Acid Reflux, Acid Reflux Disease And Diet

Acid reflux occurs when the contents in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The medical name is gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. An acid reflux diet will assist with this.

Many times acid reflux disease can be very severe with a lot of symptoms that you may become alarmed with. Other times it can be quite severe, even without noticeable symptoms.

If you understand the role of the stomach it is easier to understand how acid reflux disease can happen.

It is the hydrochloric acid of the stomach that is the major role player in acid reflux disease. The main culprit is not the stomach itself, but relaxation of the upper valve of the stomach. This unique valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter. If this valve is relaxed or forced open then the stomach acid is pushed or forced back up into the esophagus causing damage to the very tender esophagus lining. An acid reflux diet will help with this

When you realize that food traveling from the mouth to the stomach only takes a few seconds, you then realize that there is no need for stomach acid to be present in your esophagus. It only a muscular tube that shuttles food and drink downward.

You may not realize that every day you eat certain foods that are relaxing to this upper valve. Even your every day stress can effect it.

Over eating or drinking can also effect the reverse opening of this valve. If you have two much food in your stomach at once, the stomach processing and churning the food can force that valve open. Small meals are to your advantage.

There are things that you can do to turn Acid Reflux Disease around. The way that you eat, what you eat, when you eat. The first thing is to educate yourself. Get on an acid reflux diet, eat fresh, raw foods in your diet to provide enzymes your body needs for digestion.