Heartburn and reflux are common to most people but what about GERD? Are you familiar with GERD and if you are, do you understand what it’s symptoms are?

GERD is short for Gastroesophageal Reflux disease and is a term introduced during the past 20 years which will explain why many people aren’t familiar with it. If you experience reflux on a regular basis, at least two or more times a week and your quality of life is being affected then it’s a strong possibility you may have it.

How Serious Is GERD?

If not treated properly, it can impact not only your quality of life but can cause damage to your esophagus. If left untreated it can lead to other possible health complications. That’s why the message to chronic sufferers of reflux is usually strong about seeking medical advice if it’s a factor several times a week.

The cause of GERD occurs when food is deposited into the stomach under normal circumstances but is usually prevented from moving into the esophagus by a special valve-like muscle. This, under normal circumstances is a one-way street; food will make it’s way into the stomach and usually that’s where it stays until digested. On occasions, there is a malfunction; the muscle valve is retarded and acid rises up into the esophagus causing pain and irritation. The result is GERD.

Did You Know?

Heartburn is a symptom of GERD. People often get heartburn and reflux confused but the former is better known as a symptom. However, frequent heartburn attacks such as twice or more a week which diminishes a person’s quality of life suggests the presence of GERD.

The Symptoms

Apart from heartburn, which is the main symptom of GERD, other symptoms to take notice of include pain in the chest, sore throat leading to a difficulty in swallowing and an ugly type of after taste. Heartburn is the main symptom however and should be watched closely if it’s present on a regular basis.

Treatment

When GERD is established as the problem by a medical professional the treatment process usually needs to be maintained over an extended period of time. While the symptoms themselves may be controlled, a person will need regular support to make sure they stay under control.

Whether treatment includes medication or a change of lifestyle, maintaining proper screening will be encouraged by your doctor. It’s vitally important though, self diagnosis and self treatment be avoided as Gerd is a chronic condition.

If you suspect GERD in your life then set up an appointment with your doctor. The chances are strong it could be a factor particularly if you suffer several bouts of heartburn every week.

Your doctor will cover every aspect of your condition and will generally be keen to know whether you are taking any type of medication. Remember, delaying medical opinion may eventually lead to more serious medical problems.

Drugs and medications for acid reflux are readily available. They are to be seen in adverts, some medications for heartburn are sold over the counter, and most doctors are happy to prescribe them on a promise of immediate termination of the crippling pain of acid reflux. After all that, you are surely asking yourself of medications for acid reflux are in any way effective when it is a matter of fixing the real cause of your condition of acid reflux and if the temporary respite justifies the side effects.

Heartburn, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), comes about when the valve in the esophagus (the LES or lower esophageal sphincter) becomes weak and instead of acting one-way, lets stomach content flow back into the esophagus. Usually, after glutition, the LES opens to let food into the stomach before closing to prevent acid from returning into the esophagus. The backward flow of acid coming from this acid reflux is often noticed as a burning sensation that is called heartburn. Therefore, acid reflux patients often experience a particular burning feeling under the breastbone, often coming at night.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a menacing condition necessitating immediate diagnosis and treatment. If unattended, GERD can badly corrode the lining of the esophagus causing continual inflammation and possibly even esophageal cancer. Persistent GERD with its concomitant symptoms of heartburn can be distracting and painful enough to ruin your daily activities and seriously impinge on the esophagus.

Acid reflux medicaments are not imperatively the remedy of choice, even if they appear to be the most readily accessible treatment for heartburn. There are four principal classes of medicaments for use with GERD:

1. Antacids take effect by neutralizing acid in the esophagus and do this for up to a few hours. They can be bought in different formats such as liquid, chewing gum or tablets and so on.

2. Alginates encapsulate stomach contents and reduce reflux.

3. H2-receptor antagonists imitate the production of stomach acid in order to put a block on your gastric system. They take 30 to 60 minutes to start working and can then produce this effect for up to 12 hours.

4. PPI (Proton pump inhibitors) inhibit the release of acid in the stomach by acting on the stomach cells.

These medicaments all have a common element, even if they vary in the way in which they work, as well as for their duration and effect:

1. They are of temporary effect. Acid reflux is complicated, being created by a group of factors of the environment, lifestyle and diet. However, most acid reflux medicaments focus on treating the immediate short-term causes of acid reflux, so they only bring temporary relief and sidestep the real causes of heartburn.

2. Using these drugs for a long duration can produce multiple side effects. Prolonged usage of antacids can worsen the damage from long duration acid reflux: gastric acid is necessary for good digestion and immunity and continually ingesting antacid interferes with these processes. PPI therapy usually does more good than harm for side effects. Its most frequent side effects including serious headaches and diarrhea, PPI have also been associated with osteoporosis.

Most medications for acid reflux will do no more than bring temporary respite but with many side effects. This is because conventional medication therapy for heartburn is based on the approach that, in comparison to the holistic approach, does not care for the body, but seeks only to remove the disease’s symptoms. Alternative treatments for acid reflux such as homeopathic solutions, changes in lifestyle and diet, herbal remedies, and detoxification, will sort out the cause inside of acid reflux to safely and effectively prevent it from returning.

Acid Reflux Disease (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease or GERD) occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Oftentimes a burning sensation is felt in the chest and this has been commonly referred to as heartburn. If you have chronic heartburn, it is highly recommended to see a doctor.

According to a study mandated by a new Medicare law, data has come back saying that drugs can be just as effective as even surgery in managing some of the symptoms of acid reflux. This can affect many people, as it is estimated that currently sixty million Americans have acid reflux.

If you have been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, knowing that in some cases drugs may be as effective as surgery, it makes available a variety of treatment options. Your doctor may recommend an over the counter medication, such as an antacid or a prokinetic agent. If this is not effective, prescription antacids may be recommended or even surgery, or a combination of both.

It’s been found that with chronic GERD, over-the-counter medications (such as Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet — each with their own respected trademarks) are not as effective as proton pump inhibitors. But the proton pump inhibitors can have more side effects. Also, the respected brands Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec OTC are all similar in the degree of effectiveness. And when compared to surgery, they seem to compare similarly in relieving the discomfort of GERD.

One thing to keep in mind is that even though there are antacids and surgery to help manage your symptoms, be sure not to overlook a simple cure. Sometimes just because a cure is simple, people scoff at the ability of it to help. It’s best to start with the easiest and cheapest solutions (such as reducing workplace stress) and then work your way to something more dramatic (like surgery).

Some people have found a simple way to control heartburn is by just making simple lifestyle changes.

The most obvious lifestyle change that you could make to help manage your heartburn symptoms is also the simplest of all solutions: avoid any food or drinks that make you feel uncomfortable. Some people say this is too easy and it can’t work, some people say it’s too difficult to make dietary adjustments. But you can try a simple experiment to see if this provides your cure.

Take four week test and replace any fatty, deep-fried foods with healthier alternatives, such as a salad, vegetables, and non-citrus fruits. In addition, try to avoid any caffeine drinks (this is probably the most difficult of all) and instead try non-caffeinated drinks and herbal teas.

Another diet tip is to eat a just barely ripened banana (were there is still a small bit of green left to it) about a half hour before bed. I know, it sounds crazy, but some people swear by this simple and healthy method of controlling heartburn.

You may not have realized it, but stress could be a contributing cause to your acid reflux. Studies have found that the body makes more stomach acid in stressful situations, and if you find yourself “stressing out,” then it’s time to learn to relax.

There’s lots of resources on the internet with instructions on reducing stress: the main thing is to find a relaxing place all to yourself, or listen to calm music, or read by yourself. Make sure you don’t let other people make their problems become your problem. If everyone asks you how to solve their problems, then get out of the problem solving business. Once you discover the source of your stress, find ways to reduce your exposure to this stressor and you may find your acid reflux to be a thing of the past.

If you have acid reflux, the best thing to do is to seek help from your medical professional. You can get trusted advice and then make your own choice. And for some people, the acid reflux may be so severe that they’ll need to have surgery and then follow up with medications to really get a handle on it.

However, some simple changes in your life may provide all the help you need and may even enhance your quality of living.

Copyright (c) 2006.

For some people, suffering from chronic heartburn is about as close to hell on earth as it gets. In addtion to being in pain, the suffer often gets little or no sleep. When an individual who is suffering from acid reflux heartburn gets tired they try not to think about going to bed. They procrastinate, doing everything they can to delay laying down. When the inevitable time comes they pop the required antaicds and slowly lay down, knowing what is coming. Each night they pray that night heartburn will not return.

There really is a simple trick that will reduce night time acid reflux related heartburn. Simply lifting the head of the bed a mere 3 inches may keep the acid from flowing into the esophagus. This is easily done with a couple of books or blocks of wood. This effectively keeps your chest and the esophagus higher than your stomach. This will inhibit the flow of acid into your throat by making it flow uphill. It will also help if you can sleep on your left side. Again this will place the esophageal sphincter muscle, a valve at the base of the esophagus higher than the stomach also reducing the chance that acid will flow into the esophagus.

You already know that you should not eat anything for at least 4 hours prior to going to bed. Avoid all caffiene, not just because it may keep you awake but because it can iniate acid reflux by causing your stomach to produce more acid. This puts more pressure on your esophageal sphincter muscle. If is weak it may leak acid into your esophagus.

Lets face it if you can get a good nights sleep on a regular basis, life suddenly looks a lot brighter. Granted this is temporarily fix. You do need to make an appointment with your doctor right away. A proper diagnosis is necessary to make sure symptoms are not related to a more serious condition such as GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or even cancer. A good diagnosis will also assist your physician in applying the best treatment that will remedy your heartburn.

There are several good medication that can address serious chronic heartburn. Your doctor will know which ones to intially prescribe to address your problem. You may have to try different medications until you find the one that best addresses your problem. You can solve your night heartburn problems for good. Search your local library or the Internet for more information on your condition. This will help you in deciding the best course of action in finding a cure.

Heartburn can be extremely problematical- both painful and fatiguing. People in general suffer from some degree of heartburn. Medical data indicates that most people get occasional heartburn at some time in their life. However many of these heartburn episodes go away by themselves or with the help of a minimum of medication. Severe heartburn is a sign of a more advanced illness known to medical personnel as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Here, conventional medicine is often weak in providing any positive benefit for severe heartburn cases.

What is the real, underlying problem?

The root of the problem is typically the sphincter or one-way muscular valve that shuts off the stomach from the esophagus. The weakening or the instability of this muscle means that stomach juices including acid make their way back into the esophagus. Ulceration of the esophagus then comes about because of the acid corrosion due to the acidic stomach contents. This may even go as far as a pre-cancer condition known to doctors as Barrett’s esophagus, and which requires urgent medical attention.

Other problematical factors of heartburn

It is sometimes incorrectly identified as asthma, which makes the situation that much more, complicated. This is because if the backward reflux of acid contents reaches the upper part of the esophagus, then the result may be fits of wheezing, hoarseness and drive coughing.

Which people are more likely to get heartburn?

There are a is number of medical conditions which will increase the risk of serious heartburn. Diseases of the auto immune system such as Raynaud Phenomenon, CREST syndrome and sceloderma can all make a negative contribution. Other risk factors include hernias and diabetes as well as incorrect eating including too much fast food.

The remedy for heartburn

Because they do not take into consideration the long term causes, and may even have serious drawbacks when they are taken, conventional medicines may even worsen the situation. And as most medications prescribed by physicians target only the symptoms of heartburn, they only really have a role to play in short term relief.

Heartburn victims are recommended to lessen or cut out food that is fatty, caffeine-containing, alcohol containing, made with chocolate, mint or sherbet, as well as the acid-type foods such as tomatoes, oranges, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Recent investigations now point to a correct diet, healthy living and holistic protocols with herbs and vitamins supplements as the requirements for permanently banishing serious GERD-related heartburn.

Could a supplement called MSM Be The Answer?

Acid reflux or gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a condition in which fluid splashes up from the stomach into the esophagus. This fluid contains mostly acid with some pepsin and bile. All three of these fluids are potentially dangerous to the sensitive esophageal tissue, with acid being the most harmful. This refluxed fluid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis). If this condition is allowed to become chronic, it can in time develop into Barrett’s esophagus, which is the precursor to esophageal cancer.

Up to 15 million Americans experience acid reflux daily. People at all ages are susceptible to this condition. Older people who suffer from acid reflux tend to be more seriously affected than younger people. 13,000 people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year. At least 12,000 people die from it. The overall survival rate is very poor. Acid reflux is the greatest known risk factor for developing Barrett’s Esophagus, which can become esophageal cancer.

Barrett’s esophagus occurs when chronic acid reflux or esophagitis is not controlled. Through constant inflammation and damage, the normal cells that line the esophagus called squamous cells turn into specialized columnar cells. Columnar cells are not normally found in human beings and can become cancerous.

Although this can happen to anyone, it usually occurs in people over forty who have had regular bouts of heartburn for more than five years. Some of the symptoms are difficulty in swallowing and being awakened in the night by the pain of heartburn. Some people have no symptoms at all.

Scar tissue can develop from the constant attack of acid on the tender lining of the esophagus. The tissue can become thickened and hard, making the esophagus narrower. This can make it difficult to swallow food or even water.

I am a firm believer in natural cures versus conventional medicine. When I go to a doctor it is for diagnostic purposes only. Then, instead of subjecting myself to a barrage of harmful pills and painful procedures, I attempt to cure the condition myself by using alternative methods. I have found that MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) has the ability to soften scar tissue, making it flexible and permeable. I believe that by taking MSM on a regular basis, one can possibly avoid the severe problems associated with chronic acid reflux.

MSM has been touted as the greatest natural healing agent since vitamin C. It seems to have the power to reduce pain and inflammation. It is currently being used to treat a wide range of ailments including, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and gout. It’s even being used as a treatment for snoring and constipation. MSM has been used with great success on horses and dogs, to control the inflammation associated with allergies.

I use MSM to relieve the summer allergies of my twelve year old Jack Russell Terrier, Jack Pot. It works like magic. By giving him a gram of MSM in a little cheese twice a day, I have reduced his itching and running eyes, which are associated with air born allergies, to a bare minimum.

I also use MSM drops for my eyes. It evidently has the power to reduce, if not prevent, cataracts. It seems to dissolve them. My mother had cataracts in both eyes. She had one removed by her ophthalmologist. When she told me what she had one, I put her on MSM drops immediately. When she went back to the doctor for her pre-surgery exam for the second eye, they discovered that the other cataract had completely disappeared.

Aren’t cataracts a form of scar tissue? I believe that scar tissue and Barrett’s Esophagus have an important connection. Therefore, if MSM does, in fact, have this beneficial effect on scar tissue, perhaps it can prevent, or at least improve Barrett’s esophagus. Maybe MSM can help prevent this kind of cancer? I don’t know, but I will continue to take it rather than to subject myself to so called “modern medicine”.

If you should choose to go the allopathic medical route, diagnosis of Barrett’s Esophagus involves an endoscopy. The doctor sticks a long mechanical tube down your throat to observe the esophagus and perform a biopsy. It can’t be a very pleasant procedure. And what if the results are negative? The doctor will most likely prescribe drugs which have harmful side effects. Some of these drugs include H2 blockers like cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine. Or he may prescribe the drugs omeprazole and lansoprazole, which are proton pump inhibitors.

Some of he side effects of these drugs are: headache, disturbances of the gut such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence), dry mouth, skin reactions such as rash and itch, inflammation of the skin (dermatitis), dizziness, pain in the muscles and joints, swelling of the legs and ankles due to excess fluid retention (peripheral edema), pins and needles (paraesthesia), depression, agitation, confusion, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), sleepiness (somnolence), liver or blood disorders. The list goes on and on.

If the drugs don’t work then he’ll most likely suggest a surgical procedure called fundoplication, which entails removing the damaged part of the esophagus and attaching the remaining section to the stomach.

For myself, I will continue to search for and experiment with natural cures for acid reflux. I think that perhaps the medical approach could be worse than the disease itself.

I was a victim of acid reflux for many years. I had disappointing experiences with doctors, who knew nothing about nutrition or alternative medicine. Basically, doctors only know how to write prescriptions. They know nothing about healing. They are only taught how to treat symptoms by dealing drugs that support the pharmaceutical industry.

The Proton pump inhibitors, which my doctor prescribed, ultimately didn’t work for me. Besides the harmful side effects caused by these drugs, no one really know what the long tern affect of them is on the human body.

Since conventional medicine didn’t help me, I was highly motivated to explore alternative means of healing myself. After much research and experimentation, I did find natural ways which allowed me to ultimately cure my acid reflux condition. MSM was one of them.

For information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Heartburn is a painful syndrome featuring pain or burning in the chest and sometimes the neck. This is normally due to GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which digestive fluids rise through the esophagus into the throat, where the protective coating is insufficient to protect the tissues from the acids. This complaint is most common after meals, while lying down or sleeping. The pain can spread from the chest and neck into the arms, jaw and back.

One complicating factor is that heartburn symptoms can mask or duplicate symptoms of more serious issues, such as asthma or heart attacks. Err on the side of caution rather than suffer a heart attack without treatment. Being embarrassed for a false alarm or worrying about a bill for an unneeded hospital visit is preferable to dying. Additionally, there are drugs that can create heartburn symptoms. These can be either on their own, or in combination with other drugs. These include relatively common drugs such as aspirin, sedatives, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers used for high blood pressure, and less common drugs such as progestin hormones, bronchodilators, as well as others.

Heartburn symptoms typically occur within an hour of eating fatty or high protein foods. There are things that often increase the pain, such as bending forward, lying down or straining your back. There are also things that can often decrease the pain, such as standing or sitting upright, drinking water or taking appropriate medication.

Heartburn symptoms do vary. Some report a sour or bitter aftertaste after eating. Different combinations of stress and foods can produce different strengths and combinations of heartburn symptoms in different sufferers.

Heartburn symptoms are not unimportant. Even if they are not actually a heart attack or other serious medical problem, heartburn symptoms themselves reflect something wrong with the body. The stomach acids moving up the throat can damage that tissue, making swallowing difficult or painful. This can also lead to dehydration and bleeding with possible blood in vomit or bowel movements. Inability to eat sufficiently due to pain can lead to dangerous weight loss.

If over the counter treatments and normal means of dealing with heartburn symptoms such as a change in diet prove insufficient, and symptoms persist for three weeks or more, seek medical help.

Millions of people suffer from the symptoms of heartburn every day. Those with acute cases of heartburn may have a condition called acid reflux or gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Any form of heartburn is an unpleasant experience, to say the least. The splashing up of stomach acid into the esophagus and throat can be quite painful and potentially dangerous. In extreme cases, where the esophagus is continually damaged by the reflux of stomach fluids, a condition called Barrett’s Esophagus can develop. This condition is a precursor to esophageal cancer.

Barrett’s Esophagus occurs when chronic acid reflux or esophagitis is not controlled. Through constant inflammation and damage, the normal cells that line the esophagus called squamous cells turn into specialized columnar cells. Columnar cells are not normally found in human beings and can become cancerous.

The physical cause of heartburn is the improper functioning of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). This ringed muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, relaxes in order to allow food to enter the stomach. This muscle then retracts in order to keep the digestive fluids where they belong. It is when this muscle is too relaxed or damaged, that the stomach fluids can escape up into the esophagus thereby causing acid reflux.

There are many possible causes of acid reflux. The foods that we eat play an important role. Food that is too acidic can aggravate this ailment. Not chewing food properly, eating meals that are too large and lying down within three hours of eating can all contribute to acid reflux.

Certain foods and beverages can cause the LES to become lazy. These culprits include smoking, drinking alcohol and prescription drugs. Raw onions and garlic, fried foods, chocolate and foods that are too spicy can also cause the LES to relax.

There are two ways to treat this condition. They are the allopathic medical and the holistic approaches to disease. The allopathic medical way is to prescribe certain drugs such as H2 receptor antagonists, which include Tagamet and Zantac, or PPI drugs (proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium and Prilosec. These medicines slow down the production of stomach acid and are the two main types of pharmaceutical acid suppressors.

This pharmaceutical approach is dangerous in that it impedes the proper digestion and assimilation of food. There are also numerous harmful side effects associated with these drugs. Drugs only treat the symptoms of a disease or condition. They are not intended to cure. If the drug companies created drugs that cured they would soon go out of business.

The alternative way to treat acid reflux is holistically. Holistic by definition means considering a whole thing or being to be more than a collection of parts; Treating the whole person rather than just the Symptoms of a disease.

Using alternative remedies, which are natural and have no side effects, is certainly the safest and most effective approach. These treatments are also far less expensive than drugs. Holistic treatment, unlike drugs, can actually cure the condition or disease.

In order to develop acid reflux, we must first have an acidic system. By treating the whole body, acid reflux will disappear. What we eat and drink determines the PH of the body.

Vegetable juices, like raw potato, celery and cabbage are very alkaline in nature and are helpful in correcting an acidic stomach. Papaya juice contains the digestive enzyme papain, which has a soothing effect on the stomach and aids in the breaking down of protein.

Slippery Elm, bladderwrack and marshmallow, belong to a category of herbs called demulcents. These herbs aid digestion by decreasing inflammation and by soothing the affected areas. They form a protective barrier against stomach acid and other digestive irritants.

There are many holistic ways to cure acid reflux. Meditation can be of great help. Start by doing deep breathing exercises for ten minutes. Keeping the eyes closed, visualize you stomach, LES, esophagus and throat as young, pink, tender and perfect. Continue to breath and picture yourself in perfect glowing health. See yourself eating slowly in a relaxed atmosphere, enjoying your food. Picture the food being digested and assimilated in a perfect manner. Feel all the parts of your body working in perfect harmony together.

Yoga can also be very beneficial to the body as a whole. Loosing weight and regular exercise are important as well. Drinking copious amount of pure water not only flushes the system of toxins, but dilutes stomach acid during periods between meals.

The holistic approach to healing is the medicine of the future. We can all be a part of that future now.

© 2006 Wind Publishing

For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is an ugly sounding word which has become the popular standard for describing acid reflux disease. A simple definition for Gerd would be the reflux or splashing up of digestive fluids from the stomach into the esophagus.

The term Gerd has only been used for about twenty years. The symptoms are heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation of gastric juices and difficulty swallowing. Other problems can be a lack of sleep, nausea, labored breathing and abdominal pain.

Gerd can become a very serious life threatening matter. When left unchecked this condition can develop into Barrett’s Esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.

The human body was designed to keep gastric acid in the stomach where it belongs. Its function is to sterilize and digest what we eat and drink. Stomach acid is mainly composed of hydrochloric acid which is a very powerful corrosive agent.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscular valve at the bottom of the esophagus which allows ingested material to move down into the stomach. It is designed to close and keep this material from coming back up. Most people who experience Gerd do so because the LES becomes relaxed and malfunctions, allowing acid to reflux. Where the stomach has an acid proof lining the esophagus does not and is easily damaged by stomach acid.

Why the world is being plagued by this phenomenon is quite a mystery, but it is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide suffer from the symptoms of this disorder. The medical community relies mainly on pharmaceutical drugs to treat these symptoms. Unfortunately, most doctors have no knowledge of nutrition or alternative natural therapy. In most cases, their job is to treat the symptoms of acid reflux, not to cure the disease.

Common sense would dictate that Gerd has everything to do with what we eat and drink. It is, however, more complicated than that. It has a lot to do with how we eat and drink, as well. Most of us know that there are certain foods that we find difficult, as individuals, to digest. Everyone is different. We can all react differently to the same food or beverage. Some people cannot easily digest tomato sauce while others have no problem with it. Avoiding so called “trigger” foods is an important first step in overcoming Gerd.

Eating on the run usually means eating unhealthy food too quickly. Not chewing properly is a major contributor to acid indigestion. We live in a culture where most people eat lunch in a rushed environment at the office or in a fast food facility. Most of these meals are loaded with hard to digest fats and sugars and have very little food value. Carbonated beverages relax the LES causing heartburn, as well. Eating fruits like bananas and apples would be a far more healthy choice.

Drinking alcohol and smoking may also relax the LES and even chocolate makes it lazy. One should limit daily alcohol consumption to one or two glasses of red wine. Besides the evident danger of smoking tobacco, it also causes the body to be acidic in nature. An acidic body is not a good place for proper digestion. Coffee stimulates the hypersecretion of gastric acids. Having a cup of Kukicha Twig Tea, which is very alkaline, would be a better option.

Even a modest amount of stress can contribute to indigestion. Eating should be conducted in a quiet, restful and peaceful place. Eating a meal in front the TV can exacerbate poor digestion. It’s hard to feel relaxed while watching the evening news – imagine what it does to your stomach. Another form of stress is physical stress. Being over weight and wearing tight clothing can put pressure on the abdominal area forcing the contents of the stomach upward.

Many pharmaceutical drugs have an acidic affect on the body and therefore contribute to digestive ailments. I have found that for almost any pharmaceutical drug there is a natural treatment that can be used instead. Most drugs are synthesized versions of some naturally occurring substance, anyway.

Besides all the things we should avoid in order to be Gerd free, there are many natural and healthy ways to overcome acid indigestion. Eating alkaline foods, drinking enough water and even chewing gum can be beneficial. Chewing gum before and after eating produces saliva. Saliva is very alkaline and aids in digestion.

Herbs like marshmallow, slippery elm and licorice root have a positive affect in reducing acidity. They also decrease inflammation and sooth areas damaged by contact with acid. Ginger has the ability to actually absorb acid and is beneficial in aiding all types of digestive problems. There are spices like cumin and turmeric which have the ability to fight off digestive difficulties.

The incidence of gerd is greater in people over the age of forty, but it can affect anyone, even infants. Gerd affects people of every age, socioeconomic class and race. Rather than relying on dangerous and expensive drugs to curb the symptoms of this condition, we should strive to cure it naturally. By using natural remedies and a little common sense anyone can become Gerd free.

© 2006 Wind Publishing

For free recipes, articles and information about acid reflux, please visit: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

You put your head down expecting a full night’s sleep. Midnight hits and you wake-up with chest and stomach pains. You immediately question the worst, A Heart Attack. But after a trip to the hospital you realize you don’t have a heart attack but heartburn (also known as acid reflux or GERD). That is the good news! However, the bad news is that heartburn can sometimes lead to cancer if left untreated.

Acid Reflux and Heartburn Treatment

Acid Reflux is the cause of a weak sphincter muscle in the esophagus which allows digestive juices to enter the throat and mouth. Doctors diagnose the condition as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The condition will cause the following: chest pains, stomach pains, nausea and sweating. Most people know acid reflux by the name of heartburn because of the burning sensation in their chest. And even more people know acid reflux from experience. It is reported that at least 1 in 5 Americans have experienced heartburn in the last week. Does this describe you?

But the bad news! Most of these acid reflux sufferers leave their heartburn symptoms untreated and do not seek treatment. And after years of neglect, acid reflux can become fatal if left untreated.

Heartburn Can Lead to Cancer

Dr. De Vito of the Digestive Disease Institute stated that years of acid reflux neglect can lead to esophageal erosion, ulcers and eventually cancer. And as our diets are becoming more of a catalyst to heartburn, esophageal cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers in the United States. An estimated 15,560 cases will be reported this year alone and of those reported many will be in the late stages. And more unfortunately, the survival rate is low.

Research has now concluded that acid reflux and heartburn could now be a fatal disease. Are you treating your acid reflux?

What You Know Can Cure You!

If you or a loved one sufferers from regular heartburns bouts, you should know that you can naturally cure yourself. If you seek medical help you will pay for it with your pocketbook and your health. Prescription drugs will be effective for 4-8 weeks but taking the medications for extended periods of time can cause extra gastrin in your body. Gastrin is a hormone that will speed up production of toxins which will eventually lead to cancer as well. If you do take medication, notice the 4-8 week warning on the bottle.

This leaves you with 2 options.

Option 1: Take acid reflux medication and risk the chance of getting cancer.

Option 2: Ignore your acid reflux and risk the chance of getting cancer.

Or

Option 3: Make some simple lifestyle changes with an effective natural acid reflux cure.

Curing Acid Reflux with Your Lifestyle

Acid Reflux is a symptom of a greater problem! Your body is simply telling you that you need to make some changes so your body can work more efficiently. And naturally, your body will cure itself if you make the right changes and allow it to heal with the proper nutrition, vitamins and hydration. And the best new is…

You can naturally cure acid reflux all at home with effective and simple tips that have helped literally thousands of ex-acid reflux sufferers. The answers to these questions can literally allow you to be cured of GERD for life.

What foods strengthen your esophagus sphincter muscle and cure heartburn?

What foods cause more acid in your stomach?

What drinks cause and cure acid reflux flare-ups?

What foods irritate the lower esophagus sphincter muscle causing the burning sensation?

What you should know about smoking and acid reflux?

Why the timing of when you eat is so important?

Why you will be making a fist before you eat that next meal?

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