Reflux Natural Remedy

Acid reflux or GERD is a condition where the stomach acids reflux into the esophagus abnormally. Most people, experience this condition especially after eating.

When we eat, our body secretes stomach acids to break down the food. In a person without GERD, after the digestion in the stomach, the food is pushed by the digestive muscles to the intestines for extra digestion. In people who have acid reflux, the acidic stomach contents are pushed back to the esophagus. This is what causes inflammation. Alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, fatty foods and pregnancy are things which make acid reflux conditions worse.

Based on current medical researches we know that this condition is as common in men as it is in women. In fact there is absolutely no sexual preference as to who this disease can strike. In addition, the occurrence of acid reflux is more common in people of 40 years of old or more.

Symptoms of GERD may well be typical or atypical. Based on the diagnosis of GERD patients, not everyone who has this disease manifest typical symptom; only 70% does.

Typical or esophageal symptoms concern indicators which relate to the esophagus. The most important of these symptoms are:

• Heartburn: during heartburn the patient endures an aching burning feeling in the esophagus. Even though the pain will most likely develop first in the chest, it may swell to the neck or throat as well. This is most possible to arise in relation with these actions: lifting objects, after a heavy meal, lying down and bending over. One study showed that most acid reflux patients (about 75%) experience this symptom at nighttime. These people will also be likely to feel more insensitive pain than those whose symptom occurs during other times.
• Dyspepsia: studies have shown that approximately half of the patients suffering with acid reflux also have dyspepsia. This is a condition which manifests as stomach fullness, pain and distress in the upper abdomen and nausea after eating. However, it’s not a rule that those who suffer from dyspepsia will also have acid reflux.
• Regurgitation: this is a condition where the gastric contents push back into the pharynx and sometimes as far as the mouth. Respiratory problems can be caused in situations where the acids have spilled into the tracheobronchial tree.

However, in many instances acid reflux patients do not show the symptoms mentioned above (i.e. heartburn, dyspepsia etc). On the contrary, they experience what physicians call atypical or extra-esophageal symptoms. These include:

• Throat Symptoms: even though it does not generally happen, acid reflux patients experience symptoms that related to the throat. Hoarseness or roughness and dry cough is experienced by patients who have acid laryngitis, a throat symptom. Patients can also face difficulties in swallowing; this is known as dysphagia. In serious cases, the food could get trapped in the throat and can cause to a strong chest pain. Persistent hiccups and chronic sore throat are throat symptoms of acid reflux as well.
• Vomiting and Nausea: patients experiencing nausea for several weeks in a row could mean that they suffer from acid reflux. In a few instances vomiting can happen as often as once a day
• Respiratory Symptoms: Coughing as well as wheezing (breathlessness) is also considered as respiratory symptoms. These are the consequences of the discharge of the stomach acids into the tracheobronchial tree causing bronchoconstriction.

GERD or acid reflux can last for many months if not treated properly. In some cases, drug treatment may only be considered necessary for a short time. However, when the symptoms tend to occur repeatedly, the medication therapy may have to be reapplied.