Acid reflux disease is fast becoming as common as catching a cold. It is estimated that as much as 40% of the U.S. population suffers from this disease. It affects infants, children, pregnant women and other adults. Although billions of dollars are spent each year on acid reflux remedies, drug companies have yet to find a permanent cure. However, many folk are experiencing long-term relief using a holistic approach that has been clinically proven to work.
Do You have Simple Heartburn?
Heartburn is generally caused by food or drink. When you eat your trigger food or drink, you get an occasional burning sensation in the middle of your chest or near your heart. You can take an antacid pill, belch a couple of times and the episode is usually over. When simple heartburn occurs frequently, coupled with excessive stomach pain, your heartburn could be telling you there's something much worse happening internally, like acid reflux disease.
What Are The Symptoms?
When you swallow food or liquids, they travel through your esophagus down into your stomach. Your stomach creates acid to digest what you swallowed. The acid, and food or drink, should be contained in your stomach while it's being digested, then move down into your intestines as part of a normal digestion process. When what you swallowed reverses its natural downward course and travels back up into your esophagus, taking the acid with it, this abnormal occurrence is called acid reflux.
People with acid reflux disease usually suffer from very bad stomach cramps, constipation, diarrhea, are unable to lie in a horizontal position (sleep), and experience respiratory, digestive, and stress related disorders. Medications can add to the problem by creating high blood pressure, liver and kidney problems.
Other Symptoms, Surgery And Cancer
Untreated acid reflux disease can seriously damage your body and have a devastating impact on your quality of life. Think about this for a minute. Acid that was meant to dissolve food in your stomach is backing up into your esophagus, your throat, and coming out of your mouth and/or nose. The bile, partially digested acid filled food, and the sheer force of the automatic reflux action makes it difficult to swallow; causes dry coughing, chest pain, heartburn, chronic cough, and can trigger hoarseness, asthma and sinusitis. In untreated cases, acid reflux disease can lead to surgery and cancer. The entire mind, body and spirit are out of sync.
What Permanent Acid Reflux Remedies Are Available?
There is no permanent, quick fix for acid reflux disease. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for the next person. Prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, diets, vitamin supplements, and many home remedies, all offer varying degrees of temporary relief. In many cases, after the temporary relief, the acid reflux returns and it's more painful that it was before the "treatment".
A holistic, natural approach to managing the root cause of acid reflux disease can provide long-term relief from acid reflux and many other digestive related disorders. Since there is no one acid reflux remedy that fits all, any program you choose should have an evaluation process that offers a clear insight into your situation, and clear steps to your personal relief plan.
Do Nutritionists Develop And Monitor Acid Reflux
One can definitely benefit from having a nutritionist on your team. Many times doctors will involve a nutritionist when dealing with any digestion related problem. Any program that is developed by a nutritionist who provides free consultations should be seriously considered. If you're interested in a natural or holistic approach to healing, look for a nutritionist that is a member of the American Holistic Health Association (AHHA).
