Acid Reflux and Diet

Pediatric GERD (Acid Reflux)

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The term Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) has only been used for about twenty years. The symptoms are heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation of gastric juices and difficulty swallowing. Other problems can be a lack of sleep, nausea, labored breathing and abdominal pain.

Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) can become a very serious life threatening matter. When left unchecked this condition can develop into Barrett's Esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.

The human body was designed to keep gastric acid in the stomach where it belongs. Its function is to sterilize and digest what we eat and drink. Stomach acid is mainly composed of hydrochloric acid which is a very powerful corrosive agent.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscular valve at the bottom of the esophagus which allows ingested material to move down into the stomach. It is designed to close and keep this material from coming back up. Most people who experience Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) do so because the LES becomes relaxed and malfunctions, allowing acid to reflux. Where the stomach has an acid proof lining the esophagus does not and is easily damaged by stomach acid.

Why the world is being plagued by this phenomenon is quite a mystery, but it is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide suffer from the symptoms of this disorder. The medical community relies mainly on pharmaceutical drugs to treat these symptoms. Unfortunately, most doctors have no knowledge of nutrition or alternative natural therapy. In most cases, their job is to treat the symptoms of acid reflux, not to cure the disease.

Common sense would dictate that Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) has everything to do with what we eat and drink. It is, however, more complicated than that. It has a lot to do with how we eat and drink, as well. Most of us know that there are certain foods that we find difficult, as individuals, to digest. Everyone is different. We can all react differently to the same food or beverage. Some people cannot easily digest tomato sauce while others have no problem with it. Avoiding so called "trigger" foods is an important first step in overcoming Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

Eating on the run usually means eating unhealthy food too quickly. Not chewing properly is a major contributor to acid indigestion. We live in a culture where most people eat lunch in a rushed environment at the office or in a fast food facility. Most of these meals are loaded with hard to digest fats and sugars and have very little food value. Carbonated beverages relax the LES causing heartburn, as well. Eating fruits like bananas and apples would be a far more healthy choice.

Drinking alcohol and smoking may also relax the LES and even chocolate makes it lazy. One should limit daily alcohol consumption to one or two glasses of red wine. Besides the evident danger of smoking tobacco, it also causes the body to be acidic in nature. An acidic body is not a good place for proper digestion. Coffee stimulates the hypersecretion of gastric acids. Having a cup of Kukicha Twig Tea, which is very alkaline, would be a better option.

Even a modest amount of stress can contribute to indigestion. Eating should be conducted in a quiet, restful and peaceful place. Eating a meal in front the TV can exacerbate poor digestion. It's hard to feel relaxed while watching the evening news - imagine what it does to your stomach. Another form of stress is physical stress. Being over weight and wearing tight clothing can put pressure on the abdominal area forcing the contents of the stomach upward.

Many pharmaceutical drugs have an acidic affect on the body and therefore contribute to digestive ailments. I have found that for almost any pharmaceutical drug there is a natural treatment that can be used instead. Most drugs are synthesized versions of some naturally occurring substance, anyway.

Besides all the things we should avoid in order to be Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) free, there are many natural and healthy ways to overcome acid indigestion. Eating alkaline foods, drinking enough water and even chewing gum can be beneficial. Chewing gum before and after eating produces saliva. Saliva is very alkaline and aids in digestion.

Herbs like marshmallow, slippery elm and licorice root have a positive affect in reducing acidity. They also decrease inflammation and sooth areas damaged by contact with acid. Ginger has the ability to actually absorb acid and is beneficial in aiding all types of digestive problems. There are spices like cumin and turmeric which have the ability to fight off digestive difficulties.

The incidence of Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is greater in people over the age of forty, but it can affect anyone, even infants. Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) affects people of every age, socioeconomic class and race. Rather than relying on dangerous and expensive drugs to curb the symptoms of this condition, we should strive to cure it naturally. By using natural remedies and a little common sense anyone can become Gerd (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) free.

Perhaps it is due to this polluted environment that many people get sick. Although one may not like it, the possibility of getting sick is sometimes unavoidable.

One of the many conditions that man suffers from is asthma. Asthma is a well-known disease which is characterized by breathing difficulties, with symptoms like wheezy breathlessness, airflow resistance, and occurrence of frequent allergies, stimuli hyper responsiveness, and nocturnal episodes.

Another disease related to asthma is the GERD or the gastro-esophageal reflux disease which is popularly known as acid reflux. You might have an acid reflux if you experience heartburn for more than twice each week. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. The sensation is caused by the stomach acids which burns the walls of the esophagus.

These two diseases are said to be somewhat connected with each other. However, there have been no conclusive studies about this matter. What most doctors know now is that acid reflux worsens asthma. How is this possible?

When acid reflux remains untreated, the disease would simply get worse. The stomach acid will continue to go up until it reaches the mouth. But before it reaches the mouth, the lungs will be affected first.

A research showed that by putting acid into asthmatic people's gullets it worsens their asthma. And so they reached the conclusion that asthmatic people get GERD more often. They further explained that this was caused by the chest changes due to big pressure every time the person breathes. The high pressure is said to force the stomach liquid to travel the wrong path.

People suffering from asthma should avoid getting acid reflux, but the sad truth is that they are the ones who are most prone to having it.

Studies regarding the connection of the two diseases are still continually being conducted because some pinpointed that if acid reflux is effectively treated, then the asthma should also be better. But they were disappointed by the results.

So if you are diagnosed with asthma, and you think that you also have acid reflux, then it would be better to consult a good doctor. They would help you a lot in addressing your asthmatic problems, as well as your acid reflux. Never take medications without consulting your doctor.

The doctor can give you medicines like the adrenaline and hydrocortisones. These are known asthma-preventers. If you can prevent asthma, then it might be possible to prevent acid reflux as well. Most medicines are better taken by breathing them in because it has fewer side effects to the body. Other drugs also help asthma, but again remember to consult your doctor first.

Asthma changes during a person's lifetime. Some children outgrow asthma, but later on, it usually grows back. Adults suffering from asthma sometimes are never relieved from it even if they use medication. The aim now is to minimize the airway's inflammation.

Whether you have acid reflux or asthma, the most important thing to do is to get proper treatment. Don’t wait until such time when the situation gets even worse. The time to act is now, be aware of the disease, and how it can be treated.