| Generally known as 'heart burn', acid reflux | | | | of pregnancy tend to increase the risk of GERD. |
| disease is a condition wherein the liquid content of | | | | You will experience only minor symptoms if |
| the stomach refluxes into the esophagus. It can | | | | you're acid reflux disease is a minor condition. This |
| be both agonizing and annoying. But if you want | | | | would include mainly heartburn, regurgitation, and |
| to know the truth, the reflux of the stomach's | | | | nausea. |
| liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most | | | | However for more complicated conditions, then |
| normal individuals. Though, when heartburn | | | | one would need to watch out for the following |
| becomes acid reflux disease or Gastro esophageal | | | | symptoms: |
| reflux disease, also referred to as GERD, it is s | | | | Firstly the liquid that comes back into the |
| real problem. This is because with GERD, the acid | | | | esophagus damages the lining of the esophagus. |
| is stronger and remains in the esophagus even | | | | The body in turn tries to protect itself from the |
| longer causing more pain. | | | | acid reflux disease by 'inflaming' the esophagus. In |
| Many a times, you will experience this especially | | | | many cases when trying to speed the healing |
| when you are upright, sitting straight, or standing | | | | process through the inflammation, the wall of the |
| and it occurs during the daytime. You body | | | | esophagus may form an ulcer. Thus an ulcer is a |
| handles this reflux by the fluid flowing back down | | | | break in the lining of the esophagus wall. Then |
| into your stomach. One tends to swallow more | | | | what happens is that there may be bleeding. In |
| during the daytime as a result draining the acid | | | | case the bleeding is very severe, patients might |
| back to where it belongs. Your salivary glands | | | | need a blood transfusion or even surgical |
| create saliva that also contains bicarbonate that | | | | treatment. |
| acts to neutralize the acid your stomach has | | | | If your heartburn is severe or acute, or if it takes |
| kicked up. | | | | place very frequently, you need to see a doctor. |
| Though at night, you may experience a greater | | | | What can you do for yourself to alleviate the |
| problem when acid reflux disease takes place that | | | | condition? You can try sleeping on a pillow at night |
| is because while sleeping, gravity does not work | | | | that raises your chest up slightly so that gravity |
| as well lying down, your constant swallowing | | | | can bring the acid back down more easily. Many a |
| stops, and the production of saliva is reduced. | | | | times this condition regularly arises on a full |
| For GERD, there are certain conditions that tend | | | | stomach; hence one needs to eat earlier and eat |
| to make a person more prone to acid reflux | | | | less to keep the stomach from being too full. Cut |
| disease. For instance, this can be a serious | | | | down on the chocolate, peppermint, caffeinated |
| problem while you are pregnant. Elevated | | | | drinks and alcohol. Lessen fatty foods and for |
| hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause | | | | sure, either cut down or quit smoking. Other |
| reflux by lowering the pressure in that part of | | | | foods may aggravate the conditions. Also pass up |
| your body known as the lower esophageal | | | | on both spicy or acid-containing foods, like citrus |
| sphincter. Moreover the growing baby puts more | | | | juices, carbonated beverages, and tomato juice. |
| pressure on the abdomen. Both of these effects | | | | |