A common problem affecting millions of people every year, acid reflux is a serious digestive disorder where stomach acids enter the esophagus. The most commonly diagnosed trigger of acid reflux is the effect of the presence of high levels of acid in the stomach during periods of intense physical activity. Sometimes, the stomach content does not flow down as it should and stays on the throat, causing burning sensations that in some cases may be as severe as that of heartburn.
Sometimes the food eaten has a large amount of acid that mixes with food and saliva from the mouth. This can be difficult to identify if you have this problem. However, there are a few signs that will help you determine if the problem you are experiencing is acid reflux.
You may be experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux if you can find small amounts of blood on your tongue, at the back of your throat, in the back of your mouth, or between your teeth. It is also common for these types of symptoms to cause swelling, redness, tenderness, or discomfort in the upper portion of the chest and upper abdomen.
If you experience problems with bad breath, try to check for signs of heartburn. You may notice a bit of a sour taste in your mouth, especially if you drink alcohol often.
While chewing gum is not generally considered to be a major cause of acid reflux if you experience symptoms similar to the ones above you may want to try chewing a different type of food. It may be better to chew hard candies instead of soft, chewy foods that tend to release more carbon dioxide and thus increase your chance of having an acid reflux attack. You may also be able to alleviate some symptoms of acid reflux by giving up candy altogether.
If you are overweight, you may also experience symptoms of acid reflux as a result of the extra weight. In addition, those who are experiencing acid reflux symptoms frequently start to lose weight because of this, because the extra pounds prevent the stomach from producing as much acid.
In order to relieve the discomfort of this condition, you may want to check with your doctor about the role that your digestive tract plays in the production of acid. Some reasons your system may produce too much acid include a decreased level of digestive enzymes, food allergies, and taking medications that contain aspirin. It is also possible that food can trigger an attack such as certain types of meat, dairy products, and citrus fruits and vegetables.
There are several steps you can take in order to effectively treat acid reflux. However, just by following a few suggestions, you can help minimize the risk of experiencing an acid reflux attack.
Drink plenty of water when you are trying to get rid of the symptoms of acid reflux is a major trigger. Many people often use natural medications or even antihistamines as a way to help with this condition.
If you eat a lot of foods that contain fat, you may want to avoid these types of foods because they tend to stimulate the production of stomach acid. If you tend to be sick a lot, try to eat smaller meals more often, this will help with your digestion.
While acid reflux is not a life-threatening condition, it is necessary to seek medical attention when you experience the symptoms of this disease. By understanding what causes this condition, you will be able to learn how to deal with it and hopefully prevent it from recurring.
