Beat the Acidity and the Morning Reflux

Acidity, or heartburn as it is also called, results from excessive acid production from the cells lining the walls of our stomach. It can also be caused by inadequate utilization of the acid produced.

First of all, one must put away the bias about 'ACID'. It is the most essential factor for the digestion of the food we eat and thus it is necessary (in fact, is there anything in our body which is not necessary? Nature is great!). Acidity results from improper functioning of our digestive system.

Imagine this scenario - your stomach wall has got cells that are programmed in such a way that whenever you eat any food (or even think of it, anticipating eating it in a while), these cells start secreting the acid that is needed to breakdown the food for digestion. If you eat sufficient amount of the food, the acid will be used entirely and you will have no acidity as well as will have a perfect digestion. But what if the acid produced is disproportional to the food intake? Either because you eat less (as in fasting or fad-diets or long work hours) or because there is an excess production (after smoking or eating spicy food-tea-coffee or alcohol intake or not taking enough sleep)? - it will keep some acid lying in the stomach, causing acidity. Simple!

The point where our food-pipe (esophagus) meets our stomach, a special tight muscular band helps to keep the door closed, so as to prevent the acidic contents of the stomach from entering the esophagus. When we swallow food, this sphincter relaxes to let the food alone to pass down to the stomach, after which it closes immediately like a spring-action. If this mechanism collapses, the acid from the stomach will spill into the esophagus once we lie down... causing the morning reflux. If it continues, it can even erode the esophageal wall (which is not used to acid like the wall of stomach) and cause structural damage.

Now having explained all this, is it really mandatory to write down 'Dos and Donts to avoid acidity'? or are we sensible enough to use our common sense to learn it ourselves? Ok! OK!

The key is...

• to have small and frequent meals
• to avoid food items that cause aggravation
• to eat at least an hour before you go to bed provided you spend that time in upright position, instead of lying like a couch-potato
• to have enough rest, food and water (anything in excess or absence will harm you)
• do not eat a lot of antacids... they disturb the acid balance further

Health and Fitness: Heartburn and Acid Reflux Article Category

Approximately 40% of adults over the age of 40 are afflicted with low stomach acid. It's not that hard to tell whether you have it or not. Here are some questions to ask yourself and if you find yourself answering "yes" to more than a few then chances are you have low stomach acid and you'll need to start supplementing with HCL tablets with pepsin to kick start your stomach into proper acid production once again.

• After eating a meal are you gassy or bloated?
• Do you have problems with GERD (Acid Reflux)?
• If you stick your tongue out and look at it in the mirror do you see a thin white film on it?
• Do you often have bad breath?
• Are you ever constipated?
• Do you often have diarrhea?
• Do you find it very difficult to lose weight?
• Do you have acne, eczema or other skin problems?
• Do you have IBS like symptoms?

Chances are that if you're answering 'yes' to more than two of these questions there is a good chance that you have low stomach acid. And here's the really scary part - all the times you Tums, Nexium and antacids to "calm your stomach" you just further deplete the levels of stomach acid you have.

The less acid your stomach has the more digestive problems you're going to have. Without proper levels of stomach acid not only is your food not digested but the nutrients you need from the food aren't properly absorbed into your body.

How important is it to make sure we have the right levels of stomach acid?

According to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute low stomach acid leads to bacteria over growth in our intestines (which in turns leads to gas, burping, bloating, GERD etc.) and also possibly to cancer. If you don't want to read the whole article at HHMI here's the relevant snippet:

Helicobacter pylori has received much attention as thecause of stomach ulcers, but new research by scientists at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) at the University of Michigan shows that many other types of bacteria can cause the gastritis and ulcers that can ultimately lead to cancer.

And the idea that that antacids and PPI's (Proton Pump Inhibitors) that are designed to reduce our levels of stomach acid are doing us good is also debunked in the article here:

Merchant said that her group's studies showing that omeprazole promotes bacterial overgrowth suggest that physicians should prescribe this class of drugs with caution. Proton pump inhibitors include drugs marketed under the trade names Prilosec® and Prevacid®.

And it just isn't the medical and scientific community that is figuring out the importance of maintaining good stomach acid. Apple Cider Vinegar (which is highly concentrated in acetic acid) and acidic pickle juice have long been used as home remedies for stomach ailments for several decades now.

They're popularly recommended on natural health forums such as CureZone and EarthClinic and have an excellent reputation. The reason is quite simple - they work!

These two home remedies are highly concentrated in acid and once ingested they supplement your stomach's acid levels and aid in the digestion process.

Acid Reflux Remedies and Practical Heartburn Solutions

Acid reflux remedies are, to coin a phrase "a dime a dozen", unless you are buying one and then they can be considerably more costly.

Almost everyone has heard at one time or another, "drink some milk, that'll fix your heartburn right up". The truth is milk or ice cream will give you a few minutes of relief and then your symptoms will come roaring right back. You would be much better off drinking a cup of fennel or chamomile tea or you could go for the granddaddy of them all ginger; used for thousands of years ginger is one of the oldest heartburn, acid reflux remedies known. Brewed as tea or even chewed slowly, ginger will calm the stomach and put the fire out.

We've all heard the list of "acid reflux foods to avoid in your diet" like fatty, spicy and acidic things like citrus fruit and caffeine, alcohol, carbonated soft drinks, smoking etc. but how often do you hear, "don't lie down after a meal". If there is any better way to get your stomach contents to start flowing back into your esophagus, aside from hanging upside down perhaps, I don't know what it would be.

So a good preventative measure, like sitting or standing upright or even taking a little walk after eating turns out to be one of the best acid reflux remedies there is because the symptoms will seldom even arrive.

Provided your acid reflux occurrences are not chronic and a doctor has not found any evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) then, on occasion, say after a BIG meal or Aunt Millie's famous pot roast, you may need to make use of one or more reliable remedies that have been working for generations; here is a short list:

Almonds (8 to 10)

Aloe Vera (juice)

Anise (tea)

Apple (fresh not applesauce)

Cider Vinegar (spoonful in a glass of water)

Ginger (tea or chewed raw)

Lavender (tea)

Licorice (chew on a stick)

Marshmallow Root (tea)

Papaya

Peppermint (tea)

Pineapple

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) (spoonful in a glass of water)

A word of caution here; care should always be taken with babies, small children and pregnant women. When it comes to trying acid reflux remedies; it's always best to consult a doctor or pediatrician first, although in the case of older children who are normally healthy, it is not unusual to find that their symptoms are actually the result of too much physical activity too soon after eating.

Acid Reflux Remedies - Honey for Heartburn

A little known and totally natural, acid reflux remedy that some people swear by is honey, that's right, honey. It has even earned the moniker of "honey for heartburn", the natural solution to acid reflux symptoms.

Obviously, to be a successful acid reflux remedy it should not only resolve symptoms fast but hopefully for good also, which is why antacids, for instance, are a considered a temporary solution. In fact antacids, work for a short time and when symptoms return you need to take more and eventually make your symptoms worse with continued use.

On the other hand, the goal of a good remedy, "natural home" or otherwise is to cure the problem and not just treat the symptoms by repairing the problem and returning the digestive system to normal function. So, the best approach to heartburn symptoms, aside from relieving the initial discomfort, is to heal the lower esophageal sphincter and help it to return to its normal function as soon as possible.

Honey has been used not only as a sweet food but also, by humans at least, as a medicine since the dawn of mankind. It was even used, very successfully by the ancient Egyptians in the mysterious process of mummifying their pharaohs.

The Powerful Antibacterial Properties of Honey

Honey has been used in eastern medicine for thousands of years for its mysterious healing powers both internally and externally and modern research has discovered that natural unpasteurized honey is actually a very powerful antibacterial agent.

As it turns out a nasty little bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori is responsible for a variety of gastro intestinal problems including acid reflux.

Specifically, honey as an acid reflux remedy can kill bacteria that may be damaging the tissue of the lower esophageal sphincter causing heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.

In this case, honey is intended to heal the sphincter which is responsible for keeping food and acid where it belongs, in the stomach.

Try these simple, traditional heartburn home remedies using honey.

WARNING

These remedies should not be attempted by people with diabetes...sorry.

The simplest technique is a tablespoon of honey three or four times a day, with the last right before bed to get the healing benefits during the night.

You can also try sweetening a cup of ginger, cinnamon or chamomile tea with one or two teaspoons of honey and sip it slowly.

Always use natural unprocessed honey as it has not been stripped of nutrients.

Honey as an acid reflux remedy is a pleasant and inexpensive way to relieve uncomfortable heartburn and reflux symptoms both short term as well as for the long term.

Tip: It's best to avoid spicy and acidic foods during your first few days while using this technique, just to give your body a proper chance to heal.

Causes of Acid Reflux and Its Treatments

Acid Reflux is a condition in which the stomach contents including stomach acid comes up from the stomach to the esophagus and a frequent occurrence of this condition causes a disease which is known as Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

When a person eats the food, it goes from his mouth to pharynx and passes through the esophagus before going to the stomach. At the entrance of the stomach, there is a valve known as the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). Actually, the human stomach produces strong acids and enzymes which are required for the digestion of the food. The stomach has a mechanism to protect itself from these acids and enzymes; however, the esophagus does not have one. As a result, if these strong acids reach the esophagus, they may damage it. Here comes the role of LES, which allows the food to go from the esophagus to the stomach, but stops the acid coming back from stomach to esophagus.

If the LES does not close properly after the food has passed, the stomach acid may leak through it and move up to esophagus. This may lead to a burning sensation (known as heartburn) in the area from the upper abdomen to the throat. The other common symptoms caused by the acid reflux are hiccups, regurgitation, dental erosion, chest pain, hoarseness, dysphagia and even asthma.

Acid reflux is often caused by the problems associated with the lifestyle of an individual. However, there are certain medical issues also that may trigger it. If somebody is taking heavy meals and lying down right after it, he may suffer from acid reflux and the associated symptoms. The problem may further be aggravated if somebody is consuming fatty, fried or spicy foods. Foods rich in chili, garlic, onions, tomato, mint, chocolate etc., citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons, beverages like alcohol, soft-drinks, tea, coffee etc. can also cause this problem. Smoking may cause mucosal damage, increase in acid secretion, reduction in saliva formulation, reduction in LES muscle function etc., all of which lead to acid reflux. Other causes that may cause acid reflux are being overweight or obese, wrong practices in exercising, taking aspirin or ibuprofen etc. Apart from these lifestyle related factors, pregnancy may also cause acid reflux in women. This happens because of an increased level of hormones and pressure from the growing uterus. Another abnormality known as hiatal hernia may sometimes cause acid reflux in a person. Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach and LES move above the diaphragm.

Acid reflux is normally a minor ailment and all of us might have gone through it. However, the symptoms associated with it are very discomforting and affect one's quality of life. If proper care is not taken, the acid reflux problem may turn troublesome and may cause mucus lining in esophagus to get damaged and become ulcerated. If you go to a physician with this ailment, he may prescribe you some antacids, acid suppressor, pro-kinetic drugs or propton pump inhibitors. However, these medicines must be taken when extremely required and for a short time only because they have their side effects. However, to treat this problem naturally, proper emphasis must be given to improve on the lifestyle issues, which cause it. If somebody is obese, he must try to lose weight first. Patient must stop smoking and consuming alcohol. He must also lower the intake of the foods / drinks outlined above. He must eat his meals at least two hours prior to lying down and while lying down he must make sure to raise his head by 4-5 inches with the help of a pillow. He must also avoid wearing tight fitting clothes and belts.

Treating Heartburn the Natural Way

Frequent Heartburn is the bane of our modern society. 1 in 5 Americans are said to suffer from heartburn and frequent heartburn due to gastroesopageal reflux disease (GERD) is becoming a more common diagnosis by doctors all over the country. GERD is the result of your stomach's acid contents breaching your lower esophageal sphincter and flowing back up your esophagus.

People who suffer from GERD experience...

• Frequent Heartburn
• Chest Pain, especially when lying down
• Sore Throat
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• A Sour Taste in the Mouth
• Food or liquid coming back up

While occasional heartburn might help you lay off the pizza, frequent Heartburn as the result of GERD can result in some rather serious health consequences including bleeding, ulcers, strictures and may even contribute to cancer.

The Causes

The biggest contributor to heartburn is your diet. Some of the foods that we all just love to eat also happen to be known triggers for heartburn.

These Include:

• Citrus
• Mint
• Coffee (No!)
• Chocolate (Double No!)
• Deep Fried Foods
• Spicy Foods
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Soda
• Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic, Pepper and pretty much everything else found on pizza

While diet is the major reason why so many of us get heartburn, our lifestyle also plays a big factor. Large portion sizes, eating our food too fast and right before going to bed, and living a stressful lifestyle that causes us to eat fast food, smoke, drink, and over dose on caffeine all help contribute to this growing problem in our society.

How to Eliminate Heartburn

While seeing a doctor is important, especially if your heartburn is frequent, there are other things besides taking acid blockers that play havoc on your digestive tract or having surgery to get your sphincter tightened that you can do to help curb your heartburn woes. Making some changes and your diet and lifestyle can be the first big step in eliminating heartburn. Keeping a food journal to eliminate the culprit foods is a first good step and not taking a nap after eating a big meal is a great second rule of thumb.

How you eat is also as important as what you eat. Instead of wolfing down your food as your are driving home from the drive through, try sitting down and eating slowly, being sure to savor thoroughly chew your food. Smaller portions will also help eliminate heartburn as well as cut down on your waistline. Also, eliminating distractions while you eat will help you focus on what you are eating and even help you find the food that is causing your problems.

Working at reducing your stress can also help contribute to lessening your heartburn. While research has yet to find a direct link between stress and GERD, it has been found that a stressful lifestyle does spur people to do things like eat fried foods, drink copious amounts of coffee and booze and smoke, all which can lead to heartburn.

Marshmallow and Heartburn

When people start talking about marshmallows, most people tend to think about that bag of big fluffy white snacks that people like to take with them on camping trips. However before these essential components to s'mores became a mass produced snack item, they were actually made from the root of a plant that could be found growing in the marshlands. The marshmallow plant, also known as Althea, has a white root that is slightly sweet to the taste. Along with being a traditional ingredient in everyone's favorite campfire snack, Marshmallow root was also used in traditional medicine to help soothe coughs, irritations and help to combat heartburn.

It's all about the mucilage

Marshmallow, or althea root (as most health food stores like to label it), contains a high percentage of mucilage. Mucilage is a substance that swells up and takes on a gel like consistency when it is mixed with water. This gel like substance can then coat the inner lining of your throat and esophagus and help protect and soothe it making it an ideal additive to natural cough and sore throat remedies.

This ability to coat and soothe also makes marshmallow root tea an ideal remedy for mild heartburn because of its ability to shield the lining of the esophagus from the harmful effects of stomach acid reducing inflammation and irritation. It is also thought to be helpful in cases of ulcers, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease because it can also help coat the lining of the stomach and intestinal walls.

Besides being used as a tea to help with a host of digestive and throat ailments, Marshmallow root can also be used as a paste to help soothe irritated skin. Simply mixed the powdered root with enough water to make a paste and apply it to the affected skin and then wrap with a layer of gauze. However, be sure to rinse off immediately if any itching or irritation occurs.

Side Effects

While drinking marshmallow root tea will help keep stomach acid from irritating the lining of your esophagus, there are also certain side effects that you should be aware of. Since mucilage does coat the digestive tract, it will also interfere with the absorption of prescription drugs so be sure to give it at least two hours to wear off before taking your daily pills. Marshmallow is also capable of affecting blood levels so people with diabetes or hypoglycemia should consult a physician before taking it.