acid reflux disease such as herbal treatment and even yoga has been found to benefit the health of some people, deep breathing in the yoga way is really good... Stress may worsen symptoms. Therefore, relaxation, such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation are worth considering, as part of your whole, comprehensive treatment plan.
The most important herbal treatments are:
1.Chewable DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is a form of licorice that can be chewed to reduce heartburn. 2.Aloe Vera Jiuce from the aloe vera plant is another natural home remedy that is used to soothe an irritated esophagus. 3.Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) contains mucilage, which is thought to coat and soothe the lining of the esophagus.
Last but not least, whenever you are taking these medications for acid flux disease don't forget to consult your doctor first.
Acid reflux disease is an uncomfortable ailment afflicting millions of Americans each month. Suddenly, you can't eat your favorite foods anymore without doubling over in pain. Or perhaps you find that bitter taste in your mouth more often than not and a searing chest pain makes you wonder if you're having a heart attack. While the symptoms may be shocking, there are just as many remedies for heartburn as there are causes, so suffering is not an option!
As we get older, our ability to produce HCL (High Density Lipoprotein) digestive acids diminishes. After 65, we begin to produce 80% what we had just thirty years ago.
While it was once widely believed that acid reflux disease stemmed from overproduction of amino acids, recent research suggests that sometimes a lack of strong acids can affect our system's natural triggers that facilitate mineral absorption, protein storage and waste removal.
Another cause for this disease is diet choices. As previously mentioned, when you eat a lot of fatty foods or enormous meals all at once, the body has trouble breaking down the proteins, which putrefy in your stomach as a result. Other times, too many spicy foods, citrus fruits, caffeine, garlic, onions, peppers, fried food, alcohol, red wine and mint simply exacerbates our system.
It's not always what you eat but when you eat as well. People who eat two or three hours before bedtime often suffer tremendous, heartburn and acid reflux symptoms. They may be up coughing all night from breathing in the acid, they may snore and feel congested or they may have an asthmatic reaction, unable to breathe, let alone fall asleep!
Nearly three-fourths of patients with heartburn acid reflux suffer nighttime effects as well. Another common mistake people make is quite the opposite - bending, lifting and working right after dinner. All the moving around could help push food back from where it came.
Believe it or not, some medications you're already on may be upsetting your stomach. Calcium channel blockers, Theophylline (Hydrophed, Marax, Bronchial, Quibron), Nitrates and Antihistamines can all relax the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, which is the valve that keeps food and fluids down after swallowing. If you're taking medication for asthma, high blood pressure, seizures, angina, pain, urinary tract disorders or allergies, check with your doctor to see if acid reflux is one of the side effects.
Are you pregnant? Increased hormone levels naturally relax ligaments in your body at this time, including the LES. Since more pressure is shifted around your midsection, it's natural for food or stomach acids to get pushed back up.
On a more serious note, acid reflux disease could arise suddenly as a symptom of underlying issues. For example, a hiatal hernias can cause the retention of strong acids in the stomach and may block alternate paths for the acid's exit.
Peptic ulcers (stomach lining sores) and Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) can also be sinister culprits of your pain. If you find reflux symptoms coming up on a daily or weekly basis, check with your doctor to be sure you're digesting as you should be.
Both A Fimiani & 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.
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