What is acid reflux and what is the origin of GERD?

GERD is related to the phenomenon where the stomach pushes liquid, acids and juices “the wrong way” into the esophagus. Often triggered after consuming food, heartburn, the burning feeling in the mid-chest is one of the most frequent signs of the more complex syndrome, which is GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disease) or acid reflux.

The liquid that gets back into the esophagus then attacks the esophageal lining, corroding and burning the tissue because of the stomach contents of acid as well as bile, pepsin and other digestive enzymes.

If no mechanism prevents the acid substances from getting back into the esophagus, then over time serious injury can result to the esophagus and generate further complications. The esophagus is a tube composed of muscle which passes food from the mouth to the stomach by a series of muscular movements. At the bottom of the esophagus is the LES, the lower esophageal sphincter, which should normally operate as a one-way valve, opening by reflex to let food into the stomach, then closing to prevent stomach content from moving back into the esophageal cavity. But upon weakening of the LES, or lack of synchronization (remaining open when it should be shut), acidic stomach content can flow back into the esophagus.

Acid reflux gravity is a matter of three factors:

1. The muscular effectiveness of the LES.

2. The stomach liquid type and quantity.

3. The natural capability of esophagus muscles to evacuate such content from the bottom of the esophagus.

It has also been noted among sufferers of heartburn that the liquid stomach content comes into contact with the esophageal lining and remains there for a longer period than is the case for people who are not victims of acid reflux. It is remarkable that with most individuals who are victims of acid reflux, the concentration of acid compared to stomach contents is greater than for non-victims of acid reflux.

The body also uses saliva as a protection mechanism for the esophagus. The saliva has water, enzymes, mucus and electrolytes to neutralize the damage that acid reflux might do to the esophagus. In addition, when awake and upright, the body is helped by gravity to maintain the stomach liquids in the stomach.

Nonetheless, at night when saliva production drops off, gravity is no longer a factor and swallowing slacks off as the body is horizontal, the reflux liquids remain in the esophagus for a longer time and increase damage and injury to the esophageal lining.

GERD is a complicated phenomenon and much more than one factor is involved. This explains why physicians still find this chronic ailment so hard to manage when limited to conventional over the counter or prescribed medicaments. Fortunately, there are alternative treatments – the holistic remedy that treats the root cause and then brings back the natural inner gastric and esophageal environmental balance.

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The cause of heartburn is refluxed gastric acid that enters the esophagus and then inflames the lining. This leads to the familiar symptom of heartburn as the throat or chest area discomforting burning feeling, produced either when eating a meal or afterwards.

This distressing and disagreeable ailment is experienced frequently by people in the western hemisphere. It does not automatically mean that you are suffering from a medical problem, if as a healthy person, you get heartburn on an occasional basis. However, if heartburn turns out to be recurrent, it can lead to a problem of acid reflux disease, also known as GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease).

GERD symptoms can go beyond just heartburn. They can also show up as regurgitation, attacks of asthma, chest pain, hoarseness and dry coughing, as well as yet others.

GERD can cause even more suffering if it is ignored and left untreated, and even evolve into more serious problems. Medical research done not long ago links GERD to cancer of the esophagus. This explains the necessity of treating acid reflux in a timely and effective way.

To treat GERD in an effective way, it is imperative to identify and treat the underlying causes of this medical condition. Some causes cannot be suppressed or controlled, for example, inherited characteristics that encourage the phenomenon of heartburn. Other causes may be interrelated, such as bad sleep habits, too much stress, build up of toxins, Candida infections and bad diet habits which can all either directly or indirectly lead to acid reflux.

To challenge heartburn, there are three principal kinds of treatments that are available to patients. Medications are what we term the first category, be these prescription or over the counter. Frustratingly, such medicaments are only viable in the short term if at all, and can lead to unwanted side effects. Examples for acid reflux actions are PPIs, H2 blockers and antacids. These products are focused on simply reducing the symptoms of GERD by canceling out or depressing the fabrication of stomach acid.

The next category for tackling acid reflux is surgery. There are however serious inconveniences to this second category. Surgery is intrusive and can therefore cause health complications. It only addresses the physical cause of heartburn (a weak sphincter), doing nothing to resolve the underlying causative agents that are really responsible for the problem. Surgery’s goal is to reinforce the sphincter muscle that seals off the stomach from the esophagus to prevent gastric acid from going back into the esophagus. When GERD starts, it is typically because this sphincter is not shutting correctly, this allowing gastric acids escape in the reverse direction towards the esophageal cavity.

The third possibility for victims of heartburn is the all-natural, holistic approach. It is possible to cure GERD permanently, safely and effectively by following a program that is designed to tackle the underlying causes of acid reflux. This makes such an approach the most effective and the most efficient, because it is the only one to fight the internal dysbiosis in a holistic manner, while at the same time alleviating the symptoms and bringing back the natural inner equilibrium of your body.

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The more you know about a disease, the more preventable you can make its effects on your health. Acid reflux is present in at least thirty five percent of all overweight people and is also a problem for a vast demographic.

In this article we’re going to look at several important facts about acid reflux which will hopefully help you to minimize its effects on your life.

Over sixty million Americans are affected by heartburn due to acid reflux on a monthly basis. That’s roughly twenty percent of the whole population! And approximately twenty five million (1/12 of the population) experience it every day.

Acid reflux isn’t only a problem with the digestive system, it can also affect your mental health. Roughly 80% of the people who deal with it experience the symptoms during the night, and about 75% of those people wake up as a result.

This can lead to other problems during the day, such as irritability, lack of concentration and increased risk of accidents while driving or while at work.

While heartburn is technically incurable, there are things that you can do to help offset the chance of you getting this disease. If you worry that you are at risk for an acid reflux condition, it is important to review the types of foods that you are eating and change your habits to lessen the number of acid-creating foods you ingest.

Smoking and drinking (alcohol) can also contribute to an acid reflux condition. Smoking causes the acid in your stomach to increase, which can make acid reflux even more damaging to your esophagus.

Plus, nicotine is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. When this muscle is not operating properly, it’s one of the leading causes of acid reflux. Alcohol has pretty much the same effect on this muscle, causing it to relax and allow reflux to work its way into the esophagus.

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There are several medications that can help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux but can make the problem worse if you stop taking them. These medications are called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI), and work by minimizing the acid production in your stomach.

When these medications are discontinued, it is observed that the body responds and bounces back with more acid secretion. This is called “rebound hypersecretion,” It is, therefore, often advisable for people taking PPI’s to avoid sudden stoppage of medication

A number of herbs are known to help with heartburn. Tea made from coriander, anise, fennel, caraway seeds, chamomile and angelica can help after eating. Other teas that are known to help are peppermint and spearmint. Many health food stores also carry capsules made from peppermint and caraway seed oils which many people have found to help.

There are specialists who rely on roots and herbs. Ginger root is one herb that’s used in Ayurveda, and taking it regularly can help reduce acid reflux.

Eating enough fiber can also help reduce the symptoms. Fiber helps your body to digest the acid in the foods as well as keeping you regular. If you don’t like eating foods containing fiber, there are pills and powders you mix with water available.

Another major contributor to acid reflux is nicotine, so stopping smoking can help. Nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter, allowing fluids to “swish around” freely. Stress can also be related to smoking, which also affects your digestion.

Avoid eating citrus fruits, raw onions, ground beef, potatoes, spaghetti, alcohol, spicy foods, ice cream, cheese, coffee and tea.

Licorice, (sold in health food stores), Meadowsweet, (an excellent anti-inflammatory and antacid that works to protect membranes in the digestive tract), certain digestive enzymes, such as Papain (helps to digest food better and faster, and keeps it from sitting around in the stomach for long periods), Chamomile (works for all digestive problems), and even marshmallow (works as anti-inflammatory, together with chamomile), all have had success as alternative medications over a period of time.

In the end, a good diet, positive changes in your lifestyle, weight control and lowering your stress level will all help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.

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Heartburn is one of the symptoms that pregnant women experience the most. From different estimations, between 60% and 90% of pregnancies will include symptoms of heartburn at one moment or another. Heartburn and the associated condition can show themselves in different ways, such as indigestion, a sensation of pain and burning just below the breastbone and a sour after-taste in the throat.

When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) ceases to work properly, acids and gastric contents can get back into the esophagus. Infrequent heartburn may not be of great concern, but increased frequency can indicate a deeper, chronic condition called acid reflux or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is the unwanted transmission of bile, digestive enzymes and acids that then generates heartburn. These substances transfuse back from the stomach to attack lining cells inside the esophagus. The LES should normally act as a valve to keep the gastric contents in the stomach, without them escaping backwards in a healthy body.

Acid reflux is brought on by many causes. They include:

1. Acid forming foods being eaten to excess: for example, eggs, liver and wine will worsen the problem. Other difficult foodstuffs are those that lead to Candida overgrowth, digestive problems or allergies. Particular examples are meat and dairy products.

2. Poor sleep hygiene can wreck your immune system. When this happens, many related problems can occur, including overgrowth of Candida, a non-reactive digestive system and a build-up of toxins. These are all contributing factors to acid reflux.

3. Excess body weight also puts pressure on the LES, forcing through more stomach juices and acids into the esophagus.

Pregnancy may be yet another factor leading to GERD. This is because pregnancy hormones have a relaxing effect on all muscle tissues that are smooth and that includes the LES. As an additional complication, the enlarging uterus can increase pressure on the abdominal area and therefore pressure on the LES to drive even more stomach acid into the esophagus. This is then coupled with other problems such as indigestion, constipation and bloating during pregnancy. A digestive process that slows and becomes sluggish will also indirectly worsen acid reflux.

Pregnancy and GERD simultaneously makes it difficult to handle the problem, as many drugs present potential risk for women who are pregnant. Any drugs that are permitted for pregnant women can also have certain unwanted secondary effects and are therefore not to be suggested either.

Did anyone tell you that pregnant women can get immediate alleviation from heartburn and cure a fundamental condition of acid reflux by opting for a holistic solution that treats the internal environment that was responsible for the GERD symptoms all along? The natural approach is the one to let you stop and prevent further heartburn in safety and with effectiveness.

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