Acid Reflux Diet And Getting Rid Of Heartburn

Acid reflux diet is to someone with heartburn, like a low-fat diet is to someone who is overweight. They are special diets for conditions that you want to get rid of, and do so naturally through life style changes. In the case of reflux and heartburn, the foods that you eat are of the primary reasons that you have the problem.

Therefore, your acid reflux diet will be based on what foods trigger heartburn and what foods can reduce heartburn - below is a discussion for understand what acid reflux and heartburn is, along with acid reflux diet tips for controlling and getting rid of it.

Reflux And Heartburn

We weren't born with heartburn - my mother was, but not me:).

There are varying thoughts and questions for why one person will get heartburn and another person won't, including those about the severity, where one person will have an occasional episode of heartburn, and for another person this becomes a persistent and chronic condition or disease.

What is clear though is what is happening when reflux occurs, and that diet is a primary cause. Based on this understanding, you will have the ability to follow an acid reflux diet developed to avoid and eliminate what are known as acid reflux trigger foods, and that are causing the reflux and heartburn to occur.

So, what is acid reflux and heartburn? To begin with, this is a digestive condition that has nothing to do with the heart. When you eat food it goes down through the esophagus and enters the stomach through the lower esophageal sphincter [LES]. This is a valve that opens to allow the food into the stomach, and then closes to keep it there. Once the food is in the stomach it goes through the digestion process, where acids and enzymes are produced in the stomach to break down the food and turn it into nutrients.

In most cases there isn't more acid produced than needed for digestion, along with the acid remaining in the stomach while it is being used. However, for some people the LES does not function properly, and will not remain closed during digestion. As a result, there is acid reflux where the stomach acid goes back up into the esophagus and causes heartburn. This is especially problematic if you are also creating excess acid, and over time the problem will worsen and become more frequent.

Your acid reflux diet is very important for controlling this for the following reasons (1) some foods create more stomach acid (2) some foods need more stomach acid for digestion (3) some foods have a tendency to relax the LES, which further allows the excess acid to reflux back into the esophagus.

Acid Reflux Diet Tips - Foods To Avoid

There are foods that either have more acid content, or create more stomach acid content - you will want to stay away from these if you are having heartburn problems. The citrus fruits and juices that like oranges and grapefruits are highly acidic. And tomatoes, which are used in so many things like soups and sauces [and that ketchup you are pouring on those French fries - these are both acid reflux trigger foods] are also highly.

And then of course, there are the foods that are very spicy, like those with hot peppers, chilies, and garlic in them. These foods are also highly acidic, and again foods to avoid.

Some people think that liquids are not a problem because they aren't solid foods; this is not the case, and there are liquids that are of the most problematic for those with heartburn. The alcoholic drinks very much increase stomach acid, with beer being especially bad considering that it has been shown to even double the acid in your stomach in as little as an hour.

Besides alcohol, you will want to stay away from carbonated drinks and caffeinated drinks including coffee, as these also increase stomach acid. Going to the decaffeinated types really isn't a solution - there is acid coming from the coffee itself, and carbonation is a trigger for acid reflux.

Foods with high fat content are a very big problem because they are much harder to digest, and thus (1) will have to produce more stomach acid for digestion (2) will take longer to digest, which will keep the acid in your stomach longer and give it more opportunity to reflux back into your esophagus.

Stay away from the foods themselves, foods like fatty meats, butter, whole milk, and dairy products. But also understand the fat content being used in your food preparation. You don't want to be using vegetable oils, and you don't want to be eating deep fried foods - good-bye fast food restaurants.

And then there is desert, which is usually full of fat and oils. And then there is my favorite, which is chocolate and anything with chocolate in it. As mentioned above, of the biggest reasons for reflux and heartburn is the opening of the LES while all this acid is in your stomach; unfortunately chocolate is one of those foods that are known to relax the LES and allow this to happen.

You can tell from these foods being listed as acid reflux trigger foods, and foods to avoid, that your acid reflux diet will include eliminating a lot of your most favorite foods. There is no doubt about this, and obviously tradeoffs will have to be made - would you rather get rid of the reflux and heartburn, or would you rather keep eating the foods that are causing it because you like them?

Something to keep in mind though as an additional benefit is the fact that many of these foods you like so much really aren't very healthy in general. So while you are eliminating foods for your acid reflux diet, you will also be improving your general health by eating better.

Acid Reflux Diet Tips - Foods To Eat More Of

Your acid reflux diet is not about only avoiding foods, there are foods that you want to eat more of because they will help dissolve stomach acids, and as a result reduce or eliminate heartburn. Everyone who has acid reflux and heartburn should buy a good acid reflux cookbook and guide. Besides learning more from the experts about foods to avoid, you also want to know which foods to eat more.

Foods that are especially known to neutralize stomach acids are (1) fruits like apples, bananas, and papaya (2) vegetables like broccoli, peas, green beans, and green cabbage.

Also, foods made from grains like bread and cereals [stay away from those with lots of white processed flour and sugar]have a tendency to help neutralize the acid in the stomach, as does the foods like pasta and rice which are high in complex carbohydrates.

And drink lots of water. Besides being so healthy for you in general, water can help dilute the acid in your stomach, while also 'pushing down' the acid that has refluxed into your esophagus - both of these characteristics will be very beneficial for reducing heartburn.

Heartburn Getting Worse

These acid reflux diet tips should help someone with minor heartburn problems to eliminate them, and even help someone with very bad acid reflux and heartburn to reduce the severity and make it less frequent. But be smart about this; you could have acid reflux disease, or what is known as GERDS. If you are have problems to the extent that they are occurring daily and even affecting your overall life, they can't be ignored. Left untreated, GERDS can progress into many health problems, including esophageal cancer.

So start with these acid reflux diet tips, and see if they will control and get rid of your heartburn. But if these and/or some of the other programs and recommendations mentioned throughout this site are not helping you, then it is time to consult with your doctor and see what other remedies that are available.

Acid reflux diet changes can help get rid of your heartburn and acid reflux problems. To learn more about this, and see a number of acid reflux diet books and remedies, come to http://www.acidrefluxdiettips.org/

Acid Reflux Treatment Review - What Can Stop The Burning?

If you have ever tried to get to sleep at night, but were unable to sleep due to a burning feeling in your chest or throat, then you have probably experienced acid reflux. Acid reflux commonly occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn't close properly and stomach contents leak back into the esophagus. This is what is referred to as reflux.

Acid reflux usually feels like a burning pain in the chest that can move up to the throat. It often feels as if food is coming back into the mouth and leaving an acidic taste. Often acid reflux is worse after eating and can be worse when lying down.

About 25 million adults suffer acid reflux daily. Over 60 million experience heartburn at least once a month. Acid reflux treatment can help manage the condition, but not all acid reflux treatments are created equal. Finding a reflux treatment that works can be tricky, and deciding on a course of treatment should be discussed with your doctor. Often the treatment will depend on the severity and frequency of symptoms.

Medications are common in acid reflux treatment. The simplest of medications for acid reflux treatment are the antacids, which can be bought over the counter. Antacids are usually the first drugs recommended for acid reflux treatment. The antacids neutralize stomach acid so the reflux contains no acid to burn the esophagus. The main drawback of antacids in acid reflux treatment is that they empty quickly from the stomach and then the acid returns. Common over-the-counter antacids for acid reflux treatment are Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Alka-Seltzer, and Milk of Magnesium.

A foaming agent is another acid reflux treatment available as Gaviscon. This works by covering the stomach contents with foam to prevent reflux. The foaming agent is an acid reflux treatment that is usually used along with another treatment method to be the most effective.

Histamine antagonists, known as H2 Blockers help to stop acid production. This acid reflux treatment prevents histamine from stimulating acid producing cells. The receptor they block is known as the histamine type two receptor. The H2 antagonists should be taken thirty minutes before meals to be an effective acid reflux treatment. The H2 blockers relieve the symptoms of acid reflux, but do not heal the inflammation of the esophagus that often accompanies acid reflux. The H2 blocking drugs are available both by prescription, and over-the-counter. The over-the-counter versions have lower dosages than those available by prescription. Common brand names for the H2 blockers are Tagamet, Zantac, Axid, and Pepcid.

Another acid reflux treatment medication are the Proton Pump Inhibitors. These drugs are only available by prescription, and are more effective than the H2 Blockers. The Proton Pump Inhibitors both block the secretion of acid into the stomach, and protect the esophagus from acid so the inflammation heals. Some doctors recommend the use of both an H2 Blocker and a Proton Pump Inhibitor taken at bedtime. The common brand names of Proton Pump Inhibitors in acid reflux treatment include Prevacid, Aciphex, Prilosec, and Nexium.

Recently, an implant was approved by the FDA as an acid reflux treatment for those who don't respond well enough to medication, but who want to avoid surgery. The implant is called Enteryx, and is a spongy solution that strengthens the Lower Esophageal Sphincter to keep the stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus. The implant is injected during an endoscopy.

Many people prefer to use natural treatments over medications. Herbal treatments are another common acid reflux treatment. There are many available herbal treatments, but not all may work equally well. It does take longer to see results with herbs for acid reflux treatment. It may take up to two months to know whether a particular herb is having a therapeutic effect.

Herbs that decrease stomach acid in acid reflux treatment include slippery elm, flax, licorice, calendula, wild yam and meadowsweet. Care is needed in using licorice in those with high blood pressure and heart disease as it can worsen the condition.

Other herbs are known for relieving indigestion that can lead to acid reflux. One of these herbs is chamomile. It has been used for centuries for its calming properties. It is believed to lead to lower stomach acid because of its high calcium content.

Ginger can help with digestion and nausea. Peppermint is also good for digestion, and when used as a drop on the tongue can help with heartburn.

Lavender is known for reducing stomach acid and is a popular acid reflux treatment. Lavender is a popular herb and is known for healing properties over the entire body.

Digestive enzymes seem to be gaining in popularity for their ability to aid in the digestive process. Undigested food, especially protein can lead to acid reflux. Digestive enzymes used as acid reflux treatment can ensure the stomach has enough hydrochloric acid to digest the protein that can lead to acid reflux if left undigested. An enzyme supplement containing betain or pepsin, or papaya should be taken with meals to ensure proper digestion of protein.

Pineapples and lemons can also be used for acid reflux treatment. Pineapples support digestion, and have a high level of the enzyme bromelain, that helps prevent acid reflux.

Lemons dipped in salt can also prevent acid reflux.

Acid reflux treatment also depends greatly on diet. There are many foods known to trigger acid reflux. While not all foods will affect everyone in the same way, certain foods have a higher incidence of acid reflux symptoms. Foods that should generally be avoided include peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, citrus juices, and tomato products. The affect of these foods may be mild to severe depending on the acid reflux sufferer. Others will find they have no problems with the foods listed, but will have problems with other foods. A good way to detect a connection with foods and acid reflux would be to keep a food journal for 2-3 weeks. Write down everything eaten and any symptoms experienced. Smaller, more frequent meals can also go a long way in relieving the symptoms of acid reflux.

Millions of adults suffer with acid reflux on a daily basis. Acid reflux is common but it is not a trivial problem. Acid reflux can greatly impact a person's quality of life. Fortunately, a wide variety of acid reflux treatments are available. With the vast array of prescription, over-the-counter, herbal remedies, natural treatments and diet and lifestyle changes, acid reflux can be treated successfully in most people.

Mariel Wineberg is a freelance writer specializing in the areas of nutrition and autism. For more information on more acid reflux treatments please visit, http://www.acidrefluxtreatment.blogspot.com

Heartburn Remedies From Fitness Gurus

Posted by SolaceRose 16 Jun, 2010

There is a wealth of knowledge out there about how to effectively remedy heartburn without side effect, unfortunately only some of this information is true.  You will not need professional doctor’s advice in most cases for heartburn treatment but if the pain is immense you may be experiencing a more serious problem than heartburn and should get this checked out by a professional.

Heartburn is a buildup of digestive acids that may violently bounce around your stomache from either a large meal or exercise after eating.  This digestive acid while it will not hurt the stomache can do substancial damage to your esophagus lining and if untreated deal permanent damage to your esophagus as well as the pain and burn it gives.

In most cases you will want to look into antacids for instant treatment, but if you notice heartburn even after small meals and a healthy style it may be genetic.  In this case you will want to look into over the counter medications that will block your stomach acid from forming, in particular Zantac and Tagamet are good choices.

Always first attempt natural heartburn remedies.  A few ounces of vinegar swallowed may offset the digestive acid build up and temporarily cure your heartburn.  Smaller meals and a healthy exercise filled lifestyle are recommended to pursue as well.  Do you have heartburn disruptions in bed?  Try sleeping on your left side, studies show you can lessen heartburn effects because of your inner body linings sleeping on your left side works.

Armed with this knowledge you now know steps to cure and prevent heartburn with natural remedies a fitness guru recommends.

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