If you’ve been on antibiotics or over the counter drugs that can get rid of heartburn, you’re probably in the same situation as everyone else. Your stomach has to work harder and longer to digest food, therefore increasing the pressure, causing acid reflux. Acid reflux is one of the most common problems experienced by those who suffer from heartburn.
In order to cure acid reflux, it is necessary to reduce the amount of stomach acid that is produced by the stomach in order to reduce the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. A liquid diet is recommended, with food being passed through the esophagus at a slower rate, thus reducing the pressure inside the stomach.
Stress is another cause of acid reflux. When we are stressed out, it is easy for the stomach to produce extra acid. Caffeine is another substance that can increase stress levels. People who are normally light-hearted can become light-headed when exposed to too much caffeine.
Eating chocolate can cause gastric acid production. Chocolate is sweet and rich in calories. It’s rich in sugar and fats, which are not healthy in excess. The fat in chocolate can also be absorbed into the body more easily than the nutrients and calories in good foods.
Allergies are common triggers for acid reflux symptoms. Everyone has a different threshold for foods that cause them to react. Food allergies can be listed under the category of IgE, which stands for immunoglobulin E.
IgE is an allergen found in all parts of a person’s digestive system. A specific strain of the food allergen called histamine is released when a person is allergic to a certain substance.
Heartburn and indigestion are also caused by spasms in the esophagus that can be reduced through gastric banding surgery, LES support, and GERD medications. During this procedure the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is stretched over the esophagus, creating a stasis condition that causes the lower esophageal muscle to relax.
Gastric banding surgery does not cure acid reflux, but it can help with the symptoms of heartburn, and it will reduce acid production. Gastric banding surgery involves stretching a band around the lower esophageal sphincter and fixing it using rubber bands. This method is very effective in reducing acid reflux.
In order to treat GERD, a weak LES allows the esophageal sphincter muscles to relax when acid is refluxed. The muscle is, therefore, stronger, preventing any further reflux of stomach acid.
A weak LES usually means that the esophageal sphincter is not sufficiently strong to keep acid from getting back into the esophagus. This results in the backflow of stomach acid up the esophagus, causing heartburn and acid reflux.
If you are suffering from heartburn and/or acid reflux, lifestyle changes should be a large part of your efforts to cure your GERD. To cure your acid reflux, changing your diet and avoiding foods that cause acid reflux and stress, will not only alleviate the symptoms of your disease but reduce the length of time that acid reflux and heartburn will be a problem.
