Acid Reflux Symptoms: Identify the Cause and Get Relief Today
Published August 6th, 2008 in Acid Reflux Disease.1f54
Acid reflux symptoms can range from mild heartburn to pain so bad you think you may be having a heart attack. Knowing what causes acid reflux can help you get relief from the symptoms.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach are pushed back up into the esophagus. Stomach contents contain acid and enzymes, which can damage the lining of the esophagus, and which cause the symptoms of heartburn.
What causes Acid Reflux?
There is a small muscle between the esophagus and the stomach that forms a barrier between them. Normally, the muscle relaxes and opens the entry into the stomach when you swallow, so that food can pass into your stomach. After the food goes into your stomach, the muscle contracts and closes off the entrance.
In acid reflux, the muscle relaxes and allows stomach contents to go backward, back up into the esophagus
Are there risk factors for Acid Reflux?
Yes. The risk factors for acid reflux include:
What are the symptoms of Acid Reflux?
The symptoms of acid reflux also have a few special characteristics:
The symptoms of acid reflux may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. If you experience pain or burning in your chest and/or throat, sweating and/or shortness of breath, call 911. DO NOT waste time trying to figure out if it’s serious or not. It’s important to get treatment for heart attack as soon as possible. DO NOT drive yourself to the doctor’s office or hospital.
What can I do to get relief from Acid Reflux?
1. Use antacids or over-the-counter medications for heartburn and acid indigestion. Sodium bicarbonate is not recommended because it contains too much sodium.
2. Eat smaller meals.
3. Don’t lie down for at least 45 minutes after eating
4. Watch your diet. Fatty foods, spicy foods, onions, tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine-containing beverages, alcohol and carbonated beverages frequently cause acid reflux. Pay attention to the things that cause you to have indigestion, and eliminate them from your diet.
5. Raise the head of your bed. This may keep you from waking up at night with indigestion.
6. Lose weight.
7. Stop smoking.
8. Talk to your doctor about your medications, including prescriptions and any vitamins or minerals you take. Avoid taking aspirin or other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen.
Knowing what causes acid reflux helps you decide what changes you can make to get relief from the symptoms today.
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Learn to identify the early signs of acid reflux symptoms and learn how to get the relief you need. |
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Acid Reflux Symptoms: Identify the Cause and Get Relief Today
Published October 31st, 2007 in Acid Reflux Disease.If you’re experiencing acid reflux symptoms, you want relief…and you want it TODAY. No more sleepless nights, no more burning sensation.
Acid reflux symptoms can range from mild heartburn to pain that can feel like you’re having a heart attack. Identifying the cause of acid reflux can help you get relief from your symptoms today.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach are pushed back up into the esophagus. In your stomach, you have acid and enzymes, which can damage the lining of the esophagus, and cause the symptoms of heartburn.
What causes Acid Reflux?
There is a small muscle between the esophagus and the stomach that forms a barrier between them. Normally, the muscle relaxes and opens the entry into the stomach when you swallow, so that food can pass into your stomach.
Once the travels into your stomach, the muscle contracts and closes off the entrance.
When acid reflux takes place, the muscle relaxes and allows your stomach contents to go backward, up into the esophagus.
Are there risk factors for Acid Reflux?
Yes. The risk factors for acid reflux include:
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Hiatal hernia
• Pregnancy
• Asthma (it’s unclear if this is actually a risk factor, or if asthma and acid reflux are related in some other way, but they often go hand in hand)
• Diabetes
• Peptic Ulcer
• Delayed stomach emptying
• Connective tissue disorders
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
What are the symptoms of Acid Reflux?
• A burning sensation in your chest or throat.
• Sour or bitter taste in your mouth.
• Belching.
• Wheezing.
• Hoarseness.
• Cough.
The symptoms of acid reflux also have a few special characteristics:
• They usually get worse when you lie down or bend over.
• Eating usually makes them worse.
• Certain foods can make them worse including citrus based fruits, coffee and greasy or fatty foods.
• Antacids usually help, but can somteimes only give you temporary relief.
• Exercise doesn’t usually affect your symptoms at all.
The symptoms of acid reflux may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. If you experience pain or burning in your chest and/or throat, sweating and/or shortness of breath, call 911. DO NOT waste time trying to figure out if it’s serious or not.
It’s important to get treatment for a heart attack as soon as possible. DO NOT drive yourself to the doctor’s office or hospital.
What can I do to get relief from Acid Reflux?
1. Use antacids or over-the-counter medications for heartburn and acid indigestion. Sodium bicarbonate is not recommended because it contains too much sodium.
2. Eat smaller meals.
3. Don’t lie down for at least 45 minutes after eating
4. Pay close attention to your diet. Fatty foods, spicy foods, onions, tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine-containing beverages, alcohol and carbonated beverages frequently cause acid reflux. Pay attention to the things that cause you to have indigestion, and eliminate them from your diet. Make a list of these foods and carry it with you at all times to serve as a reminder.
5. Raise the head of your bed. This may keep you from waking up at night with indigestion.
6. Lose weight.
7. Stop smoking.
8. Talk to your doctor about your medications, including prescriptions and any vitamins or minerals you take. Avoid taking aspirin or other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen.
Identifying the source of your acid reflux symptoms can help you decide what changes you can make to get relief from your symptoms today.
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StopHeartburnToday offers simple tips to help you identify the cause of your heartburn symptoms. In addition to medications, there are also natural cures for acid reflux to help you get relief today. Just go to: http://www.stopheartburntoday.com Tip! Some things we all think of as being good for us, like vegetables and milk, can be bad for acid reflux. Avoid eating cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower and onions.
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