Severe Acid Reflux

If not treated, severe acid reflux can result in some very serious problems. This is why managing acid reflux disease is so important. Here we look at some conditions that can be a result of severe acid reflux and also some suggestions for managing acid reflux disease.

Severe acid reflux can lead to esophagitis. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Muscles in the lower esophagus normally prevent stomach acid from coming back up into the esophagus, but when a person suffers from mild, moderate or severe acid reflux, the muscles do not stop the acid from entering the esophagus and this stomach acid can cause pain and inflammation of the esophagus, which is caused esophagitis. Managing acid reflux disease is all about preventing acid from leaking back up into the esophagus.

Sometimes, when severe acid reflux damages the lining of the esophagus, scarring and narrowing of the esophagus occurs. This scarring and narrowing is called strictures and can prevent food and liquids from reaching the stomach. Since strictures affect the ability to eat and drink, it must be treated by stretching and enlarging the esophagus to prevent other health problems that can arise from a lack of proper nutrition. Managing acid reflux disease, before it becomes severe can prevent damage to the esophagus, thus preventing strictures from forming.

In cases where severe acid reflux results in esophagitis, esophageal bleeding or ulcers may occur. A condition called Barrett's esophagus can develop. The symptoms of Barrett's esophagus are the same as those of severe acid reflux. By properly managing acid reflux disease, the chance of developing Barrett's esophagus is reduced. People with Barrett's esophagus have cellular changes in the esophagus that may lead to cancer. The major risk factors for esophageal cancer are considered to be smoking, Barrett's esophagus, alcoholism and severe acid reflux.

There are lifestyle changes that are considered helpful in managing acid reflux disease. If you are a smoker, nicotine relaxes the muscle that normally prevents acid from backing up into the esophagus and dries out saliva in the mouth and throat which normally helps neutralize stomach acid. And, smoking increases your risk of developing esophageal cancer. Anyone who suffers from severe acid reflux should not smoke.

Changes in eating habits will be helpful in managing acid reflux disease. When the stomach is overly full, acid is more likely to back up into the esophagus. Eating several small meals per day is a better choice for managing acid reflux disease, than is eating one or two large meals per day. Eating before bedtime may cause nighttime heartburn or acid reflux, which can interfere with sleep and cause other problems. Experts recommend that you eat your last meal several hours before bedtime. Raising the head of the bed is also recommended for managing acid reflux disease, particularly when symptoms occur at night. However, some people sleep through nighttime symptoms, so this could be helpful for anyone. Special wedges may be purchased, but some doctors say that these may "fold" the stomach and make symptoms worse and suggest that simply raising the head or lowering the foot of the bed is best.

There are many suggestions for managing acid reflux disease. Your doctor can probably recommend more, including avoiding certain foods and beverages (like alcohol) that increase stomach acid. Anyone who suffers from severe acid reflux should see their doctor regularly, take recommended prescription or over the counter medications and report new or worsening symptoms. For more information about acid reflux and other digestive problems, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience as a healthcare professional and currently writes informational articles for the Digestive Disorders Guide. Read more at http://www.digestive-disorders-guide.com

Acid Reflux Recovery - Simple and Easy!

 Acid reflux is a condition that plagues millions of people worldwide. It is caused by stomach acid splashing up into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a ring-like valve at the bottom of the esophagus. It opens to allow food to enter the stomach and then closes to keep it there.

When the LES becomes damaged and, or relaxed, stomach fluids are refluxed up into the esophagus and throat. The hydrochloric acid in this fluid has been compared to the corrosive acid in a common car battery.

It is important to remember why this condition usually exists in the first place. In most cases it is due to a damaged esophagus and LES. These can easily be scratched by eating foods with jagged edges like corn chips or crackers. Even crusty bread which has not been chewed properly can cause this type of damage. These little lacerations can then be irritated by acidic foods which are spicy or fried. Before you know it, you have a full fledged case of acid reflux. Once this cycle begins, it is not that easy to get rid of.

Let the esophagus heal by not eating the same foods in the same manner that caused the damage in the first place. Loosing weight, exercising, chewing properly, drinking sufficient amounts of water and eating in a pleasant atmosphere are all simple things that anyone can do to improve this condition.

There are also many natural ingredients found in any grocery market or health food store, which can help during the acid reflux recovery period. Herbs, like slippery elm and marshmallow have wonderful healing properties. Aloe vera juice, licorice and natural honey can sooth the esophagus and assist in the healing process.

By eating dinner at least three hours before retiring, one can drastically reduce the chances of acid reflux. Chewing gum between meals actually reduces stomach acid. Saliva is extremely alkaline in nature and chewing stimulates its production causing the system to be more alkaline.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Forget the "Three Big Meals" we have been taught to indulge in. Try eating four or five little meals each day. Start the day with Kukicha Twig tea instead of acidic coffee. This tea has been used for hundreds of years to make the body more alkaline. For breakfast, banish that cereal and instead eat fruit, like bananas and melons.

Have several snacks of walnuts, almonds and more fruit during the day. For lunch have a salad, made with grilled chicken breasts, or tofu, mixed with hearts of romaine tossed with a little lemon juice and olive oil. Lemon juice is preferable to vinegar, as it is more alkaline in nature.

During this acid reflux recovery period, eating anything which could irritate or damage the esophagus must be avoided. Until the lacerations have had a chance to heal, spicy foods, such as acidic tomato products, hot peppers, raw garlic and raw onions should be eliminated from the diet. They just further irritate the condition. Eating chocolate, smoking and drinking alcohol relax the LES, allowing stomach acid to splash up into the esophagus, thus impeding the healing process.

The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat only mild, easy to digest food until the esophagus has healed. Eat early and slowly, chewing your food completely. Last, but not least, try to eat in a relaxed, pleasant and stress free environment.

There are many things one can do to improve the chances for success in defeating acid reflux. The choices in behavior that we make like exercising, loosing weight, wearing loose clothing, eating and chewing properly and avoiding carbonated drinks are all very important. There is another very potent technique for managing this condition. It is called meditation.

Meditation has the power to eliminate any unpleasant side affect of our stressful lives, including acid reflux. Try this out; in a quiet place, sit erect with your hands at your side and take a long deep breath. Close your eyes and look up toward the space between the eyebrows, without straining. Continue to breathe deeply. You will soon find yourself in a very relaxed state with no particular thoughts in mind. Now visualize yourself eating beautiful food slowly and carefully. See your mouth, throat, esophagus, LES and stomach all pink, young and perfect. Feel all the parts of your body working in complete harmony. Look at yourself. You are smiling. You are enjoying perfect health.

I promise you that if you did this exercise at least once a day, your acid reflux would go into remission. With these little changes in food choices and lifestyle with a few natural supplements thrown into the mix, anyone would be able to accomplish acid reflux recovery.

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