Acid reflux is a digestive disorder that can occur as a result of a malfunction in the digestive system. The affected areas are the esophagus, the stomach, and the small intestine.
Because of its potential to be serious, having it treated immediately at the first sign or symptom can help in avoiding more serious complications that can take a long time to manifest. However, this kind of disorder can also cause discomfort in some cases, thus it is very important to treat the symptoms as soon as possible.
Studies have shown that over seventy percent of people who suffer from acid reflux also have another type of disorder known as GERD. This is a disorder wherein acid reflux does not only affect the esophagus but can also affect the lining of the stomach, causing discomfort. It can also have an effect on the other organs in the body.
When acid reflux occurs, it makes swallowing difficult, which can cause difficulty when one is trying to chew their food. After this happens, the person may experience coughing, sore throat, headaches, or fever.
The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. The esophagus itself is not damaged by acid reflux. However, the walls of the esophagus become swollen because of its irritation and refluxed acid.
In most cases, the acid and refluxed stomach acid are able to settle in the lower part of the esophagus and the stomach area. However, this doesn’t always happen. This is usually seen in adults who have a small heart rate.
Once the stomach begins to store more acid than it can handle, it results in gastric ulcers. The ulcers can then spread to the upper part of the throat tissues.
Over time, the risk of suffering from acid reflux or GERD increases. If you smoke, you are more likely to experience the symptoms because nicotine contains a strong acid. Therefore, being aware of the risks is important for everybody.
Some common lifestyle and dietary habits that can increase the risk of having acid reflux or GERD include the consumption of fried foods, chocolate, vinegar, tobacco, excess salt, fat, and alcohol. Besides these, certain medical conditions and medications can also make the symptoms worse.
Being careful about what you eat can minimize the chances of developing acid reflux or GERD. Aside from a balanced diet that has a good amount of protein, fiber, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C, you should also keep in mind to avoid consuming beverages that have too much caffeine or alcohol as they can make the problem worse.
In order to prevent acid reflux or GERD, you should also know the signs. The first symptoms include chest pain, coughing or hoarseness, regurgitation, difficulty in swallowing, wheezing, and upset stomach.
