What is Acid Reflux? Symptoms, Causes, Dangers and Solutions

Research done recently demonstrates that one in five people approximately in the developed world endure symptoms related to acid reflux (also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD) once a week, while an additional one in five suffer from the discomfort, even pain of these symptoms at least every month. Up to 40 per cent of those people suffer every day from GERD related symptoms. However, most patients do not really understand what acid reflux is.

What are the local causes of acid reflux?

Gastro esophageal reflux disease happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (the name for the circle of muscle that is the valve between the stomach and the esophagus) does not shut correctly and lets stomach juices be thrown back up, or reflux, into the esophagus. When the esophagus lining is impacted by these juices, this produces the burning sensation in the chest and/or the throat, which is called heartburn.

The level of stomach acid has to be high enough for effective digestion, and avoid the stomach from having to work much harder for the food to be digested. Over time, the extra effort of the stomach can result in gastroesophageal reflux disease occurring. So although it seems strange, GERD may also be a symptom of too little gastric acid.

Rather than just the immediate factors leading to acid reflux, there are also uncontrollable genetic factors and several other internal factors and cofactors, that make for a context that encourages gastroesophageal reflux disease. A long-term solution can only come from fixing the internal factors fundamentally responsible for bringing on GERD.

What do symptoms of acid reflux look like?

Note that sometimes GERD can happen in the absence of any symptoms. Diagnosis of acid reflux is typically done according to a recurring (every three days or more) manifestation of heartburn. Healthy people get occasional heartburn as well, and this alone does not mean that you have an acid reflux condition. Yet others experience a sensation of food lodged in their throat or choking or stricture. Symptoms may differ for some GERD patients, such as chest pains, breakfast hoarseness or problems in swallowing. Recurrent dry coughs are also symptoms for this last group of patients.

What are the dangers associated with acid reflux?

Some patients develop a condition where cells in the esophageal lining adopt abnormal shapes and colors, a condition known as Barrett's esophagus. Protracted Barrett's esophagus may result in cancer, in particular for adults over 60. Neglecting gastroesophageal reflux disease cannot only have disagreeable, perhaps painful symptoms, but can also generate other grave complications. Gastric acid can lead to inflammation of the esophagus over time, and ulcers or bleeding. Finally, tissue damage scars can result in narrowing of the esophagus and problems in swallowing.

Possible solutions for acid reflux

Treating acid reflux can be handled in one of three ways: a surgical operation; medicaments available by prescription or over-the-counter; and holistic therapy, using dietary and lifestyle alterations, detox, and specific herbal supplements. In most instances, GERD can be tackled and stopped using natural solutions, without the risks or secondary effects of surgical treatment or prescribed medicaments. This holistic approach is also backed up by a review of recent research that demonstrates that the medical condition of gastroesophageal reflux disease is provoked mostly by factors of diet, lifestyle and behavior.

So what is acid reflux? Seen in the context of conventional medicine that compares it to other similar recurring conditions, acid reflux is to be treated by constantly ingesting drugs, antacids and over the counter medicament that only bring temporary relief.

Seen from the holistic viewpoint, gastroesophageal reflux disease is the warning sign for a major lack of internal balance that must be resolved. Alternative treatments for acid reflux therefore (homeopathic programs, herbal remedies, diet and lifestyle modifications and detoxification), by treating the deep internal cause of GERD, are implicitly superior compared to conventional answers that only bring superficial relief.

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Jeff Martin is a certified nutritionist and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, Heartburn No More . To Learn More About Jeff Martins Unique Holistic Acid Reflux Cure System Visit: What is Acid Reflux

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