Acid Reflex affects 1 in 3 Americans and is caused by an abnormal esophagus. The flow of ingested food and fluid between your esophagus and stomach is regulated by a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter. In patients with acid reflux disease the valve does not close properly due to muscle contraction and allows acid from the stomach to escape and rise into the esophagus
Common symptoms of acid reflux are: Heartburn: a burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even up into your throat, Regurgitation: a sour or bitter-tasting acid backing up into your throat or mouth
Other symptoms of acid reflux disease include: Bloating, Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting, Burping, Dysphagia — a narrowing of your esophagus, which creates the sensation of food being stuck in your throat, Hiccups that don’t let up, Nausea, Weight loss for no known reason, Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat.
To control acid reflux medication can be prescribed and patients must make dietary and lifestyle changes. Chocolate, Caffeine and spicy foods should be eliminated from your diet.
Here are other steps you can take:
- Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.
- Quit smoking.
- Put blocks under the head of your bed to raise it at least 4 inches to 6 inches.
- Don’t eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down.
- Try sleeping in a chair for daytime naps.
- Don’t wear tight clothes or tight belts.
- If you’re overweight or obese, take steps to lose weight with exercise and diet changes.
Foods that can help are oatmeal, ginger, aloe vera, banana, melon, fennel, fish and seafood, celery, chicken and turkey, parsley and roots and greens.