What is GERD?
GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a chronic digestive
disease that occurs when the stomach acid travels back into the
esophagus causing irritation to the lining of the esophagus. The acid
reflux is caused by the abnormal function of lower esophageal sphincter
muscles or valve which fails to close properly causing the acid from the
stomach to travel back to the esophagus.
Some people experience GERD a few times a week but some suffer from
it daily. It is more prevalent in pregnant women and elderly people are
more prone to complications. Some people can tolerate the discomfort but
chronic GERD if not treated can cause damage to the esophagus leading
to bleeding, inflammation, ulceration and esophageal stricture or
narrowing of the esophagus.
What are the common chronic GERD symptoms?
Heartburn. One of the chronic GERD symptoms that is
really disturbing is heartburn. It is a burning pain in the chest and
throat ranging from mild to severe that usually occur after eating a
meal. Although it is called heartburn, the pain has nothing to do with
the heart. It is a pain from the esophagus and chest or under the
sternum due to the malfunction in the digestive system. Lying down or
bending make it more painful.
Regurgitation. Another chronic GERD symptom is
regurgitation or the reflux or moving up and down of the stomach acid in
the chest and the throat and sometimes as far as the mouth causing sour
taste or vomit-like taste.
Dysphagia. This is the difficulty of swallowing
which is a sign that there is a problem with the throat or esophagus.
Frequent or chronic acid reflux can cause ulcers and scars in the
esophagus making it narrower thus resulting to difficulty in swallowing.
Dysphagia is one of the common chronic GERD symptoms that most
sufferers have to watch out for.
Many people suffering from GERD do not seek medical attention but
just self-diagnose and self-treat. It is important to seek medical
attention once you’ve experienced chronic GERD symptoms. Over the
counter medications may work for a while but for chronic symptoms, it is
best to seek medical attention before it’s too late. Severe GERD could
lead to more serious esophageal damage from erosive to ulcerative
esophagitis. It is best to seek treatment before it becomes too late.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
5 Acid Reflux Self-Care That You Must Know
Acid reflux is commonly known as heartburn because it causes a
burning sensation on the chest. It is normal for some people to
experience heartburn and many people experience acid reflux from time to
time. It is normal to have occasional episodes of acid reflux because
people usually experience it when they burp after eating but there are
people who experience acid reflux episodes 2-3 times a day and this
could be really alarming. If this is happening to you, it may not be an
ordinary acid reflux anymore and you might be having GERD,
gastroesophageal reflux disease.
GERD should not be taken lightly because it is a condition where the gastric acid meant to digest food goes upwards to the esophagus causing chest pain. The esophagus is not designed to tolerate gastric acid and in the long run, acid reflux may cause problems to the esophagus. If you have GERD it is important to see your doctor because you may need medications or medical intervention. Aside from medical treatment, there are also acid reflux self-care that you must know. Here are some GERD self-care tips:
Acid reflux self-care no.1: Avoid foods triggering acid reflux episodes. Managing acid reflux includes being mindful with what you eat. The foods you intake can trigger acid reflux attacks. Foods that are spicy, fatty and acidic can trigger acid reflux so avoid them. Alcoholic, carbonated and caffeinated drinks can also trigger reflux. It is necessary to modify your diet if you want to lessen or get rid of your acid reflux episodes.
Acid reflux self-care no.2: Change your eating habits. Do not eat too much, it is better to eat small frequent meals. Avoid going to bed with a full stomach so eat 3-4 hours before bedtime. Avoid heavy activities or exercising after eating.
Acid reflux self-care no.3: Avoid putting pressure on your stomach. Do not wear clothing that are tight in the waist and avoid wearing tight belt because they can squeeze the stomach and may force food to reflux. Wear comfortable clothing to prevent putting pressure on your stomach.
Acid reflux self-care no.4: Reduce stress. Stress can lead to a number of health issues including upset stomach or digestive disorder. To reduce or eliminate your reflux episodes, you must learn to reduce your stress. Try relaxation techniques like yoga to relieve stress and to achieve psychological and physical balance.
Acid reflux self-care no.5: Lose weight. If you are on the heavy side, consider losing weight if you want to stop acid reflux attacks. Obese people usually have excess fats on the waist and stomach area. Too much fats on those areas put more pressure on the stomach and could cause stomach contents to be pushed upwards to the esophagus resulting to heartburn.
Medical treatment is necessary but you also have to take the initiative to personally take care of your health. Acid reflux is a manageable digestive disorder and practicing the above mentioned acid reflux self-care can help you manage your heartburn successfully.
Natural treatment is another option that you could explore. To know more visit Heartburn No More
GERD should not be taken lightly because it is a condition where the gastric acid meant to digest food goes upwards to the esophagus causing chest pain. The esophagus is not designed to tolerate gastric acid and in the long run, acid reflux may cause problems to the esophagus. If you have GERD it is important to see your doctor because you may need medications or medical intervention. Aside from medical treatment, there are also acid reflux self-care that you must know. Here are some GERD self-care tips:
Acid reflux self-care no.1: Avoid foods triggering acid reflux episodes. Managing acid reflux includes being mindful with what you eat. The foods you intake can trigger acid reflux attacks. Foods that are spicy, fatty and acidic can trigger acid reflux so avoid them. Alcoholic, carbonated and caffeinated drinks can also trigger reflux. It is necessary to modify your diet if you want to lessen or get rid of your acid reflux episodes.
Acid reflux self-care no.2: Change your eating habits. Do not eat too much, it is better to eat small frequent meals. Avoid going to bed with a full stomach so eat 3-4 hours before bedtime. Avoid heavy activities or exercising after eating.
Acid reflux self-care no.3: Avoid putting pressure on your stomach. Do not wear clothing that are tight in the waist and avoid wearing tight belt because they can squeeze the stomach and may force food to reflux. Wear comfortable clothing to prevent putting pressure on your stomach.
Acid reflux self-care no.4: Reduce stress. Stress can lead to a number of health issues including upset stomach or digestive disorder. To reduce or eliminate your reflux episodes, you must learn to reduce your stress. Try relaxation techniques like yoga to relieve stress and to achieve psychological and physical balance.
Acid reflux self-care no.5: Lose weight. If you are on the heavy side, consider losing weight if you want to stop acid reflux attacks. Obese people usually have excess fats on the waist and stomach area. Too much fats on those areas put more pressure on the stomach and could cause stomach contents to be pushed upwards to the esophagus resulting to heartburn.
Medical treatment is necessary but you also have to take the initiative to personally take care of your health. Acid reflux is a manageable digestive disorder and practicing the above mentioned acid reflux self-care can help you manage your heartburn successfully.
Natural treatment is another option that you could explore. To know more visit Heartburn No More
Tips to Relieve Disturbing Acid Reflux and Heartburn
If you often have heartburn, you probably have GERD. Heartburn is a
common symptom of acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
It is a painful or burning feeling on the chest or underneath the
breastbone. GERD or acid reflux is a condition where there are
abnormalities in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle at the
lower end of the esophagus that opens to allow food to enter the
stomach and closes to prevent the stomach acid to flow back up in the
esophagus.
For people with GERD, this muscle does not close properly causing the stomach acid and food to travel back up into the esophagus resulting to painful burning feeling or heartburn. This condition should not be taken lightly because the lining of the esophagus cannot tolerate stomach acid and frequent heartburn could result to scarring and bleeding. Untreated GERD or delayed treatment could damage the lining of the esophagus. It is important to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. It is important to know how to relieve disturbing acid reflux to get rid of disturbing heartburn or the painful burning feeling in your chest area to feel better. The following tips can be very helpful:
Medications. Your doctor may recommend medicines to ease your disturbing acid reflux and heartburn. Your doctor may recommend antacids to deal with the acid in your stomach, this can be bought over the counter but it is best to see your doctor before starting the medications. It is important to take medications under the supervision of your doctor and stick with the treatment plan religiously to prevent your condition from getting worse. Disturbing acid reflux could result to more serious esophagus health problems that could be life-threatening.
Elevated sleeping position. Heartburn becomes more painful when you lie down flat and one way to ease up disturbing acid reflux is to sleep in elevated position. This cannot be achieved by just using stack of pillows but the best way is to elevate the head of your bed by putting 6-8 inches woodblocks or bricks under your bedpost. If your head is higher than your stomach, acid on your stomach can be prevented from traveling back up to your esophagus.
Food avoidance. To relieve disturbing acid reflux you have to modify your diet. There are certain foods that aggravate or trigger acid reflux like fatty foods, deep fried foods, spicy foods, curry, chocolates, coffee or caffeinated drinks, alcoholic drinks, carbonated beverages, citrus fruits, juices, tomatoes or tomato-based products and pepper so you must avoid them to stop suffering from disturbing acid reflux. Heartburn caused by acid reflux becomes more painful after eating so it is best to modify your eating habits. Eat foods in small portion and eat slowly. Instead of eating big meals, eat frequent small meals. Avoid eating dinner 3-4 hours before bedtime because acid reflux may happen if you lie down with a full stomach.
Lifestyle change. There are certain habits that could trigger acid reflux like smoking so it is best to stop smoking if you want to relieve your disturbing acid reflux. Smoking contributes to a number of diseases including digestive health problems. Nicotine weakens the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. When this muscle weakens, it could work abnormally or may fail to close causing the stomach acid to escape upwards in the esophagus. Smoking is not a healthy habit, starting to quit now will not only save you from acid reflux but it will make your overall health better.
Lose weight. Obesity increases a person’s risk of acid reflux attacks. Increased weight increases the pressure in the stomach and this increased pressure causes the stomach contents and acid to be pushed back up in the esophagus. Losing weight could remedy this problem. Getting rid of your excess weight will not only relieve you from disturbing acid reflux but it can also improve your overall health and self-image.
Mind what you wear. Avoid clothes and belts that are too tight on the stomach area. Tight-fitting clothes could add pressure on the stomach and could trigger acid reflux. Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes. If you are worried about your self-image and you want to look sexy, squeezing your stomach with tight-fitting clothes is not the answer. There are a lot of comfortable clothing styles that can make you look good without putting too much pressure on your stomach.
Surgery is an option when medications and lifestyle modifications failed to ease disturbing acid reflux and heartburn. If you are hesitant to go under the knife, natural treatments are another option that you could explore. To know more visit Heartburn No More
For people with GERD, this muscle does not close properly causing the stomach acid and food to travel back up into the esophagus resulting to painful burning feeling or heartburn. This condition should not be taken lightly because the lining of the esophagus cannot tolerate stomach acid and frequent heartburn could result to scarring and bleeding. Untreated GERD or delayed treatment could damage the lining of the esophagus. It is important to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. It is important to know how to relieve disturbing acid reflux to get rid of disturbing heartburn or the painful burning feeling in your chest area to feel better. The following tips can be very helpful:
Medications. Your doctor may recommend medicines to ease your disturbing acid reflux and heartburn. Your doctor may recommend antacids to deal with the acid in your stomach, this can be bought over the counter but it is best to see your doctor before starting the medications. It is important to take medications under the supervision of your doctor and stick with the treatment plan religiously to prevent your condition from getting worse. Disturbing acid reflux could result to more serious esophagus health problems that could be life-threatening.
Elevated sleeping position. Heartburn becomes more painful when you lie down flat and one way to ease up disturbing acid reflux is to sleep in elevated position. This cannot be achieved by just using stack of pillows but the best way is to elevate the head of your bed by putting 6-8 inches woodblocks or bricks under your bedpost. If your head is higher than your stomach, acid on your stomach can be prevented from traveling back up to your esophagus.
Food avoidance. To relieve disturbing acid reflux you have to modify your diet. There are certain foods that aggravate or trigger acid reflux like fatty foods, deep fried foods, spicy foods, curry, chocolates, coffee or caffeinated drinks, alcoholic drinks, carbonated beverages, citrus fruits, juices, tomatoes or tomato-based products and pepper so you must avoid them to stop suffering from disturbing acid reflux. Heartburn caused by acid reflux becomes more painful after eating so it is best to modify your eating habits. Eat foods in small portion and eat slowly. Instead of eating big meals, eat frequent small meals. Avoid eating dinner 3-4 hours before bedtime because acid reflux may happen if you lie down with a full stomach.
Lifestyle change. There are certain habits that could trigger acid reflux like smoking so it is best to stop smoking if you want to relieve your disturbing acid reflux. Smoking contributes to a number of diseases including digestive health problems. Nicotine weakens the lower esophageal sphincter or LES. When this muscle weakens, it could work abnormally or may fail to close causing the stomach acid to escape upwards in the esophagus. Smoking is not a healthy habit, starting to quit now will not only save you from acid reflux but it will make your overall health better.
Lose weight. Obesity increases a person’s risk of acid reflux attacks. Increased weight increases the pressure in the stomach and this increased pressure causes the stomach contents and acid to be pushed back up in the esophagus. Losing weight could remedy this problem. Getting rid of your excess weight will not only relieve you from disturbing acid reflux but it can also improve your overall health and self-image.
Mind what you wear. Avoid clothes and belts that are too tight on the stomach area. Tight-fitting clothes could add pressure on the stomach and could trigger acid reflux. Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes. If you are worried about your self-image and you want to look sexy, squeezing your stomach with tight-fitting clothes is not the answer. There are a lot of comfortable clothing styles that can make you look good without putting too much pressure on your stomach.
Surgery is an option when medications and lifestyle modifications failed to ease disturbing acid reflux and heartburn. If you are hesitant to go under the knife, natural treatments are another option that you could explore. To know more visit Heartburn No More
Acid Reflux – Foods to Avoid
What acid reflux food should I avoid? This is a question most
gastroesophageal reflux disease sufferers struggle upon. Promoting
healthy nutrition that is based on avoiding certain foods while
increasing the intake of others has the potential to confer significant
long-term health benefits among acid reflux sufferers. Lifestyle and
dietary alterations are considered to be an integral and inseparable
part of any long-term holistic GERD treatment.
The foods we consume play an important role when it comes to keeping our body’s delicate natural inner balance. Since certain foods and dietary habits have been found to directly and indirectly promote the aggravation of acid reflux, avoiding those foods and adopting specific dietary habits for optimal digestion while suffering from acid reflux could have a tremendously positive effect on your existing medical condition. The following are examples of these types of foods:
1. Coffee and other caffeine containing beverages lead to increased acidity, so avoid large amounts of coffee. Try to limit your daily coffee consumption to two cups or less. It possible, split your coffee cup into two half cups, and reduce coffee drinking before the bedtime.
2. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and relax the LES muscle, leading to increased acidity and reflux.
3. High-fat foods are among the biggest culprits behind GERD symptoms. They take longer to digest and not easily eliminated out of body, thus increasing the chances acid will splash up into your esophagus. The only exceptions are omega-3 fatty acids from fish and fish oil, which are in fact powerful anti-inflammatory agents.
4. Chocolate contains a great deal of caffeine and fat. This may increase acidity and worsen digestion and hence should be avoided. If you are a devoted chocolate enthusiast, go for dark, organic varieties, and eat no more then two to three tiny squares two to three times per week.
5. Milk and milk-based products that contain a big proportion of calcium should also be avoided before bedtime.
6. Peppermint, spearmint and other mints can worsen acid reflux symptoms. Avoid foods that contain strong mints, including mint-based herbal teas.
7. Acidic foods (such as oranges and tomatoes) and cruciferous vegetables (onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts) promote the opening of the esophageal sphincter, thus increasing acid reflux.
So what acid reflux food should you avoid? With these dietary changes and a healthy motivation to alter your lifestyle, you can be on your way to overcoming gastroesophageal reflux disease and improving the quality of your life and well-being. Whatever your medical condition is, when you finally decide to improve your quality of life, you can literally choose to cure GERD and prevent its recurrence, by adopting the holistic approach. You will have the power to make it happen
This article is based on the book, “Heartburn No More” by Jeff Martin. Jeff is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated his life to creating the ultimate acid reflux solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root cause of heartburn and acid reflux and naturally and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life, without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures. Learn more by visiting Heartburn No More
The foods we consume play an important role when it comes to keeping our body’s delicate natural inner balance. Since certain foods and dietary habits have been found to directly and indirectly promote the aggravation of acid reflux, avoiding those foods and adopting specific dietary habits for optimal digestion while suffering from acid reflux could have a tremendously positive effect on your existing medical condition. The following are examples of these types of foods:
1. Coffee and other caffeine containing beverages lead to increased acidity, so avoid large amounts of coffee. Try to limit your daily coffee consumption to two cups or less. It possible, split your coffee cup into two half cups, and reduce coffee drinking before the bedtime.
2. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and relax the LES muscle, leading to increased acidity and reflux.
3. High-fat foods are among the biggest culprits behind GERD symptoms. They take longer to digest and not easily eliminated out of body, thus increasing the chances acid will splash up into your esophagus. The only exceptions are omega-3 fatty acids from fish and fish oil, which are in fact powerful anti-inflammatory agents.
4. Chocolate contains a great deal of caffeine and fat. This may increase acidity and worsen digestion and hence should be avoided. If you are a devoted chocolate enthusiast, go for dark, organic varieties, and eat no more then two to three tiny squares two to three times per week.
5. Milk and milk-based products that contain a big proportion of calcium should also be avoided before bedtime.
6. Peppermint, spearmint and other mints can worsen acid reflux symptoms. Avoid foods that contain strong mints, including mint-based herbal teas.
7. Acidic foods (such as oranges and tomatoes) and cruciferous vegetables (onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts) promote the opening of the esophageal sphincter, thus increasing acid reflux.
So what acid reflux food should you avoid? With these dietary changes and a healthy motivation to alter your lifestyle, you can be on your way to overcoming gastroesophageal reflux disease and improving the quality of your life and well-being. Whatever your medical condition is, when you finally decide to improve your quality of life, you can literally choose to cure GERD and prevent its recurrence, by adopting the holistic approach. You will have the power to make it happen
This article is based on the book, “Heartburn No More” by Jeff Martin. Jeff is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated his life to creating the ultimate acid reflux solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root cause of heartburn and acid reflux and naturally and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life, without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures. Learn more by visiting Heartburn No More
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