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The term acid reflux is where the contents of the stomach flow in the wrong direction back up the tube from the stomach to the throat. This complaint affects the food pathways or digestive tract but is often called other names. The digestive system uses hydrochloric acid to digest and process food. An irritable stomach means the digestive acid tries to rise up the food tract and as a consequence causes a painful burning sensation near the heart.

The stomach contains a valve which opens to allow food into it which should then close so stomach fluids cannot go back up the esophagus. 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. This condition is also known as GERD which is the shortened version of the correct medical name: gastroesophageal reflux disorder. At the moment it is considered that a poor diet is the underlying reason for the acid reflux problem but not the main cause of the condition; although overeating may also contribute because when you overeat, the stomach can’t keep up with the demand to process all the acids.

When anyone eats a large amount of food it creates an additional burden on the stomach muscles. This affects the functioning of the esophageal valve causing reflux and the pain of heartburn. By lessening the amount of work the stomach has to do at any one time should reduce the instances of heartburn. The easiest way to reduce the incidences of heartburn is too reduce the size of meals. To maintain health your digestive system needs to be healthy so requires looking after if you want to remain in good health as well. 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. The idea is not to overload your stomach, which will give it time to recover. It may take a while but if the number of times you experience heartburn reduces, you may be able to enjoy some of the foods you stopped eating; all the while remaining conscious of the need to take things slowly and not place stress on your stomach again.

Other factors can also create a predisposition for acid reflux and these include:

* Regular smoking * Allergic reactions to certain types of food * Certain medical drugs * Drinking to much alcohol * After meal napping

All this comes down to a lifestyle change which ultimately only you can control. The number of heartburn episodes that occur should diminish. 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. It really is a decision only you can make!

Tags: Health

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