Many people know they have heartburn but a common question in doctors offices today is just what is acid reflux disease? Acid reflux disease or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) has become common in recent years. It is also termed GORD when spelled oesophageal. GERD occurs when gastric fluids flow back into and cause damage to the esophagus as well as the mucous membranes within.
In adults, heartburn is a major symptom of GERD. This is usually felt as a burning sensation behind the breastbone. Other conditions associated with GERD include esophagitis (an inflammation of the esophagus), difficulty swallowing and chronic chest pain.
Acid reflux occurs during digestion, when the stomach churns up acid or refluxes it into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat. So if you eat too many highly acidic foods like tomato sauces and/or fatty, fried foods, the stomach has to process an overabundance of acid. Too much acid can push back through a valve between the stomach and the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Acid reflux culprits include but are not limited to tomato based sauces, fried and fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, citrus fruits, peppers, and caffeinated beverages.
Along the same lines as diet, overeating also causes reflux. When you overeat, the stomach can't keep up with the demand to process all the acids. So food gets backed up, and digestive acids infiltrate the esophageal valve to cause that unpleasant burning feeling centered in the chest.
Also diet-related, another acid reflux cause is being overweight. There is a clear correlation between being overweight and a notable increase in the occurrence of acid reflux. Many believe this is because the extra weight puts more pressure on the stomach and esophagus.
Treatment for acid reflux disease
I think when you get right down to it, you have to change the way you eat. Your stomach is like bucket full of acid. As you add in large meals, the acid levels rise and they're probably overflowing. When your stomach acids overflow, they go into the esophagus. Typically people eat 3 meals a day and they're of a larger size. Try eating smaller meals more often. This way, your stomach acid won't rise quite as high and it should stay at a more moderate level across all meals.
Another option of treatment for acid reflux disease is vinegar. It has natural enzymes that calm the stomach acid. Obviously you can't just drink bottles of vinegar, you need to add it into your diet. The vinegar based products like salad dressing and ketchup that you add in, the less likely you're going to experience any form of acid reflux. So if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please see a physician as soon as possible. It could save your life.
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