Heartburn, a painful, burning feeling in the chest, is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. It is a burning discomfort that is generally felt in the chest just behind the breastbone. The burning sensation results when harsh stomach juices come in contact with and irritate the delicate lining of the esophagus. (Also known as acid indigestion or pyrosis). A burning sensation felt in the chest and throat when acid from the stomach leaks up into the esophagus. During pregnancy, the muscle at the top of the stomach that usually prevents digestive acids from going back up relaxes, allowing gastric juices to splash back. Heartburn or pyrosis is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus, just below the breastbone caused by regurgitation of gastric acid. The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw.

Continual bouts of heartburn can be a symptom of a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Frequent or severe heartburn may limit daily activities and lead to further complications such as ulcers in the esophagus. With proper understanding of heartburn and treatment, relief can be obtained from this condition.

Antacids, acid blockers, and perhaps surgery may provide relief from heartburn and prevent it from turning into more serious disease.

For mild or occasional symptoms, simple lifestyle modifications can be helpful. Avoid large meals.
Avoid caffeine (coffee, teas, some soft drinks).
Avoid foods or drinks that reduce pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter such as chocolate, peppermint, caffeine-containing beverages, and fatty or fried foods.
Avoid foods that damage the esophagus such as spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato sauces.
After eating, beware of activities that force acid back into your esophagus. Such activities include lifting, straining, coughing, and wearing tight clothing.
Avoid the foods and beverages that trigger your heartburn symptoms or relax the sphincter muscle. (These may include onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeine-containing beverages and foods, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes, or high-fat foods). A good way to figure out what foods cause your symptoms is to keep a heartburn diary.
Shed some pounds. If you are overweight, losing weight by following a healthy weight loss plan can help relieve your symptoms.
Stop smoking. Nicotine can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that controls the opening between the esophagus and stomach and prevents the acid-containing contents of the stomach from entering the esophagus.
Many women will experience heartburn during their pregnancy. Even for women who have never experienced it before, heartburn may occur for the first time while they are pregnant. That burning sensation in the chest and throat, and sour, acidic taste in the mouth, may become an all too familiar sensation for some of them.

Treatment medication for Heartburn
Antacids work by neutralizing acid in the stomach. They are usually the first remedy doctors will recommend patients take to relief heartburn symptoms. Antacids include Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, Gaviscon, and Chooz.
H2 blockers, also called H2 receptor agonists, are medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces. H2 blockers include Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, and Zantac.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of medications that prevent the release of acid in the stomach and intestines. PPIs include Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix.

Rachel Broune writes articles for vitamins guide. He also writes for natural herbs and womens health.

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com

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When you consume food that?s high in acid or heavily processed, or food that causes an allergic response in your digestive system, the food will not be absorbed properly into your body as nutrients. Instead, some of the food will be absorbed into your bloodstream as acid waste. The remainder of undigested food will linger in your intestines and putrefy, causing further release of acid into your bloodstream. The result is a degeneration of all your body?s systems, including the cardiovascular system.

Improper digestion also creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. When the bacteria move into the cardiovascular system, the arterial walls become inflamed. No amount of treatment will help, unless the root cause ? excessive accumulation of acid ? is removed.

THE DAMAGE

When acid lingers in the bloodstream, it attaches to the artery walls and reduces blood flow just as easily as ?bad? cholesterol does. Vital nutrients and oxygen do not reach the body?s cells as easily, and all major organs including the heart become vulnerable to degenerative disease. If the acid plaque breaks off and clogs the bloodstream, it can cause a heart attack.

Bacteria that move into the cardiovascular system increase the risk of heart attack. In trying to fight the bacteria, the body?s immune system causes the arterial walls to become inflamed, by sending greater blood flow to enlarge the tissues and trap the germs. The increased blood flow and inflammation causes the acid plaque to break off more easily, and also increases blood pressure. Unless the acid accumulation in the body is reduced, your risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease will continue to increase.

THE BENEFITS OF A BALANCED pH

Fortunately a reduction in body acid is possible through proper diet and supplements. As you focus on a ?heart healthy? diet, you need to take a look at the bigger picture. This includes a ?pH healthy? diet as well. You need to reduce your intake of acid-causes foods and increase your intake of foods and supplements that neutralize the acids already present.

It?s also important to increase your production of digestive enzymes, to stabilize the acid-alkaline (pH) balance in your digestive system and to reduce and eliminate the accumulation of acid through the digestive process. The right natural foods and supplements can help boost your body?s production of digestive enzymes.

If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself you need to take a proactive approach. Don?t expect to feed your body processed foods, not exercise, then pop a pill and be all better? it just doesn?t work that way. If you want to bring your body into pH balance then you need a complete approach. A great place to start is the Immersion Kit, you can learn more by going to http://www.pH-health.com

Article source: http://www.topiccenter.com/Health-and-Fitness/Nutrition/

High Acid Levels Lead to Cardiovascular Disease

THE RISK

When you consume food that?s high in acid or heavily processed, or food that causes an allergic response in your digestive system, the food will not be absorbed properly into your body as nutrients. Instead, some of the food will be absorbed into your bloodstream as acid waste. The remainder of undigested food will linger in your intestines and putrefy, causing further release of acid into your bloodstream. The result is a degeneration of all your body?s systems, including the cardiovascular system.

Improper digestion also creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. When the bacteria move into the cardiovascular system, the arterial walls become inflamed. No amount of treatment will help, unless the root cause ? excessive accumulation of acid ? is removed.

THE DAMAGE

When acid lingers in the bloodstream, it attaches to the artery walls and reduces blood flow just as easily as ?bad? cholesterol does. Vital nutrients and oxygen do not reach the body?s cells as easily, and all major organs including the heart become vulnerable to degenerative disease. If the acid plaque breaks off and clogs the bloodstream, it can cause a heart attack.

Bacteria that move into the cardiovascular system increase the risk of heart attack. In trying to fight the bacteria, the body?s immune system causes the arterial walls to become inflamed, by sending greater blood flow to enlarge the tissues and trap the germs. The increased blood flow and inflammation causes the acid plaque to break off more easily, and also increases blood pressure. Unless the acid accumulation in the body is reduced, your risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease will continue to increase.

THE BENEFITS OF A BALANCED pH

Fortunately a reduction in body acid is possible through proper diet and supplements. As you focus on a ?heart healthy? diet, you need to take a look at the bigger picture. This includes a ?pH healthy? diet as well. You need to reduce your intake of acid-causes foods and increase your intake of foods and supplements that neutralize the acids already present.

It?s also important to increase your production of digestive enzymes, to stabilize the acid-alkaline (pH) balance in your digestive system and to reduce and eliminate the accumulation of acid through the digestive process. The right natural foods and supplements can help boost your body?s production of digestive enzymes.

If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself you need to take a proactive approach. Don?t expect to feed your body processed foods, not exercise, then pop a pill and be all better? it just doesn?t work that way. If you want to bring your body into pH balance then you need a complete approach. A great place to start is the Immersion Kit, you can learn more by going to http://www.pH-health.com

Article source: http://www.topiccenter.com/Health-and-Fitness/Nutrition/

Acid and Digestive Disorders: Breaking the Vicious Circle

THE RISK

The primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to those who have it. During the digestive process, acid flows up into the throat and causes a burning sensation. This is caused by a breakdown in the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. It?s an indication that the acid-alkaline balance in the digestive tract has been disrupted. Unless that balance is restored, any attempt to treat or correct the acid reflux problem will provide nothing more than short-term relief.

The accumulation of acid in the digestive tract is often the result of eating the wrong types of food. Acid is not caused only by excessive consumption of junk food. Anything processed or overloaded with additives can upset the acid-alkaline balance in the digestive system. Even foods that you think are healthy can be highly acidic.

In a digestive tract that?s already out of balance, something as simple as cooking your food can lead to further problems. Cooking destroys natural enzymes in the food that assist with digestion. When your digestive system is unable to produce the necessary enzymes for digestion, the loss of natural enzymes makes the problem worse.

Lifestyle also contributes to digestive disorders. Stress intensifies hyperacidity. Blood is diverted away from the stomach to the heart, lungs and muscles for the ?fight or flight? response. The stomach is deprived of necessary oxygen and nutrients and cannot form sufficient enzymes for proper digestion.

THE DAMAGE

Acid reflux irritates and swells the mucous lining in the throat, esophagus and stomach, which disrupts the digestive process. The irritation can form ulcers. The acid-alkaline balance of the digestive tract is also upset, leading to further accumulation of acid.

The intestines are affected even more severely. Unlike digestion in the stomach, the intestinal digestive process is meant to be alkaline, not acidic. Therefore, the intestinal walls do not have a thick mucous lining that protects from acid as the stomach does. The intestinal walls are meant to facilitate the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

When acid inflames the intestinal walls, it disrupts the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. It kills off the friendly bacteria that aid in digestion ? friendly bacteria that are no longer present in much of our food supply. The intestinal inflammation also slows down peristalsis, the contraction of the colon that pushes food along the intestinal tract. Undigested food particles putrefy and lead to greater accumulation of acid.

The liver and gallbladder are also affected. When the liver becomes overloaded with acidic waste that it can?t eliminate, it crystallizes bile and acid waste into gallstones. The gallbladder has difficulty releasing bile, which inhibits proper digestion and further slows peristalsis. Acid levels continue to rise, the liver becomes damaged, and all other body organs become vulnerable to deterioration. Degenerative disease sets in.

THE BENEFITS OF A BALANCED pH

The best way to restore pH balance to your digestive tract is to eliminate foods that cause acid reflux. This also means identifying and eliminating foods that cause an allergic response.

Certain raw foods and whole foods and the right combination of vegetable juices can heal the digestive tract lining and eliminate further accumulation of acid waste. They can heal and prevent the formation of ulcers.

Supplements that replace the friendly bacteria and the digestive enzymes destroyed by acid can also help.

If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself you need to take a proactive approach. Don?t expect to feed your body processed foods, not exercise, then pop a pill and be all better? it just doesn?t work that way. If you want to bring your body into pH balance then you need a complete approach. A great place to start is the Immersion Kit, you can learn more by going to http://www.pH-health.com

Article source: http://www.topiccenter.com/Health-and-Fitness/Nutrition/

Acid and Digestive Disorders: Breaking the Vicious Circle

THE RISK

The primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to those who have it. During the digestive process, acid flows up into the throat and causes a burning sensation. This is caused by a breakdown in the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. It?s an indication that the acid-alkaline balance in the digestive tract has been disrupted. Unless that balance is restored, any attempt to treat or correct the acid reflux problem will provide nothing more than short-term relief.

The accumulation of acid in the digestive tract is often the result of eating the wrong types of food. Acid is not caused only by excessive consumption of junk food. Anything processed or overloaded with additives can upset the acid-alkaline balance in the digestive system. Even foods that you think are healthy can be highly acidic.

In a digestive tract that?s already out of balance, something as simple as cooking your food can lead to further problems. Cooking destroys natural enzymes in the food that assist with digestion. When your digestive system is unable to produce the necessary enzymes for digestion, the loss of natural enzymes makes the problem worse.

Lifestyle also contributes to digestive disorders. Stress intensifies hyperacidity. Blood is diverted away from the stomach to the heart, lungs and muscles for the ?fight or flight? response. The stomach is deprived of necessary oxygen and nutrients and cannot form sufficient enzymes for proper digestion.

THE DAMAGE

Acid reflux irritates and swells the mucous lining in the throat, esophagus and stomach, which disrupts the digestive process. The irritation can form ulcers. The acid-alkaline balance of the digestive tract is also upset, leading to further accumulation of acid.

The intestines are affected even more severely. Unlike digestion in the stomach, the intestinal digestive process is meant to be alkaline, not acidic. Therefore, the intestinal walls do not have a thick mucous lining that protects from acid as the stomach does. The intestinal walls are meant to facilitate the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

When acid inflames the intestinal walls, it disrupts the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. It kills off the friendly bacteria that aid in digestion ? friendly bacteria that are no longer present in much of our food supply. The intestinal inflammation also slows down peristalsis, the contraction of the colon that pushes food along the intestinal tract. Undigested food particles putrefy and lead to greater accumulation of acid.

The liver and gallbladder are also affected. When the liver becomes overloaded with acidic waste that it can?t eliminate, it crystallizes bile and acid waste into gallstones. The gallbladder has difficulty releasing bile, which inhibits proper digestion and further slows peristalsis. Acid levels continue to rise, the liver becomes damaged, and all other body organs become vulnerable to deterioration. Degenerative disease sets in.

THE BENEFITS OF A BALANCED pH

The best way to restore pH balance to your digestive tract is to eliminate foods that cause acid reflux. This also means identifying and eliminating foods that cause an allergic response.

Certain raw foods and whole foods and the right combination of vegetable juices can heal the digestive tract lining and eliminate further accumulation of acid waste. They can heal and prevent the formation of ulcers.

Supplements that replace the friendly bacteria and the digestive enzymes destroyed by acid can also help.

If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself you need to take a proactive approach. Don?t expect to feed your body processed foods, not exercise, then pop a pill and be all better? it just doesn?t work that way. If you want to bring your body into pH balance then you need a complete approach. A great place to start is the Immersion Kit, you can learn more by going to http://www.pH-health.com

If you have reflux, you know how it feels when food returns to haunt you. Dr John Briffa suggests several strategies for taming heartburn at night
While a good evening meal can send us to bed in a contented state, our last supper may also make its presence felt later in the form of acid indigestion and heartburn. A recent study in the American medical journal Chest has revealed that imbibing carbonated drinks in the evening appears to increase the risk of the acid reflux at night. It has been suggested that the acidic nature of these drinks adds to the stomach’s own acidity, thereby increasing the risk of heartburn.

My experience is that many other nutritionally oriented approaches can neutralise this problem. A top tactic is to ensure that food is well digested before retiring – food can overstay its welcome in the stomach, increasing the risk that it will leak through the valve between the stomach and the gullet (the gastro-oesophageal sphincter, or GOS). Lying down ups the risk of the stomach content escaping into the oesophagus.

One approach for overcoming reflux at night is to avoid overwhelming the stomach with food in the evening. A modest-sized supper is a good ploy – this is more easily achieved if, after a half-decent lunch, you have a snack of, say, fruit and/or nuts in the late afternoon. An earlier dinner may help, too. Although recent evidence suggests that fizzy drinks should be given a miss in the evening, my advice is to keep intake of all fluids to a minimum around the time of the evening meal. Drinking dilutes stomach acid, impairing digestion.

Additional fluid also adds volume to the stomach contents, which tends to increase reflux risk. Alcoholic beverages seem to be a particular problem, as they promote laxity in the GOS. For those prone to reflux at night, it seems that a night-cap of whisky and soda is something well worth avoiding. One often-effective strategy for refluxers is to avoid mixing protein-based foods (such as meat, fish and eggs) with starch-based foods (bread, potatoes, rice and pasta) at the evening meal.
This means basing meals on either protein or starch, along with cooked vegetables (other than the potato) or salad. Some believe that this makes digestion easier, and my experience is that it is often very effective in the treatment of heartburn. Further digestive aid can be had from thorough chewing, which breaks up food and allows the digestive juices greater opportunity to do their job

This post compliments of Ben Rubin NORTH ADAMS —
Millions of Americans reach for Tums or other antacids every day for relief from heartburn. But that common ailment could be a sign of the more serious acid reflux disease, which affects some 10 million Americans.

Acid reflux symptoms include a sour or acidic feeling in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, coughing and, most commonly, a burning sensation in the front of the chest. Acid reflux can cause teeth erosion and difficulty sleeping, and asthma in children,
Dr. Chi Zhang, a gastroenterologist at North Adams Regional Hospital since 2004, said 14 percent of Americans claim to suffer from reflux once a week. 7% twice a week, and 4% report a daily problem.

A mainstream pharmaceutical company is blitzing the airwaves promoting yet another solution to one the side effects of their popularly prescribed pain medications. Targeting seniors (the biggest consumers of pain meds), the manufacturer of the acid-reducing drug promises their product will protect users from the most dangerous potential side effects of painkillers, stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Absent from their ads is any information about a serious risk associated with this secondary treatment. In an apparent trend, pharmaceutical fortunes are now being enlarged by creating antidotes for the side effects of other popular medications they manufacture. A built-in, self-perpetuating stream of sales seems guaranteed for the pharmaceutical industry while seniors scramble to pay and take ever greater risks with their health. The average senior uses six prescription medications a day and some take as many as 20, putting their complete faith in the latest (and costliest) drugs on the market.

Consumers should be aware, however, that there are potentially serious side effects from this seemingly benign class of acid-reducing medications. In addition, the prolonged use of acid-reducers will have a broader impact than pain killers, appealing as they do to all segments of the adult population. That danger is Vitamin B-12 Deficiency and it is very real

Can Heartburn, G.E.R.D., Acid Reflux, and Acid Indigestion Really be Cured?

The simple answer is YES! In most cases, these conditions can be corrected without drugs, exercise or some crazy diet for the rest of your life. I was fortunate to review William Lagadyns new publication Cure Your Heartburn . He was a former sufferer of G.E.R.D. and acid reflux. In Williams own words, “Once I discovered exactly what was happening to my body I was able to clear up my problems once and for all No more heartburn!! Haven’t had it for 5 years, and I can eat or drink anything that I want…Feels Great! I am not a doctor, but I have been told many times, that my knowledge of heartburn and acid reflux is more than their doctors tell them.

I know, you will say it is hard to believe, because we have been conditioned to take drugs to help our Heartburn, Acid Indigestion, GERD, Reflux, Acid Reflux or whatever else they are calling it now-a-days. Basically all these conditions have just about the same symptoms, just different names.

It all boils down to having chest discomfort or burning symptoms due to the acidic fumes from your stomach coming in contact with your digestive organs In all fairness to the medical community, they try and help us the best they possibly can. They don’t have the time to do research on much of anything so they have to rely on medical journals, and try to keep up with all the new procedures in medicine. I reside in Canada, and my full time job is helping people all over the world, cure their heartburn and acid reflux.” The book is well written and contains a wealth of information for sufferers of  Acid Reflux Syndrome.