Acid Reflux And Sleeping On Your Stomach

by Jim Kesel


If you are like some people that prefer to sleep on their stomachs or tend to do so during their normal sleep cycle you also may increase your risk of acid reflux problems then you have a real problem. I know as I tend to have this problem. For me it usually starts sometime after midnight where I have rolled over in my sleep on to my stomach. Suddenly I am awakened by acid reflux and puke in my mouth causing me to gag. I quickly sit up and head to the bathroom to wash my mouth out. However the damage is already done and my throat is really raw and burning. After washing my mouth out I will use a Crystal Lite or some similar sugar free drink to get the awful taste out of my mouth. Just plain nasty business.
This is not a chronic problem for me but it occurs enough times that I frequently have to plan how I am going to sleep. That means placing pillows in such a manner to impede my ability to roll over on to my stomach. If I have a couple of these episodes during a week then I go to plan B which is sleeping in my recliner. By sleeping on your stomach you may place excessive pressure on you lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES) and your stomach causing it to leak stomach acid up your esophagus. In some cases it may just explode past the LES quickly filling your throat and mouth with stomach acid and undigested food. Sleeping on ones back slightly inclined will greatly reduce the risk of acid reflux problems. If you sense that you may have symptoms of an impending acid reflux heartburn attack then it is prudent to take a long lasting over the counter antacid like Pepcid prior to retiring for the night. However you should not get into the habit of taking an antacid each night before bed as there can be long term side affects associated with this practice.
I find that stress is a factor in these infrequent attacks and so I tend try to reduce it as much as possible. For most people this is easier said than done. Of course eating the right foods and exercise are also very important in reducing my stress and my acid reflux. I also try not to load up on a lot of liquids before heading for the sack or if I wake up with dry mouth during the night taking just a few sips of water to reduce the chances of another attack. I also keep a couple of antacid tablets on my night stand to ward off a possible second attack.
Living with acid reflux heartburn is not pleasant but you can manage your symptoms if you plan and use the right techniques.
About the Author
James Kesel, MS. is the publisher of Acid Reflux Heartburn Cure. If you need additional information on GERD, Acid Reflux Disease, Heartburn, Heartburn Medication, Gastric Reflux or Acid Reflux Disorder visit us at http://www.heartburnscures.com

Thanks to Jim Kesel for this article.

What Is Acid Reflux And How Do I Know If I Have It?

by Heather Colman


Acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is technically defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach.
Symptoms of heartburn in adults is the major symptom of acid reflux, characterized by a burning discomfort behind the breastbone. Some of the symptoms of acid reflux in adults include difficulty swallowing and chronic throat and chest pain. Some people may have only one of those symptoms.
Atypical symptoms of acid reflux include burning sensation at the base of the throat, cough, hoarseness, changes of the voice, chronic ear ache, or sinusitis.
Complications of acid reflux include stricture formation, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal ulcers and possibly even esophageal cancer.
Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has acid reflux. Patients that have heartburn symptoms more than once a week are at risk of developing acid reflux. The presence of a hiatal hernia is a risk factor for development of acid reflux.
Symptoms of acid reflux may be difficult to detect in infants and children. Symptoms may vary from typical adult symptoms. Acid Reflux in children may cause repeated vomiting, effortless spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems.
Inconsolable crying, failure to gain adequate weight, refusing food and bad breath are also common. Children may have one symptom or many. No single symptom is universally present in all children suffering from acid reflux.
Babies' immature digestive systems are usually the cause, and most infants stop having acid reflux by the time they reach their first birthday. Some children don't outgrow acid reflux and continue to have it into their teen years.
Children that have had heartburn that doesn't seem to go away, or any other symptoms of acid reflux for a while, should talk to their parents and visit their doctor.
Certain foods promote acid reflux. They include but are not limited to: Coffee, alcohol, calcium supplements, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements are stimulants of gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can promote acid reflux in the evening. Calcium containing antacids is a good example of this.
Foods high in fats and smoking reduce lower esophageal sphincter competence, so avoiding these tends to help, as well. Fat also delays emptying of the stomach.
Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of acid reflux. Why? Because there is less food in the stomach at any one time.
DisclaimerThe information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from acid reflux, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options.
About the Author
[Copyright � 2007, Heather Colman. Find more of Heather's articles at eBook Palace.Her articles are available for syndication. Reprinting individual articles is permissible provided no changes are made.]

Thanks to Heather Colman for this article.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

by T. Houser


The primary symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. Heartburn is a burning sensation that radiates up from the stomach to the chest and throat. It is most likely to occur in conjunction with the following activities: lying down on your back, lifting, bending over or after eating a heavy meal.Another common symptom is regurgitation, which is the feeling of acid backing up in the throat. Acid can regurgitate as far as the mouth in what is sometimes called a 'wet burp'. In rare instances, acid regurgitation can exit as vomit.Acid reflux sufferers that frequently experience symptoms at night tend to have more severe symptoms than those that suffer during the day. However, most acid reflux sufferers experience their symptoms at night. Acid reflux can indicate a damaged esophagus, so it is best to consult a doctor when experiencing continued acid reflux symptoms. Even with severe heartburn, it is not an indicator of an injury to the esophagus. People can suffer sever heartburn without damage to the esophagus. There are symptoms of acid reflux that are less common. One such symptom is chest sensations or pain in the chest. Patients may feel that there is food trapped behind the breastbone. Another less common symptom is throat irritation including dry cough, hoarseness, or having a lump in the throat and always having to clear your throat. In rare cases, a person may have trouble swallowing their food, causing severe chest pain. In this case, there is the feeling that the food is stuck in the esophagus. Other symptoms include persistent hiccups or chronic sore throat.Some acid reflux sufferers experience asthmatic symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Even nonsmoking people suffer from a cough associated with acid reflux. A patient may experience persistent nausea for weeks at a time that is not associated with any common cause of stomach upset may be a symptom of acid reflux. Even vomiting can occur on a daily basis. However, other causes of chronic vomiting and nausea need to be ruled out, before determining that the cause is acid reflux.There is a condition known as Barrett's Esophagus. This condition occurs by repeated acid reflux occurrences, which cause changes to the lining of the esophagus. Approximately 10% of these cases will develop into esophagus cancer. If you suffer from Barrett's Esophagus you must undergo regular examinations and you should be receiving continued acid reflux treatment.
About the Author
Thomas D. Houserhttp://www.acidcurereflux.com

Thanks to T. Houser for this article.

Avoid Caffine And Acid Reflux Symptoms Can Reduce

by Kathryn Whittaker


One of the biggest problems with caffine and acid reflux is that caffeine acts as a relaxant for the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle that is found at the top of the stomach where the esophagus meets the stomach.
The LES is designed to stay closed, only opening to allow food through when we swallow. If the muscle becomes relaxed then acid and food can splash up into the esophagus bringing on the symptoms of acid reflux.
A lot of people like to start the day with a cup of tea or coffee for the taste and also for the caffeine content to give them that 'kick' to get the day started. If you are one of those people, then it could be a contributing factor as to why you are having problems with your upper digestive system and acid reflux symptoms.
Do you wonder about the connection between caffeine and acid reflux? Here are some common reasons why caffeine can affect acid reflux and its related symptoms:
1. Gastro esophageal reflux can be caused by caffeine decreasing the pressure in the LES.
2. Caffeine can interfere with the gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) metabolism. GABA is a neurotransmitter that is produced naturally in the nervous system, GI tract, and brain. GABA is essential for stress and mood managing, and evokes a sense of calm within the digestive tract. Caffeine interferes with GABA, and thus reflux can become more common and painful.
3. The hormones Cortisol, epinephrine and nor epinephrine are elevated by caffeine. Together, these hormones increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and put the body in a state of emergency. When these hormones are more prominent, blood is routed to other areas away from the digestive system leading to reflux issues.
4. It is thought that caffeine suppresses the immune system.
So, what caffeinated products should be avoided? Caffeine is a prominent ingredient in many types of colas. Coffee contains caffeine, as does tea and many energy drinks on the market. You can also find some in chocolate. However, it is the caffeine in drinks that most acid reflux sufferers have problems with, most notably coffee, tea, and large amounts of soda.
Some believe they can alleviate the problem by drinking decaffeinated drinks, but some of them still have a trace amount of caffeine. There are some brands that are totally without caffeine, but you may have to search to find them. To be sure a product does not contain any caffeine look for the words 'caffeine-free' on the label. Just having decaffeinated does not mean there is no caffeine rather is contains less caffeine.
Continue reading to find out what you replace your morning pick me up with and to sign up for the free newsletter that offers more natural treatments for acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.
What then, can I drink? The best drink for the body is of course water, and that goes doubly for those who have problems with acid reflux. If you can find water that has been filtered free of chlorine, you have found a great choice. However, besides water, there are a few other options that you can have to scintillate the taste buds:
1. Coffee Replacements: You may find that herbal coffees are caffeine free. Some types include: Postum, HerbaCafe�, Chicory, and Teeccino. These will brew in the same manner as coffee, and have the same aroma, but they tend to not taste the same and they can be an acquired taste.
2. Tea: While herbal teas are free of caffeine, you should avoid peppermint, as it can aggravate GERD.
3. Soda: Most sodas that are light in color do not contain caffeine. Orange soda, ginger ale, and lemonade are just a few. They do, however, contain carbon and sugar in high amounts so they aren't great substitutes.
Getting rid of caffeine and acid reflux can really make a difference to how you feel, especially your energy levels. You may find it hard to eliminate caffeinated drinks at first, as caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, but it is the best in the end. It means deciding that your health and comfort are more important than your daily caffeine injection.
About the Author
By Kathryn Whittaker. Sign up for a free newsletter that has proven methods for tackling Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD head-on and discover more about Caffine and Acid Reflux.

Thanks to Kathryn Whittaker for this article.