Acid Reflux

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Author:
Groshan Fabiola

Acid reflux is a very disturbing condition and in some cases it can even become severe. Left untreated, the condition usually becomes chronic, its symptoms reoccurring after certain periods of time.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, also referred to as acid reflux, is a physiological condition that causes the regurgitation of the stomach content into the esophagus and throat. Acid reflux is very common and may occur due to inappropriate diet, stress and unhealthy lifestyle. Some people are frequently confronted with acid reflux and in time they can develop serious complications. Physiological abnormalities seem to be the main cause for acid reflux (weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter, uncontrolled contractions of the sphincter, low pressure at the bottom of the esophagus due to abnormal positioning of the sphincter, etc). People who suffer from acid reflux as a consequence of physiological abnormalities can only overcome their condition through the means of ongoing medical treatment or surgery.

The best way of controlling the condition is through the means of good diet. Appropriate diet has a great importance in preventing and controlling acid reflux. Due to the fact that excessive production of stomach digestive fluids also contributes to the condition, an appropriate diet can ameliorate the symptoms of acid reflux. A good diet should exclude: foods that are rich in fat, milk, caffeine-based products, spicy foods, fried foods, alcoholic beverages and smoking.

Other means of controlling the symptoms of acid reflux are medications and surgery. Medical treatments include all kinds of drugs (antacids, histamine antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, etc) that can be effective in preventing the gastric acids from reaching inside the esophagus. Surgery provides permanent results and it is performed at the level of the esophagus. If abnormal activity of the lower esophageal sphincter is the cause of acid reflux, surgery can improve its functioning either by tightening the inner walls of the esophagus in order to increase pressure, or by reshaping the sphincter to better seal the lower end of the esophagus.

Acid reflux can occur in anyone and people can develop this condition at any age. Infants and small children are mostly affected by acid reflux, but the condition can also occur in teenagers, adults and elderly people. It is important to act quickly when suffering from acid reflux, as it can lead to complications. Left untreated, acid reflux can cause inflammation and deterioration of the esophagus, throat lesions, gastro-intestinal problems, breathing problems and sleep apnea. Acid reflux can aggravate in time or it can become chronic. In the chronic forms of acid reflux, the symptoms have a recidivating character and the condition needs ongoing treatment or surgical intervention in order to be overcome.

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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 and Your Diet There is an undeniable connection between the occurrence of acid reflux and diet. Everything in your body has a delicate balance. The human body is a miracle of systems that maintains just the right conditions to keep everything running smoothly. Therefore it’s the healthiest when there is an acidic balance or equilibrium. The stomach regulates acidic digestion with enzymes that convert acids into manageable alkaline or basal substances. However, when there is an over-production of acid, usually helped along by lifestyle choices like overeating or smoking, acid reflux is likely to occur, and if it goes unregulated, acid reflux disease can develop. Fortunately, acid reflux and diet can be effectively improved by launching a few lifestyle changes. One of the most important things you can do to cool heartburn down is to avoid certain foods. In many cases, just changing the diet is all that is necessary to control acid reflux. Most health care professionals recommend a low-acid diet consisting of more alkaline or basal foods. Foods such as chocolate, foods with a lot of extra cheese, tomato sauce or catsup based foods, onions, chilies, caffeinated beverages, fatty or fried foods, alcohol, mint, and citrus fruits have been known to aggravate digestion, acting as catalysts for acid reflux. So what foods are safe to eat? The key qualities in heartburn-friendly foods, for most people, are low fat and non-spicy. So, with that in mind you can probably guess that leafy greens and broccoli, lean cuts of grilled meat, egg whites, low-fat cheeses like feta, apples and bananas, multi-grain breads, and low-fat salad dressings are good choices. Junk food? Occasionally, but with caution, choose fat free cookies, baked potato chips, or red licorice. A good exercise to do if you...