Acid Reflux Diet

Acid Reflux Diet?: Natural Remedies For Reflux And Heartburn

A growing number of people suffer the pain and discomfort of heartburn or reflux on a regular basis. It has been estimated that up to twenty percent of the population are affected at least once a week. Can an Acid Reflux Diet plan help?
A growing number of people suffer the pain and discomfort of heartburn or reflux on a regular basis. It has been estimated that up to twenty percent of the population are affected at least once a week. Acid reflux and heartburn occur when the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) allows the acid content of the stomach to flow back up into the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube like structure that connects the mouth and throat to the stomach. The LES is a valve which naturally protects the delicate esophagus from harmful acids. It is almost like a trapdoor, which opens up to allow the food we eat to enter the gut. Hydrochloric acid is then produced by the body to help break these substances down.

When heartburn strikes it is an indication of the LES temporarily relaxing, or in more serious cases, of it not functioning properly. If a person suffers from more regular or even constant reflux, it may be a symptom of a far more serious condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease.) The symptoms of GERD are; heartburn, chest pains (especially at night), regurgitation of foods and liquids, a feeling of ‘sourness’ in the mouth and at times a sore throat and coughing and wheezing. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms on a regular basis, an appointment should be made with your doctor as soon as possible. GERD can lead to severe medical complications and should not be ignored. Pregnancy is often the cause acid indigestion. If you are pregnant, always consult your doctor or obstetrician before taking any reflux remedy. Both antacid and herbal treatments can be harmful to an unborn child.

If however, you only experience occasional heartburn, there are many natural remedies which can help to ease your symptoms. These include:

Can an Acid reflux diet help with the symptoms?

Taking herbal remedies, rather than antacids, to relieve the symptoms of reflux, can be extremely beneficial. Nevertheless, herbal remedies may also have side affects, particularly if you have been prescribed pharmaceutical drugs from your regular doctor. In such cases, a reputable herbalist should always be consulted if any form of medication is being taken. Certified Herbalists can be sourced in your local business directory, or on the internet.

Remedies that include herbal teas, aloe vera juice and digestive enzymes are usually found in health stores and are not generally thought to have many side affects. Always speak with a store assistant before you purchase a treatment. They often have a vast knowledge of herbal remedies, as well as their uses and effects.

The most common causes of heartburn are the foods we eat. Food and beverages to avoid include:

There are several other foods which can cause a reaction. Some people are more sensitive than others and may even have food allergies. If you think you might have an allergy to food, the best course of action is to consult your doctor or a dietician, before you modify your diet.

To achieve optimum health, eat a sensible, balanced diet and try not to consume too much food in one sitting. Meals that contain carbohydrates, meat, processed foods, sugar and fats can aggravate the causes of reflux. Eat slowly and make sure that you chew each mouthful properly. Undigested food will often create excess acid in the stomach, producing gases that can put pressure on a weakened LES and result in a painful bout of heartburn.

As with all medical conditions, treating the cause rather than the symptom is the most logical way to control the discomfort of acid reflux.


Sophie Cosic is the mother of two girls and the author of many articles concerning childcare, education, natural health, parenting and pregnancy. Sophie is a European distributor of Colic Calm, an FDA Registered Homeopathic Medicine for Colic. Colic Calm is an all natural remedy for babies with colic, as pains or infant reflux. More information can be found on our website or contact us directly if you have questions.

- Sophie Cosic

More News Information About "Acid Reflux Diet":

Google








Forms of Meals to Abstain From if You Experience Acid Reflux
If you suffer from acid reflux, knowing what acid reflux food to avoid and how best to manage your symptoms are critical to living a better life. If you'd like to know more about acid reflux and ob...
Publication date: Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:50:55 EST


Source: GoArticles Advanced Search Results
GoArticles.com is an article resource site for Authors, Publishers and Webmasters which provides the best collection of expert articles available on the Web
The Site, its content, such as text, graphics, images, search results, and other material contained on this Site ("Content"), its services, and any information or material posted on the Site by third parties are provided for informational purposes only. None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Copyright © www.YourTipsAbout.com. All Rights Reserved. An E.F.B. Publishibg Website - Sitemap