Acid Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux, more commonly known as acid reflux or heartburn, occurs when food and stomach acid reverses from the stomach back into the esophagus. Usually the Lower Esophageal Sphincter acts as a valve and keeps food on its way down after you swallow. Reflux in infants is common because a baby's LES is still weak, as the necessary muscles haven't strengthened yet. Symptoms of acid reflux disease for adults include a burning sensation in the chest and throat or a bitter, puke-like flavor in the mouth. Some people with frequent symptoms of acid reflux may produce an over-abundance of stomach acid that spills over out of the stomach.

Hello, my name is Kathryn Whittaker and as a former acid reflux sufferer, you can believe me when I say I know first hand the pain associated with this condition.

I know the feeling of food coming back up into your mouth after you eat ...

I know the burning pain in your chest and esophagus that can keep you lying awake at night ...

I know the frustration and despair that accompany acid reflux's painful symptoms ...

And thanks to my extensive research into this condition, I also now know natural treatments that can be safely used to help reduce and even eliminate acid reflux's painful symptoms

That in a nutshell, is why I've written my new guide, "Stop Acid Reflux Now" This guide is filled with the information and tips you need to know to become an expert on acid reflux and to treat it effectively so that you feel better ... much, much better!

This new guide reveals everything you need to know to fully understand acid reflux and, more importantly, to get rid of it for good!

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 are a chronic sufferer of Acid Reflux, 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 is 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.

The good news is that people with GERD symptoms can find quick, over-the-counter relief. For the occasional sufferer, Tums, Alkaseltzer and Maalox can all neutralize stomach acid quickly and effectively. Likewise, Histamine 2-Receptor Antagonists like Pepcid or Zantac can be effective, longer-lasting medications that fight acid reflux. However, those with chronic heartburn will want something stronger like Prilosec or Nexium Proton Pump Inhibitors that suppress acid production. Reglan speeds up the digestion process and a drug like the over-the-counter Gaviscon neutralizes acid and creates a foam barrier to prevent acid from seeping back up again.

Now that you know the triggers and treatments for acid reflux, you will have to dread that extra drumstick this holiday season. Just remember not to lay down or lift things right after eating. Keep antacids on hand for emergencies and avoid that extra spicy treat.

Acid reflux is a disease that afflicts many people each and every day. They live with the discomfort and constant round of medications. That burning, heavy sensation in the throat and chest can make anyone feel less than their best. Many people are unclear as to why acid reflux is afflicting them or even if they have acid reflux. Many patients suffer for years with acid reflux, thinking they only have indigestion or heart burn.

How do I know if I have it?

The only way to know if you have GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, otherwise known as acid reflux, is by seeing a health professional. Your family physician will assess your condition and will most likely refer you to a gastroenterologist for further diagnosis. The gastroenterologist will place a catheter into your esophagus and measure the amount of acid and bile coming into your esophagus and then determine if you truly have acid reflux disease.

Can anyone, regardless of age, have acid reflux?

Acid reflux is not picky about the age, ethnicity or religious viewpoint. It can strike anyone at any age. There are factors that can increase your likelihood of developing acid reflux. It is important that if you are suffering from repeat attacks of heartburn or indigestion to seek out the advice of your physician.

How is it treated in adults?

The first step in treatment is sleeping position. Gravity can be your friend or your foe. By sleeping at an incline, the acid can flow back down the esophageal tube. The next step is to change the size of your meal. The larger your stomach distends to make room for food, the less room there is for the digestive fluids. Eat smaller portions and this will help alleviate the symptoms. Also look at your diet. Some foods are known to promote reflux. You should avoid ingesting peppermint, chocolate, alcohol and caffeine.

If you have followed these recommendations and are still having acid reflux then the doctor may have you take medicine specifically designed for treating acid reflux. One thing you should remember is this: there is no cure for acid reflux and you will always have to battle flare-ups. In the case of reflux in which nothing seems to be working, the doctor may have to operate.

Does smoking and being overweight affect acid reflux?

Smoking is detrimental to your health. It damages every single system in the body. The irritation from smoke breaks down the delicate tissues of your throat. When the acid pushes its way up it will come in contact with these places thus irritating and eroding the lining further.

Being overweight is similar to smoking in that it affects every system of your body. With acid reflux it is a pressure game. The more pressure put onto the stomach, either internal or external, the less room there is for the acid and bile. Fatty deposits, such as those found in the bulk surrounding the waist, put pressure onto the stomach. Losing weight is a great way to help ease the flare ups of acid reflux.

What if conventional treatments are not working?

If diet, exercise, avoiding trigger foods and medicine are not working the doctor may suggest surgery. Fundoplication is a procedure where the esophagus is tightened where it enters through the diaphragm. After this is complete the doctor will create an artificial esophageal sphincter by taking the upper portion of the stomach that lays closest to the opening of the esophagus and wraps it around the lower part of the esophagus. Luckily this entire procedure is performed through small openings by use of laparoscopy. That means shorter recovery time and is far less invasive than an abdominal cut.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease results from stomach acid reversing back into the esophagus. The causes are as varied as the treatments for acid reflux. As we age, we produce less digestive acid, which could make it harder to digest spicy or fried foods. Sometimes, our eating and sleeping habits contribute to our chronic heartburn. Other times, the symptoms may indicate larger problems with diet or digestive processes.

The natural treatment for acid reflux is to simply change a few bad habits. Many people know they're over-doing it before the reflux symptoms emerge. They're aware that they will feel disgustingly full and may have difficulty digesting. As we eat more and more food, the esophageal muscles relax, making it easier for food to come back up. Eating smaller meals whenever possible is definitely the way to go!

Most people also know that greasy and fatty foods are terrible for the digestive tract. Often the stomach needs to produce more acid to break down the greasy layers and protein-based food. Then, on top of that, some fatty foods are simply insoluble and they putrefy in the stomach, rotting and causing a build-up of "unpleasantries," from gas to reflux. It can be shocking to people when they've been able to eat certain foods their entire lives but as they age, those same foods become a problem. Citrus fruits like oranges, tomatoes, spearmint, peppers and red wine can all be nasty triggers for attacks.

The most common treatments are antacids. This heartburn medication will help sufferers treat the immediate symptoms of acid reflux for fast-acting relief. Hardcore antacids include Reglan and Gaviscon, which aim to improve overall digestive coordination, speeding up the digestive process and creating foam barriers to prevent acid from seeping up unexpectedly. There are often over-the-counter options that work just fine or prescription-based variants for the people with severe GERD symptoms.

The second category of heartburn medication is the Histamine 2 Receptors. Histamine 2 Receptors, like Pepcid AC or Zantac, work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach, which is sometimes cited as a contributing factor.

For preventative measures, a third treatment includes Proton Pump Inhibitors, which suppresses excessive acid production during those big feasts. Drugs like Prilosec or Nexium are said to work best.

For the occasional sufferer, any drug store will carry a calcium carbonate like Tums, Rolaids or Maalox. These bind to and neutralize acid for immediate reprieve. A fourth treatment are the effervescent products (like Alkaseltzer), which comes in handy when that restrictive feeling in the chest and intense abdominal pain signals real digestive trouble.

It's said that poor diet accounts for roughly two-thirds of the premature deaths in industrialized nations. Sixty-eight percent of those deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Treatment for acid reflux may not seem linked to this, but consider that the failure to digest food properly could be a signal to more serious trouble. Don't take GERD symptoms lightly! Talking with a specialist today could save your life tomorrow.