Reflux Zone

Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux or Gastroesophagal reflux disease (GERD), which is sometimes also referred as heartburn, is an unpleasant condition in which the liquid from the stomach refluxes into the esophagus. The reflux liquid contains acid produced by stomach and pepsin an enzyme required for digestion of protein. Sometimes in some of the patients the reflux liquid may also contain bile. The acid seems to be most dangerous among all the three constituents and its causes injury to esophagus and sometimes may cause injury to the esophagus lining. Once it begins, it will occur for the whole life and according to the experts if the valve separating esophagus and stomach does not closes properly, the acid from stomach will bounce back into the esophagus. There may be various reason of acid reflux and stress may be one of the reasons. Doctors believe that stress may aggravate the acid reflux and is one of the chronic factors to not only the acid reflux disease but many other stomach related problems. Refluxing of stomachs liquid content into esophagus may take in most normal individuals, however in the case of the patients of acid reflux the reflux liquid will contain acid more often. Thanks to the god, most of the acid reflux occurs during the day and in such straight or upright condition, the reflux liquid quickly flow back and our salivary glands in mouth produces saliva, which is basic in nature and neutralizes the acid that left in esophagus.

The simplest and most effective treatment of acid reflux is change in habits including eating habits. For avoiding acid reflux during night, you should try to remain in partial elevating the upper body in night. This will quickly allow the acid refluxed during night back to the stomach. If you are patient of acid reflux, you should make this one of your habit to avoid the accumulation of acid in esophagus especially during night. It has also been recommended by experts to lie on your left side as reflux occurs less frequently in this position.

Certain eating habits are also beneficial for acid reflux patients. Reflux occurs more frequently after meal, so you should avoid heavy meal just before bed. Smaller food should be taken a few hours before going to bed. This will be emptied till the time you go to the bed and therefore reflux will occur less likely during night.

Some food may reduce the pressure in stomach and may increase the reflux and such food should be avoided. The foods such as chocolate, alcohol and caffeinated drink should be avoided. Cigarette smoking also decreases the pressure inside esophagus and there smoking should also be stopped.

There are various medicines available to treat the acid reflux and includes antacids. Antacids may be calcium, magnesium or aluminum based and neutralize the acid in stomach, and however they are quickly emptied from the stomach. It is therefore recommended that you should take an antacid one-hour after meal or when the symptoms of acid reflux begin. Another dose may sometimes be advised by your doctor and should be taken two hours after taking meal. Calcium based antacids are not recommended for acid reflux patients for longer duration, however they can occasionally be used.