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Acid reflux is also known as heartburn; a condition increasing numbers of people in the western world suffer from. Many similar conditions exist but they all exhibit pretty much the same range of symptoms but all fall under the umbrella of gastrointestinal disorders. The problem arises from an upset in our stomach's digestive fluid (hydrochloric acid). When stomach contents try to go back up the esophagus, it causes the feeling of heartburn. When food enters your stomach, a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter opens to allow food into the stomach which normally remains closed so that stomach food and acid do not flow back up into your esophagus area. The esophageal sphincter should close and trap the acid but when this doesn't happen and the acid escapes back up the digestive tract the condition of acid reflux or heartburn is the result. Doctors abbreviate the condition to GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disorder. Although the real cause of acid reflux disorder has not yet been found, it is thought that eating the wrong foods could be to blame; unfortunately, overeating and junk food can also overload the digestive systems ability to digest food adequately. When anyone eats a large amount of food it creates an additional burden on the stomach muscles. Something has to give; this being the acid which returns or refluxes back up the esophagus bringing with it the very unpleasant heartburn. Since this valve protects your esophagus from your stomach acid, you need to take care this valve does not allow digested acidic food to pass back into the esophagus. This can be achieved by consuming smaller meals, the incidences of heartburn should reduce. This situation can be a problem for the health of the body as the stomach, esophagus and mouth all need to be in good working order. The stomach carries out not only the breaking down of food but processing it into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body. 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. To normalize your stomachs activities or to get rid of acid reflux disorder, you need to change your eating, drinking, and thinking habits. This will then allow your stomach to settle down and regain its strength. If you can reduce the heartburn occurrences, in time you may well be able to slowly start eating those dishes that have needed to be cut out. Of course acid reflux can also be aggravated by a number of other situations; for instance: Being a smoker Having allergies to particular foods e.g. peanuts Prescription medicines Too much alcohol Sleeping after a meal All this comes down to a lifestyle change which ultimately only you can control. It doesn't take that much to make a difference. All that is required is a little dedication on your part to be careful about what you eat and drink to possibly clear up your acid reflux problem. Whether you decide to take this and your doctors advice is really up to you.
By: Lorna Bresko
Lorna offers detox tips and advice that can help you build your own natural detox diet that can help your health and acid reflux symptoms - get the latest natural detox tips.
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