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.

A Bad Combination: High Fiber and Acid Reflux

by Rudy Silva


There is a little known bad effect of eating a high fiber diet. Most recommendation on the amount of fiber to eat is in the range of 30 to 40 gm per day. And as you age this becomes more important since high fiber diets help you remove excess cholesterol in the colon and help regulate your bowel movements. In addition, fiber helps to remove toxins from your colon and provide food for the good bacterial.
What you are not told about fiber is that fiber can bind with certain nutrients and minerals and they get tied up in your stools before they get absorbed into your blood stream. This condition can occur when your stomach acid gets weak. And the weaker it gets, higher values of pH - 3.5, 4, 5, and 6 - the more nutrients you lose to stool formation.
There are two situations where your stomach acid gets weak. First, as you age, your ability to create and release HCl acid from your stomach walls decreases. Second, at any age, if you take any type of drug to decreased your stomach acid strength in an effort to reduce acid reflux damage to your esophagus. Both these condition in combination with a high fiber diet lead to a more minerals tied up in chyme or stools.
Here's how you lose the minerals. Phytate, a chemical found in grains, cereal and seeds, and fiber easily combine with nutrients and minerals. This complex of phytate, fiber, and minerals - calcium, manganese, iron, copper, nickel, or zinc - are easily absorbed when your stomach acid is the natural value of ph 1 - 3. As your stomach acid weakens and the pH rises to 4, 5, 6, and even 7, the complex become more insoluble and not absorbable. To make matters worse is if you have plenty of calcium and magnesium in this complex, it will tie up other mineral and make them insoluble.
There is one other condition that occurs with weaken stomach acid. Digestion of protein is decrease leaving more undigested protein to move into the colon. It is this undigested protein and constipation that can lead to colon cancer, especially if the protein has been cured with nitrites.
Here's how to avoid becoming mineral deficient. Keep your diet high in fiber by eating raw fruits and vegetable. If you are over 50 and perhaps 60, your stomach acid has been on the decline. Taking HCl and pepsin tablets can overcome this condition. But to use these acid tablets you need to use them in a special way and that will be covered in another article.
If you have acid reflux avoid using acid neutralizers such as Tums or Rolaids. Avoid, also, taking acid blocking drugs such as Prilosec. These drugs play with your acid levels and make you more susceptible to mineral loss. There are natural remedies that can help you eliminate acid reflux and if you work with a nutritionist, he can help define a diet that will stop acid reflux safely.
About the Author
Rudy Silva, Nutritionist, has just written a special report on how you can eliminate and cure your heartburn, or acid reflux, using a natural diet and natural remedies. Go here to discover how you can eliminate your acid reflux: http://www.nutritiondiet7.com/acidreflux/ To get more tips and information on acid reflux go here: http://www.acidreflux-relief.info or at http://www.acidheartburnreflux.com

Thanks to Rudy Silva for this article.

Natural Acid Reflux Treatments

by T. Houser


Drugs are not always the answer when dealing with acid reflux. Most people have forgotten that the drug "Propulsid" was pulled off the market several years ago after causing many deaths. Propulsid was used in the treatment of acid reflux. Even President Clinton used this drug.
Rather than rely on drugs to alleviate your acid reflux symptoms, using a natural methods are what this article will focus on. Drinking about a gallon of filtered water daily along with high doses of quality probiotics is a good start in restoring the normal stomach functions for most people. Ideally, you should drink enough water to keep your urine a light shade of yellow. If you suffer from acid reflux, you may need to drink more water in order to dilute the acid and get the pH level normalized in your stomach.
Now, what are probiotics? Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially helpful bacteria or yeast. Lactic acid bacteria are the common microbe used in these supplements. Lactic acid bacteria, has been used in the food industry for years because they convert sugars and other carbohydrates into lactic acid. This provides the sour taste in fermented dairy products such as yogurt. It also acts as a preservative by lowering the pH and thus causing fewer chances for organisms that cause spoilage to grow.
Probiotic bacteria cultures assist the human body's naturally occurring microorganisms, ccalled gut flora that normally live in the digestive tract. Sometimes, these Probiotics are recommended to patients by doctors and by nutritionists after taking antibiotics or as part of a treatment for stomach infections. Many people believe that probiotics strengthen the body's immune system. Maintaining healthy gut flora is dependant on plenty of factors especially on the quality of food eaten.
Other natural acid reflux treatments are the wormwood herb Artemisia asiatica or garlic. Artemisia asiatica supports healthy fungal and microbial balance. Garlic is a food that you should be eating everyday. Garlic has the ability to optimize bowel flora and kill pathogenic organisms such as H. pylori. This particular organism is the only bacterial organism in the stomach that stomach acid cannot kill.
However, the garlic must be fresh. Before eating it, you must chew or crush it with a spoon. If you swallow the cloves whole you will not convert the allicin in the garlic to its active ingredient. Allicin is a very powerful antibacterial and anti fungal agent found in garlic. Although allicin is not present in garlic in its natural state, when garlic is 'damaged' by cutting or crushing, the enzyme alliinase acts on the chemical alliin thus converting it into allicin. Allicin is not a very stable compound as it degrades slowly upon standing. Cooking destroys allicin quickly.
In conclusion, in order to get the true effects of allicin in garlic, you must chew or crush it right before consuming it.
About the Author
Thomas D. Houserhttp://www.acidcurereflux.com

Thanks to T. Houser for this article.

Acid Reflux and Sleep Apnea

by T. Houser


Many people suffer sleep apnea and acid reflux at the same time. In Latin, apnea means 'without breath'. Sleep Apnea is a disorder where the person sleeping involuntarily stops breathing for approximately ten seconds. It can also last as long as a minute. During an occurrence of apnea, the muscles of the lungs do not move, this occurs several times throughout sleep. The typical symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring, constant tiredness and morning headache. Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder where the stomach acids enter the esophagus and cause damage to the mucus membrane. The burning sensation in the chest is the major symptom of the presence of stomach acid in the esophagus.
A link between chronic heartburn and sleeping disorders has existed for a long time. However, which comes first is unknown. There was a recent study done in Germany that found acid reflux symptoms develop in people that suffer sleep apnea three times more frequently than in normally healthy people. According to this study, it would appear that sleep apnea is that cause and heartburn is the side effect. Other experiments have shown that once the acid reflux disorders have stabilized, the symptoms of sleep apnea fade away completely or at least reduce considerably.
The burning, choking feeling as the stomach acid rises from the stomach up the esophagus. This is a feeling that will certainly keep you awake at night. In this case, it would be obvious that treating the acid reflux would go a long way in improving the quality of the sleep.
Sleep apnea more frequently occurs in older overweight men. Sleep Apnea also occurs in many infants, who suffer from these same symptoms. In order to avoid acid reflux symptoms it is a smart idea not to eat spicy foods and not to eat large meals especially two to three hours before bedtime. If you are hungry and must eat in that 2-3 hour range before bed then try fruits like pineapple or papaya. Crackers and a glass of warm milk are good for the digestive system as well.
Sleep apnea and chronic acid reflux are both associated with obesity. A diet that is heavy in sugar, fast food and fat will cause obesity. A proper healthy diet will go a long way in preventing both sleep apnea and acid reflux. Do not let stomach acid cause inflammation of the throat and larynx. If you avoid acid reflux then you just could be avoiding sleep apnea.
About the Author
Thomas D. Houserhttp://www.acidcurereflux.com

Thanks to T. Houser for this article.