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The painful condition where the contents of the stomach want to flow back the way they came to cause heartburn is something we may all have experienced in our lives: it is called acid reflux. This is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system) and even though this condition is often known by different names, they have similar symptoms. The digestive system uses hydrochloric acid to digest and process food. 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 esophageal sphincter should close and trap the acid but when this doesn’t happen and the acid escapes back up the digestive tract the condition of acid reflux or heartburn is the result.

This condition is also known as GERD which is the shortened version of the correct medical name: gastro esophageal reflux disorder. Although the real cause of acid reflux disorder has not yet been found, it is thought that eating the wrong foods could be to blame; 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. Something has to give; this being the acid which returns or refluxes back up the esophagus bringing with it the very unpleasant heartburn. Reducing the amount of pressure on the esophageal valve will lessen the chance of stomach acids forcing their way back up the digestive tract.

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 everyone’s body needs.

A short term solution may appear to be the drugs that are easily purchased over the counter but guidance is needed. Whilst they are effective there can be adverse implications with their continued use. The long term treatment for acid reflux is to adapt your lifestyle habits in particular eating and drinking. Within a few months you should find your stomach has had a chance build up its resistance considerably. If you can reduce the heartburn occurrences, in time you may well be able to slowly start eating those dishes that have needed to be cut out.

Other factors can also create a predisposition for acid reflux and these include:

Being a smoker

Allergic reactions to certain types of food

Prescription and OTC drugs and medication

Alcoholic drinks

After meal napping

As you can tell, most of these factors can be overcome by practicing some behavioral modifications and a change in lifestyle, If you need an incentive to stop the occasions where you suffer with heartburn then this should be it! All that is required is a little dedication on your part to be careful about what you eat and drink to possibly clear up your acid reflux problem. Whether you decide to take this and your doctors advice is really up to you!

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