There are many things that can cause indigestion! Your digestive tract can not only be upset by underlying disease but it can also be influenced by emotional disturbances and stress. Some of these would be fear, worry, anxiety, anger, frustration and not taking the time required for elimination when you feel the urge to do so.

However there is another element that can contribute to indigestion and stomach pain, and that is the foods we consume. Food or drink can be broken down into two categories (1) Alkaline, and (2) Acidic foods. A normal diet should consist of 75% alkaline foods and 25% acidic foods.

Foods help control the pH of our bodies which is very important if we want to live a long healthy life. The ideal range of our bodies pH should be around 7.3 to 7.4. Values lower than these are considered acidic and the lower the number, the more acidic we become.

If you don't keep the pH balanced in your swimming pool, what happens? Right, it turns green. And if you don't keep the pH balanced in your fish tank the little fellers will die! The human body is equally important to have a balanced pH level because being in an acidic state for long periods of time is the underlying cause of many diseases.

When you are too acidic the stomach can become inflamed and irritated. The medical community terms this condition as "Gastritis" which basically means a red sore stomach in layman's terms. "Gastritis"will cause you to experience stomach pains, increased stomach pressure (bloating) and flatulence more than normal because your whole body is full of acidic gases.

When your stomach is bloated and has too much pressure it will force the Lower Esophageal Sphincter valve open and allow the acidic stomach gases to reflux and enter your esophagus. Upon entering the esophagus these stomach gases will build up pressure in your chest and sometimes this pressure will radiate out to the arm or back which will cause discomfort.

The reflux of stomach gases can irritate the larynx and cause hoarseness, and the gases can also aspirate into the lungs, producing asthma-like symptoms. Many people have been prescribed asthma meds for their wheezing and coughing, when all they had to do was balance their pH levels which then controls the reflux.

These same gases when they are building up pressure in your esophagus may also make you feel like you have a lump in your throat or a constriction right near your Adam's apple. This is quite normal, and is called "Globus Sensation."

Once the gases build up enough pressure in the esophagus they will force the Upper Esophageal Sphincter valve open and the gases will come rushing out of your mouth in the form of a burp. When you burp you relieve the chest pressure, and usually the "Globus Sensation" ends at the same time.

If you are suffering from stomach bloating, reflux, or other digestive problems take this simple at home test to determine the pH of your body and if you are too acidic take the necessary steps to correct the problem.

CHECKING pH LEVELS

You can purchase some "Litmus Paper" at the health food store, and check the "acidity of your saliva" which is an overall indicator of just how acidic you have become. Being too acidic is the major cause of disease such as heart disease and cancer so it is important to keep your pH levels in an alkaline state. A body that is in an acidic state means that all of your organs have to work much harder, which is going to cause even further health problems.

INSTRUCTIONS

You fill your mouth with saliva a couple of times and then spit into a container. Tear off a little piece of the "Litmus Paper" and dip it into the saliva. Leave it there until it changes color. (approx 5 to 10 seconds) Then match your test paper up with the color chart on the package that the paper came in and you will see a value or a number. Your reading should be around 7.3 to 7.4, values lower than these are acidic and should be corrected. Do the test in the morning when your stomach is empty and then again in the evening before you retire and then you will have an average reading. P.S. If you cannot locate any test paper just send us an address where we can send you out a sample at no charge. Copyright 2006-2007