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Symptoms of Acid Reflux

By William Lagadyn

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 13Feb2008 Word count: 463 Viewed: 350 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

The symptoms of GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease are heartburn, regurgitation or acid reflux, and nausea. Other symptoms may also present if the situation is not corrected.

Acid reflux or Gerd are not diseases like the pharmaceutical companies would like us to believe. They are only conditions which makes them very easy to correct, and they should be before the problem causes even more damage to your digestive organs.

When your acidic stomach gases reflux on a constant basis they can cause the delicate cells of the esophagus to become inflamed and if the condition is not corrected it can lead to erosion of your esophagus. This can make swallowing extremely difficult.

In the majority of cases people experience reflux because the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach is being forced open from too much stomach pressure being exerted against the Lower Esophageal Sphincter valve (LES). Once the valve is forced open the acidic gases, and sometimes the stomach acid itself, will reflux into your esophagus

When reflux takes place the gases can effect your larynx and cause hoarseness, and they can even aspirate into your lungs and cause asthma-like symptoms. Imagine if you were diagnosed with asthma and put on asthma medication, when the real cause of your problem was only reflux. It happens all of the time.

The Lower Esophageal Sphincter and the esophagus do not have a protective coating to protect them like the stomach does, and over time the acid will cause problems. Continued acid exposure to these unprotected digestive organs will increase the probability of more damage and your heartburn or acid reflux will increase in severity

Continued acid exposure to your esophagus can lead to Barrett's Esophagus which is where the stomach cells start growing in your esophagus. This is natures way of protecting your esophagus from any further damage. However in a small number of cases, Barrett's Esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer. Which is one of the fastest growing cancers we have today.

It is the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES that is responsible for keeping the stomach acid in your stomach. However if your stomach pressure is increased and you find that you are experiencing stomach bloating, burping or flatulence more than normal you are more than likely in an acidic condition, which is causing the problems.

What Causes Increased Stomach Pressure?

Stomach pressure can be increased from a number of different things such as gastritis, H.pylori bacterium, IBS, ulcers, being too acidic, consuming a large meal, swallowing air, carbonated drinks, anger, frustration or stress.

The pressure from your stomach is being exerted against your LES valve and once the pressure becomes too great it will override the valve, forcing it open and allowing the gases to reflux into your esophagus.

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