Acid Reflux Diet

Acid reflux disease affects about 20% of Americans, which is about 20 million men, women and even children. Heartburn, despite its name, actually has nothing to do with the heart. It has to do with the GI tract. Heartburn can make you feel as though you are having a heart attack or have heart disease, this is where is gets its name. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid splashing into the esophagus and burning the lining. There is a muscular valve between the esophagus and the stomach. With the help of gravity, this valve keeps everything inside the stomach. The valve is called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES and is located below the rib cage.

Heartburn is a daily problem for about 10 percent of various people, 50 percent of pregnant women and about 30 percent of people experience heartburn only occasionally. Acid reflux disease is caused by the LES becoming weakened or compromised in some way. The LES, when functioning normally, opens only to let in food and enable belching. When it is not working correctly, not closing tightly or at all, acid can splash or seep up into the throat and literally burn the lining of the esophagus. Overeating or lying down right after eating can cause stomach acid to seep out as well because of too much pressure on the stomach, this also is the reason a lot of pregnant women get it too.

Some foods cause the LES to relax, therefore allowing acid to seep through into the esophagus. Those foods may include tomatoes, garlic, some fruits, carbonated drinks, alcohol, chocolate and coffee. In addition, foods that are high in animal, vegetable or other fats are likely to cause heartburn as well. Things such as certain medicines, smoking and stress are major contributors to acid reflux as well. Smoking tends to relax the LES and stimulate the acid in the stomach. Stress can cause your stomach to produce more acid than it should. Although these are common causes of heartburn, there can be a more serious cause. Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a disorder with the LES that stops it from functioning the way it should.

There are many symptoms of GERD. The main signs and symptoms of acid reflux disease or GERD include heartburn, pain in the chest or feeling of a heart attack, bitter taste in the back of the throat. The pain in the chest can increase when bending over, lying down, or lifting heavy objects. Minor or less symptoms also occur they include coughing, feeling of a lump in the throat, hoarseness in the voice (laryngitis), choking sensation or sore throat. If the problem persists, it can cause many problems like, burns or ulcers in the esophagus, which can lead to vomiting blood, black or tarry stools and difficulty swallowing.

There are many available treatments for acid reflux and GERD. Some, less often than not, require corrective surgery. Most people who suffer from acid reflux do not have a severe enough case to demand surgery. Minor cases can be controlled with prescriptions and a good diet and exercise program. This article in no way substitutes professional medical advice and anyone experiencing severe heartburn symptoms should contact their regular health care provider.

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