A Complete Guide To Acid Reflux, Its Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

First of all, everyone knows the function of the stomach, it helps in digestion by producing HCL. The lining of the stomach is already adapt to acidic nature. But esophagus does not have that property. Here we will discuss if acid backflows from the stomach to esophagus then it causes acid reflux, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Indigestion is a common problem and we take it casually. But sometimes it affects your body and digestive system. Acid reflux is one of that problem. In this case, the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus into the gullet, which moves food down from the mouth.

Read also: Why always grandmother use ginger in healthy food?

Causes of acid reflux

Acid reflux disease is seen in people of all ages and is caused by acid rising up to the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat and stomach.

Other causes are a hiatal hernia, inflammation

Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal

Taking snacks during bedtime

Eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods

Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea

Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications.

Low level of physical exercise

overweight or obese

Smoking cigarettes

Being pregnant

Symptoms of acid reflux

Common symptoms include heartburn, bloating, burping, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, chest and abdominal pain.

Other less common symptoms are a bitter taste in your mouth, waking up in the middle of the night feeling like you’re choking or coughing, dry mouth, gum irritation, including tenderness and bleeding and bad breath.

Read also: Foods avoid during irritable bowel syndrome

Treatments

Treatment of acid reflux can be done from home remedies to surgery.

Antacids for occasional heartburn and when the high level of acidity in the stomach.

Change in lifestyle in another term try these simple habits in your lifestyle. Like, do not overeat, eat slowly, light meals before going to bed. Avoid alcohol and smoking. In addition to that try to improve posture during and after eating.

Go for acid reflux diet like increase fiber intake in your diet. By eating vegetables like green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, leafy greens, potatoes, and cucumbers.

Eat non-citrus fruits like melons, bananas, apples, and pears, are less likely to trigger reflux symptoms than acidic fruits.

Reduce your intake of saturated fats and trans fats and replace them with these healthier unsaturated fats. Sources of healthy fats include avocados, walnuts, flaxseed, olive oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil.

Spicy foods, such as onions and garlic, trigger heartburn symptoms in many people.