What
is Acid Reflux? This
is a medical condition in which gastric juices
containing acid flow back (reflux) from the stomach
into the esophagus. According to recent researches, about 20
percent of all people in the developed world suffer at
least once a week from acid reflux related
symptoms, while additional 20% percent experience
the uncomfortable sometimes painful symptoms at least once a month. Up
to 40 percent of the above endure symptoms on a
daily basis. With that said, the vast majority of these
patients don’t even know what acid reflux really
is.
What is
the Local Immediate Cause of Acid
Reflux?
Acid reflux, also known as
gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD), occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (a
term which stands for a ring of muscle that acts as a
valve between the esophagus and the stomach) does not
close properly thus allowing gastric juices splash up,
or reflux, into the esophagus. When these juices touch
the lining of the esophagus, it leads to the burning
sensation in the chest and/or throat, also known as
heartburn.
While
it’s apparently inconsistent, GERD can also be a
symptom of insufficient stomach acid. For digestion to
be effective, it is necessary that acid level would be
sufficient; otherwise stomach is forced to work much
harder or order to digest food.
Eventually that extra effort ran lead to GERD
occurrence.
In
addition to the immediate causes of gastroesophageal reflux disease,
there are also genetic tendencies (which we cannot
control) and several other internal factors and co-factors,
that create the environment leading to GERD. Without
tackling the internal factors that create acid reflux in
the first place, there can be no long-term
solution.
What are
the Symptoms of Acid Reflux?
Occasional heartburn is common among healthy individuals
as well, and does not necessarily mean you have gastroesophageal
reflux disease. Acid reflux diagnosis is usually based on
a persistent (at least twice a week) heartburn
manifestation. Note that GERD can occur without any
heartburn symptoms. Some patients experience different symptoms,
namely pain in the chest, hoarseness in the morning, or
trouble swallowing. Other patients feel like they have
food stuck in the throat; similar to choking; or as if
their throat is too tight. The last group of patients
also experience persistent dry
cough.
What are
the Risks of Acid Reflux?
In addition to its unpleasant, sometimes painful
symptoms, neglected GERD can lead to serious complications.
First of all, scars from tissue damage can narrow the
esophagus and harden swallowing. Secondly, long-term
esophagus inflammation caused by stomach acid can result
in bleeding or ulcers. Finally, some patients can
develop Barrett's esophagus, a condition that manifests
in an abnormal shape and color of cells in the
esophageal lining. Over time, Barrett's esophagus can
lead to cancer, especially
in adults over 60 years old.
How to
Treat Acid Reflux
The treatment of gastroesophageal
reflux disease can be divided into three
categories: surgical intervention; prescribed
medications or over-the-counters; and holistic therapy,
based on dietary and lifestyle changes, detoxification,
and the intake of specific herbal supplements. In the
vast majority of cases, gastroesophageal reflux disease
can be treated and prevented using all natural means,
without the risk and side effects of surgical
intervention or prescription medication. Moreover, a
comparative review of recent researches supports the
holistic approach to GERD by stating that it is a
medical condition triggered mostly by dietary, lifestyle
and behavioral factors.
So
what is acid reflux? From a conventional medicine,
similar to other chronic conditions of its kind,
gastroesophageal reflux disease can be treated by the constant intake
of drugs, antacids and over the counter aimed at
achieving temporary relief.
From the holistic point of view, gastroesophageal reflux disease is a
warning sign of a major internal imbalance that needs
to be properly addressed. Therefore, alternative
treatments (e.g. homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies,
dietary, detoxification and lifestyle changes), that fix
the internal cause of acid reflux, have considerable
advantage over most conventional treatments that merely
touch the surface of this
condition.
