Acid Reflux

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Author:
Kathryn Whittaker

Say you are at a party and all of a sudden you get that stinging feeling in your throat. You scrunch up your face, look around the room and walk to a place where nobody can see you as you try to swallow away that biting liquid. Your loosen your collar, swallow some more of your wine, and try to get back into the conversation. Yet, when you do get a circle and join in the conversation, people start to back away from you, pretend to scratch their nose, and claim to be needed elsewhere. You can’t help but wonder if your recent bout of heartburn is related to your recent unpopularity?

One way that you can check if you have bad breath (if your best friend isn’t at the ready), is to lick the inside of your wrist and let it dry for a few seconds and then smell it. If there is an odor, then your breath isn’t as fresh as it should be.

If you are experiencing bad breath, or halitosis, then part of your problem might be either related to, or a direct result of acid reflux/GERD.

Most experts, medical and naturopathic alike will tell you that bad breath is caused by what you eat, lack of saliva swishing around in your mouth, stress, dehydration, and stomach activity, i.e. acid indigestion. Since many people experience acid reflux in their sleep, chances are good that morning breath isn’t just a lack of saliva activity, but is related to GERD.

Most commentators speaking on bad breath list acid reflux as a major cause, in addition to the items mentioned above. It makes sense really. It stands to reason that acidic liquid rising up from your stomach is not going to smell pretty, and if that is getting up to your throat, through a loosening in the collapsible valve at the tip of your stomach, it’s going to make your breath smell pretty foul.

Not only that, but many of the factors that contribute to bad breath, are also causal factors for acid reflux. The foods that you eat are a major contributor to bad breath, like spicy or garlicky foods, which are also a major contributor to acid reflux. Stress is also a cause for both upsets.

It stands to reason then, that by counteracting the causal factors of GERD, you will also reduce your chances of having bad breath, not only in striking what may be the heart of your problem, but you’ll combat one or both of these ailments as well.

Contrary to popular belief, making changes to your diet and stress levels aren’t as difficult as some of the makers of pharmaceuticals would like you to believe. They would prefer you to think that a few changes in your diet, or a simple exercise plan will mean re-vamping your life entirely, but this is simply not the case.

Long term solutions are just that—long term. So, make the changes, but make them slowly, incorporating them into your life in small steps so that the changes don’t seem too drastic, making them easier to swallow (so to speak) and more likely steps that you will stick with.

About the Author :

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://www.naturally-stop-acid-reflux.com/blog/2006/09/27/acid-reflux-and-bad-breath/ .


Article Source: www.iSnare.com

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Acid Reflux... A Guide To Acid Reflux Symptoms If you suffer from acid reflux disease, don't despair... Though there are a number of acid reflux symptoms, there are also a variety of effective treatment plans for this condition. Some people have found natural remedies that are effective for the control of acid reflux disease. However, it is important to have acid reflux symptoms evaluated by a doctor, especially if chest pain is present, to rule out more serious conditions. Self-diagnosis is not recommended. Heartburn, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth or back of the throat, and difficulty swallowing, are the most common acid reflux symptoms. Treatment may include prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, or botanical and herbal remedies. We will discuss these below. Before we do, however, keep in mind that acid reflux disease is a more serious ailment than just occasional heartburn, which almost everyone experiences at one time or another. Dietary changes are almost always necessary for the control of acid reflux disease, but some people have found that a health drink made from mangosteen juice, taken before meals, can effectively control acid reflux symptoms. Persistent cough, hoarseness and upset stomach are examples of other problems that may be acid reflux symptoms. Treatment of acid reflux disease often begins with a group of prescription drugs called proton pump inhibitors. The coughing and hoarseness are caused by stomach acid leaking up into the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Proton pump inhibitors are taken daily to prevent secretion of stomach acid, but they were not intended for long term use and can have adverse side effects, which may include headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, fatigue...