Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Acid Reflux Damage

A number of people suffer from the symptoms of acid reflux. It is commonly referred as gastric acids from the stomach which goes up into the esophagus, thus causing a burning sensation in the chest which many people describe as heartburn.

Acid reflux can cause harm to the esophagus which may develop into esophageal cancer, if left untreated. When the acid rises up into the esophagus, the burning sensation you will feel, is in fact causing irritation to the lining of the esophagus. People who have chronic acid reflux will commonly keep this irritation because they never have a chance for it to heal. Persistent irritation can result in permanent damage.

Everybody will get heartburn periodically however it does not mean they have acid reflux. Simple heartburn is normally simple to treat with Tums or Rolaids and may be linked with eating a large meal or a meal which is rich in spices. If heartburn begins to happen on a regular basis, such as two or more times a week, there is the possibility that acid reflux has developed.

Controlling Acid Reflux Symptoms

Anyone who is going through these symptoms needs to monitor closely and try to take steps to avoid them. A small change of eating habits will usually solve the problem. Our stomach produces acid to help in the digestion of the food when we are eating. Refrain from eating just before bedtime as you should allow your body two to three hours to digest the food before lying down. It applies similarly for taking a daytime nap.

Avoid eating a large meal as the more food you eat, the more acid needed to digest it. Eating smaller meals on a more frequent basis is best for acid reflux and act as an aid in weight control. Cut down on fatty rich food. Reduce caffeine intake; this includes chocolate, coffee, and cola. Avoid spicy foods such as tomatoes and foods that have tomatoes. Citrus foods such as orange and lemon are highly acidic and will cause irritation to the esophagus if eaten on a regular basis.

Keep away from products that have alcohol and tobacco. An occasional drink will not do any harm but drinking on a regular basis significantly increases your risk for acid reflux. It is said that by raising the head of your bed, it also raises your head above your stomach and makes it more difficult for the acid to go up into the esophagus. Always keep in mind you need to practice good posture when standing. It not only aid in keeping the symptoms of acid reflux at bay, it also helps to prevent muscle pain.

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