When it comes to our health we have to make sure that we know everything that we experience. Something are very minimal and others make us very uncomfortable no matter what we do. One of the most common medical conditions that people can experience is acid reflux disease.
Acid reflux disease is a medical condition in which the gastric juices, that are made up of acid, manage to work their way from our stomachs into the swallowing tube or esophagus. Many people will experience this condition on a regular basis. When this happens it is called gastro esophageal reflux disease also known as GERD.
Normally how the body works is that when there is food in the stomach it will be partially digested by the enzymes and acids contained within the stomach. These special chemicals help to break down the food so that the body can reuse it for energy or other means. If things work normal the partially digested food that contains acid from the stomach will be taken to the stomach muscle and into the small intestine to finish the digestion process.
Acid reflux is brought on when the food that holds the stomach acids will travel to the esophagus instead of the small intestine. This can cause damage and inflammation and can be very painful.
Causes Of Acid Reflux
There are many factors that can cause acid reflux disease. Some of the more common causes are fatty foods, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, chocolate, pregnancy, obesity, and the delayed time it takes to empty the stomach.
When someone is pregnant or obese they will experience pressure in the stomach that will push the partially digested food contained within it back into the esophagus. There are others whose stomach will empty very slowly into the intestines.
Symptoms Of Acid Reflux
The most common acid reflux disease symptom is of course heartburn. Heartburn is the burning feeling you receive that can travel from your stomach and reach all the way up to your chest and neck.
Other symptoms include; regurgitation, chest pain, asthma, hoarseness, dental erosion, and difficulty swallowing.
