Ways To Overcome Acid Reflux

By Author: Steven Johnson
Total Articles: 490
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Most of us are very accustomed to the feeling of heartburn or acidic aftertaste in the mouth after eating a good big meal. Quite commonly these sensations are symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). It is estimated that nearly all people experience this condition to various degrees at some points of their lives, but about one in ten adult Americans struggles with constant GERD and associated symptoms. Fortunately for them, it's a treatable condition but not all of those who suffer from GERD take the effort to learn about it.

The most common causes behind acid reflux are high acidity on the stomach and weak or dysfunctional LES (lower esophageal sphincter). When there's too much acid in the stomach it tends to reflux into the esophagus with the food that has been consumed recently. There's no special protective lining in the esophagus that would protect it from acid like in the stomach, and this causes irritation and inflammation - what we experience as heartburn. The muscle connecting the stomach and esophagus - LES - is responsible for keeping the food in the stomach after it is transmitted through the esophagus. ...
... If this muscle is weak than it's easier for the food to get back into the esophagus, causing irritation and heartburn.

There are different options for eliminating the symptoms of GERD. Most commonly people resort to medications due to the dependency on advanced medicine in general. There's a wide range of drugs that can help eliminate even the most severe heartburn. Drugs like Nexium, Zantac, Prilosec and many others will effectively reduce any acid reflux problems if taken on a regular basis. The main effect of drugs like Nexium is the reduction of acidity levels in the stomach, which reduces the risk of acid reflux and consequent damage to the esophagus. However, many people don't realize that the same effects can be achieved through simple lifestyle changes.

First of all, you should review your diet in order to minimize the intake of substances that provoke acid reflux. Some of them are definitely tasty, but if your heartburn gets worse with time then you should sacrifice pleasure from eating specific foods to being healthy in general. Some foods that are known to provoke acid reflux include citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onions, peppermint, fatty foods, most soft drinks and full fat dairy products. The way you eat your food is also very important. Try to avoid eating large meals that make you literally full, resort to smaller portions that can be consumed more often if needed. Avoid eating in less than 3 hours before going to bed or performing physical exercises, otherwise you risk promoting acid reflux by your physical positions.

By following these simple guidelines you will effectively reduce the risk of acid reflux. Of course, if your condition doesn't improve after taking all these measures, it's a serious cause for concern and you will need to address a doctor as soon as possible. It may be a sign of a more serious medical condition that even drugs like Nexium won't be effective against.