What is Acid reflux disorder?

Acid reflux disorder, sometimes called heartburn or GERD, is a condition where stomach content flows back up your esophagus.  Even though this disorder is known by different names they have similar symptoms.  Acid reflux disorder is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract or digestive system.

Acid reflux disorder gives you a burning sensation in your chest near the heart and stomach. This sensation is caused by hydrochloric acid, which is used by your stomach to digest your food.

When food enters your stomach, a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter opens to allow food into the stomach.  Normally it remains closed so that stomach food and acid do not flow back up into your esophagus area. However there are times when the lower esophageal sphincter does not remain closed.  When this happens, acid from the stomach can reflux or flow back into the esophagus. This results in the condition that is called gastroesophageal reflux disorder or acid reflux disorder.

Here are some reasons why you might have acid reflux disorder.  You might have,allergiesenzyme deficienciesgallbladder problemshiatal herniastressheartburn ulcersover eatenbeen drinking excess alcoholbeen drinking excess coffee, tea, colas, other caffeine drinksbeen eating excess fried and fatty foods

Tomatoes and tomato-based products like sauces and tomato juice also cause the lower esophageal valve to relax. These tomato-based products lead to an increase in the production of stomach acid causing the stomach acid to remain highly acidic.

Eating large amounts of food at any meal can put a lot of pressure on your stomach muscles. As this pressure builds up, the lower esophageal valve starts to weaken and can eventually open, allowing food and acid to move up into your esophagus.

Since this valve protects your esophagus from your stomach acid, you need to take care that this valve does not allow digested acidic food to pass into your esophagus. To prevent this you should eat small meals throughout the day. Your mouth, esophagus, and stomach are the first areas of food processing.  If something goes wrong in this area, if will affect your entire body.  The stomach is responsible for not only breaking down your food but also for preparing your food to be converted to specific nutrients that your body needs.

Using drugs and other drugstore acid reducers will block the natural processes of your stomach.  This creates a cascade of nutritional deficiencies that create diseases, which your doctor will not understand where they came from.

To normalize your stomachs activities or to get rid of acid reflux disorder, you need to change your eating, drinking, and thinking habits.  You should do this for a few months to strengthen your stomach's activities.  Once you reduce or eliminate your acid reflux disorder, you can start to eat some of the foods that you had to eliminate.

By watching what you eat and taking care of your health, you stand a better chance of avoiding and clearing acid reflux disorder or heartburn.  Change your lifestyle, especially what you eat and your total world will change for the better.