Acid Reflux

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Author:
Fletcher Michaels

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.

About the Author :

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


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... Acid Reflux: What You Really Need To Know The formation of gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease. Because of the feeling of burning sensation in the center of the chest this disease is also popularly known as Heartburn disease. · The Causes of Acid Reflux or Heartburn Disease The main causes of Acid Reflux or the Heartburn disease is the formation and backing up of gases and acids from the stomach to the esophagus. The patient experiences severe pain or burning feeling in his stomach and chest area as the acidic stomach gases come in contact with the damages or lesions on the inside of his esophagus. When someone drinks orange or tomato juice or any kind of similar fruit juice, the acid in the juice comes in direct contact with the lesions or sores in the esophagus causing severe pain and burning feeling in the stomach. Sometimes when people usually burp they experience pain or heartburn because of the esophageal damage. Our stomach contains enzymes and hydrochloric acid which help in the digestive process. The acidic contents of our stomach exert some force against our Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) valve. If the valve is damaged or swollen then the valve is overpowered by this pressure. When the pressure manages to overcome the LES valve, the acidic gases or fumes from our stomach readily starts to reflux into the esophagus. In our esophagus the acidic fumes make contact with the lesions or sores and the result is severe pain or feeling of a burning sensation in the chest area. · The Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease The Acid Reflux disease has some very common symptoms. The most common symptom of acid reflux disease...