06.02.11
Posted in acid-reflux-disease at 9:27 pm by admin
There are many tricks to anything in life but not all of them do any good. Sometimes you hear them from your parents or friends and try them which almost always end in failure. Here are a few myths you may have heard about acid reflux.
Drinking Milk
Many people think drinking milk eases acid reflux when really it can cause reflux during sleep. Milk should be good since it is a base, which is the opposite of an acid. Milk will calm your stomach down but it will have a late reaction which eventually encourages secretion of more stomach acid. It is better to eat light crackers before bed to stop acid reflux.
Acidic Drinks (Coffee, Juice etc.)
Acidic drinks can cause acid reflux but only for certain people. It is good to test out which drinks may cause it for you. Acidic drinks can aggravate your system but now there are many low-acid drinks; especially juices. Drinking herbal teas and such are better for people who have acid reflux.
Medications
Some people think when you’re on medication for acid reflux that you can’t stop. Acid reflux is actually treated much better without medication; the natural way! Acid reflux can be naturally controlled by fixing the problem by eating properly and finding foods that are good for you for example.
Weight
We all know having some extra weight can be unhealthy for you. The more overweight you are, the higher the chances are of you suffering from heartburn and acid reflux. Women who gain a little weight can suffer from acid reflux. Men need to gain a few pounds more to be at risk of acid reflux.
Food
Spicy food and fruit do not cause acid reflux unless you have a large portion of it. Find a proper acid reflux diet to help you relieve some symptoms. Proteins from meat can cause acid reflux but protein from foods such as peanut butter and tofu are good. Also, mint (peppermint and spearmint) can cause acid reflux. It is better to have licorice instead because it can be used as an herbal treatment.
Stomach Acid
Most people actually believe that acid reflux is caused by stomach acid. Acid reflux symptoms are actually due to weak muscles in your esophagus. Your esophagus is opening and allowing stomach acids in which cause the pain.
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05.25.11
Posted in acid-reflux-foods at 9:12 pm by admin
Acid reflux is when stomach acid escapes from the stomach and travels up the esophagus causing a sensation commonly referred to as heartburn. Certain foods can be the cause of acid reflux as they require the stomach to produce more acid, in order for thorough digestion. The extra acid then leaves the stomach thus causing acid reflux. The following are foods one should avoid to prevent acid reflux.
- Full-fat Dairy Products: This can include any dairy product such as sour cream, milk, cheese, and ice cream
- Tomatoes: The tomato is the most common food that causes acid reflux due to its high acidity. Other high acidic foods to avoid are grapefruits, oranges, cranberries, lemons, raw onions, limes, and pineapples.
- Heavy sauces: Avoid creamy pasta sauces, marinara (made with tomatoes), rich salad dressings, and macaroni with cheese.
- Junk food: Chocolate, mashed potatoes, French fries, baked goods, and other fried foods are all common acid reflux triggers.
- Meat: Any type of meat with a high fat content such as lamb and marbled steak should be avoided.
- Beverages: Coffee (decaffeinated and caffeinated), alcohol, and most other caffeinated drinks can trigger acid reflux.
Along with taking acid reflux medications you can change your diet to prevent acid reflux.
Some safe foods you can eat include:
- Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, green beans, peas, broccoli, corn, bananas, lettuce, fenugreek, spinach, baked potato, and cabbage are great. In general, most fruits and vegetables are safe for acid reflux except for citrus fruits and veggies.
- Meat: Low fat meats such as lean ground beef, deli meat, turkey, egg whites, fish, skinned chicken breast, fish are excellent choices.
- Grain Products: Multigrain bread, rice, soda crackers, graham crackers, and oatmeal are a few good examples.
- Dairy: For best results choose fat free dairy products such as fat free cheese, milk, and sour cream.
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Posted in acid-reflux-disease at 8:45 pm by admin
Acid reflex also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), and gastric reflux disease is damage to the mucosal layer in the esophagus by stomach acid ascending up into the esophagus through the esophageal sphincter. What results is heartburn; which is the burning sensation in the esophagus due to the acid wearing away the lining of the esophageal wall. The sensation is close to the heart giving a burning sensation in chest.Acid reflux is caused by the failure of the cardia (esophageal sphincter). If the angle in which the esophagus enters the stomach to create a valve that prevents the contents of the stomach from travelling back up into the esophagus is interrupted then the sensitive esophageal tissue will be damaged. There are several factors that can cause symptoms; the most common are obesity, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Scleroderma, visceroptosis, obstructive sleep apnea, gallstones, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.The first thing you should do is to cut back on smoking, alcohol, coffee, fatty foods, and laying down after a meal. Yes, what was just mentioned are some of life’s best things to do, but did you know that acid relax can cause esophageal cancer which is far worse than an uncomfortable pain. Before you resort to any medication for relief, try some of the practical things. Avoid pressure on your abdomen area, wait at least two hours before going to bed after a meal and try and keep your head elevated 4-6 inches off the bed. If the practical treatment for acid reflux aren’t working then try buying over-the-counter medication with pharmacy coupons. Antacids like Tums, Maalox, Rolaids, Gastrocote, and Gaviscon neutralize stomach acid. Overuse can lead to diarrhea or constipation. Pepto-Bismol is a very common treatment that works very well. Another way of treatment is to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach by taking Histamine (H-2) receptor blockers, such as Tagamet HB, Pepcid AC and Zantac 75. However, side-effects include dizziness, diarrhea and headache. If you’re acid reflex is extreme and beyond the help of over-the-counter medication then try prescription acid suppressing medications, like H-2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.
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