Acid Reflux: How and Why
The main cause of acid reflux happening in our bodies is the consumption of large amounts of foods, considered as acidic in nature. It all has to do with the quality of the muscles that participate in your digestion process. Muscles help transport food down your food pipe, into the stomach, and then onwards into the intestines.
Entering the food pipe, entering the stomach and exiting the stomach, the food encounters valves that control entry, exit and backflow, and the various muscles help push the food along by squeezing and relaxing the pipes alternately. In particular, the LES or Lower Esophageal Sphincter muscle controls entry into and prevents backflow from the stomach into the esophagus or food pipe.
Sometimes, due to weakening of these various muscles, food stays longer in the stomach. Malfunctioning valves, also manage to allow food into areas where it should not go, such as backward from the stomach into the food pipe. Of course, this backflow contains food, digested by stomach acids, and that’s why we get the sour warm sensation in our throats. In addition, sometimes, this acid is harmful to the walls of our food pipe, which end up getting scarred.
This, then, is the cause of getting an “obstructed” feeling, as if food is stuck in your throat. With weak muscles, disobedient muscles, and irregular digestive processing in the chest and stomach area, it affects other systems too. Stress prone people often get breathing problems as a result.
Although many people believe it is so, eating acidic foods will not make any part of your body more acidic. The stomach naturally produces hydrochloric acid during regular digestion and it is this acid reentering the esophagus that results in acid reflux.
Folks with acid reflux problems should avoid caffeine, peppermint, spearmint, alcohol, and even chocolate. Carbonated drinks are NOT a good idea for those with acid reflux symptoms. Avoiding of fatty foods, processed foods, and planned disinterest in things like fast food (hot dogs, pizzas, burgers), has been known to work positively for those worried about acid reflux.
The old adage is true; you are indeed what you eat. The key is keeping your body balanced between being overly acidic or alkaline. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, multigrain foods, white meat, and poultry will help you do so. Remember that acidic fruits and vegetables like grapefruit, oranges, and tomatoes still should be avoided. And you will want any meat you eat to be cooked in a way that keeps its fat content low.
You can keep from experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of acid reflux disease by reducing stress, getting lots of sleep, exercising regularly, and trying to maintain a healthy weight.
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Tags: acid reflux causes, acid reflux symptoms, acid reflux treatment, acidic fruit, alkaline, Digestion, heartburn, obesity, Overweight, Stomach, stomach disorders