What is GERD and Acid Reflux - 2008-Jun-11
If you suffer with the contents of your stomach trying to come back up then you probably have acid reflux disease sometimes referred to as GERD. This complaint affects the food pathways or digestive tract but is often called other names. The problem arises from an upset in our stomach's digestive fluid (hydrochloric acid). With this condition, acid in the stomach tries to escape up the food pathways and this is the reason for the burning pain.
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Normally, when food is swallowed, the lower esophageal sphincter valve will open to allow food to enter the stomach for digestion but with this condition the valve does not close properly. However there are times when the lower esophageal sphincter does not remain closed, when this happens acid from the stomach can reflux or flow back into the esophagus.
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Doctors abbreviate the condition to GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disorder. Unfortunately the exact cause of acid reflux disease remains a mystery, but it is believed an individual's diet is primarily to blame; overeating could also add to the problem and cause unnecessary stress on the stomach and its ability to process food.
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It is never wise to eat large amounts at is puts a significant strain on the stomach muscles which in turn results in pressure within the gut itself. This in turn causes the esophageal valve to behave erratically leading to stomach fluids rising and causing the awful burning feeling in the chest. Easing this pressure should stop the esophageal valve from opening and acid escaping into the esophagus causing further damage. The easiest way to reduce the incidences of heartburn is too reduce the size of meals. Your mouth, esophagus, and stomach are the first areas of food processing so if something goes wrong in this area, if will affect the health of the entire body. The stomach has the important task of processing food so it can be broken down into important and vital nutrients used by the body.
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The use of readily available, anti-acid drugs is not the long term answer. However, these can interrupt natural body processes and cause other health problems. It may take a while but the best acid reflux remedy is to make adjustments to your drinking and eating habits which may have caused the acid reflux condition. Hopefully this will reduce the strain the stomach is placed under, gradually returning it to a more stable condition. You might find that once the heartburn incidents have been reduced you can gradually start eating some of the dishes you did before, remembering to take things easily.
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Whilst eating is probably the largest factor in acid reflux disease, other substances can also contribute; a few of these are listed below:
Regular smoking
Allergic reactions to certain types of food
Prescription medicines
Alcohol
Taking a nap after eating
Changes in lifestyle are generally all that is required to make a big difference to your life. The number of heartburn episodes that occur should diminish. So by watching what you eat and taking care of your health, you stand a better chance of avoiding and clearing acid reflux disorder. Ultimately the choice is yours to make!
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