The 12 Symptoms and Causes of Acid Reflux

Symptoms and Causes of Acid Reflux that many people ignore. Also,  acid reflux is often associated with heartburn , but if you experience heartburn more than twice a week, you are actually suffering from acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is caused when acid moves into the esophagus too often because the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus) does not close properly causing a burning sensation.

GERD affects around 20% of the US population, leaving many people suffering from this painful condition. While occasional heartburn is normal, if you experience this problem frequently, you could be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease or another condition. It is extremely important to speak with your doctor to get your body back on track.

A common cause of acid reflux is a stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia. This type of hernia is caused when the upper part of your stomach the lower esophageal sphincter, which normally keeps acid out of your throat , becomes acidic and causes a burning sensation. Then check out The 12 Symptoms and Causes of Acid Reflux.

• Eat large meals;
• Overweight or obesity;
• Eat before going to sleep;
• Consuming foods such as citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods;
• Drinking alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee or tea;
• smoking ;
• Be pregnant;
• Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, or blood pressure medications ;

The most common symptoms of acid reflux are heartburn and regurgitation. Stomach warming is that burning sensation and discomfort that moves from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, and even your throat .

Regurgitation is acid with a bitter or sour taste that moves into your throat or mouth. Neither are pleasant, but both are possibly indicative of acid reflux if you experience it frequently. If you have acid reflux disease , you may experience:

• Swelling;
• Bloody or black stools;
• Bloody vomit;
• Dysphagia a narrowing of the esophagus, which feels like food is stuck in the throat ;
• nausea;
• unexplained weight loss;
• Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness or constant sore throat ;

Treatment:  If you experience these symptoms more than twice a week, or they start to interfere with your life or sleep, it’s important to see your doctor.

You can often treat acid reflux with the following actions:

• Don’t lie down, sleep or bend over right after a meal;
• Raise your head when sleeping;
• Eat at least two to three hours before bed;
• Sleep in a chair for daytime naps;
• Lose weight if you are overweight;
•  Avoid tight belts;
• Stop smoking ;
• Avoid potential trigger foods like spicy foods, onions, citrus products, tomato products like pasta sauce or ketchup, fatty or fried foods, mint, chocolate, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and coffee or other caffeinated drinks.
•  Avoid large or fatty meals;