Hyperacidity and Acid Reflux Disease
February 3, 2009 by Hyperacidity
Filed under Featured Articles, Hyperacidity Symptoms
Hyperacidity and Acid Reflux Disease
Hyperacidity and the acid reflux disease is a disorder caused mostly due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps in the digestion of the food. Acid reflux disease is the weakening of the valve that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Actually this valve opens to allow the food and then closes automatically. But when this valve weakens it remains open even after allowing the food inside which makes the stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus which causes many serious consequences like heartburn. Some other symptoms of the acid reflux disease are pain while swallowing, chest pain and the contents of the stomach come back into the mouth.
Hyperacidity may be caused due to continuous intake of anti inflammatory medicines like aspirin, consumption of alcohol, intake of spicy foods and flavored foods like pickles. Lack of proper exercise program, having a heavy meal and immediately going to bed, smoking and stress also contributes to the hyperacidity. Symptoms of hyperacidity are pain in the stomach immediately after the intake of a spicy food, vomiting and sometimes even blood vomiting and heartburn.
Hyperacidity can be successfully controlled by avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption, avoiding coffee, following a proper diet and a regular exercise program and leading a stress free life. Powdered amla acts as a medicine for the acid reflux disease. Hyperacidity may be a serious problem if it is occurred in persons above fifty years of age. It is not a communicable disease. It can be controlled either by the consumption of conventional medicines like antacids or by the ayurvedic treatments or by the homeopathic treatment.
Heart Burn
February 3, 2009 by Hyperacidity
Filed under Gastric Ulcers
Heart Burn
Heartburn is a pain or a sensation of burning that is caused in the esophagus due to the excessive secretion of gastric acid. Many people think wrongly that the disease is associated with heart, but the fact is that the disease does not have any relation with the heart and it has got the name only because of the burning sensation or the pain caused in bone near the heart.
The valve that connects the esophagus and the stomach gets weakened with the onset of the acid reflux disease. This causes the hydrochloric acid to flow outside the stomach which results in the disorder called heartburn.
The most widely used treatment for the heartburn is the intake of antacids. The antacid reacts with the stomach acid and neutralizes it, which reduces the pain immediately but it is rarely a permanent cure. Sometimes a solution of sodium bicarbonate and water is consumed which also acts as an antacid. However it has some side effects as excess sodium intake is harmful for the health.
Controlled diet which has no spicy foods, coffee and by avoiding smoking and drinking liquor and by following a regular exercise program the acid reflux can be avoided which may eventually prevent the heartburn.
Though there are number of medical treatments available for the heartburn, one of the immediate home remedy is by sleeping in a sitting position or at least by keeping the head in a higher position than the lower body. The occurrence of the disease can be minimized by following a dietary control and by avoid wearing tight pants which makes the acid to flow back.