Thursday, March 20, 2008

Acid Reflux Disease - Bubbling Stomach Acid

Heartburn on overdrive!

Acid reflux disease is a result of stomach acid that simply doesn?t stay where it is supposed to... in the stomach. Instead of staying in the stomach the wayward gastric acid decides to back flow up the esophagus and back into the mouth.

Yuck!

Leaving a wickedly bitter taste, this stomach acid on a reverse course can actually leaves pockets of erosive destruction in its wake. Erosive esophagitis is a result of the destruction of the lining of the esophagus.

At least three months of painful, persistent and frequent heartburn, can earn you a diagnosis of acid reflux disease.

Heartburn is the quiet gentle cousin of its more aggressive and destructive family member acid reflux disease. Bubbling stomach acid regurgitates from the stomach sending the gastric juices back into the throat via the esophagus. It is the bubbling stomach acid that backs up into the esophagus that causes the characteristic burn of acid reflux disease.

The lower esophageal sphincter, LES, is the valve separating the esophagus and the stomach, is designed to be the gatekeeper of the stomach and is meant to keep the stomach acids in the stomach where they belong.

However, when the LES fails at its ever so well designed job, the stomach acids back flow.

The LES can fail through a couple of different ways, such as through relaxation of the sphincter, often associated with a hiatal hernia, and through incomplete closing of the sphincter.

The body is so perfectly designed that the LES is a working valve that opens to let food into the stomach and is meant to close to keep the acids out of the esophagus.

It just happens that when it fails, acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, can be the result. So basically if the LES would do its job and keep the valve open when it?s supposed to be open and closed when it?s supposed to be closed then acid reflux disease would really be a thing of the past!

The good news is that you don?t have to put up with heartburn on overdrive. There are many treatment options available for the relief of this pestering and chronic disease.

Acid reflux disease doesn?t have to control your life! Talk with your healthcare provider today and get started on the road to better health.

Show that heartburn just who?s the boss!

For more important information on stomach pain be sure to visit a-stomach-pain.com where you will find advice and tips on common stomach pain causes such as acid reflux, ulcers, and other articles that you can view at http://www.a-stomach-pain.com

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Monday, March 17, 2008

Helpful Natural And Practical Tips For Acid Reflux

Natural medicine for acid reflux can be found in the more nutritious foods we should be eating. We have run so fast and hard after the harmful fast foods that relief from reflux literally stares us in the face daily.

Acid reflux disease has a stranglehold on millions of people. It is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

At the very top of your stomach is a muscle. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter. Basically it has two main functions. First, it opens to allow your food to enter your stomach.

Second, it closes to prevent the powerful acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. With GERD sufferers, the lower esophageal sphincter goes a bit haywire and opens when it shouldn?t.

When this happens the powerful stomach gases reflux, or backup into the esophagus. Leaving a painful burning feeling in your chest just behind the breastbone and a burning sensation in your throat.

The acid can then easily be regurgitated into your lungs. Causing you to cough or wheeze or to suffer with hoarseness. Many people use Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid for their GERD. The problem with taking these and other prescription drugs is side effects.

The best natural medicine for acid reflux disease is Acidgone. It is a completely natural medicine that leaves you with absolutely no side effects.

A few of the active ingredients in Acidgone are:
? Alfalfa Leaf which has traditionally been used to reverse digestive problems.
? Apple Pectin sweeps the intestines clean.
? Aloe Vera is well-known for its healing properties.
? Burdock Root a blood-purifier.
? Dandelion Root, promotes regularity in digestion.

Several other soothing and healing ingredients are also added. These harmless ingredients combine to make a potent mixture that effectively tackles Acid Reflux Disease.

For those who suffer with GERD these few common sense natural remedies can provide some relief immediately.

? Drink a large glass of water. This helps to wash back and dilute those powerful stomach acids.
? Put an unpeeled potato into your juicer and drink the potato juice.
? Don?t lie down. Help gravity to keep those acids in their place.
? Keep the belt around your waist really loose.
? Chew your food well, eat slowly.
? Eat more raw vegetables.
? Don?t bend over or pick up heavy objects.
? Don?t compress your stomach. This forces the acid back up.
? Don?t prop those extra pillows under your head, they still compress your stomach.
? Eat 2-3 hours before you go to bed.
? Stay away from soft drinks, hard drinks and milk.
? Also greasy fried foods and dairy products. They?re all harmful.

Natural medicine for acid reflux is Acidgone. It is a very effective natural remedy if you suffer with acid reflux. It will relieve the heartburn and the uncomfortable feelings that come with acid reflux. If you want relief, grab this link. Natural medicine for acid reflux

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Acid Reflux and Heartburn - Are You Suffering?

William McRand Sr

Does your morning coffee cause you pain? Are you frustrated when a night out dining with friends ends in discomfort instead of relaxed conversation? Do you carry antacids with you every day?

Heartburn is more than just a nuisance. It can detract from enjoying a meal, force you to change your routine and hang over your every decision - what to eat, what to drink, when to lay down. What is this monkey on your back and how can you find relief?

WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN? Heartburn occurs when the acid content of the stomach makes its way back into the esophagus. A burning sensation and even a bitter taste are experienced by heartburn sufferers.

If you are suffering more than twice a week you may have acid reflux disease-also known as GERD. Why is this important? Not all heartburn is caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Occasional heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors but if you have regular episodes there are things you can do to help.

WHAT CAN I DO? If you have regular heartburn the first thing you should do is stay away from regular use of antacids. Antacids can relieve the pain of occasional heartburn, but because they are designed to neutralize the acids in your stomach they can cause the stomach to create MORE acid - a cycle called 'acid rebound'. Some medications can also cause diarrhea or constipation or even increase the risk of food poisoning by inhibiting the growth of good bacteria.

Watch out for trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, minty, spicy or tomato-based foods as well as fatty or fried foods, onions or garlic.

Being overweight or smoking also increases the risk of GERD and lifestyle changes may help to control the symptoms. Activities such as lying down after a meal, bending forward, lifting heavy items or eating large meals can bring acid reflux on. Avoiding these activities after a meal, eating smaller portions and raising the head of your bed several inches may help. Some natural products such as orange peel extract are being researched for their abilities to curb heartburn.

WHO IS AT RISK? Anyone. But it should be noted that pregnant women, children, overweight individuals and smokers are all likely candidates. Young babies have immature digestive systems. National Digestive Diseases (NDDIC) says that most children outgrow GERD by the time they are one year old. However, because the symptoms are painful precautions like frequent burping and keeping the infant upright for 30 minutes after eating can reduce the occurrence.

Older children may have to take similar precautions in diet and activity as adults. You should always consult your doctor when you suspect GERD to avoid future complications. Being overweight or pregnant increases the pressure in the abdomen. 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn at some time during their pregnancy . If you suspect GERD it is important to contact your doctor as there can be harmful side effects of persistent heartburn including scaring of the esophagus, asthma, erosion of the teeth and even increased risk of esophageal cancer. Frequent, persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other serious conditions and should be checked on by a professional.

Cure Your Heart Burn

William Lagadyn, is the author and researcher of the popular publication, "Cure Your Heartburn" Click

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Acid Reflux Blues -An Easy Antidote!

The real antidote to acid reflux, gerd, heartburn and indigestion has to do with what we eat, how we eat, where we eat and when we eat. This may sound a little too simple, but it is not. Everyone is different; therefore people have to approach eating in different ways.

There are many foods and beverages which trigger heartburn. Not all of these affect everyone in the same manner. For instance, I have difficulty digesting raw bell peppers, but I know others who cannot eat raw tomatoes, but have no trouble with raw bell peppers. Ironically, I can eat fresh raw tomatoes all day long and not have gerd. So anyone who makes blanket statements regarding this subject has got it all wrong.

Through trial and error, we all discover what we can and cannot digest with ease. There are, however, some foods that cause problems for anyone who is susceptible to acid reflux. Any food or drink that causes the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) to relax should be consumed in strict moderation. The LES is a ring of fibrous muscle which separates the esophagus and the stomach. When this muscle relaxes, acid and pepsin can splash up from the stomach into the esophagus and throat, thereby causing acid reflux.

The hydrochloric acid in the stomach is very powerful. It has been compared to the acid in a car battery, but it is a necessary part of our physical anatomy. It constitutes the initial stage of the digestive process. It not only breaks down the food we eat but keeps potentially dangerous bacteria which live in the digestive tract in check. This is the reason that drugs which stop the acid pumps from functioning are potentially dangerous. These drugs are called proton pump inhibitors (PPI drugs). They interfere with the digestion and assimilation of food and allow the overgrowth of bacteria.

Eating jagged foods like crackers or corn chips can cause little lacerations to develop in the esophagus and LES. Then later consuming acidic foods like spicy over cooked tomato sauce can exacerbate the problem. This scenario is typical of why many people have acid reflux to begin with. It can easily be avoided.

Foods and beverages, like chocolate, caffeine, fried foods, tomato products and alcohol, can cause the LES to relax and should be avoided until the esophagus has had time to heal.

How and where we eat is very important, as well. Chewing food properly is essential to correct digestion. Saliva in the mouth is actually very alkaline in nature. It acts as sort of a lubricant to assist the teeth in grinding food to a fine pulp, making it easier to digest. When I was a little boy, I had an elementary school teacher who constantly reminded me to chew my food twenty-two times before swallowing. She said that if I didn't I would have indigestion. At the time, I thought she was crazy, but she was right on the money.

Eating slowly in a relaxed atmosphere is also crucial to good digestion. When we eat too fast we don't chew properly forcing crude clumps of food into a shocked and traumatized stomach. This is certainly a perfect way to insure a good case of indigestion. People who grab meals on the run are the worst offenders and I think you will find many of them at fast food restaurants. Unfortunately, they are teaching their children to do the same.

Finally, there is the important consideration of when you eat. It's a proven fact that eating several small meals, spaced throughout the day, is far healthier for the digestive system than the traditional "three big meals". Eating too much at one time is one of the biggest causes of acid reflux and also contributes to unwanted weight gain.

Last but not least, I must mention the most relevant antidote to the acid reflux condition; never go to bed with a full stomach. If we want to avoid acid reflux, we must allow at least two hours after eating before lying down. Three hours would be even better. This, of course, means that a late night bowl of ice cream in bed would be strictly taboo.

So you see, the real antidote to the acid reflux blues is not so much about "what to do", but about "what not to do". It is not about drugs, surgery or even doctors. The natural cure for acid reflux is all about common sense.

Wind Publishing

For free recipes, articles and information, visit: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Charles Stewart Richey is a 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 free recipes, articles and information, visit: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

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

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Saturday, November 24, 2007

What is Acid Reflux Disease?

Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common ailment, affecting between 5%-7% of the population. In order to understand what GERD is it is important to be familiar with how the esophagus works. A long muscular tube, the esophagus carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The average adult esophagus is around ten to thirteen inches long and approximately an half an inch in diameter. GERD is caused by the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus, usually because the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly. When this happens over a long period of time, the lining of this tract becomes eroded, causing discomfort and pain.

Symptoms of the disease are fairly straightforward and are very similar to the symptoms of heartburn. GERD often include a frequent burning sensation, right behind the breastbone, which sometimes worsens when lying down for extended periods of time. While most cases of heartburn turn out to be non-life threatening, it is important that you visit your doctor at the onset of symptoms. Unfortunately, the symptoms of both indigestion and GERD can also imitate those of heart disease, so it is very important that you seek medical attention to make sure that you get the correct diagnosis.

There are a number of medical tests which your doctor can perform which will confirm the diagnosis of GERD. After your doctor or healthcare professional has taken your medical history, he or she will most likely conduct an test using an Endoscope, a long flexible imaging instrument. This will allow the doctor to visibly exam your esophagus.
If you are diagnosed with Acid Reflux disease, there are a number of treatment options available to you, such as making changes to your diet, reducing stress, and taking over the counter antacids. Serious cases of GERD may require a prescription drug to reduce the acid being produced by your stomach, but lifestyle changes are often enough to control symptoms successfully.
Jeff Lakie is the owner of Occasional Heartburn
a website dedicated to matching consumers with acid reflux help.

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