Getting the appropriate acid reflux treatment at the soonest time possible is a must for acid reflux sufferers.
Acid reflux is not life-threatening but the symptoms can make you irritable.
Lots of people experience acid reflux at least once a month, some have them as often as three times a week.
If you suffer from this condition more frequently than the others, you know how frustrating this can be.
What is Acid Reflux? Simply put, Acid Reflux is a condition whereby acids in the stomach flow back to the esophagus causing it to inflame.
This happens because the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or the LES is relaxed or weakened, making it unable to keep the stomach contents from flowing back to the esophagus.
Now there are factors that can cause this to happen in the first place: • Too much pressure in the stomach.
If you load your stomach with water and food, the pressure builds up in the stomach, pushing against Lower Esophageal Sphincter and forcing it to open.
• Wrong food choices.
Fried and fatty foods, spicy foods and caffeinated beverages are among those identified to cause the LES to relax.
• Smoking.
Cigarette smoking also weakens the LES.
• Gravity.
Apparently, assuming a wrong posture while eating can trigger acid reflux; so can lying in bed immediately after meals.
Anyhow, as the lining of the esophagus becomes irritated, heartburn (which is described by many as a burning sensation on the chest) is felt, along with bloating, flatulence and burping.
Sometimes, stomach acids back up to as far as the throat, producing an acidic taste.
Stomach Acids and Antacids Acid reflux sufferers normally turn to antacids to find immediate relief.
In most cases, taking antacids does take care of the problem because antacids work by neutralizing the stomach acids.
In so doing, it lessens the effect the acids may have on the esophageal lining in case they do regurgitate.
But taking antacids for a prolonged period of time is not good either.
You see, stomach acids are necessary, too, especially in the absorption of proteins and other nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin B complex, iron, magnesium, as well as the Vitamins A and E.
Not having enough stomach acids to enable the absorption of these essential nutrients, therefore, can lead to: • Poor healing • Weakened muscles • Hair loss • Cracked nails • Impaired digestion due to enzyme insufficiency • Lowered immunity • Fatigue • Bone problems • Reduced neurological function As you can see, taking antacids frequently can bring about far worse problems in the long run.
Antacids do not treat the root cause of the problem, which is the weakened LES.
Looking For The Right Acid Reflux Treatment The right acid reflux treatment, therefore, should deal with two things: • Ensure the proper functioning of the LES • Relief of symptoms In the first case, preventing the weakening of the LES can be done by: • Not overeating.
Take small but frequent meals.
It puts less pressure on the stomach and helps to boost digestive activity.
• Chewing your food carefully.
• Avoiding drinking too much water while eating.
Drinking water is very important, but do it over the course of several hours.
• Avoiding foods and activities that have been previously identified to weaken LES.
• Schedule your sleeping hours such that your body will have enough time to digest the food you have eaten before you sleep.
• Avoid lying flat on the bed if you are prone to experiencing acid reflux at night.
In the second case, relief of symptoms can be found by: • Sipping water at the first sign of heartburn.
• Chewing a gum after eating.
This naturally neutralizes stomach acids and stimulates the production of saliva which helps in the digestive process.
• Starting a meal with papaya.
Papaya has papain, an enzyme that is important in the process of digestion.
Acid reflux treatment can be found right in your own home, so before you take another antacid, try these tips first.
Acid reflux is not life-threatening but the symptoms can make you irritable.
Lots of people experience acid reflux at least once a month, some have them as often as three times a week.
If you suffer from this condition more frequently than the others, you know how frustrating this can be.
What is Acid Reflux? Simply put, Acid Reflux is a condition whereby acids in the stomach flow back to the esophagus causing it to inflame.
This happens because the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or the LES is relaxed or weakened, making it unable to keep the stomach contents from flowing back to the esophagus.
Now there are factors that can cause this to happen in the first place: • Too much pressure in the stomach.
If you load your stomach with water and food, the pressure builds up in the stomach, pushing against Lower Esophageal Sphincter and forcing it to open.
• Wrong food choices.
Fried and fatty foods, spicy foods and caffeinated beverages are among those identified to cause the LES to relax.
• Smoking.
Cigarette smoking also weakens the LES.
• Gravity.
Apparently, assuming a wrong posture while eating can trigger acid reflux; so can lying in bed immediately after meals.
Anyhow, as the lining of the esophagus becomes irritated, heartburn (which is described by many as a burning sensation on the chest) is felt, along with bloating, flatulence and burping.
Sometimes, stomach acids back up to as far as the throat, producing an acidic taste.
Stomach Acids and Antacids Acid reflux sufferers normally turn to antacids to find immediate relief.
In most cases, taking antacids does take care of the problem because antacids work by neutralizing the stomach acids.
In so doing, it lessens the effect the acids may have on the esophageal lining in case they do regurgitate.
But taking antacids for a prolonged period of time is not good either.
You see, stomach acids are necessary, too, especially in the absorption of proteins and other nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin B complex, iron, magnesium, as well as the Vitamins A and E.
Not having enough stomach acids to enable the absorption of these essential nutrients, therefore, can lead to: • Poor healing • Weakened muscles • Hair loss • Cracked nails • Impaired digestion due to enzyme insufficiency • Lowered immunity • Fatigue • Bone problems • Reduced neurological function As you can see, taking antacids frequently can bring about far worse problems in the long run.
Antacids do not treat the root cause of the problem, which is the weakened LES.
Looking For The Right Acid Reflux Treatment The right acid reflux treatment, therefore, should deal with two things: • Ensure the proper functioning of the LES • Relief of symptoms In the first case, preventing the weakening of the LES can be done by: • Not overeating.
Take small but frequent meals.
It puts less pressure on the stomach and helps to boost digestive activity.
• Chewing your food carefully.
• Avoiding drinking too much water while eating.
Drinking water is very important, but do it over the course of several hours.
• Avoiding foods and activities that have been previously identified to weaken LES.
• Schedule your sleeping hours such that your body will have enough time to digest the food you have eaten before you sleep.
• Avoid lying flat on the bed if you are prone to experiencing acid reflux at night.
In the second case, relief of symptoms can be found by: • Sipping water at the first sign of heartburn.
• Chewing a gum after eating.
This naturally neutralizes stomach acids and stimulates the production of saliva which helps in the digestive process.
• Starting a meal with papaya.
Papaya has papain, an enzyme that is important in the process of digestion.
Acid reflux treatment can be found right in your own home, so before you take another antacid, try these tips first.