Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is when gastric juices from what you have eaten travel back up into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation in your throat. Some of the symptoms that may indicate that you have acid reflux could be heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty with swallowing and a hoarseness in your voice. Anyone can suffer from acid reflux, but there are certain things that can exacerbate the condition: cigarettes, coffee, chocolate, obesity and a propensity for fatty foods, according to Patient Health International.
Significance
Studies conducted in Sweden showed that people with a diet high in salt were more susceptible to acquiring acid reflux. They also found that people who ate more fiber and had a regular exercise routine fared better than those who did neither. The study, posted in the PubMed online medical library of the National Institutes of Health, also indicated that alcohol was not much of a factor in acid reflux.
Identification
Certain foods can agitate a pre-existing condition of acid reflux. Foods that are high in acid such as citrus fruits, fatty and fried food, garlic and onion, peppermint, foods that contain a lot of spice and tomato flavorings should be avoided. People suffering from acid reflux should make sure that they eat two to three hours before they go to bed at night, says the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NDDIC.
Considerations
People who suffer from acid reflux should make sure that their diet is split into very small meals. They should avoid sitting down at the table and stuffing themselves all at once. Instead, they should try to break up their eating patterns into frequent, more manageable meals, reports Medical News Today.
Effects
Unfortunately, people who only gain a few pounds are susceptible to developing acid reflux, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. It is not so much the increase in weight as it is the mechanism that creates the stomach acid. Developing acid reflux is due to the failure of a valve between the stomach and esophagus to shut properly.
Warning
Whatever the reasons for your acid reflux, one thing is certain: if you don't pay attention to it and try to do everything you can to alleviate it, it will cause you a lot of trouble. People who ignore the symptoms and go about eating and drinking as if nothing is wrong are risking the very real threat of developing one of the deadliest diseases: esophageal cancer.
Prevention/Solution
Esophageal cancer can begin anywhere along the lower portion of the esophagus. It is not as prevalent here as it is in parts of Asia and Africa, but Americans can certainly get it and they do. Some of the symptoms to look for are difficulty swallowing, losing weight without trying, chest pain and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
