Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease is basically known as heartburn. It happens when the acids build up in your stomach and travels upwards. Symptoms can range from a slight discomfort under the breastbone to a severe pain. When a person does not know that he is suffering from heartburn, he may think that he is having a heart attack if the pain is bad enough. However, this has nothing to do with heart conditions. Since the burning sensation is located mostly by the breastbone, people tend to think it is the heart.
One symptom of heartburn is acid reflux. This occurs when the gastric acids are regurgitated into the esophagus. This causes temporary or long term damage to the wall that separates the stomach and the esophagus. When you have this condition you may notice pain in swallowing, nausea or a bitter taste in your throat and mouth.Acid reflux occurs by eating the wrong types of food. For example, spicy foods, such as tacos and greasy foods are the main culprits, as well as drinking caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Also smoking and stress leads to acid reflux as well as taking certain medications. Pregnant women are also victims.
Acid reflux can be avoided if you watch what you eat and do. If you skip greasy and spicy foods altogether, switch to decaffeinated coffee and tea, avoid beverages with alcohol and quit smoking, your symptoms will disappear. However, you may not want to stop eating the foods you like. Also, smoking is a hard habit to break. Therefore, there are several steps you can take to reduce the discomforts of acid reflux. The first is not to overeat. It is better to eat more frequent meals that are smaller in size.
You should eat slowly rather than quickly. Wait two hours after eating before you go to sleep. This not only helps you reduce the chance that you will get acid reflux, it will help you lose weight faster if you are trying to shred some extra pounds. Do not sleep flat on your back; use pillows to elevate your head.
There are also many home remedies that will help do wonders. However, if your heartburn pain is so severe that it is unbearable, see your doctor. He can prescribe medications for your pain.
This is a delicious remedy for your annoying acid reflux pain. If you drink tea, put some ginger in it. You can find ginger in the spice section of your local grocery store. Another option is to buy ginger root at a health food store. With the spice, put a teaspoon of it in you tea. If you buy the root, dice it before adding it. You can make the tea ahead of time and keep it in your refrigerator. Just heat a cup in the microwave for forty-five seconds to a minute.
Baking soda is another remedy. Since this is a base it neutralizes the acids in your stomach. Mix a teaspoon in a glass of warm water.
Apple cider vinegar has an acid in it that neutralizes the acids in your stomach. Mix a tablespoon with warm water.
Drink water instead of carbonated beverages. Since you have damaged tissues in your esophagus, sodas and other drinks such as orange juice will not help. In fact, they may even do more damage. Water is good at repairing the damaged tissues. If you need to drink soda, go for ginger ale. As mentioned before, ginger plays wonders with acid reflux.
Chances are you will be the victim of acid reflux at least once in your life. Do not let it control you. When you feel that burning sensation, remember the simple home remedies that can cure it. However, if your pain does not go away or if it is too severe for you to handle, call your doctor. Remember these are remedies for acid reflux, not medical treatment.
