Posts Tagged ‘GERD’

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Heartburn Home Remedies, Some Tips For Everyone

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

A variety of cures are available for just about whatever ails you. Some seem pretty bizarre while others might make you wonder why you did not think about it before. Heartburn home remedies include: Garlic, papaya, bananas, apple cider vinegar and almonds.

Make sure you pay close attention to as to how to use each one along with the warnings that are listed.

When garlic is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is cooking. Did you know that garlic is also an herbal supplement that boosts your immune system and makes your heart stronger? Yes, this food is very versatile. It seems that garlic is also among the most used home remedy ideas as well. Garlic sauce can cause heartburn for some individuals. A clove or two of garlic can stop heartburn in its tracks.

If you decide to give garlic a try, chew a clove at the first sign of heartburn. If you think you may want to try it in the future, place some cloves in apple cider vinegar. When needed, take a little sip of the liquid.

Raw garlic works because it is an antibiotic. The organisms that cause heartburn are actually killed by the garlic.

Warning: Have some sprigs of parsley, gum or coriander seeds handy to chew on because you will have bad breath after eating garlic. With any remedy, you should converse with your doctor if you are taking prescription medication before trying it.

Another remedy is papaya. This fruit assists in digestion as well.

Fresh papaya may be hard to locate. If it is not available, try dried papaya instead. Only consume a small amount.

Eat papaya before or after your meal.

Papaya contains an enzyme known as Papain that helps with digestion.

Warning: Talk to your doctor before eating this fruit if you have allergic reactions to latex. Avoid this fruit altogether if you are pregnant.

Hopefully you are not someone who suffers from heartburn after eating a banana. If you are, try one of the other remedies. For those who can eat them, and like them, because bananas coat your stomach, some say it gives them relief from their heartburn.

Choose bananas that are fresh but not over ripened for maximum results.

Dried bananas or peeled bananas can be eaten.

Bananas act as an antacid by coating your stomach thereby relieving heartburn.

Warning: Converse with your doctor before eating bananas if you are diabetic or taking MAOI inhibitors.

Another home remedy, for heartburn, that many swear by is apple cider vinegar.

If you feel up to it, drink a teaspoon of this vinegar by itself. Many would prefer not to even attempt that so make a little drink for you to help it go down easier.

Mix a little bit of sugar with 1 tablespoon of the apple cider vinegar. Then add 6 ounces of water and a little baking soda. While it is fizzing, drink it.

In the world of chemistry, apple cider vinegar is known to be base which neutralizes acid. This is why so many uses this home remedies to decrease the stomach acid. It is believed that vinegar make the esophageal sphincter contract which aids in keeping the stomach acid down.

Warning: Remember that vinegar will eat your teeth if you use it too much. Anytime you use vinegar, follow up with a glass of water or drink it through a straw so it will not come in contact with your teeth.

Finally, heartburn relief can come from almonds as well. Do not over eat or you will not have room for this tasty fix.

When your heartburn starts to rear its ugly head, eat a handful of raw almonds.

The high level of oil in almonds counteracts stomach acid.

Warning: If you are allergic to tree nuts, DO NOT use this remedy.

You’ll learn even more about natural ways to treat heartburn at: Heartburn Home Remedies. And to learn about the only holistic, natural heartburn treatment system available go to: Heartburn No More Review

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Reduce Heartburn Foods To Avoid Heartburn

Monday, November 16th, 2009

If you suffer from heartburn, here is some good news for you. By avoiding heartburn foods, you can avoid the symptoms of heartburn. This list of foods to avoid may also help you to avoid heartburn.

The foods that cause heartburn differ for every person. The following list contains many foods that may cause heartburn. Although you may not be able to eliminate them all at once try avoiding a few at a time and see if the symptoms do not improve.

Sometimes meats can be a problem. Among the meats, the most common trigger foods include chicken nuggets, ground beef, Buffalo wings and sirloin that is marbled. The thing you may notice these meats have in common is that they are higher in fat or spicy and high in fat.

For some people, foods that combine sweets, oils and fats can be trigger foods. The number one food in this group is chocolate. Chocolate is blamed for more heartburn than all the other foods combined. Also in this list are snack chips, including corn or potato. Butter cookies are also high in sugar and in fat as are doughnuts. Brownies contain chocolate, fat and sugar. They can be the heartburn victim’s worst nightmare. Salad dressings are often high in fat and sugar. Some of the worst add vinegar to the mix. In general, heartburn sufferers should avoid fried or other fatty foods.

There are several fruits, vegetables and juices that are heartburn triggers. These include all of the citrus fruits and citrus juices. Here are a few you should avoid: orange juice, lemon juice, grapefruit, cranberry juice and tomato juice. In addition the the citrus fruits, remember that potatoes, especially when prepared with large amounts of fat, as in mashed potatoes or french fries can cause heartburn. Potato salad contains many of the heartburn foods in combination and can give exceedingly bad heartburn for some people.

Beverages that are high in acid concentration or alcohol should be avoided. Coffee and tea are highly acidic and can cause heartburn. Alcohol can relax the muscles, including the flap at the base of the esophagus which allows acid reflux. Wine combines the relaxing with acid.

Pasta can also be a trigger for some people. The most offending types of pasta are macaroni and cheese and spaghetti served with marinara sauce.

In the dairy aisle, you will want to avoid cottage cheese (4% milk fat), milkshakes, ice cream and also sour cream.

If you can avoid trigger foods, you can often avoid heartburn. You may have to use trial and error to eliminate those foods from your diet that cause heartburn.

You will learn more than most people know about diet and acid reflux when you visit: Heartburn Foods. Even better, learn about a powerfully effective, natural heartburn treatment system at: Heartburn No More Review.

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Finding Relief with a Heartburn Remedy

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

There are several different sorts of heartburn remedy that can be utilized to bring you relief. Heartburn can be quite bothersome and an individual can experience heartburn very frequently or just occasionally. Some people have specific triggers that cause heartburn. The official name for heartburn is gastro esophageal reflux disease.

Heartburn has many different symptoms and most folks will only experience a few different symptoms. The most usual symptoms associated with heartburn include heartburn, hoarseness, coughing, regurgitation of food, chest pain, chest pain when laying down, sour taste in the mouth, sore throat and wheezing. Heartburn is caused when the acids in the stomach escape and irritate the lining of the esophagus.

Before experimenting with any heartburn remedy you should have your health care provider look into the problem. If you don’t use the right kind of treatment then you can cause ulcers, esophageal bleeding, esophagitis and worse to develop. Your health care provider will be able to determine the best type of treatment.

Many times certain foods will trigger the problem. You need to keep track of what you eat and when you get heartburn to determine which foods may trigger your condition. Some of the most common food triggers include chocolate, citrus fruits, peppermint, tomatoes, raw onions, spearmint, garlic, fatty foods, black pepper, highly spiced foods, coffee and alcoholic beverages.

Many times, lying down after you have just eaten will cause discomfort because when lying down it’s less difficult for the acid to reflux. You need to make certain you eat at least 2 to 3 hours before you go to bed. You can also see if eating smaller portions can help to stop the problem. If you stomach isn’t as full then it will be harder for acid reflux to occur.

While there is no direct link between stress and heartburn, over 50% of folks with heartburn live very demanding lives. Stress has been found to make the symptoms of heartburn worse. Heartburn also slows down your digestion which means you can have heartburn for longer after eating.

If you are very stressed and suffer from heartburn then you must try and take care of your stress and unwind. This is an excellent method for a natural heartburn remedy. Some individuals get stress relief by making use of aromatherapy, meditation and exercise. Smoking also can raise your probability of getting heartburn as the nicotine in the cigarettes weakens the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. If you stop smoking you may be able to eliminate your heartburn.

A natural heartburn remedy you may wish to try is deglycyrrhizinated licorice which has been found to reduce inflammation and help with ulcers. Aloe vera juice also is very soothing to the esophagus. These two natural remedies are very soothing but don’t have the backup of clinical trials required in order to be recommended by the medical community.

Heartburn may not be a life threatening condition, but it can certainly cause you a lot of distress. If you want to learn more about heartburn remedies and what you can do to stop it in its tracks, visit the Heartburn Relief site.

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A Few Easy Changes Can Keep Acid Reflux at Bay

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

If you have acid reflux, finding relief could be as easy as changing some of your habits. Here are a few guidelines for preventing acid reflux from showing up.

A lot of folks experience acid reflux during the nighttime. Yet by simply eliminating evening snacking, you can more easily achieve relief from acid reflux. Do not snack for several hours leading up to bedtime. This can be challenging if you’re inclined to be a late-night snacker. Yet it is critical if you want to get a more restful sleep at night.

What you eat is just as significant as when you eat it. For instance, foods that are acidic like coffee, alcohol, citrus juices and tomato products all increase the likelihood of suffering from acid reflux. Even if a particular food appears innocuous, it can even so bring about the manufacture of acid in your stomach. Foods that are spicy or high in fat will also trigger an occurrence of acid reflux.

A further consideration in deterring acid reflux is to regulate the quantity of food that you eat. What this means is that you should not stuff yourself at mealtime. If your stomach becomes too full, the food is forced back up into your esophagus. And because it has already soaked up some of the acids in your stomach, it fuels that burning pain in your chest.

If surplus weight is a problem for you, consider losing some of the additional pounds. Many individuals discover a reduction in their acid reflux symptoms if they do. Normally they experience reduced pressure on the stomach, which leaves more room for the digestion process. So it is less likely to be brought back through the esophagus.

Every so often you may indulge yourself too much, and with the wrong foods. When you do, it’s essential that you sit or stand upright instead of lying down. This will help to hold the food in your stomach, away from your esophagus, and hasten the digestion process. Once you do lie down, make sure to keep your head elevated, either by propping up your mattress or using an acid reflux wedge pillow.

acid reflux sufferers who are heavy aren’t the only people who should make better lifestyle choices. Smokers are also at higher risk of suffering from this condition. If you smoke, the muscles in your esophagus do not work as efficiently. Therefore they are less able to prevent the undigested food in your stomach from making its way back up. Also, the stomach acids of those who smoke is more toxic because of the chemicals present. Each puff of a cigarette raises your probability of suffering from acid reflux.

Do not forget that lifestyle modifications might not be the ultimate fix for more severe acid reflux. Many folks will still have to see their doctor in order to get relief.

acid reflux may not be a life threatening condition, but it can certainly cause you a lot of distress. If you want to learn more about the causes of acid reflux and heartburn and what you can do to stop it in its tracks, visit the Heartburn Relief site.

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How Do You Avoid Acid Reflux

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
by Edmound Johnsonberg

These days, heartburn is a complaint more commonly known by sufferers as acid reflux. This complaint affects the food pathways or digestive tract but is often called other names. The problem arises from an upset in our stomachs digestive fluid (hydrochloric acid).The disorder gives you a burning sensation in your chest near the heart and stomach, when the acid wants to return up the digestive tract.

When we eat and swallow our food it is allowed into the stomach area to be digested by the esophageal sphincter valve which should then close back up in order to stop the hydrochloric acid from escaping. The problems start when for some reason this valve does not shut and the stomachs digestive juices are allowed to flow back up (acid reflux) causing the feeling of heartburn.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,overeating could also add to the problem and cause unnecessary stress on the stomach and its ability to process food.

It is never wise to eat large amounts at is puts a significant strain on the stomach muscles which in turn results in pressure within the gut itself.this in turn causes the esophageal valve to behave erratically leading to stomach fluids rising and causing the awful burning feeling in the chest. Since this valve protects your esophagus from your stomach acid, you need to take care this valve does not allow digested acidic food to pass back into the asophagus.this can be achieved by consuming smaller meals; the incidences of heartburn should reduce. Your mouth, esophagus, and stomach are the first areas of food processing so if something goes wrong in this area, if will affect the health of the entire body.this is because the stomach is not only responsible for breaking down our food but also for preparing this food to be converted to specific nutrients that every person needs.

While an immediate solution may be to use the well advertised acid calming drugs available they are not designed for long term usage,however, these can interrupt natural body processes and cause other health problems. It may take a while but the best solution is to make adjustments to your drinking and eating habits which may have caused the acid reflux condition,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.

Lifestyle changes extend beyond those of just eating habits as other contributing factors to acid reflux can be:

Regular smoking, Allergies to certain foods, Certain medical drugs, Excessive alcohol consumption, Having a sleep after eating a meal

All this comes down to a lifestyle change which ultimately only you can control,this is all possible if you want the heartburn problem to ease. Determination on your part to reduce the number of episodes of acid reflux is all that is required.It really is a decision only you can make!

About the Author:
Edmound Johnsonberg creates a lot of sites. His newest site is about locating the best golf cart wheels. You can locate his new site at http://www.golf-cart-wheels.org.

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Some Info about Acid Reflux Cure

Friday, October 2nd, 2009
by Jeff Wilkins

While there may be no ideal acid reflux cure that works for everyone, there are enough treatment options that everyone can expect to find something that works for them.

As you probably know, acid backing up ( that is, refluxing) into the esophagus causes the burning pain associated with acid reflux. The stomach is the only part of the G.I. tract that can safely handle the acid it contains. Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus injures the esophageal lining.

With that in mind, I think you can see that some of the treatment options would involve avoiding anything that might make it more likely that the stomach content would back up into the esophagus and neutralize the acid so it’s not as irritating if it does happen.

The most common trigger of an episode of reflux is food. In general, acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus juices are the most troublesome. As you might expect, spicy foods can also be problematic, but certain spices can actually be helpful.

Eating small meals minimizes the pressure and stomach and so minimizes the chance of reflux. It also is good for your health from the reasons.

Gravity can also play a role as an acid reflux cure. If you lie down immediately after eating, gravity will tend to help the stomach content flowing to the esophagus. If you remain upright gravity will hold the content in the stomach.

This effect of gravity is why many people have problems with reflux in the middle of the night. It also suggests another aspect of acid reflux cure. You can help the problem by avoiding eating for several hours before going to bed. Also, if you elevate the head of the bed or put a wedge under your mattress gravity will continue to help keep stomach content where it belongs.

The next stage of dealing with acid reflux is to neutralize the acid so it doesn’t cause symptoms. You’re probably familiar with over-the-counter and acids such as Maalox or Tum’s. These work by directly neutralizing the acid and are still reasonable treat option, especially for someone who only has problems occasionally.

Newer medications, such as Pepcid, work by preventing acid from being produced in the first place.

I hope this is given you some ideas about acid reflux cures in the proper approach to treatment. Obviously there’s a lot more to learn about this.

About the Author:
There is a more detailed description of all this at Acid Reflux Cure. And if you’re interested in a completely natural, highly effective cure for acid reflux you need to visit: Heartburn No More Review

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Can Acid Reflux Really Cause a Sore Throat?

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Although many people don’t know it, acid reflux sore throat is very real. When you consider what reflux is, it shouldn’t be that surprising. It really is just a matter of how severe the reflux is.

To begin with a definition, acid reflux means that acid from the stomach is backing up into the esophagus. The actual acid is HCl and as you might imagine is quite irritating to tissues that were meant to handle it such as the lining of the esophagus.

This is typically limited to the far end of the esophagus immediately next to the stomach. the most common symptom is a burning sensation commonly referred to as heartburn.

But if the reflux is bad enough, the acid can back up even farther. In many people it reaches the mid-and upper portion of the esophagus, and in quite a few it even gets to the back of the throat.

I think is pretty easy for you to imagine that if you swallowed acid you might get a sore throat as a result. The acid backing up from the stomach does the same thing. Even worse, it can spill over into your windpipe and really cause problems.

Sometimes people with acid reflux sore throat will notice a metallic taste in their mouth. This is a clue that the sore throat may be secondary to acid from the stomach.

If you have acid reflux and a sore throat that never seems to go away it may well be that the two are related. That makes it all the more important that you address the acid reflux and get proper treatment. In some people this can be very difficult to diagnose because they have a sore throat but no heartburn so they don’t suspect reflux as a cause.

You can learn more about this potentially serious complication of acid reflux at: Acid Reflux Sore Throat Perhaps more importantly, they also talk about treatment. You should definitely check out Treat Acid Reflux Now to learn more about this common health issue and what you can do about it.

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Household Remedies for Heartburn Pain

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Many times, home remedies for heartburn are the best and most economical treatments for relieving yourself of heartburn. This article will look at some common ways to treat heartburn right in your own home.

Maybe you’ve heard that milk will help protect the lining of your stomach. It is true, and that makes cold milk and yogurt among the best home remedies for heartburn. Milk neutralizes acids in the stomach and thus eases heartburn discomfort. Yogurt likewise contains bacteria and chemicals that help the digestive process in your body. The cool temperature of frozen yogurt will calm heartburn and aggravated stomachs.

There are several foods that can prevent heartburn from occurring including bananas, rice, and almonds. All these foods help fight acidity in the stomach. Plain white rice absorbs stomach acid before it causes discomfort, while bananas, almond oil, and other alkaline foods neutralize stomach acid.

One more old fashioned home remedy for heartburn is apple cider vinegar. Using vinegar to treat heartburn may not seem very sensible, but the fact is that it balances the pH of your digestive system. Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and some honey to a glass of water, which will make it more palatable.

There are a number of common herbs and plants that are also useful for treating heartburn. For instance, powdered ginger relaxes the muscles of the esophagus in order to prevent stomach acid from entering it. Or try an herbal tea made of marshmallow root to lessen your heartburn pain. It will coat the esophagus, particularly if you drink it a few times each day.

Goldenseal has natural antibiotic properties that are known to kill off the bacteria that inflame the stomach lining and duodenum. This plant grows wild in several areas and has flowers resembling daisies and fruit that’s similar in appearance to a raspberry. Combine the goldenseal root with some ethanol in a jar and let it brew for a few weeks. There are also tinctures out there which add distilled water to dilute the alcohol.

Not every home remedy for heartburn involves products that you ingest. Some simple changes in your lifestyle can have the same effect. Rich and spicy food can intensify heartburn, and so can chocolate, coffee, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks. Accordingly the best way to prevent heartburn is to avoid these triggering factors. Don’t consume any food less than 2 hours before you go to sleep; heartburn can frequently occur when you lie down. For the same reason, you may want to raise the head of your bed by several inches. If you follow these recommendations, then you too can enjoy a restful night’s sleep free of heartburn.

Millions of people suffer from the pain and discomfort of heartburn. Thankfully, there are lots of methods for heartburn treatment that soothe the symptoms and get to the root of the problem. Learn more at Heartburn Relief.

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Are Those Antacids A Danger To Your Health?

Thursday, August 6th, 2009
by Antony Wilton

Yes, taking antacids for long periods can cause long-term side effects, although treatment for acid reflux has improved a great deal in recent times.

acid reflux or GERD is the flow of stomach acid back into your stomach. Suffers of acid reflux disease often experience heartburn, although heartburn on its own does not mean that you have a more serious complaint as it can sometimes be the result of spicy foods or soda drinks.

This can be managed with lifestyle changes and antacid tablets.

Doctors recommend that you use antacids for only short periods as they have been shown to cause health issues with long term use. Magnesium hydroxide which is an ingredient in some antacids is known to cause diarrhea. Calcium carbonate, another ingredient in antacids can cause kidney damage with prolonged use, and aluminum hydroxide has been linked to weak bones. If your heartburn persists when use of antacids is stopped, it may be an indicator of a more serious problem, so a visit to your doctor is essential as you may have chronic reflux.

To find the problem, an endoscopy will be carried out. A flexible tube is inserted into the esophagus and stomach through the mouth, so your doctor can examine the esophageal lining. Examinations like this use a camera and can show whether you have Barrett’s esophagus which can be identified by a change in the color and composition of the cells in the lower esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus often leads to esophageal cancer.

lets hope that the examination of your esophagus does not indicate a condition such as Barrett’s esophagus and you may be able to treat your reflux naturally. Proton pump inhibitors which can be used to block acid production are another option worth considering as a way of avoiding antacid tablets and their associated problems.

You should of course be guided by the advice of your doctor to determine the best alternative treatments.

About the Author:
Antony Wilton is regarded as an expert on acid reflux His site, acid reflux and heartburn is full of up to date information.

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Antacids Taken For Acid Reflux Can Cause Health Problems

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
by Antony Wilton

Studies have shown that the use of antacids over a long period of time does lead to long term side effects.

You are probably aware that acid reflux is the flow of stomach acid back into the esophagus which is the tube which connects the stomach and throat. When you experience acid reflux, you may experience heartburn or notice a bitter taste in your mouth. Do not be alarmed if your only symptom is infrequent heartburn as most people suffer from it occasionally after over indulgence in spicy foods or excess alcohol.

This can be managed with lifestyle changes and antacid tablets.

Doctors recommend that you use antacids for only short periods as they have been shown to cause health issues with long term use. Magnesium hydroxide which is an ingredient in some antacids is known to cause diarrhea. Calcium carbonate, another ingredient in antacids can cause kidney damage with prolonged use, and aluminum hydroxide has been linked to weak bones. If your heartburn persists when use of antacids is stopped, it may be an indicator of a more serious problem, so a visit to your doctor is essential as you may have chronic reflux.

To find the problem, an endoscopy will be carried out. A flexible tube is inserted into the esophagus and stomach through the mouth, so your doctor can examine the esophageal lining. Examinations like this use a camera and can show whether you have Barrett’s esophagus which can be identified by a change in the color and composition of the cells in the lower esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus often leads to esophageal cancer.

lets hope that the examination of your esophagus does not indicate a condition such as Barrett’s esophagus and you may be able to treat your reflux naturally. Proton pump inhibitors which can be used to block acid production are another option worth considering as a way of avoiding antacid tablets and their associated problems.

You should of course be guided by the advice of your doctor to determine the best alternative treatments.

About the Author:
Antony Wilton is regarded as the authority on acid reflux treatment His site, acid reflux heartburn contains a wealth of information on the subject

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