What Is Acid Reflux?

What is acid reflux? If you want to stop your heartburn and upset stomach, you need to understand what's going on.

Heartburn, often used as a synonym for acid reflux, is a burning feeling behind your breastbone, caused by acid coming from your stomach. It is the most obvious and relevant  symptom of acid reflux. 

Other names are gastroesophageal reflux or GER, gastric reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

What Is Acid Reflux?

Reflux means 'flow back' in latin.  'Acid' refers to your stomach juices that are full of acid. If these acid juices flow back upwards into your throat, you have got acid reflux. Acid isn't supposed to end up in your throat. It causes heartburn and can cause long-term harm, say scientists. 

Sour Stomach

If you have stomach troubles and heartburn, you might think that you have stomach that is too sour. 

That is not true! Everyone of us has a stomach content that is highly acid. Cells in the lining of your stomach produce 'hydrochloric acid', which has a very low PH. This strong acid protects you from potential intruders.

The acid kills contaminating micro-organisms that enter your body with the foods that you eat. The acid also serves as an aid to digestion. It helps to break down porteins into smaller pieces.  

Treating heartburn with acid reflux medication can be very effective to stop heartburn. The problem is that stomach medication, like nexium, disturbs the protective and digestive function of stomach acid.  A better solution is to improve your heartburn with acid reflux remedies. Just be a bit more friendly to your stomach instead of reaching for pills. If you have acid reflux, there are no shortcuts. If you are not planning to pop pills for the rest of your life, you will need to change your lifestyle; more exercise and a healthy diet. And an acid reflux wedge pillow at night for a good night's sleep.

Stomach And Throat

If your stomach is filled with burning juices, it needs proper protection.  It has a thick, wet mucuous layer that covers  its walls.  Drinking enough water is a good habit to maintain this protective layer. 

If stomach acid manages to leave your stomach and flow back into your throat, you have a problem. Since gastric juice is made to digest proteins, it is able to 'eat away' esophageal tissue.   It irritates your throat and gives you that typical burning sensation on your chest called  'heartburn'. 

If acid reflux inflames your esophagus if you have it on a daily base, . This condition is called  'reflux esophagitis'.

Who Suffers From Acid Reflux?

The usual suspect ; Office job, overweight, stress, sitting all day. Loves coffee during the day and alcohol prior to going to bed.

The sportsman ; athletes with intense fitness regimes who have heartburn as an unpleasant side effect. 

Future mama's ; a growing baby and specific pregnancy hormones cause acid reflux

Babies ; young babies are at risk because of their immature stomach valve

Chronic Heartburn Sufferers at Risk

If you have acid reflux for many months or years, your esophagus tries to adapt by changing the structure of its cells. It is an abnormal, unhealthy adaptation that is called  Barrett's esophagus or Barrett's syndrome.

The presence of Barrett's syndrome is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

Understand And Stop Acid Reflux

What is acid reflux?  What causes acid reflux? What are the heartburn home remedies? What if your baby has acid reflux? How about acid reflux medication? Do you need a gastroscopy? Dive into this site and discover how you can get better. 

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