Asthma As Related To Acid Reflux

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that is characterized by breathing difficulties. People who suffer from asthma have air passages that are extra sensitive or hyper-responsive. In the course of an asthma attack, the airways become irritated and react by narrowing and constricting, causing increased resistance to airflow, and obstruction of the flow of air through the air passages to and from the lungs.

There is research to indicate that the symptoms of asthma may worsen when stomach acid rises in your throat. This condition is called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. It is commonly referred to as acid reflux. One result of acid reflux is painful heartburn which can be relieved with the administration of antacid medicines. These are special medications which neutralize stomach acids. Acid reflux commonly affects older and overweight people. However, it can also occur in children and people of all types.

There have been studies in which researchers have injected acid into the stomachs of asthma sufferers and it had a significant impact on their asthma resulting in worsened asthma symptoms. Evidence also suggest that asthma sufferers get acid reflux with greater frequency than people who do not suffer from asthma. This is probably due to great pressure changes present in the chest of people with asthma during the course of breathing. This high pressure could cause liquid to travel up the esophagus from the stomach.

In these cases, it would seem that people who have asthma lose out twice: they suffer from asthma and they may suffer from acid reflux more often than people who do not suffer from asthma. However, there is more to this story. If acid reflux was an genuine and important cause of increase in asthma severity, then acid reflux treatments should make the asthma better, however, this is generally not the case.

In the meantime, if you suffer from both asthma and acid reflux, it could just be that careful management of your reflux will ease your breathing. If your asthma is severe and the cause is unknown, some doctors might test to see whether you have or had acid reflux by conducting tests to measure your stomach acidity. If the result showed acid reflux tendencies, then your doctor would most likely attempt to improve your lungs by treating your stomach.

David Brown writes for several popular online magazines, on wellness and diet and health and fitness subjects.

Acid Reflux Recovery Diet and Recipes Presents the Perfect Cold Weather Dinner

As the leaves start to turn to fall colors and in the evenings we are tempted to sit by a warm fire, hearty food comes to mind. The fall and winter bring a host of root vegetables, squashes greens and fruit from which hearty meals can be easily made. The challenge is to keep these dishes healthy ? that means keeping them as alkaline as possible.

When attempting to reverse the symptoms of acid reflux, diet is probably the most important consideration. That old clich?, ?You are what you eat?, has never been more true. If you eat food and drink beverages which are acidic in nature, then it follows, that you will be acidic in nature, as well. If you eat a diet which mainly consists of so called ?convenience food?, you don?t stand a chance of being alkaline.

In order to defeat the acid reflux condition, one must strive to correct the pH factor of the body. 7.5 pH is the ideal alkaline body level. You can test the pH level of your saliva with pH paper, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. Some medical authorities claim that all illness, including cancer, cannot exist in an alkaline environment. If that is true, it is certainly food for thought!

It is important to remember that the acid reflux condition could not perpetuate itself without a damaged esophagus. In order to heal this affliction, the esophagus must be allowed to repair. This can be accomplished by eliminating food and drink that are irritants and, or acidic. Avoiding anything which relaxes the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is another important consideration. The LES is the muscular valve which separates the esophagus and the stomach. It is when this valve relaxes, that acid and pepsin splash up from the stomach into the esophagus and throat, causing acid reflux.

The hydrochloric acid in the stomach has been compared in strength, to the acid in a car battery. With acid reflux, the constant assault of acid causes little lacerations to develop on the lining of the esophagus. Until these lacerations have had a chance to heal, spicy foods, such as acidic tomato products, hot peppers, raw garlic and raw onions should also be eliminated from the diet. They just further irritate the condition. Smoking, drinking alcohol and eating chocolate also relax the LES, thus impeding the healing process.

The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat alkaline, easy to digest nourishing food until the esophagus has healed. Eating early, allowing at least three hours before lying down is an essential habit to develop. Eating slowly and chewing food completely in a relaxed, pleasant and stress free environment is of paramount importance, as well.

I have listed a few of my favorite hearty fall and winter recipes that I enjoyed during my own recovery period. Cooking meat, vegetables, fruit and shellfish in liquids produce delicious dishes which can be made quickly and easily. I have employed a technique called ?braising? for the main dish below. It is one of my favorite cooking methods, because it concentrates flavor in a one pot dinner. I have also included a seasonal soup starter and a special desert to complete the perfect cold weather dinner.

Try doubling the main dish and desert recipes so that you can have them later in the week?..less time in the kitchen. Remember, that cooking from scratch instead of relying on convenience foods is a better approach to good health, in general. It?s also nice to know what you?re really eating.

I hope that you enjoy the following seasonal recipes. Even though I have cured myself of acid reflux, I still serve these wonderful hearty dishes on a regular basis. The entire family should enjoy these, too. Well, the children might not like the oysters, but you certainly will. This menu is great for entertaining, as the main and last courses are made in advance and the first course is a breeze. For those of you who live in warmer climes, remember that winter is a state of mind.

Bon appetite!


BRAISED CHICKEN WITH TURNIPS AND ONIONS

This is a rustic country-style dinner dish which truly embodies the concept of ?Comfort Food?. Unlike thick cuts of meat, braising chicken takes a fraction of the time and the chicken absorbs all the flavors of the vegetables and liquids. Mashed potatoes are a perfect accompaniment. This is a serving for four and requires about an hour to prepare.

1 (3 ? lb.) chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces
? cup flour for dredging
Olive oil
2 medium sweet onions roughly chopped
4 medium turnips peeled and sliced into ?? pieces *
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups white wine or dry vermouth
2 sprigs of thyme or ? tsp. dried
1 tbsp. parsley, chopped

Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour and set aside.
Heat a heavy skillet to medium high and add enough olive oil to coat well
Brown chicken pieces skin side down and turn over in about 7 minutes (This can be done in two batches, if necessary)
Transfer browned chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm
Pour off all but 2 tbsp. of the fat and lower heat to medium low
Add onions and cook covered, stirring occasionally until soft and lightly golden
Add turnips and garlic and cook uncovered for five minutes stirring occasionally to keep onions from burning
Return browned chicken to skillet and mix with vegetables to coat both sides, arranging chicken skin side up
Pour stock and wine over chicken mixture
Sprinkle with thyme
Cover and lower heat to gently simmer until chicken is cooked through and turnips are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes
Transfer chicken and vegetables onto a serving dish
Reduce sauce over high heat, if needed, to thicken
Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste and pour over chicken and vegetables
Sprinkle with parsley

*Parsnips may be substituted for the turnips, or a mixture of the two.


CREAMY NEW ENGLAND STYLE OYSTER STEW

I have heard rumors that oysters are a bit acidic; however, they have never given me indigestion. I confess that this is a rather rich dish, but a small serving will give you more pleasure than pain. One has to spoil themselves occasionally.

1 ? tbsps. unsalted butter
I dozen freshly opened oysters (or the freshest you can find) with liquid
1/8 tsp. celery salt
1 ? ounces sherry
Splash of Worcestershire sauce to taste
Cayenne pepper
1 ? cups whole milk with a little cream added
Chives, chopped
Oyster crackers

Into a double boiler place butter, oysters with liquid, celery salt, sherry and Worcestershire sauce (water in the bottom pan should not touch the top pan)
With a wooden spoon, stir until the oysters are just curling on the edges (do not overcook), about a minute
Pour in milk mixture and continue stirring
Remove from heat just before the boil and serve immediately
Sprinkle each serving with a little cayenne pepper
Garnish with chives
Offer oyster crackers on the side


POACHED ANJOU PEARS IN RED WINE

You have to plan a little ahead for this dish. The pears should be ripe, but still springy to the touch. Buy them a week ahead and place in a paper bag with a banana. Don?t ask me why, but this works. Choose pears with the stem in tact.

8 smallish red Anjou pears
Juice of one lemon
1 cup extra fine granulated sugar
2 cups red wine
? tsp. vanilla extract
1 cinnamon stick

Carefully peel pears to the stem (the stem comes in handy for turning and for presentation)
Coat each peeled pear with lemon juice and set aside
Into a saucepan place the sugar, wine, vanilla and cinnamon
Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved
Add pears and reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covered
Poach pears until they are just tender, about 10 to 20 minutes, depending upon the size of the pears, turning once
Remove from heat and allow pears to sit in liquid, turning again so that color is even, another 20 minutes
Remove pears from liquid to desert plates
Reduce liquid over medium high heat to a syrupy consistency and pour over pears
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of mint

? 2006 Wind Publishing

For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Charles Stewart Richey is a former chef and self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux disease by natural means. He has written an extensive report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies. For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Acid medication reflux

If you suffer form heartburn, or acid reflux, then you'll know that you need medication to prevent an attack. By visiting your local drugstore you should be able to find many acid medication reflux treatments to prevent your reflux.

There are different forms of medication that can be taken for heartburn and acid reflux. Each one will react in a different way. Their effect on acid reflux varies for each person, but with all these forms of acid medication reflux relief is the still might not be at hand for you. Especially if you suffer from serious acid reflux.

Mild forms of acid reflux can be treated with antacids. There are stronger forms of antacids like Mylanta II, Maalox II and Riopan. The liquid forms of antacid are more preferred by a greater number of people than the tablet variety. Whatever type of antacid that you take, they need to be swallowed 30 to 60 minutes after your meals and before going to bed.

Many doctors advise against eating certain types of foods. These foods have chemicals that can trigger acid reflux. Thus avoiding foods like chocolate and peppermints as well as tomatoes and products that are made from tomatoes can lessen the chance of stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus and causing heartburn and acid reflux.

There is a number of stomach acid medication reflux reducing drugs on the market these days. These acid reducers are called histamine receptor blockers. Proton-Pump Inhibitors or PPIs are found to be just as effective at inhibiting the acid production within your stomach and prevent excess stomach acids from refluxing into the esophagus. Drugs like Prokinetic or Motility have the ability to close the lower esophageal sphincter muscle more tightly. The use of additional drug therapy, like Omepraxole or Lansoprazole can heal esophageal inflammation very quickly. These drugs are a valuable aid in acid medication reflux. Surgery is considered only if the symptoms of acid reflux don't respond to other acid medication reflux treatments. About less than 25% of people who have acid reflux requires surgery. During this minimally invasive reflux procedure which is carried out through the belly button, specialists use pencil-thin cameras to see a detailed picture inside of the body.

From there they insert other tiny instruments through small incisions into the body to surgically correct the acid reflux disorder. Thus a newer and more efficient esophageal valve is created by wrapping the stomach pleat around the esophagus. This surgical procedure is called Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication.

Not everyone needs it, but if your acid reflux, or heartburn won't respond to acid medication reflux treatments, then you might need to consider this as an option. This article has been written aboutAcid medication reflux by Ali Pahlavani.

You can visit my website aboutHearburnin www.pahlavani.net/heartburn.

acid reflux relief

If you're a sufferer of acid reflux, then you're probably one of the tens of thousands of people who try their best to find an acid reflux relief for their poor beleaguered bodies. There are many methods available for you if you're looking for acid reflux relief and curative medicines.

If you've let yourself go, and haven't actually started a proper treatment for your acid reflux relief is the last thing you'll find. You need to consult your physician as soon as possible, and find the treatment that will work for you. You should also realize that if your acid reflux is left untreated for too long, you could be looking at a lifetime of dealing with it.

And although you might believe that you have heartburn, be warned that acid reflux is not actually heartburn, although heartburn can occur if you have acid reflux. The key therefore to finding your perfect acid reflux relief lies in being able to treat it properly.

If you truly are looking for acid reflux relief methods then the first thing you should do is to take an overview of your lifestyle. The fast paced, madcap lifestyle of today may not be conducive to relieving your acid reflux. Keeping a diary for a short time of everything you eat and drink, and what triggers your acid reflux should be the first step.

From there, it is only a short jump to finding out exactly which foods you should stay away from, what not to drink, when your acid reflux is most likely to strike, and perhaps the reasons leading up to it. The advantages of keeping this diary are many, and will in the long term be beneficial, as your doctor will also be able to better diagnose your condition.

But for true acid reflux relief, it would be a good idea to follow these general guidelines. Lessening coffee, alcohol, and tobacco products. Elimination of these entirely is even better. Smaller meals eaten at regular intervals. Meals that include too much citric acids, or fatty, and fried foods, cheeses, milks, and tomatoes are also best avoided.

And if these don't work, you can always resort to dashing madly to the nearest chemist. Antacids, like Tums, and Zantac, Mylanta, and Pepcid will work for you. PPI's, or Proton Pump Inhibitors, are available from your doctor and will also go a long way for your acid reflux relief.

You should however, be careful if taking any aspirin based, or anti-inflammatory drugs. These will irritate rather than relieve your acid reflux.

So, now that you're armed with the base working foundation on acid reflux relief, the next thing you'll need to do is to set the ball rolling, and try to get your acid reflux nailed down before it gets too out of hand. This article has been written aboutAcid reflux relief by Ali Pahlavani.

You can visit my website aboutHearburnin www.pahlavani.net/heartburn.

Is Overeating And Acid Reflux Causing You Back Pain?

Is Overeating And Acid Reflux Causing You Back Pain?

Acid reflux and bad and aching stomach, go hand in hand within those who overeat. The food when dumped in the stomach callously becomes difficult to digest. Stomach takes more time for digestion. It is put under more strain and acid reflux is the assured suffering.

Next, this acid reflux becomes a leading cause for many types of diseases. These could include neck pain, knee problem or shoulder pain. Many times, acid reflux is the major cause of severe back pain.

Well, researchers and scientists have realized the limitations of treatment through pills and medications in such cases. That is, to get a permanent relief from any problem you need to adopt healthy lifestyle changes along with the medications. Both of these go hand in hand to treat health conditions like back pain, especially the one caused by acid reflux or any other lifestyle disturbance.

Now such situations require food management. The high fat foods offered by the fast food eateries, do not serve the cause of your health. With these foods your stomach has to work overtime, it gets more supply of acid to carryout the job of digestion.

Even at home by eating three heavy meals a day you extend a cordial invitation to acid reflux. Eat as much as you want, but slightly change the pattern. Take less quantities of food frequently. Stomach can efficiently digest small doses of food and liquids.

Let?s have a look at the symptoms that show you have acid reflux.

When you eat, you have a stabbing pain in your back. The pain will radiate all over, and at times you are unable to understand the exact location of the pain. This pain and protest from the stomach comes immediately after eating.{mospagebreak}

You feel as if a knife is passing through your stomach and back. It can be termed as the stabbing pain.

The treatment of this type of back pain can not be a localized affair. The acid reflux back pain that you experience at the moment could be a milder version of more serious types of diseases in hiding and bidding for their time to attack you.

The best course for you under such conditions is to control the diet. With imaginative food planning, you begin to find the changes for better from day one onwards. Your stomach gets some rest from its primary job of onward transmitting the digested food, and has some times at its disposal for self-maintenance.

The parallel activity for you is to exercise regularly. Yoga postures give the required strength and support to the muscles in the stomach area, and gradually you find that you have better control over acid reflux.

http://www.backpaindetails.com/pain/ & Back Pain provides detailed information on back pain, back pain treatment, back pain cure and more.

Acid disorder reflux

Acid disorder reflux Heartburn is a common problem in today's world. Acid reflux, gastric reflux, GERD, (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) are the many names heartburn has been given. Even though they all share many of the same traits, there are specific medical conditions that can be found in each. Acid reflux or acid disorder reflux is a disorder of the digestive tract.

Acid disorder reflux gives the unfortunate sufferer a burning sensation in their chest and stomach. This painful inflammation is the result of hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is used by the stomach to digest food. When the stomach and the esophagus canal is not separated by a mechanism known as the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, then the stomach acids backup into the esophagus. This refluxing motion causes an irritation to the sensitive tissues in the lower esophagus area.

Generally the esophageal sphincter muscle functions normally. It contracts and closes the esophagus area after you have had a meal. This closure prevents the stomach acid from rising up into the esophagus during the digestion process. However there are times when the Lower Esophageal Sphincter does not operate properly, then acid from the stomach reflux into the esophagus. This results in the condition that is medically known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder or acid disorder reflux.

The reasons for acid disorder reflux are varied. However they often occur with other health issues like allergies, enzyme deficiencies, gallbladder problems, hiatal hernia, stress and heartburn ulcers.

Food and beverage consumption is another possible cause. It is recommended that you avoid consumption of alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruits and drinks as these are known to relax the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES as it is called. Coffee, Tea and colas which contain caffeine must be eliminated from your diet as well. These beverages contain a substance called theobromine.

Fried and fatty foods have a tendency to slow down the digestion process. Eating large amounts of food at any time of the day can put a lot of pressure on your stomach muscles. When the food is kept in your stomach for a long period, there is increased pressure to the stomach muscles. This pressure build-up can weaken the LES.

As this is the valve that protects your esophagus from the stomach you need to take care that this weakened conditioned does not allow the digested food acids to pass into your esophagus. Therefore you should eat small meals throughout the day. By consuming large amounts of food, you cause the LES to relax and reflux food into the esophagus leading to acid disorder reflux.

Tomatoes and tomato-based products like sauces and tomato juice will also cause the LES to relax. These tomato-based products lead to an increase in the production of stomach acid. When they reflux into the esophagus, the acidity levels cause acid disorder reflux.

By watching what you eat and taking care of your health, you stand a better chance of avoiding acid disorder reflux from entering your life and causing you pain, and its' always better in the long to eat healthy anyway.

This article has been written about Acid disorder reflux by Ali Pahlavani.

You can visit my website aboutHearburnin www.pahlavani.net/heartburn.

Acid Drug Reflux

You know you have acid reflux, and you know you get it after your meals. But what about the other times when you suffer that burning sensation? The times when acid reflux attacks you and you haven't even eaten yet? Perhaps you might have noticed that an attack occurs only after you've taken a painkiller? If so, then you might be having what is known as acid drug reflux.

Acid reflux happens when the acids from digesting foods comes back into the lower esophagus area. This occurs when the LES or lower esophageal sphincter muscle gets weakened or functions improperly. The burning sensation is due to the fact that the esophageal lining is unable to withstand the rising acidic levels. This is acid reflux.

It's not as uncommon as you would believe, and most people are at risk from acid drug reflux. You wouldn't have even noticed anything amiss in the beginning, perhaps a slight twinge or two, but nothing that didn't go away soon thereafter. But then you noticed that it started getting worse, and worse. Every time you had a headache, or muscle ache you would also get acid reflux right along with it.

Still you continue to shrug it off, after all it's normal right? Millions of people suffer from it daily, therefore it's nothing to complain about. That's where you would be wrong. With stomach disorders, or any other disorder for that matter, it is always good to get a medical opinion as soon as possible to rule out that it isn't actually something worse.

Acid drug reflux however, occurs when your stomach lining becomes damaged due to a consumption of certain types of drugs, over a period of time. And in today's stress filled anxiety ridden workday, where you're always 'on', and don't have the luxury to switch off even for a few minutes, it is very easy to resort to taking a little pill to stave off impending disaster.

Mainly the culprit for acid drug reflux can be found in aspirin, or any other drug containing aspirin. Wham! There just went your source of staying power for the day. The one thing you could count on, to keep the little gremlins in your head, away. The good news though is that there are painkillers out there that don't depend on aspirin in any form to support them.

Unfortunately there is another cause for acid drug reflux, and that pill isn't taken for the pleasure of it but out of necessity. NSAIDs, or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, are generally prescribed to people suffering form arthritis, and unfortunately leave them vulnerable to the effects of acid drug reflux. One type of NSAID that most of us will recognize is Ibuprofen, therefore ruling out any Ibuprofen drugs as well. It's only a few points to ponder, but the next time you reach so readily for those aspirin or Ibuprofen based painkillers, remember what you're doing to your body and think twice, because after all, you only live once.

It's only a few points to ponder, but the next time you reach so readily for those aspirin or Ibuprofen based painkillers, remember what you're doing to your body and think twice, because after all, you only live once.

Publisher of the web site on heartburn, what causes heartburn, how to prevent heartburn. Publisher of The Heartburn Cure Book: http://www.ultimateheartburntips.com Author for The Best Hawaii Travel Site: http://www.besthawaiitravel.net

Acid Reflux Syndrome

ou are in an important meeting and are just about to close the biggest deal of your career. You should be somewhere up on cloud nine, but you only just manage to present a happy smiling face to your colleagues. It's not that you're not over the moon, and wouldn't like to celebrate with the rest of them, but you've got that burning feeling again that tells you that you shouldn't have had that burrito for lunch. You are suffering from heartburn. Or so you think. In actuality you could be suffering from Acid Reflux Syndrome.

It's not as bad as it sounds, or even looks like in print for that matter, but it is bad enough to keep you from enjoying your life. So, what exactly is acid reflux syndrome? Well, I can tell you what it's not. It's not indigestion, and it's not heartburn, the two main things that acid reflux syndrome get confused with everyday.

Since the simplest answer is always the best, most people will say they've got indigestion. Others will stick to, "it's simple heartburn, that's all I've got" as if their life depended upon it. But very few people realize that what they have might not be either of these two cases, but something else that closely mirrors them, like acid reflux syndrome.

Generally speaking, the guidelines for prevention are the same for all three disorders, as are the simpler treatment methods. Even the initial symptoms are the same, but with a few minor differences that can narrow down the field of diagnosis.

Some of the most common symptoms for acid reflux syndrome include, but are not limited to, intense heartburn, stomach problems, a consistent cough, a roughened voice, a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, and also a problem swallowing.

And that's just a few of the symptoms that sufferers from acid reflux syndrome will experience. As you can see however, heartburn is also a symptom, and not necessarily the cause of this syndrome.

If you think you might have acid reflux syndrome, you will need to consult your physician as soon as possible. If left untreated for any length of time, there is good chance that you will suffer from acid reflux syndrome for the rest of your life.

To give you a slight idea of what exactly acid reflux syndrome entails, it occurs when the liquids in your stomach (acids, foods etc.) come back up the esophageal pipe, in a reflux action. This damages the lining of the esophagus, and causes the burning sensation that you feel. That's why acid reflux syndrome needs to be treated promptly. Any delay on your part could result in the esophagus being damaged badly, thereby impairing it for your lifetime.

If you think you have acid reflux syndrome, then seek medical attention as soon as possible. Remember to never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. In this case it could prove to have serious and long term effects on your health.

Publisher of the web site on heartburn, what causes heartburn, how to prevent heartburn. Publisher of The Heartburn Cure Book: http://www.ultimateheartburntips.com Author for All Hawaii Weather http://www.allhawaiiweather.com

Acid Reflux From Birth To The Grave?

My poor little mother....how horrifying it must have been to have her first born child reject her own mother's milk. She had dreamed about having her first baby since she was a small girl. It would be such a wonderfully nourishing experience to hold her new born child while suckling her breast. What normal mother has not enjoyed these fantasies about child birth? She was so young and delicate and naive.

I had been a most difficult birth. She, of course, had wanted to deliver me in the most natural way, but the doctors had to resort to cesarean section. She was in a much weakened condition when we left the hospital.

The very first time that she breast fed me, I screamed with great pain, pursed my little red face and spewed sour milk all over the room, rejecting that precious natural gift of love. She tried over and over again to feed me. I was an eight pound baby boy and was ravenously hungry. She was all alone and desperately afraid for my well being. WW2 was just ending and my father, who was in the Coast Guard, was stationed five hundred miles away, in Florida.

Lucky for both of us, my great uncle Everett was a pediatrician. He knew exactly what to do. He instructed my mother how to correctly prepare Cream of Wheat for a new born child. It had to be cooked in a double boiler for at least two hours in order for it to be soft enough for an infant to digest. My mother said that when she fed me that Cream of Wheat, I smiled for the very first time.

I did grow out of my acid reflux condition. By the age of two, I had no symptoms at all. In fact, I was gerd free for more than thirty years. But something changed and I started gradually suffering from indigestion again. It happened to me after a particularly stressful period in my life. I had become an accomplished cook and consequently I was eating food that was far too rich with fat. I had also become somewhat of a wine aficionado, as well. The combination of the stress, food and wine simply did me in.

At first, I would drink baking soda dissolved in water and try to regurgitate, when heartburn became overwhelming. After resorting to this too many times, I realized that I had developed a hiatal hernia. This, of course, compounded the situation. My doctor scolded me and prescribed antacids. Little did I know at the time that antacids contain more aluminum than even baking soda.

I then graduated to proton pump inhibitor drugs (PPI). My doctor prescribed Prilosec. It was truly incredible. I could eat anything that I wanted and never have indigestion. It was a cook's dream come true! I was the American Dream personified - a person who could abuse their body and never feel the pain or inconvenience of doing so.

Everything was going along just hunky dory until one night, after a particularly huge French dinner in New York City; I had an atrocious case of acid reflux. I was abruptly awakened from a deep slumber by the acute pain of acid regurgitating from my mouth onto the bed linens. I was horrified. I was three days old again and in pain. This couldn't be happening to me!

I went back to the doctor and he told me to double the dosage. After two months of this, I became increasingly worse. I realized that the PPI drug was not working anymore. I did some research and found out that you are only supposed to take these drugs for eight weeks at the most. I had been taking them for years with my doctor's approval. After further investigation I found that there are hundreds of potentially harmful side effects associated with PPI drugs.

I was very confused as to what to do. My doctor said that surgery was the only answer, at this point. He also advised me that this surgery was not always effective and was very dangerous. The procedure is called fundoplication, which entails removing the damaged part of the esophagus and attaching the remaining section to the stomach.

That did it. I was now determined to find a natural way to beat this terrible condition. It wasn't easy, but after a great deal of research and experimentation, I did cure myself. I talked to everyone I could find who knew anything about the subject. I read hundreds of books and articles. I scoured the internet for new breaking information. I tried every method I could find; herbs, tonics, special foods, plant extracts, exercises, Chinese formulas, yoga, and meditation - you name it and I tried it!

I finally found the correct combination of items and methods. They were all safe and natural. I was astounded to discover how easy it really was to actually cure acid reflux. Herbs like marshmallow and slippery elm not only have a soothing affect on the throat and esophagus, but aid in the healing process. Certain meditations actually can alter the PH factor of the body. Plants like ginger and licorice can reduce the acid in your stomach, naturally. The list goes on and on. I now live a normal life with healthy eating habits and I don't depend on harmful drugs.

So, you see, I will not carry acid reflux to the grave. Had I listened to my doctor, I would probably already be there. I would encourage anyone not to resort to drug therapy or surgery, but to explore the natural possibilities that can be used to cure the acid reflux condition.

For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Charles Stewart Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux disease by natural means and has written an extensive report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies. For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Tips And Treatment For Acid Reflux Or Heartburn

Unhealthy diets laden with saturated fats and fried foods affect people?s digestion. One of the major digestive problems that result from this situation is heartburn. If you are suffering from acid reflux, here is a brief overview of the medications used to treat acid reflux.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a result of digestion. It affects the esophagus and the stomach. The esophagus is a tube through which the food enters the stomach. There is a valve, which opens to let the food in and closes to keep it down while it is being digested. Sometimes this valve loosens up or is pressurized by excess intake of food or excess acid. This results in the stomach acids to come back up through the valve into the esophagus. It causes burning sensation and discomfort in the center of the chest.

Is there a cure for acid reflux cure?

The answer is both yes and no. Though you can treat it effectively, there is no definite cause that you can pin the blame on. Hence it is very likely that the problem may recur. The common remedy for this problem is medicine and making lifestyle modifications and handling stress positively. Many times, simple lifestyle changes like giving up smoking and drinking and eating healthy can go a long way in controlling the problem than using acid reflux medicines.

How does Acid Reflux Medication works?

The way the different acid reflux medications treat heartburn differ greatly. If you have a serious problem that occurs repeatedly, you might have to take histamine antagonists. They suppress the secretion of acid, which is triggered by histamine and gastrin. One of the newer medications is proton pump inhibitor that blocks the final process in acid secretion. Prokinetic agents raise the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, thus pushing the food down faster.

How do I get relief from acid Reflux?

The ideal solution to the problem is to alter your lifestyle. Change your diet to eat healthy, stop smoking, do not lie down immediately after eating and manage stress. Sleep on the specially designed pillows that raise your head over your stomach, thus preventing the acid from going up. Go for natural herbal remedies that have totally natural components, which aid in relieving the heartburn. Besides they are easy on the body. If the situation is severe and chronic, take prescription drugs after consulting your doctor.

Click for great acid reflux facts or recommended acid reflux advice. For great general interest information go to www.healthandbeautylinks.info.

Acid Reflux Disorder: The Cause And Cure

Heartburn is a common problem in today's world.

Acid reflux, gastric reflux, GERD, (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) are the many names heartburn has been given. Even though they all share many of the same traits, there are specific medical conditions that can be found in each.

Acid reflux or acid disorder reflux is a disorder of the digestive tract.

Acid disorder reflux gives the unfortunate sufferer a burning sensation in their chest and stomach. This painful inflammation is the result of hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is used by the stomach to digest food.

When the stomach and the esophagus canal is not separated by a mechanism known as the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, then the stomach acids backup into the esophagus. This refluxing motion causes an irritation to the sensitive tissues in the lower esophagus area.

Generally the esophageal sphincter muscle functions normally. It contracts and closes the esophagus area after you have had a meal. This closure prevents the stomach acid from rising up into the esophagus during the digestion process. However there are times when the Lower Esophageal Sphincter does not operate properly, then acid from the stomach reflux into the esophagus. This results in the condition that is medically known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder or acid disorder reflux.

The reasons for acid reflux disorder reflux are varied.

However they often occur with other health issues like allergies, enzyme deficiencies, gallbladder problems, hiatal hernia, stress and heartburn ulcers.

Food and beverage consumption is another possible cause. It is recommended that you avoid consumption of alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruits and drinks as these are known to relax the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES as it is called.

Coffee, tea and colas which contain caffeine should be eliminated from your diet as well. These beverages contain a substance called theobromine.

Fried and fatty foods have a tendency to slow down the digestion process. Eating large amounts of food at any time of the day can put a lot of pressure on your stomach muscles. When the food is kept in your stomach for a long period, there is increased pressure to the stomach muscles. This pressure build-up can weaken the LES.

As this is the valve that protects your esophagus from the stomach you need to take care that this weakened conditioned does not allow the digested food acids to pass into your esophagus. Therefore you should eat small meals throughout the day.

By consuming large amounts of food, you cause the LES to relax and reflux food into the esophagus leading to acid disorder reflux.

Tomatoes and tomato-based products like sauces and tomato juice will also cause the LES to relax. These tomato-based products lead to an increase in the production of stomach acid. When they reflux into the esophagus, the acidity levels cause acid disorder reflux.

By watching what you eat and taking care of your health, you stand a better chance of avoiding acid disorder reflux from entering your life and causing you pain. Besides, it's always better in the long run to eat healthy anyway.

The author is publisher of two special informational Internet resources - Heartburn Problems (http://www.heartburnproblems.com) and Dealing With Heartburn (http://www.dealingwithheartburn.com)

Acid Reflux Syndrome Explained In Simple Terms

You are in an important meeting and are just about to close the biggest deal of your career. You should be somewhere up on cloud nine, but you only just manage to present a happy smiling face to your colleagues. It's not that you're not over the moon, and wouldn't like to celebrate with the rest of them, but you've got that burning feeling again that tells you that you shouldn't have had that burrito for lunch. You are suffering from heartburn. Or so you think. In actuality you could be suffering from Acid Reflux Syndrome.

It's not as bad as it sounds, or even looks like in print for that matter, but it is bad enough to keep you from enjoying your life. So, what exactly is acid reflux syndrome? Well, I can tell you what it's not. It's not indigestion, and it's not heartburn, the two main things that acid reflux syndrome get confused with everyday.

Since the simplest answer is always the best, most people will say they've got indigestion. Others will stick to, "it's simple heartburn, that's all I've got" as if their life depended upon it. But very few people realize that what they have might not be either of these two cases, but something else that closely mirrors them, like acid reflux syndrome.

Generally speaking, the guidelines for prevention are the same for all three disorders, as are the simpler treatment methods. Even the initial symptoms are the same, but with a few minor differences that can narrow down the field of diagnosis.

Some of the most common symptoms for acid reflux syndrome include, but are not limited to, intense heartburn, stomach problems, a consistent cough, a roughened voice, a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, and also a problem swallowing.

And that's just a few of the symptoms that sufferers will experience. As you can see however, heartburn is also a symptom, and not necessarily the cause of this syndrome.

If you think you might have acid reflux syndrome, you will need to consult your physician as soon as possible. If left untreated for any length of time, there is good chance that you will suffer from it for the rest of your life.

To give you a slight idea of what exactly this syndrome entails, it occurs when the liquids in your stomach (acids, foods etc.) come back up the esophageal pipe, in a reflux action. This damages the lining of the esophagus, and causes the burning sensation that you feel. That's why it needs to be treated promptly. Any delay on your part could result in the esophagus being damaged badly, thereby impairing it for your lifetime.

If you think you have acid reflux syndrome, then seek medical attention as soon as possible. Remember to never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. In this case it could prove to have serious and long term effects on your health.

Bob Bastian is webmaster of Cure-Heartburn.com. He recently published The Heartburn Cure, a comprehensive guide about how to safely cure your heartburn without expensive medications, risky surgeries, or giving up your favorite foods.

Your Eating Habits And Acid Reflux

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease.Acid reflux is a digestive disorder in which the liquid contents of the stomach are regurgitated into the esophagus. This liquid, since it has come from the stomach, contains acids that are used in digestion, even bile. When this liquid is sent back up to the esophagus, these acids injure, inflame, and damage that organ.

Also known as heartburn, acid reflux is a chronic condition. Once it has begun, it will usually last for an entire person's life. Most people who are afflicted with serious heartburn symptoms will need to seek treatment for their esophagus. However, future acid reflux attacks will continue to damage the organ, thereby precipitating the need for further treatment.

Treatment for acid reflux is usually conducted on an ongoing basis.

Despite its misleading name, heartburn is not a cardiovascular condition - it's a digestive disorder. Therefore, it stands to sense that what you eat has a significant effect on the onset and seriousness of heartburn symptoms. The cardinal rule in preventing heartburn, then, is to watch what you eat.

Watch What You Eat

Certain foods are prone to trigger an attack, while others will carry less risk. In your quest to prevent acid reflux and alleviate its symptoms, you must understand the effects that different foods have on your condition.

Safe Foods

Foods that have very little potential in terms of causing heartburn. These food items include fruits like apples and bananas, vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and peas, meat like lean ground beef, chicken breast, egg whites, dairy products such as cheese (provided that they are fat-free), and grains such as oatmeal and bran. Generally, all foods that are high in fat and acidic content should be avoided. Whenever in doubt, stick to the low-fat varieties of food.

Moderate Foods

These foods may or may not cause acid reflux. However, it is better to consume these items in moderation - it really is a small sacrifice to make, if it can prevent an attack from occurring. Eat these foods occasionally; never often. Moderate foods include fruits like peaches, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

Meanwhile, vegetables like onions (cooked), garlic, scallions, sauerkraut, and leeks. Fried eggs, fried fish, hot dogs, and ham have the potential to cause acid reflux, but not excessively so. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese varieties such as cheddar and mozzarella should also be enjoyed in moderation.

Unsafe Foods

These foods, when eaten, carry with them an increased risk of an acid reflux attack. As such, these food items should be eaten sparingly. These include fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits, which are fruits that are high in acidic content.

Vegetables like onions (raw) are traditional culprits. Portions of meat that have high-fat content should also be avoided. So should ice cream, chocolates, brownies, doughnuts, potato chips, and high-fat salad dressings. Beverages like wine, coffee, and tea should be taken sparingly, if at all. You can see that there's practical value in learning more about acid reflux.

For more information about acid reflux, visit my website and read 58 fresh Article"s on Acid Reflux.
Ron Keegan is a successful Webmaster and publisher of http://ArticleBankOnline.com a Health Directory with up to date information on health issues. http://www.ArticleBankOnline.com

Understanding Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when the contents located in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The medical name for this is gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Numerous times acid reflux disease can be quite severe with a lot of symptoms that you may become frightened with. Other times it can be quite severe, although without noticeable symptoms.

If you grasp the role of the stomach and esophagus, it is easier to understand how acid reflux disease can occur.

The stomach is a jellybean or J shaped unit that lies just beneath the diaphragm that holds the upper organs in place behind the rib cage. It is a flexible muscular organ.

The stomach not only holds and stores the nourishment that we eat, but also grinds it up into pin head size pieces, then empties by evacuating the food on down and out through the lower valve called the pylorus.

It is the hydrochloric acid that is the biggest role player in acid reflux disease. The main culprit is not the stomach itself, but relaxation of the upper valve of the stomach. This unique valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter. If this valve is relaxed or forced open then the stomach acid is pushed or forced back up into the esophagus causing injury to the very tender esophagus lining.

When you understand that food traveling from the mouth to the stomach only takes a few seconds, you then realize that there is no requirement for stomach acid to be present in your esophagus. It only a muscular passage that shuttles food and drink downward.

You may not realize that every day you eat certain kinds of foods that are relaxing to this upper valve. Even your every day stress can impact it.

Over eating or drinking can also effect the reverse opening of this valve. If you have too much food in your stomach at once, the stomach processing and churning the food can force that valve open. Small meals are to your best choice in getting around this.

There are things that you can do to turn Acid Reflux Disease around. The way that you eat, what you eat, when you eat. Educating your self about what causes acid reflux and what foods are involved can help quite a bit.

Article by Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac. Learn more about acid reflux and acid reflux disease. Discover how to banish your acid reflux with natural methods.

Getting Your Acid Reflux Disease Under Control With Protonix

Protonix is a prescription drug that can keep acid reflux under control and helps heals the esophagus from the damage that acid reflux has caused. Clinical studies have shown that those who have taken Protonix gain full control of their acid reflux.

Some of the common side effects are stomach pain, lack of sleep, loose bowels, hyperglycemia, eructation, flatulence, and headache. Protonix is not for most people. People who have a liver disease, children, women are pregnant or may be come pregnant, or breast feeding should not take this medication. This medicine is recommended for adults only.

More severe and serious side effects are eye damage, swelling in the pancreas, face, and throat, blisters, and liver damage. There are some medications that may not be taken with Protonix, such as Iron, Ampicillin, and Ketoconazole. Talk to your doctor if you are taking any these medications. Your doctor may start you off on a lower dosage.

If you are still having acid reflux your doctor may add 8 more weeks to the term of your treatment. All doctors and drug stores recommend that you not take over 240mg per day. Protonix is only a 8 week treatment, but your doctor may suggest that you take it longer.

There is little known about overdose in humans, when it comes to Protonix. Studies in animals overdose indicate reduction in activity and coordination. If you are not sure, but suspect that you have taken an overdose, please contact your doctor or hospital immediately. Increases in this medication may cause bleeding in the belly and could cause death.

If you miss a dose take it as soon as possible. If it is time for your next dose keep to your schedule, just take one pill.

This medicine should be stored at room temperature and may be taken with or without food. In long-term studies, protonix created gastrointestinal tumors of the rare type, as well as being carcinogenic. It is possible that even after showing symptoms of improvement that you could suffer from other medical conditions that are stomach-related.

Be sure to consult your physician about the proper dosage and safety precautions to keep in mind for this medication. If Protonix gives you an allergic reaction, you'll be unable to use it, although it is generally well tolerated.

There are different doses of Protonix available, 10, 20, and 40 mg. In a 1- year study of GERD patients treated with Protonix 40 mg or 20 mg, there were no differences noted between the two doses.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Protonix. Protonix resources at protonix-center.info.

The Symptoms Of Gerd/Acid Reflux

Acid reflux or GERD is a problem that many people face on a daily basis. Although everyone has reflux, a patient with acid reflux actually experiences a burning, painful sensation as the stomach liquids back up into the esophagus. This can be an uncomfortable and even serious medical problem.

In most cases, the symptoms of acid reflux are painful and uncomfortable but not seriously damaging to a person?s health. These types of symptoms are referred to as ?uncomplicated? acid reflux. The three most common symptoms are nausea, regurgitation, and heartburn.

Patients with acid reflux often report suffering from nausea. In fact, nausea as a result of acid reflux is so common that when a patient experiences nausea with no apparent cause, a doctor usually suspects acid reflux as the culprit.

Equally as common as nausea occurring from acid reflux is regurgitation. Regurgitation occurs when refluxed liquid actually backs up into the mouth. Sometimes, this liquid can contain food. When a patient regurgitates, they often experience a burning sensation as refluxed liquid and food bypass the UES (upper esophageal sphincter) and make their way into the mouth. This burning is often accompanied by an awful, acidic taste. If a patient continues to experience regurgitation, it can actually cause damage to their teeth as the acidic substance erodes the enamel that encases each tooth.

Probably the most common reported complaint of acid reflux patients is the presence of heartburn. This is usually characterized as a searing pain in the chest. It can either begin in your upper abdomen or actually travel up to your neck. For some patients, this can be a cause for alarm. In fact, many people have mistaken painful acid reflux for a heart attack. Heartburn is especially prevalent after eating meals. Although heartburn usually goes away, the bad news is that it is usually a lifelong problem that will eventually return.

Although most forms of acid reflux do not pose serious health risks, there are complications that can occur from acid reflux. One of the most common complications comes in the form of ulcers.
If the liquid from the stomach that refluxes, damages the lining of the esophagus, inflammation can occur. If the damage is deep enough, an ulcer can actually form. Scar tissue can form a ?stricture? which can cause food to get lodged or stuck in the esophagus.

Another complication that can arise from acid reflux is Barrett?s Esophagus. If a person has severe acid reflux, this causes changes to the cells that surround and line the esophagus. These can turn pre-cancerous and even evolve into cancer cells.

There are many other complications that sometimes occur as a result of acid reflux. Asthma and coughs can be intensified or sparked by acid reflux. The same is true of inflammation of the throat, larynx, or lungs. A patient can also experience fluid in his sinuses or middle ears.

Although the complications associated with acid reflux are rare, it is important to keep in mind that acid reflux is a condition that should be treated by your doctor. There are also a variety of effective home remedies for acid reflux. If properly handled, it is a highly treatable condition. If left unattended, you risk the possibility of causing irreparable damage to your body.
Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Acid Reflux. For further information on Acid Reflux please visit http://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/acidreflux.html or http://naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/08/19/the-symptoms-of-gerdacid-reflux/ .

Acid Reducers in the Treatment of Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a very common disorder that involves the regurgitation of the stomach inside the esophagus. The disorder produces symptoms such as heartburn, throat inflammation and pain, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Some people experience sporadic symptoms of acid reflux, which tend to intensify after meals and during the night. However, most acid reflux disease sufferers may experience ongoing, persistent symptoms. People who are confronted with acid reflux on a frequent time basis are very exposed to the development of serious complications such as Barrett's esophagus and even esophageal cancer. In order to keep the disorder under control and to avoid further complications, people with chronic forms of acid reflux need an appropriate medication treatment.

The treatment of acid reflux includes medications that normalize the stomach's production of gastric acid. Considering the fact that most cases of acid reflux involve overproduction of digestive fluids and pepsin at the level of the stomach, the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease is very similar to the treatment of ulcer or gastritis.

The most common medications used in the treatment of acid reflux are antacids. Although they provide rapid symptomatic relief for acid reflux sufferers, these medications also have some minuses. Antacids have limited action and they can only act to temporarily control the acidity of the stomach. Also, they are not strong enough to ameliorate acid reflux symptoms in more serious forms of the disorder.

Unlike other acid reflux medications, acid reducers (also known as H2 receptor antagonists or H2 blockers) have proved to be more effective in decreasing the intensity and the frequency of heartburn and other specific manifestations of gastro-esophageal disease. Strong acid reducers can only be purchased with medical prescription, while less strong types of acid reducers are also available in nonprescription forms. While the effects of antacids are diminished after only 2-3 hours, a single dose of acid reducers can prevent the occurrence of acid reflux during the entire day.

Acid reducers can be used either in short-term or long-term medical treatments. The most commonly prescribed acid reducer is ranitidine. This medication is effective in overcoming non-complicated forms of acid reflux disease. A 6-week course of ranitidine can completely eliminate the symptoms of acid reflux for most people with the disorder. For people with more serious forms of gastro-esophageal disease, doctors may prescribe cimetidine or famotidine. Acid reducers have mild side-effects that are usually perceived by people who follow ongoing treatment with such medications. Long-term use of acid reducers can produce headache, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, constipation or diarrhea. These side-effects disappear after reducing the dose of medications or after temporarily interrupting the treatment.

It is important to note that acid reducers aren't appropriate for all acid reflux sufferers. Patients with esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus don't usually respond to treatments with acid reducers. For this category of people, doctors may prescribe proton pump inhibitors, medications that temporarily block the stomach's production of gastric acid.

If you want to find great information about many acid reflux subjects like acid reflux symptoms, acid reflux treatment or many more please visit us at http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com .

Crohn's? IBS? Colitis? Acid Reflux? Try Holistic Medicine

Do you have gastrointestinal problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Colitis, Crohns Disease, Acid Reflux Disease, among many others? Are you sick (literally) and tired of going from doctor to doctor only to be handed a prescription slip and pushed out the door? Do you enjoy the many side effects these prescriptions cause? Are you looking for a solution to the problem instead of covering it up with drugs, or removing it with surgery? Then try holistic medicine.

I am very happy to see our nation slowly catching on to the idea that natural medicine is the better way to go. It angers me however that insurance companies (who we pay premiums to) do not give us the choice to choose what path we want to take to heal ourselves. Holistic medicine is not cheap because there are very few insurance companies that cover your office visits, and none that I am aware that assists with nutritional supplements used by holistic doctors. Now don't get me wrong, modern medicine has its place in this world, and heaven knows all the good it has done for mankind, but there is a limit to how far it should go in the treatment of health conditions. Modern medicine knows next to nothing about the digestive system and how to fix it when it is in duress. Just ask any person suffering from any of the conditions listed above. The old saying of you don't have anything if you don't have your health is a very true statement.

I suffered with Crohn's Disease for 5 years before I started going to a holistic doctor. I went through 2 colonoscopies, and visited 3 different gastroenterologists. The first doctor performed my first colonoscopy, and found a mass of tissue close to my ileocecal valve. The tissue biopsy that he took came back negative for cancer (thank the Lord), but they could not tell what the tissue was. He referred me to another gastroenterologist who on my first visit, told me flat out that all he wanted to do was cut me open and remove the mass so he could try to figure out what it was. Needless to say my wife and I left his office never to return! Only later did we find out that he was a surgical gastroenterologist, so that's all he knew how to do was cut people open and remove their insides (comforting I know). The third doctor I visited was a medical gastroenterologist. He also wanted to perform a colonoscopy, and found more tissue masses etc. When I asked him what caused my condition, he said that medical science does not know what causes these kinds of conditions, but knows how to control them somewhat. He wrote me a prescription for a steroid medication, and sent me out the door.

Thus began my crusade to figure out what was going on with my body and why. I never did take any of that steroid medication that last doctor prescribed me, because I had enough sense to get online and start researching what it was he was wanting me to take and what it did. The drug is an immune suppressant. You see people with digestive problems often times have an over active immune system, thus triggering inflammation throughout the digestive system. The steroid suppresses the immune function to reduce inflammation. It does nothing to get rid of what is causing the inflammation, just masking the effects.

To fully understand how the body gets afflicted with these digestive problems you need to understand how the digestive system works in conjunction with the rest of your body. The digestive tract has been called the body's second brain because there are more nerve endings in the digestive tract than the brain itself. Think about what the digestive system does for you....it is the extracts of all vitamins, minerals, and other materials your body needs to function from the foods you eat. Without it were dead! New research indicates that most diseases of the body are a result of a failure somewhere in the digestive system. So if you are afflicted with a serious digestive problem, and you take a drug that masks the problem instead of fixing (and has the potential of serious side effects which include may other diseases), sure you symptoms may subside for a while, but in the meantime your condition will worsen or spread!

Finally I decided to go to a holistic doctor. It was the smartest thing I have ever done for my health! My doctor knew more on how the body works, and all the organic compounds it uses and more specifically what organs used them, than any medical doctor I have ever been to! I was on my way to recovery after my first visit. I had a plan on how to recover my health. It wasn't a prescription for some drug that he gets kickbacks from the drug companies for prescribing, it was a professionally planned regiment of natural compounds that would kill parasitic infections, reduce my inflammation, assist in digestion of foods, and nourish my body with the critical vitamins and minerals I was seriously lacking. Yes it took me well over a year to get myself back to normal. You have to take into account the fact that I had been living with several parasites in my digestive system for several years to get to the point I was at, so there is no way I would heal overnight. You know its funny how over the years all my doctors told me that I had IBS, and that I needed to eat more fiber. If only I had known about holistic medicine back then! Sure holistic medicine is expensive, but can you truly put a price on your health and well being? I sure can't, it has been worth every penny.

Do your research! No matter where you go and what you do, there is always going to be someone with a horror story about a holistic doctor, or even a modern medicine MD. It's just unavoidable, people make mistakes every day. All I can say is this: do your research! Find a holistic doctor that is highly recommended, Answer any of their questions with total honesty, stick to the regiments they give you (to the T) and always be a well informed patient! If the doctor you go to makes you uncomfortable, don't go back! Find someone you are comfortable with. Trust your instincts! Your reading this aren't you? Your instincts have brought you this far, searching for answers a medical doctor could not give you. Keep going! Keep digging! You deserve to feel normal again!

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After suffering with Crohn's disease for 5 years, I finally trusted my instincts that there was something very wrong with modern medicines approach to digestive disorders, and used a holistic approach to heal myself. No scars from surgery, and no side effects from dangerous drugs

Nighttime Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Acid reflux disease often occurs on the premises of physiological abnormalities at the level of the gastro-esophageal tract. In most cases, the disorder occurs due to poor functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter (muscular valve that normally shields the upper esophageal lining from stomach gastric acid), or increased pressure inside the abdomen. However, the occurrence of acid reflux is strongly influenced by diet, eating patterns and lifestyle.

One of the most common symptoms of acid reflux is heartburn. Described by acid reflux sufferers as a radiating pain or pronounced discomfort inside the chest, heartburn occurs due to inflammation of the esophageal tract. Although people who suffer from chronic forms of acid reflux disease may always perceive this symptom, heartburn tends to intensify after meals and during the night. On the premises of a weak lower esophageal valve or low pressure inside the esophagus, acid reflux sufferers commonly have nighttime heartburn. In the case of people with pronounced physiological abnormalities at the level of the gastro-esophageal tract, heartburn intensifies when lying down, as the stomach's content can easily reflux inside the upper levels of the esophagus. Late meals can also cause heartburn by stimulating the stomach's production of digestive fluids.

Another explanation for nighttime heartburn is the absence of swallowing. During sleep, the reflex of swallowing is inhibited. This may facilitate the occurrence of heartburn, as swallowing clears the esophageal tract of stomach acid, while saliva acts to neutralize the undesirable effects of digestive fluids. Saliva contains bicarbonate, a substance that helps in normalizing the stomach's production of gastric acid.

Apart from being very frustrating, perturbing the sleep of acid reflux sufferers, nighttime heartburn is also very dangerous. Intense heartburn indicates that large quantities of stomach acid are pushed inside the esophagus, thus causing serious damage to the lining of the upper esophageal tract. People who suffer from frequent nighttime heartburn are exposed to developing serious complications such as Barrett's esophagus.

In order to prevent the occurrence of heartburn during the night, acid reflux disease sufferers should make a few lifestyle improvements. Firstly, people with acid reflux should avoid eating right before going to bed. Also, acid reflux sufferers should avoid eating fatty foods, chocolate or citrus fruits at dinner, as they stimulate the production of gastric acid. Furthermore, people with acid reflux disease should also abstain from alcoholic beverages or cigarettes late at night.

A good method of preventing the occurrence of nighttime heartburn is to maintain the head and the thorax in a slightly elevated position during sleep. You can do this by using extra pillows.

Medications can also help in preventing the occurrence of nighttime heartburn. Doctors recommend using a combination of antacids and acid reducers (H2 blockers). These two types of medications should be taken together in order to maximize their effects. Antacids provide rapid symptomatic relief, while acid reducers will prevent the occurrence of heartburn during the night.

If you want to find great information about many acid reflux subjects like natural cures for acid reflux, acid reflux symptoms, acid reflux surgery or many more please visit us at http://www.acid-refl