Archive for March 31st, 2009

Acid Reflux, Foods to Avoid and Acid Reflux Causes

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
acid reflux
mike legg asked:


If you’re looking for a natural cure for acid reflux or if you are just looking out for the acid reflux foods to avoid then perhaps you would first like to know a little more about it. Acid Reflux sometimes called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) or acid indigestion is a condition suffered by thousands of people from all walks of life. The main symptoms include frequent heartburn, a burning type of pain in the lower part of the mid chest, behind the breastbone, and sometimes in the mid abdomen.

So just what is Acid Reflux?

Acid Reflux is a condition in which acid from the stomach escapes and moves up into the oesophagus. This is not a normal process of digestion and so can cause severe discomfort. If you have too much acid in your stomach it can eat away at the stomach lining and affect the muscles in the stomach and the oesophagus.

Some of the more common acid reflux causes include diet and lifestyle. It may not be so easy to change your lifestyle, maybe because of the type of job you do, which may be hectic and stressful. However making a small change in your diet and knowing what acid reflux foods to avoid can make a huge difference to how much you suffer.

Watching what you eat is essential if you suffer from acid reflux, and knowing what acid reflux foods to avoid is vital, as a poor diet is one of the main acid reflux causes. And it’s not just what you eat; it can also be how you eat. Try eating smaller more frequent meals as opposed to large heavy meals. Having less food in your stomach at any one time, means that your stomach does not have to produce such a large amount of acid to digest it.

Natural remedies for acid reflux can include just eating the right foods, and knowing what acid reflux foods to avoid. Fatty foods, acidic foods such as oranges or tomatoes should all be avoided, as should onions, chocolate, and any milk based products. Fast foods and fried foods are known to be some of the worst acid reflux causes.

As well as acid reflux foods to avoid, there are also foods that can be beneficial (thank goodness I hear you cry). Try switching to more fruit and vegetables, and complex carbohydrates in your diet. Some of these beneficial foods include apples, bananas, carrots, rice (brown or white), bread (wheat, multi grain, or white), corn bread, pasta, and cereals.

Meat and fish can also be part of a healthy diet as long as they are cooked the right way. Avoid frying and always buy lean meats. Fish can be steamed and things like beef and pork can be grilled. Chicken breasts are fine as long as you remove the skin. Also some dairy products are ok, fat free cream cheese, soy cheese, or feta cheese will not cause you any problems.

Along with these acid reflux foods to avoid there are also certain drinks and beverages to be aware of. Coffee, tea, or anything else with caffeine should be avoided. Alcohol is another no no, as is milk or any milk products. Smoking is also one of the worst acid reflux causes, so the cigarettes will have to go if you want to start feeling some improvement. Just by making these few changes in your diet can act like a natural cure for acid reflux.



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How To Tell If You Have Acid Reflux

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
acid reflux
Gary Vaughn asked:


Because of the need and use of regular food and liquids, your digestive system is in constant use. The tube from your mouth to your stomach is known as the esophagus. When you eat or drink food products, they go through this tube where breakdown of food begins. Acid and pepsin are released in the stomach once the food is swallowed and reaches its destination in that area. The acid and pepsin then help the body to break down the food and digest it. The problem starts when this acid is pushed up from the stomach to the esophagus and begins to cause deterioration.

If a problem, such as indigestion, should occur in the digestive tract, it is not uncommon for people to ignore and neglect the warning signs, thus avoiding treatment of what could be a very serious problem. Often, they will use some type of home remedial treatment in order to treat the problems. The problem with this is that a very common digestive disease becomes neglected. That disease is acid reflux or heartburn. When the esophagus is irritated by those stomach acids that are pushed up into the esophagus, erosion of tissues occurs. This erosion, usually in the lower esophagus and upper stomach, is what is known as acid reflux disease or Gastroenteral Regurgitation Disease (GERD).

Acid reflux disease (GERD) is only one of many kinds of digestive diseases commonly known as “heartburn.” There are specific symptoms that will help you determine whether or not you have acid reflux or “GERD.”

If you have a “searing” sensation in the digestive tract, you have one of the most common symptoms of GERD. This sensation can often be felt in the throat or the chest. Other common symptoms are hoarseness, an acrid taste in the mouth, bitterness or sourness in the mouth, frequent coughing and wheezing.

There are some special characteristics that can help indicate the existence of GERD. One of them is the presence of pain or that “searing” sensation when one is lying down or just bending over. If this should occur, try to sleep on the back with the head elevated. Some people claim that physical activity and exercise help diminish acid reflux over time. The vast majority of people simply use antacids which can be helpful in the short term but medical help should be sought to address the long-term effects of acid reflux. GERD symptoms are often mistaken for symptoms of heart attack and any type of chest pain should be investigated medically.

Acid reflux disease is not a disease of old or middle aged people. It can occur with all age groups, including infants and small children. While some infants can have acid reflux, it is not common and often dissapates as the child matures. In adults, the GERd is usually caused by poor diet, lack of physical activity or inactive lifestyle.

Acid reflux could also be caused by other factors. Pregnancy is a common time to see acid reflux because during this time women tend to have large increases in their levels of hormones and the stomach has pressure on it from the fetus. Another reason for acid reflux is extreme obesity. The intake of some acidic beverages, overeating or even some medicines can cause acid reflux disease.

An investigation into the causes of acid reflux-like symptoms should be undertaken if a person believes that he or she may have acid reflux disease. Prevention is the most effective means of avoiding acid reflux. This means that a person who suffers from GERD should attempt to change lifestyles to one that is more healthy.

Because acid reflux is most often caused by poor diet, it is obviously to one’s benefit to change to a proper nutritional diet in order to aid in the eradication of acid reflux. If the diet is usually a spicy, high fat diet, the chances of acid reflux are much greater. An acid reflux problem can lead to much more serious problems such as advanced respiratory difficulties or liver problems, therefore, it would certainly behoove anyone to visit their health care professional and determine whether or not they have acid reflux and make a plan to rid themselves of this painful and irritating condition.



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