5 Facts To Acid Reflux Symptoms And Its Triggers

If you have acid reflux, then it's important to understand some basic facts about this condition. It is only through understanding the causes, symptoms and triggers of acid reflux that you can learn how to best manage your condition. Here are the top 5 facts about acid reflux symptoms and their triggers

1. Acid reflux is often referred to as heartburn. However, acid reflux symptoms extend to more than just heartburn. Increasingly, acid reflux is a very common complaint. Today there are more than 60 million Americans or one fifth of the population suffering from acid reflux on a monthly basis. More than half of these patients are said to have painful symptoms on a daily basis.

2. Symptoms of acid reflux develop due to acid production in the stomach and by the inability of the sphincter at the top of the stomach to stop the acid from traveling to the throat. While this condition cannot be cured at this time, you can easily prevent your symptoms from developing by eating less acidic foods. Doctors also often prescribe medications to keep the condition under control.

3. Often, you will experience painful and uncomfortable acid reflux symptoms at night while in horizontal position. If you do not treat your condition, you may experience sleep disorders, fatigue and even mental health problems. During the day, you also experience anger, lack of concentration and unwellness.

4. You should consider giving up habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol as they tend to worsen your acid reflux symptoms. Smoking and alcohol were found to have a relaxing effect on the sphincter in the upper abdomen. Because your sphincter is already having trouble, it can cause more pain than normal.

5. Obesity increases your risk of developing acid reflux. Fat around the waist and abdomen press on the stomach, especially when you lie down. Your sphincter in the upper abdomen, and indeed in the lower abdomen leading to the small intestine, becomes depressed and weak. This can and often causes stomach acid to leak into the esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux. The same applies to pregnant women in the last few months of their pregnancy when the baby weighs on the stomach.

If you allow the acid reflux symptoms to develop without taking any action, serious complications such as damage to your throat can cause. In the worst case scenerio, you can also develop oesophageal cancer. Therefore, you should take precautions if you cannot stop the pain with the help of OTC pain.

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