Acid reflux is something you want to avoid at all costs. It causes a burning sensation in the upper abdomen area, which could be painful and uncomfortable to the sufferer. But before you begin looking for treatment options, it’s a good start to look at your diet and see whether you can do something about it to avoid acid reflux. Simple changes in your acid reflux food plan could mean a whole lot in the long run.
There are certain foods and beverages known to cause acid reflux. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grapefruits are among the food groups that you should avoid. Acidic vegetables like onions and tomatoes should be avoided as well. It also helps to remove fatty and oily foods from your acid reflux food plan. Forgo certain sweets, chocolate, dairy foods, and spicy foods too.
In terms of beverages, it helps to limit your alcohol and caffeine intake, as these drinks are known to trigger acid reflux.
But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to enjoy your favorite foods anymore. There are certain foods that have low potential to cause acid reflux, and could serve as an alternative to those that you should avoid.
For your serving of fruit, you can stick to apples and banana. Carrots, potato, cabbage, peas and green beans are also safe for consumption. It’s best to stick to lean meats, skinless chicken portions, egg whites, and fish for your protein. Meanwhile, for your dairy cravings, opt for low-fat or fat-free alternatives.
Stick to mineral water when on an acid reflux food plan and limit your desserts and sweets to fat-free alternatives, baked potato chips, jelly beans, and red licorice.
It’s also recommended to avoid eating large meals. Instead, go for light meals spread out during the day. After eating, and when you feel especially full, do not lie down immediately. Chewing properly before swallowing will also aid the digestion process, as enzymes in saliva help in the initial digestion.
These are some simple changes you can implement in your acid reflux food plan. Keeping a food journal that lists foods that trigger acid reflux and foods that are safe will help you stick to a diet that isn’t prone to acid reflux.
Filed under Acid Reflux Cause by on Dec 8th, 2009. Comment. 
Acid reflux happens when the acids in your stomach rise up into your esophagus. This results into a burning sensation that causes pain and discomfort to the sufferer. The main cause of acid reflux is a weakened esophageal sphincter muscle, which is located at the opening of the stomach and is responsible for blocking the gastric juices from rising up the esophagus. There are many acid reflux causes which could affect this muscle, and learning about it will help you prevent its onset.
One of the most common acid reflux causes is your diet. Some foods and beverages are known to trigger acid reflux. This includes spicy foods, oily and fatty foods, sweets and dairy foods, some meats, citrus fruits, spices, alcoholic beverages and caffeine drinks. It’s a good idea to keep track of which foods cause acid reflux, so you will learn to avoid them in the future.
Hiatal hernia may also be one cause of acid reflux. This is a condition wherein the upper portion of the stomach moves into the chest area through the diaphragm, which impairs the esophageal sphincter muscle. Hiatal hernia is brought about by vomiting, severe coughing, or sudden physical exertion.
Pregnancy is another cause of acid reflux. When a woman is in her second to last trimester, the uterus exerts pressure on the stomach, which can push the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. Being overweight and wearing tight clothes is also another factor that can cause acid reflux.
Acid reflux may be a symptom to an underlying condition, such as peptic ulcers.
When left untreated, acid reflux could result into further complications such as esophagitis, which is characterized by soreness, irritation, and slow destruction of the esophagus lining. It can also result to sore throat and could hasten tooth decay, especially when the acids reach into the throat and mouth.
Chronic and persistent acid reflux could damage your larynx, and could also cause respiratory problems like cough, pneumonia, and asthma.
To prevent this from happening, one should immediately seek treatment once acid reflux is properly diagnosed. Also, changes in diet and lifestyle should be implemented. Learning about the different acid reflux causes will help you choose treatment suited to your condition.
Filed under Acid Reflux Cause by on Dec 1st, 2009. Comment.
You’re eating a hearty meal, when suddenly you feel this burning sensation rising from your stomach and up towards your chest and neck. You may be having heartburn, which is brought about by acid reflux. But why does this happen, and what causes acid reflux? To know more about acid reflux cause and some natural remedies, continue reading the text below. When you eat, the food you intake travels from your mouth to your esophagus and to your stomach. Your stomach naturally produces acids to help digest the food you take in. Its lining also has its own means to protect itself from the gastric juices it produces. However, the esophagus does not have a protective lining against stomach acids. Fortunately, the esophageal sphincter is there to keep the acids in the stomach from going up the esophagus. Located at the end of the esophagus and the opening of the stomach, it acts as a guard or a gate that prevents acids from climbing up the esophagus. However, when this muscle is weakened, gastric juices can escape from the stomach and go upwards, which is an acid reflux cause. There are many home remedies you can try to treat acid reflux. One of which is to take in an apple cider vinegar solution made of 1 to 2 teaspoons of ACV and ½ glass of water. You can also try using rice vinegar. But perhaps prevention still remains to be the greatest cure. To avoid getting acid reflux, avoid foods that are known to trigger the onset of acid reflux. These foods include spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits, alcohol, and caffeine. Keeping a log book or a food diary will help you keep track of which types of food to avoid. Chewing food properly before you swallow will also help avoid acid reflux. Saliva contains enzymes that help in the breaking down of food and will start the digestion process properly. Acid reflux may be bothersome especially if you experience it frequently. Although the main acid reflux cause is the weakening of the esophageal sphincter, there are underlying reasons and causes that lead to such condition. If symptoms persist, it’s wise to consult your health care provider immediately.
Filed under Acid Reflux Cause, Featured by on Nov 18th, 2009. Comment.
