Heartburn symptoms and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) symptoms are caused when stomach acid refluxes--backs up--into the esophagus. This problem is caused by improper digestion.
Heartburn symptoms are considered mild if experienced once a month. If you have heartburn once a week, it's moderate. It is when you have it daily that it's considered to be severe. This can occur for a number of reasons...
- When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that keeps stomach acid in the stomach, is weakened or relaxed and does not do its job properly
- Certain foods, such as chocolate, fried and fatty foods, peppermint, coffee, alcohol, and sugars can weaken or relax the LES
- Eating large meals or shortly before bedtime
- A hiatal hernia
- Pressure on the stomach, including frequent bending over, tight clothes, lifting, and obesity
- Certain medications
- Smoking
- Stress can increase acid production and slow down the emptying of the stomach
An important concern, if you suffer from GERD, is scarring of the esophagus, which narrows the esophagus and makes it difficult to swallow. It can also lead to Barrett's Esophagus, a condition where cells similar to those of the stomach lining develop in the lower esophagus. This severe damage to the esophagus increases your risk of developing cancer of the esophagus.
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The over production of stomach acid into the esophagus (throat) is a digestive disorder that must be corrected at the source. Proper digestion takes a balance of acids and enzymes.
When food is not properly digested, undigested food particles reach the colon causing irritation and in turn cause the body to send a signal to the stomach demanding the production of more stomach acids in a desperate attempt to break down the food material.
In addition, sodium and potassium play an important role in proper digestion. Naturally occurring sodium is not to be confused with the sodium from common table salt, which is processed with extreme heat using many chemical and bleaching agents. The stomach and many other bodily functions are in constant need of sodium.
If it were not for the presence of sodium making the tissue in the stomach highly alkaline, the lining would be destroyed by the hydrochloric acid normally produced in the stomach. Potassium neutralizes acid wastes and in combination with sodium helps maintain a healthy acid/ alkaline balance. Second only to breathing and maintaining a heartbeat, the most important metabolic function our body performs is to maintain a balanced pH.
Heartburn Symptoms - A few additional tips:
Eat frequent, smaller meals instead of three larger ones: This will help prevent excessive production of stomach acid. The National Institute of Health has released a study showing that people who eat smaller meals can live longer. This shows that our enzymes work best when small amounts of foods are consumed.
Eat slowly and chew thoroughly: One way to help you slow down while eating is to put your fork or spoon down between bites.
Don't go to bed with a full stomach: Stay up at least three hours after eating your last meal or large snack before going to bed.
Digestion is very important for health and wellness, as well as weight loss, yet so many of us suffer from indigestion and take antacids like Tums or Rolaids for relief. Have you ever wondered why this is a multi-billion dollar industry?
Proper digestion starts in the mouth where the salivary glands are, then the stomach lining with its mucous, acid, and enzymes, and finally, the pancreas, the liver, and the gallbladder. There are three major factors that disrupt the harmonious operation of the entire digestive process: First is the Acid/Alkaline balance of our body, second is the important presence of enzymes needed to break down food, and third is our body's level of hydration.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) and lifestyle can make our bodies overly acidic and our digestion weak. Rather than shut off the stomach acid that seems to be giving us heartburn, what's needed is to return our body to it's proper alkalinity with digestive enzymes that help break down foods and ensure the continuing process of digestion. In addition, stress in any form, physical or emotional, causes acid in the body to become out of balance, which may result in digestive problems.
Drink eight to ten 8oz. glasses of plain, pure water daily (and not at meal times because consuming any beverage with a meal dilutes digestion). Keeping the body properly hydrated is very important. Many people think that you can keep the body hydrated on coffee, tea, and soda, however, these are actually acid forming liquids and further dehydrate the body, making the problem worse. Water at room temperature is also best for digestive purposes.
Supply your body with digestive enzymes like protease, an enzyme that digests proteins and may be helpful for people with food allergies and Amylase, an enzyme that digests starches and carbohydrates and may be useful for people with gluten sentsitivities.
Taking digestive enzymes with each meal will help give you the enzymes needed for improved digestion.
Return the body to it's proper systemic pH level. If you are eating the Standard American Diet, which is very acid forming, digestive enzymes and nutrients like coral calcium can help to balance your acid/alkaline levels.
For a natural heartburn remedy we recommend DigestAssist by Native Remedies.
We use Native Remedies formulas on a daily basis and have always been very satisfied
with the results.
Wishing You Good Health!
The Editors i-health-info.com
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