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Acid reflux - Many people experience acid reflux in their body from time to time. Acid reflux can create a burning sensation in the lower chest area, often after eating, when lying down, and when bending over.

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Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) - The burning sensation of acid backing up, or refluxing, into the esophagus is often referred to as heartburn. It’s also called acid regurgitation or gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

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Misnomer - By the way, despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart.

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Sour taste - In addition to a burning sensation, another symptom of acid reflux is an unpleasant, sour taste in your mouth. 

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Nauseous - Other symptoms of acid reflux are: a cough or hiccups that keep coming back, a hoarse voice, bad breath, bloating, and feeling sick.

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How does heartburn occur? - At the entrance to your stomach is a valve, which is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The diagram on the left is a properly functioning esophagus. The diagram on the right shows the sphincter opening, allowing reflux.

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Acid in the esophagus - Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. If the LES doesn't close all the way or if it opens too often, acid produced by your stomach can move up into your esophagus.

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Stomach acid - Stomach, or gastric acid helps break down food and protect against pathogens such as bacteria.

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No protection - The lining of the stomach is specially adapted to protect it from the powerful acid, but the esophagus, the narrow tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, is not.

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Reducing the symptoms - There’s often no obvious reason why people suffer from heartburn. However, you can reduce symptoms by changing your diet and avoiding foods and drinks that worsen the condition.

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What triggers heartburn? - The specific triggers for heartburn differ from person to person. In general, anything that is fatty, acidic, or highly caffeinated should be avoided.

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Worst foods for reflux - Coming up with the appropriate diet involves discovering what works best for you. Examples of things to reduce or steer clear of in your diet include: chocolate, peppermint, citrus fruits, tomato (including ketchup and tomato soup), fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, garlic, and onion.

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Worst drinks for reflux - Alcohol (the usual suspect), carbonated beverages, and coffee (caffeine).

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Foods to add to your diet for acid reflux - Vegetables like broccoli and leafy greens, as well as ginger, oatmeal, non-citrus fruits (especially banana, apple, and pear), lean meats and seafood (grilled, broiled, baked, or poached), egg whites, and healthy fats like walnut, flaxseed, and olive oil are foods that soothe reflux. 

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Drinks to add to your diet for acid reflux - Herbal teas including chamomile, licorice, and slippery elm improve digestion and soothe many stomach problems. Low-fat milk is a better option than full fat milk. Plant-based milks (soy, coconut etc) are a good alternative. Low-acidic fruit juices like carrot or aloe vera juice are good options. And don’t forget to drink lots of water, its PH value is 7.0, or neutral!

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The onset of GERD - Moderate to severe heartburn,or acid reflux that occurs at least once a week, is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This is a long-term digestive disorder in which stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.

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More severe - GERD follows all the symptoms of GER, but may also include chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat.

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Disrupted sleep - If you have nighttime acid reflex, you may also experience chronic cough, laryngitis, new or worsening asthma, and disrupted sleep.

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When to see a doctor - It’s time to act if you’ve been using over-the-counter antacid medicines for more than two weeks and you still have heartburn symptoms. Note: always consult your doctor before taking medication.

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Seek advice as soon as possible - Indeed, seek medical advice as soon as possible if your heartburn symptoms have become more frequent or severe.

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Red flags - Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing is an indicator, as is nausea or vomiting. Black or bloody bowel movements or drastic weight loss are other red flags.

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Heart attack? - Seek immediate care if you have chest pain, especially if you also have shortness of breath, or jaw or arm pain. These may be signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

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Lifestyle changes to reduce GERD - Dietary changes as described earlier can lessen the effects of GERD.

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Eat smaller portions - Eat smaller and more frequent meals each day instead of a few large meals.

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Eat earlier - Other lifestyle changes to alleviate GERD symptoms include avoiding lying down for at least two hours after a meal. Evening meals should be eaten at least three hours before going to bed.

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Heads up! - Keep your head elevated while you sleep. Using an extra pillow or two can help prevent reflux. Also consider raising the head of your bed by 10-15 cm (4-6 in), so you can sleep with your head and chest elevated.

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Adopt the "baggy" look - Wear loose-fitting clothing to ease pressure on the stomach.

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Quit tobacco - Quit smoking. Smoking can increase the production of stomach acid and reduce the function of the lower esophageal sphincter.

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Banish the belly -

Reduce excess weight around the midsection.

See also: The healing power of superfoods

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