Gerd And Gastroesophageal By: Gregory Henshaw

The term acid reflux is where the contents of the stomach flow in the wrong direction back up the tube from the stomach to the throat. Similar symptoms are seen with other disorders of the digestive tract even though we refer to them differently. For the body to process all this food, it requires the strong hydrochloric acid to break it down into nutrients which are then distributed throughout the body. The sensation of burning that can be felt in the area of the stomach and heart happens when the digestive fluid tries to travel up the food tract.



Normally, when food is swallowed, the lower esophageal sphincter valve will open to allow food to enter the stomach for digestion but with this condition the valve does not close properly. It is when the esophageal sphincter doesn't close after food has passed through that the stomach fluids try to escape upwards and that is why it is called acid reflux. Doctors abbreviate the condition to GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disorder. At the moment it is considered that a poor diet is the underlying reason for the acid reflux problem but not the main cause of the condition; although overeating may also contribute because when you overeat, the stomach can't keep up with the demand to process all the acids.

Too much strain is placed on the muscles of the stomach when we overeat and the result of this a build up of internal pressure. Something has to give; this being the acid which returns or refluxes back up the esophagus bringing with it the very unpleasant heartburn. By lessening the amount of work the stomach has to do at any one time should reduce the instances of heartburn. The easiest way to reduce the incidences of heartburn is too reduce the size of meals. This situation can be a problem for the health of the body as the stomach, esophagus and mouth all need to be in good working order. The stomach carries out not only the breaking down of food but processing it into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body.

Using drugs and other acid reducing drugs readily available from drugstores will block the natural processes of your stomach on a temporary basis. These can create additional nutritional deficiencies and disease that a doctor may have a problem when diagnosing the cause. The long term treatment for acid reflux is to adapt your lifestyle habits in particular eating and drinking. This will then allow your stomach to settle down and regain its strength. If you can reduce the heartburn occurrences, in time you may well be able to slowly start eating those dishes that have needed to be cut out.

Other factors can also create a predisposition for acid reflux and these include:

• Smoking
• Having allergies to particular foods e.g. peanuts
• Certain medicines
• Too much alcohol
* After meal napping

As you can tell, most of these factors can be overcome by practicing some behavioral modifications and a change in lifestyle, The thought of reducing the incidents of heartburn should be sufficient incentive. So by watching what you eat and taking care of your health, you stand a better chance of avoiding and clearing acid reflux disorder. Ultimately the choice is yours to make!

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