Acid Reflux Disease

Acid Reflux Disease is also known as Acid Reflux or Acidity. It is a condition where the contents of the stomach travel backwards to the throat causing the very common symptom known as heart burn, together with hiccups, a burning sensation etc. This acid can cause burning sensation and can damage the lining of the oesophagus. The osophagus is the tube which connects our stomach and the throat. There is a small valve covering the bottom of the esophagus. This valve serves to reduce the pressure in the stomach which can arise due to the digestion process after we eat food. The valve opens to release the gas which sometimes accumulates after a meal. But sometimes due to the weak functioning of this valve it also lets some of the acid contents from our stomach pass up the oesophagus to the throat.

Acid Reflux can occur in adults as well as in infants and children. If not taken care of at the right time, this disease can often cause suffering for a life time.

There are various medicines available to cure acid reflux. These medicines are known as antacids which should always be taken under the supervision of your doctor or physician. But although medicines can rapidly relieve the symptoms of acid reflux or heart burn, they can also have bad side effects on one's health. Acid influx may re-occur if the medicines are stopped. There are special pillows available on the market to lessen the cause of acid reflux, by ensuring the head and throat are kept above the level of the stomach while we sleep. In extreme cases, there are surgerical operations which can be done to provide a long term solution to the problem of acid influx.

Let us now review some of the causes and symptoms of acid reflux disease. Acid reflux is mainly caused because of a person's eating habits. It is a digestive problem and has got nothing to do with the heart, although the main symptom is known as heart burn.

Heart burn: This is the name given to the irritating burning sensation experienced in your chest due to acid reflux and in some cases it can be felt in the back also. It is mainly suffered by the people who have unhealthy eating habits.

Burning sensation while swallowing food: There is continuous pricking pain in the throat or sometimes there is a feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or the chest. It is necessary to eat and drink slowly at such times.

Swallowing difficulty: Accompanied with burning sensation there is feeling of a lump being stuck in the throat. There can be various problems to cause this type of feeling, so it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible. In this condition one should avoid eating food that is too hot or too colds.

Causes of Acid Reflux: Acid Reflux can be caused due to many reasons. Listed below are some of the common causes of Acid Reflux - these include eating heavy meals, pregnancy, smoking, lack of exercise: -

• Eating heavy meals: People often indulge themselves by over eating. This causes pressure on the digestive system often leading to indigestion, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth. Thus one should become aware of eating habits which will help maintain a good health.
• Pregnancy: During this period women should avoid eating excess or unhealthy food which can give rise to acid reflux. Instead pregnant mothers should have a well balanced easily digested diet full of proteins, iron and calcium for the baby's and mother's good health.
• Lack of exercise: Some People don't like exercising but are often seen eating high calorie food and gaining weight, thus becoming more prone to acid influx.

Thus if a person takes proper care of his health and maintains good eating habits, then they can reduce the further serious effects of Acid Reflux Disease and maintain a good and healthy life.